Farewell to the Ivory Tower

The news that Feng Jianguo had been granted medical parole was like another stone thrown into a lake; after a few ripples in the gradually calming public opinion, it quickly sank to the bottom.

For most people, this outcome was both unexpected and reasonable—for a critically ill patient whose life was only counting down, the judicial process seemed to have lost its meaning in forcibly detaining him.

He will eventually be handed over to the hospital and pass away under surveillance. This sensational case, from a legal perspective, is destined to come to a less than satisfactory end with his death.

When Lin Feng learned of this news through Lawyer Zhou, he had already anticipated the outcome, so he wasn't particularly moved.

What he needs to consider now is where to settle down. The upscale apartment he's temporarily renting is comfortable, but it's not a long-term solution.

When he mentioned to Lawyer Zhou that he needed to rent an apartment, Zhou Wenyuan responded almost without hesitation, adjusting his Glasses and speaking calmly:

"Boss, no need to trouble yourself. I happen to have a vacant house in a fairly convenient location with a quiet environment. If you don't mind, you can move in right away; everything is ready."

Lin Feng glanced at him, didn't refuse, and simply nodded. "Okay." He accepted the absolute loyalty of the assassins and the resources they provided as a matter of course. This wasn't heartless, but rather a highly efficient approach built on absolute trust.

After settling on his accommodation, Lin Feng planned to return to his school dormitory to move his belongings out. He brought along two capable and composed-looking bodyguards, one to act as the driver and the other to handle the moving. The group drove a low-key black SUV arranged by Lawyer Zhou towards the familiar university campus.

The car slowly drove into the school gate. The early summer sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the asphalt road. The campus was still filled with the hustle and bustle of youth. Students carrying books hurried by, and shouts came from the basketball court. Everything seemed unchanged.

But some things are ultimately different.

As Lin Feng got out of the car and led his two henchmen toward his dormitory building, he could clearly feel the strange looks he was receiving. Some students recognized him and immediately stopped, whispering to their companions and secretly pointing in his direction, their faces a mixture of curiosity, surprise, and perhaps a hint of barely perceptible fear.

"Look, it's Lin Feng..."

"Wasn't he just released?"

"The internet is in an uproar, I heard it's related to the murderer..."

"Shh, keep your voice down..."

Whispers, like mosquitoes, lingered in the air. Lin Feng, however, seemed completely oblivious to the pointing and whispering. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead, his steps steady, his face expressionless. These external disturbances were like a gentle breeze brushing past his ears, unable to stir the slightest ripple in his heart. From the moment he stepped into the detention center, his world had been severed from this ivory tower.

I slowly walked up the familiar stairs and arrived at the dormitory door. The door was ajar, and I could hear the intense clatter of keyboards and game sound effects coming from inside.

He pushed open the door.

This is a standard four-person room, with bunk beds and desks underneath. Today happens to be the weekend, and one roommate is not here. Of the other two, one is wearing headphones and staring intently at the screen, his hands flying across the keyboard and mouse; the other is facing away from the door, equally immersed in the world of games.

Hearing the door open, the roommate, wearing headphones, subconsciously turned around and glanced back. Seeing it was Lin Feng, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then nodded to him as a greeting before immediately turning back to continue his "battle." Their relationship was already ordinary, and given the troubles Lin Feng was currently embroiled in, the other man chose the safest option: silence.

The roommate who had his back to the door seemed to sense the subtle change in the atmosphere, so he took off his headphones and turned around.

This is a small, thin boy with bright, alert eyes, nicknamed "Monkey." He is Lin Feng's closest friend since entering university.

Upon seeing Lin Feng, the Monkey was taken aback at first, then abruptly stood up from his chair. His face instantly lit up with excitement and concern. He strode over to Lin Feng in a few steps, his voice trembling with emotion:

"Madman! Holy crap! Are you alright?! I saw on the news you've been out for days, why haven't you contacted me?! You didn't reply to my messages! You scared me to death!"

His concern was genuine. When Lin Feng was suddenly arrested, Monkey was the first to realize something was wrong. He tried every means to contact Lin Feng's parents back in their hometown. Throughout the process, although he couldn't offer much help, he kept an eye on things and occasionally passed on information he had gathered to Lin Feng's parents.

