Seeing that the other party was willing to compensate them, the police officer quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
“We’ve already verified everything.”
“The total value of the damaged items is 42.6 yuan.”
“What did you say?”
“Forty-something yuan?”
The man’s expression changed instantly.
“Just these two pieces of junk are worth over forty yuan?”
“Isn’t that extortion?”
After years of handling cases, the officer had long grown accustomed to people like Wang Hao’s father, who tried to argue and make a scene.
Keeping a straight face, he replied,
“All the evidence has been verified and professionally authenticated.”
“According to regulations, compensation must be paid based on the invoice amount.”
Mr. Wang stared blankly at the copied evidence in his hands.
His face turned increasingly ugly, and for a long time he couldn’t say a word.
After what felt like forever, he suddenly turned around.
Smack!
A loud slap landed squarely across Wang Hao’s face.
“You useless brat!”
“You really broke these?”
The blow completely stunned Wang Hao.
Grinding his teeth, he stubbornly argued,
“I did damage them, but there’s no way they’re worth that much!”
“They’re framing me!”
“And you officers too!”
“You’re all working with her! She must have bribed—”
Before he could finish, another slap interrupted him.
“You little idiot!”
“How dare you say something like that?”
“I raised you for nothing!”
This time, Mr. Wang didn’t hold back at all.
The repeated slaps left Wang Hao’s ears ringing.
Ignoring his son entirely, Mr. Wang grabbed the officer’s hand and pleaded,
“Officer…”
“Our family’s not well off.”
“Can’t you make an exception?”
“I mean…”
“These things could still be repaired, right?”
Luxury goods were never designed with durability in mind.
The pendant had snapped into several pieces after only a light tug.
Even if repaired, it could never be restored to its original condition.
Besides…
Who would willingly wear a repaired luxury accessory after paying full price for it?
The officer sighed helplessly.
“When someone’s property is damaged, compensation according to its value is the most basic requirement.”
Seeing that the police wouldn’t budge, Mr. Wang turned toward Zhong Suian and Zhong Yaoran.
Putting on a pitiful expression, he said,
“Young man…”
“You and Haohao are classmates.”
“You’ll see each other around campus.”
“Why don’t we each take a step back?”
“Our family’s had a hard life.”
“My wife and I have struggled our whole lives…”
Before he could finish playing the victim, Zhong Yaoran interrupted him coldly.
“Sir.”
“No one’s money comes from the wind.”
“Simply asking for compensation at the listed value is already showing consideration for the fact that we’re classmates.”
“Besides…”
“Your son insulted my sister first.”
“He not only needs to compensate us.”
“He also owes my sister a public apology.”
“That’s non-negotiable.”
Zhong Suian nodded.
“How about this, Uncle?”
“Since Wang Hao caused all of this, he should bear the consequences himself.”
“We can even waive the compensation.”
“In that case, we’ll simply follow the normal legal process.”
“He can spend some time behind bars.”
“It’ll be a good lesson.”
The facts were so clear that, even if the case proceeded through the courts, Wang Hao had absolutely no chance of winning.
Mr. Wang fell silent.
A long time passed before he finally spoke with difficulty.
“…We’ll pay.”
There wasn’t any spare money left at home.
The only way to gather that much cash was to cancel the down payment they’d just made on their house.
Wang Hao obviously realized that too.
He immediately began shouting.
“No!”
“I won’t agree!”
“Those things are fake!”
“Why should I pay?”
The only reason he’d always been so arrogant in front of Zhong Yaoran was because his parents had promised to buy him a house.
He had even promised his girlfriend that he’d take her to see it that weekend.
If the down payment were refunded now…
She’d definitely break up with him.
But whether he wanted to or not no longer mattered.
He had to pay every cent.
Since refunding the house deposit would take time, both parties agreed that the full amount would be paid within one week.
By the time Zhong Suian and Zhong Yaoran walked out of the police station, it was already dark.
After everything that had happened, both of them were starving.
Remembering how her third brother had eaten nothing but cold steamed buns at noon, Zhong Suian immediately suggested dinner—and insisted on treating him.
This time, she was determined to let him enjoy a proper meal.
Zhong Yaoran wanted to refuse.
But every time she called him “Third Brother,” he simply couldn’t say no.
Zhong Suian chose the nicest hotel nearby.
The moment they sat down, however, Zhong Yaoran looked noticeably uncomfortable.
Seeing the prices on the menu—and recalling the astronomical compensation from earlier that day—he frowned.
“Do you have so much money you don’t know how to spend it?”
“Why insist on eating somewhere like this?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he’d sounded too harsh.
His tone softened unconsciously.
“Besides…”
“I don’t even like these fancy dishes.”
“If you’ve got money, save it for yourself.”
Zhong Suian wasn’t offended.
She understood her third brother well.
He had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.
He simply couldn’t bear seeing her spend so much.
Without another word, she pushed a bowl of soup toward him.
“Come on.”
“Enough talking.”
“If I tell you to eat, then eat.”
Zhong Yaoran opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but hesitated.
His little sister was still a student.
She had always refused the money their family sent her.
Her current spending…
Was probably supported by the Ye family.
He’d met Mr. and Mrs. Ye before.
They didn’t look like easy people to deal with.
Every penny they gave now…
Might one day be demanded back tenfold.
But saying that aloud would only sound like he was trying to drive a wedge between them.
In the end, he swallowed the words.
Zhong Suian noticed what he was thinking.
“What are you overthinking?”
“I earned this money myself.”
Although…
She doubted her brother would believe that.
So she casually changed the subject.
“By the way, Third Brother.”
“The guy you played against today…”
“The really good tennis player.”
“Who is he?”
“Is he in your class too?”
The moment she asked, Zhong Yaoran became alert.
“You mean Shen Jibai?”
“Why are you asking about him?”
He looked at her suspiciously.
“You don’t have a crush on him, do you?”
He wasn’t being unreasonable.
Although Shen Jibai was quiet, he was the famous unattainable prince of their department.
Outstanding looks.
Exceptional talent.
Countless girls had fallen for him.
For some reason, that cold, silent type was incredibly popular.
This semester alone, Zhong Yaoran had seen more than twenty girls confess to him.
He didn’t care if other girls liked Shen Jibai.
But he absolutely refused to let that happen to his own sister.
Zhong Suian paused briefly before calmly covering it up.
“I was just asking.”
“Why are you reacting so strongly?”
But Zhong Yaoran wasn’t letting it go.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“That guy couldn’t squeeze out a sentence if you beat him with three sticks.”
“You’d be bored to death dating him.”
“Sure, he’s good at tennis.”
“But he’s always buried in the training room.”
“When would he even have time for you?”
“And he attracts trouble.”
“After every match, girls swarm him with water bottles and towels.”
“I also heard his family’s going through some serious problems.”
“Someone with that kind of complicated family…”
Seeing him getting more and more worked up, Zhong Suian quickly waved him off.
“Alright, alright!”
“You’re getting more outrageous by the minute.”
“I really was just asking.”
Her third brother simply refused to believe her.
After all…
She was only interested in Shen Jibai’s body.
As for his soul…
She’d have to hear it from him personally.
Man, I’m willing to listen to your misfortunes…
But what I’ll ask from you afterward… you already know.
Since asking directly wasn’t going to work…
Zhong Suian decided she’d have to take the indirect approach instead.