Chapter Fifty-Two: The Fiancée Who Came Knocking

The fat shopkeeper’s pitiful explanations only made things worse. The more he insisted that Zhang Yousheng had nothing to do with it, the more it sounded suspicious to everyone else. Zhang Yousheng was furious, kicking and punching wildly, sending the fat man rolling across the floor with cries of pain. The woman was so frightened she crouched beneath the front desk, not daring to make a sound.

Li Qingsheng said coolly, “Zhang Yousheng, enough. Stop making a fool of yourself here. I’ve no patience to meddle in your disgrace. Hurry up and resolve this so we can leave!”

Zhang Yousheng was stunned. “Captain Li, aren’t you here? Why do you want me to handle this?”

Li Qingsheng replied irritably, “This report came from the fat man’s shop. You’re in charge of this area, aren’t you? Who else is supposed to deal with it if not you? Get moving!”

Zhang Yousheng was feeling utterly aggrieved and frustrated, unable to vent his anger. He, who was usually so domineering before the likes of the fat man and his own subordinates, now showed his most pathetic side. But what could he do? The fat man’s fiasco had caused him real trouble; his position as station chief was hanging by a thread. Even if Li Qingsheng didn’t dismiss him on the spot, there would surely be lasting consequences.

Of course, Li Qingsheng’s rank was much higher, but he had no authority to suspend Zhang Yousheng or remove him; this wasn’t his jurisdiction. Still, Li Qingsheng could easily influence Zhang Yousheng’s career. A single word to the city bureau’s leadership, and Zhang Yousheng’s future would be decided.

With a flushed face, Zhang Yousheng pulled out his phone and called his subordinates at the police station, ordering them to send over vehicles and men. He intended to take the fat man and all his people to the station. As long as Li Qingsheng didn’t demand immediate handling in front of him, things might be salvageable. What he feared was Li Qingsheng pressing him to deal with it publicly. The fat man wasn’t some stoic underground agent; he’d spill everything before any real interrogation began, and Zhang Yousheng might truly lose his position.

Li Qingsheng, a former special forces company commander who had spent ten years as a detective after leaving the army, was experienced and savvy. He saw right through Zhang Yousheng’s machinations and knew exactly what went on behind the scenes. Truth be told, such things were common in lower-level units; to change it single-handedly would only result in bruises and frustration.

“Chief Zhang, since that’s the case, I won’t interfere in your handling of the case. Just a reminder: pay attention to public perception. The city committee has issued strict orders to clean up vice, gambling, drugs, and all sorts of corruption in Jincheng, and shady hotels are included. Do you understand?”

With that, Li Qingsheng ignored Zhang Yousheng’s reaction and turned with a gentle smile to Zhang Can. “Little Zhang, are you satisfied? Should we go to the police station to discuss a solution?”

Zhang Yousheng was startled, finally realizing that the key today wasn’t Li Qingsheng, but this unfamiliar young man. And apparently, he wasn’t a policeman. Judging by Li Qingsheng’s attitude, he likely had a powerful background. Moreover, Li Qingsheng had just addressed him as “Chief Zhang”—even that slight shift from “Zhang Yousheng” to “Chief Zhang” signaled a turning point. It seemed Li Qingsheng wasn’t intent on ruining him; this wasn’t a trap for Zhang Yousheng, but rather a case of the fat man’s bad luck in provoking the young man’s sister and fiancée.

Zhang Can shook his head calmly, “We won’t go to the station. My sister and her friend are terrified. I just want the fat shopkeeper to refund their money and apologize in person.”

Zhang Yousheng, now alert, immediately kicked the fat man again, barking, “Hurry up and refund the ladies’ money, and apologize!”

The fat man nodded frantically, “Yes, yes… Ladies, I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry, I deserve punishment. I’ll refund your money—right now!”

He hastily fished a thick wad of bills from his pocket and shoved them at Zhang Hua without even counting. Judging by the thickness, there was at least three or four thousand, far more than the two thousand owed.

The fat man’s face was smeared with blood, looking terrifying. Zhang Hua shrank behind her second brother in fright. Zhang Can intercepted the money, counted out one thousand seven hundred, and tossed the rest back at the fat man, then said to Li Qingsheng, “Thank you, that’s all for this matter.”

Zhang Can knew that if he wanted to retaliate against the fat man, it would be easy, but he didn’t want to antagonize someone like Zhang Yousheng. If he showed leniency now, Zhang Yousheng might remember it later. Though he had no desire to have any dealings with him, he understood well that it’s easier to avoid the king of hell than his little devils; who could guarantee they wouldn’t cross paths again?

The fat man glanced timidly at Zhang Yousheng, not daring to take back the money from Zhang Can. Zhang Yousheng understood: Zhang Can wasn’t the sort to care about a petty sum. Forcing it on him would only backfire. He barked, “Take your filthy money, and get everyone to the station!”

Li Qingsheng, seeing that things had settled, noted that the fat man’s gang, who had been so aggressive with steel pipes earlier, now had no fight left in them. If it hadn’t been for their intervention, ordinary folks would have been crippled. He shot Zhang Yousheng another stern look.

