Before coming here, Zheng Ji’guo had assumed that Ji Chenai would be relatively easy to handle—and as it turned out, he was right. From his perspective, at least, Ji Chenai was indeed easy to deal with. Although Ji Chenai initially held a firm and unyielding stance, Zheng Ji’guo’s persistent persuasion gradually wore him down. His expression and attitude shifted from firm refusal to hesitant uncertainty.

What Zheng Ji’guo didn’t know was how the elderly man, Yu Zhixue—the one he had knocked down—had managed to find Ji Chenai. What he also didn’t know was that no one had approached Ji Chenai, instead, Ji Chenai had taken the initiative to come forward as a witness.

To Zheng Ji’guo, Ji Chenai seemed like an inexperienced high school student, someone who could be easily intimidated into backing down. And to some extent, he wasn’t entirely wrong—if Ji Chenai had been just an ordinary high schooler, the combination of threats and bribes might have been enough to make him hesitate, or even abandon his role as a witness.

But the current Ji Chenai had something far more powerful at his disposal—the thickest, most overpowered golden finger* on Earth. Moreover, he saw this as an opportunity to earn more energy points and get back on his feet sooner.

Zheng Ji’guo’s efforts were doomed to fail. He first tried to threaten Ji Chenai, warning him that if he dared to testify in court, there would be severe consequences. Then he switched tactics, offering enticing rewards—promising that if Ji Chenai refrained from testifying, he would be well compensated, and even suggesting that he could help find a doctor to treat his legs.

After enduring Zheng Ji’guo’s carrot-and-stick routine, Ji Chenai no longer rejected him as outright as before. Instead, he put on a hesitant expression and finally told Zheng Ji’guo that he needed some time to think it over.

Zheng Ji’guo, believing he had achieved his goal, was more than happy to agree to Ji Chenai’s request for consideration. With a satisfied smile, he said, “Little brother, I trust you’ll make the right choice.”

Ji Chenai nodded and bid farewell to Zheng Ji’guo.

Xiao Qi found Ji Chenai’s attitude toward Zheng Ji’guo utterly baffling. “Are you seriously considering his offer?”

Ji Chenai let out a cold chuckle. “Not a chance.”

“Then why did you agree to think it over instead of rejecting him outright?”

Ji Chenai lazily responded, “Because I just thought of a much more interesting way to play this.”

Xiao Qi had no idea what Ji Chenai meant by “a more interesting way to play.” From its perspective, the best course of action was obvious—simply using End of the Liar on Zheng Ji’guo in court would be the most effective way to deal with him.

Ji Chenai didn’t bother explaining his plan. Instead, he simply waited patiently for the trial.

Ever since he discovered that Xiao Qi could spy on Zhou Yaoyun, Ji Chenai’s days had gained a little extra entertainment. But today was an exception, Xiao Qi had slipped away to check in on Zhou Yaoyun, only to return with an unexpected report: Zhou Yaoyun didn’t have any internet-connected devices with him, so Xiao Qi had no way of seeing what he was up to.

Ji Chenai recalled that Zhou Yaoyun had mentioned disappearing for a while. Based on that, he figured Zhou Yaoyun had probably been sent to some godforsaken, remote place.

Xiao Qi then reassured Ji Chenai that once his level increased, its own skill level would also rise. Eventually, even if Zhou Yaoyun had no electronic devices around, Xiao Qi would be able to track him via satellite surveillance.

Ji Chenai was deeply moved by Xiao Qi’s thoughtfulness.

As the trial date drew closer, Yu Zhixue’s grandson, Xu Junshu, came to see Ji Chenai.

His attitude was rather strange. Without any pleasantries, he simply said, “There aren’t many people like you in this world—people who enjoy doing good deeds.”

Ji Chenai picked up on something subtle in Xu Junshu’s otherwise expressionless demeanor. After a moment of consideration, he asked, “You… actually want your grandfather to lose the case, don’t you?”

