By the time they finished taking photos, it was already six o’clock.
Holding Yu Siyi’s hand, Jin Qiao walked into Jinda Mall.
The plaza at the entrance was crowded with people coming and going. Worried that Yu Siyi might get lost, she picked him up and carried him.
Yu Siyi obediently wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck and curiously looked around at the bustling surroundings.
Just then, a teenage girl—around sixteen or seventeen years old—hurried over while holding the hand of a younger girl who looked about five or six.
“Big sister, can you help us?”
The older girl grabbed the corner of Jin Qiao’s sleeve.
Jin Qiao stopped and looked at the two girls.
The younger one hid nervously behind the older girl, peeking out timidly.
Having met all kinds of people during her missions, Jin Qiao immediately noticed something strange in the older girl’s eyes.
There was a plea for help.
But there was also fear.
And regret.
Without drawing attention to it, she subtly signaled the cameraman nearby.
The cameraman immediately understood and discreetly backed away with the camera.
The livestream comments exploded.
[??? What’s happening?]
[Why did the cameraman move away?]
[Are they not allowed to film?]
Jin Qiao crouched down while still holding Yu Siyi.
“What’s wrong, little sister? What do you need help with?”
Yu Siyi noticed that the younger girl was looking at him with envy.
But there was something about the way the two girls looked at him that made him uncomfortable.
Instinctively, he tightened his arms around his mother.
Jin Qiao gently patted his back.
The older girl glanced around nervously.
“Big sister… we were tricked by some people. We ran away while they weren’t paying attention. Can you help us?”
Her maturity was startling for someone her age.
She spoke calmly and clearly.
Although the cameraman had moved farther away, everyone was still wearing microphones.
The audience could hear everything.
The comments were already preparing popcorn.
“We don’t have much time. They’ll find us soon. Can you help us contact—”
Before she could finish, a rough male voice interrupted.
“What are you doing running around with your sister?! I’ve been looking all over for you!”
The comments exploded.
[OH MY GOD I WANT TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING.]
[Maybe Jin Qiao is overreacting? Kids get separated from their parents in malls all the time.]
[Camera guy, can you secretly move a little closer? I can’t see anything.]
Jin Qiao calmly examined the couple rushing toward them.
The man looked to be in his forties.
The woman was younger, wearing heavy makeup and high heels.
The moment the older girl heard the man’s voice, she visibly trembled and took a step backward.
“What are you standing there for? Get over here! Do I have to drag you myself?”
His tone was extremely impatient.
But his eyes never left Jin Qiao.
There was even a strange smile hanging on his lips.
The woman seemed even less patient.
She marched forward in her high heels and reached out to grab the girls.
The comments immediately reacted.
[She’s already grabbing them?!]
[Something feels really off.]
[Do parents actually behave like this?]
[I still think Jin Qiao might be interfering unnecessarily.]
Suddenly, the older girl spoke.
“You are NOT our parents!”
Her voice wasn’t loud.
But everyone nearby heard it clearly.
Without hesitation, Jin Qiao pulled both girls behind her.
The comments instantly changed direction.
[Okay, that protective move was AMAZING.]
[This is giving me a ridiculous sense of security.]
[Could the kid be lying though? Kids can lie too.]
[Nope. This situation feels wrong.]
Jin Qiao stood between the girls and the adults.
“Ma’am, let’s talk calmly. And who exactly are you to these children?”
Then she looked at the man.
“And sir, stop staring at me. No matter how much you look, you’re not getting one.”
The woman instantly exploded.
“What does that even mean?! Mind your own business! You little vixen! Who are you trying to seduce?!”
She practically jumped in anger and raised her hand.
The man quickly stepped in.
More and more people were stopping to watch.
That wasn’t good for them.
“Miss, you’ve got the wrong idea. These are our daughters. They got upset and ran off.”
He sighed dramatically.
“As parents, we’ve been worried sick. And now they’re refusing to acknowledge us. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking.”
The comments split into factions.
[The father sounds kind of pitiful.]
[This family feels suffocating.]
[Yeah. I think the parents definitely have issues.]
By now, Jin Qiao had a pretty good idea of what was happening.
But she wasn’t willing to make assumptions yet.
“Sir, you know how dangerous society is nowadays. If children keep running away, what if next time they really disappear?”
The man immediately nodded.
“Exactly! Exactly!”
“As parents, we need to be careful.”
“Right!”
Seeing him agree so eagerly, Jin Qiao smiled.
Then he reached past her, trying to grab the girls.
“Come on. Stop hiding behind this lady. Time to go home.”
The older girl immediately shook her head.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked desperately at Jin Qiao.
Jin Qiao raised a hand.
“Not so fast.”
“I’ve already called the police.”
The man’s expression froze.
“When the police arrive, everyone can relax, right? They can help mediate things.”
She smiled pleasantly.
“Otherwise these kids might run away again. Wouldn’t that stress you out?”
“What?!”
The man’s voice shot up several octaves.
The comments instantly celebrated.
[HE PANICKED.]
[HE’S DEFINITELY PANICKING.]
[I KNEW MY INSTINCTS WERE RIGHT.]
The woman completely lost her temper.
“Are you insane?! Why would you call the police for a family matter?”
Then she sneered.
“You’re a mother yourself, yet you’re dressed up like that. Looking for men, are you?”
People nearby began gathering to watch.
The sudden shouting startled Yu Siyi.
Jin Qiao immediately hugged him tighter to comfort him.
Then she looked at the couple.
“Sir. Ma’am.”
“Do you not trust the police?”
“What?”
“If this is such a small issue, why not let the police help solve it?”
“If you can’t communicate with your children, shouldn’t you seek help?”
“What if they run away again and something really happens next time?”
Then she delivered the finishing blow.
“You don’t trust the police?”
“Or do you not trust our country?”
The comments absolutely lost it.
[HAHAHAHAHAHA.]
[‘DO YOU NOT TRUST OUR COUNTRY?’]
[She really left them speechless.]
[That combo attack was lethal.]
The couple stared at her, completely stunned.
Finally, the woman snapped.
She lunged forward.
This time she really intended to hit someone.
Jin Qiao was holding Yu Siyi with one arm.
With her free hand, she blocked the woman’s attempt to grab her hair.
Then—
She kicked.
The comments exploded.
[HOLY CRAP THAT WAS COOL.]
[ONE ARM HOLDING A KID. THE OTHER DEFENDING. THEN A KICK.]
[MARRY ME, SISTER.]
[WHY IS SHE SO COOL?!]
The woman crashed onto the ground.
“OWWW! SHE HIT ME! IS THERE NO JUSTICE LEFT IN THIS WORLD?!”
Meanwhile, Jin Qiao looked down at her own high heels.
Then glanced at the woman’s stomach.
Good.
Didn’t kick through.
She had almost forgotten she was wearing heels.
Fortunately, she’d pulled back her strength at the last second.
Just then, the police arrived.
The cameraman finally moved closer again.
The moment the woman saw the officers, she immediately pointed at Jin Qiao.
“She assaulted me! Arrest her!”
A nearby bystander couldn’t stand it anymore.
“You were the one who attacked first! She was defending herself.”
“Just because you lost doesn’t mean it’s her fault.”
The comments agreed.
[Exactly.]
[You started it and lost. Stop crying.]
[Police officers, please know that Jin Qiao was acting in self-defense!]
Because the mall was crowded, the police decided to bring everyone back to the station to sort things out.
While the adults argued, Yu Siyi quietly fiddled with his little smartwatch.
At the police station, it didn’t take long for the officers to determine that Jin Qiao had indeed acted in self-defense.