The Infatuated Cannon Fodder Quits Chapter 96

When the truth came out, the person most shocked wasn’t Bo Jin. After all, his relationship with Wen Yong had already soured, and Wen Yong’s behavior the night of the accident had already made him suspicious.

It was Zhao Qin who was the most affected.

He’d always believed Bo Jin and Wen Yong were like family, almost like brothers.

When he first joined the company, he’d even worried he might be sidelined by their close bond, only to realize he had nothing to worry about. So when he found out Wen Yong had been arrested for attempted murder, his first reaction was disbelief.

“That’s impossible!” Zhao Qin, clutching his head, stood dazed outside the police station. “They must have made a mistake. Did the police get it wrong?”

Although the company’s ownership was split three ways, Bo Jin was still in high school, so most of the work was managed by Zhao Qin and Wen Yong. In fact, they’d spent so much time together over the years that it was more than many married couples.

Seeing firsthand how well Wen Yong had treated Bo Jin over the years, Zhao Qin was even more shattered by this outcome.

“What would Old Wen get out of this? You two…” His voice choked as he forced out the next words, “You two didn’t even have any conflicts or anything like that.”

In truth, Bo Jin had expressed his intention to leave the company as early as six months ago.

Zhao Qin had tried to talk him out of it, saying that while the company was currently under the umbrella of a major corporation, it was mostly independent. They’d even secured a major order that could support them for decades. It was thriving, and Bo Jin leaving didn’t make sense.

But Bo Jin’s decision was firm, and no amount of persuasion changed his mind, so Zhao Qin gave up.

As for how Bo Jin’s shares would be divided, Zhao Qin hadn’t discussed it with Wen Yong. After all, Bo Jin hadn’t even left yet, and dividing the shares in advance would seem awkward.

Who would have thought that instead of Bo Jin’s departure, they’d be facing Wen Yong’s crime.

Even after leaving the police station and seeing all the evidence, Zhao Qin couldn’t believe it, starting to entertain wild ideas: “Could it be that the developer pinned it on Old Wen to avoid liability?”

The more he said, the more he seemed to believe it, as if saying it could make it true: “I’ve heard real estate developers have a lot of power and close government connections, maybe they…”

The rest of his words faded when he saw Bo Jin’s calm gaze.

No matter how much he didn’t want to believe it, Zhao Qin knew that facts were facts; his disbelief wouldn’t change anything. Wen Yong had indeed committed a crime—not some momentary lapse like drunk driving or a scuffle, but premeditated murder.

And the target was the younger “brother” he had practically raised.

“What the h*ll is this?” Zhao Qin covered his head, his eyes red, barely holding back tears in front of Bo Jin. “What could he have been thinking? Has he lost his mind? Murder—how could he even bring himself to do it?”

Bo Jin lit a cigarette and leaned against the car door, silent.

Even though he had prepared himself, confirming the truth still left him feeling unsettled.

He and Wen Yong had known each other for nearly twenty years. How many twenty years does a person have in a lifetime? If you live a long life, that’s a quarter of it; shorter, it could even be a third.

The memories of them supporting each other in the orphanage were still vivid, yet now they had reached this conclusion.

No one would have sympathy for someone who wanted them dead, but along with his anger and resentment, Bo Jin couldn’t help but feel a little sorrowful.

All those years of friendship, undone by a petty jealousy. It was ridiculous.

He crushed his cigarette butt, deciding not to dwell on these messy thoughts.

Everyone walks their own path; Wen Yong should have considered the consequences when he made his choice. If he dared to take such a risk to harm someone, he should be prepared to face the consequences.

“Forget it.” Zhao Qin opened the car door and wiped his face hard, leaving his cheeks red from the pressure. “I can’t do anything about him. Are you going to my place later?”

Wen Yong wasn’t a big shot, but he wasn’t just an ordinary citizen either. News of something this big had already attracted the attention of sharp-eyed reporters, who had reported it immediately.

It was easy to imagine that everyone at the company was probably talking about it.

Selfishly, Zhao Qin didn’t want Bo Jin to go back to the company, to avoid him hearing any unpleasant gossip. It would only make him feel worse.

“No.” Bo Jin buckled his seatbelt and said calmly, “Take me to the train station. I’ll just go home.”

“Alright.” Zhao Qin nodded in agreement.

Going home was probably best; being alone could lead to overthinking, but at home, with Xie Ruan around, he’d feel better, even if they didn’t do anything.

After that, the car fell silent.

Zhao Qin glanced at Bo Jin’s expression, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but he held back.

What could he say? That Wen Yong didn’t really mean it, that it was just a momentary lapse? Yeah, right. The plan was so meticulous, every detail accounted for, and it nearly succeeded. You couldn’t say it wasn’t intentional.

Wasn’t it enough to start a business together, to enjoy life together? How did it come to this?

The more Zhao Qin thought about it, the angrier he became, though he didn’t know how to vent it. In the end, he just slammed his fist on the steering wheel before driving Bo Jin to the train station.

By the time Bo Jin got home, it was evening. Xie Ruan had just finished his shower and was sitting at his desk reading.

Unlike his usual focus, his gaze was unfocused, staring blankly at the page, lost in thought, to the point he didn’t even hear Bo Jin enter the room.

It wasn’t until Bo Jin walked over and pressed down on his hair that he snapped out of it.

