"That's right! Speaking of which, Officers, you still haven't told us exactly how Lin helped you, or what kind of case he helped solve. How serious was it?"
Principal Wang, upon hearing this, got even more excited, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
If it weren't for the current setting being inappropriate, he might have even stomped his feet in excitement.
Every single word that followed—he would commit it to memory without missing a single detail! This was all premium material! The more specifics, the better! That way, when he spread the word, it would be even more impactful!
Principal Wang was absolutely certain—there was no way Lin Li had assisted in solving some minor, insignificant case.
If it were just a case of returning lost property or some other good deed, the police might indeed come to the school to express their gratitude, but at most, they'd send a letter of commendation and be done with it. But this—this was completely different.
Not only had the officers brought a letter of commendation, but they also brought a banner. And if he wasn't mistaken, they had also delivered a pile of various gifts or awards. On top of that, Sun Ying had even mentioned conducting a brief interview and taking some photos.
This level of treatment? No way this was just about returning a lost wallet—this was definitely a major case!
Right now, even if the officers told him that Lin Li had helped them crack a nationwide murder case, captured a drug lord, or even personally fought off criminals in a life-or-death battle, Principal Wang would believe it!
With that thought, he looked at Lin Li with even more admiration and affection.
Nansang High School… what did we do to deserve such a prodigy?
"I'm really curious too. Lin Li, what kind of case did you help solve?" Xue Jian, unable to keep his composure, asked with genuine curiosity.
Lin Li raised his left fist to his mouth, coughed lightly, and looked at Yang Liang.
Yang Liang raised both fists to his mouth, coughed lightly, and looked at Sun Ying.
Sun Ying raised her right fist to her mouth, coughed lightly, and looked back at Yang Liang.
"...Ahem, sorry, the ventilation here isn't great. The air in the office is a bit stuffy, and the smoke hasn't cleared out." Principal Wang suddenly realized he had been so excited that he had neglected his guests. He quickly opened the windows to let some fresh air in.
How could he make such a rookie mistake?
When he turned back, he saw the two officers looking at Lin Li with warm expressions. Then, Yang Liang spoke:
"It's better if Lin Li explains it himself."
Feeling everyone's eyes locked onto him, with the two Demon Suppression Officers even offering encouraging looks, Lin Li smiled kindly.
You f*ers.**
Neither of you are willing to say it, but you expect me to?!
Do you guys have any idea how thin a seventeen-year-old's skin is?
This was the same age where he sometimes secretly used Bai Bufan's power bank to charge his own, and would occasionally feel a bit guilty about it afterward!
But now, it seemed there was no way to pass the buck this time.
Useless.
It looked like he'd have to step up.
"I assisted the police in taking down a large-scale… illicit operation," Lin Li declared loudly and proudly, each word ringing with conviction.
A powerful and resonant declaration!
Such presence!
Principal Wang, who had been eagerly listening, immediately clapped in response.
"An illicit operation, excellent! This is exactly what young people of the new era should be doing! I've got it—today is too short notice, but next Monday, at the flag-raising ceremony, Lin Li, you'll give a speech to rally the entire school! We should all support the police in their efforts to—"
"—combat illicit operations!"
Lin Li, Yang Liang, and Sun Ying: "???"
Uh… this… doesn't sound quite right.
What kind of twisted 'King Returns to Find His Wife and Son Sold to a Brothel' plot is this, where the King flies into a rage and rallies ten thousand troops to help with… performance metrics?
Even Xue Jian was now looking at Principal Wang strangely.
Principal Wang's smile suddenly froze.
Slowly, as realization dawned, his squinting eyes widened slightly, and with a tentative tone, he carefully asked Lin Li:
"Lin Li… what exactly did you say you helped the police with?"
"I took down a Chicken Farm."
"...And what role did you play in this?" The principal's voice became even more cautious.
"I was part of Uncle Yang's arrest quota."
Principal Wang: "???"
Lin Li had made an indelible contribution to improving Xiling Town's public security—because he got arrested.
"Principal, are you okay?" Seeing him slump into his chair, Xue Jian hurried over to help him up.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Principal Wang wobbled to his feet before slowly lowering himself onto the couch across from Lin Li. He looked at the boy and asked again:
"Lin Li… you got arrested?"
"Yeah." Lin Li nodded naturally.
"Principal! Principal!? Wake up! Stay with us!"
"I'm fine, I just suddenly felt a little sleepy. I'm okay now." Principal Wang waved his hand weakly and pressed a hand to his forehead.
"...Lin Li, maybe it's best if you don't say anything else. Let me explain." Yang Liang finally couldn't take it anymore.
This kid—he just never played by the rules.
"Principal Wang, the truth isn't exactly as Lin Li put it."
Like a drowning man grabbing onto a lifeline, Principal Wang immediately perked up.
That's right—if Lin Li really were a suspect, why would the police come bearing commendations and gifts? This kid—he must be joking!
Such a little rascal! So mischievous!
"Seriously," Principal Wang chuckled helplessly, shaking his head. "There's no way Lin Li got arrested."
Yang Liang hesitated. Then hesitated again. Finally, he spoke:
"Arrested… well, yes, he did get arrested."
Principal Wang: "???"
You f*er, why is there another mischievous little rascal here?!**
"What the hell is going on here?!"
Finally, Sun Ying couldn't take it anymore. She rubbed her temples, sighed, and turned to Principal Wang with a smile.
"Allow me to explain…"
───
As an 'outsider,' Sun Ying narrated the entire story clearly and concisely, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.
The principal's office fell into a momentary silence.
The expressions on Principal Wang and Xue Jian's faces were more dramatic than watching two beautiful women fighting in the middle of the street.
There was no denying it—Sun Ying's storytelling skills were top-notch, befitting someone from the publicity department. If you only listened to the last sentence, you'd think Lin Li was undoubtedly the pride of Nansang.
"—If it weren't for Lin Li infiltrating the den alone, obtaining crucial evidence, and skillfully navigating interactions with the suspects to lower their guard, we never could have taken them down so easily!"
So heroic.
Such bravery, intelligence, and courage—truly the epitome of a young hero!
If only the background hadn't been a brothel.
If only it had been a drug lab, or a counterfeit goods factory—hell, even an illegal food production ring would've been fine.
But why did it have to be an anti-vice raid?!
Was this really a case of infiltrating the enemy's lair?
Or was it just sneaking off to indulge in worldly pleasures behind his brothers' backs?
"Knowing the truth makes me want to cry."
Suddenly, Principal Wang started singing a love song.
And for once, it didn't seem like he was faking the pain.