Volume 2: Chapter 17 - Who Bullied Whom (Part 2)

  The policeman who was walking in the front, of medium build, with a thick beard and a pockmarked face, like several other police officers, as soon as he entered the yard, his eyes were fixed on Qijie, sizing her up from head to toe.

  Qī èr Gū said in Qī Jié's ear, "It's Li Zhuāng from the Town Police Station." But in her heart, she was a bit afraid. It seemed that Shuān Zi and Li Zhuāng were quite familiar with each other.

  Director Li spoke to Qī èr in an official tone: "You've injured someone, and as a woman, you'll have to take criminal responsibility for breaking the law. However, don't be afraid; this is just a preliminary investigation." His eyes kept glancing at Qī Jié, thinking that this beautiful woman would probably come to plead with him later. Ah, when the time comes, he'd advise his subordinates to let things slide, and maybe he could even get acquainted with this beauty. Director Li didn't have any ulterior motives towards Qī Jié, but being able to know such a lovely lady, having her speak sweetly to him, would be a delightful thing; it would greatly satisfy a man's vanity.

  He thought it was good, but who knew that Qijie saw the police coming to take away Qi'ergou, and she pulled Qi'ergou behind her back, angrily saying: "What are you doing? Why do you want to catch my aunt, obviously it's him..." pointing at Li Suo's side, with a sly and complacent expression, "Obviously he hit my little brother, why should you take away my aunt just because he has connections in the county?" Qijie had never had a good impression of the police, and was even more afraid that her aunt would be taken away and suffer, so she spoke rudely out of anger.

  Li's face couldn't hold up, thinking that such a pretty person, dressed and dressed as if they had seen the world, how could they not know what was good or bad? Something that could be passed with just a few soft words, why make a big deal out of it? Are you trying to bully me? Who am I afraid of?

  Director Li pointed at Qijie, frowned and asked Shuangzi: "Did she hit you?" Shuangzi immediately understood Director Li's meaning, nodded quickly: "She did hit me, this little girl is so vicious, look at my hand..." Pretending to be pitiful, he stretched out his hand for Director Li to see.

  Li Shouzhang nodded and waved his hand: "Take everything away."

  Several police officers chuckled and went up to pull Qijie, all wanting to take advantage of the situation. Qijie looked at the expression in the eyes of several men rushing over, her face flushed with anger, backing away repeatedly, shouting: "Don't touch me, I'll go myself!" But she didn't know that her shy and angry charm made these men's hearts itch even more.

  Just as a policeman's hand was about to grab Qijie's shoulder, a black shadow suddenly darted out and bit the policeman's hand. The policeman shouted "Ah" and slapped the black shadow on the head with his backhand. The black shadow turned out to be Xiao Di, who sat on the ground staring fiercely at the police, wiping away a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, and shouting loudly: "My brother Junzi will arrive soon! You'll all be beaten to death, you damned cops!"

  The bitten policeman covered his hand and cursed: "Damn your mother's little rabbit bastard!" He took big strides to kick him hard, but Li saw that the situation was not good and waved his hand: "Old Wang, forget it! It doesn't look good! We must enforce the law civilizedly." He pointed at Qi Jie, Qi Er Gu and Xiao Di. "You three, come out and get in the car! If you have grievances, we'll talk about them slowly when we get back to the station."

  Qijie said it was okay, they had to go to the town and get on the highway, and then ask Lao Gao for help. But Qier didn't dare to look at this scene, she was so scared that her body trembled violently. Qijie whispered in her ear: "Auntie, don't be afraid, it's okay." Although he said so, Qijie's heart was also racing with anxiety, what if Lao Gao couldn't see them being taken away by the police car?

  Shangzi was delighted, his lewd eyes fixed on Qijie, who was squeezing her eyebrows and batting her eyelashes. He thought to himself, "Just you wait, with that proud little face of yours, you'll be begging me for mercy soon." He couldn't help but feel a thrill at the prospect of taking advantage of her. As he gazed at Qijie's red windbreaker, which accentuated her seductive curves, her high chest, her tightly cinched waist, her delicate black boots, and her beautifully styled hair, Shangzi's heart grew hotter by the second.

  Qijie supported Qi Ergou and had just taken two steps when Qi Ergou suddenly shouted, "I'm not going! I won't go anywhere! Oh heavens! Why is my fate so bitter?" She plopped down on the ground, wailing loudly and singing a lament.

  Qijie was good at talking, but she just wouldn't get up. She sat on the ground, slapping her hands on the floor and crying and scolding. She cried about how her husband had left early, and scolded herself for being lonely and bullied by others. Before long, a crowd of villagers had gathered outside the courtyard gate, chattering and watching the commotion.

