Chapter 44: A Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance Brings a Lifetime of Misfortune

  The crowd cheered and clapped with joy when they heard Wang Xi's words. Inside the box, there were not only military uniforms but also three to four thousand dollars in cash, which was a great achievement. The crowd had no other thoughts left, and they all went wild with excitement.

  "Is that so? This is a fake ID? You little kid has quite an eye for detail, then what about the gun license number at the bottom of my ID?" Xue lazily hooked his leg, shook off the cigarette ash, and with his left hand's index finger, he playfully spun the trigger of the sleek black handgun in mid-air, savoring the looks on everyone's faces.

  Gun!

  "He actually has a gun!"

  "Armed escape is a serious crime!"

  "Crime... crime...... damn it!" Li Deli gave a slap to Little Wang, who was speaking with flying eyebrows and colorful language. He hurriedly bowed his head and apologized to Xue Xiangwen: "Ah, I see that the dragon king temple has been flooded. Sorry, sorry, we're all one family in the military and police. Comrade Liberation Army, this time it's all because our work wasn't thorough enough. Please criticize and educate us more." Li Deli was surprisingly calm in the face of big trouble, completely unlike his earlier confusion. At this point, he still didn't know that Xue Xiangwen was actually a special investigator from the Military Commission. Since his identity had already been confirmed, there was no use hiding anymore. He could only apologize and try to regain some goodwill.

  "Brother Tai, he...he...he is really a special advisor to General An Lao! How can this be..." Qian Dabiao's eyes widened, and before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the noisy sounds outside the window.

  "Get out of here, you cops! If you drag your feet any longer, I'll have the old man get rid of your police station chief!"

  "You guys are crazy, how dare you bring Third Brother to this broken place. Haoszi, are you sure Third Brother will be brought to such a broken place?"

  "Monkey, can you speak? What's the point of bringing that up? That was Third Brother who went himself. If he wanted to come, it would be boring too. They just want to have fun. Do they think they can take advantage of Third Brother with their rotten potatoes and stinky eggs?"

  "Even a little chicken can speak, but you, monkey, your expression ability is completely useless. If not careful, you'll offend people. I need to consider whether to swap positions with the little chicken."

  "Da Fei, this is your family's own business, go home and discuss it. For now, we must present a united front to the outside world."

  "Damn it, what's the point of following the police and wasting words? Just remove the main gate and rush in to grab people."

  ………

  "Director, open the door, open it quickly, something is wrong, the Red Guards are attacking the organization!" The iron door of the interrogation room was being pounded loudly, and the person outside shouted.

  Li De-li also heard the commotion outside and quickly opened the door, asking: "Old Zhang, what's going on? Why is it so chaotic outside?"

  Old Zhang hastily said: "Director, you'd better go take a look, there are many people gathered outside the gate. It's possible that it's the Red Guards causing trouble again. I'm puzzled, even if they're making trouble, they should be attacking the city government, why did they come to our small police station?"

  "Get the SWAT team ready, what's with all these guards? What year is it now, I'm going to take a look." After saying that, Li De-li walked to the front of the corridor and looked towards the main gate: "My god, there are so many people, clearly several hundred. This is going to be a riot, quickly call the bureau for support, request support, hurry, go! We can't hold out for much longer!"

  Outside the large iron gate of the Tianqiao Police Station was a long stretch of empty land, which was now packed with young people wearing military uniforms, dress shirts, tank tops, and shorts, all surrounding the area in a chaotic mess. Bicycles were scattered all over the ground against the long wall of the courtyard. Li Deli looked out from his high vantage point and saw an endless stream of bicycles flowing in from various intersections, converging onto the main road, Wusi Street, outside the police station, and heading towards him. Li Deli let out a deep sigh, feeling that this year was not going well for him. Today was truly an unlucky day. That fat kid must be some kind of jinx, a walking disaster. Now it seemed they had stirred up a hornet's nest. It was possible that the suspect they had caught was the son of some big shot, and if so, they were all doomed. No, they had to let him go quickly, or else their careers would be ruined. Li Deli had worked hard for ten years to become the chief of this police station, and he couldn't let it all be destroyed because of one small mistake. But what was the reason behind the crowd gathering outside? Was it also related to that person?

  Li Deli was lost in thought, wandering and speculating, while on the bustling Wusi Street, a lively scene unfolded. Phoenix, 28, and Flying Pigeon bicycles were all tangled together, causing the leaves of the nearby Chinese parasol trees to scatter. The first row of over a dozen guys rode their bikes in unison, abandoning their handlebars, and with arms around each other's shoulders, they created a human wave. Those behind them followed suit, and instantly, the wide street was sealed off, transformed into a stage for showing off cycling skills. These guys had nothing better to do but practice riding every day, and their techniques were incredibly good. Suddenly, they coordinated perfectly, not one of them faltering, dancing in perfect rhythm, extremely cool, attracting distant pedestrians and women from upstairs to stop and watch. With groups forming, there were naturally lone wolves; a few show-offs displayed their individual skills, lifting the front wheels of their bikes and spinning around in place like windmills. The crowd didn't think much of the small police station they were approaching, instead, they were excited, as if celebrating a holiday, planning to have a blast.

