Her aunt stormed toward her and raised her hand.
Smack!
The slap landed hard across Xia Lan's cheek, leaving it flushed red. She didn't dodge. She didn't fight back.
She just stood there, her head tilted slightly from the blow, lips trembling as if on the verge of tears—but her eyes remained cold. Unmoving. Behind her back, her hand clenched tightly into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.
"Aunt… did you just slap me?" she asked softly, almost like a whisper.
Her aunt froze for a split second, then scoffed with a sneer.
"How dare you talk back to me? Get lost!" she snapped, turning sharply and stomping toward the kitchen, muttering curses under her breath.
Xia Lan stood in silence, her expression draining into something blank—empty.
Then, without a word, she turned and walked calmly into the living room. She picked up the old, dusty landline phone and dialed with steady fingers.
It rang once before a calm voice answered.
"Hello, this is emergency services. How may I help you?"
"Hello," Xia Lan said calmly into the phone. "I'd like to report something."
She paused for a moment, her voice steady despite the faint redness still on her cheek.
"My name is Xia Lan. I'm a minor. I've been physically assaulted, and I believe my legal inheritance was stolen by my guardian."
There was silence on the other end for a beat—then the operator's tone became sharp and professional.
"Understood. Stay where you are. Officers will be dispatched immediately."
Not long after, there was a knock at the door.
Bang bang bang.
Her aunt stomped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a greasy towel, clearly irritated.
"Who the hell—"
She yanked open the door—and froze.
Two uniformed police officers stood at the threshold, serious expressions on their faces.
"Officers?" she blinked, forcing a smile. "Is something wrong?"
One of the officers stepped forward, flashing a badge.
"We received a report of physical abuse and illegal misappropriation of a minor's property."
Her aunt's expression twisted instantly. "What?! Who—? That's ridiculous! You've got the wrong—"
The second officer cut her off. "Ma'am, we'll need to speak to the child living here. Is Xia Lan present?"
From the hallway, Xia Lan stepped into view.
Her face was calm. Expressionless.
But the red handprint on her cheek said everything.
As soon as Xia Lan stepped into view, her aunt's face twisted with rage. She pointed a shaking, accusatory finger at the girl.
"You little bitch—you called the police on me?! How dare you?!"
The officers' expressions immediately darkened.
"Ma'am, watch your language," the first officer said sternly.
Turning to his partner, he added, "Officer Hua, check the girl. Look for any visible injuries. I'll need the property papers as well."
The aunt exploded again, stepping forward aggressively.
"You can't touch her! She's my niece! You people have no right!"
Officer Hua held up a hand calmly. "We have every right when there's a report of abuse. Step aside, ma'am."
"Y-you can't just come in and—!"
"If you refuse to comply," the first officer interrupted coldly, "we'll have to take you in for obstruction of justice."
Her aunt froze, fury still simmering in her eyes—but for now, she stepped back.
Meanwhile, Officer Hua gently approached Xia Lan. He crouched to her eye level, his voice soft and professional.
"Xia Lan, right? Can I check your arms and face for any bruises or marks? You're not in trouble—we just want to help."
Xia Lan gave a small nod and raised her sleeve.
A faint line of old bruises—faded but still visible—ran along her forearm. The red mark from the slap still burned on her cheek.
Officer Hua's jaw tightened.
"Noted," he said quietly, then stood and looked at his partner. "Confirmed. She has visible injuries, some recent, some older."
The first officer turned back to the aunt.
"You're going to need to come with us. We'll continue this at the station. And bring those papers—you'll be explaining everything under oath."
Her aunt snarled, backing away toward the kitchen.
"Huh?! I'm not going anywhere with you bastards! Let go of me!" she screamed, trying to shake off the officer's grip as they began to restrain her.
"Ma'am, don't resist," the officer warned, already pulling out handcuffs. "You're making this worse for yourself."
Meanwhile, Officer Hua approached Xia Lan slowly, his tone gentle and reassuring.
"Xia Lan, would you be willing to come with us to the station? Just so we can get your full statement."
She looked up at him silently, her expression calm but tired.
"I promise," he continued, voice soft, "if what you say is true and this house legally belongs to you, we'll make sure it's returned."
Xia Lan nodded slowly.
"...Okay."
Her voice was quiet, but there was strength behind it.
Behind them, her aunt screamed in fury as the officers secured her in cuffs.
"You ungrateful brat! I raised you! This is how you repay me?! You think you're better than me now?!"
Xia Lan didn't look back. She simply followed Officer Hua out of the house, her back straight, her eyes cold.
At the police station, the officers carefully reviewed the documents her aunt had reluctantly handed over.
They examined the property transfer papers, flipping through each page with furrowed brows.
"This signature…" one officer muttered, narrowing his eyes. "There's no legal witness. And—wait—when was this signed?"
Another officer tapped the date and cross-checked Xia Lan's ID.
"She was only eight years old when this was signed," he said darkly. "This isn't valid. A minor can't legally transfer property rights."
The lead officer looked up and turned to Xia Lan with a firm but reassuring voice.
"Girl, the house is still yours. These papers are invalid."
Xia Lan simply nodded, her expression unreadable. Her hands rested calmly in her lap.
Across the room, her aunt's face distorted with rage. Her voice dripped with venom as she sneered,
"Hah! So what? What can you even do with that broken-down house? Your parents' business? All gone! Destroyed! You have nothing—just like before!"
Xia Lan's calm expression flickered—just for a moment. Her fingers clenched slightly, and a cold anger sparked in her eyes. But she didn't say a word.
She stood up.
Without looking back, she turned and began walking out of the station.
Behind her, her aunt screamed, her voice echoing through the hallway as the officers restrained her.
"You bitch! Get me out of here! You hear me?! Stop right there! Don't walk away from me!"
But Xia Lan didn't stop.
Her footsteps were steady.
Her silence was louder than any scream.