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Jian Xi decided there was no point in trying to return the item. Without wasting any more time, she slipped the box into the pocket of her white coat.
Back in the office, her phone buzzed in her left pocket. Jian Xi glanced at it quickly—it was from He Ran:
[Do me a favor and don’t throw it in the trash.]
Jian Xi froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. She placed the box in her desk drawer but hesitated halfway through closing it. In the end, she took it out and put it back in her pocket.
He Ran had other business to attend to in the afternoon. After leaving the hospital, he grabbed a quick bite by the roadside and hopped on his motorcycle, heading toward the northern district.
The debt collection case that Lao Yao had referred to him involved a cement factory owner who owed 150,000 yuan. The debtor’s assets—a self-built three-story house and a car—indicated he could afford to pay. With the creditor offering a five percent commission, this job seemed straightforward and easy.
According to the information provided by Lao Yao, the debtor’s name was Tan Zong. Despite being in the low-tech cement business, Tan Zong was an educated man. Judging from his ID photo, he appeared intelligent and well-groomed. His house didn’t look particularly luxurious either.
He Ran formed a preliminary judgment. He circled the building once and noticed a young girl, about three years old, playing with a ball at the entrance. A wheelchair-bound elderly woman sat nearby watching over her.
He Ran observed that the woman’s legs were amputated below the knee.
He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and held it between his lips, deep in thought. Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around.
“Brother, I know you’re here to collect the debt,” said none other than Tan Zong himself.
He Ran removed the cigarette from his mouth, squinted slightly, and sized up the man before speaking. “Then I won’t beat around the bush. Debts must be repaid—it’s only fair. We’re all just trying to make a living.”
Tan Zong’s demeanor was unlike that of typical debtors—he was calm, composed, and unafraid. He nodded. “You’re absolutely right. I will repay the debt.”
After a brief pause, he continued, “This house is already being sold through intermediaries. It’ll take about a week to arrange everything. Please convey my message to your employer—I need this time to liquidate my assets. Once the money is ready, I’ll settle the debt.”
He Ran didn’t respond immediately. He continued to scrutinize Tan Zong carefully, analyzing his tone, expression, and choice of words.
As if sensing his doubts, Tan Zong added, “I’ve lived here for over a decade with my entire family. There’s nowhere for me to run, nor do I intend to. Let’s keep things professional—please don’t disturb them. Consider this a personal request.”
He Ran’s gaze shifted once again to the elderly woman with amputated legs sitting by the entrance.
His eyebrows twitched slightly. He crushed the cigarette butt underfoot and muttered, “Take care of yourself,” before turning to leave.
He Ran returned to his motorcycle and called Lao Yao.
Lao Yao answered, “Boss Ran, what’s up?”
He Ran recounted the situation and promised to relay the message to the creditor.
Less than five minutes later, Lao Yao called back.
“Oh no, Boss, the creditor insists that the money must be collected within three days. This Tan Zong is a slippery character who knows how to play games. The boss wants you to scare his daughter first.”
He Ran, already astride his motorcycle, responded without hesitation, “Fine. I’m not taking this job.”
“No, no, Boss Ran!” Lao Yao panicked. “The boss specifically requested you. Besides, scaring people is part of your usual tactics, isn’t it?”
Fury surged through He Ran. His voice turned icy as he barked, “Go ask them—He Ran never threatens the elderly or children when collecting debts!”
“I’m sorry, I misspoke. Please don’t get angry.” Lao Yao tried to placate him, adding earnestly, “Boss Ran, let me tell you the truth—the person above us is someone we can’t afford to offend.”
“Offend? Screw that!”
He Ran had built a reputation in the industry for his efficiency, though he was also known for his temper. He was straightforward and unafraid of offending others.
But this matter didn’t sit well with him.
Riding like the wind, he raced back home. The house was empty.
No surprise—his grandmother must have gone grocery shopping for discounted items.
He sent Jian Xi a text: [I’ll pick you up after work.]
Predictably, there was no reply. He stuffed his phone into his pocket and headed toward Lin Jia’s place.
But halfway there, as he approached the alleyway, he slowed down.
This narrow path connected to an abandoned wasteland and was the only way to reach Lin Jia on foot. Though it was daytime, the streets were eerily deserted. He Ran’s instincts for danger were sharp. He slowed his pace, scanning his surroundings carefully. Sure enough, as he passed a corner—
Two men leapt out from behind him, wielding steel pipes and striking him on the back.
