C17 Towards Women.

"You can't pin this on me—you're the one who started it."

Wang Xiao spread his hands with an air of innocence, looking at Xuu Xueqing with a hint of grievance.

The words "took the initiative" ignited a fiery rage within Xuu Xueqing that she couldn't suppress. Her emotions got the better of her as she clenched her fist and lunged at Wang Xiao.

"You jerk, you despicable scoundrel, drop dead!"

Xuu Xueqing was no stranger to self-defense techniques, and her punch packed a considerable punch.

Wang Xiao, however, seemed utterly unfazed, standing his ground without flinching.

"Hmph, not even trying to dodge? We'll see how I deal with you today!"

A smirk crept onto Xuu Xueqing's pretty face as she saw Wang Xiao's inaction, her fist poised inches from his chest.

"Officer Xueqing, your punch is strong, but not enough to hurt me," Wang Xiao said, just as her fist nearly connected with his chest. In a swift move, he caught her delicate, pale fist in his grasp.

He began to stroke her hand right before her eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a smug, satisfied grin.

Feeling his touch and seeing that smirk, Xuu Xueqing's body shuddered as if struck by lightning. She had never allowed a man to touch her hand before.

"Let go of my hand, you bastard, or I swear I'll kill you!"

Her face flushed with a mix of shame and fury as she demanded her hand back from Wang Xiao.

"Alright, I'm letting go," Wang Xiao chuckled, releasing her hand as promised.

"Stop right there, you jerk!"

Her hand now free, Xuu Xueqing's face blazed with anger. She pulled back her fist and with a swift motion, her slender leg aimed a kick at Wang Xiao's legs.

"Whoa, Officer Xueqing, isn't this a bit much?" Wang Xiao exclaimed, eyebrows lifted in surprise as he agilely sidestepped her fierce kick.

"Hmph!"

Xuu Xueqing's fury only intensified when she saw Wang Xiao evade her strike. She pivoted on her legs and launched another kick in his direction.

"Coming at me again?"

Wang Xiao's eyebrows lifted as he witnessed Xuu Xueqing's aggressive move. With a swift sidestep, he dodged her blow and, reaching out with his right hand, he delivered a firm slap to Xuu Xueqing's resilient rear.

Slap.

The crisp sound echoed abruptly through the air.

Xuu Xueqing stood frozen, her face etched with disbelief.

That complete Stinky Rascal had the audacity to slap her there!

"Officer Xue Qing, ready for another round?"

Wang Xiao's voice rang out, laced with mockery as he flashed a roguish grin at Xuu Xueqing.

"You jerk, I'll kill you!"

Rage surged through Xuu Xueqing, overwhelming any other concern. She drew her pistol from her waist, intent on engaging the safety.

Ding Ling...

Just then, the ringtone from Xuu Xueqing's phone pierced the tension. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Chief Huo Bao.

"Xue Qing, have you apprehended a young man named Wang Xiao?"

Chief Huo Bao's authoritative voice traveled from the other end of the line.

Xuu Xueqing was taken aback. How did the Chief know about this?

Nevertheless, she responded honestly, "Yes, Chief Huo Bao. It's a straightforward case of a fight. We have statements from both parties. Wang Xiao acted in self-defense, but there are still some aspects I'm uncertain about..."

"Enough of this foolishness. If the investigation is complete, release him promptly and proceed with the appropriate measures. What do you think you're doing?"

Chief Huo Bao cut her off before she could finish, his voice stern. He had just taken a call from his superiors instructing him to release Wang Xiao, and he wasn't about to let Xuu Xueqing cause any more trouble.

After a stern reprimand from Chief Huo Bao, Xuu Xueqing's expression soured. She turned to Wang Xiao, teeth clenched, and hissed, "Stinky Rascal, get out of here!"

"Uh, you're not holding me anymore?"

Wang Xiao couldn't resist asking when he heard this.

"Detain my sister? Detaining a stinky rascal like you is just a waste of food!"

Xuu Xueqing yelled at Wang Xiao before storming out of the interrogation room.

Watching Xuu Xueqing leave in a fury, a subtle smile played at the corners of Wang Xiao's mouth, and his gaze sharpened.

It was obvious that the phone call had something to do with his release. The caller appeared to be Xuu Xueqing's boss, yet he didn't recognize this Director Huo Bao.

Who had intervened on his behalf?

"Man, you're something else. How did you manage to win over our police beauty so quickly? Got any tips or tricks to share?"

As soon as Wang Xiao stepped out of the interrogation room, several young male officers crowded around him, eager for some insight.

