Ming-Xuan: "Ji-Xuan, based on Xiao-Tong's statement, I'm giving Shi-Han one final chance. When the media publicly confirms Shi-Han's innocence, I'll keep her on the team as a substitute gamer."
Ji-Xuan: "A substitute gamer? But Shi-Han is our main gaming player, Sir."
★★★
Jun-Yu: "The forensic report itself is absolutely correct, but the person who prepared the report gave the wrong explanation. A heroin overdose can damage the heart, kidneys, brain, and every other organ in the body. And that's exactly what happened. The girl's veins ruptured because of the heroin overdose. But Officer, how is it possible for a couple of slaps to cause all of this?"
Jing-Hao: "Jun-Yu, you're right. The report also states that most of Shin-Yan's organs were severely damaged. Based on your explanation, Shin-Yan's forensic examination will be conducted again. And it has now been proven that Shi-Han is innocent. However, since an arrest warrant has already been issued, she will have to go to the police station once for the sake of formalities. But don't worry. We will release Shi-Han with full respect and send her back with your phone. Remove the handcuffs from Shi-Han."
As soon as Jing-Hao finished speaking, a female police officer removed the handcuffs from Shi-Han's wrists. Listening to Jun-Yu's sharp analysis, Shi-Han stared at him with grateful eyes.
"Is there anything Jun-Yu doesn't know? Riding, science, medicine, law—is everything memorized by Jun-Yu? Anyway, thank you so much, Zombie. Sorry, my dear little scientist. Jun-Yu, you're truly a strange zombie, different from everyone else. You act like a zombie when you're angry, but you're not a zombie at all—instead, you research viruses. I'll remain grateful to you for the rest of my life, Zombie."
While Shi-Han was thinking this to herself, Officer Jing-Hao said to Jun-Yu—
Jing-Hao: "We are sorry, Mr. Jun-Yu. There were not just one but many mistakes in our investigation. Please don't continue pointing them out and making our profession look bad. And thank you very much. I truly have to praise your intelligence. Your explanation has been extremely helpful in guiding this case in the right direction. Thank you. We'll be leaving now. Come along, Madam."
After speaking to Jun-Yu, Jing-Hao immediately walked outside the hospital. Jun-Yu followed behind Shi-Han and came outside as well. As soon as Shi-Han stepped outside, the media once again rushed toward her, trying to surround her with questions. However, the police did not allow the reporters to get anywhere near her.
The media had no idea that Jun-Yu was also staying at the government hospital. Suddenly, their attention shifted toward him. The moment they tried to surround Jun-Yu, his six bodyguards immediately appeared in front of him.
Media (1): "Sir! Sir! Are all the reports about you true, or are they merely rumors?"
Media (2): "Sir, please don't ignore our questions."
The media threw countless questions at him, but Jun-Yu didn't answer a single one. Instead, he silently stared at Shi-Han sitting inside the police vehicle. Shi-Han also looked back at him. Suddenly, amidst all the noise and chaos of the media, only one sound seemed to remain—the roar of the police vehicle's engine as it released smoke and drove away.
As soon as the police took Shi-Han away, Jun-Yu returned inside the hospital. Both his body and mind felt exhausted. Although it was spring, the temperature under the sun had risen considerably. After standing under the late afternoon sunlight for so long, Jun-Yu was drenched in sweat. As he walked through the hospital corridor, he removed his coat, reached a nearby bench, and collapsed onto it, letting all the strength drain from his body.
Meanwhile, after seeing the police take Shi-Han to the station, the media began reporting once again—
Media (1): "Look, everyone! Our prediction has been proven correct. As you can see, the police have just taken Gaming Queen Shi-Han into custody. To learn more about the punishment awaiting Shi-Han, the accused in the Shin-Yan murder case, stay tuned to our channel. We'll see you again at the courthouse. Thank you."
★★★
"Vern Gaming Club"
Captain Ji-Xuan was sitting at a gaming desk in the club, live streaming. Jia-Hong was sitting beside him, also doing a gaming livestream. Hao-Yu and Jing-Tian were playing table tennis in the common room next to the gaming room while a news channel was playing on the TV.
The gamers streaming live was actually a good thing; after all, it benefited the club. However, their livestream was interrupted when the club manager, Ming-Xuan, arrived. Looking rather angry, he said to Ji-Xuan—
Ming-Xuan: "Ji-Xuan, how much longer is this going to continue? Shi-Han said she wouldn't play for just one day, but why hasn't she livestreamed even today? This is exactly why Director Jun-Hao wanted to remove Shi-Han from the team."
Ji-Xuan was wearing gaming headphones and hadn't heard Ming-Xuan clearly. As soon as he heard Shi-Han's name, he stopped the livestream and lowered his headphones around his neck—
Ji-Xuan: "Sir, I was live. You could have avoided talking about our team member while I was streaming."
Ming-Xuan became even angrier at Ji-Xuan's response and said—
Ming-Xuan: "How many people were watching your stream? Shi-Han has damaged our club's reputation in front of far more people than that."
Jia-Hong, sitting beside Ji-Xuan, spoke up—
Jia-Hong: "Sir, what are you talking about? What do you mean Sister Shi-Han damaged our reputation?"
Ming-Xuan: "She murdered Shin-Yan, the owner of the famous Yu-Sheng Music Group. The media has published the headlines all over the world."
Ji-Xuan: "Impossible! Why would Shi-Han suddenly commit murder? Jia-Hong, come on, let's go to the common room and watch the news."