He Ran’s quick reflexes allowed him to grab one man’s arm, but he couldn’t dodge the second blow. Pain shot through him instantly.
“Shit!” He Ran clutched his shoulder and retaliated, but halted mid-punch.
About six meters ahead, three black cars stood like scars in the daylight. A dozen burly men dressed in black lined up neatly, with a man wearing a Tang suit standing in the center.
He Ran swallowed hard, tasting blood in his mouth as he greeted, “Boss Jia.”
Boss Jia chuckled lightly and nodded at him. Standing in the biting December wind, he asked, “Oh, what happened to your shoulder?”
He Ran steadied himself, enduring the pain as he straightened up. Calmly, he replied, “The weather’s changing—it’s triggering my joint pain.”
Boss Jia kept smiling, walking closer. “We’ve known each other for three years, yet I never knew you had such an issue.”
He Ran stood firm in the cold wind, his expression unchanged. “Boss Jia handles big matters—I’m just a small fry. No need to concern yourself with me.”
Boss Jia laughed heartily but suddenly picked up a steel pipe prepared by his subordinates and swung it at He Ran’s shoulder.
A loud thud echoed as flesh met metal. He Ran’s scalp tingled.
The right shoulder that had taken two blows felt as if it were broken. Sweat poured down his face, but he clenched his fists tightly, refusing to collapse onto his knees.
“Do you know why I hit you?” Boss Jia toyed with the steel pipe as if he’d just finished a round of golf.
He Ran remained silent.
Boss Jia sneered coldly. “I told you to collect the debt, and you dared to act so defiant.”
“It was you.” He Ran looked up, his brows furrowed deeply.
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone so arrogant. Once I heard it was you, well, it all made sense.” Boss Jia clicked his tongue in admiration.
He Ran thought bitterly, Fuck off! You set me up and waited for me to fall into your trap.
Outwardly, he maintained a detached smile and politely said, “Boss Jia, thank you for still valuing me, but I have my limitations. Please don’t hold it against me.”
“I already do. So what?”
He Ran didn’t speak further. Instead, he stood even straighter, hands hanging loosely by his sides, feet slightly apart—a stance ready to endure punishment. “I’ll say it again—you do as you please.”
Boss Jia’s eyes grew colder. His henchmen began to stir restlessly. After a while, he walked up to He Ran, his demeanor suddenly warm and friendly. “If you came back to help me, I’d be overjoyed. Don’t worry—I won’t force you.”
He feigned sincerity, signaling to his men to retreat into their vehicles.
Only then did He Ran relax slightly, clutching his throbbing shoulder as he gasped for breath.
Reflecting on Boss Jia’s final words—”I won’t force you”—He Ran smirked. He knew these kinds of people too well; their tricks were despicable.
Sure enough.
As dusk fell, the police arrived. After confirming He Ran’s identity, they said sternly, “We suspect you of kidnapping and threatening the debtor’s daughter. Please come with us for questioning.”
________________________________________
At the First Municipal Hospital.
Just before finishing her shift, Jian Xi admitted a pregnant woman showing signs of a threatened miscarriage. By the time she settled everything, it was nearly eight o’clock. Checking her unread messages, she paused when she saw He Ran’s text from four hours earlier: [I’ll pick you up after work.]
Would he still be waiting at this hour?
She quickly dismissed the thought, mocking herself. Whether he waited or not had nothing to do with her.
After changing out of her work clothes and leaving the hospital, her phone rang inside her bag.
Jian Xi couldn’t explain why her heart pounded wildly the moment the call came in.
She picked it up—it wasn’t He Ran but an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?” Jian Xi answered.
“Dr. Jian? Dr. Jian, it’s me, Lin Jia!” The voice on the other end sounded frantic. “You helped me at the KTV last time…”
“I remember,” Jian Xi said, pausing briefly. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Jia’s voice trembled, almost on the verge of tears. “Dr. Jian, I know I shouldn’t bother you with this, and Ran Ge forbade me from contacting you, but I’m out of options. I… I…”
“He Ran?” Jian Xi interrupted, frowning. “Slow down. What happened to him?”
“Someone accused him of kidnapping and threatening a little girl. Last night, he took on a debt collection job, and the girl is the debtor’s daughter.”