  Li was so angry that he was fuming, thinking to himself "You're a shrewd woman, trying to play tricks on me? If I can't handle you, then I might as well quit being the police station chief!" He turned around and scolded the few police officers: "Old Wang, Little Zhao! What are you standing there for? Get her into the car!"

  Just as the chaos was happening, a loud horn sound came from outside the door, urgent and loud, not like it was coming from just one car. Probably those villagers didn't know to give way, then suddenly the sharp police siren sounded, just like several police cars were sounding their horns at the same time, making people's heads dizzy. The villagers scattered in all directions, and at the entrance of the courtyard, Junzi and a small plain-headed man squeezed in first, both wearing green uniforms with joint defense team armbands. Xiao Di quickly scrambled up from the ground and rushed into Junzi's arms, crying loudly: "Junzi brother, they hit me, want to catch my mom and big sister...they...they also want to take advantage of my big sister..." He only acts like a child in front of Junzi.

  Junzi looked at the bloodstain on his little brother's mouth, and a surge of anger rushed to his head. He turned to look at Li Suo and several other police officers, as well as Duanzi, with whom he had fought before. His fists were clenched, but just as he was about to throw a punch, someone pulled on his sleeve - it was Xiao Pingtou, Little Li. Little Li used to be part of Zhang Ziqiang's group, and after Zhang was fired, he and Qi Jun were assigned to the same group. They were both hot-blooded men, and over time, they became close friends who could talk about anything.

  Xiao Li was worried about Junzi's emotional involvement and whispered in his ear: "Wait, listen to Director Chen."

  At the gate, a tall and majestic figure rushed in. Director Li was startled when he saw him. Wasn't that Chen Ju? How did he end up here?

  Chen Dahe and Junzi were chatting together when Junzi received a call from his little brother. Chen Dahe asked him what was wrong, and upon hearing that it was his sister being bullied in Liu Zhuang, he immediately became furious. How could this be? The secretary's girlfriend being bullied? Where would I put my face as the head of public security? He had always been hot-tempered, and even after becoming the director, he didn't change his ways. He quickly shouted orders, making the police think it was a big case. The director led the way, followed by the deputy director, several team leaders, and over a dozen joint defense officers in two police cars and one van, speeding out of the station with sirens blaring. Everyone on the street turned to look, and the county town was thrown into chaos. Tang Yi, who had just finished negotiating, looked out the window of his office and saw the speeding police cars. He couldn't help but think that being a policeman was indeed tough work. It seemed like they wouldn't be able to sleep tonight either, with another big case coming in just as they were about to get off work.

  Chen Da squeezed in and immediately heard Xiao Di's complaint, saying that these police officers had beaten him and his mother, and also wanted to harass Qi Jie. A surge of indignation rose up, what? Harass Qi Jie? Damn it, if Secretary Tang of Yanshan's girlfriend was taken advantage of, I wouldn't even need to be the director! I'd rather buy a block of tofu and smash myself to death.

  At this time, Director Li walked over with a smile and shook hands; "Director Chen, hello, what wind brought you here?" In his heart, he had already figured it out that the military son's old Qi family relative was a joint defense officer, probably Director Chen liked him. So today's matter would have to be listened to by Director Chen, one of whom was Director Chen's favorite general, and the other was the nephew of Director Zhou of the government office, neither of whom could afford to offend.

  Chen Dahai was furious and didn't care about Li's words, he strode over to where Qijie was trying to console Qi'ergou. Although Qi'ergou's tantrum was a common trick used by rural women, Qijie couldn't help but tear up when she thought of her aunt's miserable situation. Chen Dahai spoke to her but she didn't even notice.

  Chen Da saw Qian Jie wiping away tears, thinking she had been taken advantage of. The suppressed anger could no longer be contained, and it surged to his head. He turned around and loudly cursed: "Damn it! Close the courtyard gate and tie up these dog-fuckers for me!"

  The police and guards who followed up were busy closing the courtyard gate, but when they heard Chen's words, they were all startled. The head of the criminal investigation team, Yang, was promoted by Chen Dahe, and he hurriedly approached Chen Dahe and advised: "Director Chen, this...this won't have a good impact, will it?"

  Li was even more shocked, didn't he treat himself as a class enemy? Moreover, Li was also the director of the police station, and Chen was too dismissive of him. After entering, Chen didn't even bother to greet Li, who felt stifled and his face fell. He retorted: "Director Chen, what have I done that you want to bind me?"

