“I’m sorry…”
Lin’s mother felt her throat grow dry.
This was indeed her fault—an undeniable truth no matter how much she tried to deny it.
It could be said that in Lin Xinyuan’s life, aside from money, her mother was almost useless.
Her so-called husband, apart from studying, had never once shown any concern for the girl, and she herself had been indifferent from the very beginning, never caring either.
“Really, I’m sorry… it won’t happen again…”
Lin’s mother’s voice was weak, and she barely dared to call her “Xinyuan,” fearing the girl might break down like she did earlier.
The woman’s expression, which had been calmly maintained, was already half shattered.
Now, cautiously and awkwardly, she spoke the word.
“Please trust Ni Ma just this once… okay…”
Ni Ma…
Ni Ma…
Hearing that name, Lin Xinyuan’s mind instantly plunged into memories, and she remained silent for a long while.
After a while, under Lin’s mother’s somewhat desolate gaze, the tears that had nearly dried on the girl’s cheeks moistened again.
“I don’t know… if I should…”
The girl turned her head away.
Her soft voice was muffled, like a gentle drizzle whispering, but there was no trace of hatred—only confusion.
“What am I supposed to do…”
Just now, Lin Xinyuan had only been venting her emotions.
Though she felt resentment toward her parents, she was still grateful; at least they had supported her growth through their labor…
Besides… it wasn’t all that bad… was it?
She thought of that kind old man—the only comfort during her fragile childhood…
She was lucky…
“Trust Ni Ma.”
The woman repeated the words and slowly reached out, very carefully taking one of the girl’s small hands in hers.
Her touch was gentle, afraid to break her like a porcelain doll.
Lin Xinyuan shivered involuntarily, uncomfortable with the feeling.
It was almost the first time since she could remember that her mother had held her hand like this…
She wanted to pull away but also felt a strange yearning—conflicted.
In the end, though, she didn’t pull away and let Lin’s mother hold her hand.
Two pale hands held gently—one tender and smooth, the other a little rough.
The girl felt the unfamiliar palm gripping her hand, calloused and a bit hard, but warm.
Yes… warm in a physical sense…
Lin’s mother was silent.
They sat quietly together, yet it felt more relaxed and natural than any of their previous moments alone.
The girl’s trembling slowly settled, letting Lin’s mother know they had taken the first step.
Was this acceptance…?
The mother and daughter sat there, the room growing silent until the sound of a door opening finally broke the stillness—
“Auntie, are you done talking?”
Qin Nanfeng asked, casually closing the balcony door.
He had heard Lin Xinyuan crying earlier but only entered after waiting a while when it had gone quiet inside…
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Lin Xinyuan’s thin and fragile figure.
Lin Xinyuan kept her head down, silent, while Lin’s mother nodded: “Yes, I guess so…”
As she spoke, Lin’s mother tried to reach out to touch the girl’s head, but she instinctively dodged.
The woman smiled bitterly inside.
That made sense… she was too impatient…
Years of grievances couldn’t be wiped away so quickly.
Just getting a chance was already difficult.
“Oh, Qin, about what happened… thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Auntie. Little… Lin Xinyuan is my classmate; it’s only right to help.”
Qin Nanfeng almost said her full name aloud in front of Lin’s mother, his heart tightening, but his smile remained unchanged.
Soon he shifted tone, serious: “But Auntie… you should know she’s already been exposed by someone on the school forum.”
Lin’s mother’s face paled: “What…”
Qin Nanfeng nodded: “Yes… Although some of us tried to explain online, it’s best… no, this semester she shouldn’t come to school.”
Lin’s mother felt a sharp sting in her chest, growing more ashamed of her past.
She recalled a saying: “The greatest evil is to bring a child into the world and not raise them!”
It was her own fault, but at that time, she really couldn’t help it.
