At first it was one voice.
"Yes Chief—open the cell! These scumbags need to be taught today!"
Then another.
And another.
The officers, unable to hold back any longer, erupted. Rage, fury, and indignation thundered through the station. The air boiled with voices, echoing off the walls like a battlefield.
"They dared touch a woman—let them rot in blood!"
"Chief, why protect vermin?! Justice dies while they breathe!"
"Give the order—we'll tear them apart!"
Desks rattled under fists. Boots slammed against the floor. The storm was alive.
The culprits behind the bars shrank against the walls, pale as death.
Jing Yongwei stood frozen. In decades of service, he had faced rioters, killers, men with no soul. Yet this… this was worse. A seventeen-year-old girl had set his station driven to the edge of riot with nothing but words.
His gaze flicked to Xi Jiayi.
Her eyes found his.
Sharp. Piercing. A suffocating pressure that hollowed his chest. He was the chief of this station, yet under that gaze, he felt like a criminal awaiting judgment.
Jing Yongwei broke the eye contact first, throat dry, breath unsteady.
The uproar only swelled.
"If this is law—law is filth!"
"Chief, if you will not act, then WE will!"
"Justice isn't blind—it's been murdered!"
The uproar grew louder. Officers shouted for justice, fists clenched, ready to storm the cell.
Jun Meiyu, startled by the chaos, pressed closer behind Xi Jiayi, clutching her arm as if it were the only anchor in the storm.
"Enough!"
The crack of a shot split the air. A blank round—but it struck the room like thunder, shattering the uproar in a heartbeat.
Silence. Heavy. Smothering.
Every breath in the station turned shallow
Jing Yongwei's cold gaze swept across his men. "We are the law," he roared, voice steady and commanding. "Our duty is to uphold it—not to throw it aside in anger. Did you forget the oath you swore the day you wore this uniform? To protect order, not destroy it?"
Heads dropped. One by one, the officers lowered their gazes in shame. Soft murmurs of apology filled the quiet.
"Return to your posts," Jing Yongwei barked. "Now."
The men dispersed, subdued. The storm had passed, leaving only a heavy stillness in its wake.
Xi Jiayi's eyes softened at last. She turned slightly, patting Jun Meiyu's trembling hand still gripping her arm. A silent comfort, gentle and steady.
Jing Yongwei caught the gesture and stilled. For a long moment, he said nothing, only watched.
Then he moved forward, picking up the case report from the desk. Holding it out, his voice was calm. "Miss Xi. Sign."
Without hesitation, Xi Jiayi took the file, glanced through it briefly, and signed her name. She passed it back, swift and unbothered.
Jing Yongwei scanned it, then handed it to Cheng Wanru. "Proceed with the case."
"Yes, Chief," Cheng Wanru replied. She bowed her head slightly before leaving with the file.
Jing Yongwei turned toward Jun Meiyu. His expression softened, if only a little. "Miss Jun, we will see to it that you receive justice. You may leave. An officer will escort you home."
Relief flickered in Jun Meiyu's eyes. She nodded, glancing once at Xi Jiayi before preparing to follow.
But just as the two turned toward the door—
"Miss Xi."
Jing Yongwei's voice cut cold and final through the air.
"You cannot leave."
Jun Meiyu froze, startled, looking back.
Xi Jiayi turned, her expression unreadable.
Jun Meiyu froze. She spun back, eyes wide. "Chief Jing… what?" Her voice cracked. "Why? She did nothing wrong!"
But Jing Yongwei didn't answer her. His eyes stayed locked on Xi Jiayi's, unyielding.
"The offenders have rights," he said at last. "Even to press charges. No matter how absurd their claims may be." His voice was cold, but heavy with finality. "So Miss Xi must stay for further questioning."
The words fell like a stone.
Jun Meiyu's breath caught. The officers nearby stiffened in disbelief.
The entire station was stunned.