Li Weiyi was hit so hard her ears were buzzing. Dizzy and disoriented, she swayed and was about to fall. Suddenly a thin, small figure lunged from the side and caught her. Zhou Zhihao’s next several kicks landed solidly on that person’s body.

Ding Chenmo saw there was a gap between the three people and shouted “Go!” Several police officers seized the opportunity and pounced like tigers released from their cages, pinning Zhou Zhihao—who had pulled out a dagger—to the ground. Zhou Zhihao shouted: “Why are you arresting me! Injustice! Injustice! Police brutality!”

Ding Chenmo took out handcuffs and locked them firmly on him, roaring: “Attempted murder, armed assault on police officers, and you still cry injustice! Wait to go to prison!”

The onlooking crowd surrounded them in layers, pointing and whispering.

Li Weiyi had been knocked to the ground by Zhang Jingchan, who was protecting her with his body. This was her first fight in her life. Her mind was muddled, and she hurt everywhere on her face and body. But looking at Zhang Jingchan’s face covered in blood, she only felt her heart aching like never before. She wrapped her arms around his waist in return and sat up holding him entirely in her embrace. He reached out to push away but let out a muffled groan from aggravating his wounds. Li Weiyi looked at him this way and instantly her eyes filled with tears. She felt he was like a fragile porcelain doll—she wanted to hold him tightly but didn’t dare use too much force. She could only carefully hold him in her arms and ask: “Are you alright? Does it hurt a lot?” Her mouth turned down and tears fell.

Zhang Jingchan had never been held by a woman on her lap in his entire life. He tried to struggle free, but Li Weiyi immediately tightened her grip, very stubbornly. After a while, he laughed helplessly and simply gave up, letting her hold him. He reached out to pinch her chin and asked: “Crying again. Does it hurt?”

Li Weiyi’s eyes were blurred with tears, not understanding. His fingertip lightly touched her reddened cheek, and only then did she remember the two slaps Zhou Zhihao had given her, becoming aware of the knife-like stinging pain on her face.

“What’s that compared to you? He punched you several times and kicked you several more… It’s all my fault, wuu wuu wuu, I’m too weak at fighting…”

Zhang Jingchan laughed, coughed twice, and said hoarsely: “Alright, help me up.”

Li Weiyi, feeling wronged, helped him stand.

Over there, Zhou Zhihao’s eyes were bloodshot, looking completely desperate and crazed. He was pressed against the car door by the police officers who were searching him.

Zhang Jingchan released Li Weiyi’s hand and, enduring the pain, swayed unsteadily as he walked over.

Li Weiyi was stunned. The others also hadn’t expected him to suddenly approach. Zhang Jingchan walked up to Zhou Zhihao and raised his hand.

This time, the young woman Zhang Jingchan used her wits. This body had little strength, so he put all the force from his waist and back into it, shifting into a bow stance front and back to borrow momentum, pulling the arc of his arm to its maximum.

“Slap”—a resounding slap landed on Zhou Zhihao’s face. Before he could react, Zhang Jingchan backhanded another “slap.”

These two slaps made even Zhang Jingchan himself spin half a circle, only avoiding a fall by grabbing Li Weiyi’s arm. The crisp sound echoed through the crowd. Zhou Zhihao was hit so hard his head jerked left then right, and blood streamed from his nose.

“She hit me! She hit me!” Zhou Zhihao went crazy again. “I’m going to sue her, sue her!” Ding Chenmo pressed his head down, pressing it flat against the car hood, even squashing his mouth.

Zhang Jingchan pointed at Li Weiyi’s face and said to Ding Chenmo: “Returning his two slaps.”

Even the police officers were shocked by this.

They had never seen such a fierce girl—quick reflexes and great courage. She was the first to run out and intercept the criminal. Even after being beaten by the criminal into such a state herself, she still insisted on taking revenge for her boyfriend.

Li Weiyi wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Her heart ached terribly. She looked at Zhang Jingchan’s face, mottled with bruises yet calm, unable to say anything. She only gripped his hand tightly. He noticed and squeezed her hand even tighter in return.

“Zhang Jingchan…” She couldn’t help but call his name in a tearful voice.

He seemed to understand everything. Without turning his head back, he switched to holding her hand with his other hand and raised one hand behind him.

“Mm…” She responded with a sob, bending down and lowering her head, letting him gently pat the back of her head twice. Clearly the two hadn’t said anything, yet she received the comfort she wanted, and he knew this was exactly the kind of comfort she needed.

The ambulance arrived.

Li Weiyi helped Zhang Jingchan walk back to the courtyard entrance. Li Zhongheng was being lifted onto the ambulance by medical personnel. Zhang Jingchan sat down leaning against the wall, gesturing for Li Weiyi to go check on her father first.

Li Weiyi looked back every three steps, her eyes fixed on him as she walked away.

At this moment, Ding Chenmo came over and sat down on the ground beside Zhang Jingchan.

Ding Chenmo lit a cigarette and smoked it. After a long while, he gave a thumbs up: “You girl, you look cold-hearted and silent, but at critical moments you’re more reliable than any man. Good kid. Your dad is so fortunate to have you. Are you interested in attending police academy in the future?”

Zhang Jingchan: “No.”

Ding Chenmo wasn’t discouraged either. After all, too few girls were willing to attend police academy. He took a drag of his cigarette and said again: “That little boyfriend of yours isn’t bad either. He’s a bit delicate, but he’s also very brave. But girl, in the future don’t shoulder everything yourself. Let your boyfriend stand up too—that’s how two people can be even better together! Thanks to both of you this time.”

Zhang Jingchan pulled at the corner of his painful mouth, smiled, and said: “No need to thank us. You’re the ones who worked hard. He doesn’t need to stand up—having me is enough.”

Ding Chenmo: “…”

Young people these days—the men don’t act like men, the women don’t act like women. He really was old and couldn’t understand it anymore!