Under the cover of night, the corridor of the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone was eerily quiet.

Almost everyone present felt a chill run down their spine as they stared at Chen Fei with dumbfounded expressions.

To think that the director of the Northern Mountain City Public Security Bureau—the true number one figure in the city's police system—was being rebuked by a young man in such a tone. Anyone would think they were dreaming.

However, as the man in question, Zhu Qianye didn't think so.

The moment Chen Fei spoke, he distinctly felt an inexplicable, crushing pressure bear down on him. It made his heart nearly leap out of his throat, as if he were about to suffocate. He instantly looked at Chen Fei with a hint of horror, his gaze trembling.

Although he was, in a sense, merely a local official, he was still the head of an Earth Level city's police system. He was well-informed and vaguely aware of matters concerning a certain fearsome circle within the country.

Even though he couldn't be certain if the young man before him was part of that circle, he still felt a sense of panic rising within him. He adopted a humbler tone, saying, "Yes, yes, Mr. Chen is right to reprimand me. After this, I will certainly reorganize the city's police system so that one rotten apple doesn't spoil the whole barrel."

Of course, there was another reason for his humility. The young man knew his identity yet still spoke to him with such a rebuking tone. This meant he was either a fool or possessed true confidence, not taking the Director of the Northern Mountain City Public Security Bureau seriously at all.

Seeing this, the others present were naturally dumbfounded. "This... this... My god, who is that kid? He even dares to lecture Director Zhu?"

"Hmm."

Chen Fei had been furious just moments ago, but his anger had now subsided. Naturally, he wouldn't be so ungrateful as to make the director who had come to his aid lose face. He casually twisted the handcuffs on his hands into a mangled knot and, under everyone's terrified gaze, stepped out of the iron cage and left the detention room.

Zheng Buxing and the others were now utterly stupefied, their faces pale. They finally realized just how terrifyingly powerful this man was. If he were to apply that same force to their limbs or necks, wouldn't they die instantly?

Secretary Qian was also thoroughly frightened. So this is why Deputy Mayor Huang and his son hold him in such high regard... This is just too terrifying! He stammered, "Uh, Mr. Chen, please... this way..."

As for Zhu Qianye, he watched Chen Fei's retreating back with a shocked gaze, now even more convinced of his earlier judgment. At that moment, hurried footsteps and heavy panting echoed in the corridor, and then two rather imposing middle-aged men appeared.

These two were none other than the Director of the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone—Luo Qiang, and the Executive Deputy Director of the city's Public Security Bureau—Xuu Bo.

"Comrade Xuu Bo, what brings you here?" Zhu Qianye frowned at the newcomers, his tone flat. Deputy Director Xuu was usually very close with Vice Mayor Zhou Zhuo, and Zhou Zhuo was of Secretary Mo's direct lineage, a fact with certain unsaid implications.

"Dad!" As soon as Luo Chao, who was being detained by the men from the City Public Security Bureau, saw Luo Qiang, he cried out as if he had seen his savior, his voice thick with grievance.

"Xiao Chao!"

Luo Qiang looked at his son, whose face was swollen like a pig's and who was in utter disarray, his heart aching with pity. However, he dared not show any of it. He knew full well that the highest-ranking official of the city's police system was standing right before him. Moreover, having learned the full story on the way over, he knew he was in the wrong and couldn't act rashly. He could only cast a pleading gaze at Deputy Director Xuu for help. After all, Deputy Director Xuu had personally given him the instructions for today's matter over the phone. Surely he wouldn't let his son take the fall for this.

Deputy Director Xuu Bo clearly saw Luo Qiang's pleading gaze. He cursed inwardly but braced himself and approached Director Zhu with a smile.

"Director, it must have been trying for you to come all the way to the sub-bureau to guide our work so late at night. What do you say, Comrade Luo Qiang?"

Luo Qiang caught the deputy director's hint and immediately beamed, saying courteously, "We welcome Director Zhu's late-night visit to our High Tech Startup Zone Sub-bureau to guide our work. We appreciate your hard work, sir."

"Hard work? I don't think so. It seems your people here have already done a very clean job of it, haven't they?" Director Zhu gave them no quarter, his face dark as he retorted coldly. His words sent a shiver through Zheng Buxing, who was still in custody.

"Director Zhu, what are you implying? That's a serious accusation." Deputy Director Xuu Bo was irritated that Director Zhu was speaking so bluntly, giving him no face. His gaze swept over to Chen Fei and Secretary Qian. After a brief pause, he stepped forward and smiled at Secretary Qian. "Secretary Qian, you're here as well. Might I ask what's going on?"

"Deputy Director Xuu."

Secretary Qian nodded politely and explained, "Deputy Director Xuu, it's like this. A friend of Deputy Mayor Huang was mistakenly arrested by the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone, so the Deputy Mayor sent me over first. He himself will be arriving shortly."

