Not human traffickers… they were really saved!
Soon, the police and the Jiang family arrived.
Qiao An and his accomplice were restrained, and the girl who had been on the brink of death was rushed to the county hospital for emergency treatment.
The police chief, upon learning that Ning Xi had single-handedly taken down two human traffickers, couldn’t help but look at her with admiration.
“A heroine among women truly fitting for a soldier’s family!”
Ning Xi felt a little embarrassed by the praise and smiled shyly, pressing her lips together. “You overpraise me. I just did what I should. Human traffickers cause great harm, and everyone should see them punished.”
“Xi, you’re right,” said Elder Jiang, who had also arrived. He found himself liking Ning Xi more and more. Standing tall with pride, he gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re truly one of our Jiang family.”
As for Jiang Yanyan… better not to mention her.
Jiang Yanyan hunched her shoulders and shrank into the crowd, trying to make herself as small as possible. Yet a flicker of relief crossed her mind thankfully, Ning Xi was safe… and her second brother…
She stole a glance at Jiang Chengbei.
Maybe Second Brother wouldn’t hold it against her anymore?
Tian Guilan saw her daughter’s careful, anxious expression and felt a pang in her heart. She stepped forward and held Ning Xi’s hand.
“Child, I’m so glad you’re safe. They say that survival through a great calamity brings future blessings. Once this hurdle is past, your life will go smoothly from now on.”
“But this hurdle she never should have faced in the first place,” Jiang Chengbei said coldly.
The traffickers had been dealt with; now it was time for Jiang Yanyan.
“Officer…”
Before she could finish, Tian Guilan cut in. “Chengbei, let’s handle our own family matters behind closed doors.”
Her eyes were full of pleading.
Although Ning Xi had become a member of the Jiang family by entering their home, there was still a barrier. Yanyan was her own flesh and blood. Seeing her being taken by the authorities was like ripping a piece of herself away.
“Yanyan, apologize to your second brother and sister-in-law!”
Jiang Yanyan slowly approached, her head hung low, her voice barely audible.
“Second Brother… Second… Sister-in-law… I’m sorry.”
Three simple words could never cover up her malice. Ning Xi remained calm and didn’t respond, knowing that even if she forgave Yanyan, Jiang Chengbei would not easily let her off.
Sure enough, Jiang Chengbei let out a cold snort.
“You knew your snot was going into your mouth what were you waiting for?”
He shouted the last few words, making Jiang Yanyan shiver and look at Tian Guilan with tearful pleading. She had no doubt Second Brother could truly punish a family member for justice.
Seeing her daughter’s pitiful state, Tian Guilan could only grit her teeth and plead.
“Second, your little sister has indeed been spoiled by the family. I admit that. From now on, we’ll supervise her more strictly. Just for my sake and your father’s, please let this go this once. Give her a chance to make amends, okay?”
“No.”
Jiang Chengbei’s answer was firm and decisive.
His sharp, handsome face left no room for refusal.
He informed the police chief that Jiang Yanyan had been complicit in trafficking women and requested that the matter be handled officially.
The police chief was stunned.
Truly… modern-day justice even against family.
“Battalion Commander Jiang is truly impartial and strict.”
Jiang Yanyan’s mind went blank. Her face turned pale, and it took a long while before she found her voice again, screaming wildly.
“You can’t arrest me! I’m also a victim! I only did what I did because the traffickers forced me…”
Her world had collapsed.
She was supposed to marry into a city family and live a life of privilege. If she went to prison, her life would be ruined.
No city man, nor any countryman, would want a convict with a criminal record.
“Mom, you have to speak for me! I can’t go to jail!”
Tian Guilan’s expression stiffened, and she felt a twinge of resentment.
“Second, look Ning Xi is fine. It was just a scare. Must you be so merciless? Yanyan is your own sister! For the sake of a woman, you would disregard your sister’s life?”
The only response was: “Take her away.”
Jiang Yanyan struggled desperately, screaming like a slaughtered pig.
Tian Guilan could only watch as her daughter was taken away, her legs giving out, and she collapsed to the ground.
Jiang Chengbei took Ning Xi to the hospital.
After learning her condition, the doctor ordered an ultrasound.
“Young lady, you’re on your period, and your lower abdomen was struck hard. We’ll do an ultrasound to check for internal injuries. We’ll also carefully examine your uterus and appendages to ensure your future fertility isn’t affected.”
“Okay.”
Ning Xi lay on the small examination bed.
For the ultrasound, her shirt had to be lifted. She glanced at Jiang Chengbei. “You should step out.”
He didn’t move, his dark eyes full of stubbornness, and bent down to lift her shirt.
The soft fabric rose inch by inch.
When her fair, tender skin was exposed, Jiang Chengbei clenched his jaw.
A large bruise darkened her lower abdomen a grim testament to the force used against her.
His fingers trembled. He wanted to touch, but didn’t dare. After a few deep breaths, he finally forced out the words through clenched teeth: “Does it hurt?”
“No, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
It still hurt a bit she was on her period, after all, and weaker than usual. Fearing that Jiang Chengbei would worry, she forced a smile.
“I’m fine. I can endure it.”
The stronger she was, the guiltier he felt.
His heart felt twisted with pain.
If he had seen through Jiang Yanyan’s treachery sooner, been more vigilant, and not let her out of his sight, Ning Xi wouldn’t have suffered.
The ultrasound results would take another half hour.
While waiting, Jiang Chengbei ignored the comings and goings of the hospital and held Ning Xi close. Not daring to press against her injury, he kept his head at her neck, his voice heavy with self-reproach.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
In Ning Xi’s eyes, Jiang Chengbei had always been a stern, rough man, but she hadn’t expected him to show such vulnerability. She reached out, wrapping her hands around his strong waist.
“It’s not your fault. The traffickers were ruthless. And”
She lifted her head, a teasing smile in her eyes.
“Battalion Commander Jiang, there are people all around. Aren’t you concerned about what they think?”
Jiang Chengbei stiffened for a moment, then silently sighed.
“You’re my treasure I’ve recovered. Let others think what they want.”
At that moment, a young couple passed by. The woman glared at her partner after hearing that.
“Look at her, then look at you. Ugly and dumb, marrying a loser like you… I must’ve committed crimes in a past life!”
The man, baffled, felt deeply wronged.
“If I were handsome and sweet-talking, you still wouldn’t get me.”
“You!”
After they walked away, Ning Xi chuckled and pushed Jiang Chengbei, poking his chest.
“You show off your love so recklessly, almost causing other couples to fight.”
Jiang Chengbei grasped her delicate fingers and kissed them.
“I should still show off like this.”
Ning Xi: !!!
Her Battalion Commander’s understanding of love was rocket-speed fast.
Half an hour later, the results came back.
Luckily, it was only soft tissue bruising. With some ointment, it would heal.
Jiang Chengbei finally relaxed. Seeing his expression ease, Ning Xi asked about Jiang Yanyan.
“Are you really going to let your own sister go to prison?”