Yang Xi, though young, was a seasoned operator. She’d gathered a few girls to collect “protection fees” with calculated restraint, never crossing a line that would land her in serious trouble.
At least, she’d never been hauled into a police station before.
Initially, Yang Xi thought Wen Ying had reported her. She’d treated Wen Ying to milk tea to pacify her, given her contact info to lower her guard, and made her think the matter was over before reporting it. But at the station, she learned it was Yue Shanni, that fool—possibly brain-damaged from the beating—who had turned herself in!
Yang Xi wasn’t worried. She’d stopped short, taking not a cent of protection money, so at worst, she’d face a lecture.
Besides, Yue Shanni’s story was incoherent, claiming she was instigated, but the alleged mastermind denied it. Yang Xi sure wasn’t going to confess.
Yang Xi was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, fearless—except for one vulnerability: her elderly family member.
Seeing the elder pushed aside, Yang Xi wanted to roll up her sleeves and fight.
This was the police station, though. Anywhere else, she wouldn’t have let Wen Hongyan off.
More painful than the push was watching the elder humble themselves, pleading on her behalf—it stung Yang Xi deeply. But what could she do? Wen Ying wasn’t obligated to help her by not reporting. Begging was useless; without hope, there’d be no disappointment.
Wen Ying noticed Yang Xi’s expression shift—still fierce but mixed with a fleeting plea, quickly turning to a warning.
Yang Xi was cautioning her not to speak carelessly!
Wen Ying wasn’t scared at all.
This Yang Xi, to her, was a bit adorably fierce.
Wen Ying looked away.
“So her name’s Yang Xi? This afternoon, I treated her to milk tea to thank her for saving me, but she didn’t tell me her name. Yang Xi didn’t do anything wrong, Grandpa. You don’t need to apologize to me. I should be thanking you. Yang Xi acted bravely—someone tried to rob me, and she helped!”
This wasn’t entirely a lie.
Yang Xi and her crew had beaten Yue Shanni, venting much of Wen Ying’s past-life resentment. Seeing Yue Shanni get thrashed was satisfying.
Though Yang Xi’s motive was likely anger, Wen Ying cared only about the result—Yue Shanni’s swollen face was a delight.
If it were other delinquents, Wen Ying might’ve taken the chance to deal with them too. But Yang Xi was different. Wen Ying had read about her in a newspaper in her past life. That afternoon, Yang Xi’s leather-jacketed, tough-girl vibe was only an eighty percent match to her memory, leaving Wen Ying unsure.
Now, in a school uniform with her name confirmed, Wen Ying was certain: this was *that* Yang Xi. Her fierceness was a facade, a protective shell!
Thinking of that past-life news report, Wen Ying decided to help her.
…
“Yang Xi acted bravely…”
The elder hadn’t expected this answer.
Neither had Yang Xi.
The other delinquents, shrinking like quails, stared at Wen Ying in shock.
Acted bravely?
—What nonsense are you spouting!
They’d only beaten Yue Shanni that afternoon, not touched this round-faced girl. She sounded like she’d lost her mind!
One delinquent smugly thought: She’s scared Xi Jie will retaliate after leaving the station. Xi Jie’s *that* badass.
Yang Xi went from shock to suspicion.
Was her charm so great that she’d won over a Provincial Key nerd after one meeting?
No, Wen Ying’s behavior that afternoon was no nerd’s.
So why was Wen Ying saying this… helping her?
Yang Xi felt uneasy.
Seeing the elder tearfully overjoyed, repeatedly confirming with Wen Ying, Yang Xi held back her discomfort and didn’t expose Wen Ying’s lie.
The elder would rather hear she was “acting bravely” than collecting protection fees.
“Doing good, good, good,” the elder said, though lacking confidence.
Wen Ying understood the elder’s feelings.
Chronic poverty sapped confidence.
The elder’s clothes were clean, with no odor, but the sleeves were frayed, and he wore green liberation rubber shoes—the hallmark of the urban underclass.
If the elder was initially worried about Yang Xi’s misdeeds, now he was likely fretting over the consequences of her “bravery.” Yue Shanni was badly beaten, and her mother seemed volatile. Would she demand medical compensation?
The elder’s concern wasn’t unfounded.
Yue Shanni’s mother, fresh from her scuffle with Wen Hongyan, seized on Yang Xi as the one who beat her daughter. She demanded compensation, arguing that while Yue Shanni’s robbery attempt was wrong, Yang Xi wasn’t the police—why beat someone? Now that her daughter was injured, they had to pay!
Wen Hongyan, who’d just clashed with Yue Shanni’s mother, chimed in sarcastically, “They should pay. These are only children. That was too harsh. Parents love their kids—who’ll take responsibility if she’s seriously hurt?”
Wen Hongyan saw the elder’s poverty and hoped Wen Ying’s family would foot the bill.
After all, the elder looked penniless, his shoes peeling apart. If he couldn’t pay, Wen Ying’s family would have to, since Yang Xi “saved” Wen Ying.
