Chapter 228 Reunion

The detention center gate slowly opened. Xu Ruyi stepped out, the dazzling sunlight hitting her face almost forcing her eyes shut.

"Ruyi!" "Miss!" "Sis!"

Familiar voices rang out. A group quickly gathered around her. Figures of varying heights blocked the light, the golden radiance now concentrated behind their silhouettes.

"Ruyi, you're out!" Gong Xiaoyu was the fastest, throwing her arms around Xu Ruyi and even lifting her up.

"Three months, so long. Miss, you've lost weight again. But you seem in good spirits!" Auntie Feng scrutinized Xu Ruyi with a smile, tears glistening in her eyes. "We need to nourish you properly once you're home!"

"Sis! The storm has passed!" Feng Zhi laughed happily, hugging her too. "Bright sunny days ahead now!"

"Rainy days aren't bad either! Spring rain is precious as oil, autumn rain is like gold. Anyway, as long as we're all well, rainy days and sunny days are both good days!" Qi Donghao chimed in, striking a playful pose.

Cui Yuan wasn't as boisterous. He simply smiled and handed Xu Ruyi a cup. "Sis, take a sip and spit it out. My grandma says this wards off bad luck."

"Yes, and this too," Gong Xiaoyu lightly tapped Xu Ruyi's clothes with pomelo leaves. "Ward off bad luck, ward off bad luck! From now on, all we'll have is vitality, good fortune, joy, and blessings!"

Xu Ruyi stood in the center, letting everyone "arrange" her. She looked at these familiar faces, glowing in the sunlight, tears of joy welling up uncontrollably.

Three months. The last time she saw them was in the courtroom.

That trial, due to Qin Guan's desperate maneuvers and Old He's vigorous efforts to spread the truth, was still widely discussed in the city to this day.

What people remembered was the intricate case sparked by the "vanished lover," Xu Ruyi's impassioned courtroom speech, the tragic fate of the kind-hearted Xu couple who raised a wolf, and the desperate, perfect "setup" orchestrated by the Xu orphan and the group of sponsored children seeking justice.

Public opinion, as Old He had predicted, overwhelmingly supported Xu Ruyi.

With Old He's help, many media outlets spoke out. Legal professionals offered pro bono defense and support...

The combined efforts achieved the best possible outcome. She ultimately spent only three months in detention. Qi Donghao and Cui Yuan served even shorter sentences of two months.

"I didn't suffer a bit inside, really! The officers were so good to me! The food was pretty decent too. Can't you see I've gained weight? Xiao Xi says I'm fair-skinned and plump now!" Donghao laughed brightly. He had indeed gained a little weight and looked paler. His stylish new haircut and the row of ear studs made him look vibrant and energetic. "Oh, Sis! Xiao Xi is coming too! Arrives tonight! She's been dying to meet you! About our life commitment... you have to be the one to decide for us. I told her, in this world, I have no parents, only one sister. My sister is my family head."

"Oh, come on," Cui Yuan teased. "As far as I know, you haven't even proposed yet! How do you know Xiao Xi would even say yes?"

"Xiao Xi is a forensic examiner, right? Make sure you tell her upfront, no work talk during meals!" Feng Zhi laughed. "Her coming tonight is perfect! Our whole family reunited! She has to try my mom's cooking! Isn't my mom's cooking simply the best, everyone? Guaranteed unforgettable! Perfect chance for Donghao to propose and seal the deal!"

"Auntie Feng's cooking is indeed amazing, but mine isn't bad either, okay? Feng Zhi, you've eaten it! Be fair! Sis, you judge! Auntie Feng is the best, but what about me?" Cui Yuan protested.

"Goodness, you kids! Always bickering non-stop! Oh my, my mom just called. She said Little Pear and my two little terrors are playing like crazy! My husband can't handle them alone! Tsk tsk. And tonight with you lot added in... oh dear, the chaos!" Gong Xiaoyu frowned, laughing.

A police car sped over. The door opened, and Xu Ruyi saw Old He.

An Old He she almost didn't recognize.

"Congratulations on getting out!" Old He reached out and shook Xu Ruyi's hand. Three months apart had changed him immensely. Gone was the former despondency. He was thinner, the puffiness gone, his clothes neat and clean. He looked energetic, years younger.

A young man stood behind Old He, resembling him.

"This is my son, He Minghao. He's studying at university in the UK. He admires all of you immensely and has been wanting to meet everyone."

"Hello, everyone," the young man stepped forward, shaking hands with each of them. He seemed a bit shy, unsure what to say each time he opened his mouth. Instead, he looked at each person with deep admiration, nodded firmly, then awkwardly stepped back behind his father.

He stood a little far from Old He. However, when Old He turned to straighten his clothes for him, although he waved his hand to stop him, he didn't refuse in the end.

The ice between father and son was gradually thawing—Xu Ruyi had heard the tragic story of Old He's family and knew they had been estranged ever since.

This change stemmed from Old He himself—who would have thought that the perplexing "time of death" in Qi Min's case, which had troubled him for so long, would give him inspiration after the truth emerged? He reopened his sister-in-law's cold case, dug deep along the clues for over two months, and finally found the killer's flaw.

His sister-in-law's new husband had cleverly manipulated the "time of the incident" to create an alibi, thus escaping justice.

However, the man was now in custody, the case under trial. Judging by Old He's demeanor, the result was already satisfactory.

"Time's almost up, I know, I know," Gong Xiaoyu nodded hurriedly as Old He checked his watch. "Wait for us! I need to take Ruyi to change clothes!"

She pulled Xu Ruyi away from the group, chattering as they walked. "Listen, these clothes were picked by my husband. He said my taste is bad, that the set I picked didn't suit your temperament. Can you believe it? My taste is bad? If my taste was bad, would I have picked him?"

"Good, good, both are good," Xu Ruyi sniffed, following Gong Xiaoyu towards the car. It was wonderful. Everything was wonderful. She, Sister Xiaoyu, the three boys she cared for most, Auntie Feng, Little Pear... everyone was well.

Everyone could walk freely under the sun again.

Sister Xiaoyu was now the "heroine" in her husband's eyes.

Feng Zhi's chance for overseas study had been revoked, but after the department leadership learned the truth, they gave him a second chance. He would be leaving again in a few months.

Donghao had landed a great new job. The boss of a prominent local company, who knew the whole story, expressed great admiration for him and boldly offered him an exceptional opportunity. He was now successfully employed, and his relationship with his girlfriend was stable.

Cui Yuan's bookstore had gained fame because of the case, business booming far beyond before. He was preparing to expand and also planning to start a stray animal shelter...

...

They no longer needed to hide, no longer needed to carry that immense, heavy psychological burden, living their lives in fear and anxiety.

They could stand tall and straight, hold their heads high, laugh, joke, and talk about everything openly, anytime, anywhere—proudly, freely, and comfortably.

This was the result she had wanted. They had truly achieved it.

Of course, the result she wanted also included Qin Guan.

...