  "Zhang San, you're also here, always acting like a spoiled brat. Just the other day, I gave Third Brother some stamps and attended a banquet, and he really did give me some face."

  "Fatty Hai, who are you talking about? Isn't it just because you didn't get to eat the meal that Third Brother treated us to? It's not like I'm bragging or anything. Who made you have worse luck than me? Just because I told you once about the grand occasion that day, you've been jealous of me and always making personal attacks on me."

  "And you still have the face to say, I'm only angry because you don't have a thick skin like me. Are those stamps what Third Brother wanted? You're actually shamelessly going off to eat."

  "Alright, what's this about me having a thick skin? That was Third Brother's special invitation. In the past, I asked you to come with me to send the stamps, but you said it wasn't convenient to go. Now that you see me eating meat, you're getting jealous."

  "Zhang San, believe it or not, I'll cut you down." Pang Dahai inserted his hand into the bag in front of his chest and said viciously, obviously being hit where it hurt, becoming furious with shame.

  "Come on!" Zhang San lowered his head, moved his car seat and intentionally leaned towards him.

  "Hey, I'm telling you two to stop being inseparable. Now, we're here to help Third Brother with his fight, and having you two around is neither too much nor too little. The brothers in the back can't even squeeze in, so if you want to fight, go find a place to practice alone."

  …………..

  "Ah, Director Xue, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. The people outside are here to pick you up, right? Look, this is all just a misunderstanding, it's all because Qian Dabiao doesn't know what he's doing. Of course, I also have some responsibility for not teaching him properly in the past. Can we give him another chance and let him reform?" Li Deli hastily walked in from outside and apologized profusely to Xue. He had a good idea to avoid the main issue and shift the focus of attention, making himself seem like an innocent bystander who didn't know what was going on. As a section chief, Li Deli shouldn't have addressed a 13th-grade military advisor as "leader", but he couldn't help it given the man's impressive credentials.

  Wang Xi removed the bandage from his head, walked to Xue's side and bowed, saying: "This is our fault, you can punish us as you see fit." He was indeed a rascal, but he couldn't help being one. If he had resisted stubbornly, it would have dragged in Old Master, and while suffering himself wasn't a big deal, he didn't want to implicate Old Master. As long as Old Master was around, there were still good days ahead. Wang Xi was cunning and ruthless, but his mind was quick-witted and perceptive.

  "Ding ding ling, ding ding ling" The black rotary phone on the interrogation table rang, and Little Wang, who was closest to the phone, picked it up.

  "Li Deli, what's going on with you, ah..."

  "Director, I am Wang You Sheng, what are your instructions?"

  "Get Li DeLi on the phone for me!" The voice on the phone was extremely angry, thundering loudly, and everyone around could hear it.

  Li Deli hastily picked up the phone, bowing his head and said: "Hello, Director, hello, Li Deli is here to receive your instructions." Usually, Li Deli was good at flattering, and the horse bureau chief Ma also appreciated him.

  "Instructions, instructions my ass! Do you dare to instruct me? Don't explain yet, listen to me finish speaking. Last time I told you to behave well, the leaders are considering your application to work in the bureau. Is this how you show yourself to the superiors? Do you know what a big mess you've made, even daring to grab **'s cadre? Have you grown chicken feathers on your head or have you drunk too much horse urine? Do you know that just now, seven or eight phone calls came from the municipal party committee and military commission leaders, I was scolded until my face was covered in blood. Most importantly, Comrade Li Tianming, the military representative in charge of our bureau, is very dissatisfied with your work, and I also received criticism along with you, can you bear this political responsibility? Now I formally convey to you the important instructions from Comrade Military Representative, requiring you to immediately apologize to the comrades of the military commission, and resolutely crack down on those bad elements. After handling the matter, you will be suspended for inspection and submit a written inspection report to the bureau party committee." Director Ma's words were definitely pent up for a long time, spoken hastily and quickly.

  "Yes, yes, I will definitely follow the leader's instructions and do things in accordance with their spirit. I will carefully examine my own mistakes, please, Director, you must speak well of me in front of the military representative, I am your person after all..." Li Deli wiped his sweat while nodding and bowing to the phone, speaking in a crying tone.

  "I know, now is not the time for you to pretend to be obedient or sell grievances. The most important task at present is to appease the anger of the Military Commission comrades. In short, your current job is to listen to the instructions of the Military Commission comrades and do things accordingly. That's it for now, the leaders of the Municipal Party Committee and the Military Commission are still waiting for my call back." Director Ma slammed down the phone.

