377 Chapter 377: Return to the hotel II (1/2)

In the end, there was no need to bring me to a hospital. Xin Chun, who was in the police station with me and Bu Fan, cast her healing spells on me, and the bruising disappeared within minutes. Honestly, light injuries such as these would heal in another hour, given the amount of mana in my body, so she didn't have to waste her mana…

\”Where's Bu Fan?\” I asked, noticing that her brother was missing. Sacha Stuart looked a little uncomfortable.

\”Your friend…got into a fight with the police, attacking Rottsfield. I'm getting my lawyers to work on his case, but he's being held for…assasult.\”

\”It's self-defense!\” Xin Chun argued hotly. \”The detective attacked him first!\”

\”I don't doubt that, but unfortunately the law is the law. Assaulting a detective is still a crime. No way out of that. Don't worry…give me a few days and I'll be able to bail him out. Just be patient.\”

Xin Chun lowered her head, but she understood that Sacha's hands were tied in this case. That he was already doing his best, and she couldn't demand more of him.

\”Thank you,\” she said quietly instead. Sacha nodded, an understanding expression on his face.

\”No, I understand how you feel. Perfectly. Trust me. I will do everything within my power to get your brother out.\”

As I wheeled her out, I was greeted by Adrian and a bunch of Stuart Corporation bodyguards. I glanced around warily, half-expecting Yuan Dao Yue Guang to show up out of nowhere, but thankfully he didn't.

\”Brother Richard! Are you all right?\”

\”Yeah.\” I lifted a hand from Xin Chun's wheelchair to wave at him. \”You're here too?\”

\”This is Southampton City, remember? I live here.\”

Oh, right. The Stuart clan's base city was indeed Southampton City, and that was where the main family and all their establishments were located in. Most of them, anyway. Still, I had just only recently seen Adrian in Aurora City, so I was a little taken aback to see him return to Southampton City so soon. Then again, he did say that he was there just to watch the qualifiers, so it made sense that he came back here to continue watching the knock-out rounds.

\”Wow, I heard you took out a bunch of kidnappers?\”

\”That wasn't me.\” I gestured toward the girl I was currently wheeling toward Sacha's limousine. \”That was her mother.\”

Xin Chun pursed her lips, but she didn't say anything. I hoped she wasn't too offended. She didn't glare at me, though, and merely stared straight ahead before sighing.

\”…yeah.\”

\”We'll bring you both back to the hotel for now. You've been through a lot.\” Sacha glanced back in the direction of the police station, his eyes hardening. \”I'm sorry about your brother, young lady, but as I said, I'll definitely get him out. A few days max. I promise.\”

\”Thanks.\” Xin Chun's voice was subdued, but audible. She said nothing else as I loaded her up into the limousine.

\”How are your preparations for the tournament?\” Adrian asked when I sat next to him in the passenger compartment.

\”Well, you know,\” I replied vaguely. As if I was going to give away details of our strategy to an outsider. Even if I didn't care about this secrecy thig, I couldn't because I had no idea what Harrison had planned. Yet. \”Okay, I guess.\”

\”Do your best! I'm rooting for you!\”

\”Thanks. That's assuming I'm still in the tournament, though.\”

\”Don't worry about that,\” Sacha informed me, having taken a seat opposite me and settling into the rich, leather couch. \”You won't be disqualified. I'll make sure of it. If anything, it's the police's fault for treating you like a criminal.\” When I stilled looked unconvinced, he took out his smartphone and waved it at me. \”I've already spoken to the tournament staff, and they assured me that nothing will happen to you or Bu Fan.\”

Xin Chun visibly relaxed at the mention of her brother, relieved that he wouldn't be kicked out of the competition just because he \”assaulted\” a police detective. I was suddenly immensely relieved that I didn't pull that defiance stunt and fought back, or I would be sharing a cold, dirty cell with Bu Fan tonight. Poor guy.

This, kids, is the reason why you don't just resort to violence and fight back every single time. This wasn't me being \”spineless.\” No, it was just me playing smart. And Rottsfield was going to get punished. Sometimes, what you need is patience and wisdom, not instant retaliation and edgy vengeance.

When we reached the hotel, we were greeted by almost the entire team, minus me and Bu Fan, of course.

\”What happened?\” Harrison demanded, looking concerned. His eyes widened as he took in me and Xin Chun. \”Where's Bu Fan?\”

\”Stuck in jail for now.\” I sighed for a moment before I briefly gave him an account, with Sacha interjecting occasionally to help me build a fuller picture. \”He won't be out until a few days later.\”

\”It's my fault,\” Xin Chun said miserably. \”If I didn't get myself kidnapped, Brother would never have to…he was only trying to save me.\”

\”It's not your fault,\” Pearl assured her, kneeling by her side to place a comforting hand on her arm. The girls gathered around her, trying to help her out.

\”That's right! It's those bastards who tried to kidnap you in the first place!\” Lily agreed fiercely. \”How dare they lay a hand on you?!\”

\”I'm glad you are all right.\” Sheila patted Xin Chun's head. \”That's the most important thing. That you're safe and sound. I'm sure Bu Fan thinks it's all worth it.\”

\”Yeah, Bu Fan is the kind of guy who will walk through hell and back just for his sister. I'm sure he'll just laugh off his stay in a mere cell.\” Craig chuckled with a shake of his head. \”It sucks, but I know he'll be fine. if anything, his jailmates are going to be afraid of him.\”

\”Knowing Bu Fan, he'll probably tame all the other inmates and have them address him as boss or big brother by the end of his stay,\” I muttered. A very typical trope in most modern Chinese webnovels featuring the ultimate soldier or secret agent or whatever.