Chapter 14: The Magic of a Business Card

Jin Ming was still trying to talk her way out of the situation, and the young traffic police officer was inclined to let her off, but with his superior present, he didn't dare, even if he had the courage!

Just as he was thinking about his superior, the superior arrived.

Chen Xiang asked, "What's the situation?"

The traffic police officer replied, "She had a bit to drink and was driving without a license."

Chen Xiang exaggeratedly said, "That's serious. The car should be impounded, and she should be detained."

Li Yi was startled by the mention of detention and tried to defend himself, "Comrade, it's not that serious, is it?"

Chen Xiang's tone turned stern, "This is very serious and has a terrible impact! With the International Steel Annual Summit taking place, if there's a traffic accident, and if it involves a foreigner, what then?"

"This hasn't happened yet!" Jin Ming retorted.

Chen Xiang snorted, "Once it happens, it won't just be detention. Xiao Gang, take her away."

Liu Mingming, enjoying the spectacle, stepped forward and said sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this Li Yi? What are you doing here?"

Chen Xiang chimed in, "Still a student? Which school? Call his school and have them come to pick him up."

This was a move to completely ruin him. If a student were detained and the school had to come to pick him up, it would be hard for him to avoid becoming famous, and with fame, expulsion was a real possibility.

Liu Mingming pretended to think, "Isn't it the Chinese Department at Southern University? A senior year student? Yes, just one year away from graduation, what a pity."

Li Yi knew Liu Mingming was behind this but was helpless. After all, he had made the mistake first!

A police officer from the Public Security Bureau yawned as he approached, "What's going on? We're all exhausted. It's the middle of the night, and we haven't even fined a few people. We might as well go home and sleep with our wives."

Another officer laughed, "Wu Jie, when have you ever slept with your wife? You're just using the overtime excuse to hang out in massage parlors."

Chen Xiang explained the situation, and the two police officers laughed, "Haha, today's students are truly a degenerate generation. Once in the station, he'll be skinned alive! Alright, we're done for the night!"

Li Yi felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that once in the station, everything would be up to them. They could even frame him for robbing a bank and force a confession. These people were clearly in cahoots with Liu Mingming. If he were taken to the station, he wouldn't have a good time.

For the first time, Li Yi felt such intense fear of the state's coercive power and gained a clear understanding of the power of officials. The son of a deputy section chief could command these police officers and traffic police to take revenge for personal grievances. This realization was profound.

No wonder, throughout history, regardless of wealth, everyone tried to enter the government. The poor needed to advance through officialdom, and the rich needed to buy official positions to ensure safety. Without power, how long could wealth last?

Jin Ming shouted, "Hey, are you being reasonable?"

No one responded.

Liu Mingming laughed and savored the scene, disappointed that Li Yi didn't react as he imagined, with no shouting or crying, and no pleading.

"How long do you think you can hold out?" Liu Mingming sneered, preparing to leave.

Li Yi asked Chen Xiang, "They are also driving under the influence. How can you let them go? Isn't this unfair?"

Chen Xiang laughed impatiently, as if hearing a joke, "What's it to you? Do you need to teach me how to do my job?"

Li Yi said, "You are public servants. The power you hold is given by the people. How can you abuse it?"

Chen Xiang stomped out his cigarette and pointed at Li Yi, "Who are you? Power? Do you have power? Do you deserve to talk about power?"

Li Yi shook his head sadly.

"Hey, are you looking down on me?" Chen Xiang clenched his fists, making them crack.

"Do you want to hit me?" Li Yi frowned, not one to back down easily.

"What if I do? I'm telling you, even if I beat you to a pulp, I won't get in trouble!"

Li Yi was about to argue, but a police officer from the station intervened, "Enough, what's the point of arguing? Let's get this over with and go to sleep." He whispered to Li Yi, "It's no use arguing here. Pay a fine, and you can go home. It's not a big deal."

Li Yi knew it was wise not to fight a losing battle and asked, "What about the car?"

The police officer yawned, "Come back in a few days to pick it up. You'll need to pay a fine."

Money talks!

Li Yi had no better solution and had to agree.

Chen Xiang, seeing Li Yi back down, felt triumphant.

Suddenly, Jin Ming screamed, "What are you doing?"

Li Yi, fearing for her safety, approached and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jin Ming, on the verge of tears, pointed at the police officer named Wu Jie, "He touched my butt!"

Seeing Jin Ming's serious expression, everyone believed her, especially those who knew Wu Jie. He was a notorious pervert who, seeing Jin Ming's beauty and assuming she wouldn't dare speak up, didn't expect to meet his match.

