TL: Etude
After listening to the conversation between the two, Fu Qiang and his wife Mo Xinmei understood what had transpired.
Mo Xinmei said, "Jianghai, don't worry. I've already called the police. Officers from the station will be here shortly."
Upon hearing Mo Xinmei's words, Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but feel a bit concerned, considering that it was Chen Jianghai who had thrown the first punch.
Chi Fei spat out a mouthful of blood, "Fine, you dare to hit me? Let's see if you'll still be so arrogant when you're at the station."
Ignoring Chi Fei's provocation, Chen Jianghai turned to Fu Qiang and Mo Xinmei and said, "Brother Fu, could you please take Wanqiu to the hospital for a check-up?"
Before the couple could respond, Lin Wanqiu interjected, "I'm fine. There's no need to go to the hospital."
"We should still get you checked out," Chen Jianghai insisted firmly, not giving his wife any room to argue.
Having said that, he took a wad of cash from his pocket and handed it to Lin Wanqiu, instructing, "Make sure to see a doctor and buy the best medicine."
Lin Wanqiu was about to refuse but Chen Jianghai stopped her, "Please listen to me; otherwise, I'll be worried."
Chen Jianghai nodded slightly towards Fu Qiang and Mo Xinmei, "Thank you for your help."
"No problem at all, we'll take Wanqiu to the hospital right now," Fu Qiang quickly replied.
Chen Jianghai wanted Lin Wanqiu to leave before the police arrived.
"No one is going anywhere!" Chi Fei attempted to stop the three of them.
Chen Jianghai stood squarely in front of him, immovable as a mountain.
"If you dare block our way again, don't blame me for not being polite. No one will be able to hold me back," said Chen Jianghai, clenching his fists menacingly.
Seeing this, Chi Fei immediately backed down.
"Jianghai, please don't start another fight," Lin Wanqiu hurriedly cautioned.
"I know," Chen Jianghai turned his head, gave Lin Wanqiu a smile, and then whispered into her ear, "Once you get to the hospital, call Aiguo and let him know."
"Call Aiguo?" Lin Wanqiu blinked, a bit puzzled.
"Yes, his uncle works at our local station," Chen Jianghai nodded.
"Alright, I understand," Lin Wanqiu finally got the hint and agreed.
Not long after Lin Wanqiu and the others left, officers from the police station arrived.
"Who called the police?" asked an older officer as he entered, followed by a younger one.
"It was me," Chen Jianghai stepped forward.
The older officer raised an eyebrow, "The person who called the police was a woman."
"That's my neighbor. My wife was injured, so I had her take my wife to the hospital," Chen Jianghai replied.
"Someone was injured? Is it serious?" the older officer inquired.
"Officer, don't listen to his nonsense; it's not true!" Chi Fei quickly interjected, "His wife just tripped, it's nothing. Look at me, I'm the one who's bleeding."
"Explain the situation clearly, you go first," the older officer pointed at Chen Jianghai.
Chen Jianghai recounted the events without exaggeration.
After listening, the older officer turned to Chi Fei, "Is what he said true?"
"More or less," Chi Fei nodded.
"You both are suspected of fighting, come back to the station with me," declared the older officer.
Chi Fei immediately became upset, "He started it, just arrest him. Why do I have to go too?"
"According to him, you hit his wife first. You're also responsible for this," the older officer responded impartially.
"I didn't hit his wife; she just couldn't stand properly. I had nothing to do with it," Chi Fei argued defensively.
"That's not what you said earlier," the younger officer chimed in.
"I'm suffering from a concussion; I'm not thinking clearly," Chi Fei exclaimed.
"Enough with the nonsense, come back to the station. We'll give you time to think things over," said the older officer, expressionless.
Seeing the older officer say this, Chi Fei had no choice but to go along obediently.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanqiu, who had arrived at the hospital, quickly found a phone and called Fang Aiguo's home.
Upon hearing that Chen Jianghai had gotten into a fight and might be taken to the police station, Fang Aiguo jumped up, "Damn it, how dare they mess with my brother Hai. Don't worry, sister-in-law, leave this to me. I'm going to find my uncle right away."
"Aiguo, I'm really counting on you for this," Lin Wanqiu said gratefully.
"Don't mention it; just wait at home and rest easy," Fang Aiguo assured her.
Although Fang Aiguo had spoken in such a manner, how could Lin Wanqiu feel reassured? After leaving the hospital, she still went to the police station.
...
Inside the police station, after a long wait, an older officer finally came over to take their statements.
While doing so, the phone at the station rang.
"Hello, who is this?"
The older officer picked up the phone and inquired.
"Is this Old Ma? It's Huang Lixian!"
A deep voice came from the other end of the line.
"It's me, it's me, Chief, any instructions?"
Old Ma immediately leaned forward slightly and asked.
"Wasn't there a report of a fight just now?"
"Yes, yes, they've been brought to the station!"
"Someone named Chen Jianghai..."
"Okay, okay! I understand! Rest assured, I'll handle it well!"
After finishing the call, Old Ma pondered for a moment, then approached the two individuals again, cleared his throat, and formally stated.
"We've pretty much got the gist of the situation. There are two ways we can handle this, choose whichever you prefer."
Chen Jianghai and Chi Fei remained silent, waiting for Old Ma's explanation.
"The first option is to go through mediation. Both of you go home, and we'll consider the matter settled."
Hearing this, Chi Fei immediately became displeased.
"Officer, all these injuries on me were caused by him. We're just going to let it go? I don't agree!"
"Oh, you don't agree?"
Old Ma seemed to have anticipated Chi Fei's response, and proceeded to mention the second option: "Then, the second choice is that both of you are suspected of fighting. Each will pay a fine of 200 and be detained for a day."
"What? But I was the one who got beaten!" Chi Fei shouted, visibly unhappy.
Old Ma's face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table: "What are you yelling for? Think this is a marketplace?"
Hearing Old Ma's outburst, Chi Fei cowered and spoke softly, "Why should I pay a fine and get detained when I didn't do anything?"
"Didn't do anything? Wasn't it because of you that his wife fell?" Old Ma sharply retorted.
"That's because he owes me money and won't pay it back!"
"The statements are very clear; he already repaid you."
"No, he didn't pay the interest!"
Old Ma chuckled coldly, "You can't possibly think that the law will protect usury?"
Chi Fei wanted to say more but was interrupted by Old Ma.
"Fine, if you really want to pursue it, I can also charge you with illegal lending at exorbitant interest rates, which would add at least another month. Make your choice!"
Chi Fei was stunned, not expecting the situation to turn out this way.
Growing impatient, Old Ma pressed, "So what's it going to be? Which option?"
"The first one." Chi Fei certainly did not want to pay a fine and be detained.
Old Ma then glanced at Chen Jianghai and asked, "And you?"
"I agree to mediation," Chen Jianghai calmly replied.
Old Ma took out a pen and placed it on the table: "Then, sign here, and the matter will be considered resolved."
Chi Fei signed reluctantly, gritting his teeth. Though he said nothing more, he harbored a grudge against Chen Jianghai in his heart.
After both had signed, Old Ma looked at the papers, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, you can leave now. If there's any issue in the future, settle it with words, not fists!"
Upon leaving the police station, the sky had already turned dark, and the streetlights were illuminated one by one.
Lifting his head, Chen Jianghai saw a familiar figure standing not far away.
Under the dim streetlight, that lone figure stood there, appearing so isolated, so helpless, and so vulnerable.
Her face was filled with confusion and anxiety, and it seemed as though she was murmuring something to herself.