Stone Yu held the phone receiver in his left hand while dialing a string of numbers with his right. Though he had only seen it once, he remembered Bai Lian’s number without needing to look it up.
The phone rang several times with no answer.
Nearby, the Dean of the Chinese Department sat back down, picking up his cold tea while watching Stone Yu intently.
The call disconnected automatically.
If Bai Lian was in the library, Stone Yu could understand her phone being on silent, but she had said she was coming to school. He placed the receiver back on the cradle.
Something felt odd.
Stone Yu guessed Bai Lian might be arriving soon, so he waited a moment before looking up at the Chinese Department Dean. “Dean Shu, student Bai Lian wants to apply for the Tongfeng class.”
Dean Shu had very short hair. He sat there exuding an elegant, peaceful aura.
Hearing Stone Yu’s words, he set down his teacup and replied, “I know.”
The Dean didn’t say anything more.
Stone Yu had talked with Bai Lian’s homeroom teacher – Bai Lian was an excellent student who loved learning and respected her teachers. After meeting her twice, Stone Yu knew this himself.
Talking to Bai Lian was truly pleasant. She had a noble demeanor and carried herself with humility.
Stone Yu felt she must have been influenced by great literary masters in her youth. Such cultural depth wasn’t common, though he wondered which reclusive literary master resided in Xiangcheng.
It wasn’t surprising that Dean Shu was looking for Bai Lian.
There was only one perfect score essay this year, and the Dean surely knew who wrote it.
Unfortunately, the writer was Bai Lian. If it had been any other average student, Dean Shu would have certainly overruled everyone to admit them to Jiang University’s Chinese Department.
Concerned about Bai Lian, Stone Yu reached for the phone again. This time the call rang twice before being disconnected.
His calm expression vanished as he stared at the phone for several seconds before redialing—
“Sorry, the number you’ve dialed is powered off…”
This time the phone was completely off. Stone Yu stood up and put down the receiver.
“What’s wrong?” Dean Shu noticed his troubled expression.
“Someone turned off her phone.” Stone Yu’s face darkened as he took out his own mobile phone.
Someone had turned it off – she hadn’t turned it off herself.
**
Yunxiao District Police Station.
The man in charge of the case turned off the constantly ringing phone and rested his hand on the desk. “Wouldn’t have guessed you could be so vicious.”
He had already confirmed this girl wasn’t from Jiangjing and only had a grandparent at home.
Bai Lian glanced at him without responding, only looking at the silenced phone.
The internal line rang, and he went outside to answer it.
The female officer who took over sat down across from Bai Lian to continue the interrogation.
She looked down at the record before raising her head to look at the girl opposite her. “Do you have anything else to add? Did you really hit them?”
The girl across from her was resting her chin on her hand, her black hair meticulously tied up, dressed in pure white. Her eyes were cold and dark.
She seemed to be in a bad mood.
Although both parties had accused her of assault, seeing the person in question, the female officer still found it hard to believe.
“Yes.” Bai Lian admitted without hesitation.
The female officer seemed about to speak but held back, finally taking out a form for Bai Lian to fill with her information.
Bai Lian took it, glanced at it, and filled in her name, phone number, and Jiangjing address.
Her handwriting was neat and beautiful. The more the female officer looked, the less she believed this girl could be violent.
After finishing writing, Bai Lian looked up at the nameplate on the female officer’s desk. “Officer Sun, how is my friend?”
“She’s been sent to the hospital, don’t worry,” Officer Sun was experienced. She paused before continuing, “We’re waiting for her follow-up medical report, but… try to resolve this peacefully with them.”
She had seen all types in Jiangjing. One look at Xu Zhiyue and she understood what kind of situation this was.
She just couldn’t believe the terrifying combat ability of the girl before her.
The interrogation room was recording, so Officer Sun couldn’t reveal too much, only subtly hinting to Bai Lian that the person she hit wasn’t someone to mess with.
In Jiangjing, there was gold everywhere – one misstep and you could step on any of them.
Bai Lian’s information had been recorded when she was in the police car.
Not being local and seemingly without family backing, Officer Sun felt uneasy about her encountering Jiangjing’s wealthy young masters.
