Chapter 115: Refusing to Remain on the Margins

A few days later, Lin Shuo hurriedly set off on a long journey, dragging along his simple luggage.

On the study desk lay a thick stack of newspapers. Pan Jinshi had exposed how Xiao Xiao had tried to seduce him in exchange for a pass card for the graduate entrance exam. But Pan Jinshi was a man of integrity, having served multiple terms as a representative in the People's Congress; his knowledge and character were beyond reproach. That night, Pan Jinshi had angrily denounced Xiao Xiao’s impropriety and threatened to report the matter to the college. Enraged, Xiao Xiao committed an act of violence.

It was four years later when Lin Shuo saw those newspapers again. Thanks to those false reports, his determination to uncover the truth was reignited. The long-buried case had finally come time to be understood.

The victim on television was still tearfully recounting Pan Jinshi’s vile deeds. Xiao Xiao clenched the bedsheet tightly, her teeth chattering. If it weren’t for others also having suffered Pan Jinshi’s humiliation, she would never have dared revisit those filthy memories. Pan Jinshi’s lies back then were so cleverly constructed they had deceived nearly everyone, including Lin Shuo. She wondered with a twinge of curiosity whether Pan Jinshi still enjoyed such enviable luck this time around.

The girl’s defense lawyer portrayed Pan Jinshi as a merciless villain who destroyed innocence, each word spoken with utmost professionalism before the reporters. Suddenly, she noticed the lawyer. From her knowledge, this was one of the city’s top legal experts—his skill and reputation unmatched, commanding a fee few could afford. If the victim could retain such a high-caliber lawyer, how could Pan Jinshi have continued to bully her? And if the matter wasn’t exposed back then, why did this scandal only surface now? It was indeed suspicious.

Looking at Lin Shuo’s calm expression, she tentatively asked, “Is this related to you?”

Lin Shuo did not deny it. He helped her lie down and tucked the blanket around her, speaking with casual ease, “I already know everything. How could I let him off?”

“You had someone investigate me?” Xiao Xiao’s voice carried a hint of bitterness. If only there had been no barrier between them, perhaps they could have lived in ignorance and peace. Though painful, reopening old wounds was unbearable. The key was his attitude—whether to investigate or believe—did it truly matter so much?

He held her hand, closed his eyes, and rubbed his stubbled cheek against her palm, the coarse prickling causing her an odd itch. His brows knitted deeply in regret. “I’m sorry. If only I had thought it through back then, how could I have heartlessly left you alone? Four whole years, every time I wondered how you were coping, it hurt so much I could hardly bear it.” His eyelids trembled, his breath uneven. “For four years, our footsteps never crossed paths. But now, I don’t want to stand on the edge of your world anymore.”

Her tears, stirred by his words, slipped from the corner of her eye into her ear. Regret—how many regrets could one have to turn back time? She understood. The shadow of family troubles had long cast a gloom over him, holding him back whenever he sought happiness.

She sighed deeply. “It’s frustrating. Later I tried to be more forgiving, but perhaps I didn’t try hard enough. No matter what, I couldn’t make it work.”

Those men always asked her, “What’s wrong?” Each time, she wanted to say, “I’m fine,” preferably with a smile. But the words felt false, so she could only say, “Nothing.” And truly, it was nothing. When you lose what matters most, even having everything else feels like nothing.

Lin Shuo pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. All was finally settled. The knots in their hearts would one day be untied. He only lamented the wasted years. Gazing into her clear, honest eyes, he sighed, “We have missed each other too much.”

As for the past, there was no escaping it. But for the future, he vowed never to let love be lonely again.