Besides, she never liked Lin Xinyuan anyway—after all, she was that man’s child…
But now she had come to understand—why should the previous generation’s mistakes be imposed on their descendants? Ultimately, it was her own choice.
It was her selfishness that created this situation…
But maybe it wasn’t too late…
“And now her identity information needs to be changed. It’s better to handle that sooner rather than later.”
“Alright… we’ll go back for now…”
Lin’s mother nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Qin Nanfeng.
The hand holding the girl’s grew firmer.
But Lin Xinyuan showed no reaction; instead, she tried to pull away.
Feeling the girl’s resistance, Lin’s mother sighed but still released her grip.
At this moment, Lin Xinyuan lifted her head, her gaze fixed on Qin Nanfeng, eyes filled with hope and a faint trace of barely noticeable dependence.
Compared to her mother, obviously the “stinky yellow hair” gave her a stronger sense of security…
Yet Qin Nanfeng simply nodded at her.
Lin Xinyuan understood his meaning—he wanted her to go home first.
But she hesitated…
Maybe her mother could accept it, but what about everyone else? What would she do?
The girl remained silent for a moment but finally nodded.
At this point, it was impossible to stay.
Going to school would only bring endless rumors; she couldn’t bear such an environment…
So the best option was to disappear for a while; eventually, people would stop paying attention.
Seeing her nod, Lin’s mother’s heart finally eased a bit.
As long as Lin Xinyuan was willing to go back…
But then her heart tightened again.
What had she just seen?
She hadn’t noticed before, but now, looking closely, she saw several scars on the girl’s neck.
Judging by the scab shapes, they looked like marks left by fingers digging in hard.
“Wh—who did this?”
Lin’s mother’s heart trembled, her hand shaking as she carefully touched the girl’s pale, slender neck.
Feeling the touch, Lin Xinyuan shivered and kept her head turned away.
She murmured, “A girl…”
Before Lin’s mother could ask more, Qin Nanfeng spoke for her: “Someone named Wu Xiaoyue from the Art Institute. But she’s been detained, and the punishment will be severe.”
His words were no exaggeration.
The incident was serious, with plenty of video evidence.
The school’s stance was clear, and with Qin Nanfeng pushing the matter, it would be hard for her to avoid consequences.
This was the benefit of connections…
Although the sentence hadn’t been decided, at worst, this could be classified as attempted murder, so prison was certain.
How many years?
Hard to say.
But a criminal record like that would stain her life forever…
Qin Nanfeng explained the situation in detail, easing Lin’s mother’s expression somewhat.
She sighed, “Qin, we really owe you… otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened to little… her…”
“It’s nothing.” Qin Nanfeng politely replied, but his eyes kept flickering toward Lin Xinyuan, catching the complicated emotions in her expression.
“Ah…”
Lin’s mother sighed again.
This day wasn’t even half over, yet she had lost count of how many sighs she had uttered.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked at Qin Nanfeng with a strange expression.
Having been through life’s ups and downs, Lin’s mother had sensed something earlier—the atmosphere between the two was off.
It wasn’t just classmates or roommates…
Could it be…
At that thought, her gaze sharpened, fixed on Qin Nanfeng’s face.
The young man caught her stare and smiled at her.
Seeing this, Lin’s mother shook her head and looked away.
He was tall and handsome…
But was he really good for her?
A boy who only recently became a girl, yet already interested?
Most people would probably have reservations.
How could he fall for her so quickly…
Lin’s mother didn’t understand, but she said nothing more.
After all, she was grateful to Qin Nanfeng.
As long as he didn’t hurt the girl, it was fine.
But honestly, Lin’s mother doubted he would.
Qin Nanfeng withdrew his smile and continued watching Lin Xinyuan, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Lin Xinyuan, however, grew restless, feeling the “stinky yellow hair” watching her intently.
What was this guy staring at?
Did she look funny now?
Thinking this, she wiped at her eyes.
They were mostly dry now, just a little sticky…
Stinky yellow hair…