94: Go one step ahead

“Alright, tell me what happened.” Officer Du straightened his notebook and picked up his pen.

Li Long, omitting the beginning and end and adding embellishments, described a completely different story.

Officer Du knew immediately that the boy wasn't telling the truth, but he didn't contradict him; instead, he recorded it faithfully.

“Alright, you can go back and wait,” Officer Du said after finishing the transcript, standing up to send Li Long back.

Just then, his phone rang. Li Long, hearing the ringtone nearby, felt a surge of joy, thinking his father was coming to rescue him.

He checked, and sure enough, it was a call from the Director.

He didn't rush to answer it. Only after sending Li Long back to the detention room did he pick up.

“Hello, Director?”

“Yes, it’s me. Officer Du, did you just bring in a few young men?”

“Yes, I just finished questioning one.”

“Among them, is there someone named Pan Han?”

“Yes, the one I just questioned was him!”

“What’s the situation?”

“Li Long said that he and someone named Pan Han had a conflict. Pan Han threw the first punch and even kicked out one of his teeth.”

“Alright, you clarify the situation first. I’ll call you back later.”

“Understood, Director.”

Officer Du hung up the phone, called Pan Han out, and headed straight for the interrogation room.

“Sit here,” Officer Du gestured for Pan Han to sit down.

“Alright, Officer Du,” Pan Han replied, neither servile nor overbearing. He believed that he had acted in self-defense and there was no problem.

“You need to truthfully recount what happened.”

Pan Han, however, told a different story, stating that he was inexplicably ambushed and that kicking out a tooth was also self-defense.

Officer Du was an experienced police officer. After listening briefly, he understood that Li Long was lying.

But he didn't contradict Pan Han either. Instead, he organized both accounts, preparing to report to the Director.

Just as he was about to dial, the Director’s call came in proactively.

“Hello, Officer Du! Among this group of people just now, was there someone named Pan Han?” The Director sounded very anxious.

“Yes! I just finished questioning him and was about to report to you.” Officer Du was a bit puzzled. How did the Director know about Pan Han?

“Is it clear now?”

“More or less. It seems Li Long’s side initiated the provocation, but they couldn’t beat Pan Han and got taught a lesson.” Officer Du reported briefly.

“Release Pan Han,” the Director ordered directly.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about it, just release him first. If anything happens, come to me.”

“This…” Officer Du didn’t quite understand what was happening, only scratching the back of his head.

“Release him first. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

“What about Li Long and them?”

“Damn it, hold them overnight and release them tomorrow.” Hearing Li Long’s name, the Director sounded a bit angry.

“Alright, I’ll go process the paperwork for him.”

Pan Han heard the conversation between the two clearly from the side.

He knew that Wang Doudou’s side had pulled some strings.

Hanging up the phone, Officer Du tilted his head and looked at Pan Han: “Young man, not only are you good at fighting, but you also have strong connections! Someone came to bail you out so quickly.”

“Hehe, Police Uncle, you’re too kind.”

“Don’t joke around with me. It’s only because this matter is small today. If it were bigger, no one could help.”

After Officer Du finished speaking, he went out directly to handle the paperwork.

Pan Han followed him out and came to the door of the detention room, waving at Li Long.

Li Long was inside bragging, telling his brothers that they would be released soon, as he had already made arrangements.

Seiya and the others, hearing this, thought their Big Brother was truly amazing.

However, seeing Pan Han wave at them, an ominous feeling welled up in their hearts.

Pan Han didn't say anything; after waving, he followed Officer Du and left.

“Big Brother, what’s going on? That dog-bastard seems to be leaving!” Hui asked, pulling Li Long.

“Big Brother, didn’t you say your Old Master Wang could smooth things over at the police station?” Seiya couldn’t help but ask.

“Stop all the noise. I’ll ask again later.” Li Long was annoyed by the questions and couldn't help but yell at his younger brothers.

Immediately, no one in the room spoke.

…

“Come, do the paperwork, collect your belongings, and leave.”

“Thank you, Officer Du.” Pan Han collected his phone and other items, then signed the papers.

“Go, but don’t leave the capital recently. Be available when called.”

“Understood. Thank you for your trouble.”

“No trouble, it’s my job.”

Pan Han nodded in acknowledgment and walked out of the police station building.

Yan Xiaoli was waiting for him in the courtyard parking lot. Seeing him walk out, she quickly waved to greet him.

“Why did you come along?” Pan Han saw Yan Xiaoli and immediately got into the car.

“I came to see if there was anything I could help with.”

“It should be fine now; they’re letting me go first.”

“Let’s go, let’s drive out first. I always feel a bit nervous here.”

Yan Xiaoli started the car and drove out of the police station.

“Are you out yet?” Wang Doudou’s WeChat message came immediately.

“Yes. Thank you!” Pan Han was genuinely grateful this time.

“You’re welcome. Oh, by the way, come to my house tomorrow. My father wants to see you.”

“???”

“My dad personally pulled strings tonight. But the condition is that he wants to meet you. You can’t refuse, can you?”

“Uh, I can’t refuse that. I’ll contact you tomorrow. I’m going home first.”

“Okay!”

“Oh my god, I have to go see Wang Doudou’s dad tomorrow!” Pan Han said to Yan Xiaoli.

“You should go, they helped you find connections.”

“Why does it feel strange?”

“What’s so strange about it? You’ve been asking Wang Doudou for help repeatedly lately. If I were her father, I’d also find it odd what kind of man would make his daughter help so much.” Yan Xiaoli pulled out a cigarette and spoke while smoking.

“Uh, that’s precisely the strange part.” Pan Han also lit a cigarette.

“Don’t think about it. If you go empty-handed, that would be strange. Think about what to bring tomorrow. That Old Master Wang has seen and experienced a lot.” Yan Xiaoli reminded Pan Han.

“Damn it! I’m terrible at giving gifts. Besides, for rich people, no matter how much money you spend, it won’t seem valuable!”

“Just don’t go empty-handed. You’re not going to see your father-in-law.”

“Forget it, let’s go home and sleep first. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

The police station was very close to their shared rental house, and they arrived in no time.

After going upstairs, they checked the time and it was almost 11:30 PM. Neither of them had the energy to do anything else, so they showered and went to bed.

…

“Doudou, the matter is settled. Have you arranged for Pan Han to come over?” Old Master Wang saw Doudou’s WeChat message and knew the matter was resolved.

“I’ve arranged it. We’ll set the specific time tomorrow. Dad, when are you free?”

“I’m free all day tomorrow.”

“Okay, once the time is set, I’ll tell you.”

“It’s getting late. You go rest. Uncle Cheng and I have something to discuss.”

Old Master Wang sent Wang Doudou away and pulled Uncle Cheng to the underground wine cellar.

“A-Cheng, you shouldn’t appear tomorrow.” Old Master Wang poured a glass of red wine for himself and handed Uncle Cheng a glass of pure water.

“Understood. This Pan Han is quite strange. If I were here, he might sense it.”

“The more you two say that, the more interested I become in him. Let’s set up a dinner party tomorrow and chat over drinks.”

“Alright, I’ll arrange it.”

“By the way, arrange another dinner party later and invite Director Feng. We need to repay this favor as soon as possible.”

“Understood, Master. I’ll head back then. It’s getting late, you should also rest early.” Uncle Cheng drank his water and prepared to leave.

“Alright, drive safely.”

After Uncle Cheng left, Old Master Wang poured another glass of red wine. He didn’t rush to drink it but held it up to the light, observing it.

“Pan Han, what kind of character are you exactly?”

Old Master Wang intently scrutinized the glass of red wine, as if it were Pan Han himself.