Chapter 117: He Became a Hero

East Sea Daily: According to the latest reports from our newspaper, a brawl occurred yesterday at noon at the Jinhai Shopping Mall. The protagonist of the incident was Liu Ming (nicknamed "Liu One-Blade"), a habitual criminal wanted by the Ministry of Public Security. The other party was a high school student named Xiao Lin. Official sources revealed that the student discovered the fugitive stealing a young girl’s purse and bravely stepped forward to confront him. After a fierce struggle, the young man successfully subdued the criminal.

In the hospital, Xiao Lin’s father was reading the news in the paper. Xiao Lin himself, the hero of the story, lay in his hospital bed eating an apple. Of course, he wasn’t holding it himself; Xu Qiaoling was peeling the apple and feeding it to him.

"Son, in the future, don't be so quick to rush into things. There were so many people around; did it really have to be you? Thank goodness you only hurt your hand. If something had happened to you, how would your mother go on?" Xu Qiaoling said, still clearly shaken. For a mother, her son’s safety always comes first.

"Son, your mother is right this time. You should certainly help when you can, but you must prioritize your safety. While I want you to be a helpful and warm-hearted person, you must also consider your own circumstances," Xiao Lin’s father added, setting down the newspaper with a heavy, earnest tone.

Hearing his parents, Xiao Lin couldn't help but roll his eyes. He had fought Liu One-Blade not just to seek his own revenge, but also because he had been bottling up frustration for days; a good fight had made him feel much better. After Xiao Lin had fainted yesterday, he was rushed to the hospital. Liu One-Blade had also been hospitalized, though by now he was likely undergoing interrogation at the Public Security Bureau. His accomplice, "the Pole," hadn’t escaped either; he had been caught by patrol officers at the East Sea City railway station.

Because of this incident, Xiao Lin was widely reported on by major newspapers, and many reporters came to interview him. For a time, Xiao Lin became a hero in East Sea City.

Just then, a middle-aged man pushed open the door. Seeing Xiao Lin, he hurried over. "Xiao Lin, hurry and get ready. Deputy Mayor Wang, Director Zhang, and Director Liu will be here to see you shortly. The television station is also coming to record a segment. Here is the script; memorize it as quickly as you can." As he spoke, the man handed Xiao Lin an A4 sheet of paper covered in text. He then turned to Xu Qiaoling and Xiao Lin’s father. "As Xiao Lin’s parents, you will also be on the program. Here are your scripts. Remember, you must speak exactly as they are written." He handed each of them an A4 sheet.

Xiao Lin frowned as he looked at the paper. He didn't know who had written it, but the script portrayed him as a righteous and courageous young hero. Xiao Lin knew the truth behind why he had fought Liu One-Blade, but that was how news worked—to achieve a good promotional effect, some details were inevitably exaggerated.

Xiao Lin’s father and Xu Qiaoling were delighted, as their son’s deeds meant they would get to appear on television—something worth celebrating.

Half an hour later, footsteps sounded outside the ward. The middle-aged man immediately stepped forward to open the door. Upon seeing the man in the lead, he said with a beaming smile, "Deputy Mayor Wang is here."

The Deputy Mayor was none other than Wang Yuan, Wang Yuqing’s father. Normally, a case of "acting heroically" like Xiao Lin's wouldn't warrant a visit from a Deputy Mayor—the Police Chief would suffice. However, Liu One-Blade was no petty thief; he was a wanted fugitive of the Ministry of Public Security. His capture in East Sea City was a major boost to the municipal government's reputation, so they had arranged for a Deputy Mayor to visit in person, complete with a 100,000-yuan reward and a dedicated television report.

Once inside, Wang Yuan approached Xiao Lin and recited official platitudes about "youthful promise" and the government's deep concern for his health. Xiao Lin responded by following the script. If he had known this official was Wang Yuqing’s father, one wonders what he might have thought. After speaking with Xiao Lin, Wang Yuan expressed gratitude and condolences to his parents, who also followed their scripts. Following Wang Yuan were the other officials, including the Police Chief and the Director of the Propaganda Department, who each offered their thanks and well-wishes.

Finally, on behalf of the government, Wang Yuan presented the reward money to Xiao Lin. The entire process was filmed by the accompanying camera crew.

The reporters also filmed a solo interview with Wang Yuan and a special segment on Xiao Lin, intended for broadcast later that day.

After more than an hour of activity, the visit concluded. Once the officials had left, Xiao Lin let out a long sigh of exhaustion. "That was exhausting. I feel like that was more tiring than fighting Liu One-Blade."

"Son, your mother and I don't need this 100,000-yuan reward. You keep it for yourself," his father said, placing the check Wang Yuan had just given them by Xiao Lin's side.

