As the top man in Chengyang County's law enforcement, Wang Ye was definitely one of the local heavyweights! Even if Liu Guangrong came in person, he would have to show him some respect. And now, this fat-bellied oaf dared to be so arrogant; did he really think Wang Ye was a pushover?

"Director Wang." Zhou Xuanzheng clearly hadn't expected things to escalate to this point. Director Wang wasn't giving any face. There's an old saying: even if you don't consider the monk, you must consider the Buddha. After all was said and done, this was Secretary Liu's brother-in-law…

"What do you mean, Director Wang?" Wang Yifa, who was already seething with anger after being publicly "beaten" by Chen Fei, had assumed Director Wang would turn a blind eye out of respect for his brother-in-law, Secretary Liu. To his astonishment, the director actually dared to taunt him so sarcastically, and he instantly became infuriated.

Clearly, this was the typical gap between his ideal and reality. He assumed others would give him face because of his brother-in-law, Liu Guangrong, and therefore believed he was a big shot whom everyone had to respect. But in reality, Wang Yifa was a nobody. From the very beginning, Wang Ye had never taken him seriously. At most, he was merely wary of the person backing him.

"What do I mean? You're destroying evidence right in front of me, the director of the County Public Security Bureau. Do you really think I, Wang Ye, am blind?" Wang Ye demanded, his expression grim. A hint of ferocity was hidden in his sharp gaze.

"Director Wang, my brother-in-law is Liu Guangrong! You should know his status. Why bother with these two troublemakers? How about this, I'll treat you to a meal some other day to make it up to you!" Wang Yifa, still lost in his self-aggrandizing fantasy, truly saw himself as someone important and frowned with displeasure.

"Treat me to a meal? I'm sorry, but you're not qualified!" Upon hearing this, Director Wang's lips curled into an indifferent smile. He then adopted an air of authority, waving his hand and ordering, "Take them into custody! Bring them all back to the Public Security Bureau!"

The detectives from the County Public Security Bureau's criminal investigation team, who had been chomping at the bit, immediately brandished their handcuffs and strode toward Wang Yifa, Du Yuanbing, and the others with sneers on their faces.

"You… you… what are you doing? Don't you know my brother-in-law is Liu Guangrong? He's the County Party Secretary! Have you all gone mad? Stop! Stop right now!" As soon as Wang Yifa saw they were serious, his legs began to tremble, and his chubby face turned pale. Nevertheless, he tried to remain calm, his voice betraying his inner cowardice despite his harsh words.

"Director Wang, this is a misunderstanding… all a misunderstanding…" Du Yuanbing stammered, his face now ashen.

"A misunderstanding? Hmph! Du Yuanbing, I advise you to shut your mouth and come back to the County Public Security Bureau for interrogation. Otherwise, you know the consequences!" Director Wang Ye merely snorted coldly and waved his hand again. "Hurry up! Take them all back to the bureau!"

Immediately, the wolf-like detectives from the county's criminal investigation team apprehended Wang Yifa, Du Yuanbing, and the others, commandeering the Xicheng Police Station's patrol cars on the spot. Of course, Du Yuanbing's subordinates from the Xicheng Police Station didn't escape either. With miserable expressions, they obediently boarded the police cars, delivering themselves to the County Public Security Bureau.

"Mr. Chen, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Wang Ye, the one who spoke with you on the phone. It's great to finally meet you in person." After the others had been whisked away in a flurry of police cars, Wang Ye's entire demeanor changed. The dangerous, sharp-eyed director was gone, replaced by a warm and cordial man who proactively approached Chen Fei and extended his hand.

He was a trusted subordinate personally promoted by Zhu Qianye. Now, just turning forty, he was in his prime and poised for a great future. Moreover, Huang Tao, the former Executive Deputy Mayor of Northern Mountain City and a close associate of his backer, Director Zhu, had recently been promoted to Mayor, becoming the city's official second-in-command. This naturally elevated Wang Ye's own status. Such are the circles of officialdom: when one rises, all associated with them rise as well. To put it more plainly, when one person achieves enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

People would naturally show him more respect knowing he was connected to the city's second-in-command. By that same logic, when he met Chen Fei, he couldn't help but feel his stomach churn with nervousness. There was no way around it. This was the reality of status and connections. Chen Fei was a major figure revered by both Director Zhu and Mayor Huang. In comparison, what was he, Wang Ye, the mere director of a county public security bureau? Of course, he didn't dare to be presumptuous or careless.

