Chapter 45

"Really that impressive?" Liu Yanzhi exclaimed in surprise, then paused, frowning. "What did you say the name of the deputy head of the security department is?"

"Lin Zixian, Lin as in the double-wood Lin, Zi as in the Confucian Zi, and Xian as in the leisurely Xian," the gossipy colleague said. "If you see this person in the future, be very careful and don't provoke him. This guy even hits women. The former head of the general affairs department was a woman, and it's said that she was knocked out with a stun gun and dragged away by him."

"Lin Zixian?" Liu Yanzhi was taken aback. "It can't be that coincidental, can it?"

The gossipy colleague looked puzzled. "What? Do you know Deputy Director Lin?"

Liu Yanzhi pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "It's just a coincidence. The person I know is also named Lin Zixian, but he's a jobless loafer, how can he compare to Deputy Director Lin?"

Not long after Gao Yunliang was taken to the police station, he was sent to the hospital. After emergency treatment, he was admitted to a ward. The problem wasn't too serious, just a bit of internal bleeding and a few broken ribs. He hadn't regained consciousness yet.

He was lucky, after all, he had vomited out the cigarettes he had swallowed. Huang Mao and the others were in a much worse state, suffering from nicotine poisoning, dizziness, and continuous vomiting. It took a lot of effort to stabilize them.

In the ward, Dong Jiayun was crying her heart out. Her sister was comforting her, while her husband hung his head in silence.

Police Captain Li, who had been promoted by Qiu Renzhan, was now reporting the incident to Deputy Director Qiu, who had a grim expression, outside the ward.

"You mean that person assaulted the police on the spot, and Deputy Director Zhang let him go?" Qiu Renzhan asked.

"Yes! I don't know what's wrong with Deputy Director Zhang; he doesn't seem to understand any legal procedures," Captain Li complained. After all, his subordinates had been beaten, and he had lost face in public. He had no choice but to complain to his old leader.

Qiu Renzhan had his own thoughts, believing that things might not be that simple. He frowned and asked, "What's the name of the person who assaulted the police?"

"Um... we didn't have time to ask before Deputy Director Zhang let him go," Captain Li said weakly. "But Gao Yunliang and the others might know."

"Ridiculous! You let him go without even finding out his name," Qiu Renzhan scolded, though his words seemed to be directed more at Deputy Director Zhang.

The two turned and walked to another ward, where they found Huang Mao and the others. Compared to Gao Yunliang, their treatment was much worse; they didn't have the luxury of a private ward.

Qiu Renzhan was furious at the sight of these three half-dead, half-alive individuals. He always believed that these idle people had corrupted Gao Yunliang. So, he kept a stern face throughout, and Captain Li did the questioning.

Upon learning that the person who had injured Gao Yunliang was Deputy Director Lin from Minghua Group, Qiu Renzhan's face turned black, and he left without a word.

At Donghai University, Lin Zixian dropped Zhang Beibei off at the teaching building. A group of female classmates immediately ran over to help. Some of the bolder ones started flirting with Lin Zixian, who teased them without restraint, guessing their measurements and other things. The girls called him a pervert but didn't leave, making it look like they were teasing him. Zhang Beibei, standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, finally understanding the saying "bad boys attract girls."

As the class was about to start, Lin Zixian reluctantly said goodbye to his classmates.

He was told to go to the police station voluntarily in the afternoon to assist with the investigation, but Zhang Zhenxing wouldn't let him go through the trouble. As soon as Lin Zixian left the school, a police car parked at the gate, and a police officer got out, identifying himself and inviting Lin Zixian. "Director Zhang sent me to pick you up."

Some things needed to be resolved, or he wouldn't be at ease. Lin Zixian didn't say anything, parked his bicycle at the school's security office, and the on-duty security guard, recognizing him, promised to take good care of it.

In the police car, only the police officer who had picked up Lin Zixian was driving, and they quickly headed to the police station.

Upon arriving at the Donghai Police Station, the police officer led the way. However, as soon as they entered, Qiu Renzhan and a group of uniformed police officers emerged from both sides, blocking Lin Zixian and shouting, "Are you Lin Zixian?"

It was clear that they knew Lin Zixian was coming to the police station to "turn himself in" and had been waiting for him.

Lin Zixian lit a cigarette leisurely, glanced at Captain Li beside Qiu Renzhan, and asked, "Who are you?"

Seeing his arrogance and refusal to answer his old leader, Captain Li immediately answered, "Director Qiu, it's him."

Qiu Renzhan's eyes flared with anger, and he shouted, "Daring to assault the police in public, take him away and interrogate him strictly."

A group of police officers immediately rushed forward, but the officer who had picked up Lin Zixian immediately stepped in front of him, shouting, "Stop!" At the same time, he pulled out his gun, chambered a round, and scanned the room, aiming the gun at Qiu Renzhan, saying coldly, "Whoever moves will be shot on the spot!"

