Free Web NovelChapter 2493: Chapter 2557: Incomprehension and Helplessness
"What difference does it make if we know or don’t know? When it comes to time, it all boils down to ’interest.’ If the stakes are high enough, people are capable of anything!" Li Yifei understood Zhao Tiezhu’s unspoken frustration and confusion.
"But damn it... I don’t ask them to be honest officials, but if they’re going to be corrupt, they should at least have some limits and do something meaningful!" Zhao Tiezhu shouted.
"Actually, there are still a few good officials; not all are hopelessly corrupt. It’s just those who get exposed that we see... Okay, I’ve talked myself into a corner, which is why, after I retired, I didn’t join the government system but instead took my settlement money and went back home because I feared that with my temper, I’d get too hot-headed." Li Yifei laughed after saying that.
Checking the time, he called over two policemen. Li Yifei pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet and said, "Brothers, go to the restaurant outside and order some food, get some drinks. It’s already three in the afternoon, and the brothers haven’t eaten yet. That’s not okay, so bring the food here, and let’s eat and drink at the conference table!"
"Boss Golden Eagle, I’ve got money; you don’t have to do this."
"What are you saying? You help me out and still pay out of pocket? Hurry up, buy some white spirit, and don’t forget, we don’t want beer bloating our stomachs!" Li Yifei instructed, and the two policemen nodded repeatedly, scurrying off to order food and drinks. Meanwhile, Zhao Tiezhu still wore a troubled expression, stuck in his thoughts. Li Yifei consoled him for a bit before leaving it at that. For Zhao Tiezhu, it was just a temporary setback. If you want to dine in this circle, you have to play by its rules.
Perhaps calling it a circle isn’t quite right, but the principle is the same. Li Yifei believed that Zhao Tiezhu would eventually figure it out. Besides, Zhao Tiezhu had been working for so many years already; to be qualified as the SWAT team’s captain, he certainly couldn’t be someone entirely clueless; such a person wouldn’t last long in the job.
As the food arrived, Li Yifei called all the policemen over, and they spread it out on the conference table. They bought several cases of white spirit and dozens of dishes. Li Yifei picked up a bottle of white spirit, while the others hesitated, looking at Zhao Tiezhu and Li Yifei.
"No worries, everyone drink, you won’t get in trouble for it." Li Yifei laughed heartily, shaking the bottle. These brothers were worried about drinking on the job and causing delays. Li Yifei didn’t force it and added, "Drink if you like, if not, then just eat. Consider this a working meal. Once this mess is sorted out, I’ll treat the brothers to a proper drink."
Though Li Yifei wasn’t an official, the group trusted and admired him, knowing that following him would lead to a good outcome. It was also a rare opportunity. After some hesitation, someone went to get the booze, though taking drinks according to personal tolerance. Those who couldn’t drink much decided not to drink at all. After all, working for Boss Golden Eagle, you can’t afford to embarrass yourself by getting drunk, so not drinking was the smart choice.
Li Yifei signaled Zhao Tiezhu to get the young girl something to eat so she wouldn’t go hungry. The little girl seemed no longer scared, her eyes wide open as she watched this group of policemen and the unfamiliar uncle joking around. Occasionally, bursts of laughter erupted from her.
In any case, that bad student, the hooligan, was going to be dealt with; otherwise... Xiaowu lowered her head, biting her lip, and said thank you in her heart.
Meanwhile, everyone was eating and drinking, and District Chief Yue received a call from his wife. Yue Liang’s mother, grumbling unhappily, drove a Porsche Cayenne to Yue Liang’s villa. She didn’t usually live there, as she and District Chief Yue had a separate place. Taking out a key, she opened the door and went in, immediately frowning from the strong odor of smoke and a bit of throat irritation due to the closed windows and doors.
She knew more about some of her son’s issues than District Chief Yue did and knew that Yue Liang was somewhat out of line. She had brought it up many times, but it never worked, so she eventually resigned herself to it. Anyway, he didn’t need to work hard to live well in this lifetime.
Taking a few steps inside, Yue Liang’s mother frowned even more. The house was in complete disarray, especially around the sofa—footprints everywhere, and the table was a mess, littered with cigarette butts, ashes, food scraps, and even some unsightly items.
"This kid, I need to talk to him later. What kind of friends is he making, such a mess? If his dad finds out, he’ll be scolded again." Yue Liang’s mother frowned and said.
She called Yue Liang twice without a response, so she went upstairs to look for him. Along the way, she noticed numerous shoe prints and mumbled, "Can’t even wipe the shoes before walking around the house."
Entering the bedroom, she didn’t find Yue Liang but instead saw a pile of ropes. She couldn’t help but say, "I guess we can’t let the kid live on his own; it’s too messy, no rules."
Walking around, she couldn’t find him, and Yue Liang’s mother was puzzled. She tried calling his phone, but there was no answer. Where could he be?
