Chapter 13: The Depressed Xie Ruo

"Qiu, this, this is..." Xie Ruo's eyes rounded, and his slightly puffy eye bags became even more prominent.

"This is my boyfriend, Hong Zhiyou."

"Hong, this is a senior from Beiyang University, his name is Xie Ruo."

Wanqiu's face was full of sweetness as she pressed even closer to Hong Zhiyou.

"Mr. Xie, I've heard so much about you!"

An idol, Hong Zhiyou stepped forward and greeted him enthusiastically.

"What kind of work does Mr. Hong do?" Xie Ruo asked curiously.

In fact, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics also had members on the preparatory committee, but Xie's rank was too low to attend the club's dance.

Therefore, he did not recognize Hong Zhiyou.

"I'm making a living at the Navy Club," Hong Zhiyou said.

"The Navy Club?

"Old... old brother, you are a capable man; that place is full of rich people," Xie Ruo said with a stuttering smile.

"Just scraping by," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Old brother, you're from the Jinhai Station, aren't you?" Xie Ruo looked at him with a half-smile.

"What makes you say that?"

"I'm familiar with everyone in the municipal government who comes to this place.

"To be able to handle the Navy Club and also receive hospitality from Mr. Mu, that can... only be someone from the Jinhai Station," Xie Ruo said.

Hong Zhiyou smiled, which counted as an admission.

"I'm very close with your Captain Ma. How about we grab a meal together another day?" Xie Ruo would never let any business opportunity slip by.

"Old brother, if you aren't with the municipal government, then you must be with the Ye faction.

"If Ye Xiufeng knew we were eating together, wouldn't he smash your head in?"

Hong Zhiyou sneered and said.

"Old brother, those rules and regulations... those are for honest people.

"This is my number. Ask your Captain Ma; there will be a time when you need me."

Xie Ruo took out a business card and handed it over.

Quite fashionable, indeed.

Hong Zhiyou took it, tucked it into his pocket, and then kissed Wanqiu on the cheek:

"Qiu, go back and get some sleep. You didn't sleep well last night."

"Goodbye, Mr. Xie."

He gave Xie Ruo an arrogant smile, climbed into the car, and drove off.

Damn it, they just kissed?

And she didn't sleep well last night?

Xie Ruo looked at Wanqiu with a face full of surprise and depression:

"Qiu, you, were you two together last night?"

"Yes, he's my boyfriend. My uncle and aunt are very fond of him too, so... we got together."

Wanqiu watched the car drive away with lingering attachment.

"You... didn't you say you didn't have a boyfriend?" Xie Ruo was getting a bit anxious.

"I met him last night," Wanqiu said.

Met last night, and then stayed the night?

What kind of joke is this?

Is this still the pure little junior from Beiyang University?

"Qiu, don't mess around. Don't I know what kind of person you are?" Xie Ruo forced a smile.

"You really don't know what kind of person I am.

"Mr. Xie, I'm going to practice the piano now. Goodbye."

Wanqiu gave a faint smile, ignored him further, and turned to walk inside.

Previously, as someone sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, her uncle had even intended to curry favor and set her up with him.

But in Jinhai, the Jinhai Station was the true holder of real power.

Furthermore, her uncle had investigated him.

This man's parents died early, he had no background, and his rank wasn't high.

He was into whoring and gambling, and he was a phony person.

He was also a stutterer.

A while back, when Yu Zecheng arrived, what was his status?

A major in the Military Statistics Bureau, cultured, upright, and Wu Jingzhong's trusted aide.

He was leagues ahead of Xie Ruo in every way.

Not to mention compared to Hong Zhiyou, the talented man approved by her aunt.

Therefore, she had no chance with Xie Ruo at all, so naturally, there was no need to be hypocritical.

"Qiu..."

Xie Ruo waved his hand dejectedly, but Wanqiu walked inside in her high heels without even looking back.

"Cheap woman.

"Gold-plated... or silver-plated? Aren't women just two mouths, top and bottom, anyway?

"Do you really think I care about you, you dog traitor!"

Xie Ruo threw the rose in his hand away fiercely and walked off, cursing.

Wanqiu returned to the lobby.

Mu Liancheng was watering flowers with Huizi.

Seeing Wanqiu, his pockmarked face grew long:

"A girl with no sense of shame, what kind of decorum is this?"

"Uncle... I, what did I do?" Wanqiu asked, puzzled.

"What did you do with that man surnamed Hong last night?" Mu Liancheng snorted coldly.

Wanqiu's cheeks burned, and she remained silent.

"I don't care about you young people sleeping together.

"But screaming and shouting? Have you even abandoned moral principles?

"He is your father, who was your dead father, and who am I?

"You don't want face, but I do.

"You've lost all the face of our Mu family."

Mu Liancheng was so angry he threw the watering can and went straight to the inner room.

He and Huizi had gone specifically to eavesdrop on their room last night.

They wanted to know how far the relationship between these two young people had developed.

They never expected to hear that.

Mu Liancheng was so angry his lungs felt like they were exploding; he hadn't slept well all night.

