Chapter 8: When two people fight, that is called a mutual brawl.

"Then let me ask you this: what does it take to get a paternity test?"

Zhao Qiang asked loudly in front of everyone. The onlookers who had just been attacking him could just as easily become his allies.

"It's not happening, no matter what. There is no doubt that the child is yours."

"Why would you want a paternity test for no reason? Are you out of your mind?"

Li Fengying replied quickly, completely disregarding the crowd surrounding them.

As soon as these words were out, the onlookers reacted instantly. Even Chu Siqi understood—the Liu family was dead set against a paternity test. So, that was why Zhao Qiang had been branded a "scumbag" who cheated. Could it be that the woman was the one who had been unfaithful?

"Everyone, you saw it. I’m the father, and I can't even get a paternity test for my own child."

"Yet, I am expected to cover all the future costs—the upbringing, the education, every single expense."

"Is there anyone in this world more of a pathetic sucker than me?"

Who doesn't know how to play the victim? Following Zhao Qiang's words, the crowd began to look toward the Liu family. After all, Li Fengying and the others had just been caught in a web of lies; who would dare believe them now?

"Zhao Qiang, if I agree to register the child under the Liu family name, will that be enough?"

"Are you satisfied now? Can you stop making a scene?"

"Ruyan just gave birth. Can’t you show some consideration for her?"

Li Fengying roared in exasperation. She was compromising; it wouldn't hurt to give one of the two children to the Zhao family. In any case, both children would eventually return to their true roots, so she would just leave them to be raised by this loser for now.

"Ha! Don't tell me you think I'm trying to fight for custody?"

"I am questioning whether the child in your daughter's belly is even mine, do you understand?"

"Do you need me to be more blunt? It means your daughter has a lover on the side."

Zhao Qiang chuckled. What was there to fight for when it came to the custody of two bastards?

"You... you... you're talking nonsense!"

Li Fengying’s face was filled with guilt as she hurriedly started hurling insults.

"Zhao Qiang, how dare you slander my daughter! Do you have any evidence?" Liu Hongliang’s face flushed with rage.

"I don't have evidence. And, you're right, I am slandering her."

"So, if you want to prove her innocence, provide the evidence to clear her name."

"Otherwise, everything you say is just empty air."

Zhao Qiang grabbed He Fen and Zhao Hai and turned to leave. When he had held the baby earlier, he had already managed to pluck a hair. Even if they refused a paternity test, he could do it himself. They wouldn't know the meaning of shame until he shoved the evidence right in their faces.

"You stand right there! You're not going anywhere!"

Seeing that Zhao Qiang was ignoring her, Li Fengying rushed forward and slapped him across the face!

"What did my daughter ever do to you? Speak clearly!"

"That slap was to help you wake up!"

*Smack!* The sound was sharp and crisp, leaving the crowd stunned. The scene unfolded so quickly that even Gao Lan hadn't been able to react.

The corners of Zhao Qiang's mouth curled up, and he began to laugh. A blood-red palm print instantly appeared on his face, and he wiped a trickle of blood from his lip. It had been a civil dispute before, but now that Li Fengying had struck him, things were different.

Li Fengying was furious. It seemed this loser hadn't been put in his place for a long time; his skin was itching for a beating again.

***

"Can't you just play the role of a good husband?"

Her daughter, Liu Ruyan, was a renowned beauty; there had been countless men chasing after her back then. Marrying Zhao Qiang was already a favor to him, and yet he was still ungrateful. He was still suspicious about whether the children were his—he was truly incorrigible.

"Do you know how many men out there can't even find a wife?"

"And here you are, being paranoid and suspicious. You are truly worthless."

The fact that this loser was still smiling only made Li Fengying more furious. She swung another slap at him to make sure he remembered his place.

But this time, Zhao Qiang didn't let her get away with it. He had already taken one slap; if he took another, would he even be a man? After dodging, he backhanded her across the face.

"Officer!"

"You saw that, right? She struck first!"

"Right now, I am merely acting in self-defense."

If Zhao Qiang hadn't fought back, he could have let Gao Lan take Li Fengying to the station. But he chose not to, because a mutual brawl was much more interesting. He had been bullied by this old hag for too long, and he had been waiting for this exact opportunity. One slap in exchange for a full beating of Li Fengying—this was a bargain.

