Chapter 223

The policeman said to Su Xinghui: "Looks like you were fighting. Come with us to the bureau to sort out the details of the matter."

Su Xinghui immediately sensed something was off—this hadn't been clarified yet, and the policeman had already labeled it a fight. Clearly, there was something fishy here; but Chang Hu had said Tao Yanbin was his boss, so it made sense the policeman knew him.

Xue Qin cried out: "Officer, that's not right! How is this a fight? So many people saw it—they were the ones trying to attack, and Su Xinghui was acting in self-defense!"

The policeman sneered: "Do you think you can teach me how to do my job?"

Xue Qin was about to say more, but Su Xinghui smiled: "Xue Qin, it's fine. Take your clothes and go home. Also, tell Zhang Cheng I probably won't be able to have dinner with him tonight."

Xue Qin understood. She picked up the several pieces of clothing she'd bought and left. The policeman didn't care—he had Su Xinghui and Chang Hu's group get into the police van. Luckily, it was a minivan; otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough room for everyone.

People nearby pointed and whispered, but none dared speak up—who wanted trouble? Who wanted revenge from these thieves and hooligans? Even if they had Su Xinghui's skills, they couldn't fight against a cop taking sides!

Liu Changlin said: "Wait—I'm the one who reported this. I saw everything. I'll go to the Public Security Bureau to testify for him."

Since someone volunteered to testify, the policeman couldn't stop him. Liu Changlin got in the car. Chang Hu glared at Liu Changlin, but Liu Changlin met his gaze without fear.

Liu Changlin's act of righteousness warmed Su Xinghui's heart—he was a truly upright good man. Too bad good people rarely got good outcomes. This society had too many twisted, corrupt affairs, making those willing to stand up for justice or help others grow fewer and fewer.

Su Xinghui nodded and smiled at Liu Changlin. Liu Changlin returned the gesture with a kind smile.

Soon, the police van arrived at the Gongan Bureau and took them to the Public Order Unit for statements.

Su Xinghui was taken alone into an office, where a young policeman took his statement.

The young policeman asked: "What's your name?"

Su Xinghui gave his name. The young policeman asked which characters. Su Xinghui spelled them out one by one, and only then did he continue.

When he heard Su Xinghui's position was Deputy Director of the Party and Government Office of Meng Hu Ling Township, the young policeman exclaimed in surprise: "You're a deputy director and you still fight? That's not appropriate."

Su Xinghui shook his head: "I didn't fight. They were trying to retaliate—I acted in self-defense."

The young policeman said indifferently: "Then tell me what actually happened."

Su Xinghui recounted the details of the matter. The young policeman wrote it all down, then showed him the statement, saying that if Su Xinghui had no objections, he should sign it.

Su Xinghui read it over. The young policeman's notes matched his account exactly, so he signed.

The young policeman told him to wait in the office, then took the statement and left. Su Xinghui wasn't anxious—he simply closed his eyes and rested in the office.

After a while, the young policeman returned and said to Su Xinghui: "Look, Deputy Director Su, this is tricky. All of them say you fought with them, and now all of them have minor injuries."

Su Xinghui didn't get angry. He just said, "Oh?" and asked: "Then what should I do?"

The young policeman said: "We told them you're a government official. They said they're willing to settle—just pay some medical expenses and call it done."

Su Xinghui laughed: "I have to pay medical expenses?"

The young policeman said: "Yeah. Actually, their injuries are quite heavy—two of them have swollen nasal bones. Since you're a government official, we talked to them, and they said you can just pay a couple hundred yuan for medical costs. After all, it takes two to tango—they share some responsibility too."

Su Xinghui regarded the young policeman with a thoughtful look: "They share responsibility? That's a well-chosen phrase—I'm impressed. So you mean the main responsibility is mine? My statement doesn't count? And wasn't there someone who came to testify for me? What did he say?"