Qilin International Group.
The name alone sent ripples through the room.
Cheng Wanru froze. Just moments ago, she had suggested bringing in a public lawyer, maybe even a district defender—someone, anyone—to escort Xi Jiayi through the procedure. But this? This wasn't what she had meant.
Han Ruiming wasn't some mid-tier lawyer. This was Qilin International's man.
Her eyes darted toward Xi Jiayi, disbelief written plain across her face. This fragile looking girl… how did she knew someone like this?
Jing Yongwei's fingers tightened on the report in his hand. His voice dropped low.
"…Qilin International?"
Han Ruiming's eyes were calm as ice, but the weight behind them pressed on the room. "Yes. Miss Xi Jiayi is my client. I will oversee all proceedings from this point forward."
He turned, his gaze landing on her. For a heartbeat, his mask cracked.
Shock. Recognition. Understanding.
So… it really is her. No wonder 'she' sent me.
The flicker vanished as quickly as it came. To the others, Han Ruiming remained untouchable, flawless. But Xi Jiayi caught nothing. Her face was blank, indifferent.
Jing Yongwei's expression darkened. "This is a criminal case. She is here for questioning. Representation is not necessary at this stage."
Han Ruiming placed a folder on the desk, the gold-embossed Qilin seal gleaming. His lips curved, but there was no warmth. "On the contrary. A seventeen-year-old minor accused of assault? Counsel isn't optional—it's mandatory. Unless your station intends to proceed illegally?"
The words dropped like stones in a well. Officers shifted uneasily.
Xi Jiayi stood silent, her face unreadable, while Jun Meiyu blinked between them, breath caught in her throat.
Jing Yongwei's hand tightened behind his back. "This is routine procedure. Nothing more."
Han Ruiming stepped closer, voice lowering, sharpening. "Routine? A seventeen-year-old minor accused of violence? Without guardian or representation? Chief Jing… I do hope you aren't suggesting your station intends to bend procedure."
The officers shifted. A thin thread of unease wound through the room.
Jing Yongwei's glare hardened. But his voice, when it came, was clipped. "…Fine. Interrogation room."
---
The door shut with a metallic click. The interrogation room was bare, sterile, designed to strip away defenses.
Xi Jiayi entered first, unflinching. She sat, posture straight, eyes steady. Jun Meiyu lingered close, nervous. Han Ruiming settled beside Jiayi, unfolding papers with calm precision.
Jing Yongwei sat opposite, gaze like iron. "Miss Xi. Do you understand why you are here?"
Her reply was level. "Because some criminals lied."
Han Ruiming's lips twitched faintly. Even the officers watching from the other side were startled. This little girl was something else.
Jing Yongwei raised his eyebrow at her reply. He leaned forward. "You were seen in a physical altercation. Injuries were sustained. Their claim is that you—"
Han Ruiming cut across, voice smooth but hard. "Their claim has no standing. They are repeat offenders. Documented. And you would weigh their word against that of a seventeen-year-old girl who was trying to save another citizen?"
"Procedure demands—"
"Procedure demands balance." Han Ruiming's gaze sharpened like steel. "Or do you intend to twist it to shield predators?"
The air snapped tight.
Jing Yongwei slammed the file shut, but his eyes flicked to Xi Jiayi. She was still. Too still. Not a tremor, not a flinch. She isn't the frightened girl he had seen at the alley. Her pose is too dominating. As if she isn't here for questioning rather a small gathering. What exactly is she?
But tonight was not the night to peel her open. Push too far, and it could backfire.
He leaned back, folding his arms. "Then recount it yourself. What happened?"
Xi Jiayi's voice was steady, every syllable weighed. "They were harassing Teacher Jun. I coincidentally stumbled upon the situation. I tried to stopped them."
"Stopped them how?"
"By trying to talk them out," Xi Jiayi continued, unflinching. "Instead they ignored my words and grabbed at her. Another person struck me." She pointed at her head which was in bandage. "And then…" She paused. "Others appeared. Men I didn't know. They quarreled, fought with the culprits. When the sirens came, they fled."
Han Ruiming inclined his head, voice crisp. "So we have: attempted assault on a teacher, an injured minor defending her, and an unrelated gang scuffle. Yet instead of investigating these men, you are entertaining the fantasy that my client alone dismantled seven repeat offenders?"