Chapter 76: The Statement Part 2

He didn’t want to use “biological father,” so he rephrased. “President Jiang’s lover.”

Dai Linxuan’s expression faded slightly. Two seconds later, he said, “Mom doesn’t have a lover. Don’t say that.”

Lai Li: “Then…”

Dai Linxuan interrupted. “An insignificant person… Little Chestnut, I don’t want to discuss him right now.”

His mood sank to the bottom, even his feigned smile slipping. Clearly, he knew who his biological father was.

Lai Li swallowed the question on the tip of his tongue and turned to look out the window.

He’d have to investigate himself.

The previous test showed Dai Linxuan and Dai Enhao were related, so Jiang Qiujun’s lover had to be a close Dai relative. Dai Songxue’s three sons, or their descendants…

Too troublesome—a major project.

The scenery outside whizzed by, and they soon returned to the city.

Lai Li suddenly thought of something. “You used to tell me not to tell outsiders that you picked me up off the street on a whim, just to make them think I’m Dai Enhao’s illegitimate son?”

Dai Linxuan: “…Did I ever say ‘picked you up off the street on a whim’?”

Lai Li: “No, but it’s the truth.”

“…Don’t say that anymore.” Dai Linxuan sighed softly. “Not many people know Dad has an illegitimate child. Third Uncle is one, and Grandpa is another. Back then, I had little say. Grandpa wouldn’t allow me to raise a child with no ties to the Dai Family. Even if I cut ties, he’d have a million ways to force me to compromise and take you away.”

Later, when Dai Linxuan “went independent” and gained the capital to resist the family and protect Lai Li, his origins became unimportant.

Picked up off the street? No ties? No matter how unruly or lawless, Dai Linxuan would raise him for life. No one else had a say.

It was only in recent years that Dai Songxue discovered Lai Li had zero relation to the Dai Family.

…

Lai Li felt something off. Since Dai Songxue knew about the illegitimate child, why hadn’t Dai Enhao asked his real father to help find his son? If it was because Dai Songxue only recognized legitimate heirs, why allow him near his most treasured grandson under the “illegitimate” label?

Not doing a paternity test could still be explained somehow—Dai Enhao had already been sent to a nursing home by Jiang Qiujun by then, and no one could find him.

“We’re here.” Dai Linxuan leaned over to unbuckle his seatbelt. “I’ll go give my statement. Don’t say anything out of line… and stay away from Jin Ming.”

The thought of Song Zichu made Lai Li’s chest tighten with irritation and gloom again. He grabbed Dai Linxuan’s hand, which was about to pull away. “Bro, I’m your only little brother, right?”

“What else? In terms of blood, Song Zichu and I have nothing to do with each other.” Dai Linxuan gave him all the reassurance he needed. “I can’t control how many brothers I have in name, but I promise you’re the only one in my heart.”

Lai Li’s expression softened a bit. He didn’t see any issue with clinging to the “little brother” identity even after their relationship had been confirmed.

Dai Linxuan’s gaze darkened slightly. “Let’s get out.”

Lai Li grabbed his arm. “Bite me.”

Dai Linxuan laughed. “Like last time?”

Lai Li paused. “Sure.”

Dai Linxuan: “Not afraid of being seen now?”

Lai Li glanced at the windshield ahead—the parking lot wall was right there, with no cameras able to capture this angle. As for the side windows, yesterday had proven no one outside could see in. And it was noon now, with bright sunlight outside making it even harder to peer inside.

Lai Li tilted his neck forward. “Hurry up and bite.”

Dai Linxuan’s throat bobbed slightly, but he said nothing more. He pulled Lai Li into his arms and kissed down along his jawline. “How come you haven’t gained the weight back yet?”

“Five pounds already. I weighed myself this morning.” Lai Li couldn’t sit steady and gripped his brother’s waist tightly. The warm sensation lingered at the lowest part of his neck, grinding lightly then heavily.

This wasn’t quite what Lai Li had expected. “Wasn’t it supposed to be like last time…”

A lingering scene suddenly flashed into his mind, and Lai Li realized with a jolt that he and his brother meant different “last times.”

The “last time” he was thinking of was shortly after Dai Linxuan returned to the country, when he’d lost control and bitten his neck until it bled. But the one Dai Linxuan meant was a month ago, in another city, also in a car…

Back then, Dai Linxuan had lightly nipped his neck, leaving a hickey.

Lai Li loved the pain his brother brought him—it made him remember forever—but he couldn’t refuse this tender intimacy either.

As Dai Linxuan continued, the memory from before fully resurfaced, doubling Lai Li’s pleasure.

“Let’s get out later.” Lai Li couldn’t hold back a gasp.

Dai Linxuan chuckled lowly. “Youth makes it easy to get impulsive.”

Lai Li gripped his wrist tightly. “Don’t laugh.”

“Alright, no laughing.” Dai Linxuan indulged him. “Should I get out first?”

“No.” Lai Li glanced at the tightly shut windows. “Bro…”

Dai Linxuan pretended to open the door. “Guess I’ll just go then.”

“I don’t want it anymore.” Lai Li blocked him, reluctant. “Wait for me.”

He calmed down for half an hour before his desire finally subsided.

