Criminal Psychology

The only person who had a clearer understanding of the outcome than Lin Chen was Xing Conglian.

Since being with Lin Chen, he felt that everything he had experienced before was nothing compared to the thrilling and real days he was living now.

He had to watch his beloved take life-threatening risks, and he thought this was an extremely wise and intelligent choice, well-considered. Moreover, he had to endure some idiots questioning it. He never thought his temper could deteriorate to this extent; Lin Chen must have spoiled him.

In front of him, the public opinion expert was still seeking advice, but Xing Conglian knew that it was just a report for Shen Heming. However, when he saw the widely circulated analysis article on the internet, he couldn’t help but feel angry. The article was written by a well-known online commentator named Zhai Yong.

This commentator used to be a famous host and had accumulated a large number of fans during his time in the media platform. Later, he transitioned to self-media because he could always write sharp critical articles that attracted many… as Wang Chao put it, they were like patients with a touch of chuunibyou. The number of such people far exceeded imagination; this was Xing Conglian’s first reaction when he saw the actual number of reposts and comments.

The article mainly explained these viewpoints from the perspectives of legal principles and social contract, reflecting Zhai Yong’s consistent stance.

—This is the responsibility that the government should bear, yet the government merely shifts this responsibility onto individuals, making individuals pay the price for the government’s incompetence. Do we really want to become indirect murderers under the guise of democracy, which is, in reality, a forceful imposition of incompetence?

—Not choosing is a form of protest. It’s not cowardice but rather the optimal choice based on rational analysis.

—Let those who are desperate to make decisions decide. This matter itself doesn’t concern us that much.

These passages roughly explain these viewpoints from the perspectives of the legal system and the government’s responsibility in the social contract, which align with Zhai Yong’s consistent stance.

If Fang Aizi’s classmate, Miss Wang, were to read this article, she would undoubtedly idolize Zhai Yong. Of course, based on the timing of Zhai Yong’s previous Weibo posts in response to the sociopath, it’s also possible that Miss Wang agreed deeply with the content after reading his Weibo and then attempted to convey this viewpoint to more people.

The public opinion expert said, “Minister Shen, the situation is roughly like this. It’s possible that there are online influencers manipulating the situation, but it could also be an expression of public opinion. Based on our calculations, the growth rate of online voting has decreased by 72% compared to the previous hour. Considering the margin of error due to the time difference, we believe that this article is causing more citizens to abstain from voting. Should we take measures regarding this?” He paused for a moment and probed, “If you have a specific desired outcome, perhaps early guidance is necessary. After all… people are easily influenced.”

This statement was extremely cryptic, implying that if they didn’t take the initiative, they would indirectly hand over the initiative to the other side.

Minister Shen frowned, and Xing Conglian knew that the old man might have been full of confidence and willing to take a gamble at some point, but the higher one’s position, the less one could act on a whim. He had to bear more pressure and consider more factors.

Thus, at this moment, Xing Conglian refrained from interjecting to influence the old man’s decision.

However, at this point, the old man looked at him and said, “Conglian, this is really difficult…”

Xing Conglian could fully understand the immense pressure weighing on the old man. In a certain sense, the old man bore more responsibility than him or Lin Chen.

“He probably told you something, like predicting the trend?”

“He did.” Xing Conglian nodded.

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” The old man inquired.

At this moment, Xing Conglian was genuinely puzzled about what the old man was up to. His eyes and facial expression gave away nothing, so he could only answer truthfully, “Because I didn’t want to influence your choice. You have your own considerations and judgments, and I should respect that.”

Upon hearing this, the old man lowered his head as if pondering something, his expression becoming obscure and indecipherable. Just when Xing Conglian was about to add something, the old man suddenly lifted his head and pointed at him with his thumb while addressing the public opinion expert, “Did you hear that?”

Both the expert and Xing Conglian were a bit baffled, and the expert asked, “What do you mean?”

“We always shout about respecting the people, but when it comes to a critical moment, you drop the ball, Xiao Chen. Your organizational consciousness still needs improvement.” The old man sighed lightly, speaking casually.

The strategy expert looked at the old man suddenly, feeling a sense of trepidation from the implications of his words. “Are you saying…”

“Although the world is noisy, it’s quiet late at night. The stillness of the night is so beautiful. So, we don’t have to insist on broadcasting our own foolish ideas to the world. It’s interesting to stay quiet and let everyone think for themselves, isn’t it?”

The old man finished speaking and turned towards the window.

Xing Conglian followed his line of sight and saw the vast and serene starry sky outside.

The room fell silent again.

……

Zhai Yong had irregular sleep patterns.

People like him tend to be active during the night, as that is when their thoughts flow like a spring.

It was past three in the morning when he finished reading those comments on Weibo, analyzing and organizing all the viewpoints, making notes, and preparing to counter them effectively tomorrow. Unlike those who speak for money, Zhai Yong expressed his own views and wasn’t manipulated by others.

It was already very late, or rather too early, and most of the people still engaging in online discussions at this time were probably students from different time zones. Zhai Yong found this group of people intriguing; they were often his most reliable allies and the most challenging enemies to conquer.

For example, the most popular reply to his post said:

—Teacher Zhai has always advocated democracy. Isn’t one person, one vote democratic enough? But when true democracy appears, you suddenly start hating that the government isn’t doing anything to save you. Have you ever thought that the very mechanism you disdain is at work every day, from the teachers who educate your son to the high-ranking officials who make political decisions? Their existence fundamentally helps you share various social responsibilities. Now it’s just returning some of that responsibility and returning to a more straightforward voting system, and you’re scared? How pathetic…

Initially, Zhai Yong was very angry when he saw this comment. It clearly distorted his original intentions and even the significance of his continuous effort to voice his opinions.

