Elvis’s vision went dark as she collapsed unconscious.

Seeing that, the three people who had dramatically fallen to the ground quickly stood up, brushing off their clothes.

The police stared at them in disbelief. “What the—?”

“You really went too far,” one officer said sternly, crouching down to check Elvis’s injuries. “If something serious happens, you’ll be in trouble too.”

Qiao Ziman shot a cold glance at Elvis’s unconscious figure and reassured the officer calmly, “Relax. I know exactly how much force I used. I wouldn’t ruin my life over someone like her.”

She paused, then turned toward Chi Yin, her voice softening immediately. “Besides,” she murmured, tenderness filling her eyes, “I have a girlfriend to look after.”

Sirens wailed in the distance, ambulances and fire trucks rapidly approaching. People rushed about chaotically, shouting and running—but Qiao Ziman tuned it all out. Slowly, she approached Chi Yin and sat beside her. Taking the damp cloth He Cuizhen handed her, she began to gently wipe away the soot and grime covering Chi Yin’s body.

With meticulous care, she cleaned every inch of Chi Yin’s skin—from her fingertips to her neck, then her cheeks, carefully clearing even the tiniest spaces between her fingers. Again and again, patiently and tenderly, she wiped away the dust, treating Chi Yin as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Nothing else mattered in that moment. Qiao Ziman’s whole heart, her whole world, was focused entirely on the person in front of her.

Slowly, Chi Yin’s eyelashes fluttered, her eyes opening bit by bit. Her blurred vision gradually cleared.

In the next instant, Chi Yin’s eyes flickered rapidly, filling with tears. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

A deep ache bloomed in Qiao Ziman’s heart. The overwhelming fear, relief, and joy of having narrowly survived this catastrophe crashed over her all at once. Her eyes reddened suddenly, and she turned her head slightly, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

When she turned back, she glared fiercely at Chi Yin. “When you get better,” she gritted out, “you and I are going to have a serious talk about this!”

Chi Yin pressed her lips together, silently raising her hand.

“I know!” Qiao Ziman snapped, though her voice softened instantly. She gave Chi Yin another harsh look, but despite her words, she reached out, gripping Chi Yin’s hand tightly.

Chi Yin lightly rubbed her thumb against Qiao Ziman’s palm.

“What?” Qiao Ziman asked, still irritated but unwilling to let go.

Chi Yin’s gaze moved anxiously toward Chi Qilan, who remained unconscious nearby. Her lips parted again, concern etched clearly on her face.

“Your mom’s fine,” Qiao Ziman said, gently but firmly. “Worry about yourself. If I’d gotten there just a few minutes later, you…” Her voice broke off abruptly, unable to finish that thought. The mere idea was like a knife twisting painfully in her chest.

Chi Yin saw through her tough front, curling her fingers softly around Qiao Ziman’s hand. She mouthed silently, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Qiao Ziman scoffed. “If apologies were enough, what’s the point of police?”

Her tone was filled with bitter resentment, but she quickly softened again. “Now shut up and save your strength.”

At that moment, an ambulance rushed into the community, coming to a swift stop in front of them. Several paramedics jumped out, running over with stretchers, and carefully lifted Chi Yin and Chi Qilan onto the ambulance.

Just then, Elvis regained consciousness and weakly signaled to one of the officers, asking him to stop them.

Qiao Ziman’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Seriously? How thick-skinned is this woman?

Rolling up her sleeves angrily, she quickly scanned the ground, searching for another handy weapon. A sharp-eyed officer hurriedly grabbed every remaining fire extinguisher in sight, removing them from her reach.

In a weak, pleading voice, Elvis called out, “Let me say one thing to Yin—just one sentence.”

Qiao Ziman felt her anger flare up again. “You still dare to speak? Are you not satisfied with the beating I just gave you?”

Elvis lowered her head, humbling herself even further. “Please. Just one sentence. I beg you.”

Qiao Ziman waved her hand irritably, clearly annoyed but unwilling to make a scene in front of the police again.

Elvis, her eyes devoid of their former confidence, murmured softly, “Yin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just wanted you to leave her—I never wanted to hurt you.”

Bullshit! Qiao Ziman thought furiously. Then how do you explain those rope marks on Yin Yin’s wrists?

Elvis continued softly, “Yin, can you forgive me?”

Forgive you, my ass! Qiao Ziman’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Without a second thought, she delivered a swift karate-chop to Elvis’s neck. Elvis’s vision went dark once again, and she collapsed unconscious for the second time.

Qiao Ziman muttered coldly, “That was already your second sentence.”

***

Chi Yin and Chi Qilan were both rushed to the hospital.

After a thorough examination, Chi Yin was found to have only minor injuries: a mild concussion, some superficial scrapes, and slight irritation in her respiratory tract. She would be fine with rest. Chi Qilan’s condition, however, was more serious. Due to heavy smoke inhalation, she remained unconscious.

Qiao Ziman quickly took care of their hospitalization procedures, then returned to hear the doctor’s instructions carefully.

“For the next few days, avoid spicy and strongly flavored foods,” the doctor explained patiently. “Also, no strenuous activities. Your friend inhaled a lot of smoke, so she’ll need plenty of rest.”

“What about my girlfriend’s throat?” Qiao Ziman asked anxiously. “She can barely speak.”

“That’s normal—it’s just acute swelling from the irritation. It’ll clear up quickly with some anti-inflammatory treatments and nebulizer therapy,” the doctor reassured her without worry. “She’ll recover just fine.”

Qiao Ziman relaxed a little.

“By the way,” the doctor continued with a reassuring smile, “your friend was very calm in the emergency. Her quick thinking and immediate actions saved her life.”

Qiao Ziman put down her notebook and pen, looking up seriously to correct him, “She’s not my friend—she’s my girlfriend.”

The doctor smiled slightly, amused by her earnestness. “Noted.”

Now reassured, Qiao Ziman blinked, hesitant but eager to ask the question she truly cared about most. Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. “Doctor, how soon can my girlfriend be discharged? And how soon can she…resume physical activities?”

“One week until discharge,” the doctor answered simply. Then he glanced up at Qiao Ziman with a knowing look. “As for when she can resume certain physical activities…”

He paused deliberately, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Give it at least two weeks.”

Qiao Ziman’s face turned beet red. Quickly mumbling her thanks, she fled the office in embarrassment.

After returning home to grab some fresh clothes, she settled into a week-long routine of caring for Chi Yin at the hospital.

Ever since Chi Yin had been admitted, however, she couldn’t help but feel that Qiao Qiao had changed somehow. Her attitude was neither warm nor openly cold—it hovered somewhere in an unsettling middle.