Shu Lu tugged Wen Hongyan’s sleeve, “Mom, say less.”
Shu Lu noticed Wen Dongrong’s sour expression.
Yue Shanni’s mother could say such things, but Wen Hongyan shouldn’t. To the police, the Shu and Wen families were relatives, and Shu Lu was Wen Ying’s cousin. It didn’t make sense for Shu Lu to orchestrate an attack on Wen Ying unless there was clear family discord.
Wen Hongyan’s gloating was too obvious, and Shu Lu, feeling guilty, feared the police would notice.
Despite Shu Lu’s warning, Wen Hongyan was defiant, “I’m telling the truth! Those who should pay must pay, those who should go to jail must go. Settle this so we can leave.”
Yue Shanni herself was dumbfounded.
She hadn’t extorted a cent and was forced to “confess.”
Accusing Shu Lu? No evidence, and Shu Lu denied it.
Accusing Yang Xi and her crew? Wen Ying claimed they were acting bravely!
What kind of world was this?
The police shared Yue Shanni’s confusion.
The officers on duty, stuck at the station late, were from the night shift.
If this wasn’t resolved, it could drag into the early hours.
They hoped to catch a couple of hours’ sleep, knowing the latter half of the night might bring more chaos. Night shift officers often went without rest, sporting haggard faces the next day. They were human too, wanting to live a bit longer. When Yue Shanni’s mother kept making a scene, they dragged her to an empty room and locked her in.
Uncooperative people learned to talk properly once confined.
With Yue Shanni’s mother gone, Wen Hongyan quieted down.
The police asked Yang Xi, “Were you really acting bravely?”
Yang Xi and her crew nodded in unison.
Yue Shanni wanted to protest, but one glare from Yang Xi made her swallow her words.
Demanding compensation from Yang Xi? Yue Shanni was intimidated.
In the station, Yang Xi couldn’t touch her, but outside, Yang Xi could easily ambush her again.
Yue Shanni had to eat this loss.
“You were acting bravely—why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“…We were afraid we’d hurt her too badly and have to pay. My family has no money,” Yang Xi said smoothly, her crew echoing her.
The police knew something was off, including Yue Shanni’s “confession.”
But Shu Lu? No evidence.
Yang Xi and her crew as accomplices? They did beat Yue Shanni, and Wen Ying, the victim, insisted they acted bravely. Looking at the plainly dressed elder, the police couldn’t pin an “extortion and robbery” charge on Yang Xi.
Finally, it was Wen Dongrong’s turn.
Having listened, he grasped the situation.
Shu Lu was cautious, leaving no evidence.
Yue Shanni was genuinely foolish, taking the fall and the beating.
Yang Xi and her group… Wen Dongrong didn’t know why Wen Ying was protecting them, but he didn’t undermine her publicly.
Wen Dongrong shook hands with the police, thanking and apologizing: “Comrade, we’re very worried as parents about this incident. My daughter Wen Ying was lucky to be saved today. If no one had helped, I can’t imagine what she’d have faced. Physical wounds heal, but psychological trauma? Though it was an attempt, there should be consequences, don’t you agree?”
Wen Dongrong’s polished words, after the chaos of Yue Shanni’s mother and Wen Hongyan, were music to the officers’ ears.
Logically, Wen Ying’s family should be the ones demanding compensation and making a fuss.
But Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru hadn’t, clearly trusting the police to deliver a fair outcome.
This family was reasonable.
The officer, judging them so, responded courteously, “Comrade, tell us your demands. We’ll do our best to mediate.”
Wen Dongrong nodded, “First, determine if Yue Shanni’s actions constitute a crime. If they do, handle it by law. If not, at least inform her school. A student doing this outside school should be known to the administration.”
Notifying the parents was pointless—Yue Shanni’s mother would only cause trouble.
Notifying the school could lead to a demerit or expulsion for Yue Shanni.
Wen Dongrong’s harshness toward a minor wasn’t callous but stemmed from understanding human nature. Without a lesson, Yue Shanni would forget the pain once her wounds healed and harass Wen Ying again.
After all, extorting Wen Ying came with no cost!
The police nodded frequently.
An expert’s words revealed their skill. Wen Dongrong’s approach showed a genuine desire to resolve the issue.
He paused, then added, “Second, Yue Shanni claims she was instigated. Whether true or not, the police should investigate thoroughly. Without eliminating the root cause, we’re only treating symptoms. My wife and I work and can’t always be with our daughter. We don’t want her in danger again. Please take the time to look into this.”
Yue Shanni pointed to Shu Lu, who denied it.
No call logs or texts? Wen Dongrong didn’t believe there were no traces.
If a teenager like Shu Lu could pull this off flawlessly, orchestrating an attack on Wen Ying was a waste of her talents—she’d be a born criminal mastermind!
Wen Dongrong didn’t let the matter slide. Chen Ru was pleased, and Wen Ying found Comrade Old Wen particularly admirable today. The leather shoes and recorder weren’t bought in vain—what should she get him next?
Only Shu Lu was incredulous.
Second Uncle wasn’t like this before!
