Chapter 8: I'll Beat Them If I Have To

Xia Lan looked at Officer Hua, one brow raised in suspicion.

"Did something happen, Officer? And…" Her eyes shifted to the unfamiliar woman beside him.

The woman stepped forward with a professional smile, extending her hand.

"Hello, I'm Lawyer Mei. I'm here regarding your case."

Xia Lan shook her hand politely and stepped aside.

"Please, come in."

Just as Officer Hua and Lawyer Mei were about to enter, a clattering sound echoed from the hallway.

All three turned their heads.

Xia Lan's expression twitched the moment she saw Lu Zhi marching toward them—wearing a cooking pan on her head like a helmet and gripping a baseball bat like a warrior on a battlefield.

Officer Hua instinctively moved his hand behind his back, as if reaching for a weapon—then paused, his brows furrowing slightly as he took in Lu Zhi's comically harmless figure.

Lu Zhi suddenly burst out shouting, swinging her bat.

"I'm telling you—I'm powerful! Thief, if you know what's good for you, run while you still—mmfff!"

Before she could finish, Xia Lan quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.

Turning to Officer Hua with an apologetic smile, she said, "Don't mind her. If I don't stop her, she'll start spiraling into one of her fantasy roleplays again. Please, go ahead and take a seat on the sofa. I'll be right there."

Without waiting for a reply, Xia Lan dragged Lu Zhi away, who was still mumbling through Xia Lan's hand, her eyes sparkling with heroic delusions.

Behind them, Officer Hua and Lawyer Mei both twitched slightly—clearly trying to hold back their laughter.

As Xia Lan entered her room, she placed a firm hand on the pan still resting on Lu Zhi's head and gave it a light clap with her other hand, snapping Zhi out of her fantasy mode.

Lu Zhi blinked, then grinned innocently."Oh, Xia Lan, I wasn't daydreaming again! I was just acting!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Xia Lan replied flatly.

Lu Zhi waved a hand dramatically."Of course! This is method acting. We computer experts need this kind of immersive environment for inspiration, you know!"

Xia Lan stared at her with a completely unreadable expression.

As Lu Zhi began fidgeting under her gaze, Xia Lan finally said, deadpan:"Stop your nonsense and come with me to the living room."

Zhi quickly nodded and followed Xia Lan out.

They both sat across from Officer Hua and Lawyer Mei on the living room sofa.

With a serious expression, Hua reached into his bag and placed a document folder on the table in front of Xia Lan.

"There's something you need to see," he said solemnly.

Xia Lan leaned forward and opened the folder. As her eyes scanned the contents, her expression slowly darkened. Her brows furrowed deeply, and the cheerful energy from before drained from her face.

Lu Zhi, sitting beside her, noticed Xia Lan's expression turn grim and leaned over to glance at the document as well.

Her playful demeanor faded as she saw Xia Lan's face growing tense.

Once they both had finished reading, Officer Hua spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"We obtained these results through our investigation," he began. "The woman you've known as your aunt… she's not your biological relative."

Xia Lan's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.

Officer Hua continued, "Your real parents are members of the Shen family. We've already contacted them, and they'll be arriving on a flight tomorrow to meet you."

Lawyer Mei added gently, "We conducted a full DNA test. There's no doubt—you're their daughter."

Officer Hua gave a final nod as he stood.

"We're still investigating the person behind all of this, so don't worry," he said firmly.

With that, he and Lawyer Mei left the house, the door closing gently behind them.

The living room fell into silence.

Lu Zhi glanced at Xia Lan, who sat with a calm, unreadable expression. But her eyes—there was something in her eyes. A quiet trembling. Like she was holding back a storm.

Without a word, Lu Zhi leaned over and hugged her tightly.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "It's a good thing, right? You found your real parents… and it's okay to cry."

Xia Lan blinked, confused, and looked down at her friend's worried face.

"…Don't get lost in your fantasy world again," she said flatly. "I'm not crying."

Lu Zhi pulled back, clearly pouting now. "Hmph. You look like you were about to."

Xia Lan flicked her finger against Lu Zhi's forehead.

Flick!

"Ow! What was that for?!" Lu Zhi whined, rubbing her head.

"It's almost eleven. Go to sleep," Xia Lan said, already turning toward her room. "You can study tomorrow."

Without waiting for another retort, she disappeared behind her door.

Inside her room, the silence settled like a blanket. Xia Lan lay on her bed, one hand under her chin, her eyes tracing the ceiling in thought.

Her expression gradually shifted, a trace of something distant passing through her gaze.

"In my previous life... I never investigated my background. I always believed my parents were dead…"

Her fingers curled slightly. "But they're alive. The Shen family… they're my family?"

Her thoughts spun faster, and suddenly, an image flashed in her mind—Shen Li's face during class. The way she looked at her. With jealousy,

"…Why was Shen Li staring at me like that?" she murmured to herself, eyes narrowing slightly

But she quickly shook the thought away, turning on her side and closing her eyes.

Her gaze lingered on the ceiling as her thoughts darkened once more.

"I don't know what kind of people the Shen family are… but if they're the type of bastards who look down on others—"Her lips curled into a cold smile. "—then I'll just beat them into shape. Simple as that."