“The girl went missing at ten in the morning, but Ran Ge said…” Lin Jia’s explanation was cut short by Jian Xi.
“I saw him at ten. He was at the hospital until eleven.”
Jian Xi was already seated in her car, asking decisively, “Where is he being held? I’m coming right now—I’ll testify.”
An hour later, she arrived at the police station located in the far outskirts of the city.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Jian Xi noticed five or six rough-looking youths loitering outside the station. Despite the freezing weather, one of them wore short sleeves, his arms covered in menacing dragon and tiger tattoos.
When they spotted Jian Xi, they whistled and laughed mockingly. Someone shouted, “Stay out of this, lady!”
“Dr. Jian!” Lin Jia rushed out from the station entrance.
Ignoring their taunts, Jian Xi asked, “Where’s He Ran?”
“I’ll take you!” Lin Jia led her inside. “Ran Ge strictly forbade me from contacting you. He said if I involved you, we’d never be brothers again. But I couldn’t stand by and watch him get framed.”
Hearing this, Jian Xi’s emotions churned. She softly reassured him, “It’s fine. I’ll testify that he wasn’t there.”
But before they reached the interrogation room, a loud crash erupted from one of the rooms—chairs and tables toppling over. A policeman shouted, “What do you think you’re doing?! Don’t move!”
More sounds followed—scuffling and what seemed like the impact of batons hitting flesh.
Jian Xi strained to identify the commotion. Suddenly, a figure darted out of a room to her right. Her eyes widened—it was He Ran.
Handcuffed, he struggled furiously, pursued by startled policemen brandishing batons.
“You fucking dare come here?!” He Ran roared at Jian Xi. “Is this a place for you to be?!”
Suppressing her racing heart, Jian Xi calmly explained, “At ten o’clock, you were clearly at the hospital. I…”
“I don’t need your damn testimony!” He Ran was being dragged back into the room by the police, his voice low but filled with anger. “Go home!”
His harsh tone stung Jian Xi. Unexplainable委屈 (grievance) welled up, and her eyes reddened.
Seeing her reaction, He Ran’s anger softened. He coaxed her gently, “Listen to me.”
Since Boss Jia had dug this pit for him, it was clear he intended to bury him alive. He Ran could endure, suffer, and accept whatever unjust accusations came his way—but not Jian Xi. He wouldn’t allow her to be hurt in any way.
With that in mind, He Ran hardened his resolve, putting on a fierce expression. Turning to Lin Jia beside him, he barked, “If you don’t take her away right now, I swear I’ll cause trouble for the cops, and they’ll lock me up for a year or two. Do you want to live with that guilt?”
Lin Jia knew He Ran was capable of such actions. Pale-faced, he pushed Jian Xi toward the exit. Outside, the wind picked up, and the chaos subsided momentarily. Lin Jia looked utterly dejected.
“Dr. Jian, I’m sorry. Ran Ge has this temper—he didn’t want you involved because he feared you’d get caught up in this mess. Those people aren’t human.”
Jian Xi’s mood was terrible, and she didn’t feel like talking.
Lin Jia’s nose turned red as he forced himself to perk up. “Thank you. I’ll find another way.”
“What other way?” Jian Xi finally spoke up after a long silence.
“I…” Lin Jia clenched his fists tightly. “I’ll confront them and demand justice!”
“Wait.” Jian Xi stopped him. “Stay put.”
She remembered that He Ran had mentioned Lin Jia’s wife was about to give birth, and his entire family depended on him.
Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Jian Xi walked toward her car. “Give me two hours. If anything happens, call me.”
Lin Jia nodded woodenly, watching as the white Audi sped out of sight like a streak of light.
________________________________________
Municipal Government Office Building.
Though it was past nine o’clock, the building was brightly lit, bustling with activity不分昼夜.
Jian Xi took the elevator to the ninth floor, where she was informed that personnel were still in a meeting regarding water conservancy and hydropower projects. She waited in the reception area.
Ten minutes later, the meeting hall began to stir. The double mahogany doors were pushed open from the inside.
A line of men in black suits filed out in an orderly fashion. Leading the group was Jian Yanqing, who was quietly conversing with someone beside him.
“Mayor Jian, we need your urgent approval.” The secretary handed over a red-headed document and a ministerial transfer order.
Jian Yanqing nodded. “Let’s head back to the office.”
Jian Xi emerged from the reception room and called out, “Dad.”
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