C15 Facing the Crowd

"What?"

"What's the name of the person you detained?"

Lee Fei's voice boomed across the office, his tone laced with shock.

Without missing a beat, he marched toward the holding area where Jiang Chen was detained, muttering, "I just hope it's not who I think it is..."

Soon, Lee Fei arrived at Jiang Chen's cell.

"My savior, it is you!" he blurted out upon seeing Jiang Chen look up, leaving the nearby officers completely bewildered.

What in the world...

The inspection team's captain knows this kid?

And he's calling him his savior?

This was beyond bizarre!

A slight smile graced Jiang Chen's face. "Ah, it's you. Your father's doing well, I trust? So you're here too."

Lee Fei was, in fact, the son of the Purple-Gold Material Company's boss, whom Jiang Chen had previously rescued.

Ever since Jiang Chen's departure, Lee Fei had been eager to find him to express his gratitude, but Jiang Chen had proven elusive.

"My savior, to think you'd be involved in such a mess and not even drop me a line!" Lee Fei chided.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen felt an unexpected warmth in his heart. Aside from his parents, few had ever shown him such concern.

"It's nothing," Jiang Chen assured, stretching and rolling his neck after being released, clearly stiff from his confinement.

"What exactly happened here?" Lee Fei asked, furrowing his brow.

Jiang Chen was forthright, recounting the events without any exaggeration.

"Unbelievable!" Lee Fei, livid, flung the handcuffs to the floor and yanked a law enforcement officer forward, demanding, "Where's that scoundrel Wang Nian?"

The officer, rattled by Lee Fei's fury, stuttered, "He... he's at the hospital..."

"Heh, well then. To think that someone like Wang Nian, abusing his power for personal gain, could exist within the Law Enforcement Bureau. It looks like I, as the head of the inspection team, need to conduct a thorough investigation. Otherwise, I'd be dishonoring the badge I wear!" Lee Fei said through clenched teeth, clearly disillusioned with Wang Nian.

Shortly after, Wang Nian returned from the hospital. But upon reaching Jiang Chen's holding cell, he discovered it was empty.

Just then, Luo Meng approached. "Brother Wang, Jiang Chen must've been so scared of you that he ran off!"

Wang Nian nodded pensively, murmuring to himself, "Hah, an escapee. That's a bigger crime than the original one. You think you can mess with me, Jiang Chen? I'll make sure you see for yourself that Wang Nian is not to be messed with!"

With that, Wang Nian took Luo Meng to the captain's office to report the situation. However, they were in for a shock. As they entered the captain's office, both men gasped, exchanging incredulous glances.

Luo Meng, in particular, rubbed his eyes again to confirm he wasn't seeing things. To their astonishment, there was Jiang Chen, feasting and drinking at the captain's desk, with wine flowing and the room thick with smoke, indicating a heavy drinking session.

Wang Nian was completely flabbergasted. He could never have imagined Jiang Chen having any connection with the inspection captain of Qingyun County.

Meanwhile, Luo Meng stood frozen, unsure of what to say or do next. A sense of foreboding crept over Wang Nian.

Seeing the camaraderie between Jiang Chen and Lee Fei, Wang Nian's confidence wavered even more. He approached them cautiously, about to speak, when suddenly...

Slap!

A slap landed squarely on Wang Nian's face.

Luo Meng, witnessing the scene, was petrified, nearly wetting himself with fear.

"Wang Nian, I've heard about your considerable clout at the Law Enforcement Bureau," Lee Fei said with a sneer, a hint of malice in his gaze. "I'm curious, who exactly granted you such authority?"

Wang Nian was visibly shaken. "I... I..."

For a moment, Wang Nian was at a loss for words, unable to explain himself to Lee Fei. With a look of deep resentment, he turned to his nephew Luo Meng, who guiltily hung his head, seemingly washing his hands of the situation.

Wang Nian felt a chill in his heart, realizing he had been aiding an ingrate.

"Captain Lee... You... You're aware of everything..." Wang Nian stammered, covering his face, feeling guilty. Despite having been slapped by Lee Fei, he couldn't muster any anger.

"Nonsense, Wang Nian, you've really outdone yourself. Who gave you the audacity to act this way?" Lee Fei fumed, his temper flaring like a lit match ready to ignite.

"I..." Wang Nian was inwardly frustrated. He had landed himself in the hospital and now had to reckon with the fact that this kid, Jiang Chen, had connections with the inspection team's captain.

"Moreover, I've been briefed on the whole incident. You know the drill, Wang Nian. Is this going to be handled formally or informally? You decide."

"Additionally, you're suspended for half a month. Take that time to reflect. Your salary for next month will be withheld. No, half a month isn't sufficient. Once you've recovered and received Brother Du's forgiveness, then you can come to see me. Until then, stay out of my sight!"

"This..."

Wang Nian was stunned. He had never anticipated that Lee Fei would come down so hard on him over Jiang Chen, especially considering their usually decent rapport. Who would have guessed that Jiang Chen would be so protected by Lee Fei?

Once again, Wang Nian cast a resentful glance at Luo Meng.

If not for his troublemaking nephew, he wouldn't be in this predicament. The thought filled Wang Nian with indignation.

"Enough. Why are you still here? I've got drinks with Brother Du. Scram!" Lee Fei dismissed Wang Nian with a nonchalant wave of his hand. Wang Nian, momentarily taken aback, quickly scurried off.

Once outside the office, Wang Nian unleashed a tirade on his nephew, "Luo Meng, Luo Meng, of all people to antagonize, you chose him? That guy's a tough nut to crack, and even I can't get a read on him. From now on, drop the idea of bullying him, or I won't be able to bail you out next time."

Wang Nian let out a sigh and stepped out of Luo Meng's view.

Luo Meng stood there, stunned. It had never crossed his mind that a guy like Jiang Chen, who seemed like such an underdog, actually had someone in his corner.