Seeing the Monkey's anxious expression, a rare ripple of warmth stirred in Lin Feng's usually icy heart. He patted the Monkey's shoulder, his tone still calm, but lacking the aloofness he displayed towards strangers.

"It's nothing. I've been quite busy these past few days, so I haven't had time."

Only then did the Monkey notice that two calm-looking men in black jackets were following behind Lin Feng, and they had already begun to silently help Lin Feng organize his personal belongings in his desk and cabinets, their movements quick and orderly.

The Monkey's excitement faded, replaced by confusion and a hint of unease. "Madman, what... what are you planning to do?"

Lin Feng walked to his bed, looked at the bed he had slept in for less than two years, glanced at the few barely touched textbooks on the table, smiled calmly, and replied:

"Nothing. I just feel... it's not interesting anymore. I'm thinking of dropping out."

"Drop out?!" Monkey exclaimed, his voice rising involuntarily, causing his roommate, who was wearing headphones, to turn around in surprise again. "Are you crazy?! You're already a sophomore! It's such a waste to drop out like this! Besides, in today's society, without a college degree, how hard will it be to find a job? All the good companies will just close their doors to you!"

The Monkey earnestly advised Lin Feng, genuinely concerned for his well-being. In his mind, and in the minds of most ordinary students, a university degree was the foundation for a stable life and the stepping stone to a "proper" future.

Lin Feng listened quietly, offering neither rebuttal nor explanation. He understood the Monkey's good intentions, but the path he had walked and the "scenery" he had seen had completely altered his understanding of how the world operated. Education, work, a predictable life... these had lost their original appeal to him, even seeming somewhat ridiculous. What he sought was a different kind of "power" and "freedom."

Seeing that Lin Feng remained silent after he had talked for so long, his eyes as calm as a deep pool, the Monkey knew that Lin Feng was determined. He understood Lin Feng's personality; he usually seemed easygoing, but once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind.

He sighed, a helpless yet somewhat relieved expression on his face, and gave up on trying to persuade him. He took out a cigarette case from his pocket, shook out two cigarettes, handed one to Lin Feng, and put the other in his own mouth. He then took out a lighter, lit one for Lin Feng first, and then lit one for himself.

Taking a deep drag and exhaling smoke, the Monkey patted Lin Feng's arm with the hand holding the cigarette, adopting a deliberately relaxed tone:

"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you anymore. Not going to university isn't a big deal! Damn it, all roads lead to Rome, but who says going to university guarantees you'll get there? I bet most university graduates will just be working like slaves, toiling away for a pittance!"

He grinned, forcing a bright smile, "Brother, I believe in you! With that kind of drive, you'll make a name for yourself anywhere! And when you're successful, don't forget to treat me to a drink!"

Looking at the Monkey's feigned nonchalance and listening to his student-like, slightly naive yet loyal words, Lin Feng finally managed a genuine, faint smile. He nodded. "Okay."

The two leaned against the dormitory door, silently finishing their cigarettes and chatting about trivial things, avoiding any heavy topics. Amidst the swirling smoke, they bid farewell to a simple friendship from the past.

Soon, the two assassins had finished packing all of Lin Feng's personal belongings. Actually, there weren't many things; they were mainly clothes, books, and a few personal items, which were packed into a few boxes.

"Let's go," Lin Feng said to the Monkey, stubbing out his cigarette.

"Okay, take care. Keep in touch!" The Monkey nodded emphatically.

Lin Feng said nothing more, turned around, and surrounded by two bodyguards, carrying a cardboard box containing his most important personal belongings, walked out of the dormitory he had lived in for nearly two years, out of the familiar corridor, and never looked back.

Monkey stood at the dormitory entrance, watching Lin Feng's Back View disappear around the corner of the stairs. He then looked at Lin Feng's bed and desk, which now seemed much emptier, and felt a deep emptiness in his heart. He vaguely felt that his brother, with whom he used to skip classes, play games, and brag, would probably never return to this ordinary world.

Downstairs, the black SUV quietly drove away from the campus, merging into the traffic and heading towards an unknown new direction that belonged to Lin Feng.