Everyone present was stunned. Good grief! Was this new police officer's brain malfunctioning? How dare he pull a gun on his colleagues in the police station and threaten to shoot them, especially aiming at Deputy Director Qiu? It seemed he didn't want to be a police officer anymore.

However, no one dared to move. No one would risk their life with such a madman. Who could guarantee that he wouldn't really shoot?

Lin Zixian smiled but said nothing. He had already guessed the identity of Zhang Zhenxing and his people, and he wasn't surprised by the police officer's actions.

People like Zhang Zhenxing, who worked in secret operations, were equipped with special gun permits to ensure smooth operations within the country. In emergencies, they could shoot to kill. These special gun permits, to put it bluntly, were legal licenses to kill. After killing, they were generally not subject to any legal constraints and only needed to explain internally. Whether they were guilty or not was decided internally, and other departments had no authority to interfere.

Qiu Renzhan was shocked to be pointed at with a loaded gun by a subordinate. Guns have a chance of misfiring, so normally, people don't point them at others. After being startled, his face turned black, and he pointed at the police officer, furious, "What are you doing? Are you rebelling?"

"Put the gun down," Zhang Zhenxing's voice came. Everyone turned to see Zhang Zhenxing and a group of police officers approaching, pushing Qiu Renzhan's group aside and clearing a path.

"Mr. Lin, please go with them to make a statement," Zhang Zhenxing said to Lin Zixian, pointing to his own people.

Lin Zixian smiled. "I am a law-abiding citizen and am happy to cooperate with the police." He then left under the escort of the police officers, giving a teasing look to Deputy Director Qiu before leaving.

Qiu Renzhan's face turned black as a pot bottom, and he glared at Zhang Zhenxing. "Deputy Director Zhang, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Zhenxing looked at him coldly. "Deputy Director Qiu, I took over this case first. Please don't interfere with my investigation."

"Zhang Zhenxing, this person assaulted the police in public. Do you understand legal procedures?" Qiu Renzhan shouted in anger.

"This matter was ordered by Director Wang, and we must both comply. If you have any objections, you can appeal to Director Wang," Zhang Zhenxing said and turned to leave, seemingly not taking Qiu Renzhan seriously. Qiu Renzhan was so angry that he pushed his subordinates aside and ran upstairs to the director's office.

At the door of the director's office, Qiu Renzhan, in a fit of anger, pushed the door open without knocking.

Behind the desk, an old police officer with a slightly plump figure was hunched over, holding a two-color pencil and marking documents. It was Director Wang Sen, who was in charge of the Donghai Police Station.

Director Wang, wearing reading glasses, didn't look up. His gaze, visible over the top of his glasses, fell on Qiu Renzhan, and he frowned before formally raising his head and smiling. "Old Qiu, what has you so upset?"

Qiu Renzhan strode to his desk and accused him sternly, "Director Wang, the new Deputy Director Zhang is completely out of line. Not only did he protect a criminal who assaulted the police in public, but he also allowed his subordinate to pull a gun on colleagues, with the barrel almost touching my forehead. Is there no law and order left?"

"Deputy Director Zhang?" Director Wang paused, put down his pen and documents, took off his glasses, and leaned back in his chair, sighing. "Old Qiu, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but your niece's son needs to be disciplined. If he continues to misbehave, it will eventually implicate you."

"I..." Qiu Renzhan was so angry that he was trembling. He had come to complain, but now it seemed he was in the wrong. "Director Wang, I demand a party committee meeting to discuss this matter!"

"I disagree with bringing this to the party committee. Old Qiu, focus on your work. Don't interfere with Deputy Director Zhang's affairs. It won't do you any good if things get out of hand," Director Wang said, looking at him seriously.

Some things, Director Wang couldn't say outright. For example, he didn't know Zhang Zhenxing's background, but he had received a top-secret order from the Ministry of Public Security to fully cooperate. It was clear that Zhang Zhenxing was on a secret mission, and even he had no authority to interfere, only to fully cooperate. Although he had a vague idea of Zhang Zhenxing's identity, he couldn't tell Qiu Renzhan, as he couldn't afford to take the responsibility if something went wrong.

"Director Wang! Is this your opinion?" Qiu Renzhan gritted his teeth.

Director Wang nodded. "You can think of it that way."

"It seems there is no justice left in this police station. I will appeal to the higher authorities!" Qiu Renzhan turned and stormed out, furious.

He believed that if he didn't get a satisfactory result, he would lose credibility with his subordinates. Moreover, he thought he was in the right, and this was a good opportunity to gain an advantage. If handled properly, he might even remove the "deputy" from his title.