Chapter 13: Xiao Cheng Is No Longer Xiao Cheng
Chapter 13: Xiao Cheng Is No Longer Xiao Cheng
The policemen escorted Zhu Yuan back to the Central Police Station on Rue Vallon, where they saw Detective Inspector Zhao Shuli of the plainclothes division already waiting with several detectives.
Zhu Yuan was taken away by the secret agents.
Zhao Shuli did not leave immediately.
Smoking a cigarette, he chatted with Jin Kemu.
The two had their arms around each other’s shoulders and appeared to be getting along very well.
He Guan grew anxious and worried for Cheng Qianfan.
Zhao Shuli was Qin Detai’s trusted confidant.
If he saw Old Mo in such a miserable state, he might very well explode on the spot.
“Qianfan, in a moment I’ll say I was the one who beat up Old Mo.”
Grinding his teeth, He Guan spoke.
“Considering my uncle’s position, Detective Zhao won’t do much to me.”
“Forget it.”
Cheng Qianfan glared at He Guan.
“You’re trying to steal Old Mo’s credit.”
“At a time like this, you’re still...”
He Guan became anxious.
“Lift him up.”
Cheng Qianfan smiled slightly.
“Old Mo charged bravely into danger and was heroically wounded. This is a glorious matter for our unit. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring Detective Zhao some good news.”
After noticing Zhao Shuli’s presence, Cheng Qianfan had been observing him the entire time.
He wanted to observe Zhao Shuli’s attitude toward Jin Kemu.
Zhao Shuli was Qin Detai’s distant relative and absolute confidant.
He was usually arrogant and looked down on others, treating even inspectors like Jin Kemu with a haughty, businesslike attitude.
Now, however, Zhao Shuli and Jin Kemu appeared remarkably familiar with one another.
There was naturally a reason for that.
Cheng Qianfan was delighted.
At last, he breathed a sigh of relief.
The final step of his plan, and also the most important one, had finally fallen into place.
Good news?
This time, He Guan was genuinely bewildered.
Cheng Qianfan had no time to explain.
Urging He Guan to lift the “stretcher,” he headed directly toward Zhao Shuli and Jin Kemu.
“Who’s this?”
Zhao Shuli glanced at the blood-covered face on the stretcher and asked in surprise.
For a moment, he failed to recognize the man.
“Reporting to Detective Zhao.”
Cheng Qianfan wore an expression of restrained grief and indignation.
“This is Officer Mo Shouli. During this operation, Officer Mo bravely charged forward to cover the rest of us. While fiercely battling the criminal, he was heroically wounded. Officer Mo is a hero. We all witnessed it and are deeply moved.”
“This is Old Mo?”
Zhao Shuli bent down for a closer look.
The swollen face resembled a pig’s head so completely that it was impossible to recognize.
He even pinched the bloody, mangled flesh, then wiped away some blood with Old Mo’s clothing before turning around and asking,
“How did this happen?”
The other policemen quietly edged closer.
Hearing Cheng Qianfan lie so boldly and calmly, completely reversing black and white, they were all stunned.
Had Xiao Cheng been possessed today?
No matter what, Old Mo was still a colleague.
The methods Cheng Qianfan had used against him could only be described as vicious and ruthless.
Even among these seasoned policemen, not everyone would dare go that far.
Especially considering Xiao Cheng’s usual reputation as an honest and dutiful man.
The contrast made it even more shocking.
And now he was brazenly filing a completely false report.
How did he dare?
Everyone instinctively looked toward Inspector Jin Kemu.
At a time like this, a single sentence from Jin Kemu would instantly expose Cheng Qianfan’s lie.
“Indeed.”
Jin Kemu gave Cheng Qianfan a deep look and unexpectedly sighed.
Pointing at Old Mo on the stretcher, he said,
“Even I never expected Old Mo to be so brave. Without saying a word to anyone, he charged in first. He has truly earned my respect.”
The policemen were dumbfounded.
He Guan was especially shocked.
He knew his uncle better than anyone.
Jin Kemu had always been cautious.
He did not seem like the sort who would risk offending Chief Inspector Qin Detai just to protect Cheng Qianfan.
Had he underestimated his uncle all this time?
“So brave, and so tragic.”
Zhao Shuli clicked his tongue in admiration.
