Lin Xiaoxiao took one look at the two furious young men storming toward them and could easily guess who they were—most likely relatives of Zhang Baojiang.

Sure enough, as soon as they spotted Zhang Wanqing, they charged over angrily. "Zhang Wanqing! Think you're something now that you've found yourself a protector? How dare you frame an innocent man!"

Wanqing didn't back down. "Frame him? If Zhang Baojiang didn't do it, why would he confess?"

The two were Zhang Baojiang's sons: Zhang Hongbing and Zhang Hongmin.

Zhang Hongmin was the same age as Wanqing—and the one who'd harassed her before ending up in the hospital after she fought back.

Now that their father was arrested, he and his brother had come for revenge, though Hongmin was still inwardly afraid of her. This woman fought like her life depended on it—if you didn't kill her, she'd make sure she took you down. That ferocity terrified him.

Gathering his courage, he glared at her. "Zhang Wanqing, my father isn't that kind of man!

Everyone knows your dad killed your mom—you're just making this up. If you don't get the police to release him now, the 'Two Tigers of West City' will make you pay."

Lin Xiaoxiao had been a little worried at first—if these two were truly violent, she and Wanqing might not be able to handle them. But after hearing Hongmin's boast, she almost laughed.

The "Two Tigers of West City"? More like two worms.

Wanqing didn't even bother with her former victim. "Take it up with the police. I don't have that kind of power. But if you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for what happens next."

Zhang Hongbing shoved his brother forward, his face trembling with rage. "Zhang Wanqing! Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Everyone knows you've been sleeping with that cop—shacking up at his place. I bet you pleased him good in bed, so now he's doing you favors."

Before he could finish, Wanqing lunged forward. In one swift motion, she pulled a hammer from her backpack with her uninjured arm and smashed it hard against Hongbing's forehead.

It happened too fast for anyone to react—even Hongbing himself. Blood immediately gushed down his face.

Stunned by the pain and the sight of his own blood, Hongbing exploded: "Zhang Wanqing, you shameless bitch! I'm gonna teach you a lesson today!"

He and Hongmin both rushed at her.

Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't about to let Wanqing face them alone. She pulled Wanqing back and kicked Hongbing hard in the stomach.

Before she could strike again, someone else burst onto the scene—kicking Hongbing so fiercely he flew backward and landed hard on the ground.

It was Zhou Xiaocheng. Lin Xiaoxiao lit up with relief. "Xiaocheng, perfect timing! These two are causing trouble and slandering the police!"
Hongbing was dizzy, bleeding, and now winded from the kick. His guts felt twisted; he couldn't even stand.


Hongmin, on the other hand, had only been lightly kicked by Lin Xiaoxiao. But he was a coward at heart. The man before him looked refined, but there was an unmistakable air of danger around him. He couldn't even beat Wanqing—how could he take on this guy? He clutched his stomach and stayed on the ground.

When he heard Lin Xiaoxiao accuse them of defaming the police, he hurriedly denied it: "N-no, that's not what we meant! We just wanted to talk to Xiao Wan."

After making sure Lin Xiaoxiao and Wanqing were unharmed, Zhou Xiaocheng turned to the brothers. "Your father has confessed to his crimes. If you have any doubts, you can come find me at the Dongcheng Precinct—I'm Zhou Xiaocheng. But if I see you harassing Zhang Wanqing again, I'll make sure you join your father behind bars."

His tone was calm, but his words carried a sharp, unmistakable threat.

Without hesitation, Hongmin scrambled over and dragged his brother up. "Let's go, bro. Now."

Hongbing was reluctant, but he wasn't stupid. He'd heard about Zhou Xiaocheng—decorated multiple times in the military. A man who'd taken lives yet still carried himself with calm authority... that made him deeply unpredictable.

He allowed Hongmin to pull him away, but not without throwing out a final threat: "You just wait! If my father's innocent, we'll make you pay."

As soon as the pair had fled, Zhou Xiaocheng spun around to face the group. "Everyone alright?" he asked.

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Thanks to you. It might've taken some effort otherwise." Then she curiously asked Wanqing, "Why do you carry a hammer in your backpack?"

Wanqing calmly put it away. "Habit. It makes me feel safe."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a pang of sadness. So all these years, Wanqing had relied on a hammer and her own fierceness to survive.

Zhou Xiaocheng, tactfully changing the subject, said, "Zhang Baojiang's case will be handed over to the Procuratorate in the next couple of days. They will initiate a public prosecution. They may contact you to testify. You have the right to refuse if you don't want to."

Lin Xiaoxiao held her breath. Testifying would mean describing her mother's suicide in open court—and perhaps revealing other traumatic details. It was a cruel thing to ask.

She took Wanqing's hand. "You don't have to do this. Zhang Baojiang already confessed."

But Wanqing shook her head. "I can do it. I'll testify."

Even Zhou Xiaocheng was surprised. He'd wanted to prepare her—and remind her she could decline. Yet she agreed without hesitation.

"If the questions become too intense or personal," he added gently, "you have the right not to answer."

With that, and since he still had business to attend to, Zhou Xiaocheng took his leave.
Lin Xiaoxiao walked Wanqing home. The moment they entered the courtyard, the cheerful chatter and laughter coming from neighboring yards suddenly died. People hurriedly gathered their things and retreated inside.


Wanqing didn't seem to care. She unlocked her door and let Lin Xiaoxiao in.

After looking around the unchanged room, Lin Xiaoxiao spoke softly, "Really, you don't have to force yourself to testify."