22: Chapter 22 Director, the bureau is surrounded by more than a dozen lawyers.

"Name."

"Su Ye."

"Gender."

Su Ye lowered his head, looked down, and then said, "Male."

Two police officers sat opposite Su Ye; one was responsible for questioning, while the other took notes.

"Speak up, why did you fight? Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist."

Su Ye recalled the TV shows he had watched before and then said, "I won't say anything until my lawyer arrives."

The two officers exchanged a glance, then said nothing, simply packed up their notebooks and walked out of the room. After all, it wasn't a major issue; to put it bluntly, it was just a fight. The earlier questioning was just mandatory procedure. Su Ye and his group didn't look like ordinary people; the two men had extraordinary combat skills, and the girls were exceptionally beautiful. In situations like this, small fries like them shouldn't get involved.

In less than half an hour, three black business vans pulled up steadily into the Wuhou Police Branch parking lot. Then, over a dozen men and women in suits and ties filed out of the vehicles and, led by a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses, walked quickly into the police station.

Behind the desk, a young female officer hurriedly stood up and asked, "Hello, may I ask what you need?"

The lead middle-aged man took out his work ID from his pocket and handed it to the female officer, saying in a slightly hoarse voice, "Hello, I am the head of the Chengdu branch of Zongheng Law Firm, Senior Attorney Shi Jun. I am here to bail out my client."

As soon as Attorney Shi Jun spoke, the dozen or so men and women behind him pulled out their IDs and handed them to the female officer: "Hello, I am Zhang Ying, an associate attorney at the Chengdu branch of Zongheng Law Firm..." "Hello, I am Huang Yang, an associate attorney at the Chengdu branch of Zongheng Law Firm..."

The female officer, who had not long graduated from school, was frightened and at a loss for what to do when she saw the dozen lawyer IDs extended in front of her.

Inside the Bureau Chief's office on the third floor of the Wuhou Police Branch, Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le was arguing with his old partner, the bureau chief of the New District Branch, Yan Zheng.

"Old Chang, let me tell you, I applied to the higher-ups for this cross-jurisdictional enforcement. Whether you agree or not, it's happening. What do you mean by 'stealing the credit'? We followed the clues we uncovered; is that wrong?"

"Old Yan, that's not how you put it. We are all brother units. Of course, it's not wrong for you to follow up, and I never said I didn't agree. It's just that cross-regional personnel deployment is inconvenient for you, right? How about this: you provide a few people to assist, and I'll provide the main force. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le's words, Yan Zheng jumped off the sofa and pointed at him, shouting, "Big Intestine Head, I think you're just showing off all day. Have I given you too much face? You want us to provide a few people to assist while you provide the main force? How thick is your face? I might as well just hand the clues over to you!"

Facing the treatment of having his face washed by Yan Zheng's spit, Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le didn't panic at all. He even lifted his teacup for a sip and said calmly, "That would be great! You truly are the most loyal among us brothers. You haven't failed the time I took that bullet for you back then, which nearly cost me my life."

Yan Zheng was so angry his teeth itched. Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le had been talking about taking that bullet for him for nearly ten years. Unfortunately, what he said was true; if it hadn't been for Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le taking that hit back then, Yan Zheng probably wouldn't be here now—the grass on his grave would be three feet high.

"I took a knife for you."

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le took a sip of tea: "I took a bullet for you."

Yan Zheng glared with wide eyes: "I took the fall for you."

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le continued his tactical tea-drinking: "The cause of that was you getting injured, and I kicked a few people to vent your anger. Also, I took a bullet for you."

Yan Zheng clenched his fists until his veins popped: "I was the one who introduced you to your wife."

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le paused: "My wife and I fight every other day. I haven't been back for a week."

"Also, I took a bullet for you."

Like a deflated balloon, Yan Zheng sat on the sofa: "You provide half the manpower, and I'll provide half. Is that okay?"

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le glanced at the dispirited Yan Zheng and smiled. He then took a cigarette from the table, gave it to Yan Zheng, and said, "Hey, look at you. If you had been like this from the start, there wouldn't have been any issues. Think about it: this is a case in our Wuhou District. If your New District takes the lead in cross-jurisdictional handling, wouldn't that be a slap in our face? How about this: I have a bottle of Moutai at home. When do you think is a good time to come over so we can drink it?"

Yan Zheng said sarcastically: "Didn't you say you hadn't been back in a week?"

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le waved his hand dismissively and took out a lighter to light the cigarette: "Oh, that's just because my wife went to visit her parents' home for a few days. She'll be back in a few days."

"Didn't you say you fight every other day?"

"Hey, Old Yan, I have to criticize you for that. Fighting is affection, scolding is love; when feelings run deep, you give a kick. She hasn't kicked me yet, has she?"

Watching Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le, who was smiling while lighting his cigarette, Yan Zheng snorted coldly but still leaned in. In fact, that was Yan Zheng's intention in coming today; he was just habitually looking to banter with his old partner.

"Bang!" The office door was suddenly pushed open, startling Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le, whose hand shook, causing the flame to poke right under Yan Zheng's nostril.

"Ah! Damn it!"

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le reacted quickly, looking at Yan Zheng nervously: "Old Yan, are you okay?"

Yan Zheng grimaced in pain and pulled his right hand away. The hairs in his right nostril were singed and curled, and the area under his nostril was bright red. Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le apologized immediately.

"Sorry, sorry, Old Yan. I really didn't mean it."

Of course, Yan Zheng knew Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le hadn't done it on purpose, so he waved his hand while still grimacing.

Seeing that Yan Zheng was fine, Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le turned his head, stood up, and walked over. With a furious face and sharp words, he scolded: "What are you doing! Huh! What are you doing! Did bandits break in or what! This is the Bureau Chief's office! It's not your front door!"

The officer who opened the door knew he was in trouble and lowered his head to endure his superior's baptism.

"Alright, alright, Old Chang. Young people are just like that. Think back to when we were young; what is this compared to that?"

After a full five minutes, Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le finally stopped under Yan Zheng's pacification.

"Hmph, seriously. These kids nowadays have no sense of decorum."

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le rolled his eyes and then asked, panting: "Speak, what's the situation? Let me tell you, if it's nothing major, tomorrow you'll be copying the disciplinary regulations one hundred times for me."

The officer's face turned pale upon hearing this. Ten thousand words per copy—one hundred times would mean his hand would be ruined.

"Ch—Chief Chang, it's like this: just now, over a dozen lawyers suddenly arrived downstairs, all from Zongheng Law Firm. They look aggressive, and they've almost scared Xiao Zhou to tears. You better go down and take a look."

"What?"

How could Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le not know of Zongheng Law Firm? They are famous throughout the national legal industry. Why would over a dozen lawyers from that firm come to his station all at once?

These lawyers are not simple; their network spans every aspect of Chengdu. One wrong move and one could easily end up in trouble.

Deputy Bureau Chief Chang Le and Yan Zheng exchanged a glance, and both hurried downstairs.