The jeep pulled up outside the police station. Xie Chen escorted three men inside, with Pei Ze and Ye Qingyan following close behind.
Seeing the three men with their hands bound behind their backs, the officers on duty looked astonished. What on earth had happened?
Pei Ze produced his official work credentials and gave a brief account of what had transpired.
“I see, so you two acted bravely to help others,” the officer said, turning to Ye Qingyan. “Comrade, please come with me to give a detailed statement.”
The three men were taken away by other officers to be questioned separately.
Ye Qingyan glanced at Pei Ze, then followed the officer into a small room.
“There’s no need to be nervous. Please, take a seat.” The officer sat down at the desk with pen and paper, gesturing for Ye Qingyan to sit opposite him.
Once she was seated calmly, he continued, “Greetings. My surname is Chen. I will be asking you some questions shortly. Please answer them truthfully.”
Ye Qingyan nodded. “Understood, Officer Chen.”
“First, please introduce yourself and describe exactly what happened.”
Ye Qingyan spoke slowly and clearly. “My name is Ye Qingyan. I live in Xiangyang Village, Hongguang Commune. It happened while I was on my way home. The road was flanked by cornfields on both sides. As I rode past, two men suddenly rushed out at me…”
Officer Chen raised a hand to stop her. “A moment, please. Didn’t you say there were three of them?”
“One was likely their ringleader. He only stepped in when he saw the other two couldn’t handle me.”
Officer Chen nodded slightly. “I see. Please continue.”
“I’ve always been stronger than most people. I fought back hard, and at first, the two who attacked me failed to overpower me.”
Officer Chen paused, his pen hovering over the paper. “You fought them with your bare hands?”
Ye Qingyan shook her head. “No. I used a shoulder pole.”
“Where did you get a shoulder pole?”
“I keep it tied to my bicycle for self-defense,” Ye Qingyan said, letting out a soft sigh. “I only brought it along just in case. I never thought I’d actually need it.”
Officer Chen asked several more detailed questions, which Ye Qingyan answered one by one.
About half an hour later, the statement was completed. Officer Chen stood up and shook her hand. “Comrade Ye Qingyan, thank you for your cooperation. We will handle this case impartially and ensure justice is served.”
Ye Qingyan nodded gently. “Thank you for your hard work. Such people must not be let off lightly.”
She thought to herself—if another girl had encountered this, unable to defend herself, and been dragged into those cornfields by three men… the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Ye Qingyan stepped outside. Pei Ze was standing at the far end of the corridor talking to a man. His uniform was different from the regular officers—he was likely a senior official at the station.
Pei Ze looked serious as he spoke. “Director Wang, these men don’t appear to be first-time offenders. I suggest you investigate thoroughly and dig up any other crimes they may have committed.”
“Rest assured, we will do our duty and get to the bottom of this,” Director Wang replied gravely. “Once our investigation is complete, I will call your military unit and inform you of the results.”
Director Wang then called Officer Chen into his office to discuss the case and instructed him to process it as quickly as possible.
“Come along. We’re finished here,” Pei Ze said to Ye Qingyan. His expression softened unconsciously the moment he looked at her.
Ye Qingyan murmured an acknowledgement and glanced thoughtfully at him. Director Wang had been so respectful toward him—clearly, he was no ordinary man.
Xie Chen was standing outside smoking. Seeing them emerge, he quickly stamped out his cigarette. “Finished with the statement?”
“Yes, all done,” Ye Qingyan replied with a smile. “Thank you both for your help.”
Xie Chen waved his hand dismissively. “Think nothing of it. You’re Pei Ze’s friend, which makes you my friend too.”
As the three walked and talked toward the jeep, a female officer coming the other way suddenly bumped straight into Ye Qingyan—right on her injured arm.
“Ah…” Ye Qingyan gasped, unable to suppress a cry of pain.
The female officer apologized immediately. “I’m so sorry! I was in a rush and wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you alright?”
Ye Qingyan bit her lip and shook her head. “It’s fine, really.”
Assured that she was unhurt, the female officer hurried inside.
Pei Ze, however, had seen everything. He realized Ye Qingyan’s arm must have been injured during the attack.
Frowning, he turned to Xie Chen. “I have something to take care of. Go on to the guesthouse without me; I’ll catch up later.”
Xie Chen looked confused. “Where are you going?”
“To take her to the hospital.”
“Hah, so I’m just in the way then…” Xie Chen muttered, though he didn’t linger to be a nuisance.
Ye Qingyan watched Xie Chen leave, then turned to Pei Ze. “It’s getting late. Could you please bring my bicycle down? I should head home.”
“You’re going to the hospital first to have that arm looked at,” Pei Ze said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Ye Qingyan stared at him in surprise. “How did you know my arm is injured?”
“Just a guess—from the look on your face.”
“You’re every bit the soldier, aren’t you? Very sharp observation,” Ye Qingyan said with a faint smile. “Very well, let’s go.”
Her arm had indeed been struck by a blow. She had felt it was nothing serious, something she could treat at home with a healing ointment. But after being jolted just now, the pain had grown much worse, and she could no longer be certain the bone hadn’t been harmed.
At the hospital, Pei Ze stayed with her while she saw the doctor. Fortunately, nothing was broken. The doctor massaged the injury and prescribed an ointment to reduce swelling and bruising, telling her to apply it at home.
“Come. I’ll drive you home.”
Before Ye Qingyan could decline, Pei Ze added, “It’s not safe for you to ride back in your condition.”
He was right. After the doctor’s treatment, she could barely exert any strength on that side of her body.
Ye Qingyan smiled helplessly. “Then I suppose I must trouble you.”
As they rode in the jeep, Pei Ze kept his eyes on the road. After driving for some distance, he finally summoned the courage to speak. “That man you were having dinner with at the state-run hotel… why didn’t he return to the village with you?”
Ye Qingyan looked utterly bewildered. “He isn’t from Xiangyang Village. Why on earth would he come back with me?”
Pei Ze pressed his lips together, then asked, sounding casual, “Is he a friend of yours?”
“Not exactly a friend,” Ye Qingyan replied. “More like a business partner.”
Hearing those words, the heavy weight on Pei Ze’s heart finally lifted.
“By the way, I received the parcel you sent me,” Pei Ze said, smiling and shaking his head. “The cured pork and pickled vegetables were absolutely delicious. Though I’m afraid I barely got a few bites. The moment I opened it, everyone caught the scent and gathered round—we finished it all in no time.” He sighed, sounding genuinely regretful.
Ye Qingyan spoke up quickly. “That’s quite alright. If you enjoy them, I’ll send you more.”
Now that Pei Ze had saved her life, sending him some food was the least she could do.
“I would be most grateful,” Pei Ze said, a flicker of warmth dancing in his dark eyes.