At the police station, Su Lin accompanied Su He as she gave her statement.
Su He described the incident in detail, pleading with the police to find the perpetrator quickly.
"Such a heinous crime cannot be tolerated. Rest assured, we will apprehend this kind of thug as soon as possible," the officer promised solemnly, looking at Su He's pale face.
Su Lin, who had not removed his mask from start to finish, had a dark expression and remained silent.
His palms were still sweating.
He truly couldn't imagine what the consequences would have been if he had called a few minutes later and failed to persuade her to return to the car in time.
That was real sulfuric acid!
Even a small splash would burn the skin and cause indelible damage!
"You ruined my idol, so I will ruin you too!" This was what the crazed woman had shouted at Su He.
The police preliminarily concluded that the attacker was an obsessive fan of Su Lin.
However, Su He did not agree.
Most of Su Lin's fans were older "sister fans" or "mother fans," who were generally rational and unlikely to do something like this. Moreover, given Su He's recent popularity, everyone knew the relationship between the two of them. If it were truly Su Lin's fan, why would they harm their idol's sister?
Su He believed the woman was either a sasaeng fan or an anti-fan.
"Miss Su, thank you for your cooperation." After finishing the statement, the police escorted them to the entrance of the station. "If you encounter any trouble later, please feel free to contact us."
Su He hugged her arms and nodded gently.
"Sister, I'm sorry," Su Lin finally spoke after they left the police station, the silence broken.
"Silly boy, this has nothing to do with you." Su He reached out and ruffled his hair.
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been threatened." Su Lin's eyes were red, his face full of guilt.
Since his debut, he had focused solely on his music, ignoring everything else. He didn't care whether fans liked him or not. It wasn't until they were photographed together and rumors of a scandal arose that he realized the unique nature of this industry.
While being adored by fans, he was also scrutinized by countless people with magnifying glasses. Any misstep could cause a huge uproar. He didn't care about being attacked himself, but these people were going too far; they wouldn't even leave those around him alone!
Su Lin clenched his fists tightly, the thought of quitting the industry for the first time crossing his mind.
"Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault," Su He said softly, seeing his dejected mood.
"But..."
"If you really feel guilty, treat me to a meal, how about that?" It was getting dark after they left the police station, and the lunch they had eaten was mostly digested.
Su He touched her empty stomach. "I know a good Sichuan restaurant nearby. Shall we have hot pot?"
"After all that, you can still eat?" Su Lin was speechless to the extreme.
"Do I have to be sad and upset on top of being scared? That would be playing right into the enemy's hands!" Su He had always been an optimistic person. "What's past is past. Isn't it tiring to dwell on it!"
"Let's go, let's go, let's get some food first!" Su He, without waiting for his response, pulled him into the car.
*
Someone leaked the news of Su He being splashed with sulfuric acid to the media, and Lu Yanbei soon found out.
"Where is she?" Lu Yanbei interrupted the meeting without a word, grabbed his car keys, and left the company.
"Su Lin and I are eating out," Su He said, her voice muffled by food in her mouth.
"Address," Lu Yanbei pressed again.
"I'll send you the location," Su He swallowed the food and opened her messaging app to send him the location.
Less than half an hour later, Lu Yanbei arrived. After confirming that she was only shaken and unharmed, Lu Yanbei's heart finally settled.
"Don't go to work for the next few days," Lu Yanbei said, sitting down next to her.
"Waiter, another set of chopsticks and bowls." Su He nodded, then waved to a nearby staff member.
Su Lin, after the two finished speaking, quietly called out, "Brother-in-law."
Lu Yanbei nodded slightly.
Su Lin put down his chopsticks and stood up to pour Lu Yanbei a cup of tea.
Although Lu Yanbei said nothing, his attitude was clearly colder than usual.
"I'm sorry, Brother-in-law... I've implicated my sister because of my problems..." Su Lin took a deep breath and sincerely apologized.
Lu Yanbei didn't touch his chopsticks, his face taut. "The culprit hasn't been caught yet, nothing is settled."
Su He didn't want their relationship to become too strained. She reached out and covered Lu Yanbei's hand. "I believe this has nothing to do with Su Lin."
Lu Yanbei clasped her hand back. "I'm not blaming him."
"Mm, then don't be angry, okay? You look a bit scary when you're scowling." Su He pursed her lips and patiently coaxed him. "Look, I'm fine. Besides, I have Su Lin to thank today. He called to warn me, and that's how I escaped."
"Sister..." The more Su He said, the more guilty Su Lin felt.
Lu Yanbei cast a faint glance at Su Lin opposite him. His tense nerves finally began to relax.
Seeing his expression improve, Su He solicitously spooned some of her pickled fish into his bowl. "Your favorite!"
For Su He's sake, Lu Yanbei slowly picked up his chopsticks.
Because Su He was there, Lu Yanbei no longer maintained a stern expression.
The three of them ate: Su He joyfully, Lu Yanbei leisurely, while Su Lin found no taste in his food.
After leaving the hot pot restaurant, a fine rain began to fall outside.
"Su Lin, be careful too, don't go out alone recently," Su He cautioned him before they parted.
Su Lin gave a light "Mm." "You too."
"Don't overthink it, go back and get a good night's sleep," Su He patted his shoulder.
Su Lin responded, "Okay, I'll head off then."
He waved goodbye to the two of them.
"Drive slowly and be careful," Su He said goodbye, linking her arm through Lu Yanbei's.
Su Lin put on his mask and hat and hurried into the rain.
After seeing Su Lin off, Su He got into Lu Yanbei's car.
Back home, Lu Yanbei held Su He for a long time.
Su He could feel him trembling. She wrapped her arms around his waist and coaxed him, "I'm alright, Ah Yan."
"I really want to lock you up..." Lu Yanbei whispered, his head buried in her shoulder.
Su He gently patted his back, offering silent comfort.
She repeated in his ear, "It's okay, it's alright... For my Ah Yan, I will take good care of myself... Today was just an accident... It's all over..."
Lu Yanbei hugged her tighter.
He truly couldn't bear another blow!
After a while, Lu Yanbei gradually returned to normal. Su He, thinking she had comforted him, went to take a bath. Unbeknownst to her, after she left, Lu Yanbei went into his study and found a bottle of pills he hadn't taken in a long time.
As he poured the pills out, his hand trembled uncontrollably, and they scattered all over the floor.