Chapter Thirty-Five: Show Mercy [Extra Chapter as a Thank You]

Chapter Thirty-Five: Showing Restraint

Thanks to Ai5555 and He Bi, special thanks are extended! Little Mo’s book is fortunate to have four esteemed captains supporting it—deep gratitude for your support and affection! A humble bow in thanks!

The gym owner was somewhat reluctant, but there was no way to refuse. He could only blame his nephew for being so irresponsible, causing trouble at such a critical moment. A child had already disappeared after leaving the gym, and the police were keeping a close watch on the facility. Now, the nephew had foolishly locked a student inside a bathroom stall. If the uncle refused to cooperate or avoid the matter, it would only bring greater trouble to the nephew.

So, despite his displeasure, the gym owner nodded to Qin Ruonan without attempting to bargain, opened the door, and left the lounge. Just before closing the door, he cast a sharp, warning glare at Zhang Lei.

Once the gym owner left, Zhang Lei briefly showed signs of panic. Though he still tried to maintain a stern demeanor, his expression grew increasingly unnatural. Rather than appearing fearless, he seemed to be bluffing.

“Sit down and talk. Standing there like a telephone pole won’t solve anything,” Qin Ruonan said seriously, though her tone softened slightly. She recalled a conversation with An Changpu about work, where he said that people with fiery tempers often respond better to softness than force. Pressuring them only heightened resistance. The best approach was to show you’re not afraid and stronger than them, then offer some respect. This way, you psychologically intimidate them first, and then give them a way to save face. Qin Ruonan thought his advice was wise and had kept it in mind—now was the time to use it.

Thinking of An Changpu caused her heart to quicken involuntarily, but she hastily pulled her thoughts back to the present.

Zhang Lei made no pretense and plopped down nearby. Chai Xiu hesitated, then chose a seat far from Zhang Lei. After sitting, her eyes fixed on Qin Ruonan. Understanding her intention, Qin Ruonan sat closer to Chai Xiu.

She didn’t choose to sit beside Chai Xiu outright. After all, Chai Xiu and Zhang Lei were on opposing sides, and as a police officer, Qin Ruonan needed to remain neutral, focused on uncovering the truth without bias. Still, she chose to sit nearer to Chai Xiu out of concern for Zhang Lei’s impulsiveness—fearing that if she sat too close to Zhang Lei, she might not be able to intervene quickly to protect Chai Xiu’s safety.

“Tell me, why did you lock that child in the staff bathroom?” Since Zhang Lei hadn’t denied Chai Xiu’s account, Qin Ruonan saw no point in wasting time disputing it and immediately asked about his motives.

Before Zhang Lei spoke, he shot a fierce glare at Chai Xiu, full of resentment. Chai Xiu straightened her back, her face taut. Although her expression didn’t change, she quickly averted her eyes under his glare.

“I was teaching those brats, but they were too noisy and unruly. I told them to line up and run laps, said it over and over, but they kept making a ruckus and fooling around. Then I realized the troublemaker was that kid. You know the saying: catch the ringleader first. Since he led the disruption, of course I had to start with him, make an example!” Zhang Lei finished glaring at Chai Xiu and turned his attention to Qin Ruonan. Perhaps because his uncle wasn’t around or because Qin Ruonan’s softened tone made him feel she was approachable, he didn’t refuse to answer.

“I didn’t just lock him up without warning! I warned him three times! I told him if he didn’t behave, I’d put him in detention. He didn’t listen and even made faces at me. What else could I do? I had to follow through! Otherwise, how could I maintain authority with this bunch of wild monkeys?”

Qin Ruonan frowned. She noticed Zhang Lei referred to the group of elementary school kids with contemptuous terms—either “brats” or “wild monkeys.”

“Do you dislike children?” she asked.

Zhang Lei was caught off guard; he expected Qin Ruonan to continue grilling him about the incident, but this question was unexpected. After a pause, he nodded without hesitation, admitting, “Yeah, I don’t like kids. They’re just trouble! All they do is cause mischief.”

Qin Ruonan was silent, refraining from pressing further for the moment, contemplating the situation. Zhang Lei had not denied or excused his behavior and seemed relatively candid. Of course, she still needed to speak with the boy he locked in the bathroom to verify facts. At least for now, there was no need for a confrontation between Chai Xiu and Zhang Lei.

If her guess was correct, once the boy was questioned, Zhang Lei might become less cooperative if Chai Xiu remained present.

“Chai Xiu, could you please step outside for a moment and help calm the boy? I’ll speak with him shortly,” she said, offering a natural reason for Chai Xiu to leave.

Chai Xiu nodded without hesitation or questions, quickly exiting the lounge and closing the door behind her. It seemed she also preferred not to remain with Zhang Lei.

“Zhang Lei, I want you to understand something. I have no intention of charging you or treating you as a suspect prematurely. My sole purpose is to uncover the truth. If you don’t want things to become complicated or cause yourself more trouble, please cooperate with me,” Qin Ruonan said firmly.

After Chai Xiu left, only Qin Ruonan and Zhang Lei remained, sitting face to face. Qin Ruonan was silent for a moment, waiting until Zhang Lei’s patience wore thin before speaking again in a low voice.

Zhang Lei thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, you’re being honest. I’ll cooperate.”

“First, tell me—if you were as mischievous as that boy when you were a child, how would your parents have treated you?” Qin Ruonan asked.

Zhang Lei, who had been serious and expecting a direct interrogation about the incident, almost laughed in surprise at the question.

“Are you joking with me? Didn’t you say you wanted to get to the truth? Why ask something like that?” He thought Qin Ruonan was teasing him. When he realized she was serious, he looked puzzled, scratched his head, and smirked. “If I’d been naughty outside when I was little and my dad found out, he’d have chased me with a belt! Definitely would’ve beaten my butt till it was sore! So honestly, I was being pretty lenient just now, trying not to cause my uncle any trouble. I showed some restraint.”

Chapter Thirty-Five: Showing Restraint

Chapter Thirty-Five: Showing Restraint*

Highly recommended without error.