Chapter 8: A Bit Insulting

Hearing that Cao Changsheng had nearly turned him into a murderer, the man lunged forward in a rage, intent on beating him.

"You animal! You tried to kill your own aunt and nearly dragged me down with you! Do you have any idea that this is a brand-new car I just picked up? I have newborn twins at home, and parents in their sixties!"

"If I had ended up in prison, or gone bankrupt paying damages, how would my wife and children survive? How would my parents live?"

"I’m going to kick you to death, you piece of trash!"

The fury in his tone made it clear he wouldn't stop until he had vented his rage. However, the area was surrounded by police, and he was intercepted the moment he lunged. Cao Changsheng kept dodging, so the man’s foot only managed to graze his clothes.

Zhao Quan asked, "Are you the owner of the car?"

Li Ming nodded with a bitter expression. "Yes, Officer. I wasn't speeding, and I didn't commit any traffic violations. I’m completely innocent. I’m just incredibly unlucky—this had to happen right after I bought a new car."

The bystanders felt deep sympathy for him, and their glares toward Cao Changsheng grew even more disgusted.

Zhao Quan glanced at where the car was parked, had a young officer record Li Ming’s contact information, and gave him the address of the police station, telling him to head over and wait to assist with the investigation.

Li Ming shot Cao Changsheng a vicious glare and, in order not to block traffic, had no choice but to leave. The police soon took Cao Changsheng away as well.

[Congratulations to the host for completing Internship Mission Two. Reward: 120,000 yuan and 100 points.]

Yan Ningxi opened her phone and saw the text message confirming the arrival of the 120,000 yuan. At this rate of earnings, it wouldn't take long for her to save enough money. Her personal space also gained another month of usage time. What she didn't know was that another small surprise was waiting for her.

"Ms. Yan? Ms. Yan?" Zhao Quan called out twice.

Yan Ningxi snapped out of her thoughts and quickly asked, "I'm sorry, is something the matter?"

Zhao Quan replied, "I wanted to ask if you have any time today. You were present for yesterday's incident as well as today's. I would like to invite you to the station to give a statement."

He had intended to contact her today, as she had been injured yesterday and had to leave in a hurry before giving a statement. He hadn't expected to meet her again under such circumstances today.

Yan Ningxi nodded. "I can do that."

Cao Xiangping went along with them. Since there was a small clinic nearby, Zhao Quan insisted she have her wounds re-dressed before going to the station.

The treatment was quick. Seeing the blood on Yan Ningxi’s clothes, Cao Xiangping even went to a nearby clothing store to buy her two outfits so she could change.

Sitting in the police car, Cao Xiangping gripped Yan Ningxi’s hand, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Xiao Yan, thank you so much today. If it weren't for you, I might not be here anymore."

Yan Ningxi smiled. "It was just a small favor, don't mention it."

She truly didn't need to mention it; she had already received her 120,000-yuan reward.

Cao Xiangping suddenly let go of her hand and said seriously, "No, it’s my fault your wound started bleeding again. Although I paid for the bandages and the clothes, that wasn't enough. I must thank you properly. Here."

She transferred back every cent of the rent Yan Ningxi had paid her earlier. "You don't need to pay rent for that apartment anymore. Stay as long as you like. If you need anything, just tell me, and I’ll get it all for you."

"That still doesn't feel like enough. Not only did you save my life, but you also helped me see my nephew’s true colors, sparing my children from his harm in the future. This thanks is too light."

"I want to treat you to dinner and introduce you to my daughter and son-in-law. If you ever need help in the future, you can go to them."

She considered offering some jewelry, or perhaps, should she just transfer the deed of an apartment to her? But that might be insulting, as if she thought the girl couldn't afford her own jewelry or homes in the future. The girl seemed honest; she likely wouldn't accept it.

Yan Ningxi received the rent money and hesitated, but ultimately accepted it. She needed the money, and refusing would come across as overly pretentious. Regardless, she had indeed helped Cao Xiangping. However, she wouldn't stay there forever; once she had enough money, she would buy a place of her own. Other people's property would always belong to someone else.

But hearing that Cao Xiangping wanted to treat her to dinner, she refused without hesitation. "Auntie Cao, there's no need. Letting me live in your apartment for free is already a huge help."

Cao Xiangping looked reluctant. "But I feel guilty; I still owe you such a great favor."

Yan Ningxi thought for a moment and compromised. "If I ever need your help in the future, I will come to you."

Cao Xiangping had no choice but to agree. In any case, once the girl was living in her apartment, she could just visit her more often to look after her.

Back at the station, Yan Ningxi began giving her statement. After covering yesterday's events, Officer Liu Zhen asked, "Ms. Yan, Cao Changsheng had not yet committed the act when you sent the text message. How did you know he was about to commit murder?"

Zhao Quan also looked directly into Yan Ningxi’s eyes, trying to find a clue. When he received the text earlier, he hadn't checked the sender and assumed it was a prank. It wasn't until he saw Yan Ningxi’s name that he feared she was being targeted for revenge regarding yesterday's case. He hadn't expected to arrive and find a completely different crime.

Yan Ningxi had known she would be asked and had already prepared her explanation. With a sincere expression, she said, "Actually, it was a deduction. When I was walking downstairs with Auntie Cao, we chatted, and I learned about her family troubles. Her nephew had arranged to meet her at a bus stop to take her to a cafe."

"Matters involving property are highly likely to lead to intense conflict and public humiliation. A quiet place like a cafe wouldn't suit someone like Cao Changsheng, who was looking to take advantage of her. I suspected that the cafe was just an excuse."

"I had read news from abroad about people who, out of resentment toward society, would push someone onto the tracks the very second a train was arriving. So, I tried calling the police. I didn't expect to actually guess correctly."

On the way there, she had thought it through. Although 002 was a rescue system and she would inevitably encounter more victims and criminals, she didn't know when the system might leave her. She had only been bound to it for two days and didn't fully understand its capabilities. Furthermore, she didn't know if there were others like her in this country. If not, she feared being treated as a lab specimen if she revealed the truth. She knew that keeping secrets would inevitably make the police suspicious, but it was a risk she had to manage.