“Can I have my phone back?” Bai Lian’s gaze fell on the phone beside Officer Sun.
Phones were confiscated upon entering the interrogation room.
Officer Sun looked at Bai Lian, paused, then said, “Who do you need to contact? I’ll help you.”
She pressed the power button to turn it on.
The facial unlock wouldn’t work right after startup. “What’s your phone password?”
“183526794.” Bai Lian’s fingers tapped the table casually.
Officer Sun paused, looking down at the phone screen again – it was a pattern lock. “Your phone doesn’t use a number password…”
“Mm, 183526794.” Bai Lian sat with a casual posture. “Just connect those numbers in sequence.”
The sequence was quite complex. Officer Sun had to write it down in her interrogation notes to remember it.
She took the phone outside and followed the numbers on her notes one by one to create the pattern.
After connecting them all, she looked at the lock screen pattern and belatedly realized Bai Lian had used all the numbers, and not only that – none of the connecting lines were parallel, each having a different slope.
She had never seen such a complex pattern before. She was stunned for a moment before unlocking the phone.
At the bottom were five missed calls.
Opening them showed they were from a local Jiangjing landline.
She went back and opened WeChat. There were many messages, the earlier ones from White Tank Top and He Wen – names she didn’t recognize.
She only recognized one name – Yan Lu.
But Officer Sun didn’t think it was the currently famous actress “Yan Lu”, just assuming it was someone with the same name.
She didn’t scroll down further, only following Bai Lian’s request to send two “1”s to the pinned contacts “Grandfather” and “Teacher Jiang”, then finally sending a message to Principal Shi.
Then she turned off the phone.
**
Meanwhile.
In a private room at Yunxiao Hotel, Madam Xu held Buddhist prayer beads while smiling at the elderly lady opposite her. “It’s rare for two young people to take a liking to each other.”
Opposite her was Madam Yu.
Her hair was graying, cut ear-length, and she wore a black and gold qipao. Her occasional glances revealed extremely sharp eyes.
“Zhiyue is a good child,” she lowered her head to brush away the foam in her celadon teacup, speaking slowly and deliberately. “Yiyi also thinks highly of her.”
She casually mentioned Yu Hongyi. Madam Xu immediately sat up straight.
The Yu family was in politics. Yu Hongkuan was a playboy with no achievements, relying entirely on his sister Yu Hongyi. Many high-ranking officials’ sons wanted to marry Yu Hongyi, but few wanted to marry Yu Hongkuan.
Xu Zhiyue wasn’t the Xu family’s biological child, but Madam Xu had raised her personally.
Most importantly, Madam Yu had met Xu Zhiyue and found her truly excellent in academics and easy to control.
Both sides tacitly agreed to this marriage alliance.
“It’s also Yueyue’s blessing to be appreciated by Miss Yu.” Madam Xu’s smile grew wider.
She was reluctant to give up Xu Zhiyue, but now she didn’t dare touch Bai Lian – you can’t catch a wolf if you’re unwilling to sacrifice the bait.
Madam Yu lowered her head to drink tea, saying casually, “I heard you’re looking for antique calligraphy? Someone just gave Yiyi an original piece a few days ago, I’ll have it sent to the Xu residence tomorrow.”
This was also one of Madam Xu’s objectives.
Their branch had just split off and lacked deep cultural heritage. Xu En only knew one old classmate in the art world whose daughter was in the Calligraphy Association. They had inquired about some collectors but none were willing to part with their pieces.
The collectors themselves came from distinguished backgrounds and didn’t need money. The Xu family hadn’t reached a level where they could ask for such favors.
As they talked, the female bodyguard behind Madam Yu received a phone call and passed it to her.
After taking the call, Madam Yu’s expression turned cold. “Alright, I’ll come right away.”
**
Traffic was heavy at this hour.
After following the Yu family to the hospital, Madam Xu couldn’t even see Yu Hongkuan. The Yu family’s bodyguards blocked the door, coldly looking at Madam Xu. “Sorry, following Young Miss’s orders, Young Master Yu isn’t seeing anyone now.”
Yu Hongkuan was in a high-ranking official’s ward in the Yunxiao district hospital. Madam Xu couldn’t get in.
