Chapter 99

After a conversation, it was learned that the father of the kidnapped child was named Gao Qiwén, the deputy director of the Pingchuan Municipal Government Office. In the city, he could be considered a man who could make the wind and rain, capable of accomplishing anything.

Liu Haneast explained that Huanxi was preparing to take the college entrance exam as a social candidate. Gao Qiwén's face showed disappointment: "Is this the matter? It's too simple. I just need to give a call to Old Zheng at the Education Bureau. However, I suggest not taking the exam as a social candidate. Just find a high school to register, and take the exam with everyone else. It's more convenient, otherwise, you'll have to handle everything yourself, which is too troublesome."

"Director Gao, I'll leave this matter to you. I have a task and need to return to Jinjiang this afternoon." Liu Haneast shook hands with Gao Qiwén.

"Leaving this afternoon? Then we must have lunch together." Gao Qiwén held his hand, unwilling to let go.

"I have colleagues." Liu Haneast politely declined.

"Bring them along, it's just a meal." Gao Qiwén was very generous.

Liu Haneast looked at his phone; it was already close to noon. His morning leave was almost over. If he didn't return on time, it would be a violation of discipline. If he asked for an extension, it would show a lack of consideration. Many colleagues were working day and night, unable to take care of their families. He had taken a day off for a friend, which didn't seem right.

At this moment, he deeply understood the hardships and helplessness of the narcotics police, who couldn't take care of their families at all.

But when he saw Huanxi's hopeful face, he couldn't bear to let go. Gao Qiwén was doing this for his sake. If he didn't stay for lunch, it would be a loss of face. If anything went wrong, it would be troublesome.

After much thought, he called Captain Geng and explained the situation. To his surprise, Captain Geng was very understanding: "Sure, lunch, right? I'll come."

People in Pingchuan value face, especially those in the government. When Gao Qiwén learned that the famous straightforward Captain Geng from Jiangdong was coming to the banquet, he felt very honored. He temporarily put his work aside and made all-out arrangements for the lunch.

The deputy director of the municipal government office, not a big position but not a small one, was a full-section-level cadre. Anyone would give him some face. Gao Qiwén made a series of calls to invite many influential friends from various sectors to accompany the guests.

At the banquet, the identity of the guests was also important. It was inappropriate for the guests to be too high or too low in rank; they should match the guests. They should have status in the local area, be able to talk about politics, tell jokes, and most importantly, be able to drink and keep the guests entertained.

As for the banquet venue, there was no need to be low-key. Since it was Gao Qiwén's private banquet, it was different from official receptions. The person who found his kidnapped child was a savior, and a grand reception was appropriate. No one could criticize it.

In comparison, Huanxi's high school registration issue was not a big deal.

Gao Qiwén usually worked in the new municipal government building. Today, he happened to be at the old government compound on business and decided not to return. He drove a Lavida, carrying the savior and Mei Jie and Huanxi, directly to a luxurious hotel. The hall manager greeted them: "Director Gao, what arrangements do you have?"

"Is the No. 1 private room available for lunch?"

"Of course, even if it's booked, we can make room for Director Gao."

"Alright, let's go up and sit, and brew a pot of premium Longjing tea."

"Sure thing."

Gao Qiwén led everyone upstairs. The private room was on the second floor, extremely spacious, large enough for four tables. It had a self-service mini-KTV, a bathroom, a thick carpet, and brand new curtains and tablecloths. The LCD TV was 70 inches, and the hardware facilities were top-notch in the entire Pingchuan city.

Mei Jie had seen many things and was not fazed, but Huanxi had never been to such a high-end place and felt a bit at a loss. However, Gao Qiwén didn't notice her, busy greeting Liu Haneast.

The server brewed a pot of tea and placed two boxes of Su cigarettes on the coffee table. Gao Qiwén said it wasn't good enough and asked for the best cigarettes. He took out a pack of soft Zhonghua and offered it to Liu Haneast. As an office director, Gao Qiwén was very observant. He noticed that Liu Haneast cared about Huanxi and immediately called a friend, a principal of a private high school. After the call, he said, "A friend, the principal of a private high school, all our own people, these small matters can be handled with a word."

Huanxi and Mei Jie exchanged glances, overjoyed.

After a while, the guests arrived one by one, including the captain of the Public Security Brigade, the captain of the Urban Management Bureau, and a section chief from the government office. They were mostly people in Gao Qiwén's circle.

"All our own people, sit wherever you like." Gao Qiwén said, but everyone sat in the lower seats, showing respect.

After a while, Captain Geng and the captain of the local narcotics police arrived at the hotel. After some small talk, they sat down. Most of the guests were from the legal and political circles, with four police officers and the captain of the Urban Management Bureau, who could also speak up. They had common topics and quickly became close.

Around noon, a man brought four bottles of wine, two bottles of special supply Maotai, and two bottles of Wuliangye. Gao Qiwén introduced him as Xiao Wang from the municipal government's car fleet and invited him to sit and eat. Xiao Wang was very diligent and observant, pouring wine and lighting cigarettes for everyone, busy serving.

The cold dishes were served, and everyone's glasses were full. Mei Jie and Huanxi poured juice. Just as they were about to raise their glasses, Liu Haneast said, "Why don't we wait for the principal to arrive before starting?"

