What Did You Do This Time?

Every year, the college entrance examination would birth plenty of top talent from Shangke High, as was befitting such a prominent school in the city. Naturally, the local authorities would have an interest in the safety of its students. Not only was the police station near to the school, special police officers were personally involved in its internal security. All in all, the police were less than a kilometer away, and the main station had already been alerted.

Less than three minutes after Chen'an's call, two police cars arrived at the end of the tree-lined path.

Chen'an had been keeping an eye on the two openings in the boulevard. He smiled.

Scorpion had been anticipating the police's arrival too; he went as rigid as a statue, like prey watching a predator closing in.

Without warning, Chen'an seized his hand and screamed. Scorpion's confusion evaporated as he flinched back from the shrill noise.

"Stop! It hurts! I'm sorry!" Chen'an was giving a very convincing portrayal of agony, with his face contorted and his neck flushed red.

The police didn't see Chen'an grab Scorpion's hand because of the people blocking him, but his pained expression was unmistakable.

A siren pierced the air.

Alarmed, Scorpion tried to shake off Chen'an, but the other boy held on tight and continued shrieking even louder, playing the part of an abused victim in front of the police.

This was unacceptable!

An officer slammed on the brakes and flung open the car door. "You again," he barked, pointing at Scorpion. "You're going to get what you deserve this time, you brat." He was all too familiar with this troublemaker.

"I didn't do anything, Officer He!" Scorpion protested. "He grabbed my hand and refused to let go!"

Chen'an had released him. Innocence and terror decorated his face. Officer He's gaze flickered between them both in obvious skepticism of Scorpion's claims.

A total of two police officers and six auxiliary officers disembarked. They had clearly taken Chen'an's calls for backup very seriously.

Surrounded by eight officers, Scorpion and his gang put up no attempts at resistance, staying rooted to the ground. Even Pan Yuguan was no exception.

Officer He, who was leading the team, approached Chen'an. "Was it you who made the call?" he asked, moderating his tone so as to not frighten the perceived victim.

Chen'an nodded. "They said they were going to beat me up. My teacher said I had to call the police if I ran into any bad people, so…"

"You did the right thing, boy. But you have to come to the station with us to make a report. You're not in trouble, we just need you to tell us what happened."

"Absolutely, sir."

***

It was past two in the afternoon when Chen'an left the police station.

They had only gone there to make a report, but it had been lunchtime when they got there, and when the police learned that he and Lu Gang hadn't eaten, they treated them to a meal at the cafeteria inside. Afterwards, the police had gotten their prettiest female officer to take down their report, to 'calm them down' so they could get everything over and done with without stress.

When they were done, the police assured Chen'an that he didn't have anything to worry about, and to drop them a call if he encountered similar situations again. Chen'an was grateful for their efficiency, attitude, and even warmth. He looked back at the station.

"Their cafeteria food suits my taste–just like that policewoman. We should come here more often."

"No thanks," Lu Gang said sullenly. "I just wasted two hours of my gaming time. Now I can only continue playing at home."

Chen'an glanced at him. No point lowering himself to a child's level.

"I'll be off, then. I'm taking the bus." Chen'an bade him farewell with a wave.

"Okay. Take care." When Chen'an left, Lu Gang took out his phone and dialed his uncle's number, asking to be picked up from the police station.

***

Chen'an's home was in Fu Shui Town. It was part of what the people in the city called the 'country district'. It was past four when Chen'an got off the bus, a little dizzy after two hours of travel. The fresh air was all it took to give him a new spring in his step, though.

"There's no place like home."

He surveyed his surroundings. They were foreign but familiar, if sporting a little less wear than he remembered from his previous life. It was a ten-minute walk from the bus stop to the resettlement house where Chen'an lived.

As usual, his parents weren't home.

His father was a small-time worker in a nearby construction site, and his mother was an employee in a textile factory. Their household monthly income was just shy of 10,000 yuan. They didn't face pressure from the mortgage because they were living in a resettlement house; they weren't rich, but they were content with their lives.

As an only child, Chen'an had learned to provide for himself and cook his own meals since junior high. When he entered the kitchen, he took out some ingredients from the fridge to defrost them. If Chen'an recalled correctly, his parents would be home around 6.30pm, just in time for dinner.

***

Sure enough, his memory hadn't failed him.

"Hi, Dad. Hi, Mum. Dinner's ready. I was just waiting for you," he greeted with a smile.

His mother raised her eyebrows.

"What did you do this time, Chen'an?"