Chapter 753 - 723: Insight
Xu Chunliang went to find Liu Qingshan early the next morning. This time, Liu Qingshan was noticeably more polite to him and didn’t go through the usual questioning. He directly handed over several prepared documents for him to sign.
Out of caution, Xu Chunliang still took a look.
Liu Qingshan said, "What? You still don’t trust me?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "I don’t even trust myself, let alone you."
Liu Qingshan laughed, "Being careful is a good thing, but don’t you think you’re a bit too aggressive? Ma Zhong’s face has multiple fractures, if we were to look into it seriously..."
Xu Chunliang said, "Why would someone so shameless need bones? He can investigate if he wants, let him try."
Liu Qingshan asked, "Did you scout the terrain beforehand?"
Xu Chunliang responded, "Did you record our conversation?"
The two looked at each other and laughed simultaneously. Liu Qingshan pointed at Xu Chunliang with his finger, "You, you’re quite suspicious!"
Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s not resort to insults."
Liu Qingshan got up and gave him a bottle of water. "Here’s a word of advice: matters of fighting crime should be left to us police. No problem with how we enforce the law, but you don’t have enforcement authority. I’m saying this for your own good. You can’t rely on luck every time. If those two people hadn’t suddenly died last time, your claim of self-defense might not have held up, and this time, that fatty provoked you, and you knocked him down with one punch."
Xu Chunliang replied, "He kicked the door open; I thought he was an accomplice of criminals."
Liu Qingshan pouted, and Xu Chunliang glanced at the police report. Liu Qingshan was on the same page, and they both laughed heartily.
After Xu Chunliang finished reading, he signed the documents. "Captain Liu, can I go back to Dongzhou now?"
Liu Qingshan said, "Not yet. The case with Lv Fangnian and Huang Yong isn’t fully investigated. You’re staying in Nanjiang for that case, and the form you signed just now was regarding yesterday’s incident at the lobster restaurant."
Xu Chunliang said, "What a hassle."
Liu Qingshan remarked, "I didn’t even complain, and you’re calling it a hassle. You’ve been in Nanjiang for less than a week and already stirred up so much activity. Actually, every time you come to Nanjiang, you cause some commotion."
Xu Chunliang replied, "It’s not my fault. Shouldn’t Nanjiang’s police reflect on why the crime rate in the provincial capital is so high?"
Liu Qingshan said, "Well, then I have to argue with you a bit. Nanjiang’s law and order is among the top in the country. Wherever you go, crime rates soar. Why don’t you reflect on your own issues?"
Xu Chunliang quipped, "Captain Liu, as a police officer, you must speak responsibly. What you said could impact my political future."
Liu Qingshan retorted, "Come on, just you and your political future? I’ve never heard of anyone punching their way into politics."
Xu Chunliang countered, "Political power comes from the barrel of a gun, and having a strong fist is the truth. If you want to improve the crime-solving rate, you must achieve these two things."
"Now you’re lecturing me."
Xu Chunliang said, "Not convinced? If not, let’s settle it over drinks and see who wins."
Liu Qingshan replied, "Am I afraid of you? Just not today. Tomorrow, let’s do it tomorrow night—on me. I need to give a heads-up first."
Xu Chunliang nodded, "Alright, I’ll let you off today."
Liu Qingshan cheerfully saw him to the door. Thanks to Xu Chunliang, this time the big case was successfully cracked, so treating him to a meal was the least he could do. As they came outside, Liu Qingshan remembered something, "By the way, we can’t easily push Secretary Xing, can you help me check the situation?"
Xu Chunliang asked, "Captain Liu, how old are you?"
Liu Qingshan was puzzled about what his age had to do with anything and replied, "Thirty-nine!"
"Rank?"
"Section Chief!"
Xu Chunliang remarked, "Still a Section Chief at thirty-nine? That clearly shows a lack of political acumen."
Liu Qingshan knew he lagged behind in this area, coughed dryly, and said, "Mainly because I love this job and missed several promotion opportunities."
Xu Chunliang commented, "Calling you Brother Liu, we shouldn’t pretend anymore. Acknowledging your shortcomings isn’t embarrassing, and asking me to press Secretary Xing earlier just highlighted your political wisdom."
"What’s wrong with my political wisdom?" Liu Qingshan eyes wide open, felt nothing wrong.
Xu Chunliang replied, "Some things, once recorded, can become a permanent shadow in your heart. Personally, I think Xing Yongqing doesn’t have much to do with this case. She and Ma Zhong were in a relationship, and young women all have to meet a few jerks. Dating shouldn’t need to be documented, right?"
Inspired by Xu Chunliang, Liu Qingshan seemed to understand a bit: "But..."
Xu Chunliang interjected, "I bet Secretary Xing thinks so too."
Liu Qingshan now fully grasped it: family scandals shouldn’t be broadcasted, surely Secretary Xing wouldn’t want this matter publicized, and the relationship between Xing Yongqing and Ma Zhong is indeed different from other victims. Ma Zhong didn’t dare to the extent of intimidating Xing Yongqing for money.
Ma Zhong even admitted during interrogation that he didn’t break the law against Xing Yongqing, and even taking some photos was done with her consent.
Liu Qingshan said, "I’ll have to report this to the leadership."
Xu Chunliang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Be prepared to get scolded before you ask for instructions."
