Chapter 98: The Ye family should have put in some effort, right?

Guo An seized the crucial point: that if there was any issue, it needed to be asked immediately, before time ran out and people died without answers.

He had initially thought Ji Rulan would cooperate fully and granted her ample rest, but that proved impossible. Time was of the essence, and questions had to be asked without delay.

As for any other questions that remained unanswered, Guo An could not think of them at the moment.

It did not matter. The best approach would be to pool their collective wisdom and let everyone ponder, for there would always be gaps in their own thinking that others might fill.

After Xu Lin revealed the limited time Ji Rulan had left, he prepared to depart. He truly had nothing more to say to her.

Exiting the interrogation room, Xu Lin did not leave right away.

Guo An was the type who followed through on every lead. Since Xu Lin had offered to treat the severely wounded, there was no reason to hesitate. Arrangements needed to be made immediately.

This operation had claimed more than just soldiers. Guo An’s own subordinates were also injured, some severely, and two had even sacrificed their lives.

Throughout Xu Lin’s treatment of the wounded, Guo An’s mouth never stopped moving, revealing that this stern squad leader was actually a chatterbox.

“You have no idea how vast the Ji family’s influence truly is. They have people in the provincial government and even in neighboring provinces.”

“This arrest operation went relatively smoothly on our side, but elsewhere it has been far from easy. Those worms only sow chaos and achieve nothing good.”

Xu Lin finished writing the prescription and handed it to the patient. “Follow the instructions on it.”

“Thank you, Doctor Xu.” The man saluted in gratitude, then was escorted away by his colleagues. Moments later, another injured soldier was brought in.

Xu Lin immediately checked his pulse, administered acupuncture, and wrote out the medication, all while her mouth continued without pause. “You should be able to claim several first-class merits from this operation, right?”

“Absolutely.” Guo An boasted, then chuckled a few times after catching himself. “Your own merits won’t be lacking either.”

“I don’t follow any system, so I don’t need merits.” Xu Lin shook her head in refusal, leaving Guo An staring in disbelief.

Merits were something everyone fought for, yet here was someone who turned them down even when offered. What an odd person.

“Have you truly considered joining us?” Guo An asked. “Our treatment here is excellent.”

“I won’t consider it.” Xu Lin refused again. She had once served as a soldier king in another world and knew the realities of such treatment.

Though they were admirable and worthy people, she had no desire to become one of them.

Forgive her for being selfish—she truly did not want to devote her entire life to this.

Only in old age would she discover that her whole life had been spent in endless busyness, never truly enjoying a single moment of living.

On her deathbed, memories of her life consisted only of tasks upon tasks. Having endured such an experience once was more than enough.

Guo An wiped his face, seeing that persuasion was useless. He could only abandon the effort for now.

After treating the final patient, it was already two in the morning.

When Guo An had someone escort Xu Lin back to the guest house, she noticed that Yu Tong had not slept and had been waiting.

Hearing the door open, Yu Tong immediately stepped out to check, then returned with a warm smile upon seeing her arrive.

“Linlin’s back. You must be exhausted. Just a moment—let me prepare some midnight snacks for you.”

Yu Tong went into the room to fetch the food. From within came the old lady Zheng’s inquiring voice. Upon learning Xu Lin had returned, the old woman struggled to sit up in bed.

Xu Lin rushed over at once and quickly urged her not to get up.

“Old lady Zheng, please stay in bed. My work went smoothly. I’ll rest after washing up.” Xu Lin went forward to calm her.

“All right, then. Rest yourself. You must be worn out. Eat something first before washing.”

The old lady lay back down, her face filled with care as she gave several more instructions before feeling reassured.

Xu Lin took the thermos and food from Yu Tong’s hands, urging her to rest properly before returning to her own room.

Holding the food and hot water, warmth filled her heart. They were far kinder to her than her own parents ever had been.

Back in her room, after eating, drinking, and washing, Xu Lin climbed into bed and slept. That night she stayed indoors, not wandering out.

Yet the night remained unsettled. The pursuit was still underway, fugitives still being tracked.

The next morning, as soon as Xu Lin woke, Yu Tong heard the noise and hurried over, pushing her gently back into the room so she could continue resting.

She would fetch breakfast and the hot water herself.

If not for the dark circles under Yu Tong’s eyes, Xu Lin might have believed her claim of not being tired.

Knowing Yu Tong cared so deeply, how could she remain ungrateful? She insisted on going with her to buy breakfast and get hot water.

Then she joined Yu Tong and her group for the meal.

The three of them ate together while chatting, the atmosphere wonderfully warm.

After breakfast, Xu Lin was sent back to her room to rest. She had returned so late the previous night; she definitely needed the sleep.

As energetic as a cow, what else could she say? She could only obey and return to her room to sleep.

Since she could not go out shopping, Xu Lin entered her space to open blind boxes.

At noon, old man Ge came to visit Xu Lin during the break and brought her reward along with it.

He also delivered Ye Da’s thanks. Ye Da knew it was Xu Lin who had saved him and wished to thank her in person.

Unfortunately, he was unable to move. Xu Lin was not going to the hospital, so someone had to be sent with the gratitude and gifts instead.

Old man Ge also brought news of the assassination attempt on Ye Da’s follow-up: Tao Chunxiu had been caught red-handed with no evidence left to refute.

Plotting to murder a soldier was a capital offense, and Tao Chunxiu’s case was particularly grave. He was sentenced to execution in three days.

The guard stationed at the door had given false testimony, claiming he had not seen Tao Chunxiu enter the ward. Being an accomplice, he was sent to the military court.

Although Ye Tong had hired a killer, neither Tao Chunxiu nor the guard could provide concrete evidence to testify against him.

Furthermore, Ye Tong completely denied any murderous intent toward Ye Da. The military had no choice but to discharge him.

Yet the Ye family held great influence within the military. Ye Tong’s discharge sealed his fate and announced his defeat in the competition between brothers.

“Convenient for Ye Tong,” old man Ge sighed.

“Both Tao Chunxiu and the guard as witnesses failed to drag Ye Tong into prison. The Ye family must have intervened.” Xu Lin asked.

Old man Ge tilted his head with a cute expression, but on an old man’s face it looked a bit odd.

Xu Lin found it unsettling and could not help but pat her forehead. “Old Ge, can you stop copying me?”

“Am I not cute?” old man Ge asked, revealing an old childlike smile. “You’re right. It was indeed the Ye family that stepped in.”

Xu Lin raised an eyebrow. She had suspected as much during the fishing trip—the Ye family would never let Ye Tong go to jail.

Imprisoning Ye Tong would deal a severe blow to the family’s reputation and affect their descendants’ futures.

Even if Ye Fu was soft-spoken, he could not ignore his son’s future without fairness toward Ye Da.

Yet in a contest between brothers, fairness was never on the table.

After seeing old man Ge off, Si Han and Qi Min returned with good news: that in the evening Xu Lin and her group could board the train and leave.

There was no need for her to ask for leave anymore.

Both had come to deliver the good news and to see them off.