Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Capture
Xu Ke’s movements were swift. Just as the old lady tried to step back and distance herself, Xu Ke suddenly stepped forward. He clenched his hand into a fist, raising his knuckle to strike hard at the joint of the old lady’s wrist that was holding the child, using the pain to make her release the child.
As Xu Ke had anticipated, the old lady, unprepared for this, had her joint struck and immediately let go of the child. The crowd watched as the barely six-month-old baby fell from the old lady’s grip, each person holding their breath, praying that the baby would be unharmed. The baby’s mother screamed out in shock.
Xu Ke, prepared for this moment when he struck the old lady’s joint, reached out and grabbed the suspenders on the child’s overalls as the child fell, rescuing the baby just before it hit the ground.
The moment the child landed safely in Xu Ke’s arms, the onlookers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Bravo!" The crowd cheered loudly, applauding Xu Ke’s efforts. Lin Mengyao, standing on the outer edge of the crowd, watched Xu Ke with admiration, clapping enthusiastically along with the others and cheering for Xu Ke.
Xu Ke handed the unharmed child back to the weakened, trembling mother.
In the center of the crowd, the human traffickers, now without a child hostage, tried desperately to flee. But the previously scattered human wall quickly solidified again into a tight net, blocking them at every turn and preventing any escape.
"Get the hell out of my way!" The middle-aged man whom Xu Ke had knocked down earlier got up and threw a punch at whoever was in front of him. In front of him stood a petite girl.
Seeing the fierce look on his face and the fist coming her way, the adrenaline that had just surged within the girl was doused as if by cold water. She froze, unable to run, and closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the punch she expected to take. But the anticipated pain never came.
The girl opened her eyes to see a massive fist inches from her nose. She also saw a bone-structured yet pale white hand holding the opponent’s wrist—the hand belonging to the handsome man who had just saved the child.
"What are you picking on a young girl for? Your opponent is me," Xu Ke said coldly.
He tightened his grip on the man’s wrist, making the man scream instantly in pain as if caught in a vise. At the same time, Xu Ke kicked the man’s knee, bringing him down with pain sharp enough to feel like his bones had shattered.
Xu Ke held the man’s wrist, twisting and pulling, and dislocated his arm, incapacitating his attempt to harm others.
Xu Ke acted quickly and decisively. While the middle-aged man screamed, Xu Ke subdued him, pressing him to the ground. The old lady’s other accomplices were also caught in the police net, and soon they had all been apprehended.
The leading policeman handcuffed all the human traffickers present before walking over to Xu Ke. "Thank you for your help this time. If you hadn’t intervened, there could have been irreparable casualties. On behalf of the party and the organization, I thank you." He had another crucial point unsaid: this achievement in breaking a child trafficking case at the airport would greatly enhance his chances of promotion and salary rise—it was a matter of when, not if.
"No problem, I’m just doing what anyone else would do if they saw injustice."
The citizens, who were called out, silently lowered their heads in shame.
"If all citizens could have your awareness, we officers would be much happier." The policeman shook hands with Xu Ke.
"By the way, here’s my cell number. If you need anything, just call me." The policeman scribbled a number on a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Xu Ke.
"This..." Xu Ke hesitated.
"Don’t feel pressured. Just think of it as me, Xiong Qing, wanting to make a friend out of you. Although we’ve just met, I find you more and more admirable, and I have a feeling you’ll be someone extraordinary in the future. Consider this me betting on your future." The policeman patted Xu Ke on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
"Alright, then I won’t refuse. I’ll call if I need anything. My name is Xu Ke." Xu Ke accepted the number with a smile.
"I’ll leave this to you to handle now. My wife is over there waiting for me. I need to go to her before she starts worrying." Mentioning Lin Mengyao, Xu Ke’s expression softened, appearing shy and completely unlike someone who had taken down a man in just a few moves.
Xiong Qin looked in the direction Xu Ke indicated and indeed saw a woman with a striking yet cold demeanor looking their way, her icy eyes turning into a gentle spring as they met Xu Ke’s.
"Alright, I’ll handle things here. I won’t delay you further with your wife." Xiong Qing smiled at Xu Ke in a friendly manner.
As the group of police officers led the traffickers past Xu Ke, the middle-aged man he had subdued earlier paused beside Xu Ke, staring at him as if trying to engrave his image in his mind, unfazed by the policeman’s attempts to move him along.
Xu Ke met his gaze, his eyes growing colder.
"I’m Hei Lao Er, remember me. I’ve remembered you, and when I get out of prison, I’ll come visit you and your family." Hei Lao Er slowly curled his lips into a ferocious smile.
"Be sure to attend my sentencing because when I get out, it will be the start of your family’s nightmare." Hei Lao Er drew two fingers together and mimicked a sword across his throat—a provocative gesture of murder.
Xu Ke’s eyes narrowed slightly at this sight.