Chapter 16: Visiting Xiu Gongshen
Chapter 16: Visiting Xiu Gongshen
After finishing his shift, Cheng Qianfan did not go directly to Jin Kemu’s banquet.
Instead, he first went to Avenue Massenet.
Night had already fallen.
The streetlights were pale and dim.
Both sides of the road were lined with lush French plane trees and exquisite garden villas, making the area exceptionally tranquil.
About ten years earlier, the French Concession authorities had decided to create a neatly planned “Paris of the East” in the center of the concession.
They selected Avenue Massenet, located in the heart of the French Concession, and constructed these detached garden villas.
These residences were carefully planned European-style houses, emphasizing artistic design, built of brick and stone, each with a small garden in front.
They resembled vacation villas owned by the French middle class in Paris.
Locals in Shanghai also referred to this area as an upper-class district.
Number 21 Avenue Massenet.
The residence of Xiu Gongshen, translator for the French Concession Political Department.
Holding a black umbrella, Cheng Qianfan stood quietly by the roadside outside the gate.
He took a deep breath.
Fine rain filled the air.
The villa seemed shrouded in mist and haze, impossible to see through.
Just as he could not see through Xiu Gongshen.
He had to be one hundred and twenty percent careful.
He needed to put on a convincing performance.
A feeling of exhaustion welled up from deep inside Cheng Qianfan.
He rubbed his face and reminded himself to stay alert.
“Madam, Young Master Qianfan has arrived.”
The maid, Aunt Wu, took Cheng Qianfan’s police cap and umbrella, hung them up, poured tea, and called out to the mistress of the house.
Xiu Gongshen’s wife, He Xuelin, was a dignified middle-aged woman.
She wore glasses and possessed an air of intellectual elegance.
“Qianfan is here. Have you eaten? I’ll have Aunt Wu cook a couple more dishes.”
He Xuelin warmly greeted him.
“Greetings, Teacher’s Wife.”
Cheng Qianfan hurriedly rose to greet her.
Seeing Aunt Wu preparing to head to the kitchen, he quickly added,
“Teacher’s Wife, Inspector Jin is hosting a banquet tonight. I won’t trouble you with dinner today.”
“You child, it’s been quite a few days since you last visited, hasn’t it?”
He Xuelin scolded affectionately.
“Next time you must come and eat with us.”
“I definitely will next time.”
Cheng Qianfan smiled.
“Teacher’s Wife, I still drool whenever I remember that snow crab dish you personally made last time.”
“You’re just greedy.”
He Xuelin laughed.
Still, hearing how much Cheng Qianfan liked her cooking made her happy.
She and Xiu Gongshen had no sons, only a daughter who was currently abroad.
As a result, she missed having children around and was especially fond of Cheng Qianfan, this sensible younger generation member.
“Sir, you’re back. Young Master Qianfan is here.”
Aunt Wu took Xiu Gongshen’s briefcase and helped hang up his hat and coat before placing his walking cane aside.
“Teacher.”
Cheng Qianfan rose respectfully and greeted him.
“I was delayed by some matters after work.”
Xiu Gongshen accepted the hot towel handed to him by his wife and wiped his face.
Then he turned toward Cheng Qianfan and said irritably,
“Come to my study.”
Cheng Qianfan hurriedly followed.
Seeing his teacher’s wife give him a look that clearly meant she would come rescue him if anything happened, he childishly patted his chest to indicate everything was fine.
“Hmph!”
Without turning around, Xiu Gongshen snorted.
Cheng Qianfan chuckled and quickly followed after him.
The two entered the study.
Cheng Qianfan gently closed the door.
“You’ve got some nerve! Hmph!”
After staring at the respectfully standing Cheng Qianfan for quite some time, Xiu Gongshen finally spoke.
“Teacher...”
Xiu Gongshen waved a hand, cutting him off.
“You were far too reckless today.”
“Teacher, you don’t know the whole story. That Old Mo has always been targeting me. I simply couldn’t tolerate it anymore.”
While casually speaking, Cheng Qianfan skillfully operated the coffee machine.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Xiu Gongshen said angrily.
“If you had told me, I could have spoken up for you. Within the police station’s territory, how could I allow my student to be bullied?”
