Smack!

The crisp slap cracked the café air like a snapped twig, and the room fell still like a winter pond.

You—how dare you hit me?! Her voice raked the air like claws, mascara shining like oil.

Hmph. One slap is mercy, his gaze hard like cold steel.

Li Muyan’s stare was a blade; Tang Coco had never seen him burn this hot, like a brazier kicked open.

Coco, are you okay? Ye Yiyi’s worry fluttered like a moth; she pulled a napkin and dabbed at Coco’s damp shirt like a gentle rain.

I’m fine. Her smile rose like a thin crescent moon over dusk.

Lu Jiacheng! You’re just watching me get hit? She flung the words like stones into a lake.

...

Lu Jiacheng’s face clouded like a brewing storm; he walked up and spoke low like muffled thunder. Miss, that’s not proper.

Are you blind? Didn’t see who swung first? You’re dressed like you’ve got standing, so why’d you pick this gutter trash? Her words flew like arrows.

Who’re you calling trash? You foxes, stop acting pure! She snarled like a cornered wildcat, nails gleaming like fangs.

Heh. Interesting. No one’s threatened me in ages. Li Muyan’s laugh snapped like ice underfoot.

Stop your act. Just wait. She popped open her bag like a trap and whipped out her phone like a blade.

Hello? Dad, I got hit… Jiacheng’s doing nothing… really… okay, I’ll send the address. Her voice slid sweet, then bit sour, like sugar turned to vinegar.

A few bland words, then the call cut like a door slammed; she stabbed a manicured finger at the women like a spear. None of you are walking out today!

Heh. I’ll see whose pampered daughter you are with quirks like this. Li Muyan’s smile frosted over like rime on leaves.

Coco, are you okay? Aunt Qin’s concern settled like a soft shawl over her shoulders.

It’s fine, Aunt Qin. Tang Coco’s smile glowed like a quiet lantern in mist.

Unnoticed by most, a slim, tall middle-aged man moved fast like a reed bending in wind; he was the café manager. He spotted Aunt Qin across from Coco, started forward with a greeting like a warm cup, but she stopped him with a small gesture like a closed fan. He held back like a tethered hound, then stood aside to watch like a shadow against the wall.

Soon, blue uniforms poured in like a tide rolling over tiles.

What’s going on? The lead young officer cracked his voice like a whip.

Officer Li, over here. Ms. Qun’s lipstick flashed like a little flag.

Ms. Qun, are you okay? Officer Li rushed over like a sprinting hound chasing a whistle.

Do I look okay? It’s serious. That bitch hit me—hurry up and arrest them. She spat venom like a snake flicking its tongue.

Officer Li walked up to Li Muyan; his eyes lit like lamps at midnight. These were first-class beauties, moonlight smooth. The one in the black dress sat like a raven-dark flower; her face burned into him like a brand. He caught himself like a horse reined in and put on a stern mask. Was it you?

Yes. But she swung first. She splashed water over my friend like a wave. I hit her—so what? Li Muyan’s tone stayed calm like a still lake.

It was an accident, but you really hit me, you witch! Ms. Qun shrieked like a goose cornered on ice.

See? And that foul mouth… I couldn’t hold back; I hit her. So what? Li Muyan opened her palms like a breeze pushing curtains.

Miss, please come with us to answer some questions. The lead cop’s voice dropped like a warning drum; something about Li Muyan felt like a concealed blade.

Wow. Two questions and you start cuffing people? Li Muyan’s mockery cut like a blade of frost; she slid past him toward Ms. Qun, who stepped back fast like a crab in surf.

W-What are you doing? Her voice frayed like a torn curtain.

He called you Ms. Qun, right? That makes you Qun family. Li Muyan’s words tapped steady like iron on stone.

Hmph, so you know the Qun family? Too late now. Officer Li, take them in. Her chin tilted up like a spear point catching sun.

That makes it easier. Li Muyan’s smile sharpened like a hunter sighting prey across grass.

Thud-thud-thud—boots drummed the floor as four men burst from the crowd like arrows, then planted themselves in front of Li Muyan like a wall of shields.

I thought you four wouldn’t show. Li Muyan folded her arms like a closed gate, calm as a mountain.

Sorry, miss. We were seeking instructions from Commander Li. The tall buzz-cut youth scratched his head, grinning like sunlight breaking through cloud.

Who are you? Are you obstructing official duty? The cops finally reacted, stepping up with faces reddening like boiling water.

Miss… The tall youth acted like their barking was wind; he kept his eyes on Li Muyan, waiting like a soldier at attention.

Mm. Li Muyan’s nod fell light, like a pebble dropped in a pond.

Apologies. We’re from the Ninghai Military District. We suspect you pose a threat to Commander Li’s family. His words landed like steel on a table.

The four men flipped out their IDs like knives flashing in daylight.

M-Military District! One officer’s eyes widened like lanterns.

Commander Li—which Commander Li? Officer Li’s confusion curled like smoke in a maze.

At your rank, you wouldn’t know. Best ask your superiors. The buzz-cut youth’s tone locked like a shut gate.

Don’t fall for it, Officer Li! Ms. Qun’s shriek cut like a hawk’s cry over cliffs.

Sorry, Ms. Qun. I need to confirm. Officer Li lifted his phone like a shell to his ear; the dial tone rose like a thin wire humming.