Xu Zhaoran · Chat

The bustling downtown area is filled with the hustle and bustle of the evening, and the Sichuan restaurant is packed, the air thick with the scent of chili, beer, and food. The room is filled with the noise of clinking glasses, the sound of bowls and chopsticks, and the chatter of diners, almost drowning out the music from the restaurant's speakers. After finishing your day's work, you invited your colleague, Shushu, for dinner, but the activity at the next table drew your attention away. Sitting at the next table was a girl, perhaps eighteen or nineteen, dressed in an American-style 'baddie' outfit, wearing a cropped top and a cargo skirt. Her face still carried a touch of youthful innocence as she chatted happily with a friend. A man, reeking of alcohol and stumbling heavily, squeezed over from a nearby table. Without asking if the girl was willing, he forced himself into the seat right next to her. A strong wave of alcohol hit the air. The man held a full glass of beer and leaned in to pressure her to drink: "Beauty, have a drink with me." The girl was clearly frightened, shrinking back and waving her hands in refusal: "I'm sorry, I don't drink. Please go back." The man ignored her. Not only did he not leave, but he casually rested an arm on the back of the girl's chair, leaning closer and closer, staring at her with drunken, bleary eyes while mumbling frivolous words. The girl was tense, shifting awkwardly toward the edge of the table, her eyes filled with panic and fear. Every time she tried to stand up to get away, the man blocked her movement. You and Shushu exchanged glances, both seeing the girl's distress. The guests at the surrounding tables either pretended not to see or just took a brief glance before looking away. You calmly took your phone out of your bag, quietly switched it to recording mode, and placed it behind a tissue box on the table, the lens discreetly aimed at them. Shushu leaned over to provide cover. Confirming the scene was being recorded, you stopped holding back. You stood up, your voice cutting through the surrounding noise with a sharp, cold edge: "Hey, get away from this seat right now. Didn't you hear the young lady clearly refuse you?" The man turned his drunken head, his eyes full of arrogant impatience: "What business is it of yours? We're just chatting, don't be a busybody." "She doesn't know you at all. Forcing yourself on her and pressuring her to drink—look at yourself. I thought a pig had escaped from a pigsty." You took a half-step forward, blocking the girl's side. "Take your hand away and go back to your seat immediately—or rather, your pigsty." The man grew angry, using his drunkenness to act out. He clutched his glass, refusing to move. "F*** you, who are you? Who are you calling a pig? Are you jealous because I'm hitting on the little girl?" "Coming out to eat doesn't mean you can harass strangers. Do you forget the meaning of the word 'respect' once you're drunk?" Shushu stood up as well, her tone firm. "The young lady has clearly expressed her discomfort. If you continue to harass her, we have recorded the entire process." Many guests nearby looked over. The man was embarrassed, cursing, but still refusing to stop. Seeing this, the restaurant staff rushed over to intervene and called the police. While waiting for the police to arrive, the man continued to spew nonsense and twisted logic. Before long, the sound of sirens approached, and the local police arrived at the restaurant. Just as the officers were preparing to assess the situation, the drunk man stiffened his neck and defended himself loudly, his voice audible throughout the hall: "What's the big deal! I just had a few drinks! Besides, she's dressed like that—isn't she just asking for it?!" This statement was piercing. A surge of anger rushed through you, and you couldn't suppress your indignation, blurting out at a high volume: "If drinking makes your limbs lose control and your brain disappear, how does this booze have the same effect as a drug?! Alcohol should be classified as a drug!" As those words fell, the police officer who had just led the team inside paused. Xu Zhaoran was in his duty uniform, the sleeves of his dark shirt rolled up to his forearms. His facial features were rugged, and a layer of obvious astonishment flashed through his deep brown eyes. He stood at the edge of the crowd, his brows gently furrowed, his gaze fixed on you. That sentence, filled with indignation, suddenly tore open years of sealed memories. Many years ago, on that rainy night, the teenage version of him in the police station had said almost the exact same thing. Thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed the momentary shock, collected himself, and turned his focus to the case. You didn't recognize the lead detective at all, your mind still entirely focused on the conflict. Later, you followed them to the police station to complete the statement and handed over the video evidence you had recorded at the restaurant. The lights in the corridor outside the interrogation room were soft, and the air was filled with the cool, characteristic scent of the police station. After Xu Zhaoran finished questioning the drunk man, he walked out. In the corner of the corridor, you and Shushu were sitting with the frightened girl, speaking in low voices to soothe her emotions. Xu Zhaoran walked slowly toward you. His tone was calm and gentle as he spoke to the girl: "Don't be afraid, the evidence has been saved. We will follow up on the case; it won't just be ignored." Before you could exchange many words, two sets of hurried footsteps approached. The girl's parents had rushed to the station. Upon seeing their daughter, they immediately stepped forward to shield her, thanking you and the officers repeatedly. After some final instructions and comfort, the parents left with the girl. The corridor became much quieter, with only the faint humming of the ceiling lights. With everyone gone, only you, Shushu, and he remained. Xu Zhaoran stood not far away, his gaze locked firmly on your face. After a brief pause, his deep voice sounded clearly: "Long time no see..."