"I'll give him a call." Gao Qiwén took out his phone and dialed a number, but no one answered. He heard the phone ringing in the corridor, and a middle-aged man walked in, carrying a briefcase and a phone, chuckling, "Sorry, there was something at the school that delayed me."

Gao Qiwén said, "This is my friend, Principal Xiao Han from Yucai High School. Old Xiao, you're late, you have to drink three cups as a penalty."

Principal Xiao found a seat, poured himself a full glass of white wine, and was ready to drink the penalty.

"Let's drink your penalty later, let me introduce you..." Gao Qiwén reintroduced everyone and mentioned Huanxi's college entrance exam issue. Principal Xiao patted his chest and guaranteed it would be no problem.

With everyone present, the banquet officially began. They all drank three cups together, and then the drinking continued. Pingchuan had many rules, and the drinking was intense. After one round, a bottle of white wine was finished, and everyone was tipsy. Mei Jie saw this and stood up to speak, holding a glass of juice to toast Principal Xiao.

"Change to white wine, juice won't do." Gao Qiwén said.

Mei Jie was a straightforward person, directly changed to a large glass, poured it full of white wine, and drank it in one go, showing the bottom of the glass, earning applause.

The drinking was enjoyable. They finished four bottles of white wine, then four bottles of red wine, and two cases of Snow beer. They drank until they were completely drunk. Initially, they called each other by their titles, but eventually, they were hugging and calling each other brothers, as if they were siblings. By three in the afternoon, Principal Xiao had slipped under the table, and the others were not much better. Only Gao Qiwén, Liu Haneast, and Captain Geng were relatively sober.

"I didn't entertain the leaders from the provincial capital well, I'm really sorry." Gao Qiwén's speech was slurred.

"Next time we go to the provincial capital, I'll arrange it." Despite Captain Geng's usual stern face, he was very good at making polite remarks.

Gao Qiwén saw them off downstairs and had Xiao Wang, who hadn't drunk, drive them.

The trip to Pingchuan went smoothly, and Huanxi's issue was resolved. In the afternoon, they could directly go to Yucai High School to handle the procedures. With the college entrance exam approaching, Huanxi didn't need to return to Jinjiang and could stay in the Yucai High School dormitory to review with her classmates, waiting for the exam.

The narcotics police escorted the suspects and evidence back. Liu Haneast and Captain Geng were in the same minivan, resting in the back.

"Captain Geng, your drinking capacity is impressive. You drank the most today, but you don't seem drunk at all." Liu Haneast said.

Geng Zhi said, "Most of it I vomited out. In such situations, they're all strangers, it's not worth risking your life to drink."

Liu Haneast was curious, "Then why did you go to the banquet? Besides, it was all good wine."

Geng Zhi said, "We were competing for case jurisdiction with the Pingchuan narcotics police. I used the opportunity to offer them something. Talking business over drinks is efficient. This solved the issue. Those two bottles of Maotai might not even be real."

"Fake wine?" Liu Haneast laughed. Gao Qiwén, the deputy director of the municipal government office, had brought fake Maotai.

"Not necessarily fake, but not necessarily real. Maotai produces a limited amount each year, and it can't meet the national market, especially those with special or military supply labels. They are actually produced by factories around Maotai Town, and the quality isn't much worse. You can drink them with confidence."

"Captain Geng knows a lot." Liu Haneast laughed.

"Your flattery is too low-level, rejected. Try again." Geng Zhi smiled, adjusted the seat back, and lay down to sleep.

Three hours later, the convoy arrived in Jinjiang. As soon as they entered the courtyard, a colleague rushed over to report, "Something happened, Lin Xiaowu escaped on the way to the detention center!"

"What happened? Any casualties?" Geng Zhi was furious.

"One colleague has a concussion, another has a broken nose, and the car is almost totaled."

Geng Zhi sighed in relief. No one was killed, which was good.

"Search for him immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

The narcotics police returned to their tense work, with no time to rest. As an intern, Liu Haneast was even busier, learning everything from his seniors.

Everyone was busy when a police car drove into the courtyard. Three police officers in blue uniforms with silver shield-shaped inspection badges on their chests got out, carrying briefcases and hurriedly went upstairs. They met Geng Zhi, who was holding a teacup.

"What's going on?" Geng Zhi was surprised.

"Captain Geng, we're here to find Liu Haneast. Is he here?"

"What for?"

"Alleged improper use of police equipment. The matter has been reported to the municipal bureau, and we need to take him back for investigation." The inspector said politely.

"Nonsense, it's just about killing two Tibetan mastiffs. The narcotics police are so busy, and you want to take my people. It's unacceptable. I'll call your captain!" Geng Zhi took out his phone and called the municipal bureau inspection team. After a series of negotiations, it was still unsuccessful.

Liu Haneast was called out. Geng Zhi patted his shoulder and said, "Go and come back soon."

"Understood." Liu Haneast got into the police car marked with the inspection emblem and left the narcotics police headquarters. His colleagues stopped their work and watched, silently seeing their comrade, who had fought and shared life and death with them, being taken away by the inspectors.