“You’re back?” Xie Ruan looked up in surprise, then turned to study Bo Jin’s face, as if trying to gauge his mood.

But Bo Jin’s expression was calm, with a faint smile on his lips, showing nothing.

“Are you alright?” Xie Ruan, worried that he was keeping everything bottled up, couldn’t help but ask.

He never would have thought that Bo Jin’s supposed “suicide attempt” in the original story was actually an attempt on his life, orchestrated by none other than Wen Yong, who had been close to Bo Jin.

The moment he heard the news, he wanted to kill that sanctimonious hypocrite. Daring to harm Bo Jin—he’d still be mad even if he killed him.

But with the college entrance exams approaching, Bo Jin refused to let him take time off. He had insisted on going to Shuicheng alone, leaving Xie Ruan in school.

The entire day, Xie Ruan had been distracted, unable to focus in class or on his exams, and had barely managed to get through the day, eagerly waiting for Bo Jin’s return.

“What did the police say?”

With all the lights on in the study, the room was brightly lit. Xie Ruan looked up at him, his worry clear in his eyes.

Bo Jin had thought he didn’t care, that he’d known what kind of person Wen Yong was for a long time and that it wasn’t worth getting upset over him. On the way back from Shuicheng, he had genuinely felt nothing special.

He’d eaten, drunk, checked his phone, and acted like everything was normal.

But now, back home, looking into Xie Ruan’s eyes, he suddenly felt a wave of emotions he hadn’t realized he’d been holding back.

Bo Jin pulled Xie Ruan into a tight embrace, burying his face in his neck and taking a deep breath.

Only at this moment did he feel truly grounded.

“I’m fine.” He held Xie Ruan quietly for a while, repeating, “I’m fine.”

How could he really be fine?

That was his best friend.

Even if it was only in the past, seeing it reach such a shocking end still hurt.

Xie Ruan patted him gently on the back, offering silent comfort.

After Bo Jin relaxed, Xie Ruan asked again, “What did the police say?”

“Nothing much, just the usual procedures. They haven’t set a date for the interrogation yet.” Bo Jin let go of Xie Ruan, feeling a bit better. Seeing him frowning with worry, Bo Jin couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s with that face? Cheer up, I…”

Before he could finish, he was pulled into another hug.

“If you’re upset, say it.” Xie Ruan leaned down and kissed the corner of his mouth softly, whispering, “You don’t have to hide anything from me.”

Bo Jin was stunned; he hadn’t expected this usually shy and reserved person to take the initiative.

He gently stroked Xie Ruan’s reddened ear, his heart melting.

This was his Xie Ruan, the person he liked.

No matter how reserved or shy, he was never hesitant to show his feelings when it mattered.

Bo Jin lowered his head and gave Xie Ruan a gentle kiss, taking his time, until Xie Ruan was breathless before letting go.

“Don’t worry. I’m not upset.”

Xie Ruan looked at him skeptically, clearly not believing him.

“Why would I lie?” Bo Jin chuckled and flicked his forehead lightly. “I already suspected it. Today was just confirmation.”

The more Bo Jin tried to sound indifferent, the more it hurt Xie Ruan to see him this way.

His hopeful expression only made Bo Jin’s heart ache more.

He was never one to deny himself, so following his instinct, he pushed Xie Ruan down onto the bed.

Xie Ruan, still trying to process what was happening, didn’t pick up on Bo Jin’s intentions and continued to ask seriously, “So… what about him?”

He hated Wen Yong so much he didn’t even want to say his name.

“Did the police say what his sentence might be? Will he get the death penalty?”

Just the thought of how Wen Yong had almost harmed Bo Jin twice made Xie Ruan furious, as though he could tear him to pieces without any remorse.

“Don’t worry; that’s impossible. We’ll wait for the trial to see.”

Bo Jin chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss Xie Ruan’s neck. “What kind of look is that? Whatever happens, he’s not getting away unscathed.”

That’s what he deserved!

Xie Ruan felt indignant and wanted to argue, but Bo Jin pressed a finger to his lips, “Shh.”

“Babe,” Bo Jin leaned on both sides of Xie Ruan, his face a mix of amusement and seriousness, “talking about another man in my bed… do you think I have a good temper?”

The meaning behind his words was unmistakable.

Alarm bells went off in Xie Ruan’s mind, and he clutched his collar tightly. “I have to go to school tomorrow; we can’t.”

What if things got too intense, and he couldn’t get up in the morning? He couldn’t bring himself to ask Sun Fuan for leave because of something like this!

“Hmm,” Bo Jin bit open the buttons on his pajamas with a pure smile, “we won’t.”

Xie Ruan was puzzled. “Then why…”

“For someone so young, you have quite a vulgar imagination.” Bo Jin clicked his tongue, stealing a kiss from Xie Ruan’s lips. “Saving my life and offering yourself up—there’s no need for that. I’m just showing my gratitude.”

Xie Ruan: “???”

He tried to resist, “You ran around all day; you must be tired…”

Tired?

Bo Jin suddenly froze, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Unaware of the danger closing in, Xie Ruan thought he had hit the mark and enthusiastically pressed on, “Right, it’s getting late, let’s sleep. Once you’ve rested… hey, what are you doing?”

What was he doing?

Bo Jin scoffed, tossed his shirt aside, and said calmly, “Let me show you just how tired your husband is.”

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