They had seen Xuu Xueqing exit the interrogation room, her cheeks flushed, not speaking to them, and assumed she was just shy. They couldn't help but look up to Wang Xiao.

"Ahem, well, there's really no big secret. Basically, when it comes to women, you've got to be as gentle as a spring drizzle with your words, but as forceful as a tempest with your actions!"

Wang Xiao cleared his throat and imparted his advice to the young officers with a straight face.

"I see, that's quite enlightening."

The young officers nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting a newfound understanding as they regarded Wang Xiao with even greater respect.

"What are you all chatting about?"

Just then, a chilling female voice cut through the air behind them.

Xuu Xueqing, having returned, fixed a frosty gaze on Wang Xiao and the others, her tone icy as she interrogated them.

These guys had dared to badmouth her in her absence!

"Cough, I just remembered I need to go on patrol."

"Me too, hold up for me."

Seeing Xuu Xueqing, the young officers scattered like startled birds, all but Wang Xiao making a hasty exit.

"Haha..."

Wang Xiao could only offer Xuu Xueqing a sheepish grin.

Without so much as a glance at Wang Xiao, Xuu Xueqing turned on her heel and walked away.

...

After stepping out of the police station, the clock had struck noon. Wang Xiao meandered for a bit before deciding to look for a place to grab lunch.

Ding Ling...

Just then, his phone rang. It was Tong Waner calling.

"Waner, what's up?"

Wang Xiao inquired as he answered the call.

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, you need to hurry! They're about to take Xiao Qing away!"

Tong Waner's voice was laced with urgency and a quiver that suggested tears. Wang Xiao's brow furrowed upon hearing this.

Through recent interactions, he had come to know Xiao Qing as Tong Waner's best friend—a young woman of delicate features, quiet demeanor, from a modest background, and very close to Tong Waner.

Not fully grasping the situation but sensing the gravity, he reassured Tong Waner and quickly made his way to her.

Soon, he reached the decrepit residential building Tong Waner had mentioned. The building's disrepair spoke volumes about the humble lives of its inhabitants.

"Please, don't take my daughter. Just give me a little more time, I'll pay back everything I owe you."

"Enough talk. Today, you either cough up the cash or your daughter becomes the bar's 'drinking princess'!"

Wang Xiao could hear the commotion from the stairwell before he even approached. His frown deepened, and he hastened his steps.

...

The three-bedroom apartment was in disarray—newspapers and debris strewn about, furniture upended as though ransacked.

A gang of thugs filled the room, led by a man with a crew cut whose defiant eyes glared as he assaulted the middle-aged man before him, spewing insults, "You old fool, if you're broke, then your daughter can work off the debt at the bar!"

A middle-aged woman and a demure girl clung to each other, weeping inconsolably, while a strikingly beautiful girl stood aside, her face etched with fury.

"Brother Gou, remember you agreed to lend me ten thousand yuan for my wife's medical treatment? We said we'd pay it back in installments once Xiao Qing started college. How can you demand repayment now when we're clearly strapped for cash?"

Xiao Qing's father clung desperately to Brother Gou's leg, pleading with a voice filled with misery, his face already swollen and bruised from a beating, but he seemed to disregard his own pain.

"I'm not concerned with that. All I want is the money, right now."

Brother Gou, the man with the crew cut, let out a cold snort and sneered at Xiao Qing's father.

He didn't actually care about the ten thousand yuan. His real interest had been piqued a few days ago when he caught sight of Xiao Qing's innocent and demure face, which sparked his malicious intent. He concocted an excuse to coerce Xiao Qing into working at his bar.

Once Xiao Qing was in his bar, he could do whatever he pleased with her.

A glint of predatory anticipation flickered in Brother Gou's eyes at the thought.

"You're driving us into a corner on purpose!"

Xiao Qing's father exclaimed, his face flushed with anger as he confronted Brother Gou.

"What did you just say, you old fool!"

Brother Gou's expression turned grim upon hearing Xiao Qing's father's accusation. He lashed out with his foot, delivering a harsh kick to the man's abdomen.

Xiao Qing's father doubled over, howling in agony.

"Enough! I'll pay Xiao Qing's debt."

Tong Waner couldn't bear to watch any longer. She glared at Brother Gou, her voice seething with anger.

"Well, what do we have here? A stunning beauty!"

Brother Gou's attention shifted to Tong Waner, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her exquisite features. A sleazy grin spread across his face.

His henchmen's eyes gleamed with the same unsavory light, ogling Tong Waner with undisguised lust and covetousness.