Even the whores in the Xiuchun Brothel only called men "master," never "dear father."

And she's supposed to be a top student from Beiyang!

Wanqiu was so ashamed at this moment she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

It was all Hong Zhiyou's fault.

He insisted she call him "father," "dear father." Wanqiu loved him, and being in the heat of the moment, she naturally let him do whatever he wanted.

Now it was ruined; her uncle had heard it.

How embarrassing.

"Qiu, you look like a woman now," Huizi laughed, her gaze full of appreciation.

She had no fondness for this "niece."

She was just a tool to be used.

However, what Huizi found gratifying was that Wanqiu was young, beautiful, and knew how to play.

In this world, staying alive is more important than anything.

Beauty and a good figure are a woman's greatest capital for survival.

With the girl's seductive nature, even if she stayed in Jinhai in the future, at the very worst she would be a socialite, and she wouldn't have to worry about making a living.

Wanqiu blushed, bowed slightly, and ran away quickly.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the Jinhai Station.

"Station Master." He walked straight into Wu Jingzhong's office.

"Zhiyou, why aren't you resting? I'll approve a day of leave for you; get some good rest.

"Only when your body is well-rested can you serve the Party-State."

Wu Jingzhong beamed and gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

"Thank you, Station Chief. It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That opium from last night—do you have a channel to move it?" Wu Jingzhong leaned in closer, rubbing his fingertips together as a hint.

"Doesn't the Master's wife know Mrs. Tian from the Security Brigade?"

"She specializes in dumping these things," Hong Zhiyou said.

"She won't do."

"I know those women well enough; they specialize in fleecing their own. The wealthier and higher-ranking the official, the harder she fleeces them."

"You are familiar with them."

Wu Jingzhong gave a mercenary smile, his voice dropping even lower:

"Some things are better said in bed than at a dinner table."

"Women, you know—once they're happy, they're like clay, aren't they? You can mold them however you like."

"This matter still depends on you."

Hong Zhiyou was looking for exactly this effect.

"Station Chief, I'm afraid it won't work these next few days. The Second Young Master of the Cao Gang has declared at the club that I won't live past seven days."

"If I walk out the gates of the Jinhai Station now, I might get shot in the back."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head, looking helpless.

"Those damn beasts!" Wu Jingzhong was so angry he slapped his thigh.

"Alright then, you lay low for a while. Division Chief Lu is familiar with them; you go clear the air with him first, and I'll go put in a word for you."

After a pause, Wu Jingzhong added.

You old man, you're finally willing to step in... Hong Zhiyou hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

……

He left the Station Chief's office.

He saw a round-faced man in a suit, slightly chubby, walking in with several police officers.

"Secretary Hong, it's good you're here."

The man took off his hat, his manner quite respectful.

"You are?" Hong Zhiyou felt he looked familiar, but couldn't recall the name.

"My name is Huang Zhong, I am an Inspector at the police station," the man said.

"Inspector Huang, is there something you need?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

The Juntong Bureau station had always held concurrent jurisdiction over the Garrison Command Inspection Division, the Second Garrison Division, and the Police Station Intelligence Division; this was to facilitate the monitoring of military and police departments.

After the restoration and reconstruction, the Inspection Team was split off, and the 94th Army was at odds with the Second Division.

This was also the reason why the likes of Lu Yuxi and Regiment Commander Xu dared to challenge Li Ya later on.

However, the police station remained under the actual jurisdiction of the Jinhai Station Intelligence Division.

It was just that it had always been handled by Lu Qiaoshan, so Hong Zhiyou was not familiar with it.

"We have already cleared up the case of the murderer at Hulu Lane last night; it was a group of robbers from Jibei. Station Chief Wu wants you to sign this," Huang Zhong took out a document.

Heh, a group of robbers.

As expected, they didn't dare touch the Cao Gang.

"Swish, swish!" Hong Zhiyou's expression darkened, and he quickly signed his name.

After signing, he walked toward his office.

Just as he stepped inside, Huang Zhong dismissed his subordinates and followed him in.

"Secretary Hong, could we talk privately for a moment?" Huang Zhong bowed and offered a cigarette.

"Cut the small talk."

Hong Zhiyou was cold and indifferent.

"Secretary Hong, Mrs. Kang said you are a true Buddha; I have a matter I'd like to ask for your help with," Huang Zhong closed the door and lowered his voice.

Introduced by a little lover?

"Sit." He poured Huang Zhong a cup of tea.

"Station Chief Wu and the others..." Huang Zhong gestured toward that side.

"Don't worry, he won't interfere," Hong Zhiyou said flatly.

Wu Jingzhong was desperate for him to know more people and squeeze out more profit.

"I have someone here, and I'd like to ask you to open your mouth for him before Station Chief Wu."

Huang Zhong took out a file.

One was a roster of traitors.

One was a personal profile.

There was a yellowed photograph on the profile.

Long Tianyun.

The name wasn't familiar, but the photo was.

Thick eyebrows, large eyes, and an air of ferocity.

Isn't this Long Er, the future lackey of Old Yu?

……

(End of chapter)