When she asked what happened, these people kept silent. The person in charge only said flatly, “If you have any questions, go downstairs and ask your granddaughter.”
Related to Xu Zhiyue?
Madam Xu’s heart skipped a beat.
She could see police officers at the entrance through the crowd. Leaning on her cane, she felt extremely uneasy.
“Let’s go downstairs to check on Miss first,” Butler Xu consoled her. “Miss Zhiyue always listens to you. She’s not the type to cause trouble.”
Indeed, Xu Zhiyue focused only on studying with almost no social life.
Quiet and well-mannered, Madam Xu hurried downstairs.
Downstairs was a regular ward, with police still standing outside Xu Zhiyue’s room taking statements.
Xu Zhiyue was still lying in the hospital bed.
“Are you her grandmother?” The police saw Madam Xu and narrowed their eyes, holding their notes. “Then please tell us, what is your relationship with Bai Lian?”
Bai Lian?
Madam Xu instinctively felt this matter wasn’t simple. “My granddaughter’s friend.”
“Mm,” the police nodded. As involved family members, he revealed a little, “This matter isn’t directly related to your granddaughter. Bai Lian was the one who took action – she beat up that Young Master Yu, and besides him, she also beat up more than ten others in the private room. This won’t be easy to resolve.”
That Young Master Yu aside.
The gathering he organized – everyone who could attend had some degree of power in their family.
One would be enough, but adding up to more than ten…
Madam Xu nearly fainted.
Butler Xu quickly supported her. “Madam!”
In the ward, Xu Zhiyue blinked, looking at the phone beside her. She held her head as she got up and found Xu En’s number to dial.
**
Upstairs.
“Grandmother, look,” Yu Hongkuan pointed at the wound on his head with over ten stitches, grimacing in pain. “You and sister must seek justice for me.”
Though commanding wind and rain outside, before the two extremely capable women in his family, he knew well how to play pitiful.
He didn’t let the doctor wrap it in gauze, specifically letting his grandmother see it. The doctor didn’t dare speak.
Madam Yu immediately saw the horrific scar.
Since Yu Hongyi’s rise to power, many had rushed to curry favor with the Yu family – the Chen family alone had quite a few people.
They had moved to the edge of Yunxiao district. Who would dare touch them?
“How did you all watch over the Young Master?” She coldly swept her gaze across the bodyguards in the room. The bodyguards all lowered their heads, not daring to speak. “Who did this?”
“Bai Lian, Xu En’s stepdaughter.” One bodyguard told the whole story from beginning to end, including the matter with Xu Zhiyue. “How dare you – that’s Xu En’s daughter. You know how the Xu family has been this past year?”
Yu Hongkuan’s expression turned extremely gloomy at the mention of Bai Lian. “Grandmother, that stepdaughter…”
“I know.” Her grandson’s playboy ways – Madam Yu had always turned a blind eye. This time the trouble was rather big. She could educate Yu Hongkuan behind closed doors, but being publicly beaten like this was another matter entirely.
Outside, the female bodyguard handed Madam Yu a report.
Madam Yu looked down – it was Xu Zhiyue’s diagnostic report.
Hallucinogenic components were detected.
She slowly crumpled the report and tossed it in the trash. “Issue a new report.”
Then she took the phone from the female bodyguard’s hand. “Hello, Captain Chen…”
**
Police Station.
When Xu En and his group arrived, Bai Lian was still in the detention room.
Xu En had already learned about the case on the way – fighting and assault. He didn’t know the specific situation, only roughly that it was related to Xu Zhiyue.
Regardless, he needed to bail her out first.
“You mean Bai Lian?” Hearing Bai Lian’s name, Officer Sun looked at Xu En. “Mr. Xu, I’m afraid she can’t be bailed out.”
“Why?” Xu En stood up, his expression changing.
Officer Sun had a good impression of Bai Lian. She lowered her voice, “This incident involves more than ten families – the Yu family, Zheng family, Wang family… they’ve all called our Captain Zhang. Most importantly, Captain Chen also called.”
In Jiangjing, hearing the name “Chen”, one inevitably thought of the Chen family.
