Chapter Seven: Old Flames Rekindled

"Little Yang, aren't you a police officer? Why aren't you serving the people?" Tong Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow and shouted indignantly. Then, she noticed Jun Lengche standing there with his arms crossed, watching the scene like a joke, while Qin Xiangyang looked miserable.

Could it be? Was it because Jun Lengche was a bona fide third-generation military scion that even the police gave him a wide berth? Tong Zhenzhen felt a spark of annoyance; she had always despised those who used their background to intimidate others.

"Fine, I won't put you in a tough spot. I'll call 110." Tong Zhenzhen shook off Qin Xiangyang's hand and began searching everywhere for her phone.

"Zhenzhen, he's my cousin," Qin Xiangyang said, following her. He felt terribly guilty that he couldn't help her, and his voice lacked its usual volume.

Cousin? Tong Zhenzhen whirled around, nearly colliding with Qin Xiangyang. "What did you say? You have the surname Qin, don't you? And he is a Jun!"

"I took my mother's surname," Qin Xiangyang said, rubbing the back of his head.

What a small world. She never expected that her reunited classmate would be from the Jun family! After the initial shock, Tong Zhenzhen’s face darkened. "So you’re family. But surely, the law outweighs personal ties, doesn't it?"

Facing Tong Zhenzhen's burning gaze, Qin Xiangyang felt deeply guilty.

Back in the day, because Qin Xiangyang had been born prematurely due to his mother's difficult labor, he had been physically frail and, pampered by his family, always seemed like a fragile reed. From elementary school on, he had been bullied constantly until he met the fiercely righteous Tong Zhenzhen in middle school, which changed his fate as a perennial punching bag.

Regardless of everything, the three years they spent as desk-mates meant Tong Zhenzhen couldn't bring herself to be too harsh on Qin Xiangyang, though the joy of their reunion had been significantly dampened.

"Fine, take him away then," Tong Zhenzhen said, stepping back and glancing at the cold, detached Jun Lengche.

"I will leave when I choose to," Jun Lengche replied coldly.

What thick skin. Being told to leave and still staying? Tong Zhenzhen glared at him. "Well then, Young Master Jun, what are you doing barging into my home today? Haven't you bullied me enough already?"

As she spoke, she pulled her collar open, revealing the hickeys on her neck.

"Big Brother, what did you do to Zhenzhen?!" Qin Xiangyang saw the glaring marks and lunged toward Jun Lengche, questioning him sharply. His years as a criminal investigator allowed a sharp, intimidating murderous aura to erupt from him.

Jun Lengche froze; it was the first time he had seen his cousin so fierce and imposing.

"This is a matter between her and me." Jun Lengche brushed aside Qin Xiangyang, who was blocking his path, and walked toward Tong Zhenzhen.

Tong Zhenzhen decided to go all in. She puffed out her chest and stared back at Jun Lengche without flinching. "What do you want?"

Seeing Tong Zhenzhen acting like a hedgehog toward him, and then recalling her intimacy with Qin Xiangyang earlier, Jun Lengche felt an indescribable sense of irritation.

"I..."

Before Jun Lengche could finish, Qin Xiangyang moved like a gust of wind, blocking the space between them and shielding Tong Zhenzhen behind him like a knight.

"Big Brother, I’ve looked up to you since I was a child. But how could you do such a thing? You’ve disappointed me!" Qin Xiangyang gritted his teeth, his face full of pain.

"Xiangyang, step aside!" Jun Lengche hadn't expected Qin Xiangyang to condemn him without even knowing the full story. This wild girl had such a huge influence on his cousin—even surpassing the brotherhood between them.

"Big Brother, don't come near Zhenzhen!" By now, Qin Xiangyang had lost his cool; he stood his ground, refusing to budge. The mere thought of Tong Zhenzhen being bullied made his heart bleed. It turned out that not seeing someone didn't mean forgetting them; she had long since been etched into his heart.

Tong Zhenzhen saw the two brothers arguing over her. Although she was one step closer to her goal of revenge, she couldn't bring herself to feel entirely happy.

"Sigh..." Tong Zhenzhen couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. Looking up, she could only see Qin Xiangyang’s broad, sturdy back. The weak little "Little Yang" had truly grown up, and just as he had promised, he was protecting her. But why did he have to be a member of the Jun family?

Qin Xiangyang heard her sigh, and his heart trembled. In his memory, Tong Zhenzhen was strong and optimistic, but now, she seemed to have a vulnerable side. This discovery only ignited his protective instincts further. He turned his head and said to her, "Zhenzhen, no matter who bullied you, I will help you!"

His firm tone conveyed his absolute resolve.

"Little Yang..." It had been a long time since anyone had stood up for her like this. Tong Zhenzhen felt a prickle of tears in her eyes. She lowered her head and pressed it against Qin Xiangyang’s back, soaking in the warmth.

Watching Tong Zhenzhen, who had been claws-out toward him, now behaving like a docile kitten pressed against his cousin’s back, Jun Lengche felt as if his heart were being clawed by a cat. This strange, unfamiliar sensation filled him with an inexplicable annoyance toward himself and toward Tong Zhenzhen.

"Found yourself a protector?" Jun Lengche’s words grew sharp. "Last night was a matter of mutual consent. I don't know who was enjoying it more!"

"You're shameless! I was clearly drunk yesterday!" Tong Zhenzhen straightened her spine and darted out from behind Qin Xiangyang.

Jun Lengche was angry? Tong Zhenzhen saw the fire in his eyes, but inwardly she felt a spark of joy. She hadn't expected to be able to affect someone as cold as an iceberg. It seemed her revenge was within reach.

Qin Xiangyang’s brow furrowed deeper. He pulled Tong Zhenzhen back and demanded, "Big Brother, how can you speak like that?"

Jun Lengche realized his emotions were slipping out of control, but he wasn't about to admit he was wrong.

"Xiangyang, you can judge a person's face, but you can't know their heart. You’d better be careful," Jun Lengche said, casting a warning glance at Qin Xiangyang.

Then, he scanned Tong Zhenzhen from head to toe. "Miss Tong, how do you intend to resolve what happened last night?"

This guy really had no shame, asking her what she wanted! Tong Zhenzhen longed to scratch that "poker face" of his. However, she reminded herself that she needed to infiltrate the enemy's inner circle to do the most damage; she had to endure.

Tong Zhenzhen searched her memory for scenes from melodramas where the heroine suffered in silence. She took a few steps back, bit her lip, and made her body tremble slightly.

"Zhenzhen, I'm here!" Seeing her look of suppressed anguish, Qin Xiangyang’s heart ached. He stepped forward to support her shoulders, wanting to give her strength.

Jun Lengche saw her performance, and his brow furrowed briefly.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

A moment later, Tong Zhenzhen let out an explosive, "Get out!"

Jun Lengche was startled to see two trails of tears streaming down Tong Zhenzhen’s face.

Qin Xiangyang also saw that she was crying. It was the first time he had ever seen her shed tears. He clumsily tried to wipe them away, but couldn't stop the flow.

"Both of you, get out!" Tong Zhenzhen shoved Qin Xiangyang and pointed at Jun Lengche, shouting again.

Qin Xiangyang, heartbroken by her distress, dragged Jun Lengche toward the door without a second thought.

Logically, with Qin Xiangyang's skill, he shouldn't have been able to drag Jun Lengche so easily, but the latter followed along quite compliantly.

The door slammed shut behind the two men.

Qin Xiangyang let go of Jun Lengche and leaned against the door, where he could still faintly hear Tong Zhenzhen’s sobbing.