Beijing in 1985 wasn’t as large as it would become in later years, but it was still one of the country’s largest cities. In the capital, if you deliberately wanted to avoid someone, it was quite difficult to run into them on the streets.
Xiao Lan had only encountered Xia Chang Zheng once, and as for Xia Zi Yu, she’d only glimpsed the back of his head at the Pengcheng Hospital.
She wasn’t as vengeful now as when she’d first been reborn, no longer obsessed with crushing Xia Zi Yu and Jian Hua Wang to avenge ‘Xia Xiao Lan’. Now she mostly just watched their misfortunes with amusement.
After several indirect confrontations with Xia Zi Yu, Xiao Lan had a good measure of her capabilities. Xia Zi Yu didn’t have much going for her; getting into university was her only real achievement in changing her fate. Breaking free from her rural background and entering university should have opened unlimited possibilities for Xia Zi Yu’s future.
Regardless of her chosen career, the 1980s offered countless opportunities for university graduates to make their mark.
Xia Zi Yu had always been the type to struggle desperately for advancement.
Study honestly?
That would never happen in her lifetime.
Xiao Lan thought Xia Zi Yu might have made some progress if she’d just honestly completed her four years at the Teachers’ College. But now, with her excessive ambition and limited ability, she was likely to dig herself deeper into trouble. Bound tightly to the Wang family, she would sink even faster. Xiao Lan hadn’t paid much attention to the despicable couple of Xia Zi Yu and Jian Hua Wang lately.
After all, Xiao Lan had many other concerns, and since Xia Zi Yu was determined to walk down a path of destruction, Xiao Lan was content to watch from the sidelines.
People who had been quiet for so long suddenly seeking attention – had they received some external support?
Was it Du Zhao Hui?
What could Xia Zi Yu possibly have that would interest Du Zhao Hui?
With these questions in mind, Xiao Lan hurried to the Xidan Police Station. Zhang Cui was still detained, Xia Zi Yu was arguing her case, and Jian Hua Wang seemed to have brought friends to ‘put in a good word’. Station Chief Ma’s expression was extremely unpleasant.
In front of others, Xiao Lan respectfully addressed him as “Chief Ma”. He nodded and said, “Wait in the next room for a moment.”
Chief Ma was in a foul mood.
Nobody could maintain their composure when others tried to use their influence to pressure them.
Zhang Cui had been following Fen Liu, and catching such a suspicious person who might commit a crime – even without any special concern for the Liu mother and daughter – Chief Ma would naturally investigate Zhang Cui’s identity and motives thoroughly. Xidan was under his jurisdiction; this was his inherent responsibility.
Chief Ma had followed proper procedures, confirming Zhang Cui’s identity with her landlord, who said she and her husband were from Southern Yu Province, had been renting for several months, and made a living selling snacks from a street stall.
One detail mentioned by the landlord caught Chief Ma’s attention:
“Zhang Cui seems normal enough, but her husband, surnamed Xia, is disabled. He drinks every day, and when drunk, he rants about getting revenge on his niece.”
The landlord’s testimony confirmed Zhang Cui’s identity but also provided Chief Ma with an explanation for her stalking behavior.
There was clearly an old grudge – was the secretive stalking of Fen Liu not just about money, but revenge?
When Xia Zi Yu arrived, Chief Ma’s first impression was quite negative.
Xia Zi Yu stuck to her usual approach, expressing concern for Fen Liu and Xiao Lan, but Chief Ma, a veteran police officer with deep grassroots experience, wasn’t so easily fooled.
Showing concern while simultaneously speaking ill of them?
Unable to get any useful information from the mother and daughter, Chief Ma was dissatisfied.
He rejected Xia Zi Yu’s request to release Zhang Cui. During the standoff, Jian Hua Wang arrived with his associates. They were quite arrogant, immediately dropping the names of certain bureau chiefs… Chief Ma was being pressured by their influence when Xiao Lan arrived at the perfect moment – Jian Hua Wang and his friends hadn’t been at the station for more than half an hour.