“Captain Chen?” Xu En knew Yu Hongyi was like a fish in water at the Chen family. His only knowledge of the Chen family was Chen Ju.
Who was this Captain Chen?
“He communicated directly with our bureau chief,” Officer Sun was just a small police officer after all and couldn’t say too much. “They were former comrades. You should prepare yourselves – she’s likely to have a criminal record.”
Speaking of which, Officer Sun couldn’t help but feel helpless. So this girl had backing after all – no wonder she dared to take action directly. But…
She was truly a “brute” – Jiangjing was so big, there was always someone more powerful. Her backing was clearly not as strong as the others.
Offending so many people at once, and among them one with such a powerful background.
Xu En had brought a lawyer, originally thinking he could bring Bai Lian back first.
Not only could they not bring her back, they couldn’t even see her.
At the hospital, Xu En had also arrived. He lit a cigarette and stood there, his gaze deep.
“The Yu family… she really has good taste,” Madam Xu tapped her cane, calling Xu En from the hospital. “You’re still thinking about bail? Shouldn’t you be thinking about how to appease the Yu family? They wouldn’t even let me into their ward.”
Ji Mulan stood beside Xu En, listening from the side, feeling her stomach ache.
“This Yu family…” Ji Mulan turned to ask Xu’s assistant, her heart starting to flutter.
Recently Madam Xu’s attitude toward Bai Lian had been extremely good, and she had been decent to her too. This was the first time in recent memory that Madam Xu had mentioned Bai Lian in such a displeased tone.
She knew Bai Lian had caused no small trouble this time.
“The Yu family, they’re Chen family people. The other families also have backgrounds,” Xu’s assistant explained in a low voice. “They want Miss Bai to have a criminal record.”
Ji Mulan nearly fainted.
Bai Lian used to be unruly before, but that was just children’s roughhousing. Back then in Beicheng, the Bai family could resolve most things.
This year she hadn’t heard of Bai Lian causing trouble, thinking she had truly reformed.
Unexpectedly, when she did cause trouble, it was this big.
Any one of these families alone could match the Xu family.
A criminal record would make everything inconvenient in the future, affecting three generations.
“Go to the hospital and find out the situation,” Xu En stubbed out his cigarette and walked to the car. The police station refused to reveal information to them. Xu En didn’t believe Bai Lian would act without reason. “Help me contact Director Shen’s secretary.”
“Okay.” Xu’s assistant took out his phone.
Since the wedding, the Xu family had been in frequent contact with Director Shen.
The car quickly arrived at the hospital.
One look at Xu Zhiyue’s condition and Xu En knew Madam Xu had hidden something from him.
He held back his anger and glanced at Madam Xu. The old lady rarely didn’t explain herself, only closing her eyes and turning her prayer beads. “Let’s not discuss Zhiyue’s matter first. You should solve your stepdaughter’s problem first.”
“Without Ah Lian, do you know what would have happened to Zhiyue?” Xu En looked at the old lady in disbelief.
This time the old lady didn’t answer.
Xu Zhiyue had already been priced in her eyes.
“Director Shen is calling.” Xu’s assistant handed the phone to Xu En.
After giving the old lady a cold look, Xu En walked outside to answer.
**
Police Station.
Officer Sun saw off Xu En and noticed her captain, Officer Zhang who had questioned Bai Lian earlier. “Captain Zhang, this student’s fighting case should be eligible for bail…”
Zhang had already received calls from the Chen family. Estimating this would lead to his promotion, he only glanced at her. “Officer Sun, know your place. The Chen family has spoken – this matter isn’t for you or me to handle. Watch yourself.”
Captain Zhang casually placed two books aside – they were basic music theory books.
Both were bloodstained, belonging to Bai Lian.
He had thoroughly investigated Bai Lian. Her information database was blank, but after the Xu family’s visit, he understood.
Officer Sun fell silent, having known all along.
She returned to her desk.
The phone in her drawer rang – it was from that girl’s phone.
Officer Sun took it out to see a local number with no saved name.
It had already called three times.
Officer Sun, who was about to turn it off, still answered.
An elderly voice came from the other end: “I almost had someone track your location. You said you were fine, so when can you come? You stood up Dean Shu this time.”
