The alley erupted in chaos the moment the police rushed in.
Groans of beaten men echoed against the walls, seven thugs sprawled on the ground in varying states of ruin—clutching broken arms, coughing blood, faces swollen.
In the corner, two figures huddled together: a young woman trembling under a torn blouse, and a girl with blood dripping steadily down her forehead.
"What the hell happened here?" one constable demanded, his voice sharp as he took in the scene.
Before anyone else could speak, the girl lifted her head. Her earlier madness—the terrifying strength that had reduced men to wrecks—was gone, erased as though it had never existed. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her lips quivered as though she were holding back sobs. She looked every bit the fragile victim, pitiful and small, her hand clutching the older woman behind her.
"They… they tried to assault us…" Xi Jiayi's voice cracked, weak and trembling. She raised a shaky hand, pointing toward the groaning heap of men.
The officers followed her finger, their gazes narrowing at the pathetic sight of the thugs sprawled across the filthy ground.
For a moment, confusion flickered. The two "victims" were injured, yes—but the thugs looked as if they had gone through a war.
Then a furious roar split the air.
"It was her!" Tian Yuren howled, his broken hand pressed to his chest. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury and humiliation. "That little bitch—she's the one who beat us! Officers, you need to give us justice!"
The policemen blinked at him, then at the slender girl with blood streaking her forehead. Their expressions soured immediately.
"Justice?" one scoffed, kicking Tian Yuren's shin. "Seven grown men cornering two women in an alley, and you dare cry about justice?"
"Officer, listen—" another thug tried to speak, only to be silenced by a boot grinding into his back.
"You think we're fools?" the constable snarled. "Two women, one of them bleeding, and you animals dare say it was her? Disgusting!"
"It's true!" another thug choked, blood spilling from his lip. "She's not human—she's the devil's incarn—"
Smack! A baton cracked across his jaw, dropping him flat.
"Still lying through your teeth?" the constable snarled. "What devil? You pigs can't even fight properly without ganging up on women. Worthless scum!"
Xi Jiayi lowered her head, her small shoulders trembling. With her face streaked in blood and fear painted perfectly across her expression, not a single officer doubted her words. She looked far too pitiful, far too fragile.
The thugs howled "injustice" one after another, but it only worsened the officers' disgust.
"Shut up! If anyone here deserves jail, it's you bastards."
Some of the officers exchanged glances, recognition dawning. "Wait… isn't that Hou Liang? Didn't we nab him last year for robbery?"
"And that one—Wang Fu, repeat offender for assault!"
As their identities came to light, the scolding grew harsher.
"Trash like you never learn, do you?" another spat. "Beating women in alleys now?!"
The thugs had no defense. Their bitterness only festered as blows rained down—kicks, baton strikes, curses—until they were too cowed to even groan.
Meanwhile, Xi Jiayi remained at Jun Meiyu's side, steady as a shield. Jun Meiyu's hands clutched at her sleeve like a drowning soul refusing to let go. To her, this bloodied girl was no stranger—she was a savior. Her body, her mind, both betrayed her trauma as she clung tighter.
Xi Jiayi's hand gently stroked her back, as if calming a terrified child.
Then a new voice cut through.
"That's enough."
The officers straightened instantly as a tall man stepped forward from behind them, his posture commanding, his presence steady as stone. His gaze swept over the battered thugs, then to the two girls in the corner.
He stopped in front of them and crouched slightly, his tone gentler. "You're safe now. I'm Officer Jing Yongwei. Can you stand?"
His hand twitched as if to reach toward Jun Meiyu, but in that instant Xi Jiayi shot forward, blocking him with her arm.
"Don't come closer!" she burst out, voice ringing sharp in the alley.
The officers froze. Even the thugs turned their heads in surprise.
Xi Jiayi's expression hardened, her voice loud and clear. "Can't you see Big Sister's clothes are torn? Do you want to humiliate her further?"
The words struck like a slap.
Jing Yongwei stiffened, heat surging to his face. His ears turned red, then darker still as he realized the others had heard. A constable coughed to hide a laugh. Another muttered, "Sir, she's got a point…"
"Quiet," Jing Yongwei snapped, his ears already red. He turned on his heel, striding quickly back to the car. A moment later he returned with a plain shawl, his face set but darker than before.
"Here," he said shortly.
Xi Jiayi accepted it with both hands, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Officer."
She wrapped it carefully around Jun Meiyu, tucking the fabric close until the woman's trembling body disappeared beneath the cover. Jun Meiyu broke then, collapsing into Xi Jiayi's arms with a sob, clutching the shawl like it was her last anchor.
Xi Jiayi stroked her back gently. "It's alright, Big Sister. You're safe now."
Xi Yongwei's jaw tightened at the sight. He motioned to the others. "Call the paramedics. Treat their wounds first, then escort them to the station. They'll need to give statements."
"Yes, Sir!"
One officer hurried to the car radio, while another knelt to check Jun Meiyu's pulse.
Jing Yongwei crouched again, slower this time, careful not to overstep. His voice was steady, carrying authority yet softened for their ears.
"You're safe now. No one's going to touch you again," he said, his gaze moving from Xi Jiayi's guarded stance to Jun Meiyu's trembling form. "But we'll need the two of you to come to the station and give your statements. It won't take long—will that be alright?"
Xi Jiayi nodded faintly, still keeping her arm protectively around Jun Meiyu. "...Okay." Her voice was quiet, but resolute.
The paramedics arrived within minutes, bandaging Jiayi's forehead and checking Jun Meiyu's vitals. Once they were stable enough to move, Jing Yongwei gestured to the second patrol car.
"You'll come with us."
Xi Jiayi coaxed gently, "Big Sister, let's go. Just for a little while. I'll stay with you."
Jun Meiyu's lips trembled, but she nodded and pressed her face against Jiayi's shoulder. Her savior. Her anchor.
The paramedics guided them into the patrol car, ignoring the thugs' muffled curses.
As the door shut, the alley fell silent.
Inside, Xi Jiayi kept stroking Jun Meiyu's back. For a heartbeat, her lips curved—cold, ominous, not reaching her eyes.