45: Chapter 45 Escalation of the Standoff

At this moment, Li Dakang, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke: "What if I refuse to kneel and apologize?"

His voice was soft, yet it pierced through the tense atmosphere like a sharp sword.

Everyone's gaze turned toward this young man, who appeared ordinary yet possessed an extraordinary aura.

Young Master Lu's face darkened, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth: "Kid, if you don't obediently kneel and admit your mistake to me today, I guarantee you won't be leaving Mingzhou!"

As he spoke, Young Master Lu waved his hand, signaling his lackeys behind him to close in.

Those lackeys immediately rubbed their palms together, looking ready to take action.

The atmosphere in the corridor became instantly explosive, like a taut string ready to snap at any moment.

Lai Yifan subconsciously pulled Du Meiyan closer to protect her.

Just as the situation grew increasingly tense, a calm voice rang out: "Comrade, why don't we just let this matter rest? If this continues, I'm afraid it won't do anyone any good."

It was Deputy Division Chief Xie Xiaofeng who spoke. He adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, his tone carrying a note of admonition.

However, Young Master Lu wasn't buying it at all. He glanced sideways at Deputy Division Chief Xie Xiaofeng and said contemptuously: "Oh? And who do you think you are?"

"Why should I let it go just because you say so? Do I have no face to save?"

Young Master Lu's voice was particularly grating due to the alcohol.

It turned out that Young Master Lu had brought his lackeys to Qilin Restaurant to eat today. Having been frustrated by his father recently, he had drunk a few extra glasses. Now, with the alcohol hitting him, he was speaking without restraint, completely disregarding the consequences.

His face was flushed red, his tie was crooked, and he looked every bit the part of a spoiled rich kid.

Deputy Division Chief Xie Xiaofeng's face darkened. He was, after all, a Deputy Division Chief of the Provincial Department of Personnel; when had he ever been treated with such contempt?

Just as he was about to lash out, he was stopped by Li Dakang reaching out.

Li Dakang sneered at Young Master Lu: "I'd like to see how you plan to keep me from leaving Mingzhou."

His gaze was sharp as a knife, and a faint, cold smirk hung at the corners of his mouth.

As soon as he finished speaking, several people in police uniforms walked over.

The person in the lead shouted loudly: "What's going on here? Who's causing trouble?"

It turned out the restaurant manager had seen that things were going south and had quietly called the police.

"Which Police Station are you from?" Young Master Lu asked, his tone filled with condescending arrogance.

"Young Master Lu, why are you here?" The leading police officer, upon seeing Young Master Lu, immediately bowed respectfully: "I am Station Chief Yang Li from Tianxing Road Police Station. What happened here?"

His attitude shifted instantly from stern to sycophantic.

Recently, there was a vacancy for the position of Deputy Bureau Chief at the District Public Security Bureau, and Station Chief Yang Li was competing for the post. During this time, he had been personally responding to calls whenever he had the chance, just to show his face in front of the leadership.

"Oh, so you're one of Bureau Chief Ma's subordinates." Young Master Lu nodded in satisfaction: "You've come at the right time. These people dirtied my clothes and refuse to apologize or pay compensation. How do you think we should handle this?"

His ability to twist the truth was truly masterful.

"All of you, come with me!" Station Chief Yang Li immediately turned to Li Dakang and the others, his expression cold. His hand was already resting on the police baton at his waist, looking ready to take action at any moment.

"Station Chief Yang Li, is it?" Deputy Division Chief Xie Xiaofeng stepped forward: "I am from the Provincial Department of Personnel, and this is our Division Chief Hu Weihang." As he spoke, he took out his work ID and handed it over.

Station Chief Yang Li took the ID and looked at it. It clearly read "Deputy Division Chief Xie Xiaofeng, Personnel Division, Jiang Province Provincial Department of Personnel." Hearing that there was also a Division Chief beside him, his head immediately began to throb.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, and his hand holding the ID trembled slightly.

"Damn it, if I had known, I wouldn't have come." Station Chief Yang Li felt secretly annoyed. He had wanted to curry favor with Young Master Lu, but he hadn't expected the other party to be no ordinary person either.

A Division Chief from the Provincial Department of Personnel was a powerful figure, not inferior to the average Deputy Department-level cadre.

Station Chief Yang Li was in a dilemma. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurried over to Young Master Lu, whispering cautiously: "Young Master Lu, the people opposite are Division Chiefs from the Provincial Department of Personnel. How about we both take a step back?" He was terrified of being overheard by the others.

Young Master Lu was in a difficult position; he had already made threats, and if he just let it go like this, wouldn't he be slapping his own face?

But a Division Chief from the Provincial Department of Personnel was no small fry; even his own old man would have to give them some face.

Thinking of this, Young Master Lu gritted his teeth and pointed at Li Dakang: "The others can go, but this kid must be taken back to the Police Station. I want to teach him a lesson." He deliberately emphasized the word "lesson," a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Li Dakang actually laughed: "Uncle Hu, since they want to invite me to the Police Station as a guest, you all should head back first." His tone was as relaxed as if he were going to visit a friend's house.

Although Division Chief Hu Weihang didn't understand Li Dakang's intentions, he knew his background and was certain there would be no trouble.

Even so, he said sternly: "Station Chief Yang Li, is it? Let me give you a word of advice: there are some people you cannot afford to provoke." His gaze was like a torch, making Station Chief Yang Li feel uneasy.

Station Chief Yang Li was shocked. As the provincial capital and the political center of Jiang Province, the waters in Mingzhou were too deep.

If the other party really had a powerful background, and he arrested him, it was hard to say whether he would be able to keep wearing this police uniform.

But seeing Young Master Lu's threatening gaze, he knew that if he didn't follow orders today, as long as Young Master Lu mentioned it to Bureau Chief Ma, he wouldn't need to go to work at the station tomorrow, let alone talk about the Deputy Bureau Chief position.