Early the next morning, Jiang Cheng woke up on time, read a book, exercised, and then went out.

Today, only she and Shen Yue walked together.

The difference was that she escorted Shen Yue to school. Under Shen Yue’s guidance, Jiang Cheng confronted Zhu Pengcheng, who had beaten Shen Xing the day before.

Zhu Pengcheng, nicknamed “Fatty Zhu,” was tall and stout.

“What do you want? I know you. Aren’t you the one staying at Shen Xing’s house? Let me tell you, my mom is really tough! If you dare hit me, she’ll definitely avenge me!”

Jiang Cheng’s face was stern as she disapprovingly said:

“Why all this talk of fighting and killing? I’m just here to ask you a few questions. Shen Xing said you never fight, so why did you start yesterday?”

Zhu Pengcheng took two steps back, eyeing the iron rod in Jiang Cheng’s hand.

“You—you—put that rod down before you speak.”

“This? I just picked it up casually. I don’t mean to fight, so don’t get the wrong idea.”

Jiang Cheng held the rod, seemingly puzzled about how to put it away.

Somehow, with a crisp snap, the iron rod broke in half.

Broken!

Zhu Pengcheng’s eyes widened, and he turned to run, but Jiang Cheng, anticipating this, grabbed him by the collar.

“Answer my questions before you run. Dare to shout—”

“No, no, no, no! I won’t!”

The scene had been too shocking, and Zhu Pengcheng obediently explained everything.

After hearing him out, Jiang Cheng’s expression darkened as she asked, “What did the person who gave you money look like?”

“I didn’t see clearly. His face was covered in coal dust.”

“Where’s the money? Did you spend it?”

Zhu Pengcheng shook his head and, under Jiang Cheng’s threat, pulled out a one-yuan bill.

Jiang Cheng tucked the bill into a book, gave Zhu Pengcheng a look, and said, “Go back to class.”

Zhu Pengcheng bolted!

So scary!

His head wasn’t as tough as that iron rod!

And his one yuan—he hadn’t even warmed it up yet!

Jiang Cheng emerged from the blind spot.

As for the iron rod, it was just a prop from her anti-wolf equipment.

After leaving the school, Jiang Cheng went to the recycling station.

At the moment, Sister Wang wasn’t around, so she couldn’t take time off casually.

However, during lunch, Jiang Cheng still managed to slip out.

She went to the police station, found Chief Tang, and inquired about the recent activities of Sister Kong’s son, Dongzi.

Inside the office.

“Comrade Jiang Cheng, what are you suspecting?”

“Just speculation. It’s mainly because Shen Xing’s injury was too coincidental. Dongzi followed me for two days and then stopped, and right after that, Shen Xing got hurt.”

“If Shen Xing is injured, Grandma Shen will need to stay home to take care of him, and no one will be able to pick me up from night school. Then I’ll be alone.”

Chief Tang agreed with Jiang Cheng’s analysis—it was indeed too coincidental.

Jiang Cheng handed the one-yuan bill to Chief Tang and said, “This money smells of cooking oil, something only someone who cooks regularly would have on them.”

Dongzi doesn’t earn money; his funds come from Sister Kong.

“Comrade Jiang Cheng, you’re very sharp and insightful. Would you be willing to cooperate with us as bait?”

Chief Tang carefully asked, as the investigation had reached a deadlock and needed something to stir things up to catch the bigger fish.

“I’m not willing.”

Jiang Cheng’s answer was completely unexpected.

The other comrade in the office couldn’t hide his expression fast enough, and it was clear he was a bit angry.

“How could you—”

“Jiang Cheng, go on.”

Chief Tang shot a look, and the comrade taking notes didn’t dare to continue, focusing on writing instead.

Jiang Cheng’s gaze remained clear, unflinching as she met Chief Tang’s eyes:

“I don’t think the other party will act after night school ends. After that night, they lost a lot of people, so they’ll definitely know the night school is a key area of focus.”

“Given that, if Dongzi really wants to act, he’ll definitely choose another method, one we can’t anticipate. If that happens, what will happen to my safety?”

“I know you’re going to talk to me about national duty, but do you understand me? Do you know my value?”

“Are you weighing the pros and cons, ensuring that this is the only option in a desperate situation? Have you carefully considered and meticulously planned the bait operation?”

Jiang Cheng’s sweeping gaze and words made the note-taking comrade swallow what he was about to say.

No, none of that.

Jiang Cheng, her back straight, softened her expression and continued, “I have an immature suggestion…”

“Go on.”

Chief Tang had a very good impression of Jiang Cheng.

He also didn’t think Jiang Cheng’s refusal was wrong.

This wasn’t her responsibility to begin with.

As he listened to Jiang Cheng, Chief Tang suddenly slammed the table and nodded repeatedly, “Good! Let’s do it!”

Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement:

“Then we’ll meet at the school this afternoon. I’ll be there on time.”

After saying this, Jiang Cheng left the police station and returned to the recycling station to continue working.

At 2 p.m., she approached the station director.

“Knock knock—”

“Come in.”

Jiang Cheng entered, politely greeted the director, and stated her purpose.

“Director, there’s something I’d like to report.”

“Oh? What is it?”

The director looked up, waiting for Jiang Cheng to continue.

“It’s like this. My younger brother was accidentally injured, and the school is planning to conduct a safety education construction. They want me, as a representative parent, to speak on stage about student safety issues.”

“At first, I refused. With Sister Wang not here, how could I go?”

The director nodded inwardly; Xiao Jiang certainly knew her place. But why was she here now?

“But then Chief Tang suddenly came over and said this is a joint safety education construction effort between the police and the school…”

“Chief Tang?”

The director perked up a bit. If Chief Tang had spoken, he couldn’t refuse.

“Xiao Jiang, children are the morning sun, the flowers we need to nurture and protect. If the school has a need, how can the recycling station not cooperate?”

Jiang Cheng seemed to have an epiphany.

“I hadn’t thought that deeply. Good thing I came to ask you. But what about my work?”

“It’s fine. There aren’t many people in the afternoon. Anyone can handle a few tasks.”

“Should I go then?”

“Go! Of course, go.”

Jiang Cheng agreed with an “Ah,” then hurriedly ran out.

“Why are you running?”

“Director, I’m a bit pressed for time. I’m afraid I might be late.”

“It’s fine. Take my bicycle. Make sure to cooperate well with Chief Tang on the safety education construction.”

“I’ll complete the task.”

Jiang Cheng successfully got time off and even borrowed the director’s 28-inch bicycle, pedaling hard as she rode to the school.

She arrived on time.

Chief Tang had already communicated with the school.

All the teachers and students were gathered on the playground, and the old loudspeaker broadcasted the speakers’ voices.

The principal spoke first, followed by Chief Tang, and finally, it was Jiang Cheng’s turn.

“Hello everyone, it’s an honor to be here today to conduct safety education construction and promote spiritual civilization knowledge.”

“First, let’s talk about spiritual civilization… Students of the new era should study hard, improve every day, unite in friendship, and help each other.”

“For example, Xiao Zhu, upon seeing a classmate from a single-parent family, gathered a few classmates to block their way, throw things, and verbally abuse them. These actions are wrong. They don’t align with the construction of student spiritual civilization.”

Below the stage, Zhu Pengcheng: Oh no! This is aimed at me!

“Actually, the story I just told was made up. I believe none of our students would do such a thing, or at least they won’t in the future.”

Jiang Cheng smiled warmly, scaring Zhu Pengcheng into a cold sweat.

“Next, let’s do a fun Q&A. I’ll invite a student to come up and assist.”

“Let’s see… Zhu Pengcheng.”