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

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and the newly ignited flame of hope began to flicker, as if it could be extinguished at any moment by the cold winds of reality.

Seeing her anxious expression, Zhang Kui gave her an understanding smile and waved his hand, saying, "Hey, well, I can't say for sure."

"How could we, as subordinates, possibly guess what the director is thinking? However..."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming encouraging.

"This is at least one way out, an opportunity, right? It's better than you and your daughter waiting to die at home, isn't it?"

He took a step forward, leaned slightly forward, looked into Xiao Fuzi's eyes, and said in a heartfelt tone:

"The key issue now isn't whether the director approves of it or not, but rather whether you and your mother are willing to do this job and whether you can endure the hardship."

"If you're willing, I, Zhang Kui, will risk my reputation and go to our station chief to plead for you and your daughter. I'll see if I can... secure a way out for you two."

He emphasized the words "way out".

Xiao Fuzi did not hesitate at all.

She knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly to Zhang Kui. Her forehead struck the cold, blue brick floor with a dull thud, and her voice was choked with sobs from excitement and urgency.

"We're willing! We're willing! Officer Zhang! We're willing! Please! Please help us! We'll do anything, as long as you can get my mother medical treatment! Give us food! Give us a place to live!"

"I'm willing to scrub toilets, empty chamber pots, do the dirtiest and hardest work! I'll even sign a life contract! I'll serve the warden for life!"

"Please, Officer Zhang! I, Xiao Fuzi, will repay your immense kindness by serving you like a slave!"

She was rambling incoherently, as if afraid that if she was even a step too slow, this only hope would slip away.

Zhang Kui quickly stepped forward and offered a helping hand:

"Alright, alright, get up! The ground is cold! How can you serve the director if you hurt your head?"

His tone carried a subtle hint of relief.

"That's enough. I imagine your mother feels the same way?"

Little Fuzi was helped to her feet, wiping away the tears and dust from her face, nodding frantically:

"Yes! Yes! My mother would definitely agree! We just want to live..."

"it is good."

Zhang Kui nodded, a confident expression on his face that said "the matter is mostly settled."

He pointed to the peeling paint on the stool.

"Then you stay here and wait. Don't go anywhere. I'm going to the director's office to plead for you and your mother. Whether it works or not depends on the director's decision. Remember, wait here and don't wander off." He emphasized again.

"Okay! Okay! I'll wait! Thank you, Officer Zhang! Thank you!"

Xiao Fuzi nodded vigorously, sat down again on the cold stool, clenched her hands tightly together, her knuckles turning white from the force, and her body trembling slightly from tension and anticipation.

She stood like a statue, her eyes fixed on Zhang Kui's departing figure, watching him open the office door and disappear into the dim light of the corridor.

The soft sound of the door closing sounded like a thunderclap to her.

Time has never felt so long and unbearable.

On the other side, Zhang Kui walked to the door of Liu Jiaxiang's office, knocked twice on the dark wooden door, and only after hearing a deep "Come in" from inside did he push the door open and enter.

Liu Jiaxiang was sitting behind his large desk, his gaze fixed on the open case files, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth surface, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

"Director."

Zhang Kui put on a perfectly timed smile, his voice carrying a hint of relief at having completed his task.

"It's done. Xiao Fuzi and her mother are truly driven to the brink this time, and they have no other choice."

"When those unruly villagers in Maojiawan saw that Erqiangzi was dead, they started to have wicked ideas."

"Erqiangzi's drinking buddies, Ma Wu and the others, took the IOU and went to Xiaofuzi and her mother to demand repayment."

"Now that Xiao Fuzi has come to me for help, if you are willing to take them in, they will be eternally grateful and will treat you like a Bodhisattva."

Liu Jiaxiang lifted his gaze from the case file and placed it on Zhang Kui's face, his unfathomable eyes calm and still.

"Hmm. You handled this matter quite well."

He paused for a moment, then clearly outlined the subsequent arrangements.

"I'll submit a report to the station tomorrow to promote you to inspector."

A surge of heat rushed to Zhang Kui's head, his face flushed red, and his voice trembled with excitement.

He immediately straightened his back and bowed deeply to Liu Jiaxiang, his movements filled with unprecedented respect.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director. Zhang Kui will do anything to repay you and will never let you down."

He straightened up, his eyes burning with eagerness.

"Alright."

Liu Jiaxiang's lips curled into a very faint smile, his tone calm yet unquestionable.

"Work hard with me, and I won't treat you unfairly."

As he spoke, he opened a drawer, took out five silver dollars, placed them on the edge of the table, and pushed them toward Zhang Kui.

"Give this five yuan to Xiaofuzi. Use it to pay for her mother's medical treatment and medicine. As for the rest..."

He lightly tapped the silver dollar with his finger.

"Let them buy themselves some clean clothes, take a good bath, and tidy themselves up."

"Take them directly to my house tomorrow."

Zhang Kui immediately stepped forward, picked up the five cool silver coins with both hands, and clenched them tightly in his palms.

"Yes, Chief. Don't worry, I will personally hand the money to Xiao Fuzi."

He had a smile on his face, and his tone carried a deliberate sense of emotion.

"You are so kind-hearted, still thinking about getting medical treatment for her mother."

Liu Jiaxiang seemed not to hear the flattery. He leaned back in his wide chair, interlaced his fingers and rested them lightly on his abdomen. His gaze returned to the case file, and he added indifferently:

"By the way, those guys who extorted money from that mother and daughter, tomorrow you and the guys from the station should give them a good 'check' on them."

Zhang Kui understood immediately, a knowing smile spreading across his face, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Chief. Those few ignorant hooligans will definitely not get away with this."

"I'll personally lead a team to 'tame' them, and I guarantee they'll learn their lesson."

Liu Jiaxiang let out a barely audible hum from his nose as a response.

He stopped looking at Zhang Kui, simply waved his hand casually, and refocused his gaze on the lines of the case file.

"Alright, go ahead and get busy."

"Yes, Director."

Zhang Kui immediately responded, bowed deeply to Liu Jiaxiang again, then took two quick steps back, turned around, opened the heavy wooden door of the office, and gently closed it.

The door hinges creaked slightly, isolating the two worlds inside from each other.

Silence returned to the office, broken only by the rhythmic, cold tapping of fingers on the desk.

The respect on Zhang Kui's face was quickly replaced by an expression mixed with smugness and excitement the moment the door closed.