As the mother and daughters reached the street corner, they were spotted by the eagle-eyed neighbors, "Xia Yun, you’re finally back, hurry home and check, the police are here again!"
The place mentioned by the neighbors was the Xia Family’s home and place of business. Four years ago, Xia Yun, destitute and with no one to rely on, brought her three children back to Hua Country. After a cold reception from relatives, they had moved to Bazhou City. They rented a place on Old Street, running a low-priced Italian restaurant to make ends meet.
Hearing that the police were back, Xia Yun’s face instantly turned pale. She subconsciously wanted to tell Xia You to watch Maggie, as she hastened towards the restaurant.
"Mom," Xia You, seemingly anticipating her mother’s move, cut in front of Xia Yun, pushed Maggie into Xia Yun’s arms, and ran toward the house where a police car was parked.
"Xiao You," Xia Yun called out anxiously from behind, with Maggie in her arms, who had noticed the change in her mother’s and sister’s expressions and heard the scary word "police" from the people nearby, couldn’t help but burst into tears. Xia Yun could only comfort her while silently praying that Xia You wouldn’t run into any trouble.
"How pitiful," seeing the Xia Family mother and daughters in such a state, some neighbors murmured, "This family of widows and orphans, and on top of that, the only adult son is up to no good, with the police knocking on their door every other day, how are they supposed to live."
Inside the Xia Family’s restaurant, the few staff members who had come to help were driven away, and a group of officers from the anti-gang unit was rummaging through inside, with the sound of bowls and dishes hitting the ground occasionally.
Xia You stepped in rapidly, witnessing the disorderly scene in the restaurant.
"Stop," Xia You’s voice of protest did not make the officers cease their actions.
The leader was a First-level Police Officer with two insignia on his shoulders, one of Bazhou City’s police detectives known for liking to interrogate using illegal methods. He had been to the Xia Family’s place not just once before, trashing the place every time, and had once even injured Xia Yun. He barked maliciously, "Where’s Simon? He and his gang of thugs trashed a dance hall. Hand him over if you know what’s good for you." With that, he patted the service weapon on his hip.
"I’m asking you to leave my house immediately, or else..." Xia You’s hand clenched into a fist.
The next second, the tall First-level Police Officer felt a void by his waist and blurted out, "You dare to snatch a police gun."
"Officer, first, you have framed me with a baseless accusation; I didn’t take your gun. Second, you have entered and vandalized a private residence without a search warrant—I have the right, as does any citizen of Hua Country, to exercise my right of self-defense," Xia You retorted without backing down. When she entered, she had already asked the staff if the police had shown a search warrant, and the answer was negative.
The First-level Police Officer looked down and saw that the gun was still properly holstered, and Xia You’s hand was empty; she had merely feinted a moment ago.
The policeman leading the team lost face, as he had barged in without a search warrant. He also didn’t quite qualify for the accusation of stealing firearms. The eyes of the surrounding onlookers, tomorrow, the word of him being hoodwinked by a woman would probably spread across the entire police force.
"Fall back," the leading officer spat resentfully, "Remember this, if I catch you again next time, both you and your thug of a brother will have no good end."
The police car sped away with sirens blaring, leaving Xia Yun clutching Maggie, squeezing through into the house, looking helplessly at the ravaged room and the somber Xia You.
"Mom," Xia You tightened her grip and embraced the Xia Family mother and daughters, whispering, "Don’t listen to him, there will be no next time." The repeated bullying had strengthened Xia You’s resolve.
The next day, Xia You sent out a job application letter, including her college diploma and all the experiences she had accumulated over the years, and delivered it to the archives department of the Southeast Military District.
In Hua Country, the military holds more power than the police. Xia You, who had just completed a marathon, harbored the intention of protecting her family, but she could hardly imagine that she was about to embark on a journey a thousand times tougher than a marathon, with no return.