Chapter 14: Cutting Through the Chaos

Was this really Tian Xiao?

The Tian Xiao they knew? The one who was always kind and helpful, the one who graduated alongside them with a gentle smile?

Two loud punches landed squarely, swelling his opponent's cheeks even more. Despite his furious strikes, Tian Xiao meticulously avoided any fatal areas.

What on earth was going on?

The crowd stared in shock, as if seeing Tian Xiao for the first time. Their gazes scanned him from head to toe, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

Even Li Ying was stunned.

This was only the third time he had encountered Tian Xiao. Their first meeting had been in the afternoon when Tian Xiao turned in his day's haul to the logistics department. The impressive value of 27,000 units of raw ore had left Li Ying envious.

Knowing about the rumors of Tian Xiao and Wang Jingyi, Li Ying had decided to keep his distance, maintaining his lofty demeanor. During their second encounter, he barely acknowledged Tian Xiao. But now, this third meeting had left him thoroughly shaken.

A mere H2-ranked miner was pummeling an H4-ranked powerhouse like Gao Chong, pinning him to the ground with ease.

Tian Xiao's demeanor had completely transformed. No longer the unassuming, low-profile worker he appeared to be, he now exuded a violent and commanding aura that sent shivers down everyone's spines.

And then there was this: Tian Xiao seemed to know Chen Wuling quite well, even displaying a surprising camaraderie with her.

While others might be unaware of the intricacies of the security team, Li Ying understood its significance. The security team was responsible for ensuring the safety of the base, defending against the planet's remaining ferocious beasts, and protecting transport vessels during their interstellar voyages. Each member was a battle-hardened veteran, earning salaries and privileges far beyond his own.

At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed as a group approached swiftly.

Leading them was none other than Luo Fei, the head of the security team.

"What's going on here?"

Luo Fei pushed through the crowd, his sharp gaze scanning the scene inside the private room.

Tian Xiao finally stopped. He flung the bloodied Gao Chong aside, letting him collapse against the wall.

Chen Wuling quickly summarized the situation in a few concise sentences.

Wang Jingyi and her friends listened attentively, their expressions shifting as the truth unfolded.

Zhu Xiaotian had been drugged, and her final message had been sent to Tian Xiao.

No wonder he had arrived so promptly.

The weight of guilt fell heavily on the group. As Zhu Xiaotian's friends, they hadn't taken good care of her, nearly allowing a disaster to happen.

Wang Jingyi rushed into the room:

"Xiaotian!"

"Are you okay? Please wake up!"

Luo Fei stepped forward, glancing at Gao Chong's disfigured face. He pressed a hand against a point on Zhu Xiaotian's neck.

With a loud retch, Zhu Xiaotian vomited up a mouthful of foul-smelling liquid and slowly opened her bleary eyes.

Wang Jingyi burst into tears, pulling Zhu Xiaotian into her arms. "You scared me to death, Xiaotian!"

Blinking weakly, Zhu Xiaotian glanced around the room, her gaze settling on Tian Xiao. With great effort, she managed to whisper, "Thank… thank you… Tian Xiao."

"Captain, what should we do with this scum?" Chen Wuling, who had remained deferential to Luo Fei in front of others, asked.

"Take him to the security department's holding area. Gather all witness statements and surveillance footage as evidence. When the transport ship departs next time, hand him over to the judicial authorities."

Li Ying's face darkened. Luo Fei's words sealed Gao Chong's fate. Though Li Ying had no direct involvement in Gao Chong's actions, introducing him as a friend now tied him to the incident in everyone's eyes. Wang Jingyi and her friends looked at Li Ying with suspicion and resentment.

Great. Not only had he failed to gain favor with Wang Jingyi, but he'd also lost any chance of redeeming himself.

Li Ying's frustration boiled over internally. Gao Chong had utterly ruined everything. Now disgraced and headed for prison, there was nothing left to salvage.

Luo Fei's team efficiently collected evidence, escorted Gao Chong, Zhu Xiaotian, and Wang Jingyi away, and even took Tian Xiao to the security department for further questioning.

The birthday party ended prematurely.

As the crowd dispersed, murmurs filled the air:

"I never imagined Gao Chong was such a monster…"

"What a beast in disguise!"

"Thank goodness Tian Xiao arrived in time."

"Who knows what might have happened otherwise?"

At the security department, Chen Wuling and the others donned their work uniforms and handled the case methodically. Statements were taken, and the drug found in Zhu Xiaotian's system was identified. The evidence was irrefutable.

Wang Jingyi stayed by Zhu Xiaotian's side while Gao Chong was thrown into a holding cell, awaiting transfer. Meanwhile, Chen Wuling approached Tian Xiao with a grin.

"Lucky you," Chen said. "Luo Fei just submitted a request to the company for a reward for your heroism. They approved it. You're getting a 50,000-unit bonus. Remember to treat us!"

Tian Xiao chuckled. "Thanks, Chen. It's all thanks to your help. Once the bonus comes through, I'll definitely take everyone out for a meal."

"Relax, I was just joking," Chen said, waving him off with a laugh. "There's still some paperwork to wrap up here. You can head home for now. Don't forget about tomorrow's handover."

Tian Xiao gave a thumbs-up and left.

As he exited, he ran into Zhu Xiaotian, Wang Jingyi, and Li Ying near the entrance.

Wang Jingyi was the first to speak. "Thank you for your help today. I'm so glad you arrived in time."

Tian Xiao ignored her, turning his gaze to Zhu Xiaotian instead.

"I warned you about Gao Chong. He's trouble. You walked right into this one. Be more careful next time. Not every situation will turn out so well."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Tears welled up in Zhu Xiaotian's eyes. The memory of what had nearly happened still terrified her. She was immensely grateful to Tian Xiao for his timely intervention and the message that had allowed her to send out a plea for help. Without it, she could have lost everything.

Wang Jingyi felt equally upset. Her well-intentioned birthday party had ended in disaster, leaving her wracked with guilt and shame.

She had tried to thank Tian Xiao, but his cold dismissal left her feeling invisible.

"At least things didn't turn out worse," Li Ying said, attempting to console Wang Jingyi. "The most important thing is that Xiaotian is safe now."

But Wang Jingyi's mind was already made up. In her heart, she had written off Li Ying completely.

Gao Chong's true nature couldn't have been a secret to Li Ying, who had intentionally introduced him to her circle. His actions were inexcusable.

"Li Ying, you should head home. I'm staying with Xiaotian for now," Wang Jingyi said, her tone cold and distant.

Li Ying's heart sank.

"Jingyi, I swear, I didn't know Gao Chong was like this. I swear on my honor!"

But Wang Jingyi and Zhu Xiaotian had already turned away, retreating into their apartment building.

Once inside, Zhu Xiaotian stopped at her door and looked back at Wang Jingyi. "You should go home too. I need some time alone."

"Xiaotian,