Chapter Fifty-Three: I Am Innocent

Something momentous has recently occurred in N County.

Within Zhiyun Town, which is under the jurisdiction of N County, there are two youths. One is named Liu Yu, aged thirteen; the other is Zhao Bin, aged twelve. Both are middle school students, one in seventh grade and the other in sixth. Their circumstances are quite similar: their parents have left for Yangcheng to work, leaving only their grandparents to care for them at home. Essentially, they are considered left-behind children.

One day, after surfing the internet together, they went to play at Xinlian Elementary School. Feeling hungry, they stole food from the school’s small shop. The female teacher guarding the school alone, Ms. Li, discovered them on the playground and advised them to leave. Fearing she would call the police, the boys acted on impulse and committed a terrible crime—stuffing cloth into her mouth and causing her to suffocate to death.

The teacher’s name was Li Lianyu. She wore a short fringe haircut, was a slender woman in her fifties, standing barely one and a half meters tall, her face always adorned with a warm smile. In the memory of those around her, she was gentle and kind, almost never quarreled with anyone. “She never offended a single child, never spoke loudly, never raised her voice.”

The actual sequence of events unfolded thus: while they were stealing food in the shop, Ms. Li Lianyu caught them. She even invited them inside to eat and drink water. But they noticed the money Ms. Li had placed on the table after shopping for groceries. Dark thoughts took hold, and the conversation went something like this: “We did this today, the teacher definitely knows. Let’s go back and beat her up, so she won’t tell anyone.” “She has money, let’s take it.” “We aren’t fourteen yet, even if we kill someone, we won’t go to jail.”

With such thoughts, the two boys went to Ms. Li Lianyu’s door. Zhao Bin called out to lure her to open it. Then, Liu Yu, wielding an iron bar, struck Ms. Li Lianyu on the head. Once, twice, three times—until she was dead.

Even more chilling, after killing her and robbing over a thousand yuan, they didn’t even attempt to escape. Instead, they went straight to their usual internet café to play online games, until the murder was discovered and the police arrested them.

Police footage revealed the horror of the scene. In the internet café, Liu Yu was curled up on a leather chair in front of the computer, headphones on, playing games, completely oblivious to the officers approaching from behind. When dragged from the chair, he showed no anxiety, his face blank and expressionless. Sitting behind him, Zhao Bin, still wearing his thick-lensed glasses, looked bewilderedly at the officers when called, as if unaware of what was happening.

The case spread like wildfire online as soon as it appeared.

People in ZN County and netizens alike were terrified—these two boys were simply monstrous. Yet, under current law, they bore no criminal responsibility.

Even the police handling the case could only sigh in frustration: “Our hands are tied. We can’t beat them, can’t imprison them—either we release them back into society, or send them to reform school.”

Now, the two boys have been sent to N County’s reform school. The torrent of online curses and condemnation has had no impact on them whatsoever.

Such is reality!

...

The uproar naturally caught the attention of Xiong Xinxing from Dongxiong, who couldn’t help but smirk—a golden opportunity.

...

The matter was so sensational that Shen Ye inevitably noticed. He not only read the news but watched every video clip, especially those showing the boys being apprehended—utterly indifferent, saying, “We aren’t fourteen yet, even if we kill someone, we won’t go to jail.”

The current law, which exempts those under fourteen from responsibility, left Shen Ye helpless.

But isn’t a hero supposed to uphold justice within the limits of his ability? If the law does not act, then I will!

For these two boys—the death penalty! I will deliver justice on heaven’s behalf!

“Are you planning to act?” Wen Xiuting was also watching the news, and upon seeing the flash of murderous intent in Shen Ye’s eyes, she understood immediately.

“Yes.” Shen Ye nodded. “If I don’t kill these two, I’ll feel I’ve betrayed myself.”

“Then be careful,” Wen Xiuting said with concern. “Don’t keep getting hurt, like when you were wounded by gunfire facing Lu Youwei, or when lime powder was thrown into your eyes by Li Jinguo.”

“My fighting experience is limited. It’s normal to get injured in a fight,” Shen Ye smiled, feeling an unexpected warmth within. He was a lone wolf walking in darkness, doing things that could never be known to outsiders—not even his parents.

He had to endure this loneliness alone.

But then Wen Xiuting appeared.

She had inadvertently discovered his real identity.

She eased the loneliness in his heart with her warmth.

Yet their relationship was awkward, for he was her former brother-in-law.

Shen Ye shook his head and returned to the matter at hand. Now that he had made his decision, preparations were necessary.

N County’s reform school lay on the western edge of the county, a desolate patch of land with only the school itself nearby. Undoubtedly, the place would be monitored and guarded, but such obstacles were nothing to him. The real challenge was finding a floor plan of the reform school, since it was never open to outsiders.

After searching for a while and failing to find one, he didn’t dwell on it. Dealing with the two boys would be simple enough. The question was, what mask should he wear?

A teacher’s mask, perhaps.

After all, these two were murderers of their teacher.

...

May nights were stifling hot.

Shen Ye did not take his Ford, but stepped into the shadows of the moonlit night.

From the seaside cottage to N County’s reform school was barely twenty li—a long journey for ordinary people, but nothing to him. He could cover it in half an hour.

Soon, he arrived at the reform school.

The walls were over three meters high, topped with shards of glass to deter climbers. Security guards patrolled constantly—not so much to keep outsiders away as to prevent the students from escaping.

With his skills, infiltrating such a place was child’s play. A hook and rope sufficed; he scaled the wall lightly and slipped over without a sound.

Without a map, he didn’t know where the dormitories were, but the school was not large—just a few buildings. In the darkness, distinguishing dormitories from classrooms was easy enough.

Avoiding the guards, Shen Ye crept forward under cover of night.

(Thank you all for your recommendation votes. Please continue to support the book. There are some minor bugs in the writing here, and I appreciate everyone pointing them out. After all, one person’s mind is limited and can’t anticipate everything. I hope you understand.)