Lin Cheng and Yang Jinzhi were taken away for investigation. The ugly truth of the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center was exposed to the entire online community. Some people refused to believe it and criticized the capitalists for staging a show.
In the 21st century, a depression rehabilitation training center should have been a bright and free place. How could it be associated with punishing students physically, imprisoning them, and controlling them?
However, when the truth was revealed online, the unbearable scars, the heart - wrenching pleas for mercy, the blatant punishments, and the repeatedly intercepted letters all proved the evilness of the center.
It was a man - eating hell.
Many children were rescued. Except for those who had just been sent there, most of them were covered in wounds and looked numb and dazed.
There was even a little girl who, in front of the camera, tugged at the policeman's clothes and said timidly, "Uncle, are we really rescued? I'm so scared of going back."
The policeman squatted down, gently stroked the little girl's head, and said tenderly, "You won't go back. You won't go back."
The little girl tilted her head slightly, with tears glistening in her eyes. Suddenly, she burst into tears.
In front of the TV, Lin Jinran watched the rescued little girl and showed a relieved smile. She seemed to see herself who had escaped from the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center years ago.
"Ranran, I just washed some fruits. Come and have some," Su Qinian said as he walked over from the kitchen with a fruit plate. He sat down on the sofa beside her and offered a plump cherry.
Lin Jinran opened her mouth and took it. The sweet and sour taste of the cherry filled her mouth.
Su Qinian glanced at the TV. "You're watching the reports about the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center again. When are you going to visit Lin Cheng and Yang Jinzhi? Their crimes have been officially recorded."
"The police are collecting evidence from Aunt Xiang. They can't escape this time."
"Maybe later," Lin Jinran said with a faint smile. "Recently, some people are trying to suppress the heat of this training center."
"I know. The center has offended many people's interests. But it doesn't matter. With your popularity, this matter can't be buried."
Based on the published evidence, some people had discovered through clues that Lin Jinran had also been sent to the center. People were shocked, and the popularity of *A Maiden's Beauty Rivals the Blossoms* soared.
The screen of the phone on the table kept lighting up. The same strange number kept calling stubbornly.
Seeing Su Qinian looking at it, Lin Jinran said casually, "It's Lin Tingnian's call. Ignore it."
She scrolled through the comments on the post and found that netizens had almost dug out everything. After a moment of thought, Lin Jinran officially issued a statement.
[Lin Jinran V]: I'm sorry to take a minute of your time. As you may have guessed, after my mother's death in my senior year of high school, I suffered from severe depression. I failed the college entrance examination. After returning home, I was quickly sent to the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center by my step - mother and endured half a year of torture. Fortunately, I had two good friends who saved me from the nightmare.
There is justice in the world, and fairness lies in people's hearts. I know my strength is small and insignificant, but I still want to speak up. The Depression Rehabilitation Training Center is a man - eating hell. Many children are going through what I went through. I hope for a thorough investigation to bring justice!
The post was immediately forwarded countless times and received numerous comments and likes.
Su Qinian left a comment under the post, and other relatives and friends also left comments one after another.
[Su Qinian V]: All crimes will be punished. It was in senior year that Ranran was forcibly sent to the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center, and we lost contact completely.
[Xu Jiaxin]: I'm one of the friends who rescued Ranran. You can't imagine what Ranran looked like. That place should have been eradicated long ago.
[Shen Tingsi]: I'm also one of the friends who rescued Ranran. Ranran originally suffered from severe depression. When she was rescued, she was in a daze, and there were many hideous scars on her body. Unfortunately, we were young and our strength was limited back then, so we couldn't help more people.
[Qiao Songyue]: I said when I went abroad that Lin Jinran is under my protection. The Depression Rehabilitation Training Center has kicked a hard iron plate. I'm determined to eradicate this place.
There were also scattered comments and forwards from other friends. Even some well - known friends in the circle, such as He Jiao and Xie Yun, helped with comments and forwards. They privately messaged Lin Jinran to ask if she was okay.
Ten years had passed, and Lin Jinran had basically let go. She told them not to worry about her.
Half a month later, the Lin Group went bankrupt. Lin Tingnian was burdened with huge debts. Yang Jinzhi, who was suspected of intentional harm and was also a shareholder of the Depression Rehabilitation Training Center, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Lin Cheng, who held an important stake in the center, was also sentenced to life imprisonment.
Walking through the long corridor, Lin Jinran and Su Qinian followed the policeman to the prison for a visit. Lin Cheng and Yang Jinzhi, wearing prison uniforms, were waiting haggardly on the other side.
The policeman brought them in and quickly left.
When Yang Jinzhi saw Lin Jinran, she excitedly grabbed the bars and shouted at her, "Lin Jinran, you ungrateful girl! The Lin family has raised you for so many years. Is this how you repay your parents?"
Lin Jinran walked expressionlessly to the bars and said coldly, "Yang Jinzhi, have you forgotten that I, Lin Jinran, have severed ties with you."
"But the blood relationship still exists!" Yang Jinzhi's eyes were bloodshot, and she gritted her teeth.
Lin Jinran smiled instead of getting angry. She looked sideways at Lin Cheng and repeated meaningfully, "Blood relationship?"
"Lin Cheng, you only have the grace of raising me, not the grace of nurturing me. I watched my mother commit suicide in front of me with my own eyes. Do you know how red and deep the blood was? It almost reached my calves."