Xu Junshu was in the middle of sipping his tea. His hand paused briefly at Ji Chenai’s words, but he only responded with a flat, “You’re overthinking it.”

Ji Chenai pressed on. “You don’t like your grandfather, do you?”

Xu Junshu remained silent.

“But even if you dislike him,” Ji Chenai continued, “do you realize what kind of message this case is sending? If the media keeps reporting on it like this, how many people will still dare to help an elderly person in need?”

Xu Junshu set his teacup down and replied coolly, “And do you realize that the cost of being a good person is something you can’t afford?”

Ji Chenai raised an eyebrow. “I don’t follow.”

Xu Junshu let out a cold chuckle. “I just can’t stand self-righteous do-gooders like you. But that aside, do you even know what kind of person Zheng Ji’guo is?”

At first, Ji Chenai had assumed Xu Junshu wanted his grandfather to lose simply out of personal resentment. But now, from the way he spoke, it almost seemed like he was worried about Ji Chenai getting caught up in Zheng Ji’guo’s mess.

Ji Chenai said flatly, “I don’t care what he does.”

Seeing that his words had no effect on Ji Chenai, Xu Junshu fell silent for a moment before finally asking, “Can I at least know what’s going through your mind?”

Ji Chenai tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

Xu Junshu sighed. “This whole thing—doing a good deed even if it might end up hurting the people around you. Do you really think it’s worth it?”

Ji Chenai already had an answer to that—of course, it wasn’t worth it. Not only was it not worth it, it was downright foolish.

Xu Junshu continued, “My grandfather is just like you. Because of his naïve kindness, my grandmother died.”

At last, Ji Chenai understood why Xu Junshu had come to see him today. He was offering him a chance to back out—if Ji Chenai didn’t testify, he wouldn’t have to deal with Zheng Ji’guo’s threats.

Xu Junshu went on, “Old people like him still live in the past. They watch nothing but state news broadcasts and probably haven’t even realized how much the world has changed.”

Ji Chenai said nothing.

Xu Junshu looked him in the eye. “But you are still young. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

At those words, Ji Chenai suddenly wanted to laugh.

Yes, he was young. Yes, he should have a bright future ahead of him.

But what Xu Junshu didn’t know was that because of a choice he had made long ago, Ji Chenai had already lost his so-called “bright future” once.

Ji Chenai said calmly, “I think no one understands this situation better than I do.”

No one understood better than him what it felt like to lose a bright future simply because he had chosen to help someone.

Xu Junshu didn’t grasp the deeper meaning behind Ji Chenai’s words. He only saw from Ji Chenai’s expression that his advice was being ignored. Since persuasion was useless, there was no point in continuing the conversation.

With that, Xu Junshu dropped the topic and sent Ji Chenai home. Still, from this encounter, Ji Chenai couldn’t help but feel that, despite everything, there were still plenty of good people in this world.

A few days before the trial, Zheng Ji’guo called Ji Chenai again, asking if he had made a decision. Ji Chenai replied bluntly that he wanted to meet in person the day before the trial to discuss some final details.

Zheng Ji’guo, of course, had no reason to refuse. And so, the meeting was set.

The upcoming trial had attracted significant media attention. Given Ji Chenai’s sudden change of stance, Zheng Ji’guo had also reached out to several media outlets. Both Yu Zhixue and Zheng Ji’guo saw this as an opportunity to turn the tide in their favor, and Ji Chenai had unwittingly become the key player in their battle.

The meeting with Zheng Ji’guo went surprisingly well. Ji Chenai assured him that he would not testify and even accepted the bank card Zheng Ji’guo handed him.

Still, Zheng Ji’guo wasn’t entirely at ease. With a polite smile, he requested that Ji Chenai stay with his people for the entire day before the trial—just to prevent any unexpected situations.

Ji Chenai took the bank card with a bright smile, then grinned even wider as he readily agreed.

