Chapter 4 First Encounter

  Chen Da is really having a headache these days. Originally, with the change of term approaching, under his efforts, this time he had hoped to be promoted half a grade or one grade, and becoming the head of the criminal investigation team at the county bureau seemed already set in stone. But then out of nowhere came the Li Wenhe case, and the county committee is keeping a tight grip on it, treating it as a major matter to crack down on. From the rumors coming out of the county, his own promotion has basically been ruined. The problem now isn't whether he can get promoted or not, but whether he can even keep his position as head of this police station.

  Chen Dahe also knew that Secretary Liu's big fuss over the Li Wenhe case was not about the wine, but unfortunately, it had implicated himself, a small and innocent fish in this pond. These days, he really felt like an ant on a hot pot, living every day with his heart in his throat. Every time the phone rang, he would jump with fright, fearing that the Li Wenhe incident had been settled and a notice of dismissal from his superiors was on its way.

  When Chen Ke called, Chen Da had just been squeezed a few words by the deputy director, and was feeling depressed. Hearing Chen Ke say that Tang Secretary asked him to go to Li's house, he couldn't help but scold in his heart. This Tang Secretary is really something, at this time, still thinking of contacting himself, isn't he afraid of being said to be colluding? Now the situation is such that even if two people walk together, they should pretend not to know each other.

  But since Tang Yi has spoken, Chen Da and he couldn't help but go, after all, now he doesn't even have anyone to talk to, everyone avoids him like the plague, he also wants to find someone to discuss what to do next, Tang Yi this second-in-command doesn't avoid him, what's there for himself to consider, gritting his teeth, since they're on the same rope as ants, might as well die together.

  When Chen Da and rode a three-wheeled motorcycle to Li Wenhe's home, Ma Jinfeng and Chen Dazhuang had completely calmed down. When Chen Da and heard them calmly recounting the beginning and end of Li Wenhe's suicide, he simply didn't dare believe his ears. He couldn't have imagined that things would turn out this way. Looking at Tang Yi's calm smile, Chen Da suddenly felt that this young secretary was lovable to the extreme. For a moment, he even wanted to hug this lovely secretary and kiss him fiercely several times.

  "Director Chen, that's how things are. You can follow up on the rest." Tang Yi smiled and instructed Chen Dahe.

  "Alright, alright, don't worry Tang Secretary, I'll definitely get it done! That damn Liu Dazhong wants to screw us over, but I'll make him pay when I get the chance!" Normally Chen Dahe wouldn't dare say such things out loud, but the sudden shock had left him dazed and confused, causing him to speak without thinking.

  Tang Yiyu smiled and said, "It can't be said that way. As long as we don't smear the party and government, what's wrong with us suffering a little? Secretary Liu's starting point is also good! If someone really dies from being forced, even if we are punished, it would be deserved."

  "Right, right! Look at me, what am I saying!" Chen Da was startled and hurriedly laughed it off.

  Tang Yi said: "What are you planning to follow up on this case? How will you write this report?"

  Chen Da, still excited, said loudly: "Secretary Tang, rest assured, everyone has seen your hard work for this case. Of course, it's Secretary Tang who cracked the case..."

  "Stop, stop, stop!" Tang Yi waved his hand and said: "Don't mention me in the report. This case was cracked thanks to your and the police station's comrades' day-and-night hard work. I'm just a witness who happened to see them under pressure and confess. There's no merit on my part."

  "Huh?" Chen Da was slightly stunned, but after rolling around at the grassroots level for over a decade, he immediately understood Tang Yi's meaning. This sensitive case obviously had nothing to do with Tang Yi anymore. However, this achievement would now be entirely his own, and it was worth noting that the county attached great importance to this case. If it were really counted on his own head, it would be of great help to his future prospects.

  "It's done, I should go now, you take care of the rest." Tang Yi patted Chen Da on the shoulder.

  Chen Da and looked at the young secretary in front of him, looking at his calm and composed smile, a wave of admiration surged from the bottom of his heart, how could he have such skills at this age? Even if it was himself now, he might not be able to do what this young secretary did, remaining unruffled by praise or criticism. This young secretary was no ordinary person!

  "Secretary Tang, I'm convinced by you!" As soon as Tang Yi walked out the door, Chen Da and shouted this ambiguous sentence. Tang Yi didn't stop in his tracks, only raising his hand to wave goodbye, leaving behind a majestic silhouette for Chen Da.

  As soon as they left Li Wen's house, Chen Ke pouted and said: "Why is this case cracked by them? It was obviously Secretary Tang's credit."

  Tang Yi smiled as he looked at Chen Ke, his little "dry mother" was now too green, and couldn't be compared to her sharpness ten years later. This case was sensitive, and he didn't want to get involved again. Firstly, it would be a great achievement for Chen Da, but not for himself, and secondly, if people thought he only knew how to crack cases, he would be assigned to do political and legal work in the future, which would be a loss.

