Upon arriving at the police station, the boys found themselves at a disadvantage during the interrogation. Their inability to articulate their thoughts clearly was no match for Zhou Hua's adeptness at spinning tales.
However, the police officer was a fair man and favored the boys. They did not suffer any injustice, and the day's drama was resolved through negotiation. Zhou Hua compensated the boys for their losses with money.
As Zhou Hua left the police station, she felt incredibly unlucky. She didn't know who had been so meddlesome as to call the police for the boys. Now, with no one to help them, she caught up with the boys and berated them, "You motherless brats, ganging up to swindle me. Your shabby stall isn't worth ten yuan. Give me back the extra money!"
The boys immediately became defensive. She had already disrupted their livelihood, and now if she wanted to take back the compensation, it would leave them with no means to survive.