Chapter 97 Became a Sinner (1/2)

No, not yet.

He opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the crowd, looking towards the guesthouse. There, his real family was waiting for him.

Before that, there was one more thing he had to settle personally.

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind swirled up dust, cutting like knives on people's faces.

“Uncle, it’s all over.” Lu Linchuan’s voice was deep and powerful, carrying a calming force.

Qin Tian's stiff body trembled slightly. He slowly turned his head to look at his nephew-in-law, who was as steady as a mountain. The dim light outlined Lu Linchuan's resolute profile, and his deep eyes shone brightly in the night.

"It's over..." Qin Tian murmured repeatedly, as if trying to convince himself. He took a deep breath of the cold air, which smelled of blood, and the sharp pain in his chest and the nausea he felt seemed to subside somewhat.

He looked at Lu Linchuan, a young man only a few years older than his niece, yet possessing a strategic acumen and sense of responsibility far beyond his years. From discovering the clues to setting the trap and then striking with lightning speed, every step was meticulously planned. Without him, he would probably have died a laughingstock, or even become a traitor to the country.

This realization filled Qin Tian, ​​an intellectual who had always prided himself on being aloof and arrogant, with an indescribable sense of gratitude and...shame.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say "thank you," but felt that those two words were too light and couldn't possibly bear the weight of this kindness. In the end, he simply extended his hand, which was trembling slightly from exerting too much force, and patted Lu Linchuan's shoulder heavily.

"Good boy... good boy..." he said twice, his eyes welling up with tears again.

Lu Linchuan didn't say much, but simply gripped his arm and supported him steadily: "Let's go, Uncle. Wantang is still waiting for us."

"Wantang..."

Mentioning this name finally brought a glimmer of light into Qin Tian's chaotic mind. Yes, he still had Wan Tang, he still had his dearest niece in the world.

The walk to the guesthouse wasn't long, but Qin Tian felt like he was walking on cotton with every step. He was being half-supported, half-carried by Lu Linchuan, his mind a complete mess. Li Xiumei's ferocious face, Wang Wu's screams, that cold pamphlet, and the child he had called "son" for so many years... scene after scene, frame after frame, spun before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

He didn't know how he got to the guesthouse entrance.

The courtyard was no longer noisy during the day; only a dim light bulb swayed in the cold wind, casting the shadows of the two people, which were sometimes long and sometimes short.

The door to the innermost room creaked open.

Su Wantang quickly ran out from inside, wearing only a thin sweater. She had obviously been waiting at the door and came out immediately upon hearing the noise.

"uncle!"

When Su Wantang saw Qin Tian's face, which looked ten years older and filled with ashen weariness, her eyes instantly reddened. She didn't ask what had happened, nor did she say any words of comfort; she simply stepped forward and took Qin Tian's arm from the other side.

At that moment, Qin Tian's nerves, which had been taut all night, finally snapped when he touched the warmth emanating from his niece's arm.

This man, who was the undisputed leader in the research institute, endured humiliation at home, and glared angrily at the enemy, now resembled a lost child who had finally found his way home. His shoulders slumped violently, and he leaned most of his weight on Su Wantang and Lu Linchuan.

"Wantang..." His voice choked with sobs, filled with barely suppressed tears, "Uncle... Uncle is so sorry... I almost... almost became a traitor to the country..."