Darkstone Code

Chapter 1205 - 1203: Redemption

Lynch observed the two people in front of him.

The man was slightly hunched. He wasn’t trying to push his chest out; he just felt uneasy for some reason, so his shoulders were drawn inward. This gave him a bit of security but also made him look very humble.

His hands were clasping each other at first, but then he loosened them, rubbing his hands together. Instinctively, he held them together again only to let go. Then the woman reached out and held his hand, calming his emotions down.

He lowered his head, looking at his own hands, "I am bankrupt, Mr. Lynch."

After speaking, he laughed twice, as if amused by himself, yet gradually, the smile disappeared and his voice became deep.

He seemed to be affirming, or possibly confirming, as he repeated once more, "Yes, I am bankrupt."

He shook his head slightly, looked up at Lynch once, then lowered it again, "I don’t blame anyone, no one has done anything terrible to us, this is just our life."

"If someone makes a mistake, they should pay the price. That’s why law and justice exist."

"I’m not here to challenge you, just to inform you that we are bankrupt."

"If this is a punishment, then...", the man kept his head down and squeezed out a smile, "is it enough?"

"Of course, I will educate my girl, let her understand the beauty and cruelty of this world, this is the lesson we learned."

Lynch observed this couple, not from a young person’s perspective, but from his former self, having been through it all.

He saw a glimmer of light, perhaps not illuminating the world, but enough to guard the place in their hearts.

Why not give them a chance?

For Lynch, this would make the whole thing more interesting.

He blinked, "I’m sorry to hear this news, no one likes bankruptcy, I don’t either."

"But just like you said, when you do something wrong, you should be punished. It is not me, or anyone else granting the right to do so, it comes from the truth."

"When I’m hit, I fight back, that is the truth."

"Let’s skip over these awkward and unpleasant topics between us, I must say, you are a remarkable father, and this lady is definitely a remarkable mother."

"As punishment, bankruptcy is enough for you, but it’s not enough for that girl. Where is she now?"

The man pursed his lips, still keeping his head down, this was his attitude, also his humble posture, "We can’t pay the bail, she was detained for impersonating someone else’s identity, she can only be released next month."

This was pursued by Mr. Truman. If really pushed to the extreme, she could be sent to a public prison for several years. All it needs is a charge of endangering national security.

But she is just a self-righteous girl, some punishment is enough. A month of detention for using a false identity is enough for her to reflect inside.

Lynch raised his eyebrows after hearing this, "I am very sympathetic to your situation, and I seriously consider it, perhaps you should be given a chance."

"I have always believed that redemption is more educational than destruction!"

The man raised his head again, full of confusion, surprise, and caution, "I don’t quite understand what you mean, Mr. Lynch."

Lynch did not explain it further, but spoke of what he wanted to say instead, "My teacher once believed that hard labor is the best and most effective way to transform the heart."

"People will realize a lot of things they previously neglected during hard labor. I agree with my teacher’s opinion, labor is very meaningful, especially hard labor."

"I am promoting the planting of cash crops in Mariluo. The people there don’t really understand and are somewhat wary. If you are willing..."

Lynch smiled, "I can hire you, but I won’t pay you any salary. You can convince more people to plant economic crops, agricultural products in your own way."

"For each family you persuade, I will give you a hundred dollars of investment. You can use this investment to purchase those economic crops, agricultural products, then transport them domestically to sell, there will be a good market."

"We split the profits equally."

"As for your daughter, Miss Judith...", Lynch thought for a moment, "I will have someone arrange ten acres of wasteland for her, and arrange experts to guide her on how to farm. When she plants crops on all ten acres and achieves an actual harvest, I will forgive her."

"Of course, this is just my proposal, you can certainly refuse."

"But I personally suggest you agree to this proposal, because I believe Miss Judith is not a girl who easily gives up. If there is a next time, perhaps we won’t meet again..."

The unmistakable threat spurred Judith’s father to make the right decision quickly, "We are willing to go to Mariluo, Mr. Lynch..."

A few minutes later, the couple left Lynch’s house, feeling like it was all a dream.

