Jiang Li's clear and logical explanation had everyone stunned in place.
Jiang Yan had wanted to defend Su Yinwan since his sister's temper in the past likely meant she would have picked on Su Yinwan.
But with her saying this, he started to sense that something was off.
Indeed, Su Yinwan was a somewhat famous star, wouldn't it be too low for her to stoop to such levels?
What were her manager and assistant even doing?
Su Yinwan's complexion stiffened instantly.
She had never expected that the domineering Eldest Miss Jiang of the past could exhibit such a calm and rational side.
"I, I didn't," Su Yinwan said anxiously, her eyes quickly reddening, "I don't know how things turned out this way…"
"You're not wrong," Shang Shaojing declared as he shielded her with his body, his eyes fierce, "There's no need to explain to them, they have ill intentions."
He then looked towards his assistant.
"None of these people here today should get away."
"Stand still and don't move, what are you doing gathering here and causing a commotion?!" A sharp rebuke froze everyone in place.
Shang Shaojing's gaze deepened a bit more, and he looked up to see a police car approaching, from which four or five policemen jumped out.
The quick-thinking Xiang Hao immediately shouted out.
"Police uncle, it's him, they're causing trouble and even want to use underworld violence on us!"
After speaking, he lowered his voice and turned to Jiang Li, "Sister Li, the police were called by me, isn't it said that when encountering problems, we should turn to the police first, to be a law-abiding citizen?"
Jiang Li gave him an approving look, "Well done."
Xiang Hao's tail immediately shot up.
So happy, he was praised by Sister Li again.
Jiang Yan immediately darkened his face, pulling him aside.
"What are you doing? Men and women shouldn't touch, keep your distance from my sister!"
One of the policemen approached with paper and pen, "Who called Xiang Hao?"
Xiang Hao immediately raised his hand, "Me me me."
"You called the police, right?"
"Yes." Xiang Hao glanced at Jiang Li, receiving her tacit approval, began to recount the events of the evening.
"So, you're saying you initially suspected Miss Su of theft, but not only did she not admit it, she even slandered you by alleging you had ulterior motives, right?" inquired the policeman after getting the details.
"Yes, yes, yes," Xiang Hao nodded energetically, "You must believe us, police uncle, if I truly had ill intentions, why would I call the police beforehand?"
"That makes sense," the policeman agreed.
But when he looked back at Shang Shaojing and Su Yinwan, he became confused.
He recognized Shang Shaojing as a well-known entrepreneur and investor in the city, young and promising.
Su Yinwan was also a public figure with some popularity.
One accused of theft, the other of underworld practices.
That couldn't be right.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the policeman straightened his hat, "In that case, all of you should come with me to the police station and we can clarify things, alright?"
Jiang Li was the first to nod in agreement.
"Alright, police comrade, I'm willing to cooperate."
However, before she could turn around and step into the police car, Su Yinwan shouted from behind:
"No!"
When everyone's eyes turned to her, she mustered a smile and said, "Police comrade, as you know, my profession is quite special, if I go to the police station, it might impact my reputation."
At last, Jiang Li ceased his movements and turned around, giving a slight smile to the group, "According to Miss Su's reasoning, should we indeed be slandered and have our reputations affected?"
Miss Su tentatively parted her lips, "No, that is certainly not what I mean…"
"Then since that is not your intent, please provide us with a proper explanation. Once you apologize, we naturally will reconcile."
Shang Shaojing grimly held onto Su Yinwan, "Yinwan, there's no need to apologize to them. Going to the police station is fine—it might even help you get justice."
Su Yinwan panicked a bit.
She knew she hadn't done anything, and the others hadn't either. Even if they went to the police station, the ultimate outcome would just be mutual reconciliation.
But the implications could be different.
As an artist, if someone with an agenda were to spread this online, she wouldn't be able to clear her name even if she had ten mouths to argue with.
But to apologize to Jiang Li...
Su Yinwan gazed deeply at the girl in the black dress, her eyes momentarily turmoil before she took a deep breath and said,
"I'm sorry, Miss Jiang, I was presumptuous. Please forgive me."
"And what about Xiang Hao?" Jiang Li's eyes remained indifferent. "From the beginning, you never defended him, yet remained ambiguous, leading everyone to believe he had ill intentions toward you. He is the one you should truly be apologizing to tonight."
Shang Shaojing's face darkened with anger, "Jiang Li, don't go too far!"
Su Yinwan also bit her lip, clearly reluctant to bow down to someone who was typically carefree and frivolous.
Nearby, Jiang Yan seemed as if he had words on the tip of his tongue but thought better of it.
He wanted to speak on behalf of Su Yinwan, as she was the girl he had fallen in love with at first sight—she had always been gentle yet strong, struggling alone in the entertainment industry and had only just made a significant achievement.
Having her, a superstar, apologize to someone else was undoubtedly losing face.
Yet Jiang Li did have a point.
After all, everyone had been running around all night to ensure her safety.
After thinking it over, Jiang Yan swallowed the words he intended to defend her with.
He was sure that if he had spoken out tonight, Jiang Li would have returned and torn him to pieces.
Thinking back to that day in the hotel when his arm was nearly broken, Jiang Yan shuddered.
Seeing that Su Yinwan was unwilling to speak, Jiang Li eventually grew tired of arguing and climbed straight into the police car.
Su Yinwan did not expect her to be so decisive and hastily paled before calling out,
"Wait, Miss Jiang, I will apologize."
After saying this, she turned to Xiang Hao, bent over, and respectfully said, "I'm sorry."
Xiang Hao straightened up immediately.
What had he done to deserve an apology from Su the Superstar, who always held herself so aloof?
And it was all thanks to Sister Li!
Thus, he looked towards Jiang Li with particular pride, "Sister Li, I'll listen to you."
Jiang Li stepped out of the car again, "I am not someone who reneges on her word. Since Miss Su has sincerely apologized, let us leave the matter there."
Then she turned to the police, "Sorry for making you come all this way."
The police officer, who had a favorable impression of this girl who had been calm, polite, and rational throughout the ordeal, quickly waved his hand,
"It's no trouble at all; it's part of the job. It's good that you're willing to reconcile; it also eases our work."
"Thank you, Miss Jiang. Goodbye."
The police car drove away with its sirens blaring, and Jiang Li did not give another glance to Su Yinwan and Shang Shaojing, but instead, got into Jiang Yan's car.
Xiang Hao courteously saw them off, then turned back to the two people still standing under the streetlamp and arrogantly jerked his chin upwards.
Shang Shaojing's eyes darkened, and he clasped Su Yinwan's shoulder firmly.
"Yinwan, don't worry, I won't let you suffer in vain."