Chapter 20: Mantis Stalks Cicada, Sparrow Watches

As Jiang Feng was led away by the police, Ma Lianhao snapped out of his daze, fumbling for his phone to make a call. He knew things had spiraled out of control.

Meanwhile, in another lavish room at Red Devil Bar, Jiang Hao was also on the phone—with his father, Jiang Jingyun. Jiang Hao happened to be drinking there tonight and knew everything that had unfolded. When Ma Lianhao got into trouble, Jiang Hao figured Jiang Feng would show up, whether out of loyalty or pride, making the bar a hotspot for drama. Despite his companion’s urging, he stayed, eager to watch the chaos unfold.

Jiang Hao and Jiang Feng had always been at odds. He’d been waiting for a chance to make Jiang Feng pay for his recklessness, but lately, Jiang Feng had been too quiet, offering no openings. Tonight’s opportunity was too good to miss. However, as a Jiang, openly siding with outsiders against Jiang Feng risked Grandpa Jiang’s wrath. The family could discipline its own, but no one else had the right to touch a Jiang.

So, Jiang Hao pretended to look the other way, acting oblivious. Leaving would’ve been smarter, but he couldn’t resist the show—imagining Jiang Feng’s miserable defeat at Li Yuanjue’s hands.

The outcome, though, disappointed him.

“Dad, something happened at Red Devil Bar,” Jiang Hao reported, barely containing his glee.

“What?” Jiang Jingyun’s authoritative voice came through.

Jiang Hao recounted the events in detail, feigning concern. “Dad, Jiang Feng was ruthless—broke Li Yuanjue’s leg.”

“Disgraceful. Utterly reckless,” Jiang Jingyun replied, and both father and son burst into laughter.

“What’s next?” Jiang Hao asked.

“Stay out of it. I’ll handle it,” Jiang Jingyun said coldly, hanging up.

Like Jiang Hao, Jiang Jingyun had been hunting for Jiang Feng’s missteps. As an elder, he had to be subtle to avoid Grandpa Jiang’s fury. But now, Jiang Feng had handed him a golden opportunity. If he didn’t seize it, even the heavens wouldn’t forgive him.

*****

Jiang Feng’s swift, brutal actions shattered Xia Dongxue’s perception of him. 

In the police car, her gaze on him remained complex.

Jiang Feng didn’t care what Xia Dongxue thought. He acted on instinct—breaking Li Yuanjue’s leg meant nothing to him; even taking his life wouldn’t faze him. His mind was on who’d called the police. Not Li Yuanjue—he was too confident in his plan to invite trouble. Then who?

The feeling of being schemed against irked him.

Xia Dongxue, seeing Jiang Feng’s indifference, fumed. “Nothing to say about what happened?”

“Oh, the moonlight’s nice. How about we grab a drink somewhere, talk life goals?” Jiang Feng teased, smirking.

“You…” Xia Dongxue gritted her teeth. A fool was a fool, flirting even now. Glaring, she snapped, “Jiang Feng, you seem in high spirits. Hope you stay that way.”

Jiang Feng shrugged, unfazed by her threat. “Hard not to be, with a beauty like Captain Xia.”

“Jiang Feng, need a lesson?” Xia Dongxue raised her voice, baffled. He’d always been a coward around her, skulking and submissive—not this brazen. Recalling how he’d snapped Li Yuanjue’s leg without hesitation at the bar, she found him alien, even unsettling.

Her anger didn’t scare Jiang Feng—it amused him. The old Young Master Jiang wasn’t afraid of Xia Dongxue; his leniency stemmed from her being a woman, stirring his habitual weakness for charm. Xia Dongxue’s fiery temper aside, her figure in that uniform—curves in all the right places—was undeniable. Even he, used to stunning women, had to admit she was captivating.

The car stopped at the station. Xia Dongxue got out, yanking the door open. “Jiang Feng, out.”

Jiang Feng grinned, stepping down casually. “Officer Xia, girls are more likable gentle, don’t you think?”

“Shut up,” Xia Dongxue snapped, flushing with embarrassment.

Jiang Feng laughed, strutting into the station.

A young officer at the entrance frowned at Jiang Feng’s attitude, turning to Xia Dongxue. “Captain Xia, you okay?”

“Fine,” Xia Dongxue said, shaking off her slip.

“You’ve worked hard. Let me handle this case—go rest,” the officer offered.

“No, I’m good,” Xia Dongxue replied. Rest was impossible until she settled this. She wasn’t letting it slide.

The officer knew Xia Dongxue’s workaholic streak—relentless when on a case. Wanting to say something softer, he held back, redirecting his frustration at Jiang Feng.

In the interrogation room, as Jiang Feng moved to sit, the young officer—Lu Zhisen—lunged, shoving his shoulder. “Stand! Who said you could sit?”

Jiang Feng glanced at him, smiling faintly, unbothered. Xia Dongxue frowned. “Captain Lü, what’s this?”

“Scum like him, still acting up in here,” Lu Zhisen said. “He needs a lesson, or he’ll think he’s untouchable.”

Xia Dongxue glanced at Jiang Feng’s calm indifference, her own anger flaring. Wanting to knock him down a peg, she said, “Fine.”

Lu Zhisen moved the chair, sitting beside Xia Dongxue and opening a notebook. “Captain Xia, you brought him in. You question him. I’ll listen.”

Xia Dongxue cut to the point. “Name.”

“Captain Xia got amnesia?” Jiang Feng said lightly.

Her brows knitted. “Jiang Feng, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re calling my name and asking it. Boring game,” Jiang Feng said, exasperated.

Xia Dongxue bit back her anger. “I know it’s you, but procedure’s procedure. Answer what I ask.”

“Your attitude makes me think you’re settling a personal score,” Jiang Feng said with a wry smile.

“You can suspect what you want, but don’t question my methods,” Xia Dongxue said, her face hardening.

Lu Zhisen slammed the table. “Jiang Feng, behave. Don’t think the Jiang family lets you do whatever you want.”

Jiang Feng gave Lu Zhisen a long look, seeing his hostility wasn’t personal—it was about Xia Dongxue. If Lu Zhisen thought picking a fight would win her favor, he was dead wrong.

Jiang Feng didn’t bother arguing. Eyes narrowing, he said, “Get lost.”

“What’d you say?” Lu Zhisen sputtered, shocked.

Slap! 

Jiang Feng struck without warning. He didn’t waste words on people like this.

The sudden slap stunned Lu Zhisen. Clutching his face, he stared in disbelief. He hadn’t seen Jiang Feng move. Even with distance between them, he should’ve dodged—Jiang Feng was supposed to be weak. Yet the stinging pain on his cheek was real, no time to react.

Lu Zhisen’s eagerness was indeed to impress Xia Dongxue, hoping to stand out. She was the station’s famed beauty, with countless suitors, yet his efforts never swayed her. Jiang Feng’s antics gave him a chance to play the tough, fearless cop, proving his worth while sticking to duty. Now, he’d miscalculated, fury rising, ready to explode.

Xia Dongxue grabbed him. “Captain Lu, calm down. Don’t fall for his trap.”

Her words cooled Lu Zhisen instantly. She was right—Jiang Feng’s status made slapping him a minor offense. If Lu Zhisen struck back, he’d be finished. Swallowing his rage, he vowed to make Jiang Feng regret this later.