Chapter 136: Compensation

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Compensation

’When it came to Shen Shuangshuang, he could still try to reason with himself. ’Mom is biased,’ he’d think, ’but maybe it’s just because she spends more time with Shuangshuang and they have a deeper bond.’ But what about Shen Rongdan? To personally send her own son to the police station for an outsider, and even join that man in accusing him? A mother like that... it really made no difference whether he had one or not. Since she treasured outsiders so much, then she could just go live with them!’

Seeing Shen Rongjing didn’t respond, Yi Haoran let go of Shen Rongdan’s shoulder, took a step forward, and faced Yao Yuzhen directly.

"Aunt Yao, this was a fight. The main goal here is a reprimand, not serious punishment."

"Mr. Ruan didn’t break any bones, and Xiao Dan has offered to compensate him, so he can be released now."

Yao Yuzhen’s brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"It means, if the other party isn’t willing to settle this privately, he’ll have to rest here at the station for a couple of days. Whenever he comes around, he can sign the papers and go home."

"Unwilling to mediate? What do you mean, unwilling to mediate?"

Yao Yuzhen suddenly raised her voice.

"He was beaten that badly, and you’re only offering thirty yuan? What kind of mediation is that?"

"Are you haggling like this is some roadside stall?"

Although the question sounded like it was aimed at Yi Haoran, every word was a knife pointed at Shen Rongjing.

"Alright, drop the act."

Shen Rongjing reached out, pulled Shen Rongdan directly in front of him, and pointed at the red mark on his face.

"My brother’s the one who got hit, and we haven’t demanded an explanation from you. That’s us being more than generous."

The moment Yao Yuzhen heard him finally speak, her anger flared.

"I hit him! What, you want me to pay you?"

Before her voice faded, she dug into her purse, pulled out a wad of cash, and with a flick of her wrist, threw it all at Shen Rongjing’s face.

"Aunt Yao..."

Yi Haoran stared at Yao Yuzhen with wide eyes, his heart clenching as if squeezed.

He felt a pang of pain for Shen Rongjing.

How was this paying compensation?

This was spitting in his face.

But Yao Yuzhen stood ramrod straight, her chin held high.

"Is this enough money to buy your dignity, Young Master Shen?"

Shen Rongjing had long since stopped expecting anything from her.

So when she did that, he didn’t even furrow his brow.

He slowly squatted down and picked up the scattered bills from the floor, one by one.

"Mom, what you’re saying isn’t right."

"How could a mother hit her son for no reason?"

"That mark on Rong Dan’s face was clearly from his fight with that man. They just finished brawling, wouldn’t you agree?"

"And as for this money, it’s perfectly natural for you to want to spend it on me. You’re my mother, and I’m your son. If you hand it to me, I’ll take it. There’s no need to throw it, let alone hurl it at me."

"Dad risked his life to earn this."

That last sentence was like a dull blade, forcibly driven into her marrow.

She had always believed herself superior and couldn’t stand it when others dragged her through the mud.

Especially the Shen family.

"Shen Rongjing! What exactly do you mean by that?!"

Shen Rongjing only said softly.

"Mom, take a breath. Calm down."

Yao Yuzhen suddenly lunged forward with both hands, her nails aiming straight for his neck.

"What do you mean? What do you really mean?!"

Shen Rongdan and Yi Haoran immediately grabbed her arms.

Hearing the commotion, Shen Shuangshuang also rushed over from the hallway.

Shen Rongjing let her tear at his collar, his voice calm and unhurried.

"I’m just trying to get a clear answer. You all say Rong Dan hit someone. Who saw it?"

"Just the three of you are adamant about it. Can’t I suspect you’ve colluded on your stories?"

"There are no witnesses, and he has a mark on his own face. So can’t I, in turn, surmise that he was the one who got hit?"

Yi Haoran gripped Yao Yuzhen’s wrist tightly, but she was still struggling to reach forward.

"Not that sentence! That’s not the one..."

Shen Rongdan wanted to pry her fingers off, but he was afraid of hurting her, so he could only plead in a hoarse voice.