"What? Deputy Mayor Huang is coming too?"

Deputy Director Xuu's face immediately changed, a subtle look of shock in his eyes.

He, Xuu Bo, had orchestrated tonight's events at Vice Mayor Zhou Zhuo's request to deal with someone. He had even been warned that Deputy Mayor Huang might get involved. However, he never anticipated the person held such an important place in the Deputy Mayor's heart that the fourth-in-command of Northern Mountain City would come in person so late at night.

He broke out in a cold sweat as he realized the gravity of the situation. That bastard Zhou Zhuo! He didn't explain things clearly!

If even the Executive Deputy Director of the city's Public Security Bureau was reacting like this, Luo Qiang was certainly no better off. He was drenched in sweat and panic-stricken. If this whole affair comes to light today, even I, the chief of this sub-bureau, won't be able to keep my job. We're talking about Deputy Mayor Huang Tao, the city's fourth-in-command! Unless one of *them* is willing to personally step in and protect me, no one can save me.

"Director Zhu, how should we handle this? For such a trivial issue, there's no need to trouble Deputy Mayor Huang, right?" Thinking of this, Luo Qiang's face turned ashen as he forced a smile at Zhu Qianye.

"A trivial issue?" Zhu Qianye laughed coldly. "If this were trivial, do you think Deputy Mayor Huang would come here in person so late at night? And your son... he's truly lawless, isn't he? I bet he thinks this sub-bureau is his own home."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qiang's face stiffened. He suddenly turned and started punching his son's head mercilessly. "I'll beat you to death, you lawless brat!"

"Dad, I'm sorry! Stop hitting me! Please, don't hit me! I swear I'll never dare to do it again!" Luo Chao cried, holding his head and trying to dodge his father's blows.

However, Zhu Qianye turned a blind eye, watching with cool detachment. With my insight, how could I not see that Luo Qiang is just putting on a show for me? He's hoping I'll give him some face and spare his son. If today's incident didn't involve Chen Fei or Deputy Mayor Huang, I might have just tacitly let it slide. But…

He couldn't help but glance at Chen Fei, and that almost suffocating feeling returned, causing his body to tremble. He immediately turned to Luo Qiang and said coldly, "Enough, Comrade Luo Qiang. The nature of today's incident is too deplorable. As the director of this city's Public Security Bureau, I cannot fathom such an ugly incident happening within this sub-bureau. If this were thoroughly investigated, you, as the chief of this sub-bureau, could not escape the blame."

With that, he waved his hand decisively. "Take them all away! Bring them back to the Northern Mountain City Public Security Bureau first!"

"No! Don't arrest me! Dad, save me!" At Zhu Qianye's words, Luo Chao's face turned deathly pale as he finally realized the gravity of the situation. His father, the sub-bureau chief, was his only lifeline.

Xuu Bo couldn't help but step forward. "Director Zhu, is it necessary to be so absolute?" After all, he had instigated this whole affair. For one, he couldn't let his own people take the fall. For another, if Luo Qiang and his son were driven to desperate measures and implicated him, what would he do?

"Not necessary to be so absolute? Comrade Xuu Bo, are you trying to pervert the course of justice?" Just then, heavy panting and an authoritative rebuke came from down the hallway. A moment later, Huang Tao appeared before them, wearing pajamas.

"Deputy Mayor Huang! No, I..." Xuu Bo's face drained of all color, his heart hammering in his throat.

He truly hadn't expected the city's Executive Deputy Mayor to rush over still in his pajamas, without even taking the time to change. You could tell with a glance how incredibly important this young man was to Deputy Mayor Huang.

Even someone as slow as him now realized he had been used as a pawn by Zhou Zhuo. He had been dragged into unnecessary conflict and offended someone he shouldn't have—someone he likely couldn't afford to offend.

"Doctor Chen, are you alright?" Huang Tao paid Xuu Bo no mind, rushing to Chen Fei's side while still panting slightly, his tone filled with worry.

This scene stunned everyone once more. Who was Huang Tao? He was the Executive Deputy Mayor and a member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee, widely recognized as the fourth-in-command of Northern Mountain City and the most likely candidate to be promoted to Mayor. Yet, such a significant figure was showing such anxiety and humility before a young man. The sight baffled everyone present, leaving them utterly dumbfounded.

Chen Fei was touched to see him arrive in his pajamas. "I'm fine, Uncle Huang. Even though it's summer, it's still a bit cold this late at night. You should wear a coat." He then took off his own jacket and draped it over Huang Tao.

Seeing that Chen Fei wasn't angry, Huang Tao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Director Zhu and said sternly, "Director Zhu, the people involved in tonight's incident must be severely punished! We cannot allow a single rat's dropping to spoil the whole pot of soup for our government's public security system!"

Hearing this, everyone present shivered, their faces turning pale. They all understood that Deputy Mayor Huang was playing for keeps.

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