  Chen Da and others were just angry and blurted out, using the military tone they had learned. Hearing Li Suo's back talk made him even angrier: "Tie you up? Your mom's old man has collapsed your heart! You damn bastard!"

  Li's face turned alternately pale and red, especially in front of his subordinates, he couldn't hold his head up high. His iron-like face said: "Director Chen, don't you have any dignity as a director?"

  Chen Da glared with his cow-like eyes: "Damn it, the director is a piece of crap. I'd rather quit than take this. Today, I'll teach you a lesson." He took a step forward, looking like he was about to throw punches at Director Li. Captain Yang quickly grabbed him, feeling both amused and exasperated. Everyone who knew Chen Da's temperament understood that although he was rough around the edges, he didn't have any ill intentions. That's why he got along well with the director and deputy directors. However, there's a time and place for everything; you can't just start a fight in front of so many people, especially not with a police station chief!

  "Brother Chen, you're here?" It was Qijie who heard Chen Dahua's roar and stood up to greet him with tears in her eyes.

  Chen Da saw the tear stains at the corner of Qi Jie's eyes, and he felt even more ashamed and indignant. He said loudly: "Younger sister, don't cry! Today, I'll quit my job as director if I have to, just to avenge you! Otherwise, I won't be able to face Secretary Tang!"

  "Whoa", whether it was the police from the county bureau or the local patrol, they only then realized that the beautiful woman in front of them was either the wife or girlfriend of Tang, the new noble of the county committee. No wonder Chen was so furious! Li, the director, immediately wilted, he dared to confront Chen and felt wronged, a proud director being scolded by Chen, but as soon as he heard that Qi Jie was Tang's woman, his anger dissipated. Everyone in the bureau knew that Chen and Tang were iron brothers, it was no wonder Chen was so furious when he saw Tang's girlfriend being bullied. Thinking of the elegant yet fiery and unyielding secretary, Li's legs felt a little weak, although in reality, he and several other police officers hadn't actually bullied Qi Jie, but if this got to Tang's ears, who knows what would happen.

  Chen Da openly declared that Qi Jie was Secretary Tang's girlfriend, which was also unavoidable. He was rough but had his reasons, and if he didn't mention Secretary Tang, people would think there was something between him and Qi Jie. If the rumors spread, even if Secretary Tang was broad-minded, he wouldn't be happy. Since Secretary Tang had already confirmed his relationship with Qi Jie, Chen Da could speak out without worrying about it now.

  "Director Chen, I...I don't know..." Li tried to walk over to Chen Dahe's side to make excuses for himself, but was stopped by Chen Dahe with a forceful wave of his hand: "You stand aside!" He then pointed at the few joint defense team members from the police station and roared: "You little bastards, all of you squat down and put your hands behind your heads!"

  Several militiamen looked at me, I looked at them. In the past, only they would shout at people like this. Now they finally tasted what it's like to not be treated as human beings. Several people looked at Director Li again, and Director Li was already standing obediently on one side. There was no way out, so these few people could only hold their heads in both hands, each squatting down in a corner of the wall.

  Chen Da looked over and saw Duanzi standing there stupidly, frowning: "Damn it, who is this little brat?"

  Li saw an opportunity to make up for his mistake and hastily said in a low voice, "He is the nephew of Zhou, the director of the county government office. This time's trouble with the Qi family was all because of him."

  Chen Da's face sank; "Take him away!" The militiamen had already gone over to pin down the man and take him into custody. Of course, it was inevitable that he would get a few slaps on the head and kicks in the body.

  The little rascal was so scared that he didn't even dare fart, and was thrown into a corner of the wall, shivering with fear.

  Chen Da asked again: "What's going on between this bastard and the Qi family?"

  Qizi suddenly chimed in: "They bully me, a widow. Look, look, at their newly built house!"

  Qizhi stopped crying as soon as Chen Da and started to fire, heard the people in the yard calling this big guy Chen Ju, knew he was a big shot from the county, earlier the official Li Zhuang who had an air of superiority was smiling apologetically like a small cat on the side, although she didn't understand what Chen Ju said about apologizing to Tang Shuji, but hearing Chen Ju call Qizhi sister made her feel obviously biased towards her own side, immediately gained strength and went to Chen Da's side to vent.

  Originally, Zhang's family renovated the house, extending it 0.5 meters forward, blocking the sunlight of Qi Er Guo's home. Rural people don't understand legal terms like "right to light", but everyone knows that building a house this way is not right, and the house should be built level with the neighbor's. Zhang relied on his three brothers and an uncle who worked in the county government, openly bullying Qi Er Guo, a widow.