Seeing someone of Wang Ye's stature approach a young man with such a humble and enthusiastic attitude, Zhou Xuanzheng couldn't help but gape in shock.

At the same time, a realization finally dawned on him. No wonder this kid dared to provoke Secretary Liu's brother-in-law… Turns out he has a powerful background too! Otherwise, with his position as the county director, Wang Ye would have no reason to act this way.

"Brother Yi Shu, come here, let me make an introduction. This is the director of our Chengyang County Public Security Bureau, Wang Ye." Chen Fei, showing no surprise at Director Wang's enthusiasm, smiled and shook his hand before turning to Yi Shu.

"Mr. Yi, hello. I'm Wang Ye," the director said, immediately extending a hand toward Yi Shu with a warm smile.

"Director Wang, hello, hello." Yi Shu trembled as he shook the man's hand with both of his own, his face a mask of disbelief. It was hardly surprising. After all, he was just an ordinary citizen. Yet here was the director of the County Public Security Bureau greeting him so warmly and even initiating a handshake. Even if it was on Chen Fei's account, he felt overwhelmingly flattered.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Yi, hello. My name is Zhou Xuanzheng, and I work at the Labor Bureau." Witnessing this scene, Zhou Xuanzheng certainly knew better than to act presumptuously. He immediately stepped forward and extended his hand with a warm greeting.

"Mr. Chen, you asked me to bring someone from the Labor Bureau," Wang Ye quickly explained. "Xuanzheng here is the deputy director. If there's an issue, he should have enough clout to weigh in." It turned out Chen Fei had been the one to summon him.

"Not at all, not at all. I only know a little about labor disputes. I'm nothing compared to you, Mr. Chen. Is there something you need me to do?" Zhou Xuanzheng said humbly before getting straight to the point.

"It's like this," Chen Fei began, pushing Yi Shu forward. "My brother here runs a construction crew, but Sheng'an Real Estate Company has maliciously withheld project payments. They even framed him and had him arrested… Ah, forget it. Brother Yi Shu, why don't you explain? I'm not telling it clearly enough."

"Well, Director Wang, Director Zhou, it's like this…" Yi Shu grew furious just thinking about it, but he suppressed his anger and slowly recounted the events.

After hearing the dirty, ugly details, Wang Ye and Zhou Xuanzheng both frowned in anger. They finally understood why Chen Fei and Yi Shu had come to Sheng'an Real Estate Company to cause a scene. This was a clear case of abusing power, corruption, collusion between officials and businessmen—bullying of the highest order!

Damn it, it seems that Du Yuanbing is no good either! Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so eager to get involved in something like this! Wang Ye cursed inwardly. For such a scoundrel to exist within the public security system under his command was a disgrace to him as the director of the County Public Security Bureau.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Yi, if the situation is as you say, then please rest assured!" Zhou Xuanzheng declared with a serious expression. "Regardless of any issues with the contract, your construction crew and Sheng'an Real Estate Company have a de facto employment relationship. There is absolutely no way they can get away with withholding your payment!" Clearly, he now understood why Chen Fei had brought him here.

"So… so what should we do next, Xiaofei?" Yi Shu was completely dazed by the series of pleasant surprises, but he still remembered that Chen Fei was the real "main force" and couldn't help but ask.

"What's next? Of course, we draw the snake out of its hole. I'm really curious to see if Wang Yifa actually has someone backing him up," Chen Fei replied with a smirk, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

HISS!

Hearing Chen Fei's casual yet ice-cold words, Wang Ye and Zhou Xuanzheng both sucked in a cold breath, a hint of fear appearing in their eyes. Until this moment, they had both assumed Chen Fei would only target the colluding duo of Wang Yifa and Du Yuanbing. But listening to him now, it seemed he planned to take down the powerful figure behind them as well. How… how was that possible? They knew that person was…

「Meanwhile」

In the police car, after repeatedly stating his identity as the brother-in-law of County Party Secretary Liu Guangrong, Wang Yifa was finally granted permission to make one phone call.

He immediately dialed his brother-in-law, Liu Guangrong, and pleaded through sobs and tears, "Hello, Brother-in-law? Yes, it's me, Yifa! You have to save me! Wang Ye from the County Public Security Bureau has arrested me! Brother-in-law, you have to come save me!"

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