"I understand," Song Xiaojia showed a bitter smile. She raised her head to look at Zhang Wenhui and asked, "Captain Zhang, then... what should I do?"
"Just let it be," Zhang Wenhui smiled and said, "Besides, this isn't something bad for you. Haven't you always wanted to join the criminal police team? This is a good opportunity."
Song Xiaojia was confused.
In the following events, she was like a puppet being maneuvered on stage, standing there while reporters took photos and asked questions, with all the replies given by the publicity department people. Later, Hu Zhengwei presented Song Xiaojia with a second-class merit medal. Patting her shoulder, he said, "Xiao Jia, work hard, don't let down my and your father's expectations for you."
"Thank you, Commissioner Hu." Song Xiaojia's face remained expressionless, aware that the merit wasn't hers, while simultaneously resolving to thoroughly investigate the case and find the unnamed hero.
This commendation ceremony was heavily publicized by Jiangbei City's Publicity Department, and Song Xiaojia almost became a well-known figure, viewed by all men in Jiangbei City as the jewel of the police force, almost like a celebrity, which took Song Xiaojia by surprise.
......
In the City Committee compound, Tang Yumeng, overwhelmed by the events of recent days including meetings and media attention due to the 'October 13th' major robbery case, finally managed to get through a week, and all matters had finally settled.
After work, returning to her quiet home, she stood alone by the window, holding a glass of red wine. Her gaze was vacant as she stared outside, her mind continually replaying the day of the robbery, with Lin Chuan's figure echoing in her mind. She didn't know his name or what he did, but she felt that this young man was extraordinary. He had remarkable skills, was cold, wise, lethal in action, and most importantly, he was completely indifferent to fame and wealth.
These characteristics of Lin Chuan deeply moved Tang Yumeng. Such people are indeed rare in this world.
Outside the window, a breeze blew, caressing Tang Yumeng's lace nightdress, revealing her exquisite figure through the lace openings, stunningly perfect. Her delicate feet stepped on the carpet, ten toes clear and sparkling like creamy jade, charmingly beautiful. Her long slender legs were evenly proportioned, without a hint of excess fat.
In Tang Yumeng's mind, that handsome face and slightly ill-fitting Armani suit, most perplexingly, were styles from 1986, yet it was already the twenty-first century, making that epoch-crossing Armani a true trademark of Lin Chuan.
"Sigh..." Tang Yumeng sighed deeply.
This sigh was loaded with implications. Ever since she took the position of the city secretary, she had not had a good night's sleep, relying on alcohol to barely soothe her into slumber. She slowly walked to the sofa and sat down.
At that moment, a shadow swiftly entered through the window.
Tang Yumeng was startled and demanded coldly, "Who is it!"
"Sister Yu, it's me!" Soon, the living room lights came on, and a woman in a red dress walked over, removing the black cloth from her face, revealing a radiant smile.
"Red Fox?" Tang Yumeng was startled and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Sister Yu, the boss sent me to inform you," Red Fox said with a sweet smile.
"About what?" Tang Yumeng asked.
"The boss just told me to pass on four words to you," Red Fox smiled again, then said: "Protect Lin Chuan!"
"Lin Chuan?" Tang Yumeng was startled and asked, "Who is this person? Why does Silver Fox value him so much?"
"Not too sure," Red Fox shook her head, saying, "That's just what the boss told me; she just left Jiangbei City."
"Silver Fox came to Jiangbei City?" Tang Yumeng was suddenly shocked.
"Yes," Red Fox nodded and said, "I came here with the boss."
"Is there something important happening?" Tang Yumeng suddenly had an ominous premonition, that something big must be happening in Jiangbei City for Silver Fox to come all this way. Otherwise, why would she visit here? This made Tang Yumeng feel uneasy.
"I'm not really sure," Red Fox shook her head, saying, "The boss only stayed a few days before she left."
Tang Yumeng frowned, although she didn't understand who Lin Chuan really was, she could feel that he was very important to Silver Fox, otherwise, she definitely wouldn't have come all the way to Jiangbei City personally. Moreover, she even sent Red Fox to notify her.
...