Xiao Qi, watching this unfold, nearly short-circuited from sheer outrage. “Ji Chenai! You actually let money corrupt your soul?! I’m going to punch you!!!”

Ji Chenai completely ignored Xiao Qi. Instead, still smiling, he turned to Zheng Ji’guo and made another request—he wanted to have a private chat.

Zheng Ji’guo didn’t see Ji Chenai as a threat, so he casually waved his subordinates away and let them leave the room.

Ji Chenai’s smile grew even brighter as he activated “Saint’s Radiance” on himself.

The most terrifying thing in the world isn’t a missing witness the day before a trial. No, the real nightmare was when—on the eve of the trial—the defendant suddenly has a crisis of conscience, realizes he’s absolute scum, and decides to confess everything in front of the media.

Bathed in a blindingly holy glow, Ji Chenai radiated an almost divine warmth, his smile more benevolent than that of a saint. Then, in the most calm and composed manner, he spent the next hour thoroughly brainwashing Zheng Ji’guo.

Ji Chenai said gently, “What you did was wrong. If you hit an elderly man, you need to admit it yourself.”

Zheng Ji’guo, eyes shining with newfound clarity, nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! You’re absolutely right!”

Ji Chenai continued, “Tomorrow, you should confess all your crimes in front of the media. Oh, and before you go to bed tonight, make sure to print out all the evidence. Tomorrow, hand a copy to every journalist and reporter.”

Zheng Ji’guo nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, I think that sounds like a great idea.”

Ji Chenai added, “Tomorrow afternoon, make sure to have someone send me back. Oh, and remember—Zhou Yaoqin is innocent. If you try to retaliate against him, very bad things will happen.”

Zheng Ji’guo obediently murmured his agreement.

Since he wouldn’t be able to attend the trial in person tomorrow, Ji Chenai suddenly became curious—what was the worst crime Zheng Ji’guo had ever committed? Without hesitation, he asked him directly.

Zheng Ji’guo, now thoroughly enlightened by the “Saint’s Radiance,” answered without a second thought, “Drug trafficking.”

Ji Chenai: “…” Oh. Yeah. You’re probably beyond saving.

After basking in the wisdom of the so-called saint, Zheng Ji’guo seemed to experience a spiritual awakening. With his heart and soul feeling purified, he had his men “escort” Ji Chenai back to the hotel—then immediately rushed off as if his life depended on it… to print out evidence of his own crimes.

Right up until the trial began, Zheng Ji’guo was in an exceptionally good mood. Meanwhile, the Yu family was growing increasingly anxious after realizing they couldn’t get in touch with Ji Chenai.

Yu Ruhui repeatedly tried calling Ji Chenai, only to find that his phone was turned off. She was about to send Xu Junshu to his house to check on him when Wang Zhixiu informed them, “Ji Chenai left yesterday and hasn’t returned since.”

Hearing this, Xu Junshu’s expression darkened with worry. “Mom… do you think something happened to Zhou Yaoqin?”

Yu Ruhui’s face was grim. She hadn’t expected Zheng Ji’guo to actually make a move against Ji Chenai, but now, with him missing, the worst-case scenario seemed entirely possible. And if their key witness didn’t show up, winning this trial would be nearly impossible.

The case had drawn significant public attention. In recent years, helping elderly people who had fallen was no longer seen as an individual’s dilemma but a societal issue. With Zheng Ji’guo once again portrayed as the wrongfully accused in the media, the judge would have to carefully consider the broader social implications of the verdict.

Yu Zhixue remained in the hospital and couldn’t attend, leaving Yu Ruhui to represent the plaintiff. Right up until the trial began, her face remained dark and tense.

That tension lasted exactly until Zheng Ji’guo opened his mouth to speak.

When Zheng Ji’guo stood up, no one had any idea what he was about to do. But the moment he opened his mouth and spoke his first sentence—

Every single person in the courtroom, including the plaintiff, Yu Ruhui, was left stunned.

His first words were: “I am guilty! Very guilty!”

^_^