"Mom..."

"Shut up!"

Yao Yuzhen suddenly roared at him.

Shen Rongdan’s eyes instantly reddened.

Shen Rongjing, of course, knew what she was waiting to hear, but he deliberately refused to take the bait.

He just stood there, stock-still, waiting for her to wrench the words from between her gritted teeth.

"’Dad risked his life to earn this money...’ What exactly did you mean by that? Explain it to me clearly!"

Shen Rongjing didn’t even blink.

"Everything Dad has today, he earned through real, hard-won military achievements. When has he not put his life on the line? Facing enemy fire, accepting top-secret missions—every time, he’s risked his neck. He dared to fight, and that’s how he rose through the ranks, step by step. Our family is able to live in peace because he alone supports us."

"Letting you recuperate at home... wasn’t it all in the hope that you and Shuangshuang would be well?"

Yao Yuzhen’s hands went slack, and her entire body seemed to go limp.

He, however, stood perfectly straight, not swaying in the slightest.

She was the one who couldn’t stand her ground.

She had thought that Shen Rongjing would at least care about appearances and not tear everything apart so openly.

And the result?

Yi Haoran quickly had someone bring a chair. As soon as she sat down, she immediately covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"So... this is how you’ve all seen me in your hearts all this time..."

Shen Shuangshuang immediately jumped in to defend her.

"Big Brother! Your words are too hurtful! Mom has a weak heart. Aren’t you trying to anger her to death?!"

This was a line she had performed a dozen times in front of Shen Zhenwu; she knew it by heart.

But now Yao Yuzhen was about to divorce Shen Zhenwu, and with Shen Rongjing, she couldn’t expect anyone to coddle and coax her.

He glanced at her coldly. Shen Shuangshuang flinched, the words catching in her throat, and didn’t dare make another sound.

"Mom’s health has been poor all these years because our little sister was lost as a child. Now that she’s been found, shouldn’t the knot in your heart be untied as well?"

At these words, Yao Yuzhen froze, raising her eyes to stare straight at him.

But his glasses were too dark; it was impossible to see what he was thinking.

He didn’t say another word. Instead, he grabbed Shen Rongdan’s arm and turned to walk out.

Yao Yuzhen watched the brothers’ retreating backs, not even glancing back once, her eyes filled with fire.

Her fierce gaze was so intense it made Shen Rongdan afraid to even lift his head.

Yi Haoran walked them to the door.

Shen Rongjing pushed Shen Rongdan into the car before speaking to Yi Haoran.

"Thanks for everything today."

Yi Haoran laughed and gave him a friendly punch on the chest.

"Are you kidding? We’re buddies."

"Call me if you need anything in the future. Don’t be a stranger."

Shen Rongjing nodded and got into the passenger seat.

Once they were all gone, Yi Haoran headed back into the police station.

He had just reached Yao Yuzhen when she asked with a taut face.

"Yi Haoran, aren’t you afraid I’ll report you?"

Yi Haoran looked completely baffled.

"Huh?"

"Aunt Yao, we followed protocol the entire time."

"Honestly, Rong Jing not even pursuing the matter of Rong Dan getting hit was him already giving you a lot of face. Why don’t you try to persuade that friend of yours again?"

Yao Yuzhen had a bellyful of things she wanted to scream, but the phrase "following protocol" got stuck in her throat.

She stared at the nonchalant young man before her and suddenly felt all the strength drain from her body.

If she wanted to get justice for Ruan Yongxing and force Shen Rongdan to bow his head, her only hope was Shen Zhenwu.

Anyone else?

Who would even listen to her?

Yao Yuzhen’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the chair.

It was as if without the Shen Family, she was nothing.

Shen Shuangshuang couldn’t hold it in any longer.

"But Second Brother hit someone! That’s a fact set in stone!"

Yi Haoran nodded.

"It was indeed a misunderstanding. Your second brother said he’s willing to pay compensation."

Shen Shuangshuang was taken aback.

"But... but only thirty yuan? Isn’t that a bit pathetic?!"