Chapter 37

Wang Xiaoqiang gave Guo Biao a cold glance and said, "The more unjust deeds you do, the more you will destroy yourself. You kidnapped Xia Sanwa, used him to lure me to the old street water station, and then had a group of people beat me up. How can I forgive you for treating me like this? If you were in my shoes, could you forgive yourself...?"

Seeing that he still couldn't get Wang Xiaoqiang's forgiveness, Guo Biao suddenly knelt down in front of Wang Xiaoqiang, his face full of sorrow, and said, "Brother Qiang, please forgive me this time! Brother Qiang, you must forgive me this time!"

Tang Guowei glanced at Wang Xiaoqiang, fearing that he might soften and agree. If that happened, he would have to give Wang Xiaoqiang some face and let the matter pass. However, Wang Xiaoqiang spread his hands and said to Guo Biao, "What good does it do to beg me? I'm just a farmer and can't represent the law. Even if I forgive you, will the law forgive you?"

Tang Guowei's eyes showed a hint of appreciation, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since Wang Xiaoqiang didn't show any leniency, things would be much easier for him next. His eyes turned to Guo Biao's arms, pausing on the dragon tattoo, then shifted to Hua Tianlong and the others. When he saw the same dragon tattoo on their arms, Tang Guowei said, "I've heard there's a group called the Green Dragon Gang in the old street. You four wouldn't be part of the Green Dragon Gang, would you?"

As soon as Tang Guowei spoke, Guo Biao and the others trembled. The current crackdown on public security was specifically targeting underground organizations like theirs. If it weren't for Hua Tianlong's cousin Chu Zhaohui, the deputy chief of the public security team, they would have been arrested long ago. Now, they had foolishly revealed their identities to the police chief, and they were terrified. They had committed countless crimes, from extortion and kidnapping to selling illegal drugs and operating in the black market. These alone could land them in prison for ten to fifteen years.

Tang Guowei smiled coldly and said, "You don't admit it, huh? Well, all the police officers in the county are on high alert, eager to catch lawbreakers. There are plenty of people who can investigate you..."

Hearing this, Guo Biao and the others turned pale with fear. They deeply regretted ever provoking Wang Xiaoqiang.

At that moment, police lights flashed and sirens wailed as two police cars pulled into the police station. Soon, about ten police officers appeared at the door of the interrogation room. Tang Guowei and Wang Chao walked out, and Tang Guowei gave some orders. The officers quickly sprang into action. Two officers went to the surveillance center to retrieve the footage of Wang Xiaoqiang's interrogation, while the remaining eight, led by Wang Chao, took Guo Xiongzhì, Zhang Hai, Wang Ming, Guo Biao, and Hua Tianlong to the police station.

Liu Juyi and Xia Sanwa had already arrived but were kept outside by the two guards at the police station. When they saw the two police cars and the swarm of police officers, they were extremely nervous. However, when they saw the police officers take Guo Xiongzhì and Guo Biao into custody, they breathed a sigh of relief, though they were still bewildered.

As the two police cars drove away, Wang Xiaoqiang and a man in his forties walked out. Tang Guowei introduced himself and expressed his gratitude to Wang Xiaoqiang for treating his father. As they walked out, Liu Juyi and Xia Sanwa approached them and asked almost simultaneously, "Xiaoqiang, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, don't worry. Guo Biao and his gang have been arrested and will receive the punishment they deserve," Wang Xiaoqiang said, introducing Tang Guowei to them.

Xia Sanwa and Liu Juyi were too scared to initiate a handshake with the county police chief, but Tang Guowei greeted them warmly and said, "By the way, Xiaoqiang, you haven't had dinner yet, right? Let's go eat."

Liu Juyi wasn't surprised, knowing that Tang Guowei was sent by Old Tang, but Xia Sanwa was different. A police chief personally handling a farmer's case and then inviting him to dinner—such a good police officer was rare.

Wang Xiaoqiang declined, "No need, Chief Tang. You're so busy, and we need to get home. There won't be any buses if it gets too late."

Tang Guowei was indeed busy, especially with this case, which he had to supervise personally. When Wang Xiaoqiang said this, he was about to give up, but his phone rang. It was his father. Before Tang Guowei could speak, Tang Mingyuan asked if Wang Xiaoqiang was okay.

The night was quiet, and everyone could hear the voice on the other end of the phone. After asking about Wang Xiaoqiang, Old Tang solemnly instructed Tang Guowei to invite Wang Xiaoqiang and his aunt to dinner and to send them home.

After hanging up, Tang Guowei said to Wang Xiaoqiang, "Xiaoqiang, you must have heard. I can't disobey the old man. I must invite you to dinner. I hope you'll do me the honor, and I also want to express my gratitude..."