“Chief Zhang, well, we won’t go to the station. Do something practical for the people—give Little Zhang a proper explanation,” Li Qingsheng said meaningfully.

Zhang Yousheng nodded repeatedly, “Absolutely, I promise to handle this fairly and justly. Captain Li, please rest assured. Little—Little Zhang, please rest assured as well!”

The series of events left Zhu Senlin dumbfounded. He was now certain Zhang Can had powerful connections. The fat man’s misfortune was clear, but he himself wasn’t much luckier.

Before long, the North Gate Street police station staff arrived. Li Qingsheng had his SWAT team return, then drove a van with a driver, taking Zhang Can and his sister, Liu Xiaoqin, and Zhu Senlin back.

At Tianxin Square, Zhang Can asked Li Qingsheng to stop the car and thanked him, “Captain Li, thank you very much.”

Li Qingsheng waved it off with a smile, “Think nothing of it—it was nothing, just following orders from above. Little Zhang, call me if you need anything!” He handed Zhang Can a business card.

Zhang Can glanced briefly at it; there was no title, only a mobile number. He thanked him and slipped the card into his pocket.

Li Qingsheng waved goodbye and had the driver leave. After the van disappeared, Zhu Senlin was still in a daze, as if dreaming. To be able to confidently throw punches was a first for him, and his curiosity about Zhang Can’s identity left his mind unsettled.

Seeing Zhu Senlin lost in thought, Zhang Can asked, “Old Zhu, what’s wrong?” He guessed Zhu had been frightened.

Zhu Senlin jolted, snapped back to reality, and hurriedly said, “Zhang Can, I have something to ask you!”

“Let’s talk later, Old Zhu, I…” Zhang Can knew what Zhu Senlin wanted to ask—doubts about today’s events—but with his sister and Liu Xiaoqin present, it wasn’t convenient. He quickly shifted the topic.

“Old Zhu, let me introduce you. You know my sister. This is…” He hesitated slightly when introducing Liu Xiaoqin, “Liu Xiaoqin, my fellow townsman… Xiaoqin, this is my boss, Zhu Senlin—Boss Zhu!”

Liu Xiaoqin’s eyes instantly reddened; Zhang Can’s words clearly wounded her, her heart torn painfully. She turned her head aside, gripping her fingers tightly.

Zhang Hua greeted cheerfully, “Hello, Boss Zhu!”

Zhu Senlin’s face darkened, feigning anger, “Xiao Hua, you’re Zhang Can’s sister, so you’re my sister too. Don’t call me Boss Zhu—call me Brother Zhu!”

“Hello, Brother Zhu!” Zhang Hua, a country girl, always had a sweet tongue and was both sensible and diligent. She immediately switched to the new greeting.

“Ah!” Zhu Senlin laughed heartily, then asked, “Little sister, did you come here to have fun or for something else?”

Zhang Hua’s expression dimmed, replying softly, “Brother Zhu, we came to look for work. I don’t have much education or skill and don’t know what jobs are available. My sister-in-law Xiaoqin is much better—she graduated from a medical college, can work as a nurse, or do other jobs…”

Zhu Senlin waved it off, unconcerned. “Sister, now that you’re in Jincheng with Brother Zhu, don’t worry about finding a job. I have a shop; if you want, you can work there and name your own salary. Is that alright?”

Zhang Can smiled wryly. Though Zhu Senlin wasn’t especially wealthy, he was generous to him, willing to spend. But Zhang Can knew he brought in astronomical profits for Zhu Senlin, so hiring his sister and Liu Xiaoqin was a small matter. How much could two girls earn? Even a ten thousand yuan salary each per month was trivial compared to what he made for Zhu Senlin.

Zhu Senlin smiled, then suddenly remembered something and asked Zhang Hua, “Sister, you said she’s your sister-in-law—which one? I remember your sister-in-law is called Zhu Hongyu, I’ve met her.”

Zhang Hua replied with a smile, “Xiaoqin is my second sister-in-law, my second brother’s fiancée. When she first came home, my second aunt introduced them. Xiaoqin is a nurse and quit her good job for my second brother, determined to come here and be with him!”

Zhu Senlin looked at Liu Xiaoqin’s delicate face, now bowed and tearful, so pitiful, he couldn’t help but give Zhang Can a thumbs-up. “Brother, you’re amazing—back home for only two days and stirred up such a big event, without even telling me or giving notice. Well, enough said. I’ll prepare something; tonight we’ll have a dinner to welcome my sister and sister-in-law. I’ll go ahead!”

Zhang Can could only smile wryly, waving him off, then took Zhang Hua and Liu Xiaoqin up the elevator to his apartment. Once inside, Zhang Hua wandered the spacious rooms, gazing out the window at the distant scenery and exclaimed, “Second brother, it’s so beautiful! Looking out from here is like the cliffs at home. In Jincheng, I have to look up everywhere—the buildings are so tall!”

Zhang Can laughed, “You’ll get used to it. Take your time exploring. You and Xiaoqin can pick your rooms—this apartment has three bedrooms and two living rooms.”

Zhang Hua happily went off to choose her room. Liu Xiaoqin finally raised her tear-stained face, biting her lip for a long moment before asking, “Don’t you want me anymore?”