The farce ended amid roars of laughter as the police led away the dazed, overweight pervert.
Before they left, Chen Lin walked up to the middle-aged officer in charge and said a few words.
"Officer, with a habitual offender like him, you should check his record."
"If he has prior convictions, that changes the nature of the case."
The officer paused, then gave Chen Lin a long, searching look.
He understood immediately.
A single theft was a minor offense. A few days in detention, and the culprit would be out.
But for repeat offenders, the sentencing standards were worlds apart.
This young man wasn't just handsome; he was meticulous, too. He intended to leave that pervert no way out.
"Understood. Thank you." The officer nodded solemnly, newfound respect in his eyes.
Once the pervert was taken away, the Camping Area soon returned to its lively bustle.
But the mood in Chen Lin's corner remained somewhat subdued.
Chen Qianqian folded her arms, her little face taut as she muttered, "Serves him right." Yet lingering fear lurked in her eyes.
Zhang Ruoxi's pretty face was even paler.
The thought of that pervert getting his hands on her underwear... made her stomach turn.
Chen Lin saw right through their feelings, but offered no grand lecture.
He simply held out a skewer of richly marbled beef, sizzling with fat, before the two girls.
"What are you thinking about?"
"No matter how big the problem, you've still got to eat."
"Here, try my cooking. Fresh off the grill, so watch out-it's hot."
The powerful aroma of grilled meat swept away the nauseating sensation lingering in their noses.
Chen Qianqian and Zhang Ruoxi accepted the skewers. Looking at Chen Lin's composed profile beside the charcoal fire, they found their unease inexplicably fading.
Zhang Ruoxi took a