Chapter 82

Chapter 82

"..."

Cheng Jing picked up the document and skimmed through it briefly before handing it to Jiang Nian:

"Too much to read. Can't be bothered."

They'd already gotten the official decision from Li Cheng beforehand. This was just a formality, and the outcome remained unchanged.

Jiang Nian shot him a look before taking the file and opening it. What jumped out at him first was the list of victims and their personal details related to the Room 1805 case.

There were a total of 17 victims, eight of whom still had surviving relatives. All of them had been relocated and settled in the South City Base by the authorities.

Next was the complete breakdown of the Room 1805 incident:

From Xiao Ya being forced by her mother to bring in the first victim, to later becoming an accomplice under the control of her mother’s Superpower—everything was spelled out in detail.

Xiao Ya’s testimony matched up exactly with what they already knew.

As for whether Xiao Ya had truly been controlled by her mother and forced to participate in the killings, the South City Base Research Institute provided a report on her physical and mental superpower condition.

The results showed that Xiao Ya had indeed suffered severe mental superpower damage during her time in Qingyun City.

Moreover, due to her subconscious resistance while being forced to use her Superpower, her Superpower Core had developed cracks, making it at risk of exploding.

The next several pages broke down Xiao Ya’s actions in the case:

While fully considering the demands and opinions of the victims’ relatives, the authorities also factored in her status as a minor and a Superpowered individual.

After evaluating her motives, intentions, and expressions of remorse, the final verdict was life under state supervision.

Because she was a Superpowered, she would be placed under the supervision of a special department established by the South City Base authorities. She would be fitted with special monitoring gear, forbidden from using her Superpower without permission, and required to cooperate in Superpower-related experiments with no choice about it.

As for the victims’ relatives, the authorities would also provide appropriate compensation following protocol.

"So 'required to help with tests' means… she’ll be a test subject?"

Jiang Nian closed the file, not shocked by the ruling. As long as the nation existed, the law would always remain in effect.

This judgment wasn’t exclusive to Xiao Ya—many underage criminals like her could expect the same.

This was just a formality, giving everyone answers. How underage Superpowered criminals were handled afterward was no longer their concern.

"It’s not those nightmare lab tests—just some blood work now and then. But those obligated to cooperate won’t receive any rewards or compensation."

Zhou Li explained. Though they were criminals, these young Superpowered individuals could still turn things around. Even if they died, it would be while trying to make amends.

After all, people were the foundation of everything.

"Whatever. It’s not our business anyway."

Jiang Nian waved his hand dismissively. He was just kinda triggered by phrases like "cooperating in experiments" because of his own past as a lab subject.

"Yeah."

Zhou Li nodded before speaking again:

"This matter ends here. Thank you for your temporary supervision of her from Qingyun City to the South City Base. For this special assignment, the authorities have decided to give your squad 200K points for your trouble."

"200,000 points! That many?"

Jiang Nian was a bit surprised.

Cheng Jing was surprised too:

"That much?"

"This was decided after careful consideration."

Zhou Li said as he placed the documents back into the file bag, then looked at them and added:

"Besides compensating you for her food, clothes, and lodging, the main reason is that you safely brought her to the base... Let’s be honest, if you hadn’t agreed to supervise Xiao Ya back then, she probably wouldn’t have survived the temporary shelter."

In shelters with inadequate management rules, malice spreads faster than kindness. Everyone was under immense pressure, and even a small spark could set things off.

Once a riot broke out, the authorities couldn’t have stopped it. But handing Xiao Ya over to the Superpowered team handling the case, with some justification, could temporarily stabilize the situation. The current outcome is the best possible.

"Some things are better left unsaid, and there’s no point in speculating now."

Cheng Jing understood what he meant. When they accepted the temporary supervision of Xiao Ya, they had already considered all possibilities.

Being the authorities’ scapegoat was fine as long as things remained within controllable limits.

"Alright, in any case, this matter is concluded. Again, thanks from the higher-ups. The 200,000 points will be transferred to Cheng Jing’s account within three days, and you can distribute them among yourselves then."

As Zhou Li spoke, he picked up the file bag and stood up to bid them farewell.

"Understood."

Cheng Jing nodded and got up to see him out.

Jiang Nian stayed quiet, watching until they reached the door before asking:

"After the case was made public, did many people want Xiao Ya dead?"

Zhou Li turned back:

"The case wasn’t fully disclosed and entered the trial process until the deep freeze was letting up and you were leaving Qingyun City. Up until the final verdict, none of the families called for Xiao Ya’s execution—though plenty of strangers did... Honestly, I was surprised too."

He sighed lightly and left, holding back the rest:

Compared to emotions like seeking revenge for their loved ones, some victims’ relatives seemed far more ‘excited’ when receiving compensation.

"......"

Cheng Jing closed the door and turned to exchange a look with Jiang Nian. He felt uneasy for no clear reason, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

Were the families too cold, or were strangers too bloodthirsty? It was hard to judge.

After a moment, Cheng Jing smiled:

"Alright, it’s over, so no use stewing over it. I’ll cook—what’s for dinner, Nian Nian?"

Jiang Nian shook off his scattered thoughts and replied:

"I’m in the mood for drinks tonight, so make something that pairs well with alcohol... Garlic smoked pork, spicy soybeans and dried fish, and whatever else goes with it."

"Got it. Go watch TV or game while I cook."

After saying that, Cheng Jing walked into the kitchen with a smile.

Jiang Nian neither watched TV nor played games. Propping his hands behind his head, he stared blankly into space, mulling over this and that.

It wasn’t until Cheng Jing finished cooking four dishes and a soup and set them on the table that he finally got up and made his way over.

...

Early the next morning, Cheng Jing went to work as usual, while Jiang Nian checked on the shop’s renovation progress.

The workers said it would take about another week to complete everything.

Jiang Nian was satisfied with both the timeline and the quality, already imagining himself lounging in a rocking chair, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan while selling goods.

After inspecting the shop’s renovation, Jiang Nian noticed that in just a few days, the commercial street had gotten livelier than before. He put on his straw hat and strolled along the street.

Many shops had started renovations, and more street vendors had popped up. Even if buyers and sellers alike looked a bit rough around the edges, the commercial street had become a giant flea market.

Yet, as more people gathered, the once-desolate street began to show signs of vibrant energy.

"Jiang Nian."

A voice, pleasant enough, called from the side. Jiang Nian was standing at a handmade goods stall, watching a craftsperson weave a hemp tote.

At the sound, he stiffened slightly. He instinctively touched his straw hat before turning to look—

Of course—Xia Weiwei.