RYEY – Chapter 206 Letting Go Too Early

The bus slowly approached the county town. Cheng Qiao finally let out a sigh of relief. Thank heavens, nothing unexpected had happened. But she relaxed too quickly. Suddenly, little Cheng Li in her arms let out a loud wail.

Cheng Qiao looked down and realized that, somehow, little Cheng Li’s face had two deep scratches—scratches made by a young woman standing right beside her.

“I’m sorry, auntie. The bus braked suddenly, and my fingernail accidentally scratched the child’s face. I’m really sorry.”

Li Huan and Xuhui were sitting in the back, but Cheng Qiao’s back blocked their view, and for a moment, they didn’t know whether the young woman was telling the truth.

Li Le couldn’t hold back. She had clearly seen the young woman deliberately drag her fingernail across little Cheng Li’s face. Afterward, she kept apologizing, but her eyes were full of pride.

“You wicked woman! You did it on purpose. The bus only braked slightly. Your hand was originally on the armrest—it couldn’t possibly have scratched the child’s face.”

Cheng Qiao looked up at the young woman. There was obvious guilt in her eyes. Yes, she had done it deliberately.

Why was it that this woman was good-looking, dressed nicely, and even had a cute child in her arms—but lacked a knife? Otherwise, Cheng Qiao would have liked to scratch her face or the child’s face in return.

The malicious look flashed across her eyes, and Cheng Qiao caught it instantly. That expression reminded her of Chen Chunhua back in the day—someone jealous because another person was more beautiful than her.

“If you’re not beautiful, fine. But if your soul is ugly too, people like you should be sent to labor reform to learn what true goodness and beauty are.”

“Wh-what did you say about who’s not beautiful?”

“I’m talking about you. And you must go with me to the hospital. Who knows if there’s poison under your fingernails? If there is, that’s intentional murder.”

“You… you’re talking nonsense! Who’s fingernails have poison?”

Cheng Qiao snorted coldly. She first comforted little Cheng Li, handed him to Li Le, and then unexpectedly grabbed the young woman’s hand to check her fingernails.

The young woman was startled and tried to pull her hand back. But with Cheng Qiao’s upgraded strength from her space enhancement, she couldn’t move it at all.

While the young woman struggled, Cheng Qiao secretly inserted some toxic powder from her space into the girl’s fingernail—but only into her little finger.

“What is this? You still won’t admit there’s poison in your fingernails. I have no grudge against you, so why harm my child? Are you some kind of spy?”

Cheng Qiao stood up, holding the young woman’s hand high and asked sternly.

The ticket seller and driver were stunned. Could this woman really see through spies? They thought—they had to quickly take her to the police station.

The bus skillfully turned and sped toward the police station. The young woman was shocked by Cheng Qiao’s words. Looking closely at her little finger, there really was yellow powder under her nail.

“You… you set me up!”

“Why would I set you up?”

“Because I scratched your son’s face!”

“Why would you scratch my son’s face?”

“Because I don’t like people who are prettier than me. No, you tricked me into admitting it—I didn’t mean to scratch your son’s face.”

“Oh~”

Cheng Qiao nodded. Around them, the passengers had originally doubted her claim. A neat, clean young woman couldn’t possibly be a spy.

But after hearing her explanation, they realized that while the young woman was unlikely a spy, her heart was indeed cruel. Looking at the child’s snow-white, tender face marred by the deep red scratches, it was chilling.

When the police saw the bus stopping in front of the station, they immediately realized there was a problem and called everyone to the door.

The driver first got off the bus and explained the situation. Two police officers boarded and were stunned to see Li Huan—they realized this was the hero who had caught a wanted criminal.

Everyone admired Li Huan, and from their hearts, despised the young woman who had harmed little Cheng Li.

The young woman was completely terrified. She had only been jealous and wanted to bully the child a little. Apologizing was usually enough. She had done such things many times without consequences.

“I’m not a spy. I was only jealous because she’s prettier than me. I really am not a spy!”

Cheng Qiao saw that the girl’s face had turned pale with fear and sighed. Beauty comes from your parents. If you’re not as good-looking, how can you blame others?

Still, Cheng Qiao cleaned the toxic powder from her fingernail. She realized that if this powder were tested, she herself could get into trouble.

The young woman was still brought into the station. A female police officer came out and checked her fingernails. Except for some blood on her index and middle fingers, her little finger was clean.

The young woman was surprised and looked at Cheng Qiao. Cheng Qiao looked back teasingly. The young woman suddenly understood Cheng Qiao’s expression and felt a chill down her back.

“Auntie… no, comrade, you’re right. I’m not beautiful, and my heart is even uglier. I know I was wrong. I’ll change. I’m willing to pay for the child’s medical expenses.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, held up two fingers in a cross, signaling ten yuan. The young woman hesitated—she didn’t have ten yuan.

After checking all her pockets, she only had seven yuan eighty cents. Cheng Qiao took the money, smiling at her. As the girl was puzzled, Cheng Qiao suddenly grabbed her, leaving two scratches on her face.

“Ah… you…”

The girl clutched her face in pain, unable to believe it. She had apologized and even paid the money. How could this woman still do this to her?

“My son is too young, so I can only avenge him. Sorry, I apologize on his behalf. Here’s seven yuan eighty cents—his medical compensation to you.”

Everyone watched Cheng Qiao and the young woman, unsure what to say. Li Huan laughed. Using someone’s own methods against them—that was the best justice.

The driver and ticket seller were disappointed the young woman wasn’t a spy. Otherwise, they could have received rewards from their superiors. Seeing the hatred in the girl’s eyes, the ticket seller spoke up: “Police comrades, this person has a bad character. If incidents like this happen again, how can we continue our work? I suggest you investigate her, see what’s going on.”

The driver’s eyes lit up, understanding his partner’s meaning. He added: “Yes, I suggest your police station investigate her workplace and family background.”