The speaker arrived abruptly—a young man in his early thirties, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit and glasses. In his left hand, he carried a briefcase, exuding an air of confidence that suggested he was someone accustomed to handling significant matters. Behind him trailed a small entourage of assistants.
"Attorney Jin?" Xiang Ri immediately recognized the man as the lawyer who had once bailed him out and handed him a business card. He quickly deduced that this must be under Chu Chu's instruction. Yet, the lawyer's earlier words puzzled him—what did he mean by not allowing him to be bailed out?
Others also recognized the renowned Attorney Jin, a figure frequently seen in newspapers and on television. However, hiring such an elite lawyer was no small feat, and his words unmistakably suggested an intent to prevent someone's release. Could it be that he was hired by an adversary?
This thought cast a peculiar light on Captain Ma and the man in a cast standing beside him. To afford Attorney Jin's services, one would need considerable resources, making them appear far from ordinary.
Meanwhile, the Ma brothers—the infamous duo—looked utterly perplexed. Yet deep down, they knew Attorney Jin was not there for them. Even if they could afford his fees, someone of his stature would hardly stoop to represent them.
After a brief moment of shock, the brothers began to revel in schadenfreude, speculating that the young Xiang must have offended someone influential. Surely, the consequences would be dire.
Even the usually aloof and composed idol-like figure appeared slightly startled. Attorney Jin was someone their organization had once sought to hire as a legal advisor, only to be rejected. Now, seeing him align with the opposing side made the situation seem particularly challenging.
Of course, An Wen wasn't intimidated by a mere lawyer. What he sought to avoid was outright conflict with someone of Jin's caliber. Should an unsolvable problem arise in the future, having burned bridges with such an individual would make seeking assistance all the more difficult.
This was a common mindset among those who navigated the complexities of the underworld: always leave a path open, and avoid creating unnecessary enemies.
However, An Wen found himself torn. Having promised the old man to secure someone's release, he knew he couldn't back down without losing face and disappointing his eagerly awaiting sister. This internal conflict weighed heavily on him.
Initially, An Wen hadn't been so apprehensive. Following the old man's directive—"Rescue them, no matter the cost"—he had been prepared to act decisively. Yet, upon seeing the so-called "son-in-law" in question, he began to question whether offending a potentially useful lawyer for such a person was truly worthwhile.
Tie Wan, on the other hand, was visibly furious. Having crossed paths with Attorney Jin before, she held him in contempt.
She vividly remembered how Jin had previously bailed out Xiang Kui, only to now seemingly turn against his former client. Such duplicity marked him as a shameless, fickle character in her eyes.
Tie Wan, seething with anger, fantasized about slapping Jin across the face. That his surname happened to be Jin (gold) only deepened her disdain—what a fitting name for someone so mercenary. However, given the public setting and her own position, she restrained her impulsive thoughts.
Unaware of the stir his initial remark had caused, Attorney Jin finally clarified his purpose, dispelling the crowd's misconceptions and addressing Xiang Ri's confusion: "There's no need for Mr. Xiang to be bailed out—he is entirely innocent. Furthermore, I am here to file a complaint against Captain Ma Long of the Anti-Gang Unit for abusing his authority to unlawfully detain my client."
His words sent shockwaves through the room. The gathered officers, initially assuming Jin had come as an adversary, were stunned to learn he was here to assist. Their confusion quickly gave way to relief.
Tie Wan, too, felt a weight lifted, though her relief was tempered by concern. While Xiang was now safe, the revelation of such abuse of power within their ranks would undoubtedly tarnish the police force's reputation.
The Ma brothers turned deathly pale upon hearing Jin's statement. Ma Long nearly collapsed, realizing his assumption that Jin had come to muddle the situation was woefully mistaken. Far from being a savior, Jin had arrived to deliver a crushing blow, leaving Ma Long to face the consequences of his misdeeds.
Ma Tianhao was seething with regret, his jealousy so intense it bordered on murderous rage. How could the once timid bookworm he had bullied in high school, barely seen in the years since, now be surrounded by such powerful figures—each far beyond his ability to provoke?
What stung him even more was that the women circling this so-called bookworm were all stunning beauties. Take the sharp and capable female bureau chief before him—she was a rare gem. From the fleeting glances exchanged between her and the bookworm earlier, it was clear the two had already formed an intimate connection.
This realization further unsettled Ma Tianhao. Why should a worthless scoundrel like Xiang Kui win the favor of such beauties, while he, Ma Tianhao, undeniably superior, found himself on the verge of ruin? The more he dwelled on it, the more his hatred festered, momentarily distracting him from his precarious situation.
Yet the day's events were far from over. The police station, already a hive of activity, was about to become even livelier. In the distance, an Audi approached, and before it even stopped, a figure leapt eagerly from the vehicle. Another young man in his thirties, this newcomer exuded a warmth and friendliness that stood in stark contrast to Attorney Jin's stern demeanor.
"Secretary Yang?" Tie Wan recognized him immediately and quickly surmised the purpose of his visit—his presence here couldn't be a coincidence. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of irritation toward a certain someone. It was bad enough being dragged to the police station; now, reinforcements were being called in as if to make her job deliberately difficult. Didn't they realize that with her help, the matter could be resolved smoothly? Instead, they had created such a spectacle that keeping things low-profile was no longer an option.
