Tan Yu Yan's dim eyes lit up a bit: "Really? I haven't read much, don't lie to me."
Tan Ming nodded: "Yeah, isn't that how those crime drama shows always go? Insufficient evidence, they get released."
"That works." Tan Yu Yan felt a bit more relieved, "We just need to get through tonight, and when the police come tomorrow, we'll turn the tables on her, say she deliberately splashed hot pot base on your face and attacked us with a stun baton."
"If she gets a criminal record, she'll definitely be fired."
*
Xu Ying found bottled water and self-heating rice at the 028 rescue station and shared a portion with Ning Zexi.
After a filling meal, she felt like she'd finally returned to Earth from a state of hunger-induced stumbling.
It was astonishing to see the supply materials stacked like piles of goods at the 028 rescue station.
Every two weeks, the rescuers at each station had to go to headquarters to collect supplies.
The original owner was diligent about the animal rescue work, often unable to collect supplies early on distribution day due to mission duties.
Station 028 and the original owner's station 032 were not far apart,
So, Tan Yu Yan and her brother would "kindly" pick up the original owner's portion from headquarters and then skim off her supplies.
This brother and sister duo lived lavishly, while the original owner had to scrimp even for a bottle of mineral water.
Xu Ying sneered, seeing the two miscreants outside muttering, she strode out and flung a broom in front of them: "You two clean up inside the house, then fetch me a bucket of water for washing."
"I'm preparing to rest."
Tan Yu Yan was furious when she got hit by the broom and heard Xu Ying ordering them around like servant girls.
But seeing the three bear bodyguards behind Xu Ying, she dared not act out, so she grudgingly picked up the broom and went inside to clean.
They tidied up the place with great effort, then fetched a bucket of water with Tan Ming, exhausted, cold, and worn out.
After they finished, they were tied up by Ning Zexi and herded to curl up by the wall.
Tan Yu Yan looked again and saw Xu Ying sleeping soundly under a brand new flannel blanket.
It made her gnash her teeth in anger, that blanket was a New Year gift! She hadn't even dared to use it herself!
The desert night was cold, but Xu Ying didn't feel chilled.
The three Gobi Bears lay side by side, and Xu Ying settled on their bellies to sleep, feeling as cozy and warm as an electric blanket, naturally generating heat.
Just seeing Xu Ying's peaceful sleeping posture, Tan Yu Yan could imagine how comfortable it was to sleep on a bear's belly.
The siblings sat on the cold ground, back to back, listening to Xu Ying's steady breathing, almost frozen awake all night.
Meanwhile, Xu Ying slept soundly on the furry bear bed.
*
The next morning.
A police SUV parked in front of the 028 rescue station.
A uniformed officer with long legs and sharp eyebrows got off the vehicle.
This was Chen Su, the Desert Police Station officer with whom Xu Ying had contacted through Ning Zexi's phone yesterday.
Officers typically respond in pairs or more, and two colleagues accompanied Chen Su from the vehicle.
He approached the 028 rescue station, expecting perhaps that the people inside were still resting, preparing to knock when he noticed multiple bear paw prints on the door!
Chen Su drew the police baton from his waist and cautiously pushed the door open.
The scene inside left him stunned for a moment.
Three Gobi Bears were sleeping soundly on the floor.
A serene-looking girl lay upon a bear's belly, the sunlight spilling over her face, casting a shadow of her long, dense eyelashes like crow feathers.
The girl felt something, opened her eyes groggily, and yawned.
The scene was as magical and beautiful as a fairy tale book.
Upon seeing the uniformed young man at the door, Xu Ying instantly cleared up.
"Brother Chen?"
Chen Su nodded stiffly, his thin lips moved, filled with questions but unsure where to start.
"Did you report the case yesterday?"
Finally finding someone to complain to, Xu Ying indignantly pointed to the corner where the sleepy Tan Yu Yan siblings were: "Yes! They stole my supplies and abandoned me in the desert!"
Two colleagues accompanying Chen Su were quick to spot a video segment from Ning Zexi's livestream last night during their break, already acquainted with Xu Ying, the brave and strong girl.
Chen Su's male colleague exclaimed: "Wow, yesterday I saw your riding-a-bear video on my phone and thought it was fabricated. Seeing you sleep on a bear's belly today is eye-opening!"
He wanted to keep talking but was silenced by the female colleague: "Keep it down, don't wake the ear fox cub!"
"It's okay, they've already awakened!"
The ear foxes' personalities resemble puppies, especially clingy. Upon finding a dependable sister like Xu Ying, the cubs couldn't help but stick to her constantly.
During Xu Ying's speech, the ear fox cubs were already lined up at the hatch door, one by one sprinting to leap onto Xu Ying's leg, rolling around or climbing up like monkeys on trees, nestling against her neck.
Xu Ying's two small dimples rippled, making her the happiest animal rescuer in the world.
The female officer's heart was about to melt! Wanting to swap souls with Xu Ying!
But she knew that young animals frighten easily, so she just watched enviously, with expressions bubbling pink hearts.
The towering male colleague beside her mirrored her expression, his inner girl ignited, softened by the cuteness.
Seeing the ear foxes "grow" on Xu Ying, Chen Su was astonished by the girl's animal affinity.
In contrast, small animals were afraid of Chen Su, dogs would tuck tails upon seeing him.
During police academy, he was nicknamed the cold-faced king of hell, the untrained prospective police dogs were on their best behavior and dared not misbehave.
Drawn by the girl's bright smile like a little sun, Chen Su found himself curious about the feel of fluffy little foxes.
Realizing he let his mind wander, Chen Su coughed lightly, "Comrade Xu, please recount the incident for us."
Xu Ying lifted Fox Xiaoxiao who was sucking on her cheek: "Cut it out, wait for a bit while your sister deals with these bad people."
Rejected in bonding by Xu Ying, Fox Xiaoxiao looked pitifully and quietly waited by her side, being the youngest of the five cubs, the clingiest fighter.
Xu Ying wiped Fox Xiaoxiao's saliva off her face: "Four days ago, we received an upper-level rescue mission, to patrol the uninhabited area for poachers, and we got lost."
"Tan Yu Yan and Tan Ming, while finding direction, trespassed into the Gobi Bears' territory, but the bears didn't harm them."
"Instead, they panicked, slashed at the Gobi Bears with a dagger, causing fear to a pregnant Gobi Bear."
While Xu Ying recounted the case, even though the Brother Gobi Bears were awake, they remained peaceful as a mattress for her. When content involving them was mentioned, they'd roar in agreement.
The three officers were surprised while feeling sympathy for the obedient yet troubled Gobi Bears.
These bears looked like clumsy fools more than Brother Bear, resembling big bingeos.
"These two people fled in terror chased by the angry Gobi Bears, their motorcycle broke down, then redirected and brought the bear group to me, stole my motorcycle and supplies and fled."
"Officer, she's fabricating!"
Awakening dazedly, Tan Yu Yan interrupted Xu Ying upon hearing her case presentation.