By the time the photoshoot ended, it was already six o’clock.
Jin Qiao held Yu Siyu’s hand as they walked into Jinda Mall.
The entrance plaza was crowded with people, and Jin Qiao still felt uneasy—she scooped Yu Siyu up in her arms.
Yu Siyu obediently wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck, his curious eyes scanning the surroundings.
“Miss, can you help us?”
A girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen was holding the hand of a five- or six-year-old girl, hurrying over and grabbing Jin Qiao’s clothes.
Jin Qiao stopped, looking down at the two girls. The younger one cowered behind the older, timidly peeking at her.
Jin Qiao had seen all kinds of people and could tell from the girl’s eyes that she was asking for help—but also scared and regretful.
She subtly signaled the nearby cameraman to pay attention.
The cameraman immediately understood, moving the camera slightly farther away.
[Live comments]【? What’s going on?】【Why did the cameraman move the lens back?】【Not allowed to film?】
Jin Qiao crouched down, holding Yu Siyu closer.
“What’s wrong, little one? What do you need me to help with?”
Yu Siyu noticed the envy in the little girl’s eyes, but the way they looked at him made him uncomfortable, and he gripped his mother’s arm tighter.
Jin Qiao raised a hand to comfort him.
The older girl glanced around nervously.
“Miss, we were tricked. We ran away when those people weren’t paying attention. Can you help us?”
Despite her age, the girl was unusually calm and mature.
Even though the cameraman had stepped back, Jin Qiao and the girls had microphones on, so the audience could hear everything clearly.
“They’ll find us soon. Can you help us contact—?”
Before she could finish, a rough voice interrupted.
“What are you doing running around with your sister? I’ve been looking for you forever!”
[Live comments]【Whoa, I really want to see this in person!】【Is Jin Qiao overstepping? Kids get separated from parents in malls all the time.】【Cameraman, can you sneak closer? Can’t see clearly.】
Jin Qiao’s eyes scanned the man and woman rushing over.
The man looked to be in his forties; the woman younger, wearing heavy makeup and high heels, running after him.
The girl flinched at the man’s voice, instinctively stepping back.
“Why are you standing there? Come over! Do I have to beg you?”
The man’s tone was extremely impatient, yet he was staring at Jin Qiao, a teasing smile on his lips.
The woman, impatient, stepped forward to grab the girl.
[Live comments]【She’s going straight for the grab?!】【Something feels off. Are parents really like this?】【I think Jin Qiao is just meddling too much.】
“You’re not our parents!” The older girl’s voice was clear enough for everyone involved to hear.
Jin Qiao pulled the two girls behind her.
[Live comments]【I thought it was fine at first, but Jin Qiao’s protection gives so much security!!】【Could the kid be lying? Kids lie all the time now.】【I don’t think so, this seems legit!】
“Ma’am, you can speak properly. Who are you to them? And sir, stop staring at me—you won’t get anything by looking.”
“None of your business! Always sticking your nose in, huh? You little seductress, trying to flirt with someone.”
The woman was instantly furious, nearly jumping in anger to hit her.
The man realized the situation was going south. Many passersby had started turning to watch; continuing this way would draw even more attention, which was bad for them.
“Miss, these are our kids. They threw a little tantrum and wandered off. As parents, we were worried. Look—they’re still upset and ignoring us. Honestly, it breaks my heart.”
[Live comments]【The dad is kind of pitiful.】【But this family looks suffocating.】【Yeah, seems like the parents have problems too.】
Jin Qiao had roughly figured out the situation, but she couldn’t jump to conclusions.
“Sir, you know how dangerous society is nowadays. Kids running around like this—I happened to catch them. What if next time they really get lost? As parents, you need to pay attention.”
The man quickly nodded, agreeing, then reached to grab the two girls behind Jin Qiao.
“Why are you hiding behind this lady? Let’s go home.”
The girls shook their heads, eyes glistening with tears, pleading silently at Jin Qiao.
“Don’t worry! I contacted the police—they’re coming. Then you and I can both relax, right? Let the police mediate—otherwise, these kids might run off again. Wouldn’t that make you panic?”
“What?!” The man’s voice shot up.
[Live comments]【Whoa, his voice is huge! That mic setup is amazing.】【He’s panicking, he’s panicking.】【I knew something was up, my sixth sense was right.】
“You’re crazy! Why call the police for your family matter? You’re a parent too, dressing like that—are you fishing for something?”
The woman rushed forward, yelling. Passersby began stopping to watch.
Yu Siyu was startled by their shouting, and Jin Qiao held him tighter for comfort.
“Sir, ma’am, don’t you trust the police? Do you think this is a small matter? You can’t organize the kids’ thoughts—why not ask the police for help? What if they run off again and get hurt? That’s a serious matter! If you don’t trust the police, do you also not trust our country?”
[Live comments]【LOL!】【“Do you not trust our country?”】【Honestly, the person being asked has no response.】
Jin Qiao’s rapid reasoning left the two parents stunned.
The woman finally couldn’t restrain herself and tried to strike.
Jin Qiao, holding the child in one arm, blocked her hand with the other and delivered a kick.
[Live comments]【Whoa, so cool.】【Holding a kid with one arm and kicking someone—woc.】【Sister is awesome! Gender doesn’t matter.】【Jin Qiao is really too cool here.】
The woman fell to the ground with a thud.
“Ouch! She hit me! Is there no law anymore?!”
Jin Qiao glanced at her own high heels, then at the woman clutching her stomach. Luckily, she hadn’t been kicked through.
Almost forgot she was in heels today—good thing she controlled her strength.
By then, the police had arrived. The cameraman followed.
The woman pointed at Jin Qiao, screaming.
“She hit me! Arrest her!”
Passersby intervened.
“She attacked first. The lady was just defending herself. Can’t beat someone? That’s your problem.”
[Live comments]【Exactly.】【Can’t win, so you play dirty—so funny.】【Police, Jin Qiao was self-defending! The woman attacked first!】
The mall was crowded, and the police had no choice but to take them to the station. Yu Siyu fiddled with his little watch.