"My mother was lucky not to die. She became a vegetable and lay quietly in the hospital bed. What were you doing at that time? You were busy being intimate with this woman. You never showed the slightest bit of concern!"
Lin Jinran pointed at Yang Jinzhi, her emotions running high. Su Qinian, who had been standing quietly behind her, lovingly put his arm around her to comfort her.
Lin Jinran took a deep breath. "Fine, I understand that you didn't like my mother. But she had become a vegetable, no threat to you at all. Why couldn't you just let her go? Why did you still scheme against her?"
"Lin Cheng, why don't you say something? Say something! Are you too ashamed to speak? My mother could have had a long and beautiful youth and a bright future. She didn't have to waste her life on you. Your thoughts are so dirty. I feel sick just looking at you. You two, a scumbag and a slut, are truly a perfect match."
"Now it's finally over. As you wished, you two will stay in this prison for the rest of your lives until you die. As long as I'm alive, you'll never get out. Death is too kind and painless for you."
Lin Cheng looked at his strange - looking daughter. His lips trembled slightly. "Ranran, Dad is sorry for you."
Lin Jinran stared at him with disgust. "Disgusting! Late - coming guilt is worse than a dog. You always believed in Yang Jinzhi and Lin Tingnian. You never bothered to believe me. In your eyes, I'm not your real daughter."
Yang Jinran suddenly heard her daughter's name and shouted, "How is Niannian? What did you do to Niannian, Lin Jinran!"
Lin Jinran sneered and stared down at Yang Jinzhi. "I'm a law - abiding citizen. How could I do anything to force her?"
She sighed slightly and then changed the subject. "I just heard recently that the Lin Group owes a huge debt. Since you and Lin Cheng are in prison, the creditors have no choice but to go after her."
Yang Jinran was shocked and angry. The veins on her forehead bulged. She was so angry that she could hardly speak.
It was obvious that Lin Jinran was leaving Lin Tingnian to fend for herself.
Lin Cheng looked at his daughter sadly. "Ranran, Tingnian is your half - sister. I know that Yang Jinzhi and I made a big mistake, a huge one. But Tingnian is different. She has never done anything to hurt you. Can you please protect her?"
As if hearing the biggest joke in the world, Lin Jinran laughed until tears came out. After laughing, she coldly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and mocked.
"Why do you think I'll save her? No way. Lin Tingnian has been so arrogant for so many years. She once framed me. It's time for her to suffer and grow up."
"I'm here to see you for the last time in my life. From now on, you two are complete strangers to me."
Lin Jinran raised her eyes and stared coldly at Yang Jinran and Lin Cheng, who had aged several years after this incident. "Lin Cheng, Yang Jinran, goodbye."
It was a goodbye that meant never seeing each other again.
Lin Jinran turned around and left resolutely.
The years of living in the Lin family like an outsider were finally over. A beautiful future was waving at her.
After walking out of the visiting area, Su Qinian quickly caught up with her. He grabbed her palm tightly and intertwined their fingers. "Ranran, I'm still here with you. You're not alone."
Yes, there was still Su Qinian by her side.
Lin Jinran turned around and hugged Su Qinian's waist. She buried her head deeply in his arms to seek warmth.
After a long time, she said in a muffled voice, "Su Qinian, let's go back to Wannan City to visit my mother. I haven't seen her for so many years. She must be very angry and sad."
With everything settled, Lin Jinran finally had the courage to visit her mother.
In the autumn, the sun in Wannan City was warm. The leaves were falling, and the mountains were dyed a faint golden color.
When Lin Jinran and Su Qinian arrived, it was already evening. Standing at the highest point of the mountain, they could see the whole view of Wannan City. The world was vast and quiet, like a gentle oil painting.
Her mother's tombstone was right in front of them. Su Qinian and Lin Jinran each placed a bouquet of fresh flowers. Lin Jinran looked down at the tombstone and murmured, "Mom, I finally come back to see you. Lin Cheng and Yang Jinran have paid the price for what they did. You can finally rest in peace."
As she was speaking, Lin Jinran's eyes suddenly turned red. She raised her head to keep the tears from falling and making her mother sad.
Su Qinian beside her gently patted her back. Looking at the tombstone, he said seriously, "Auntie, I'm Su Qinian, Ranran's boyfriend and her high - school classmate."
"Maybe you don't remember, but I once visited you with Ranran in senior year. Do you know? Now Ranran is a big star. Many, many people like her and keep asking her for autographs. She's very popular."
"You're more popular than me," Lin Jinran said with a watery smile. She softly punched him.
Su Qinian grabbed the hand that had punched him. His black eyes were filled with silent love. He raised his other hand and swore devoutly.
"I swear that Ranran is the person I love most in my life. Auntie, you can rest assured. I'll take good care of Ranran and never let anyone bully her again. If I fail to do so, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable..."
Before he could finish his harsh words, a fair finger touched his lips. Su Qinian was stunned and looked at Lin Jinran.
Lin Jinran withdrew her hand and said softly, "It's not that serious. I don't allow you to curse yourself like this. If there is really such a day, I still hope you can live well."
"There won't be such a day," Su Qinian said with a firm and passionate look in his eyes.
Lin Jinran's cheeks flushed slightly. Looking at her mother's tombstone, she said, "Yes, now I have someone who can take care of me. He's really, really good. We met in senior year. After ten years of twists and turns, we finally got together."
"Mom, you can rest assured. Your daughter will be happy."
Their encounter began on a light summer rain day. When she fell in front of him, their fate was sealed.