Chapter 23

"Where did you get that idea? I never blamed you guys. Zhang Yongwei's father is a county leader. Although you are the law enforcement department, you can't fight against such a powerful force."

"It's good that you understand the situation, little brother. If Zhang Deputy County Magistrate's son had learned even a tenth of what you know, the county magistrate wouldn't have been put under investigation..."

"County Magistrate Zhang was put under investigation?" Ding Hao only knew that Zhang Yongwei's father used to be a bureau chief in the county, and he didn't expect him to become a county magistrate in just a few years. No wonder Zhang Yongwei was getting more and more arrogant, and even the police station in the district was being toyed with by him.

"You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't. How would I know about these leaders' affairs?" Ding Hao said it lightly, but Yang Xinmin was particularly nervous, secretly marveling at how shrewd this young man was, almost like a demon. In fact, he was wronging Ding Hao, who really didn't know. But Ding Hao was also puzzled. How could such a coincidence happen? He had just threatened Zhang Yongwei and a few police officers yesterday, and today Deputy County Magistrate Zhang was put under investigation?

No wonder Chief Yang was like a lapdog, coming to the village early in the morning with the instructor to personally take him to the best restaurant in the district! It was great! Scaring those bastards to death! Scaring that little brat Zhang Yongwei to death! Ding Hao felt very pleased and drained the beer on the table in one gulp.

"Brother, you have a good drinking capacity! Let me pour you another one!"

"Chief, don't call me brother. By seniority, I should call you uncle. We can't get confused just because we've had a few drinks."

"This..." The young man in front of him didn't seem to like him much, and Yang Xinmin was sweating. His hands were always dirty, and if a deputy county magistrate could be taken down so easily, he, a police station chief, would be like a piece of sashimi on a cutting board.

"Brother, I really didn't see you clearly. If you can forgive me this time, I will do anything you ask in the future!" Yang Xinmin was almost on his knees, begging Ding Hao.

"Chief Yang, what are you doing?" Seeing Yang Xinmin suddenly pull out a stack of money from his pocket, Ding Hao quickly pushed it back.

"Don't think it's too little! Don't think it's too little!"

"Chief Yang, I grew up eating food from many families. You and Uncle Zhou have taken care of me a lot. How can I accept your money without doing anything in return? This meal isn't cheap, I appreciate your kindness. Tell me what you want me to do. If I can, I will do my best! Zhang Yongwei bullying people, his father is probably not a good person either, so I feel very pleased! Chief Yang is doing a good deed, what are you worried about?"

"Will you forgive me?"

"You didn't do anything wrong!" It's better to be lenient when you can. Although Ding Hao didn't know why Yang Xinmin was so afraid of him, since he had already shown his weakness, Ding Hao couldn't really do anything to him, so he decided to do him a favor.

"Thank you, brother, thank you, brother! What about this money..."

"I said I can't accept it without doing anything. Put it away."

"Then... if you need anything in the future, just let me know."

"If I have something, there is one thing..." Ding Hao sat down and thought for a moment. Could it be that the woman he saved was angry? Could she be the daughter of some leader? It couldn't be that coincidental, right? After thinking about it, he concluded that this was the only possibility!

Whatever, since Yang Xinmin was willing to be afraid of him, Ding Hao was happy to enjoy it. Maybe he would get to eat at such banquets more often in the future. Suddenly, Ding Hao remembered something. Xia Lin had hinted to him that she didn't want to board, mainly due to financial reasons. Although Ding Hao now had money, he was afraid that his enthusiasm would make Xia Lin uncomfortable and also alert the two elders.

Xia Lin not wanting to board naturally meant she hoped Ding Hao would go to school with her. It wasn't a problem for Ding Hao not to board, as it was only about ten to twenty minutes from home to school. However, the teacher had said that lunch and nap time would be only one hour, and there would be evening classes, meaning all three meals would be at school.

Lunch could be brought by Xia Lin's mother, but breakfast and dinner were definitely not possible.

If he rented a house near No. 2 High School, he could heat up food and cook, which should be fine. And they would have a place to go for the noon nap... Of course, it would be even better if Xia Lin was willing to live there!

Seeing the police station chief fawning over him, he didn't want to push him away. If he didn't take the money and asked him to do something, he would be happier and more at ease. Ding Hao thought this way, and Yang Xinmin felt the same. He perked up his ears to listen to Ding Hao.

Since Ding Hao wanted him to do something, if he did it well, this matter would be over. Yang Xinmin immediately decided that as long as Ding Hao's request wasn't too excessive, he would do his best. So when Ding Hao said half a sentence, he was a bit anxious: "I'm not boasting, but in Yun Gang, I do have some influence. Just tell me what you need!"

"I have a friend who wants to study at No. 2 High School, but is worried about the complex environment in the county. Can you help me rent a house near No. 2 High School? I'll let him stay there and get a feel for the school."