Their intention was to plead for final mercy; they had paid the price for their daughter’s actions, and wanted Lynch to know.

But unexpectedly, they were granted an opportunity they never even dreamed of, a chance to cooperate directly with Lynch!

Even what they lost this year, could be regained through this collaboration!

It’s simply... unbelievable!

Standing by the roadside, the man’s eyes sparkled once more.

"This year’s food situation is tight, and prices are rising rapidly. Last year’s extreme cold weather killed many crops and livestock, affecting this year’s spring planting."

"The Federation is always importing food, and the gap is ever-present, perhaps getting even bigger!"

He clenched his fist, "It looks like the profit from food is low, but with such scale, it can still bring us a lot of profit, especially with Mr. Lynch’s name..."

He took a deep breath, "This is probably what we want, dear, a new job and an opportunity."

A little later, the Police Station notified the couple—they were temporarily staying at Judith’s grandparents’ house, and the call was made directly there.

The operator at the Police Station told them Judith would be released that night, without giving any reasons; that was all they said.

Then the couple drove to the Police Station. Since it was only a month’s time and didn’t require jail time, she was held at the Police Station directly.

In reality, this was also a kind of protection. At least in the Police Station, those detained wouldn’t go overboard.

In prison, if those female criminals encountered such a blonde girl, they’d first pull her hair and then give her a few hard punches on her chest.

Judith still didn’t know why she got out early; she just thought her parents had raised the bail money.

When they returned to Judith’s grandparent’s house at night, the three discussed the future in a room.

They didn’t tell Judith that going to Mariluo was a choice Lynch gave them. They feared it might upset Judith, and if they mentioned it and Judith didn’t want to go, it would ruin the opportunity.

Judith’s father spoke at length about the future of food, the Federation’s population issue, the food gap, and then about the situation in Mariluo.

Judith was also very tired, happy to see her parents getting back on their feet, but she had her own thoughts.

"I want to stay in the Federation, I want to expose Lynch’s ugly face, let people know he’s not worthy of the title young leader..."

The couple exchanged a glance, without trying to persuade her, just left the room, and said goodnight to each other.

Afterwards, the man left the house, found a phone, and made a call.

Half an hour later, a few young men appeared in two cars, one of which was a truck, with a cage in the truck bed.

"Someone told me there’s work here and paid for it. Can you tell me what I need to do?"

The leader said as he took out a shipping ticket and two train tickets for 1 AM, "This is what the other party asked me to book and said to give to you."

The man glanced at the truck again, which had "Recycling All Fierce Pets" written on the side, and he suddenly wanted to laugh.

"My daughter..."

The leader interrupted him, "You don’t need to tell me what happened. You just need to tell me where the thing to be collected is, and I’ll send her in, ship her to the destination, just that simple."

"You won’t hurt her, right?" Judith’s mother asked worriedly.

The man smiled, "Don’t worry, we’re professionals!"

Ten minutes later, Judith’s grandfather’s neighbor saw a horrifying scene while going to the bathroom. He then called the police, saying he saw a girl being thrown into a truck cage by a group of kidnappers.

Five minutes later, the police arrived, but soon reported to the station that this was a false alarm and no one was kidnapped!

After packing their luggage, Judith’s parents said goodbye to her grandparents and explained the situation.

This might be the best ending, the two elderly thought.

They headed to the station, and while waiting for the train, they stopped by the shipping warehouse and saw their daughter in the live animal storage.

The place stank, there was waste everywhere, and Judith vomited, furiously shaking the cage, loudly demanding her father let her out.

But the man didn’t do so, he just told her what she needed to do and about her upcoming life.

All begging was unanswered, and after the train arrived, the couple left. They had sleeper tickets and needed some sleep as it was late.

As for Judith?

Under the curious and surprised gazes of the staff, she almost fainted; it was the most humiliating moment of her life!

In the dim train car, she cursed Lynch, while the gorilla next door seemed somewhat interested in her.

And in the sleeper car, the couple fell into a deep sleep, with complicated gratitude towards Lynch.

Mr. Lynch, truly a good person!