After comforting Xia Nuannuan, Qin Tian made separate calls to his mother and future mother-in-law, briefly explaining the situation.
During this time, Xu Hao and Su Yan arrived with several police officers.
Tian Jiajia and Xia Nuannuan had largely calmed down, and the three girls recounted the incident to the officers.
Then the ambulance arrived, and Zhang Peng was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Even though the paramedics assured them the injuries were minor, Tian Jiajia insisted on accompanying him.
It was Zhang Peng who finally spoke, asking her to go to the police station to give her statement, and that Xu Hao would accompany him to the hospital.
Tian Jiajia then agreed, promising to go to the hospital to see him after finishing up.
As soon as the ambulance left, Tang Xiuxia arrived.
Since she was at a store in the nearby mall, she hurried over as quickly as possible upon learning of the situation.
A short while later, two more police cars arrived.
The three assailants were handcuffed and put into one of the police cars.
Qin Tian and the others also got into police cars to go to the station to give their statements.
On the way, Tang Xiuxia held Xia Nuannuan's hands, saying with lingering fear how fortunate it was that no one was seriously hurt, and that they must never take such risks again.
Xia Nuannuan leaned on her shoulder and nodded obediently.
Upon arriving at the police station, everything proceeded according to protocol.
With both witness testimony and physical evidence present, there were naturally no issues.
Although Qin Tian’s methods were a bit heavy-handed, the assailants were armed and had clearly initiated the attack, so he was deemed to have acted in legitimate self-defense, and there were no problems.
In fact, the officers even expressed their affirmation and praise for his combat skills.
The three bag snatchers confessed readily and truthfully recounted everything.
Furthermore, all three had previous criminal records, making it unlikely they would be released anytime soon.
While Qin Tian and the others were giving their statements, their future mother-in-law, along with Su Yan's and Tian Jiajia's parents, also arrived at the police station and waited outside with Tang Xiuxia.
It wasn't until it was completely dark that Qin Tian and the others emerged from the interrogation rooms.
The anxious parents immediately rose to greet them.
Tian Jiajia and Xia Nuannuan rushed into their parents' arms.
Both girls were quite shaken, having never experienced such an incident before.
"Thank you both, officers," Tang Xiuxia said to the two officers who walked out with them.
The middle-aged officer waved his hands repeatedly, smiling with a touch of embarrassment, "Please don't say that. We couldn't do anything. We are the ones who should be thanking you. Those three are repeat offenders, and we could never catch them. Thanks to your son, they've finally been apprehended today. Your son is truly amazing!"
"Yes, he took down two armed assailants with his bare hands. We've had training, and we wouldn't dare say we have that much confidence," the other officer added with a smile.
"However, young man, you should try not to be so impulsive in the future," the middle-aged officer said to Qin Tian with a smile.
"Understood. I was just too anxious. It won't happen again," Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"And you girls, you need to learn from this experience. Your lives are more important than money or possessions!" the middle-aged officer told the girls.
Xia Nuannuan and the other two quickly agreed. Tian Jiajia looked ashamed, knowing she wouldn't be so reckless again.
"Alright, everything is settled. You can all go home now. There shouldn't be any further issues. If there are, we'll call you," the middle-aged officer said with a smile.
After thanking them again, everyone left the police station.
…
…
"Dad, I want to go to the hospital to see my classmate," Tian Jiajia said to her father after they left the police station.
Tian Jiajia's father nodded, "We'll go with you. Let's buy something and thank him properly."
"Yes, let's go together," her mother chimed in eagerly.
For some reason, Tian Jiajia felt a bit shy thinking about her parents meeting Zhang Peng, but she nodded in agreement.
"Nuannuan, you and Auntie go home first. I'll go see Zhang Peng," Qin Tian said to Xia Nuannuan.
"I'll go too," Xia Nuannuan said quickly.
"It's enough if I go. You shouldn't go today. Go back and rest, and we can talk about it tomorrow," Qin Tian persuaded her with a smile.
Xia Nuannuan looked hesitant.
"Nuannuan, what Qin said is right. You come back with me. Tomorrow, Mom will buy something and accompany you to thank your classmate at the hospital," Su Xia added.
"Alright then!" Seeing her mother say so, Xia Nuannuan agreed to go back first.
Afterward, everyone said goodbye to each other outside the police station.
Xia Nuannuan and Su Yan went home with their parents, while Qin Tian, along with his mother Tang Xiuxia and Tian Jiajia's family, headed to Yucheng First People's Hospital.
After inquiring at the front desk, they went upstairs to Zhang Peng's ward.
Xu Hao was sitting outside the ward and quickly got up to greet them when he saw them arrive.
"Brother Hao, how is Zhang Peng?" Qin Tian asked.
"The doctor said it's a minor issue. The wound has been treated, and he's fine. His parents are also here," Xu Hao replied with a smile.
"That's good!" Qin Tian said, relieved. "Brother Hao, thanks for your trouble today. Why don't you head back now?"
"That's fine. I'll be going then. If you need any help, give me a call."
"Okay, thank you!"
"We're old friends, no need to mention it!" Xu Hao feigned annoyance, then bid farewell to the parents and left.
Qin Tian and the others then entered the ward.
Zhang Peng was leaning against the headboard of the hospital bed. His mother sat beside him, her face full of concern and lingering fear, chiding her son for not being more careful and for acting impulsively.
"Uncle Zhang!" Qin Tian greeted Zhang Peng's father, who was standing there with his arms crossed.
"Xiao Qin, you're here!" Zhang Peng's father showed a slight smile upon seeing them.
"Brother Tian, Tian Jiajia!" Zhang Peng greeted them with a smile, then noticed Tian Jiajia's parents entering the ward and froze for a moment.
"Zhang Peng, these are my parents!" Tian Jiajia introduced her parents, blushing slightly.
Her parents, with bright smiles, carrying the fruits and drinks they bought on the way, quickly walked over to present the gifts and gratefully thanked Zhang Peng and his parents.
Zhang Peng was completely flustered. After regaining his senses, he instinctively tried to sit up straight, inadvertently pulling on his wound and wincing in pain.
Once the parents of both sides got acquainted, they quickly began chatting warmly. Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia, on the other hand, looked at each other awkwardly, their eyes communicating silently.
Qin Tian and Tang Xiuxia stood behind, watching the scene with amusement.
"What's going on?" Tang Xiuxia nudged her son's arm lightly and asked in a low voice.
It was clear she had noticed something, and her curiosity was piqued.
"You know perfectly well, it's just as you're thinking!" Qin Tian said with a smile.
"Wow!" Tang Xiuxia's eyes lit up slightly, and she realized with a nod, "No wonder Xiao Peng tried so hard. So that's what it is. Saving the beauty and getting injured, and now the parents are meeting. This familiar trope… it's a sure thing!"
"Is it better than watching TV?"
"Definitely. Good thing we came along."
"You're amazing!"
"Likewise."