Li Yi angrily said, "Are you police officers? I want to see your IDs!"

Wu Jie retorted, "Which eye did you see me touch her? If I'm not a police officer, are you?" He reached into his pocket, but found nothing, his face turning red, "I don't have my ID! So what? You broke the law, and you're still being defiant?"

Li Yi coldly said, "Whether you are real police or not, I've memorized your faces. I will hire a lawyer to help my friend get justice."

Chen Xiang felt a headache. This young man, though dressed simply, drove a Crown car, had a beautiful woman by his side, and was in a rivalry with Liu Mingming. He must have some background. Chen Xiang wanted to avoid trouble but was bound by Liu Yiyang's face. He frowned, "Old Wu, this isn't the place for such behavior."

Wu Jie's face turned purple, "Captain Chen, you can't say that! Why aren't you helping me? How do you know I touched her?" He glared at Li Yi, "If you have evidence, go ahead and report me. Do you think I'm scared?"

As he spoke, he swung his fist at Li Yi's face.

Li Yi, anticipating the move, ducked and lunged forward, grabbing Wu Jie around the waist. With a twist, he lifted Wu Jie and spun him around before throwing him to the ground.

The sudden action left everyone stunned. There was a loud thud as Wu Jie's thin body hit the ground.

The other police officer didn't dare approach, only shouting, "Help, he's assaulting a police officer!"

People gathered, and some passing cars stopped to watch, pointing and saying the police were beating someone. Chen Xiang quickly ordered his men to disperse the crowd.

Liu Yiyang, hearing the commotion, rushed over, worried about his son, "Mingming, what's going on?" Seeing Liu Mingming unharmed, he relaxed, then recognized Li Yi, "It's you! Li Yi!"

Li Yi, surprised at his own strength, was still in shock. Hearing his name, he came to and, recognizing Liu Yiyang, thought it best to give him some face. He nodded, "I'm Li Yi. Who are you?"

Liu Yiyang laughed and shook Li Yi's hand, "You don't recognize me, but I recognize you. I was in the audience at today's steel summit."

Li Yi realized, "Oh, hello. Is there something you need?"

Liu Yiyang asked, "You're close to Secretary Wen? I heard you call him Uncle?"

"Secretary Wen? Which one? Oh, you mean Wen Yuxi?" Li Yi thought for a moment, pulled out Wen Yuxi's business card, and showed it to Liu Yiyang.

Liu Yiyang's eyes widened in excitement. This was Secretary Wen's private business card, something everyone in the Southern Province government wanted but few had.

"Yes, yes, that's Secretary Wen!"

"Oh, what position does he hold?"

"You don't know? Secretary Wen is the Secretary of the Southern Province Committee! He just took office this year."

Wu Jie, finally getting up, was about to react but froze upon hearing their conversation. He quickly slipped away, and the other police officer followed suit.

Chen Xiang, after a second of shock, ran to direct traffic.

Li Yi, with some knowledge of the government hierarchy, was surprised. In his previous life as a businessman, he had dealt with officials. As a student now, he still followed the news and had some understanding of the government.

Pretending to be naive, he asked, "Is the Secretary of the Provincial Committee a big official? How does it compare to the Governor?"

Liu Yiyang broke into a cold sweat. Was Li Yi blaming him for the trouble tonight?

"The Secretary of the Provincial Committee and the Governor are at the same level, both at the ministerial level. However, the Secretary is the top leader, and the Governor is the second in command." Liu Yiyang was cautious, unsure of Li Yi's attitude.

Li Yi was secretly alarmed, thinking about the night's events. He put the business card back in his pocket and looked around. The police officers and traffic police were gone.

What's going on? Li Yi approached Chen Xiang, "Comrade, how will this be handled? I need to get back to school."

Chen Xiang was confused, "Handle? Handle what?"

Li Yi thought, "Are you that forgetful?" He patiently said, "You said I was driving without a license and under the influence."

Chen Xiang shook his head vigorously, "Driving without a license and under the influence? That's impossible." He had a sudden realization, "Oh, you lost your license, right? No problem, I'll get you a new one and deliver it later. You're Li Yi, a senior in the Chinese Department at Southern University, right? Good, it's late, go home."

Li Yi, understanding the situation, smiled, "Brother Chen, let's have a meal together sometime."

Chen Xiang said, "Sure! I'll definitely treat you. You must come."

Li Yi didn't say more and got into his car.

Jin Ming, in a daze, followed him into the car.

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End of Chapter 14