Liu Qingshan watched Xu Chunliang walk away and scratched his head hard. It seemed his political awareness was indeed problematic, no wonder he couldn’t get promoted.
After the cultural tourism meeting ended, the organizers would no longer provide free accommodation. Xu Chunliang booked a hotel again, choosing this time to stay at Qinghuai Residence, run by Zhan Aihua.
Nowadays, Zhan Aihua had handed most of the business to his son, Zhan Tianhang. Recently, Zhan Aihua had been staying on Weishan Island, personally overseeing the construction of the hot spring hotel.
As soon as Zhan Tianhang received Xu Chunliang’s call, he made all the arrangements for him promptly.
Xu Chunliang saw the standalone villa and felt it was somewhat extravagant: "Tianhang, with arrangements like this, my travel allowance isn’t enough."
Zhan Tianhang laughed, "Staying here doesn’t cost anything. It’s not like I’m bribing you. The house is empty most of the time; I only stay occasionally."
A server placed the luggage properly, and Xu Chunliang said, "I estimate I’ll be here for three to five days."
Zhan Tianhang replied, "Stay as long as you like. When you registered at the front desk, I already made arrangements for you. In the future, as long as you check in, everything is on the house."
Xu Chunliang looked at Zhan Tianhang and had to admit that Zhan Tianhang knew how to handle social affairs well. It also proved that Zhan Aihua had done an excellent job raising his son. He joked, "So, will I no longer have any privacy?"
Zhan Tianhang laughed, "Don’t worry. If you bring a girl over, I’ll pretend I don’t know."
When men get together, they quickly find common indulgences, and the two burst into laughter.
Zhan Tianhang didn’t stay for long either: "You rest first. Don’t schedule anything else tonight. I’ll throw you a welcome dinner."
Xu Chunliang said, "No need to make it grand."
Zhan Tianhang said, "It must be. When I went to Weishan Island, Town Mayor Xu received me with great hospitality. Also, I just happen to want to discuss potential collaborations in cultural tourism with you."
Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "Alright!"
Zhan Tianhang shook his hand and added, "By the way, if you have any other friends in Nanjiang, invite them over and help me expand my social network."
Xu Chunliang found that Zhan Tianhang was indeed clever, as even his social gestures were executed so skillfully.
Initially, he was planning to have dinner with Su Qing. South Jiang’s cultural tourism made a feature on the provincial satellite TV thanks to Su Qing’s assistance, and he also wanted to take this opportunity to help calm her nerves.
Xu Chunliang also invited Xing Yongjin and his wife, and the reason he didn’t invite Xing Wenhua was that he knew he had been in a bad mood these past few days.
In the afternoon, Xing Wenhua received a call from the police, informing him of the progress in the case, mainly regarding matters related to Xing Yongqing. After hearing it, Xing Wenhua was very satisfied with the briefing, hung up the phone, and breathed a sigh of relief. The police officer handling the case was named Liu Qingshan; he was capable and clear-headed, and must be praised in the future.
At this moment, Xing Yongjin approached him cautiously, saying, "Dad!"
Xing Wenhua nodded, "What’s up?"
Xing Yongjin said, "Xu Chunliang invited us for dinner tonight. Should I go or not?"
Xing Wenhua replied, "Why not go? Someone like Xiaoxu is worth knowing."
Xing Yongjin nodded, "Alright, I’ll toast him a couple more times tonight to show my gratitude."
Xing Wenhua frowned, "Yongjin, there’s an old saying that goes, ’Great favors require no thanks.’ If they don’t bring it up, you shouldn’t mention it either."
Xing Yongjin looked at his father in confusion, and after thinking for a while, he grasped the underlying meaning. His father didn’t want to bring up the matter, hoping to minimize his sister’s issue. If it escalated, it would cause great harm to his sister and offer no benefit to their family’s reputation. Although they were victims, truly sympathetic people were scarce in today’s society.
Xing Yongjin asked, "Shouldn’t I say something to Xiaoxu?"
Xing Wenhua said, "Though he’s younger than you, he handles matters more thoroughly than you. Learn from him a bit more in the future."
Xing Yongjin understood; it meant there was no need to speak, for Xu Chunliang understood everything.
It was Su Qing’s first time at Qinghuai Residence, and she found the hotel’s decor delightfully surprising.
When Xu Chunliang led Su Qing into the Bright Moon Hall, it was their turn to pleasantly surprise others.
Zhan Tianhang recognized Su Qing, "Oh, isn’t this our TV host from Satellite TV?"
Su Qing gave him a reserved smile, "Hello, President Zhan."
Zhan Tianhang said, "Miss Su, right? Welcome to our establishment, please feel free to give us your valuable feedback."
Xing Yongjin and Su Mingxiu arrived shortly after. They had met Su Qing before, and Su Qing and Su Mingxiu started chatting as they sat together.
Once Xing Yongjin saw Xu Chunliang, he noticed he didn’t mention anything about his sister’s matter, proving his father had judged him correctly; Xu Chunliang was very considerate.
The last arrival was a guest invited by Zhan Tianhang. Upon learning that Xu Chunliang had invited two men and a woman, he himself brought a female companion.
Zhan Tianhang introduced this friend who arrived fashionably late to everyone: "Qi Shuang, my university classmate, now in charge of the investment department at He Dong Group."