Xia Sanwa didn't know how Wang Xiaoqiang had managed to get the attention of the police chief, but he saw this as a great opportunity to build a relationship. He really wanted to accept on Wang Xiaoqiang's behalf.

Wang Xiaoqiang, seeing no way out, agreed.

The dinner was arranged at the Hongbin Building, the most upscale hotel in the county. Tang Guowei generously ordered a table full of delicacies and prepared two bottles of Maotai wine.

Xia Sanwa had never imagined he would sit at the same table and drink with the county police chief. He was both nervous and proud, thinking that after this meal, his life would be worth living.

Of course, he knew it was all thanks to Wang Xiaoqiang. In Xia Sanwa's mind, Wang Xiaoqiang was now a very powerful figure, and he began to wonder if this Wang Xiaoqiang was the same one from Sanmiao Village.

During the meal, Tang Guowei raised a glass to Wang Xiaoqiang, expressing his gratitude for treating his father. After the first toast, he raised another, saying, "Xiaoqiang, I must raise another glass to you for helping me catch the Green Dragon Gang. I've heard about them for a long time but never had enough evidence to arrest them..."

Before Wang Xiaoqiang could respond, Xia Sanwa suddenly interjected, "Chief, Chief Tang, I want to ask, how many years will Guo Biao get for his crimes?"

Tang Guowei pondered and said, "The exact sentence will depend on the specific crimes he committed, but it will be at least five years."

Hearing this, Xia Sanwa suddenly thanked Tang Guowei, "Thank you, thank you, Chief Tang."

Tang Guowei was puzzled, "It's my duty. There's no need to thank me."

Xia Sanwa smiled but said nothing. He was happy that Guo Biao would be in prison, which meant his daughter, Xia Gui Fang, would be safe from Guo Biao's harassment, and he wouldn't have to pay the dowry to the Guo family for now.

He kept drinking happily and was almost staggering by the end of the meal. Tang Guowei, following his father's instructions, personally drove the three back to Sanmiao Village.

The village roads were poor, so Wang Xiaoqiang didn't let them drive all the way to the village. The car stopped on the national road outside the village.

The three got out and walked toward the village.

Xia Sanwa, feeling the cold wind, became even more drunk and couldn't walk steadily. Wang Xiaoqiang had to support him and take him home.

When they arrived at Xia's house, Xia Sanwa, in a drunken stupor, grabbed Wang Xiaoqiang's hand and said shamelessly, "Xiaoqiang, I had such a good time today. How can I thank you? Xiaoqiang, you're my son-in-law... son-in-law..."

The word "son-in-law" made Wang Xiaoqiang shudder. As he tried to run away, Xia Sanwa grabbed him, his whole body leaning on Wang Xiaoqiang. "Son-in-law, don't go. You haven't met your wife yet. How can you leave?"

Xia Gui Fang and her mother, hearing this, blushed and couldn't lift their heads.

Xia Gui Fang glanced at Wang Xiaoqiang, who was trapped, and angrily stomped her foot at her father, "Dad, are you ashamed of yourself!?"

Xia Sanwa grabbed his daughter's hand and placed it in Wang Xiaoqiang's. "Xiaofang, I'm so happy today. Guo Biao, that little thug, is going to jail..."

Xia Gui Fang was about to stop her father, but hearing that Guo Biao was going to jail, she felt a surge of excitement and surprise. She was so stunned that she forgot to pull her hand away.

"Xiaofang, I now formally announce that I am giving you to Wang Xiaoqiang. You will be his wife in life and his ghost in death..."

"Ah~" Xia Gui Fang let out a soft cry and covered her face with her left hand, blushing.

Wang Xiaoqiang, seeing Xia Gui Fang's shy and adorable expression, was momentarily stunned and forgot to pull his hand away.

The onlookers were clear while the participants were confused. Xia Gui Fang's mother pulled her husband's hand away from Wang Xiaoqiang's and said, "That's enough, Xiaoqiang. Thank you for bringing this drunkard home. You should go now."

Wang Xiaoqiang finally pulled away and left.

"Look at yourself, are you not ashamed?" Xia Gui Fang's mother, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang's retreating figure, supported her husband and said, "Shouting like that, how can we face people in the future?"

"I want everyone to hear it. I want the whole village to know!" Xia Sanwa raised his voice. "Xiaofang, I'll find a matchmaker tomorrow and give you to Wang Xiaoqiang."

Xia Gui Fang, blushing, ran back into the house.

"Hey, old man, you're not drunk?" Xia Gui Fang's mother, seeing her husband standing steadily, was surprised.

"Pfft, I've been drinking all my life. When have you ever seen me drunk?" Xia Sanwa said, walking back into the house with steady steps.