Chapter 37

Zhao Kan was startled.

Qin Lang, however, remained calm and said, "It's fine, he's one of us."

After getting in the car, Qin Lang introduced Zhao Kan to Han Sanqiang, "Aqiang, this is my brother Zhao Kan."

"Brother, hello," Han Sanqiang greeted while driving.

"You... You're Brother Qiang?" Zhao Kan recognized Han Sanqiang and was quite excited when he heard Han Sanqiang call him "brother." However, he quickly realized that Han Sanqiang was just giving Qin Lang face, so he hurriedly said, "Brother Qiang, just call me Zhao Kan."

"Then I'll call you Brother Zhao," Han Sanqiang said, then turned to Qin Lang, "Brother Qin, you're finally out! Those bastards from Sang Kun actually bribed the guards to attack you—though, I heard you beat Chen Gang to a pulp? That guy has always been arrogant from his years of underground fighting!"

"Qin Lang, you know martial arts? Damn! That's so cool!" Zhao Kan couldn't help but exclaim.

"That's not the main point," Qin Lang said to Han Sanqiang. "Not many people know I'm out yet. But Sang Kun and An Desheng have their sources, and they'll find out soon. Aqiang, gather your capable brothers."

"What, Brother Qin, are you going to take on Sang Kun? I've been waiting for you to say that. That bastard has been so arrogant these past few days!" Han Sanqiang said with a hint of hatred, as if he couldn't wait.

"First, gather the people," Qin Lang said. "There will be work for them soon, but not a fight."

Han Sanqiang was a bit disappointed but took Qin Lang's instructions to heart. He knew his current situation; if Qin Lang really fell, Sang Kun and the others wouldn't let him off either.

"Qin Lang, is there anything I can do to help?" Zhao Kan asked Qin Lang.

"You've already helped me a lot," Qin Lang said, then seemed to remember something, "By the way, are there any rumors about me at school?"

"Of course there are!" Zhao Kan said, "The whole school is buzzing! When Zhou Lingling's incident happened, rumors started—rumors that you were her secret boyfriend, that you were fickle and fell for someone else, which led to Zhou Lingling contracting... an STD, and then you abandoned her, so she committed suicide."

"Damn! Who the hell is so good at making up stories!" Qin Lang cursed, then said to Zhao Kan, "Help me find out who started these rumors."

"Leave it to me, no problem!" Zhao Kan's specialty was gossip and collecting rumors; he should be able to find the source.

Qin Lang had Han Sanqiang drop Zhao Kan back at school, then called Tao Ruoxiang.

When Tao Ruoxiang received Qin Lang's call, she was in her office. Her first thought was that Qin Lang must have escaped, but she quickly dismissed the idea, thinking that if he had really escaped, he wouldn't use his old phone number. She pressed the answer button and, upon hearing Qin Lang's voice, felt a complex mix of emotions. She should have hated Qin Lang, but for some reason, she was also worried.

"How can I be worried about a beast?" Tao Ruoxiang found it unbelievable!

"Speak up, why are you calling me? If you've escaped, I advise you to turn yourself in!" Tao Ruoxiang made her tone cold and indifferent.

"I'm temporarily out on medical parole," Qin Lang said calmly. "If you have time, I'd like to meet you at the 'Liangmu Yuan' coffee shop outside the school. It's crowded there, so you don't have to worry about me doing anything to you."

"I don't think that's necessary," Tao Ruoxiang's tone remained icy, as if she didn't want to see Qin Lang at all.

"It is necessary!" Qin Lang's tone was firm. "I'm a suspect, not a criminal yet, so the school can't expel me. You're still my teacher, and as a student, I have the right to seek your help and report the situation. You wouldn't turn me away, would you?"

Qin Lang's reasoning was reasonable, and after some thought, Tao Ruoxiang finally agreed to his request.

Qin Lang sat in a corner of the Liangmu Yuan coffee shop, which was on a street outside the school, filled with students. Qin Lang didn't attract much attention, especially since not many people knew him.

Tao Ruoxiang sat across from Qin Lang, coldly, without even looking at the coffee he had ordered for her. She said calmly, "Speak up, what do you have to say? If you're willing to confess or inform on your accomplices or criminals, I can ask the police to reduce your sentence."

Qin Lang didn't answer immediately because he noticed that Tao Ruoxiang had aged significantly overnight, which made him realize that she might still care about him to some extent.

Qin Lang's wounded heart began to stir, but he knew he couldn't show it because, in Tao Ruoxiang's eyes, he was still a "beast." He said calmly, "Thank you for your advice, Teacher Tao, but I am innocent."

"Innocent?" Tao Ruoxiang snorted coldly. "Don't think that just because you got medical parole, you're off the hook. Once your crime is confirmed, it's a serious offense, at least life in prison!"

"Teacher Tao, I know you're familiar with the law. However, I didn't ask you here for legal advice or to confess. I want you to help me clear my name," Qin Lang said sincerely.

"Daydreaming!" Tao Ruoxiang said coldly, her tone firm.

"Teacher Tao, don't be so upset. After I tell you an important fact, you might change your mind," Qin Lang lowered his voice. "Zhou Lingling, she's still alive!"

"What!" Tao Ruoxiang stood up in shock but quickly regained her composure, staring intently at Qin Lang, trying to read his thoughts. "Really? Or are you lying?"

"Really!" Qin Lang met Tao Ruoxiang's gaze calmly.

"Don't lie to me!" Tao Ruoxiang said with a hint of threat. "You should know that Zhou Lingling's parents are already preparing for her funeral."

"Her parents don't know about this yet," Qin Lang said sincerely. "Besides, you're a psychologist; can I really fool you?"

"You fooled me before," Tao Ruoxiang said. "You made me believe you were a mischievous but inherently good student. But who knew that in just a few days, your true evil nature would be revealed."

"What if I'm not a bad person?"

"I don't want to answer that," Tao Ruoxiang said. "Unless I see her immediately!"

"I was thinking the same thing," Qin Lang smiled slightly, knowing that the situation was starting to improve.