  Tang Yi patted Chen Ke's neat short hair and smiled: "Little comrade, you're still young, there are many things you won't understand." Chen Ke was so angry that she rolled her eyes.

  ……

  Yanshan County is a remote border town in the north, only a few dozen miles from the China-North Korea border. From the top floor of the five-story county government building, you can even see the silver ribbon-like Yalu River and the dense original forest of Xing'an Mountains in the north.

  The fiery red sun hung in the sky, adding a touch of warmth to the small town's lingering winter. At the corner of East Ma Road near the Workers' Club, Tang Yi and Chen Da sat by the window in a small restaurant, ordering a plate of roasted meat and a plate of stir-fried vegetables with scallions, devouring them with big bites of crispy pancakes. It was now lunchtime, and the small restaurant was packed with people, doing a thriving business.

  Tang Yi and Chen Da had just reported to the county committee on the detection of Li Wenhe's case, and County Secretary Xiao Ri was very satisfied with their work. He made a series of instructions to eliminate the impact, and Chen Da, who received praise, was in high spirits and asked for a cup of Erguotou wine to drink.

  Tang Yi couldn't help but think of the scene he had just seen with Xiao Ri. Xiao Ri, 53 years old, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was tall and imposing, with a loud and booming voice, but it was clear that he didn't hold this university graduate in high esteem. Probably soldiers naturally looked down on intellectuals.

  However, Tang Yi didn't feel uncomfortable at all, but instead felt that listening to this Vietnam War hero's loud voice was a kind of enjoyment. After all, in his own era, such idol-like figures were not common. With the development of commodity economy, even those heroes of yesterday gradually lost their former momentum.

  As for his own impression of himself, Tang Yi didn't think it was a difficult problem at all. A distant horse knows its own strength, and how others see oneself is something that one can walk out of step by step.

  "Director Tang, would you like to drink a warm cup to warm up?" Chen Da handed over the thermos cup with a big smile. Tang Yi smiled and pushed it away, saying: "I still have to go to the office this afternoon to submit some materials, I don't dare to enjoy myself like Director Chen."

  Chen Da smiled and said: "Secretary Tang, just call me Chen the Big Cannon, or else call me Old Chen. If you keep calling me Director Chen all the time, it sounds too formal."

  Tang Yi smiled and said, "Alright, from now on, in private, I'll call you Big Brother Chen, and you can call me Little Tang. It's awkward to hear you call me Secretary Tang."

  "That's not possible, no way!" Chen Da and hehe smiled, Tang Yi's words were polite, but hearing them still made him feel comfortable.

  The noise from the young people next to "嗡" started again, Tang Yi slightly frowned, and several stylishly dressed young people sat at the next table, making a ruckus time and time again, while most of the other diners dared not speak out.

  "Little rabbit! I'll go teach them a lesson!" Seeing Tang Yi's displeasure, that was Chen Dahang's annoyance. He put down his wine cup and was pulled back by Tang Yi, who was on the verge of tears from laughing. This wasn't downtown, who knew who Chen Dahang was? If they started fighting, it would be a joke, wouldn't it? The police station chief, the town mayor, and the idle social personnel would all be involved in the brawl!

  Chen Da and Xi sat down, muttering a low curse: "Damn it, if we were at Chenjia Village, I'd have taken care of them long ago."

  Tang Yidao said: "Forget it, what's the point of being polite to them? You need to change your temper, are you going to set off firecrackers everywhere when you become a county leader in the future?"

  Chen Da and Hei Hei smiled: "County Bureau leader? Secretary Tang, you're overestimating me! Me? When I retire to the second line, being able to mix with the Criminal Investigation Brigade Leader is already satisfying enough. County Bureau leader? I've never thought of it."

  Just then, the curtain of the back door of the restaurant was lifted, and a beautiful young woman walked out. She had an oval face, phoenix eyes, and eyebrows that were painted on lightly, revealing a charming and seductive smile. A black tight-fitting leather dress accentuated her slender waist, making her chest stand out even more. Under the hem of the dress, pure black cotton stockings tightly wrapped around her slender legs, and black high heels clicked on the cement floor, "click click click", taking steps full of temptation, she walked to the table where the young people were making a racket, seemingly saying something in a low voice.

  Tang Yi stood with his back to the window, looking at her profile. In this era, the dress of this beautiful young woman could be said to be extremely avant-garde, especially since she seemed to know instinctively how to show off her charm. The black jumpsuit and high heels, the white stockings under the skirt, every detail was captivating. Even Tang Yi couldn't help but stare at her for a few more seconds, sighing inwardly, what a seductress.