  Listening to Auntie Qi's nagging, Chen Da smiled and said: "Auntie, don't worry, I'll take care of this matter for you."

  "Ah, isn't it a good thing? Do you want to go to court?"

  Chen Da and Hei Hei smiled, looking at the new house of Zhuangzi's family with a frown. Captain Yang whispered a few words to an armed guard, who then entered the shed where Qi Er Guo stored farm tools. They came out carrying iron shovels and hoes, climbed over the flower wall between Qi Er Guo's and Zhuangzi's houses, and onto the roof. To say nothing of it, these people were indeed the guardians of the people, their movements extremely agile.

  Chen Da and twisted his head, but Qi Er Guo didn't know what they were doing on the roof. Just as she was about to ask Chen Ju, who was in a good mood, she saw those young men arrive at Lian Fang's house rooftop. With a loud "bang", they started hacking away at the eaves with their pickaxes, sending cement debris flying everywhere. Lian Fang suddenly stood up: "What are you doing... ah..." and was kicked to the ground by one of the militiamen.

  "Rustling sounds", but it was the sound of the glass in Zhang's family window being smashed to pieces by a young man wielding an iron shovel.

  It's impossible to demolish a house with just an iron shovel and pickaxe, but in the blink of an eye, the new house was left in shambles. The still-wet cement roof was smashed into pits and holes, the windows were shattered, and even one wooden window frame was ripped off. The villagers watching from afar were all excited and thrilled, finally someone had taught Old Zhou a lesson, and this person was hundreds of times more ruthless than the Zhous. They came in a police car to smash the new house, and the onlookers were all chatting and laughing, with many people standing on their rooftops to watch the commotion.

  Chen Da and Jian Xin shouted loudly: "You few! Get down for me!"

  Several joint defense team members jumped down from the house, and Chen Da scolded them: "Who gave you the power to smash people's houses? Even if it needs to be enforced, we have to wait for the court's judgment. Our public security department can only assist in compulsory enforcement after that. You several are just waiting to be dealt with!"

  Several joint defense officers looked gloomy and said they didn't dare to do it again, but in their hearts, they were all excited. At night, Yang was afraid that he would be treated as a guest, and he could show his face in front of Director Chen, such a beautiful difference is not available every day.

  Chen Da turned to Li again and said, "Director Li, I was a bit too forceful in my tone just now. It's because I'm too angry. Tell me, if we can't even protect the girlfriend of the Party Secretary, who else can we protect? The masses? We can't even count on them."

  Li Shouzhang repeatedly said yes, sincerely making a self-criticism. Chen Da and his gaze turned to the four joint defense team members squatting in the corner of the wall, his tone turning cold: "Which one of them took advantage of Miss Qi just now?"

  Li Shouzhang hastily explained: "No, no, it's just that I wanted to ask Miss Qi to come back to the office for an investigation, but I didn't run into Miss Qi..."

  "What the hell are you investigating?" Chen Da's anger flared up again, pointing at the little brother leaning on Qi Jun's side, shouting: "Look, this kid was beaten by you guys, and you still have the nerve to enter the public security system? I think you're just bandits, take them all away!"

  Li didn't dare to speak again, avoiding the seeking gazes of several joint defense team members in the office, thinking you're on your own, I don't even know how this will end, who can help me talk to Secretary Tang? For a moment, he was worried sick.

  Qijie glanced at the several joint defense team members squatting in the corner of the wall and the handcuffed man lying on the ground, but she didn't feel any sympathy for them. Having experienced the harsh realities of life, she knew that these people weren't worth sympathizing with. If she hadn't known Tang Yi, who knows what would have happened to her after being taken to the police station?

  Walked to Chen Da and said, "Brother Chen, Master Gao is still on the highway at the village entrance. When you go back, tell him to return first, I want to accompany my aunt today."

  Chen Da exclaimed, "Ah!", patted his forehead and laughed: "Just now I came in a hurry, didn't notice the cars on the road. Hmph! This old Gao, I think he's just a wooden stake, can't rely on him at critical moments!"

  Qijie said: "This is not Master Gao's fault, it's because I asked him to wait for me."

  Chen Da and Xiao Xiao frowned, saying: "You're staying here tonight? That won't do. Doesn't the Zhou family have some connections? What if they don't get the situation clear and come to retaliate against you at night? I think you, Auntie, and this child should all go stay in the city for a few days until things blow over before returning to Liu Village."