"Dad, you guys hold onto it. What would I need that much money for?" Xiao Lin said helplessly.

"Keep it to spend. Don't you need money if you're dating? I'll have your father deposit it into your account later," Xu Qiaoling said.

At the mention of "dating," Xiao Lin’s face darkened.

***

"Hey, Xiao Lin, are you feeling better?" Just then, Ma Yunrou walked into the ward, carrying a bag of fruit. She hadn't followed the ambulance to the hospital yesterday; she had been called away to give a statement and, shaken by the events, had gone straight home. Only today, feeling calmer, had she come to visit.

"Young lady, who are you?" Xu Qiaoling asked, looking at Ma Yunrou with confusion. She had never seen this girl before.

"Hello, Auntie. I am Xiao Lin’s..."

"Mom, she’s a friend of mine, Ma Yunrou," Xiao Lin quickly interrupted before Ma Yunrou could finish, fearing she might say she was his girlfriend.

Ma Yunrou looked at Xiao Lin in confusion, only to see him winking at her. Though annoyed, she didn't contradict him in front of his parents.

"Come, have a seat, dear." Xiao Lin’s father stood up and pulled over a chair for her.

"Thank you, Uncle," Ma Yunrou said politely before sitting down. Seeing her seated, Xiao Lin’s parents excused themselves and left the room.

Once they were gone, Xiao Lin said to Ma Yunrou, "Please don't tell my parents about our relationship."

"I understand. Are you feeling any better now?" Ma Yunrou, being clever, didn't ask why, choosing instead to show her concern.

"Much better. You weren't too scared yesterday, were you?"

"I'm okay. How did you get so good at fighting?"

"Practice," Xiao Lin replied softly.

"Oh." Ma Yunrou nodded. The atmosphere turned awkward, as if they had nothing left to say.

After a long silence, Ma Yunrou could no longer stand the tension. "Xiao Lin, I have things to do. Get some rest, and I'll come see you when I have time." She stood up and left. Xiao Lin remained silent. As she walked away, he felt not a sense of loss, but a strange wave of relief.

"Son, why did that girl leave so soon?" Xu Qiaoling asked as she pushed the door open.

"She had something to take care of."

"By the way, son, Mom forgot to ask—since you're injured, how come your girlfriend hasn't come to see you?"

"Girlfriend?" Xiao Lin was startled.

"Yes! I heard from your grandmother that her name is something like 'Qing.' Didn't your grandmother give that bracelet to her?" Xu Qiaoling was curious about the girl Xiao Lin’s grandmother had praised so highly.

***

Hearing this, Xiao Lin fell silent. He hated himself. He could have been happy with Wang Yuqing, but he had lost her just because he had one too many drinks.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuqing was in her room feeding her "lovebirds." Since breaking up with Xiao Lin, caring for the pair of finches had become her daily routine. After her conversation with Ma Yunrou, she hadn't proactively contacted Xiao Lin again, assuming he was happy with Ma Yunrou and believing she shouldn't intrude.

"Old Wang, what's going on today? Why are you back so early?" her mother's voice came from outside the room.

"Oh, it's a special situation. Haven't you seen the news?" her father replied.

Wang Yuqing felt a flicker of curiosity at her father returning home early.

"News? What news?"

"A high school student caught a wanted fugitive at the Jinhai Mall yesterday. I went to the hospital on behalf of the municipal government to visit the injured boy. Turn on the TV; it should be airing now."

The sound of the television turning on followed.

"Today, this station reports on an act of heroism. Yesterday at noon, a 19-year-old boy encountered a habitual thief at the Jinhai Shopping Mall. The boy, named Xiao Lin, fought bravely against the criminal..."

"Bang!" The sound of a door being thrown open startled Wang Yuan and Liu Mei.

Hearing Xiao Lin’s name, Wang Yuqing had bolted from her room. Upon seeing the boy on screen—bandaged and smiling—she immediately ran back into her room, grabbed her bag, and rushed out the door. Only after she had left did Wang Yuan and Liu Mei react.

"Why is our daughter so agitated? Where is she going?" they asked each other in unison.

At the same time, in a villa, a cute and mischievous girl stared at the TV, her mouth agape in surprise.

"No wonder I didn't see him out for his morning run today; he was injured catching a thief. Tsk tsk, and a wanted criminal at that! I didn't think he was this impressive. Not bad, I like it." She watched the television with a playful smile. This was Shangguan Xue'er, the girl from the morning runs.

"No, I have to go to the hospital and see him," Shangguan Xue'er muttered. She changed her clothes and headed out, determined to visit Xiao Lin.