As Ji-Xuan and Jia-Hong were about to head toward the common room, Hao-Yu and Jing-Tian came out from there—
Jing-Tian: "Captain, Sir is right. I just saw it on TV. The media has published the news along with evidence and CCTV footage."
Hao-Yu: "Captain, should Shi-Han still remain on the Zion team now? I mean, would a murderer remain a member of our team?"
Ming-Xuan: "What Ji-Xuan thinks doesn't matter. I'm standing right here. You'll all follow my decision. I have only one thing to say: Shi-Han will no longer play under our club. From this moment onward, I officially expel Shi-Han from the club."
Ji-Xuan: "Wait a minute, Sir. Before making an official announcement, I want to hear the truth from Shi-Han's friend, Xiao-Tong."
Ming-Xuan: "Fine, do it. Let's see whether the truth proves otherwise."
As soon as Ming-Xuan said that, Ji-Xuan called Xiao-Tong. The moment she answered—
Xiao-Tong: "Captain, I know why you're calling me. The truth is that an illegal organization killed Shin-Yan. The same organization drugged me as well. I was hospitalized too. I admit Shi-Han was seen fighting with Shin-Yan, but Shi-Han actually went to the police station only to retrieve her phone. The police have already released her. All evidence has cleared Shi-Han. Within a short time, the police will make an official statement to the media. Please don't take any action against Shi-Han based on the media's false reports. I'm a little busy right now. Tomorrow, Shi-Han will come to the club and submit a formal explanation containing all the facts."
Ji-Xuan: "Alright, Sister."
Ji-Xuan had put the phone on loudspeaker as soon as Xiao-Tong answered. The entire Zion team, including Manager Ming-Xuan, heard everything Xiao-Tong said. However, Ming-Xuan still said to Ji-Xuan—
Ming-Xuan: "Ji-Xuan, based on Xiao-Tong's statement, I'm giving Shi-Han one final chance. When the media publicly confirms Shi-Han's innocence, I'll keep her on the team as a substitute gamer."
Ji-Xuan: "A substitute gamer? But Shi-Han is our main gaming player, Sir."
Ming-Xuan: "I admit Shi-Han is innocent. However, it's also true that she got into a public fight with Shin-Yan in a public bar. Therefore, to ensure that Shi-Han never again causes embarrassment to our team and club through such public behavior, this is the punishment being given to her by the club."
Ji-Xuan and the rest of the Zion team accepted the manager's decision. Because of Shi-Han's public behavior, the manager demoted her from a main gamer to a substitute gamer. However, it was still uncertain whether Shi-Han would even be able to remain on the team as a substitute gamer, because the police had not yet released their official statement to the media.
★★★
Jun-Yu was sitting in the hospital corridor. Suddenly, Jun-Yu saw Mei-Xue standing in front of him. However, it was actually Shi-Han who was standing in the hospital corridor.
Seeing Jun-Yu sitting there like this, Shi-Han slowly walked toward him. But before she could come very close to Jun-Yu, her phone vibrated. It seemed someone was calling. Shi-Han answered the call—
Shi-Han: "Yes, Captain, tell me."
Ji-Xuan: "Sister, we know you're innocent, but because of a small mistake on your part, Manager Sir has demoted you from a main gamer to a substitute gamer."
It was obvious that Ji-Xuan was calling Shi-Han from the club. Before Ji-Xuan could say anything more, Shi-Han hung up the phone. Tears rolled down from Shi-Han's lively eyes.
Jun-Yu saw Mei-Xue walk over and stand beside him. She gently stroked his messy hair and said—
Mei-Xue: "You've grown up so much, my child. Your health is bad and Shu-Yang is in this condition, yet you didn't think it was necessary to inform me even once."
As soon as Mei-Xue said that much, Jun-Yu, while sitting, emotionally embraced the standing Mei-Xue and said—
Jun-Yu: "Mom, you've come."
The moment Jun-Yu said that, he heard Mei-Xue say—
Mei-Xue: "How could I not come? Even if you consider me a stranger, a mother can never consider her child a stranger. A mother never leaves her child alone in danger, my son. How could I possibly not come when you're sick, Jun-Yu?"
As she spoke, Mei-Xue continued stroking Jun-Yu's head and body. At that very moment, she noticed tears flowing down Jun-Yu's fair skin while his eyes remained closed. Leaning into Mei-Xue a little more and holding her even tighter, Jun-Yu said—
Jun-Yu: "Mom, don't stay upset with me anymore! Look, Mom, even my own Papa doesn't look at my face. And everyone with whom I build a relationship only ends up giving me emotional pain. Sometimes they leave me, sometimes they fall into danger, and sometimes they fight with me.
Mom, do people only come into my life to hurt me? Doesn't anyone come to love me? The pain is tearing my head apart, yet I can't even get a moment of rest. Mom, will you put me to sleep for a while? I want to rest peacefully for a little while."
Just then, Xiao-Tong entered the hospital corridor and saw Jun-Yu sitting while wrapping his arms around the waist of the standing Shi-Han. However, Jun-Yu's eyes were still closed, and salty tears were streaming down his face. Shi-Han stood there, gently stroking and massaging Jun-Yu's head. Tears were also rolling down Shi-Han's cheeks.
Shi-Han (thinking): "Jun-Yu has hidden such loneliness and such deep wounds inside himself. I don't really know you, Jun-Yu. Will you give me a chance to know you?"