  Qijie thought that was indeed the case, these days she had her aunt and little brother stay at her parents' place. Her father had been saying he wanted to see his sister recently, but it wasn't convenient for him to take the bus. He's getting older and his legs aren't as agile as before. She had stopped him several times, and her father had some opinions about her lately. Today was just what he wished for.

  ……

  Qijie, Junzi, Qier and her little brother were in Lao Gao's Santana. When Lao Gao heard Qijie mention what happened today, he felt both ashamed and indignant. He had just dozed off in the car, and if Qijie really made a mistake, how could he face Secretary Tang? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he started scolding the Zhou family and the local police station. Qijie couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time as she listened to this normally composed man curse for the first time.

  The little brother took a rickshaw for the first time, and he was so excited that he touched this and pressed that until his aunt slapped him and scolded: "Behave yourself!" before he calmed down.

  Junzi sat in the front passenger seat and turned back with a smile, saying: "Today I originally wanted to go smash Kangzi's new house, but Director Chen gave me a signal so I didn't go."

  Qijie said, "That's Chen Ge protecting you." Junzi nodded, but gave his sister a smile with deep meaning, thinking to himself that since his sister had been with Secretary Tang for so long, her words now carried an official tone.

  Qijie asked Junzi: "Junzi, how's your job transfer going?"

  Junzi said: "Director Chen explained that there will be a quota for me next year." Qi Jie finally felt at ease, she had been worried about Junzi's matter all along, but didn't dare to urge Tang Yi, fearing he would get annoyed.

  Qī èr gū (Second Aunt) dazedly said: "Become official? Jūn zǐ (Military Son), are you being transferred to the Public Security Bureau?"

  Junzi smiled and nodded, Qi Er Guo was silent, thinking that Junzi had a formal job now, while the old Qi family was miserable by themselves, with an orphaned mother being bullied.

  "Junzi Ge, then you'll have it from now on?" The little brother's excited face was all red and puffy. Junzi rapped him on the head and said with a smile: "Even if I do, I won't let you play with it, I'm afraid you'll break it."

  "Whenever I mention beating him up, my little brother immediately glares at me with his beady eyes: 'I've grown up and will beat you to a pulp every day!'"

  Junzi laughed and said: "Alright, then you'd better grow up quickly. When the time comes, I'll teach you how to fight." Qi Jie was so angry that she glared at him and said: "Who teaches children like this?"

  Junzi smiled and stopped talking, Qi Er'gu was even more surprised, in her impression, Junzi was not so obedient, he usually retorted ten sentences when his sister said one sentence.

  "Alas, sister, isn't Xiao Na's job the one you found through Tang Ge? How did she end up at the Construction Bureau? Now she's really showing off in front of me, it's infuriating." Qi Jun couldn't help but complain to Qi Jie about his girlfriend.

  Qijie smiled and said, "It was arranged by Director Li. This matter was also discussed between Xiaocui and him, I didn't say a word." When Li An was the deputy director of the Construction Bureau, he wasn't very good at speaking. Since Tang Yi pulled him to be the director of the Investment Promotion Bureau, Director Du of the Construction Bureau has been getting closer and closer to him. Arranging personnel in the Construction Bureau is not difficult at all.

  Qī èr Gū listened to Qī Jié and Jūn Zǐ Zhāng talking about this and that, her head started to spin. Is this the way people from the Qi family speak? It sounds just like the tone of an official's household.

  She couldn't help but add: "The Chen and Li directors you mentioned are higher-ranking than Director Zhou, right? They all call him Uncle Zhou, so isn't a director higher-ranking than a bureau chief?"

  Qijie also had some concerns about this matter, fearing that it would have a bad influence on Tang Yi. She asked Lao Gao: "Lao Gao, you're experienced, do you think we overdid it today?"

  Junzi pouted: "Sister, you're always worrying about useless things. I think even if the sky of Yanshan was broken, Brother would be able to mend it."

  Qijie laughed and scolded: "Go away, the more you talk, the more absurd it sounds." Hearing Junzi's admiration for Tang Yi, her heart also felt pleased.

  Lao Gao also smiled and said: "Miss Qi, don't worry, Director Zhou's words carry weight in the county government office. The director of the government office is surnamed Zhou, that man has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, nobody can stand him."

  Qijie felt slightly relieved then.

  Junzi smiled and said to Qi Er Gu: "Did you hear that, Second Aunt? Master Gao said it's nothing, so it's definitely nothing."

  Qizhi's second aunt was unclear about it. She had many questions to ask Qijie and her brother, but there was an outsider present, so she couldn't ask them out loud, and could only suppress her doubts in her heart.