"How dare you strike back! You've lost your mind!"

After being slapped, Li Fengying was absolutely livid. She had never endured such treatment; in the past, Zhao Qiang had always just stood there and let her vent.

No sooner had she spoken than two more heavy slaps landed hard on Li Fengying’s face. Zhao Qiang didn't hold back; the force was staggering. He moved quickly, knowing he wouldn't have much time before Gao Lan and the other officer intervened. He didn't dare hit her anywhere else for fear she would lie on the ground and play dead. He stuck to her face—it was thick enough that he wouldn't cause any real damage. He landed several blows, each with full force.

Screams began to ring out—Li Fengying’s screams.

"Tianming! What are you standing there for?"

"Save me!"

"Zhao Qiang, how dare you hit my mother!"

Liu Tianming finally reacted, having been stunned by the turn of events. Zhao Qiang was now so crazed that he even dared to hit his mother; how could he possibly dare to intervene? He just watched, shouting loudly but not lifting a finger. If he charged in, he would likely get beaten up too. His mother was really something else—why did she have to go and provoke Zhao Qiang? The guy was as strong as an ox.

"That's enough!"

"Stop it, all of you! Engaging in a public brawl—everyone, to the police station!"

Gao Lan shouted, putting an end to the farce. Zhao Qiang let go immediately; he had had his fill. He had slapped Li Fengying a dozen times in one go, leaving her face bruised and swollen. Except for Zhao Qiang’s parents, everyone was taken to the station.

"In-laws, take good care of my daughter and my precious grandchildren. I'll settle scores with you when I get back."

As Li Fengying was being led away, she still tried to order Zhao Qiang’s parents to look after Liu Ruyan in the maternity ward. But He Fen and Zhao Hai ignored her, refusing the request. Until the truth was out, the "in-law" relationship meant nothing. She had hit their son, Zhao Qiang, right in front of them, and now she expected a favor? More importantly, the bridge had been burned.

Zhao Qiang told his parents to go home, promising to return once he was done.

At the police station, Zhao Qiang sat calmly in the mediation room. He insisted that Li Fengying had struck first and that he had reacted in a moment of agitation, resulting in excessive self-defense. In the station, whoever lost their temper first was the one who lost. Getting the paternity test and finding the man behind Liu Ruyan wasn't a matter of urgency. He had been a cuckold for years; a little more time wouldn't hurt. It was the Liu family who should be anxious—he was done being their patsy.

At first, Li Fengying kept shouting and demanding that Zhao Qiang be locked up. But Gao Lan refused, stating that they were there for mediation. When the situation was classified as a mutual brawl, Li Fengying flew into a rage and began spouting nonsense, claiming that Gao Lan and Zhao Qiang were having an affair. Gao Lan’s expression turned cold, and she walked out of the room.

Two hours later, Zhao Qiang walked out of the police station unharmed. Li Fengying had been rambling so much that when she heard she might be detained for fifteen days, she was so frightened that she immediately agreed to a settlement.

"Zhao Qiang, let me tell you, this isn't over."

"Don't even dream of getting rid of our family like this."

Li Fengying spoke with a lingering, ghostly persistence. For the sake of the two children, she had no choice. If Zhao Qiang and Liu Ruyan divorced, and it was because of the children, the Liu family's reputation would be shattered. They would instantly become the laughingstock of their neighbors and colleagues. No matter what, she wouldn't let Zhao Qiang run off.

"Old woman, can't you just pick someone else?"

"I already know everything now, so why insist on dragging me into this?"

By now, Zhao Qiang had a new theory: the identity of that man was likely not simple. The reason Liu Ruyan had sought him out to be the "cuckold" was because that man already had a wife. She couldn't reveal his identity for fear of his wife finding out. And for Li Fengying to be so willing to hide it and cooperate, the man had to be wealthy. Otherwise, Li Fengying would never have allowed Liu Ruyan to be someone else's mistress.

"What do you mean?"

Li Fengying was still playing dumb, but with the truth already clear, there was no point in acting in front of him.

"You don't understand?"

"I'm asking, who is the father of the two children?"

Zhao Qiang stopped playing along and laid his cards on the table, getting straight to the point.

"Zhao Qiang, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"The two children are yours! Don't you try to deny it!"

Li Fengying latched onto Zhao Qiang, holding on for dear life.