"Name?" "Ethan Wraith—hey, beauty, you spelled my name wrong.
Wraith, as in a ghost, not the wind from a kite. Don't you think it loses its artistic touch without the wood radical?" Ethan grumbled with dissatisfaction.
"Less nonsense. Just answer whatever Erica asks you, no extra chatter." The male police officer next to him, trying to please the captivating woman in her uniform, said fawningly.
"Damn, bro, even if you want to kiss up to a pretty lady, you can't sacrifice my right to free speech, can you?" "What did you say?" The male officer asked with a face full of anger.
"Haha, nothing, continue with the interrogation."
"What do you do for work?" The beautiful woman continued, unfazed by their bickering.
"Bartender—although I got promoted to manager today," Ethan added. He had to showcase his best side to the beautiful policewoman in front of him; maybe she would take a liking to him and let him off the hook.
"Very impressive," the male officer sneered.
"Yeah, it usually takes others several years to climb from bartender to manager, but it only took me two months." Ethan pretended not to notice the sarcasm and said proudly.
"Too bad you ended up in the police station before even working a day as manager." "Bam." The beautiful policewoman closed her notebook and said coldly, "Have you two finished chatting? If not, I'll give you half an hour, and then we'll continue."
"I don't enjoy chatting with men. Erica, how about we take this half hour for ourselves? We could talk about our ideals, literature, fashion, movies, music, cosmetics—or even your motivations for choosing this noble profession of being a police officer.
You have no idea, I've admired police officers since I was a child—I always thought they were rich because all the kids would hand over any money they found to the police uncles, imagine how many popsicles they could buy with that—hey, brother, can't you see Erica is thirsty?
Aren't you going to get her some water?" Ethan said angrily. "Punk, are you tired of living? How dare you order me around?" The male officer raised his hat, ready to strike Ethan on the head. "I am indeed thirsty," Erica said lightly.
"——, alright, wait a moment, I'll go get you some water." The male officer glared fiercely at Ethan and left with his hat.
"Alright, Erica, now it's just the two of us. What a beautiful night, should we discuss Shakespearean operas or John Keats's poetry at a time like this? Or maybe some intimate whispers about ourselves?" Ethan stared into Erica's eyes, his face full of intoxication.
"Let's talk about your motives for hitting someone," Erica said in an icy tone, her face flushed as she avoided Ethan's gaze.
"Actually, what I did can't be called hitting someone; it was self-defense. Although I haven't been to school and don't understand the law, I still understand this much. Don't try to falsely accuse me."
"Self-defense? The people who were hit are lying in the hospital, and the person who defended himself is talking eloquently in the police station?" Erica sneered.
"Yeah." Ethan nodded seriously. "They are all children of high-ranking officials, used to a life of luxury, so their strength is naturally weaker. I do manual labor all day, herding cattle for the landlord at six, working as a child laborer at seven, carrying coal in the mines at ten, and hauling gas cylinders at fifteen—naturally, they are no match for me," Ethan explained.
"Then why did they attack you?" Erica nodded slightly, seemingly believing Ethan's words. "Since I was young, I've had a chivalrous heart, often helping little girls cross the road, and going to help a widow with farm work when I have nothing to do—I hate those bullies who take advantage of others. These people, relying on their status as children of officials, were drinking and causing trouble in the bar, insisting that we provide them with escorts—you know, that kind of service, the one you guys often crack down on.
We are a legitimate bar, how could we possibly have such things? So we refused. Then they got upset, overturned tables, smashed cabinets, and refused to pay—" "As if that wasn't enough, they even called our waitress in and tried to assault her. Our waitress resisted and was beaten by them.
Oh, you should have seen it, her face was swollen like a pumpkin—I couldn't stand it anymore, so I went to reason with them. A guy called something or whatever splashed a glass of wine on my face
—"Come smell it, can you still smell the wine on my face? Aw, come closer, I won't bite you." "—Although my job is humble, I am also a man, and I have my dignity. I asked him to apologize, and they laughed, as if they had heard the funniest joke in the world, and then they all rushed at me—the ones who charged at the front were knocked down by me.
I heard they were the sons of the two highest-ranking officials, something like the mayor's son and the bureau chief's son." "I know I'm done for this time, but I don't regret it." Ethan said with a face full of pride.
Erica's mouth fell open. "Everything you said is true?"
"Absolutely true. Otherwise, am I crazy? Why would a bartender go and slap the mayor's son and the bureau chief's son?" Ethan nodded emphatically.
"I've recorded what you said, and we'll investigate. If the situation is true, my family won't hold you responsible. But—I can't say the same for others." Erica closed her notebook and stretched in front of Ethan.
The originally well-fitting police uniform immediately tightened, outlining her slender waist and alluring bust. Ethan appreciated the view intently, nodding secretly. "Which family is your family?"
"That you mentioned is my younger brother." Erica rolled her eyes at Ethan. "Uh—actually, he's not that much of a jerk. Just a bit of a jerk—so you're the bureau chief's daughter?"
"That has nothing to do with my work. I won't show favoritism to any side," Erica said with a serious expression. Ethan was noncommittal, smiling without speaking. It seemed this girl hadn't been in society for long and was still too naive.
There were many things that were simply beyond one's control.
"What? You don't believe me?" Seeing Ethan's nonchalant expression, Erica felt inexplicably annoyed.
"I believe you. I believe everything a beautiful woman says," Ethan hurriedly nodded.
"Hmph, just you wait and see." "I've been watching."
"Watching what?" Erica asked in confusion.
"I think you've developed quite well."
Erica was stunned at first, then laughed innocently. "Alright, my interrogation is over. It's their turn now—I won't show favoritism, but they might not be so impartial.
Hopefully, when I see you tomorrow, I'll still be able to recognize your face. Bye-bye." Erica slammed the door shut with a bang.