She went down to the garage for a look; except for the damaged Lamborghini, the other cars were there, and the motorcycles were parked neatly. But no, there were two sports cars in the yard that didn’t belong to Xu’s family, so they must be his friends’ cars.
Where did these people suddenly go? Yue Liang’s mother couldn’t figure it out, so she took out her phone and called District Chief Yue.
District Chief Yue had just finished a short meeting, and when his phone vibrated, he glanced at it and saw it was his wife calling. He stepped out with the phone and answered, saying, "Where’s the kid?"
"Honey, Little Liang seems to have gone out and isn’t home."
"What do you mean by ’seems like’? Did you go or not?"
"I did. I’m right here. All the cars are at home, but our son isn’t," said Yue Liang’s mother.
"Where could he be? Keep looking. The boy... he’s already been in a car accident, why isn’t he staying at home instead of running around?" District Chief Yue said, a bit irritated. His eyelids had been twitching for several hours, and instinctively, he felt uneasy. Without finding the child, his mind wouldn’t be at peace.
"Honey, what trouble could our son be in? Maybe he’s out playing with friends. I saw his friend’s car parked in the yard."
"Didn’t you understand what I said?" District Chief Yue said, displeased.
"Alright, I’ll keep looking. Honey, don’t worry!" Yue Liang’s mother dared not argue with District Chief Yue; she knew she owed today’s status to that one gritted moment...
After hanging up, District Chief Yue still felt uneasy, so he called Wang Gang. Unfortunately, Director Wang was currently restrained, unable to answer the call. He was thirsty, hungry, and aching all over, enduring the treatment of being handcuffed to the radiator. With his hands behind his back, he couldn’t squat or stand upright, feeling utterly miserable. This method was usually their tactic against suspects. It was tolerable for a short while, but over time, it was unbearable.
Opposite him, Yue Liang and a few other Second-Generation Heirs had also been brought in. Seeing Yue Liang was also captured, Wang Gang’s eyes widened instantly, but his mouth was sealed with tape, allowing only muffled sounds. The same was true for Yue Liang and the others across from him.
This might be illegal detention, but... if Li Yifei spoke, he’d say, "I illegally detained you. What can you do about it?"
Yue Liang and his friends were handcuffed in the same manner. Seeing Wang Gang receiving the same treatment, Yue Liang knew things weren’t good. Even the "brother" he mentioned realized the gravity of the situation upon witnessing this, overwhelmed with fear yet helpless. After all, they were locked up here and didn’t even know where they’d been taken; reporting to the police was out of the question.
Next door, Li Yifei and the others had finished eating and drinking. Li Yifei hadn’t drunk much, just two meals and a bottle of white spirit. After finishing, they tidied up the conference table. Zhao Tiezhu and the others looked at Li Yifei; although they had some drinks, it didn’t hinder them at all, waiting for Li Yifei’s orders.
"No rush, we just have to wait now. Someone else will be anxious!" Li Yifei reassured with a smile. He had already received Xu Yingying’s message, saying part of Xu Zhenguo’s examination results came out, confirming Li Yifei’s suspicions. So he needed to check it out.
"I’m going to check on my father-in-law. I’ll be back later. If anything happens during my absence, inform me immediately. Remember, no one is allowed to take them away. If something happens, I’ll take responsibility!" Li Yifei said.
Zhao Tiezhu and the others nodded immediately. Li Yifei patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, brothers, find a place to rest. No need to be so tense; it’s just a district chief, he can’t cause much trouble."
Arriving at the inpatient department, Li Yifei returned to his father-in-law, gave the old man some treatment, and then looked over the pathology report. It was just a part of the diagnostic results, but it already showed at least four shadowy areas in Xu Zhenguo’s body, suspected to be cancerous lesions.
If not for Li Yifei, such a report would be a huge blow to the Xu family. Xu Zhenguo was only in his fifties, and for someone so young to have a terminal illness already metastasized indicated it was in the late stage, and even with timely treatment, it might not last long.
But fortunately, there was Li Yifei. With him around, a terminal illness turned into a treatable disease.
"Yifei, how are things over there?" Xu Zhenguo asked worriedly.
"Dad, it’s no big deal!" Li Yifei replied with a smile.
Xu Zhenguo said, "Come on, gunfire was involved, how can that be a small matter?"
Li Yifei briefly explained the situation. In the past, Xu Zhenguo would’ve likely slammed the table upon hearing this, being a policeman himself with decades of experience. Hearing someone dared to attack police and seize weapons would definitely infuriate him. But now, he remained calm. Listening to Li Yifei mention that the perpetrator was District Chief Yue’s son, and that they distorted truths, involving even the sub-bureau director coming personally to continue the deceit and shield Yue Liang, Xu Zhenguo frowned and said solemnly, "This is a mess!"
"Dad, don’t worry about this. Let Yifei handle it. With such a district chief, how can the new development zone make progress?" Xu Yingying advised.
