Even though they were offering a generous sum, Han Lie still decided he needed to make a point. It couldn't just be whatever amount they proposed.
"AHEM!"
After clearing his throat gently, Han Lie slowly began to speak.
"Uncle Pan, I do feel your sincerity, and to be honest, the amount of compensation was even beyond my expectations. So here's the deal: you add another 80,000 to make it an even 880,000, and I'll agree to the settlement. It's not that I'm trying to be greedy by insisting on that extra 80,000. I just want to remind you of one thing—the power to decide whether to settle or not rests with me. Your attitude and sincerity have moved me, so I agree to the settlement. But if there is a next time, or if Pan Shaohang continues to act aggressively when he apologizes to me... Don't blame me for not having warned you in advance."
"I understand, I understand!"
Old Pan was overjoyed, nodding eagerly, and then bowed deeply to Han Lie once more.
"Thank you, thank you! Then it's 880,000! Once his detention is over, I'll immediately bring that little rascal to apologize to you sincerely!"
"Alright, then it's settled."
Han Lie managed a strained smile and slowly closed his eyes.
He had made his point crystal clear.
Everyone understood the situation and quickly lowered their voices, one by one saying, "Han Lie, take care and get well."
They filed out of the hospital room.
Once outside, Old Pan tightly grasped Father Chen's hand, his eyes reddening with emotion.
"Old Chen, cliché as it may sound, I still have to say it—I'm sorry for what happened to Yanfei, and thank you to Yanfei as well... This is truly a silver lining in an unfortunate situation!"
Father Chen's demeanor softened a bit, patting Old Pan's hand.
"It's all in the past. Just be more careful in the future... Go on, attend to your matters. We'll be in touch back in Dream City."
"Yes, yes, we'll get in touch later!"
The couple got into the car sent by the hotel and rushed to the police station.
Watching Uncle Pan and his wife hurriedly depart, Chen Yanfei grew even more repulsed by Pan Shaohang.
"That guy is truly outrageous, and for no reason at all!"
Father Chen waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not talk about him anymore. The main thing is that you're okay. He probably won't dare to bother you again after this."
"Mhm!" Chen Yanfei nodded happily, then asked in a sweet voice, "Dad, when are you heading back?"
"What's this? I've only been here for two hours, and you already find me a bother?"
Old Chen's teasing was skillful; he immediately noticed the slight blush on his daughter's face. His heart skipped a beat.
"Not at all! I was just worried you might be busy!"
Old Chen calmly shook his head. "I'm not busy. After something like this, how could I return home with peace of mind without seeing you safely to school?"
Chen Yanfei openly shared her thoughts.
"Well, I was hoping to visit Han Lie again tomorrow morning... So, how about we set off tomorrow morning then?"
Father Chen's heart suddenly felt lighter again.
Thank goodness, it's not a big deal.
"Alright then. We'll stay in Jinling for one night, and Dad will take you to explore the Confucius Temple."
"Great!"
Chen Yanfei was thrilled, practically skipping as she walked.
"I'll see if there are any local specialty snacks to bring to Han Lie tonight!"
Father Chen's heart sank once more.
Sigh! Up and down, back and forth, like a rollercoaster. Being a father is truly difficult!
However, even though he didn't want his daughter to have a boyfriend just yet, he didn't mind her interacting with some outstanding young men.
He felt so conflicted.
Father Chen sighed inwardly and asked with a forced smile, "You've only known Han Lie for a day, right? Are you two that close already?"
"But he got beaten up because of me!" Chen Yanfei protested, then added frankly, "Although it's only been a short time, I feel like he's a pretty good person. What do you think, Dad?"
"Me?"
Pleased that his daughter was asking for his opinion, Father Chen carefully considered it.
In the end, his conclusion was just three ambiguous words.
"Very mature."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chen Yanfei pouted. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Purely neutral."
Father Chen spread his hands and said earnestly, "My dear daughter, a boy who has reached Han Lie's level of maturity at your age has likely been shaped by his family environment. Generally speaking, such people tend to prioritize success over emotions. If you ask me if Han Lie will be successful in the future, my answer is: most likely, yes. He's persistent, adaptable, open-minded, and decisive—a truly excellent young man. But if you ask me if Han Lie is suitable to be a boyfriend, then I really don't know. Being in a relationship with a boy like that would likely be very exhausting."
Old Chen really knew what he was doing. His method of persuasion was superb—subtle yet effective, managing to awaken Chen Yanfei's rationality without dampening her spirits.
"That makes sense." Chen Yanfei nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly giggled. "Well then, I'll have to observe him a bit more!"
Father Chen was startled for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.
His daughter was growing up! She was no longer the sweet little girl who would obediently listen after just a few words of coaxing...
Old Chen quietly raised his guard. The fact that Han Lie could be formally listed by his daughter as someone to "observe" proved that the young man held a very positive image in her heart. It might not necessarily develop into anything, but at least the potential was there.
Old Chen mused, "It seems I absolutely must go and take another look at that lad. It won't be so easy for him to call me father-in-law!"
**************
[Author's Note]
What's there to argue about over 880,000?
Without a settlement, given the details of the case, Pan Shaohang would likely receive the maximum sentence.
That is: up to three years of fixed-term imprisonment.
In judicial practice, for a sudden assault, a one-sided beating resulting in minor injuries, a sentence of over one and a half years is practically guaranteed.
With that, what university could he attend? He wouldn't even have a chance to retake his exams.
If the family were poor, his parents might even resort to blocking doors and kneeling to beg for a settlement.
The Pan Family clearly isn't short of money; even extorting 3 million from them would be considered normal in such situations.
However, demanding that much would certainly create a feud.
There's a saying in legal circles for such matters: compensation has no upper limit.
If one doesn't care about going to jail, then just paying medical expenses would suffice; one might not even have to pay those.
If one does care, then you'd have to accept whatever the other party demands, even if it's 10 million.
Countless cases involve compensation exceeding 2 million; the highest reported in the news was 4.7 million.
This kind of thing depends, firstly, on one's financial background and, secondly, on the impact on one's future prospects.
A good-for-nothing can just tough it out.
But before college entrance exams, before securing a stable job, before a promotion... one would have to accept any amount demanded!
Moreover, a settlement is meaningful whether it's during the case investigation phase or the prosecution review phase.
One must keep trying until the verdict is rendered; I just didn't want to write about it in such a complex and dry manner.