C16 Encountering Harassment

Tang Xin had been so focused on making sure Ling Yue had something to eat that she had neglected her own hunger. As she approached a roadside stall, the delicious aroma wafted over to her, and she couldn't resist buying a snack.

The elderly vendor, after seeing Tang Xin's generous order, only charged her ten yuan. Tang Xin waited patiently as the woman packaged her order, but unexpectedly, a thug looking for trouble arrived during the transaction.

The thug snatched the snacks from the vendor's hands and tossed them aside, then with a menacing look, he began throwing items from the cart into the pot. "Hey, old lady, you haven't paid this month's protection fee, have you?" he sneered.

The vendor's hands shook as she wrung them anxiously. "I really don't have any money this month," she said, giving Tang Xin meaningful glances, signaling her to get away from the dangerous situation.

But Tang Xin couldn't just stand by and watch.

"Who are you? Since when does any department collect protection fees?" she challenged.

The thugs seemed to notice Tang Xin for the first time, grinning lecherously as they closed in on her. "Old lady, is this your daughter? She's quite the looker. How about you lend her to us, and we'll call it even on the protection fees?"

Upon hearing this, the vendor quickly stepped in front of Tang Xin, shielding her. "She's just a customer, not my daughter. I truly don't have any money this month. My husband is sick in the hospital, and we can't even pay his medical bills..."

The thugs shoved the vendor aside, indifferent to her plight, and made a beeline for Tang Xin.

Tang Xin held her phone out, displaying Officer Ling's contact on the screen, and as she backed away, she declared, "I've already called the police. I've taken your photo. If anything happens to me, none of you will get away with it!"

Her words seemed to intimidate the thugs, who exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether to advance. At that moment, the call connected, and Ling Yue's voice came through, "Tang Xin, what's the matter? Why did you suddenly call?"

Tang Xin's heart leapt to her throat. She was terrified that Ling Yue would blurt out something shocking, but luckily, he assumed Tang Xin had dialed the phone by accident and quickly ended the call.

After Tang Xin hung up, one of the individuals swiftly grabbed her phone. "Oh, without your phone, how are you going to call the cops?"

Sweat beaded on Tang Xin's forehead. The area was deserted; everyone had scattered, fearing that trouble would spill over and they would get caught in the crossfire.

Just as the thugs were closing in on Tang Xin, the wail of police sirens pierced the air. Officers arrived in force and quickly subdued the gang.

Tang Xin breathed a sigh of relief and turned her attention to the woman who had collapsed on the ground in fear. "Ma'am, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," the woman said through tears. "I'm sorry for causing you such trouble."

Tang Xin shook her head. "No trouble at all. We should be thankful you called the police."

"I didn't call the police," the woman replied, dabbing at her eyes. "I don't have a cell phone."

Tang Xin was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't noticed the car nearby, nor Ho Li, who was seated inside.

To Ho Li, Tang Xin had always been self-centered. She had been selfish enough to have Tang Ning take the fall for her in a past car accident to protect her own reputation. But now, with this incident having nothing to do with Tang Xin, why did she step in to help the woman?

Tang Xin was becoming increasingly enigmatic.