Chapter 83: Luo the Madman Files a Report

That afternoon, Su Xinghui was riding his bicycle back to the township government when he passed the police station and happened to meet Chief Lei Ming, who saw him, waved him over, and went inside first.

Su Xinghui got off his bike, pushed it through the police station door, placed it outside Lei Ming's office, and walked in.

Lei Ming tossed him a cigarette; Su Xinghui laughed and threw it back: "Chief Lei, you know I don't smoke!"

Lei Ming stood up, poured a glass of cold boiled water, and said: "Then have a drink of water!"

Su Xinghui took the water, tilted his head back, and drained it in one gulp. He set the cup down and asked: "Chief Lei, what did you want to see me about?"

Lei Ming was a man in his early thirties, a former soldier who had worked at the Gongan Bureau for several years and was only assigned last year to be chief of the police station in Meng Hu Ling Township. He was straightforward and worked well with Su Xinghui, so Su Xinghui held a certain fondness for him.

Lei Ming frowned: "It's that Luo the Madman again. This morning he came to the station with a few hooligans to file a report, claiming they were beaten. When I asked who did it, he said it was Su Xinghui—I talked him out of it and sent him away."

Luo the Madman was Luo Ming''s nickname, and it suited him perfectly—he sometimes acted as if he'd lost his mind, beating anyone he didn't like, which gave Lei Ming and the others headaches. But every time they arrested Luo the Madman and his gang, they'd immediately get a call from Jin Taihe, leaving Lei Ming powerless.

Su Xinghui said: "Chief Lei, thank you!"

Lei Ming waved his hand: "No need to thank me. I know this was definitely their fault—they got beaten because they asked for it."

Su Xinghui said: "That Luo the Madman specializes in crazy acts. This morning, out of nowhere, he kicked over a basket of eggs being sold by the roadside—every egg broke. I asked him to pay for them, but he refused and even tried to beat me up. Is there any logic to that?"

Lei Ming nodded: "They're definitely in the wrong, but be careful. I can handle it here—he didn't get anything from me, so he'll surely go straight to his uncle."

Speaking of Jin Taihe, Lei Ming shook his head repeatedly. He had no respect for this favoritistic vice-township chief, but what could he do? Jin Taihe was his direct superior, held seniority in the township government, and used his age to demand deference—even other leaders sometimes had to give him face.

Su Xinghui stood up: "Alright, Chief Lei, thanks for the warning—I'll be careful!"

Lei Ming saw Su Xinghui out, and Su Xinghui returned to the township government.

Back in the Party and Government Office, Wei Bingyi said: "Xiao Su, you're back. Chen Shuji wants you to go to his office."

Su Xinghui replied and went to Chen Hongfu's office, where he poured Chen Hongfu a glass of cold boiled water and sat down.

Su Xinghui guessed Chen Hongfu had called him because of the fight with Luo Ming'an—and sure enough, Chen Hongfu asked: "Did you beat Luo Ming'an this morning?"

Although Chen Hongfu was investigating the matter, his expression was still calm.

Su Xinghui told Chen Hongfu everything that had happened that morning. Chen Hongfu listened and nodded: "I knew it—this Luo the Madman must've caused trouble again. This morning he said something to Vice Chief Jin, who came straight to me complaining that you unprovokedly assaulted his nephew."

Chen Hongfu had no fondness for Luo Ming'an either—otherwise he wouldn't have called him Luo the Madman right in front of Su Xinghui. If Jin Taihe had heard that, there'd be another uproar.

Su Xinghui said: "Chen Shuji, do you think I'd beat his nephew without cause?"

Chen Hongfu smiled: "Of course I believe you. His nephew runs rampant through the township, stirring up trouble—everyone knows it. If that's the case, I'll explain to Vice Chief Jin. He's an old comrade; sometimes favoring his nephew is understandable."

Su Xinghui nodded: "Then thank you!"

Chen Hongfu usually didn't embarrass Jin Taihe, but this time, since Luo Ming'an had provoked it, and since Su Xinghui was the one who beat him, he certainly wouldn't reprimand Su Xinghui. In fact, he'd long resented Jin Taihe's arrogance and entitlement.

Chen Hongfu waved his hand: "No need to thank me—I'm taking a fair stance. If you didn't do anything wrong, I won't give him face. By the way, how's the work in Ye Zhugou going?"

Su Xinghui said: "The livestock farm will be finished in another ten days or so, but the first batch of wild game won't be ready for market for a few months; the bamboo weaving factory's production is stable now, and we've already produced a batch of bamboo goods—I'll call Jiangcheng later to see when they'll come to sign the contract."

A few months; the bamboo-weaving factory's production is quite stable now, and they've already produced a batch of bamboo-woven goods. I'll call Jiangcheng later to see when they can come over to sign the contract."