  "What are you still dawdling for? Hurry up and sort out Director Xue's belongings, and get the dirty ones out of my sight. Get two more people over here and lock these two swindlers up!" Li Deli ordered urgently after hanging up the phone to the person beside him.

  Qian Dabiao and Wang Xigang also heard Director Ma's words, at this moment they would not dare to resist, in their hearts they only hoped that the lieutenant colonel opposite could forget about himself, it was worth going in for two days.

  Xue Xiang seemed to have really forgotten about them, got up and took the black suitcase and basket down the stairs. Li Deli followed from upstairs to downstairs, bowing and apologizing all the way. Xue Xiang walked quickly ahead, giving Li Deli a cold shoulder, ignoring him completely.

  Is it just so simple?

  ………

  "Stop pushing, the ones who were blocking the door have stopped too, San Ge is coming out!" Someone shouted loudly, and hundreds of people erupted in earth-shaking cheers "San Ge, San Ge".

  Xue Xiang had just come out of the small building when he saw a slender green figure behind the paulownia tree in the distance. Was it her?! It turned out that the goddess was unintentionally benevolent!

  Xue Xiang stood on the big iron gate of the station, on the left side of a large tree stump, and said to everyone with a fist: "Brothers are righteous, thank you here. Haozi, take it, please go to the snack bar to cool off, smoke." Xue Xiang took out a big bunch of big knots and handed them to Hao Yunlai, who was squeezed in front.

  Hao Yunlai pushed the banknotes handed over by Xue Xiang, saying loudly: "Third brother, no need, everyone is just here to stand up for you, where do we need your money? If every time we help a little, we have to spend your money, then in the future, no one will dare to come, right?"

  Yes indeed

  "Right, we can't always let Third Brother treat us."

  "How about we find an opportunity to chip in together and invite Third Brother?"

  "Good, good idea!"

  Xue Xiang waved his hand and smiled: "I appreciate the enthusiasm of my brothers, it's a hot day, just consider it as a way to relieve the heat for everyone. Don't push me again, if you do, it would be disrespecting your brother."

  Hao Yunlai reluctantly took the money, pinched it with his hand and said: "Third brother, isn't this too much?" What Xue Xiang gave him was exactly the remaining 500 yuan from the envelope. After a while, more and more people gathered, almost a thousand or so, 500 yuan for smoking, eating ice cream, and drinking, which was enough.

  Xue Xiang handed over the suitcase and basket, saying: "Haozi, you lead everyone to go first, leave a bicycle for me. Also, ask a brother to help me send this trunk home, and sell the musk in the basket at the supply and marketing society. By the way, did you deliver it to the old lady?"

  "It's here! Alright, just take my Phoenix car, you use it first. I'll bring the things to your home in one trip." Hao Yunlai greeted the person who took over Xue Xiang's suitcase and basket, holding up the money in his hand, turned around and shouted: "Brothers, target Hongqi Vice Food Store, let's go!"

  For a time, the cars flowed eastward in an endless stream.

  The people hiding in the building all let out a sigh of relief, and Li Deli said with a bitter face: "Who is this person, what a big fanfare, even if it's someone from the Military Commission, they can't have such a big show."

  At a loss, Li Deli rushed to ask the several police officers who had just come out of the interrogation room next door: "I've only been transferred from Yangcheng District for a few days, and Xiao Wang and a few others came with me. I don't know him either. Looking at his demeanor, he shouldn't be an unknown person in Dongcheng. Is there anyone among you who knows him?"

  "Who is it?"

  "That's the tall guy on the tree stump just now."

  "Who doesn't know him? The big shot of the East City, is there anyone in the public security who doesn't know him? If you don't know him, what's the point of being a cop?" The round-faced police officer walking at the front looked at the director and his expression got worse and worse. He quickly whispered: "Director, you wouldn't have offended him, would you? ...I knew it from your expression. I was just saying, how did our police station get surrounded by so many big shots in such a short time? Almost all the notorious big shots in the city are here. Just now, I saw the son of Li, the director of the municipal propaganda department, the nephew of Ma, the secretary of the discipline inspection commission, and it seems like there's also the nephew of Wang, the secretary of the municipal party committee. It turns out that San Ge has arrived, no wonder there's such a big commotion..."

  "Hey, hey, Director, what's wrong?"

  "Not good, the director has fainted, hurry and send him to the clinic."

  "Little Sun, it's not necessary for everyone to go. Don't rush, tell us about Third Brother's story, let us open our eyes. We newcomers don't understand things, you have to teach your brothers, otherwise in the future we'll end up like Old Li kicking an iron plate." Wang You Sheng changed his words too quickly, and soon the director became Old Li.

  "That's all for now..."

  "What's going on? Haven't you heard that Director Ma has suspended him for investigation? Judging from the market, Old Li is done for."

  "Alright, then I'll give you a supplementary lesson. Let's not mention the earth-shaking events that Third Brother has been involved in for now, and instead talk about Third Brother's relationship with our military representative Li Tianming..."