In the police station, Jiang Chen was lounging in his chair, snoozing as if nothing was wrong.
Beside him, Tang Xiaoxiao was grinding her teeth in anger.
"That despicable guy, he can still sleep? Just wait until your parents show up. Let's see how you explain this!"
Jiang Chen cracked an eye open and gave her a cold smile. "I, Jiang Chen, never explain myself to anyone."
Tang Xiaoxiao was left speechless, hugging her arms and forcing a cold grin through clenched teeth.
"Hehe, hehe…"
Jiang Chen pointed to the chair next to him. "Officer, don't just stand there. Have a seat."
Tang Xiaoxiao, annoyed and tired of standing, pulled the chair out carelessly and was about to sit down. But the moment her rear touched the seat, she sprang up like she was electrocuted.
She rubbed her backside and glared at him. "Jiang Chen, you jerk! You tricked me!"
Jiang Chen glanced at the peaks beneath her snowy white neck and shook his head with a sigh. "Alas, big chest, no brains. The ancients didn't lie."
"Who are you calling big chest and no brains?!" she snapped.
He looked around innocently. "It's just the two of us. Who else would I be talking about?"
Tang Xiaoxiao fumed, lifting her leg to kick him.
"Officer, if your butt's still itchy, feel free to kick me again. I promise I won't fight back."
Faced with his blatant taunt, Tang Xiaoxiao clenched her jaw and finally stomped her foot down.
Just then, a commotion came from outside.
Tang Xiaoxiao frowned and turned to check. A tall, elegant young woman strode in, followed by a sharp-eyed military man. Director Zhao, her immediate superior, was beside them, bowing and scraping like a servant.
When Director Zhao saw Tang Xiaoxiao, he quickly motioned to her. "Little Tang, quickly bring—no, invite Jiang Chen out!"
"No need for that," Jiang Chen yawned lazily.
Mu Xi blinked at him. "What trouble did you get into this time?"
Jiang Chen gave Tang Xiaoxiao a sideways glance. "They say I went to a brothel."
"What? A brothel? You went to a brothel?" Mu Xi's voice rose with disbelief.
She couldn't believe it. A martial arts prodigy like Jiang Chen—at a low-tier hair salon of all places?
Director Zhao, completely clueless, quickly stepped in to cover the awkwardness. "He probably went to release academic stress. No one's perfect! It's a moment of weakness—understandable!"
Jiang Chen rubbed his forehead, exasperated. To study hard by visiting a brothel—such a noble reason, even he was speechless.
No wonder this guy made it to director. He sure knew how to twist logic.
Mu Xi, seeing Jiang Chen silent, took it as an admission. The few feelings of admiration she'd started developing evaporated immediately.
How could Grandpa be so wrong? A man who couldn't control his urges could never reach the peak like Li Lingtian.
Still, in front of outsiders, she kept her composure and simply shot Jiang Chen a cold glare.
"Director Zhao, can I take him now?"
"Of course, of course!" Director Zhao nodded enthusiastically.
Mu Xi turned to Jiang Chen. "Let's go."
"Wait." Jiang Chen suddenly spoke up. "There's a girl named Lan Huanxi. She's innocent. Let her go too."
Mu Xi raised an eyebrow. "Lan Huanxi? Who's that?"
Director Zhao quickly chimed in. "A girl from the hair salon."
Mu Xi emphasized coldly, "A girl from the hair salon?" She stared at Jiang Chen, clearly expecting an explanation.
But Jiang Chen acted as if she didn't exist.
The room fell into another awkward silence. Director Zhao quickly signaled to Tang Xiaoxiao. "Little Tang, go get Lan Huanxi."
Though unwilling, Tang Xiaoxiao followed orders.
In a dark interrogation room, Lan Huanxi sat curled in a corner, wiping her tears. The others, hardened by experience, scoffed at her.
"What are you crying for? If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even be here."
"Yeah, ever since you joined, business has dropped."
"Always pretending to be pure. Still dreaming of climbing the social ladder?"
"Please. A few years from now, they'll discard you like a used shoe."
Lan Huanxi stopped crying. At just seventeen, she felt the cruelty of the world pressing down on her. She wanted to fight her fate—but had no strength.
Then, the iron door creaked open.
Cold moonlight poured in.
Tang Xiaoxiao's voice rang out. "Lan Huanxi, come out!"
Lan Huanxi looked at Huang Yan for support.
"It's alright," Huang Yan said softly. "Go."
Lan Huanxi slowly walked to the door, head lowered. "Officer… am I going to be sentenced?"
Tang Xiaoxiao was caught off guard. "No. You're being released."
"Released?" she asked in disbelief.
Tang Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes."
Lan Huanxi paused, then looked back. "What about Sister Yan and the others?"
"No. He only named you."
"He?" she echoed.
"Jiang Chen. The guy who came to your salon."
At the mention of his name, Lan Huanxi instantly remembered the young man with sharp eyes and a sunny smile.
Soon after, she saw him again.
Jiang Chen didn't say anything. Just gave her a small smile.
Lan Huanxi hesitated, then smiled back.
Mu Xi, standing to the side, watched silently. For a guy who constantly ignored her, Jiang Chen sure seemed soft-hearted toward that girl from the salon.
And for some reason… it irritated her deeply.