“That would’ve been too embarrassing.”
Cheng Qianfan turned his head aside.
“Embarrassing? I’ll give you embarrassing.”
Furious, Xiu Gongshen flicked him on the forehead.
“You’re still young. What face do you have to save? Is face really that important? My student and junior family member was being bullied, and I didn’t even know about it. That’s what’s embarrassing for me!”
A strange expression appeared on Cheng Qianfan’s face.
“Teacher, I failed to consider things properly. I didn’t protect your reputation.”
“You little brat, you’re driving me to death. Is that what I meant?”
Cheng Qianfan grinned.
“You’ve been clever since you were a child.”
Xiu Gongshen said irritably.
“Tell me, why did you choose to act at that particular time?”
“Teacher, how did you know?”
Cheng Qianfan revealed an expression of surprise, as though his little scheme had been exposed.
“Hmph.”
“Teacher, didn’t you once say Inspector Jin is an old fox?”
Cheng Qianfan no longer dared act playful and instead spoke seriously.
“So I figured I’d force him to take a position.”
“You came up with that yourself?”
Xiu Gongshen stared at him for a while before slowly asking.
“Yes.”
Cheng Qianfan nodded.
Then he looked somewhat embarrassed.
“Although, after thinking it over later, I realized I was still rather reckless.”
“How so?”
“I should’ve informed you first.”
As he spoke, Cheng Qianfan glanced at Xiu Gongshen, afraid of provoking his anger.
“Hmph. What else?”
Xiu Gongshen snorted, though his expression softened somewhat.
“I also failed to think everything through. I focused only on my own calculations. It wasn’t until after I acted that I realized I hadn’t remained calm. My planning was inadequate. I didn’t consider Chief Inspector Qin’s reaction to the matter.”
Cheng Qianfan scratched his head awkwardly.
“That’s why you fabricated that story about Mo Shouli being injured in the line of duty?”
Xiu Gongshen sneered.
“Nothing can be hidden from you, Teacher.”
Cheng Qianfan raised a thumb and laughed sheepishly.
“Hmph.”
Xiu Gongshen snorted coldly.
“At least you showed a bit of quick thinking.”
“But it was like covering one’s ears while stealing a bell. It couldn’t fool Chief Inspector Qin.”
Cheng Qianfan scratched his head awkwardly.
“I wanted to help, but instead I caused trouble for you.”
“At least you’re thinking clearly now.”
Xiu Gongshen tapped the desk and snorted.
“You brat. Think things through repeatedly before acting in the future. That little bit of cleverness of yours still has a long way to go.”
“Yes, Teacher. Your criticism is correct.”
Cheng Qianfan let out a sigh of relief and revealed a pleased expression.
He knew that this reckless incident had finally passed inspection.
Then he asked worriedly,
“What about Chief Inspector Qin’s side?”
“Mo Shouli performed bravely and was injured in the line of duty.”
Xiu Gongshen tapped the desk and spoke slowly.
“Wasn’t that what you said?”
Seeing the confusion on Cheng Qianfan’s face, Xiu Gongshen chuckled and explained,
“The story you invented won’t be accepted by Qin Detai. He’ll only feel that he’s being mocked. I’ve arranged to have tea with Qin Detai tomorrow. You will come as well and report on today’s arrest operation to Chief Inspector Qin.”
Cheng Qianfan pondered for a moment.
Then enlightenment dawned on him.
The same words and the same event could produce entirely different results depending on who spoke them.
When spoken by him, the excuse was worthless nonsense.
But it was different when it came from Xiu Gongshen.
Qin Detai had to give Xiu Gongshen face.
As for Cheng Qianfan himself, his status naturally did not qualify him to report directly to Qin Detai.
His presence there would merely be incidental.
It was a gesture.
A younger generation member apologizing to an elder.
Once Qin Detai received the respect he was due, a simple remark that it had merely been youthful horseplay would put the matter to rest.
It would also send a message to outsiders.
Xiu Gongshen and Qin Detai remained on excellent terms.
The ridiculous antics of a junior had not affected their relationship in the slightest.
“Thank you, Teacher. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”
Cheng Qianfan said gratefully.