“Hello,” Officer Sun waited for him to finish before saying, “Student Bai is currently in detention, not allowed bail, so she can’t take your calls…”
She briefly explained.
On the other end.
Stone Yu froze completely, incredulous. “You say she’s where?”
“Yunxiao District Fumin Road Police Station.” Officer Sun gave the address.
Stone Yu heard the address and hung up, frowning deeply.
Nearly nine o’clock – he was about to head home, but after receiving the call, he looked up. “Go to Fumin Road Police Station.”
As he spoke, he took out his phone and dialed another number.
Meanwhile, Officer Sun hung up feeling somewhat strange. She was about to put the phone back on silent.
Her phone lit up again.
This time the caller had a name saved—
[Xu San].
Must be someone Bai Lian knew. Remembering she had just received the Xu family, she thought this was from the same family and answered the call for Bai Lian.
From the phone came slightly noisy background sound. Xu Nanjing found a quiet bathroom to take the call. “Little sister Ah Lian, you must be done with your busy day? I’m at Sixing, Xi Jue is here too. He has something good, I extorted one for you…”
His voice carried a smile, extremely relaxed.
Everyone knew Bai Lian was done, returning from her uncle’s today.
“Hello,” Officer Sun hadn’t heard of any of these people, only surprised that being from the Xu family, how did he not know Bai Lian was at the police station. “Student Bai is still in the interrogation room, temporarily unable to come out…”
“Wait,” Xu Nanjing looked at his phone, dug his ear, thinking he had misheard. “What did you say?”
Officer Sun was also patient. Bai Lian had left a good impression, so she repeated once.
This time, Xu Nanjing finally heard clearly.
Detention was one thing, but not allowing bail?
Because of Chi Lu, Xu Nanjing had heard of these things – forced detention.
But…
Forced detention for a fight? He turned off the faucet, looking up at himself in the mirror, only asking one question: “No, which branch are you from?”
**
Mountain Sea Apartments.
Jiang Fuli had already received a “1”.
He knew Bai Lian was returning today. In 303, Lu Xiaohan sat by the sofa, playing puzzles with Jiang He.
Seeing Jiang Fuli return, she quickly stood up. “Brother Jiang.”
“Mm,” Jiang Fuli casually responded. He put down a pot of fresh flowers and looked toward the study. “She hasn’t returned?”
“No.” Lu Xiaohan swung her legs. “Isn’t she at her uncle’s?”
Bai Lian always stayed at the library until eleven PM. Lu Xiaohan wasn’t surprised by her late return.
Jiang Fuli arranged the flower pot and took out his phone, finding Ji Shaojun’s WeChat to send him a message.
Ji Shaojun replied quickly—
[She left at five.]
Five.
Jiang Fuli’s hand froze.
**
Yunxiao District Fumin Road’s Music Bureau Chief, Le Shaoming.
He had already finished work and returned home, changed into casual clothes, browsing cases on his computer in his study.
His phone rang beside him. Seeing it was Jiang University’s number, he quickly answered. “Principal Shi.”
“Student Bai?” Le Shaoming was stunned.
“Yes, she’s our school’s student this year. Several professors are very interested in her, and her character is absolutely without issue,” Stone Yu said. “Help me look into what exactly she did. I’m heading to your branch now.”
Jiang University’s principal wasn’t just a principal – his family carried weight throughout Jiangjing. Le Shaoming didn’t dare be negligent.
He quickly grabbed his car keys and went downstairs.
Just as he opened the car door downstairs, his phone rang again, this time an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Chief Le,” the other party immediately stated his surname, quite polite. “Our Third Young Master wants to ask what trouble his sister has gotten into.”
Le Shaoming’s vision darkened: “Third Young Master is…”
“Young Master Nanjing,” Butler Lin’s voice was gentle. “He’s already heading over. You know our Third Young Master acts without restraint. Apologizing to you in advance.”
Third Young Master Xu, Xu Nanjing.
Le Shaoming hung up and drove onto the main road, calling the station’s extension.
As soon as the call connected, before the operator could speak, he burst out: “Who’s on duty today? Just who did you force into detention, which ancestor did you lock up?”
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