"Is that all? No problem, absolutely no problem!" In Yang Xinmin's view, Ding Hao's friend was definitely the child of a high-ranking official, but Ding Hao couldn't say it. Last night, Yang Xinmin and the instructor discussed for a long time, and based on what Yu Feng and others said, they initially concluded that Ding Hao was probably a bodyguard for a leader in the provincial capital. And the woman bullied by Zhang Yongwei... Today, the county magistrate being put under investigation further confirmed this.

Yang Xinmin knew that No. 2 High School in Yun Gang had excellent teaching quality, well-known far and wide, and even in the province. Therefore, leaders often sent their children to No. 2 High School, and the city and county governments paid special attention to this, increasing investment and transferring the best teachers in the county and city to No. 2 High School to satisfy the leaders.

Thus, a virtuous cycle was formed. The teaching quality of No. 2 High School improved, and more and more leaders' children attended! Now that Ding Hao said he had a friend who wanted to study at No. 2 High School, Yang Xinmin had no doubt.

"Wait, I'll give you a satisfactory answer in at most two days." Since Ding Hao had spoken, Yang Xinmin naturally agreed, and this wasn't a big deal. With the help of his friends in the police system in the county, renting a house would be no problem, and even staying in a hotel for free would be possible.

Because the police station was in charge of this. If you didn't cooperate, they could accuse you of harboring a fugitive, and who would rent your house then? Yang Xinmin even thought he didn't need his friends' help. He could just wear his police uniform and go directly, and no one would dare to say anything.

"Thanks, Chief Yang. But you know I don't have much money, so try to make it as cheap as possible. And I don't know how long we'll stay..."

"Of course!" Yang Xinmin saw Ding Hao smile, and his heart finally settled. He took out his phone and called the other two to continue drinking with Ding Hao. The drinking session lasted from 11 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. Afterward, Yang Xinmin wanted to take Ding Hao to a massage parlor, but Ding Hao refused. Ding Hao was young and didn't lack women, so he didn't want to get involved in those messy things. Zhou Fuquan, standing nearby, lamented and drooled.

"I'll take you back." Yang Xinmin didn't insist, thinking that after taking Ding Hao back, he would personally go to No. 2 High School to handle the matter Ding Hao had entrusted him with.

"Chief Yang, Chief Yang, someone is causing trouble at the wholesale market..." As soon as Yang Xinmin stepped out, he was pulled by someone. It turned out that today was market day, and the streets were crowded. The clothing wholesale market in the eastern new district was usually busy, and on market days, retailers from nearby towns would come to buy goods, and some locals close to the county liked to come directly to the market to pick out clothes. With so many people, arguments and fights were common.

"Can't you see I'm busy? If there's a problem, just call the police!" Yang Xinmin, who usually had a people-friendly attitude, broke free from the man's hand and walked straight to his car. Now, Yang Xinmin believed that nothing was more important than taking Ding Hao home!

Instructor Yu Yong looked at the man helplessly and quietly walked to Yang Xinmin, "Shall I go check it out?"

"No need. Those bastards cause trouble every day. You come with me, and we'll go to No. 2 High School later!" Yang Xinmin rejected Yu Yong, quickly opened the car door, and turned to help Ding Hao get in.

Chief Yang's actions left the man speechless. Although Ding Hao looked young, Yang Xinmin's respect suggested he was a big shot. Compared to the fights on the street, it was more important to accompany a big shot.

Ding Hao didn't care about these things. He grew up here and knew that it was strange if nothing happened on market days. The police station rarely got involved. Usually, both sides would just fight and then disperse.

"That Chen Jie is really bold, how dare she provoke Liu Fat. Does she want to keep her supermarket open?"

"Ah, it's all because of her troublemaking sister, Chen Fang. She dresses so provocatively. Liu Fat just wanted to touch her, but he didn't even get to before she slapped him..."

"Indeed, Chen Fang is quite attractive. Not just Liu Fat, I would also want to find a secluded place to do her..."

Two young men walked by, speaking carelessly, but with intent.

"Village Chief, were they talking about Sister Chen Fang?" Although Chen Fang wasn't his girlfriend, she had taken care of him a lot. Especially after Zhang Yongwei's harassment of Chen Fang yesterday, Ding Hao was worried that Zhang Yongwei was retaliating against her.

"It seems so." Zhou Fuquan hesitated for a moment and then answered. Chen Jie's sister could only be Chen Fang from the village.

"Chief Yang, why don't you go ahead? I'll go check it out." Hearing Chen Fang's name, Ding Hao couldn't ignore it. What if it wasn't a coincidence?

"I'll go with you!" Yang Xinmin changed his mind quickly. Since Ding Hao was so concerned about Chen Fang, he couldn't ignore it either.