Regardless of the social mechanism, there is a need for people like him to speak some harsh words that may sound difficult to hear. False peace and cleanliness hold no meaning whatsoever.

This is the reason why he chose to speak today because, throughout the entire development of the event, he saw the government’s incompetence and lack of guidance. His speech was an act of taking on his social responsibility. What would those young kids who haven’t even grown a single hair understand?

With this thought in mind, Zhai Yong clicked on the image accompanying the comment. It was a screenshot from the government’s voting website.

—I will vote to support the execution of four criminals who were not previously sentenced to death to save more people.

A. Yes
B. No

The person who posted the comment had chosen “Yes”.

Zhai Yong remained silent for a long time. He pushed the keyboard tray and stood up to get a glass of water.

His thin-soled indoor slippers made a soft sound on the floor as he opened the study door. To his surprise, he found someone sitting outside.

“Dad, you’re up early, or you haven’t slept yet?”

His elderly father was sitting in the living room on the leather sofa, with the television on but the volume turned down. The changing light and shadows highlighted the wrinkles on his weathered face.

Zhai Yong’s father didn’t immediately answer him, as he was still watching the TV. So, Zhai Yong took a seat next to the old man, carrying an empty glass of water. At this late hour, there were no live broadcasts on TV, only replays of daytime news.

The scene displayed was from when the clothing market in Meicun had an incident. A large number of ambulances had arrived, and customers and store owners covered in blood were helping each other evacuate. In contrast, medical personnel were moving in the opposite direction, forming a stark contrast in the flow of people.

“I went to see your Uncle Su today.” Zhai Yong’s father began speaking, putting his glasses back on from the coffee table, not as if he genuinely needed to see something clearer, but as if to conceal some true emotions.

“Principal Su?”

“Who else could it be?”

Zhai Yong had indeed heard his mother mention some issues Uncle Su was facing.

But at their age, they often heard about old friends passing away, so they had grown accustomed to such news. So at this moment, he connected the term “Uncle Su” with the old principal of Yongchuan University.

“Didn’t the news say that, due to timely discovery, the large-scale adverse reactions caused by Nao Kangning didn’t fully erupt? It only mentioned that elderly people who took the medication might have hidden safety hazards…”

Zhai Yong’s mind worked quickly, and he seemed to have finally realized the key to a person’s relationship that had been vaguely sensed but never fully understood.

“It’s clear that his good student has been causing him trouble all along. This time he was probably implicated. Xiao Cui said he was fine before going to the university.”

The old man’s tone carried a hidden anger, but more than that, it was a melancholy from being hurt by one of their own kind.

“Lin Chen is Principal Su’s student?” Zhai Yong’s mind was racing. “So, he proposed this new plan really to save President Su…”

“Who knows what that good student of his is thinking,” his father coldly interrupted him. “Based on Lin Chen’s usual approach, he wouldn’t consider his teacher’s life or death in his considerations.”

“Dad, don’t beat around the bush. What do you want to say?”

“Delete your article,” his father said straightforwardly, turning his head to look at him.

He looked at his father in disbelief. This was probably the first time his father asked him since he became an independent writer and in the media industry. And he knew it wasn’t a request; it was a plea.

“We, a few old buddies, have already contacted many friends tonight. Tomorrow morning, the media’s direction will change.” His father stood up, as if he had just finished explaining something unimportant. “If possible, I appeal to more people to vote in favor.”

The old man picked up the remote control and decisively turned off the TV, leaving Zhai Yong stunned and speechless in the living room.

As the room fell into silence, his father slowly walked away. Watching his father’s back, Zhai Yong called out, “Dad!”

“If you can call me dad, then do as I say.”

Zhai Yong stood up. “Do you really believe that as long as the majority votes in favor, this society can exchange the lives of four innocent people for the chance for more to live?”

“Stop talking about society with me. Isn’t this the democracy you advocate every day? Besides, your little knowledge of the law was taught by me, wasn’t it?”

“Dad, this isn’t democracy; it’s lynching. No, it’s even more despicable than lynching!”

“Then you tell me, what is democracy?” The old man exuded a terrifying aura, reminiscent of his days as a lawyer. “Within a certain class scope, democracy means the majority rules over the minority!”

“You are avoiding the most important question: Is it legal to execute criminals by bypassing legal provisions through a vote? This is not a nationwide vote, but only the opinions of three provinces. Even if our three provinces are independent states, we have no right to bypass legal provisions and directly determine the fate of the criminals through a vote. This approach is inherently wrong. Therefore, I believe that not voting is the right stance!”

The old man turned to look at him, his eyes almost popping out, making Zhai Yong feel as if a slap from his childhood might come at any moment.

He subconsciously closed his eyes, but the feeling of pain on his cheek never came.

When he opened his eyes again, his old father had turned back, looking at the dark night outside the window, saying nothing.

“Everyone is selfish,” his father said. “Hasn’t the law always sacrificed the minority to protect the interests of the majority?”

However, Zhai Yong walked to the window and lowered his head. In the dimly lit interior of the high-rise building, he could see the faint outline of the city in the night.

“I suddenly feel that this is indeed a good method.” Some corners of the city were still illuminated, but most places had already darkened. “You have your views, and I have my principles, but we can only represent ourselves.”

He looked at his father and said, “No matter what the outcome is, you will respect the opinions of the majority, right?”