Attitude Determines the Future, Don't Make Promises Lightly

"There's good news. We've caught the guy who took your things, but you need to identify him, understand what I mean?" One of the two officers standing at the door, who was taking notes, put away his notebook and pen.

He didn't use keywords like "steal" or "burglary," but rather "took," downplaying the nature of the case while putting pressure on Lin Qi.

Not everyone has the courage to identify criminals in person. Last year, statistics showed that approximately 61.94% of witnesses were unwilling to identify criminals, and over 77.53% were unwilling to testify in court.

This says a lot about the poor public safety in the Bayer Federation, or the continued arrogance of criminal elements.

In any case, asking someone to identify a criminal undoubtedly increases the witness's stress, but they picked the wrong person. Lin Qi immediately changed his clothes. "What are we waiting for?"

The two officers were a little unsure what Lin Qi was up to, but they did hope this matter could be resolved "satisfactorily."

On the way to the Police Station, the officer in the passenger seat talked about the "criminal" they had caught.

"He's a young man still in school. He denies doing these things, and we don't have enough evidence to completely nail him..."

This statement was both right and wrong, treating Lin Qi as an outsider. In the Police Station, if they determined someone was a criminal and it was necessary, they could easily manipulate the evidence to convict them. Clearly, that wasn't their intention this time.

The officer turned to glance at Lin Qi. "I think we should give the kid a chance. This case, with its insufficient evidence, could ruin his future."

He paused. "You weren't hurt, and the loss was limited. If he's willing to compensate you, I think you could talk it over."

After saying this, the officer turned back around. He had said what he needed to say, and the outcome wasn't something a low-level officer like him could decide.

For the two officers in the car, Lin Qi's choice didn't matter. The sky wouldn't fall on their heads. They were just trying to fulfill their superiors' instructions.

During the rest of the drive, they didn't say anything more to Lin Qi until the car stopped at the Police Station.

"Have you thought about it, young man?" An officer led him toward the Police Station's office building and opened the lobby door for him.

Lin Qi nodded calmly. "Maybe I should talk to him."

"Smart choice!" The officer patted his shoulder, leading him toward an interrogation room, a slight smile appearing on his face. He whispered, "You can open your mouth like a lion and tear a piece of meat from him. He's a rich bastard, richer than us, you know what I mean?"

Lin Qi nodded. The officer pursed his lips in satisfaction. He stood outside the interrogation room, opened the door, and whispered again, "We've turned off the recording system. Remember to knock when you come out. I'll be waiting outside!"

Such good people are rare. Lin Qi nodded vigorously and walked into the room.

At this point, the entire Police Station's procedure had been completely messed up. Before going to court, the victim and perpetrator, or the plaintiff and defendant, aren't supposed to meet. But that's just how things are sometimes.

Rules are rules, reality is reality.

The interrogation room had only a table and four chairs, all fixed to the floor. Little Michael sat dejectedly on one side of the table.

Lin Qi's arrival made him look up. He couldn't understand why the ring in his father's drawer was stolen goods. He felt relieved, but also anxious.

The ring wasn't evidence of Michael's infidelity, but its questionable origin meant his father might be involved in a crime. He felt a struggle and pain he couldn't express. He didn't know what to do, but he also felt that Michael had it hard.

The police had talked to him, saying they would bring the person who reported the crime. If he could persuade the person to drop the charges, he could leave after paying bail.

This wouldn't stain his record. After the case was dropped, if he didn't commit another crime within a certain period, all the information would be put into another file bag, never to be seen by the general public.

Seeing Lin Qi, Little Michael opened his mouth, then closed it. He didn't know how to start.

Children of this age often have a very clear sense of right and wrong. He regarded Lin Qi as the "victim." He suddenly felt dirty because he was trying to destroy justice and fairness, like some of the people he disliked.

The feeling of shame made him unable to speak, so he kept his head down and remained silent, waiting for Lin Qi to make demands.

No matter what conditions Lin Qi proposed, as long as they weren't too excessive, he would agree. This wasn't really his fault, but he wanted to atone for his father.

He wasn't sure why Michael had broken into his house and taken Lin Qi's ring, but it had happened, and dwelling on it was pointless. What he needed to do was provide Lin Qi with sufficient compensation and protect his father.

It's just... sometimes young people are unwilling to admit they are young, and they will eventually be slapped in the face by reality.

Lin Qi paused for a moment after sitting down, "I'm not here to discuss how much money you can spend to resolve this matter..." Little Michael looked up in surprise, and Lin Qi continued, "Don't think that just because you have some stinking money, you can sway the fairness of justice. Even if the lawsuit goes to the State Court, I will not compromise!"

Lin Qi's statement made Little Michael realize that things were not developing as he had considered. So, the more lowly people are, the more pretentious they are. One second he was still caught in some morally depraved self-humiliation, and the next his legs began to tremble at Lin Qi's declaration that he would not compromise! Before he could open his mouth, Lin Qi continued, "Everyone must be responsible for their actions, whether you are a student or something else. Even if you are a government official, you must accept the judgment of justice."

"The court, the judge, and the public will give you a fair trial. No matter how high you stand, the moment the judge's gavel falls, you will be pulled down. The higher you stand, the harder you will fall."

Little Michael's face began to sweat. He hadn't fully put himself in the role of the criminal suspect, but rather his father, Michael.

This gave him a struggle, entanglement, and pain that he couldn't describe. He could already imagine everything that would happen when Michael appeared in the defendant's seat in court and was found guilty. This family would be finished in an instant.

"Is there... no room for negotiation?" His voice was filled with something bitter, and also a hint of expectation.

Lin Qi shook his head. "If I broke into your house and took your most important thing, and then slapped a stack of banknotes on your face and told you to forget about it, would you be willing?"

Little Michael stopped talking, his emotions were very low. Lin Qi's lips curled slightly, and then he stood up.

"I came just to tell you my attitude. There is no compromise. I don't want your stinking money, and don't you look down on others!" Saying that, he stood up, walked to the door, and knocked. He left in the police's inexplicable gaze.

Soon the police also came in. He looked at the depressed Little Michael with his hands on his hips, and still asked in confusion, "Did you guys come to an agreement?"

Little Michael sighed heavily. He knew very well that his current life, family, and social status all stemmed from Michael's work.

Once Michael was reported and sentenced, even if he didn't go to jail, his job would be over.

The Federal Revenue Service would not want a person with a blemish as management. Once Michael lost his job, his family would have to move out of the middle-class community and live in the Lower District.

The future would be shrouded in dark shadows. Only by keeping Michael's job could this family avoid major problems.

Little Michael even thought that Michael would find a way to get him out and give him a new identity, allowing him to start over elsewhere.

Rather than involving Michael, Little Michael made a decision. He took a deep breath, looked up at the police, "I plead guilty, I admit I broke into the house..."

At this time, Lin Qi, standing outside the solemn Police Station, glanced back and a slight smile appeared on his face.

He would entrust certain people to take good care of Little Michael in prison, just like Michael threatened him.