“This Old Mo. Really, I never would have guessed. Chief Qin’s years of care and promotion weren’t wasted on him.”
“That’s right, Detective Zhao. If only you’d seen it, Old Mo was incredibly brave.”
Ma Yishou immediately chimed in.
Cheng Qianfan was his apprentice.
Just moments earlier, he had been considering how to distance himself from the affair and avoid becoming involved.
Although he still did not understand why Jin Kemu was protecting Cheng Qianfan, that did not stop him from agreeing.
“When Chief Qin hears about this, he’ll certainly be pleased.”
As Zhao Shuli spoke, he cast Cheng Qianfan a meaningful glance.
Cheng Qianfan remained expressionless.
He even bent down to inspect Old Mo’s injuries, displaying the concern of a worried colleague.
Zhao Shuli chuckled softly.
Cupping his hands toward Jin Kemu, he said,
“Old Jin, duty calls. I’ll take my leave.”
“Another day, I’ll host a banquet. Old Zhao, you must honor me with your presence.”
“Certainly, certainly.”
After Zhao Shuli departed, silence fell over the scene.
The entire affair was too strange.
No one could see through it.
It was wiser to keep their mouths shut.
“Inspector Jin, looks like you’ll be treating us.”
Cheng Qianfan suddenly grinned and cupped his hands toward Jin Kemu.
“You brat.”
Jin Kemu’s expression was complicated.
After looking at Cheng Qianfan for a moment, he burst into laughter.
Waving at his subordinates, he announced,
“Everyone worked well today. After duty, we’re heading to Yingbin Restaurant. We won’t stop drinking until we’re drunk.”
The men erupted in cheers.
Shouts of “Inspector Jin is generous!” and “What a magnanimous inspector!” filled the air.
The commotion lasted for quite some time before Jin Kemu laughingly cursed at them to get back to work.
Only then did they disperse happily.
As for Old Mo, still lying on the stretcher, no one paid him any attention.
They were all sharp-witted veterans.
Although they could not see through the hidden workings behind the matter, they understood one thing.
Old Mo was finished.
He had never been a particularly popular colleague.
Why bother with him?
Not kicking him while he was down was already generous.
In the end, Cheng Qianfan sighed.
Calling over a hired helper who worked around the station, he carried Old Mo to the medical room.
“You go take care of your own work.”
After the man left, Cheng Qianfan stood at the doorway smoking a cigarette.
After observing his surroundings and confirming nobody was nearby, he returned, pulled an item from Old Mo’s pocket, examined it carefully, and then put it back.
“Old Huang, where’d you run off to? There’s work to do.”
Only then did Cheng Qianfan call out.
Old Huang was the doctor assigned to the medical room.
He was notorious for slacking off.
At this hour, he was surely hiding in some corner drinking.
Inside the duty room of Third Patrol in the police station hall.
Ma Yishou had left on business.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Cheng Qianfan.
Xiao Cheng was still smiling.
He poured water into his master Ma Yishou’s teacup and carefully blew away the floating tea leaves before setting it down.
He looked exactly as gentle and courteous as ever.
“Oh my, Xiao Cheng, I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself.”
Big-Head Lu hurriedly took the hot-water kettle from Cheng Qianfan’s hands.
“It’s fine, Brother Lu.”
Cheng Qianfan smiled.
Cupping his hands toward everyone, he said,
“I’ve always been looked after by all you elder brothers. Today Inspector Jin is treating us. In a few days, I’ll host a meal myself. I hope everyone will honor me by attending.”
“Certainly, certainly.”
“Xiao Cheng, you’re too polite.”
“Oh my, Xiao Cheng, look at you. How can we keep letting you spend money on us?”
“I’ve always said Xiao Cheng was cut out to be a policeman.”
“What do you know? How could he remain just a policeman forever? Xiao Cheng’s future is limitless.”
Everyone laughed as they spoke.
“Elder brothers, please don’t tease me. I still have many shortcomings.”
Cheng Qianfan waved his hand and smiled.
The room filled once more with teasing and praise.
Laughter echoed throughout the duty room.
The atmosphere was cheerful and lively.
In everyone’s eyes, Xiao Cheng still seemed to be the same Xiao Cheng.
Yet Xiao Cheng was no longer that Xiao Cheng.