Chief Ma called Xiao Lan to a side room. Upon seeing her, Jian Hua Wang became agitated:
“Xia Xiao Lan, this is what you are doing again!”
Xiao Lan sneered, “What did I do? Did I make your mother-in-law stalk my mother? Jian Hua Wang, you used to be despicable but at least not this stupid. Now you’ve truly been corrupted – you don’t even have basic intelligence anymore.”
Jian Hua Wang was speechless.
He just knew that Chief Ma of this police station knew Xiao Lan, so Zhang Cui’s detention must have been Xiao Lan’s doing.
The friend who accompanied Jian Hua Wang looked at Xiao Lan with gleaming eyes.
“Jian Hua, let’s talk this through calmly, we can clear up any misunderstandings.”
His friend tried to mediate.
Xia Zi Yu forced a slight smile: “Xiao Lan, what ill intentions could my mother have toward Second Aunt? It’s truly a misunderstanding. She wanted to open a snack shop in Xidan and just happened to see Second Aunt.”
Xia Zi Yu hated nothing more than bowing her head to Xiao Lan.
But she had no choice now. Having Zhang Cui follow Fen Liu not only failed to gather information about Fen Liu but had resulted in getting caught by the police.
She had talked herself hoarse, but Chief Ma didn’t believe her words. Even when Jian Hua Wang brought friends and mentioned certain bureau chiefs, the Chief’s attitude hadn’t softened.
Then there was the landlord’s testimony about her father Xia Chang Zheng ranting about “revenge” when drunk. Xia Zi Yu was furious at her parents for causing such trouble.
Chief Ma even said if she didn’t cooperate in explaining the situation, the police station would have to notify her school.
How could Xia Zi Yu not bow her head?
She didn’t dare imagine the consequences if the school found out. She might not care about grades or future job assignments, but the status of “university student” was Xia Zi Yu’s most presentable credential.
Wherever she went, she relied on this identity to maintain face.
In the Wang family and in front of others, without her “university student” status, Xia Zi Yu would face having her household registration returned to her original location – the label of ‘rural household’ would once again be firmly attached to her!
Feeling utterly humiliated, she tried to plead nicely with Xiao Lan.
But Xiao Lan raised an eyebrow:
“I don’t believe in coincidences. I just know a dog can’t change its habit of eating feces. What your mother was sneaking around trying to do – your mother and daughter both know perfectly well. Xia Zi Yu, drop your fake performance. Don’t you get tired of living behind a mask every day? If you’re going to be evil, be openly evil – then I might respect you as an opponent!”
Xia Zi Yu pressed her lips together in silence.
Jian Hua Wang couldn’t contain himself anymore and pointed at Xiao Lan:
“You’re truly poisonous! You won’t be satisfied until you drive Zi Yu to death, will you?”
“What are you trying to do? This is a police station!”
Was he thinking of getting physical? Even a cadre’s son couldn’t be this arrogant, right? If he had been this aggressive in the police station, he probably would have already attacked Xiao Lan if they were outside!
Xiao Lan smiled slightly: “Chief Ma, this is just how they are. Don’t worry – dogs that bite don’t bark, and those who make the most noise are just putting on a show. Jian Hua Wang, I’d like to leave you alone, but who’s been the one refusing to let go all this time?”
Chief Ma had someone block, Jian Hua Wang. Xiao Lan said she wanted to speak privately with Xia Zi Yu. Chief Ma waved his hand, and Xiao Lan walked out first.
Xia Zi Yu gritted her teeth and followed.
Standing in the courtyard, Xiao Lan examined Xia Zi Yu’s new appearance. Xia Zi Yu was wearing Luna clothing, which made Xiao Lan want to laugh:
“Xia Zi Yu, do you think you’re some female Zhuge Liang who leaves no loose ends? Your misdeeds are full of holes. Today, let’s settle accounts – which one should we start with? You can choose. Protect your mother, or protect your father – you can only choose one!”