*

The statement went smoothly. It was basically: “Dai Linxuan kept Song Zichu in a suburban villa to protect him from harassment by relatives, but during that time, he discovered Song Zichu’s criminal activities. To prevent him from harming others, he restrained him first, gathered evidence, and handed it over to the police.”

Lai Li was completely cleared of any involvement, though he didn’t know the exact wording. Otherwise, he definitely would’ve exploded. Even if it was fake, he didn’t want anyone else being described as “kept” or “protected” by Dai Linxuan in words.

“How long will Song Zichu get?” Lai Li asked.

“Hard to say.” Jin Ming was watertight. “Sentencing isn’t my job.”

Lai Li’s gaze turned icy. “Better if it’s the death penalty.”

He had no doubt that if Song Zichu got out, he’d seek revenge and become a persistent thorn.

“You’d better watch him closely,” Lai Li said. “If he escapes, you’ll be the first to die.”

Jin Ming’s mouth twitched. “You ‘reminded’ Chang Fangyi the same way that day, huh? Scared him so bad he didn’t sleep all night.”

But they did need to be careful. This case was special—the incident had happened long ago, the adoptive parents and biological child were buried, and it spanned provinces, so they had to coordinate with the criminal police in Song Zichu’s adoptive parents’ jurisdiction.

Dai Linxuan said flatly, “If there’s nothing else, we’re leaving.”

Jin Ming sighed. “Can’t you get your bro—”

Dai Linxuan: “No.”

The unnamed one still wouldn’t speak.

“From last night until now, a full eighteen hours—he hasn’t said a word, no water, no food.” Jin Ming rubbed his temples in headache. “I’m scared he’ll die on my watch.”

Dai Linxuan reminded him, “Getting suspects to talk is your job. My brother’s not a cop.”

Jin Ming said, “Fine, but if we can’t crack him, we can only detain him briefly and release him. He hasn’t committed any substantial crime, after all.”

Dai Linxuan remained unmoved. Jin Ming knew exactly what he was after and wouldn’t let such a good lead slip.

But upon hearing this, Lai Li got impulsive. “Bro, let me see him.”

Dai Linxuan frowned. “Xiao Li.”

“It’s fine.” Lai Li grabbed his brother’s hand briefly before letting go. “I want to know who’s pulling his strings too.”

If the police released him after a while, Lai Li wouldn’t be able to resist handling it personally… and that would make Dai Linxuan angry.

They’d come this far—better to leave it to the police for now.

Jin Ming jumped in immediately. “Just five minutes.”

Bamboo Leaf Green wasn’t under criminal detention yet, so arranging a visit wasn’t hard. Jin Ming had clearly prepared the paperwork in advance and set it up the moment Lai Li agreed.

Dai Linxuan watched Jin Ming coldly.

“I get it—as his brother, you don’t want him touching these old nightmares again.” Jin Ming led him to the observation room, implying something. “But figuring everything out is the only way to truly end the nightmare, right?”

Dai Linxuan didn’t budge.

“Song Zichu, your brother, and this one.” Jin Ming nodded toward the gaunt figure behind the glass. “They all lived in the Slum District back in the day, huh? Similar vibes.”

Dai Linxuan said softly, “Don’t insult my brother.”

Jin Ming spread his hands and made a zipping-lips gesture.

The door opened, and Lai Li went in. A glass wall separated them, creating a closed, oppressive space. The angle made Dai Linxuan deeply uncomfortable.

Lai Li glanced his way, creating an illusion of eye contact. But in reality, those inside couldn’t see or hear outside.

Lai Li didn’t sit. He stood by the table, looking down at Bamboo Leaf Green. His voice came through the observation room, hollowed by distance: “Do you still recognize me?”

At the sound of Lai Li’s voice, the motionless Bamboo Leaf Green slowly raised his head. Long bangs shadowed his eyes, which were dark and sunken. He just stared at Lai Li, silent.

Dai Linxuan felt uncomfortable just watching and frowned. “You should see a psychologist. My brother—”

Jin Ming: “Wait a bit more.”

Dai Linxuan closed his eyes briefly. “Officer Jin, my patience is limited.”

Jin Ming knew he couldn’t offend Dai Linxuan too badly—someone of his status could pressure the higher-ups in minutes. But he persisted. “Have some faith in your brother. He doesn’t seem that easily affected.”

A full minute passed. The two inside stared each other down like lurking beasts, probing for weaknesses in the shadows, poised to strike at any moment.

The young man shackled to the chair suddenly moved. He slammed his head down onto the cold tabletop with a loud “bang!”

Jin Ming and the others were stunned for a second. Then the suspect smashed again—second, third time. The interrogation room filled with heavy “thuds” like death knells, hearts racing wildly.

“Damn it! Stop him!”

Dai Linxuan rushed out too, pulling Lai Li out amid the chaos and shielding him behind.

Even with his arms pinned by police, Bamboo Leaf Green kept smashing toward the table relentlessly. His strength was astonishing; it took several people to barely restrain him.

When they finally forced his head up, his forehead was a bloody mess. Fresh red blood streamed down over his eye sockets, smeared across his face.

He still stared intently at the figure behind Dai Linxuan.