The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

He paused, looking into Xiao Fuzi's eyes, where a faint glimmer of hope had rekindled:

"Today, I'll make an exception for you and spare your father this time. Guards—"

Liu Jiaxiang's voice suddenly rose in pitch:

"Go, bring that guy named Erqiangzi out here and release him!"

"Yes, Chief!"

Two nearby patrol officers immediately responded loudly, and as if granted a pardon, they turned and ran towards the detention room, their steps quick, afraid that if they were a step too slow, they would anger this ruthless director again.

Xiao Fuzi could hardly believe her ears. Overwhelmed with joy, she was stunned for a moment before reacting. She kowtowed repeatedly in Liu Jiaxiang's direction, her forehead hitting the blue bricks with a dull thud. Her voice rose with excitement, trembling and choked with sobs.

"Thank you, Your Honor! Thank you, Your Honor! Thank you for your mercy! Thank you for saving my father! Your kindness, Your Honor, is something I, Xiao Fuzi, could never repay, even if I were to serve you like a slave for the rest of my life! Thank you! Thank you!"

Her tears flowed like a broken string of pearls, a torrent of joy.

The door to the guard cell was opened with a bang and then slammed shut again.

A short while later, two patrol officers escorted a man out.

That man was Erqiangzi.

He was about forty years old, but looked much older than his actual age.

His weathered face was etched with deep wrinkles, as if carved by a knife and axe, especially the vertical line between his brows, which was so deep it looked like a ravine that could never be smoothed out. Most striking was an old scar about an inch long above his left brow bone, dark in color, like a dead centipede lying there, adding a touch of ferocity and desolation to his already sorrowful face.

His hair was a mess, like a bird's nest, mixed with a lot of gray and white. His face and neck were covered in dirt, probably from rubbing against the floor of the guard cell. His tattered cotton-padded jacket, patched in several places and washed until its original color was unrecognizable, was now covered with stains and bits of straw, emitting a foul odor that was a mixture of sweat, mustiness, and the musty smell unique to guard cells.

Erqiangzi was clearly terrified after being locked up overnight; his eyes were unfocused, filled with lingering fear and confusion.

When he was dragged out by two patrol officers, his legs were weak and he could barely stand.

He looked up blankly, the blinding sunlight making him squint instinctively. His cloudy eyes darted around, as if he hadn't quite figured out what was going on.

When his gaze fell upon the numerous patrol officers standing solemnly in the courtyard, especially upon seeing Liu Jiaxiang, who stood in the center of the courtyard, wearing a brand-new police uniform and exuding an imposing aura, his body trembled violently. His face instantly lost all color, his lips quivered, and he tried to say something but could not utter a sound, leaving only the clattering of his teeth.

He looked like a frightened bird that had just been dragged out of a trap and was facing a hunter, with only the most instinctive fear and helplessness left.

Seeing this, Xiao Fuzi quickly stepped forward to support her father. Er Qiangzi leaned half of his body on his daughter Xiao Fuzi's thin shoulder and staggered out of the courtyard of Xisi North Police Station.

The afternoon sun stung Erqiangzi's eyes, making him squint. His cloudy pupils still held the chill of the guard cell and the fear he felt when facing Liu Jiaxiang.

Erqiangzi had only taken two steps outside the door when his legs gave way and he almost fell over.

Xiao Fuzi hurriedly tried to support her father's heavy body, her thin arms trembling slightly.

"Father, please slow down."

Xiao Fuzi's voice was barely audible, carrying the weariness of surviving a disaster and a hint of barely perceptible comfort.

"From now on... let's not associate with those shady characters anymore, and just live a peaceful life pulling our rickshaws."

Before she could finish speaking, a heavy slap landed hard on Xiao Fuzi's face with a whoosh.

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound seemed particularly abrupt at the quiet alley entrance.

Xiao Fuzi was knocked so hard that she staggered, her head snapping to one side, and half of her cheek instantly swelled up, leaving clear finger marks on her pale skin.

She covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but bit her lower lip tightly, not daring to cry out.

"You good-for-nothing! You're trying to boss me around now!"

Erqiangzi was panting heavily, his eyes reddened with anger and the lingering smell of alcohol. He glared fiercely at his daughter as if she were his enemy.

"I've suffered so much, and where the hell have you been! Why did it take you so long to come pick me up! Were you deliberately trying to get those black dogs to beat me to death so you and your daughter could have your fun?!"

Xiao Fuzi trembled all over, ignoring the burning sensation on her face, and hurriedly explained in a tearful voice:

"No...no, Father! We...we really can't afford the fine...Mother and I...we've begged every neighbor in the neighborhood, but we haven't been able to borrow a single penny..."

"If it weren't for... if it weren't for the director's kindness, his pity on me, and his order to release you... we wouldn't be able to do anything about it now..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, filled with helplessness and grievance.

"Kind-hearted? Pshaw!"

Erqiangzi spat a mouthful of phlegm in the direction of the police station gate, his face filled with deep resentment.

"Blackie has a kind heart? Bullshit! I bet you two hate me to death! You wish I were dead in jail! Just wait until I get back, I'll deal with you!"

Erqiangzi's last words, "I'll deal with you," were like an ice-cold knife, piercing Xiaofuzi's heart.

Her body stiffened abruptly, as if she could already foresee the storm that was about to break in her home.

For a long time, the sounds of her father's drunken beatings, her mother's suppressed sobs, and her two younger brothers' indifferent observations... countless days and nights of fear rushed into her mind, and the immense fear made her tremble uncontrollably.

She lowered her head, not daring to utter another word. Like a frightened little animal, she could only cower and use all her strength to support her father, who was still cursing and staggering, as they moved step by step toward the cage called "home".

Xiao Fuzi's every step felt as heavy as if it were made of lead, each step treading on the ice of despair.

Inside the office of the Xisi North Police Station chief, the window was open, and the figures of Erqiangzi and his daughter pulling and shoving each other disappeared at the alley entrance.

Liu Jiaxiang stood behind the window, calmly withdrawing his gaze.

He turned around, walked behind his desk and sat down, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly twice on the smooth surface.

"Zhang Kui".

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the silence of the room.

Zhang Kui, the patrolman who had been standing by the door, immediately straightened his back and took a small half step forward:

"Yes, Director."

Liu Jiaxiang picked up the slightly cool teacup on the table, lifted the lid, blew away the foam, and didn't even lift his eyelids:

"Go and find out where that guy named Erqiangzi lives, his house number, and how many people are in his family. Find out everything for me."

"Yes, Chief! I'll take care of it right away!"

Zhang Kui agreed readily, but did not turn around and leave immediately.

He hesitated for a moment, then forced a cautious, tentative smile onto his face, took another half step forward, and lowered his voice.

"Chief, do you... feel a little sorry for that girl named Xiao Fuzi?"