A few days later, Lin Chuan's wound had basically healed; he removed the stitches on his lower abdomen himself, leaving only a clear scar. Such scars had no effect on him, for his body was already covered with countless similar wounds, some even layered on top of others.
In recent days, Lin Chuan also paid attention to the television, as various media outlets in Jiangbei City were almost insanely broadcasting the heroic deeds of Song Xiaojia. The media dug up everything they could, even unearthing past instances where Song Xiaojia helped neighbors find their lost cats and dogs, which were then dramatically portrayed by the media. This time, Song Xiaojia had truly become famous. Meanwhile, Lin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother Chuan," Zhou Kai said as he waddled into the Lin family's home with his plump figure.
"What's up?" Lin Chuan asked.
"People from the demolition office are here," Zhou Kai said anxiously. "They want to negotiate with us, you coming?"
"Yes, why not!" Lin Chuan immediately nodded.
Ordinary folks from Changlin Community were simply no match for them. If it really came to a fight, it would be these ordinary folks who would suffer. Therefore, Lin Chuan absolutely wouldn't allow his own family and friends to be bullied.
At the Changlin Community committee office.
At this moment, the committee director, Liu Jianguo, came out wearing a brand-new suit, smiling brightly.
Outside the committee office were the ordinary residents of Changlin Community, and this time the negotiation was between the committee and the demolition office, with not a single ordinary worker present. One could imagine the outcome of such negotiations.
"Ladies and gentlemen, after our negotiation with the demolition office, we have made a decision," Liu Jianguo smiled and said: "On top of the original basis, an additional thousand yuan per square meter, and a one-time rental subsidy of three thousand yuan for families with more than six members."
"What a joke, three thousand yuan per square meter for such a prime location?"
"Exactly, now three thousand yuan can only buy a house in the suburbs."
The residents of Changlin Community raised an uproar, clearly unwilling to be relocated. If they really had to be relocated, then they would need replacement housing on-site, and compensation according to national regulations, not just whatever the developers and demolition office dictated.
Seeing that the crowd was unhappy, Liu Jianguo's face darkened as he said, "You people, don't push your luck. Come to the committee before December to sign and collect your money; if you don't come, none of you will get a penny, and I'll have your houses taken down."
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
At this moment, Lin Chuan stood out from the crowd and sneered, "Liu Jianguo, your parents are just ordinary workers and you were only a mediocre vocational school graduate who climbed up the ranks to become the committee director. Pretend you make five thousand a month, can you explain how you came by the house at Shangpin Garden and your BMW 5 Series?"
Liu Jianguo trembled, glaring at Lin Chuan, and bellowed, "Damn it, who the hell are you?"
"Who I am is not important, what's important is how much money you've embezzled as the director of the committee!" Lin Chuan said coldly.
Liu Jianguo sneered, "Oh, the brat from the Lin family, huh? Sign if you want to or not, but after December, you'll wish you did!"
After speaking, Liu Jianguo turned and walked away, leaving hundreds of people from Changlin Community exchanging glances at the scene.
"Brother Chuan, Liu Jianguo is a cunning man," Zhou Kai hurriedly said. "You've offended him, be careful he might sabotage you."
"Scared of what!" Lin Chuan scoffed. "I, Lin Chuan, am not afraid of being tripped up, let him try if he dares."
Lin Chuan inherently possessed an unyielding spirit, a fearlessness born from his many years on the battlefield. In battle, he had never feared anything; in the city, he was even less fearful. Not even if a knife were pressed to his neck or a gun pointed at his head could make him yield.
The turmoil of the demolition swiftly passed, and the residents of Changlin Community thought that, as usual, if they ignored it, no one would dare do anything to them. However, after this incident, more red flags were planted in Changlin Community, each person thinking that just by hanging the five-starred red flag, the demolition office wouldn't dare to mess around. Little did they know, this oversight would cost them greatly this time.
...
After staying at home for half a month, Mrs. Lin, seeing her son unsuccessful in matchmaking and idling at home each day, started entertaining the idea of her son finding a job. Now that she couldn't walk well enough to work herself, she felt sorry to have her son take on the burden.