The next day, at the hospital.
Su Ding woke up to the police knocking on her door to take her statement.
It was from the police that she learned Zhao Qin and the others, after being rescued by the woman in red, had returned and witnessed the truth of her colluding with the kidnappers.
"How is that possible?" Su Ding found it so ridiculous she almost laughed. "I colluded with those kidnappers to gain favor in her eyes? That's too absurd!"
Su Ding hadn't expected to mend her relationship with Zhao Qin this time, nor did she intend to fall out with her, but this outcome was something she never could have imagined.
Just how much did Zhao Qin detest her to come up with such a laughable reason to frame her?
Su Ding took a deep breath and calmly stated, "Evidence. As long as she can produce evidence, I'll admit it."
She refused to believe that this could be mere baseless accusations!
The police officer, however, shook his head and said, "Ms. Zhao Qin claims she saw it with her own eyes and heard it with her own ears. There is no evidence. Miss Su Ding, you can also tell us what you know. Our police will investigate the truth of the matter thoroughly and will not wrong any of you."
"Alright, it started with Zhao Qin inviting me..."
Su Ding explained the entire sequence of events. The police officer took down her statement, frowned, and seemed lost in thought.
Just then, Jin Ye walked in. He greeted the police officer and saw him out before carrying breakfast to the bedside.
"Eat up, don't be angry."
Jin Ye noticed Su Ding's displeased expression the moment he entered.
Su Ding composed herself and sighed helplessly, "I really don't know what your mother is thinking. If I were colluding with those kidnappers, would I have been begging for help in such a remote mountain forest last night?"
"I believe you."
Jin Ye squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, don't dwell on this. Someone will investigate it."
Su Ding nodded, sighing, "Thankfully, you came last night. Otherwise, the news this morning would have been about me..."
"It wasn't me who picked you up on the road last night," Jin Ye said solemnly.
Su Ding's expression turned somewhat dazed. Then she wore a helpless smile. "At a time like this, you're still joking with me. If it wasn't you, who else could it be?"
"It really wasn't me. The person who saved you last night was a passerby," Jin Ye also fell into thought.
The suit that had been draped over Su Ding last night must have belonged to that passerby.
For a moment, Su Ding looked bewildered. Last night, she clearly remembered seeing the person's face, it was Jin Ye. And he seemed to have kissed her?
It wasn't Jin Ye?
If it wasn't Jin Ye, who could it be? Was I dreaming?
"Stop thinking about it, eat first." Jin Ye opened the breakfast, not wanting to discuss the matter further.
After they finished breakfast, Su Ding was discharged from the hospital. She hadn't been injured, only caught a cold.
Upon returning home, Xin Jia'er called.
Xin Jia'er told her that the trending search had been suppressed and she didn't need to worry. She also invited her to visit when she had time.
Su Ding chatted with her for a while before taking her medicine and going to sleep.
When she woke up again, it was already past three in the afternoon. She noticed a missed call on her phone.
"Who called?"
Su Ding was a bit perplexed. After a moment's hesitation, she dialed back.
There was a long pause on the other end before the call was finally connected. A familiar voice came through, "Su Ding, hello. I am Jin Ye's father."
Su Ding was very surprised. After composing herself, she said, "Hello, Uncle."
Su Ding's impression of Jin Ye's father was rather vague. He seemed not to like her much, but he wasn't as intensely reactive as Zhao Qin.
Jin He's deep voice was very similar to Jin Ye's. He said solemnly, "Are you feeling better?"
Su Ding replied, "Yes, much better."
Jin He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "I will investigate this matter. In the meantime, your mother-in-law will not bother your lives... Xiao Ding, the elder has recognized you, and you are my daughter-in-law. This is also the stance of our entire Jin family. I have no prejudice against you. Just live your lives well."
Su Ding was clearly taken aback by this call from Jin He.
She had expected to face Zhao Qin's wrath again, but Jin He's words had actually lessened her dislike for Zhao Qin somewhat.
"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you for believing in me. I also believe that the innocent will remain innocent."
Su Ding said neither servile nor overbearing.
Jin He grunted, seemingly satisfied with her words, and hung up the phone.
Meanwhile, Zhao Qin was furious at home. She had narrowly escaped danger yesterday, only for her husband to be indifferent and her son not to protect her.
"Su Ding, you are indeed my nemesis!"
Zhao Qin gritted her teeth. If Jin He hadn't warned her not to cause trouble for Su Ding before leaving that morning, she would have gone to teach Su Ding a lesson by now.
However, she then thought that Master Qingfeng was indeed as clairvoyant as ever.
He had predicted her misfortune involving bloodshed, and also that she would overcome the danger. It was just that her benefactor's appearance remained unknown.
If, according to the Master's words, she could find this benefactor, she would surely be able to suppress Su Ding.
Just then, an unknown number dialed in.