Chapter Thirty-Four: Do You Regret It?

After the meal, Han Duoduo felt a little drowsy and went to the back seat to take a nap.

Yin Nian was driving, an earpiece in her ear, eavesdropping and pursuing at the same time, her focus unwavering.

Although the surveillance had only lasted a morning, they had already uncovered quite a bit. The secrets surrounding Yang Yongli were gradually being revealed, and Yin Nian had a strong intuition that these secrets were likely tied to the incident where Granny Yang was struck.

Halfway through the journey, Yang Yongli’s voice came through the earpiece—he must have been making a phone call.

“I’ve got the thing… we’ll… the day after tomorrow… let’s set a place… this is important…”

Yang Yongli’s words came in broken fragments, the exact content unclear. Yin Nian guessed that the “thing” he spoke of was probably what was inside the black bag, and “we” referred to the three siblings.

But what exactly was this thing? Why was it so crucial, and why did all three siblings have to see it together?

Yin Nian couldn’t figure it out, but he must have had a reason for coming home to get it at this precise moment.

A while later, Han Duoduo woke up. Yin Nian recounted what Yang Yongli had just said and shared her own suspicions. After hearing this, Han Duoduo also felt that whatever was in that black leather bag must be important and needed close attention.

As they drew near the county seat, Yang Yongli’s voice came through again, this time clearer, as they were closer.

“Lawyer Yu, hello… the hearing’s in a week… no problem… have you managed everything on your end…”

“By the way, Lawyer Yu… I wanted to ask you something… about the money, is there any chance we can push it higher…”

“Two million is the ceiling? Under what circumstances could it go higher… I see, so that’s how it is…”

“Tomorrow then… tomorrow afternoon, let’s have a meal together… we’ll all come over… alright, see you then… thank you for your trouble…”

After hanging up, Yang Yongli’s muttering echoed in the earpiece: “Two million… two million… two million…” There was a hint of contemplation in his tone, as if the money wasn’t for him, but for someone else.

After a while, Yang Yongli started playing music again, howling along with the original singer in a grating, off-key voice, startling Han Duoduo and Yin Nian into yanking out their earpieces.

“The hearing is in just a week?” Han Duoduo exclaimed in surprise. “Why so soon?”

“That’s about right…” Yin Nian replied distractedly.

“Did he just say two million? Is that real? Will the compensation really be that much?”

“The settlement was for eight hundred thousand. In court, it went up to one point two million. Now that Granny Yang’s condition has worsened, of course they’d increase the compensation. But… two million is excessive.”

“They’re obsessed with money!” Han Duoduo said angrily. “It’s doubled!”

“The amount doesn’t even matter anymore. Now that the battle has begun, we have to see it through, no matter what. I won’t pay a cent—even if it means prison. I refuse to pay.” Yin Nian clenched her jaw.

“You saved a life, and now you’re supposed to pay two million and go to jail? My god, what kind of world is this? If they succeed, I’ll never help anyone again. I’ll lose all faith in this world!” Han Duoduo was agitated, slapping the armrest.

“We still have to help others. Actions are contagious—from generation to generation. What we do today will influence those who come after us,” Yin Nian said softly.

“I’ve always wanted to ask you—do you regret it?” Han Duoduo looked at Yin Nian’s profile.

Yin Nian opened her mouth but said nothing. Her brow furrowed, and she blinked rapidly, as if something had gotten into her eye.

In those few seconds of silence lay all of Yin Nian’s doubts and hesitation toward her own beliefs.

After a long pause, Yin Nian finally said, “If I told you I don’t know, would you believe me?”

“I would.”

“I did what I thought was right, but blow after blow from reality keeps pushing me to regret it. Right now, what I’m doing is fighting back against this damn reality.” Yin Nian glanced at Han Duoduo, her gaze pained but resolute. “I’m trying not to regret.”

“I understand…” Han Duoduo lowered her head, a fleeting, strange expression crossing her face. “You’re very strong.”

“I’m not strong enough, or maybe I’m not as strong as I thought. I know too little about myself,” Yin Nian sighed.

“Really?” There was a trace of doubt in Han Duoduo’s voice.

“Of course.” Yin Nian looked at Han Duoduo and noticed her eyes were red. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing…” Han Duoduo turned to look out the window, speaking softly. “I just hope so.”

“Hope for what?” Yin Nian didn’t catch her meaning.

“No matter what, we must hold onto hope.” Han Duoduo turned back around, her expression calm again. “One day, all injustice will be redressed, and justice will prevail. The good will be rewarded, and the wicked will face retribution.”

“That’s right,” Yin Nian nodded emphatically. “I couldn’t agree more!”

Rain began to fall, pattering against the car windows. The windshield wipers worked tirelessly back and forth. Inside the car, a faint whirring mingled with the rain. Yin Nian and Han Duoduo each nursed their own thoughts in silence.

After entering Baxian, Yang Yongli drove straight to the county hospital. After parking, he headed directly for the inpatient ward.

“We can follow him in. That way, we’ll know exactly where Granny Yang is and get a look at her condition,” Han Duoduo suggested.

“I’m not sure it’s wise to approach Granny Yang right now. If we get caught, we’ll never be able to explain ourselves.” Yin Nian hesitated, watching Yang Yongli’s departing figure through binoculars.

“You could go in disguised as a nurse,” Han Duoduo proposed. “No one would notice.”

“It could work… but do you think it’s really necessary?” Yin Nian lowered the binoculars and turned to Han Duoduo.

“Didn’t you say Granny Yang was acting strange last time? Like she was hiding something, and even begged you to save her. Don’t you want to know what’s really going on with her? I think Granny Yang is the closest to the truth. If she could speak, it would directly affect the outcome of the trial.” Han Duoduo’s hands were clenched, as if she were nervous.

“That’s true… There are so many questions about Granny Yang. Last time, she even slipped me a wad of paper, but I haven’t figured out what it means.”

“What wad of paper?”

“A piece of newspaper. I don’t have it with me. I’ll show you when we’re back at the hotel.”

Han Duoduo nodded thoughtfully and asked again, “Are you sure you’re not going in?”

Yin Nian hesitated. “I’ll wait until Yang Yongli and the others leave. Then I’ll find a chance to go in.”

Han Duoduo murmured a quiet acknowledgment and turned to stare out the window, her expression complicated.