Unbeknownst to her, Xiang Ri had been wrongfully accused. He had never intended to draw such attention, trusting that the presence of the female officer would be enough to settle everything. However, Chu Chu and his apprentice had overreacted, each sending someone to intervene. And then there was An Xiaoniu, who arrived with an entire entourage, turning the scene into something akin to a palace coup. Such theatrics would undoubtedly complicate matters for the female officer—a situation Xiang Ri wanted to avoid. After all, if his wife was put in a difficult position, it wouldn't bode well for him either.
Secretary Yang, however, remained oblivious to Xiang Ri's concerns. Having spent years navigating the political arena, he was well-acquainted with the female officer's background. Though he harbored some reservations, the mayor's instructions were clear: ensure the man's safety at all costs.
As the bureau chief greeted him first, Secretary Yang responded courteously, "Director Tie, I'm sorry to trouble you again."
As he spoke, his gaze flickered, seemingly unintentionally, toward the man in the crisp white suit standing nearby. An Wen, the son of the infamous Tiger An—how could he not recognize him? Secretary Yang could only hope that Xiang Ri hadn't offended such a figure; otherwise, the situation would become truly thorny. The commanding presence of An Wen and his entourage left Secretary Yang with a sense of unease.
An Wen, accustomed to reading people, had already identified Secretary Yang as the mayor's confidant. He acknowledged him with a slight nod but chose to remain silent, observing the unfolding situation. Yet he couldn't ignore the secretary's frequent glances at the man his father had referred to as his "son-in-law." Could it be that Secretary Yang was here for him as well?
Earlier, Attorney Jin's defense of Xiang Ri had already surprised An Wen. Now, with the arrival of someone so closely connected to the mayor, he couldn't help but reevaluate the "brother-in-law's" identity. Could this young man be more formidable than he appeared? Otherwise, why would such influential figures rally to his aid?
Having confirmed Secretary Yang's intentions, Tie Wan refrained from adopting a cold demeanor. Their prior acquaintance lent a casual tone to her response: "You're too polite, Secretary Yang. If there's anything I can assist with, please don't hesitate to ask." She understood the purpose of his visit but, as a seasoned officer, knew better than to explicitly state it.
"Well, it's like this..." Secretary Yang carefully chose his words, stealing a glance at the young master An before continuing, "I'm here on behalf of the mayor to secure Mr. Xiang's release."
With a thunderous "boom," the crowd felt their heads buzzing. This was undoubtedly a heart-piercing declaration!
Does the mayor need to request bail? A simple command to "release him" would suffice. Yet, few could grasp the deeper intent behind Secretary Yang's words. In truth, his statement carried an unmistakable message—primarily directed at a certain someone—that the person he sought to protect had the mayor's explicit endorsement. Even Tiger An himself would have to think twice before crossing such a line.
Secretary Yang's concerns, however, were entirely unnecessary. Clad in his pristine white suit, An Wen broke into a smile upon hearing this. "Haha, Secretary Yang, it seems we share the same goal after all."
From the wary look in Secretary Yang's eyes earlier, An Wen had already surmised his intentions. With characteristic sharpness, he quickly voiced his agreement. Yet beneath his affable demeanor, his shock only deepened. It was one thing to speculate, but hearing it confirmed was another matter altogether. That the secretary was indeed here for the same man made the individual's identity even more enigmatic.
An eminent lawyer, the mayor's trusted aide, and now even himself... Not to mention the faintly protective stance of the female bureau chief. After all, An Wen's discerning eyes hadn't missed the subtle undertones of intimacy between her and the man in question.
For the two scoundrels, Ma Long and his brother, this was a nightmare beyond compare. The moment Secretary Yang spoke, they knew their days of thriving in the shadows were over. Offending the highest echelons of both the legal and criminal worlds? Survival seemed an impossible dream.
Tie Wan, sensing the time for resolution had arrived, decisively turned to the despairing Ma Long and his cronies. "Ma Long, and all of you—prepare your resignations and hand them to me shortly."
She then waved impatiently at Ma Long's despicable brother. "You too—leave with them!" This wasn't an act of mercy but rather a pragmatic decision. The crowd of onlookers gathering outside the police station was growing by the minute, and since no significant harm had been done, it was imperative to wrap things up before rumors began to spread like wildfire.
Attorney Jin, however, was visibly displeased with this conclusion. "Director Tie, I..."
"Haha, Attorney Jin, we meet again." Xiang Ri swiftly interrupted, fully aware of the female officer's predicament. Although Attorney Jin's indignation stemmed partly from a desire to avenge him, Xiang Ri had no need for such complications. Moreover, if those two scoundrels were thrown into jail, how would he personally teach them a lesson?
For trash who dared covet his woman, Xiang Ri had no intention of showing leniency. Gripping Attorney Jin's hand firmly, he leaned in and whispered, "Attorney Jin, let it go for now. I have my own plans for those two."
Startled, Attorney Jin quickly understood it wasn't the time to press further. Though Miss Chu had explicitly instructed him to punish the offending officers, if even Xiang Ri—who seemingly held greater sway—chose to drop the matter, there was no need to pursue it any longer.
Just as the two were about to exchange a few words, another voice chimed in. "Mr. Xiang, care to join me for a drink?"
Turning around, Xiang Ri saw none other than the dashing and refined An Wen. Since the young master had also come to his aid, declining would be impolite. Moreover, the increasingly peculiar glances from a certain female officer made Xiang Ri eager to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible. Without hesitation, he agreed, making his swift departure the priority.