Chapter 1839
Liu Huarui sat and extended his hand to him, a gesture that carried a subtle nuance.
In terms of rank, both were vice-ministerial, at the same level. But Liu Huarui displayed a leadership demeanor, naturally elevating himself above Song Guanchao.
No one would believe it wasn’t intentional.
Song Guanchao ignored him, pretending not to notice. He sat down before acting as if he just noticed and extended his hand for a handshake.
Liu Huarui smiled, as if oblivious to these details, released his hand, and handed him a cigarette: "It’s New Year, and public security isn’t great. Maqu County is my hometown, I hope what happened last night didn’t leave a bad impression on Director Song."
Song Guanchao took the cigarette and lit it, saying, "I think the public security is fine. The woman hadn’t even taken off her clothes before the police broke in. Quite efficient, huh?"
Liu Huarui’s smile froze, and Qi Qian, who just sat down next to him, also had his expression momentarily freeze.
His words seemed to be a veiled criticism.
"Director Song, have some tea." He pushed the teacup over: "I apologize again for what happened last night. It was a mistake on our part, and we admit it. We don’t avoid responsibility. I invited Director Song tonight to give us a chance to make amends."
Song Guanchao sipped his tea and said, "Alright, I’ll give Director Qi a chance to make amends."
"..." Qi Qian’s face twitched, damn, I was just being polite, and you took it seriously?
But he understood. Anyone locked up for a night couldn’t possibly calm down so quickly.
Forget it, no need to be petty with this guy, saying some humble words wouldn’t cost anything.
So he followed Song Guanchao’s words, "Then thank you, Director Song."
Liu Huarui also noticed that Song Guanchao didn’t seem to be here to reconcile.
Regardless of whether he or Qi Qian spoke, he had to retort.
Of course, he didn’t mind these details.
Having suffered and been wronged, it was natural to want to vent.
"I’ll go get the waiter to serve the dishes." Qi Qian went to find the waiter, asking them to hurry with the dishes.
He had already arranged with the hotel owner that this private room was given special care.
His notification led to dishes being served one after another.
Qi Qian opened two bottles of Moutai, acting more like a waiter than the waiter himself, first pouring wine for Liu Huarui, then for Song Guanchao.
Then returned to his seat, filled his own glass, stood up and said, "Director Song, I’ll first drink three cups as punishment."
He downed three glasses in one go, holding three-tenth cups, even coughing from drinking too quickly.
He poured another glass and said, "Director Song, I toast to you with this cup."
Song Guanchao, holding his wine glass, said with a half-smile, "Don’t hurry to toast, I haven’t finished my words yet."
Qi Qian was puzzled, what words?
"Isn’t Director Qi intending to make corrections?" Song Guanchao asked, "Has the woman who called the false report been caught?"
"..." Qi Qian was almost swearing, I just said that offhandedly, never actually sent anyone to catch her.
But when asked, Qi Qian couldn’t say she wasn’t caught: "Caught."
"Good that she was caught." Song Guanchao said, "After dinner, I’ll stop by the bureau. I want to personally ask this woman if it was Secretary Liu from Rongcheng Town who sent her to mess with me."
As soon as he said this, the two men at the table showed no trace of a smile.
If Song Guanchao’s previous words were sharp and meant to make things difficult for Qi Qian because of being locked up for a night and wanting to vent his anger.
With this sentence, they immediately realized that Song Guanchao never intended to let go of Lin Siyuan’s case.
Qi Qian glanced at Liu Huarui, who pinched his wine glass with two fingers, gently swaying it, then raised it to Song Guanchao: "Director Song, can you give me some face?"
If Song Guanchao drank, everything would be negotiable.
Even if Song Guanchao proposed some demands, he would try to satisfy them.
If he didn’t drink or make demands, it meant he was prepared to hold out to the end.
Then this matter would take a different direction.
He wanted to know how Song Guanchao would choose.
"Does Director Liu know about Lin Siyuan’s case?" Song Guanchao didn’t answer directly but instead asked.
"You’re talking about the villager who stabbed my nephew?"
"So Director Liu knows, then it’s easier." Song Guanchao said, "Call Secretary Liu and tell him to take your nephew to the police station tomorrow morning to surrender, and I won’t pursue it. To prevent the situation from escalating, which would implicate Director Liu too."
Liu Huarui nodded slightly: "It seems Director Song doesn’t intend to give me face."
He put down his wine glass, brushed off his shirt’s creases, and stood up to leave, not turning back: "Director Qi, investigate last night’s rape case well."
"Alright." Qi Qian hurriedly replied, turning his head, looking at Song Guanchao with only indifference.
He sneered, "Director Song seems quite fond of meddling in other people’s business."
Song Guanchao remained unperturbed: "What, are you going to arrest me again?"
Qi Qian said, "Director Liu is gone, but I can give you a chance. Stop Lin Siyuan’s case right here, go back to where you came from, and treat this as if you’ve never been involved, okay?"
"Not okay."
"So there’s no room for discussion?"
"There is room, have Secretary Liu bring his son in to surrender and go through legal channels."
"Fucking idiot!"
Qi Qian cursed, grabbed his phone, and started calling people over.
At the same time, he was watching Song Guanchao, fearing that he might try to escape suddenly.
However, Song Guanchao sat there steadily, without an ounce of fear for what was about to happen.
Qi Qian felt a bit uneasy, sensing that Song Guanchao was too calm, extraordinarily so.
Where did this guy get his confidence?
Could he have any contingency plan?
After making calls, he went outside to call Liu Huarui: "Director Liu, I think Song Guanchao is very calm. Could it be he has already exposed the situation?"
Liu Huarui asked, "Is there any adverse evidence in this case?"
"None! I handled this case personally. Liu Xiaofei’s injury report is archived, and we also have witness statements. The case is solid, no matter who investigates it."
"Then there’s no need to worry."
Although he didn’t want the situation to escalate, since Song Guanchao refused to let go, he could only prepare for the worst.
As long as Lin Siyuan’s family had no evidence proving the police conducted a wrongful case, it wouldn’t matter even if the issue escalated to the sky.
Inside the private room, Song Guanchao sent Liang Jiajia a message, telling her he was going back to the station and wouldn’t be home tonight.
Liang Jiajia replied with an ellipsis of exasperation, reminding him to be careful.
He then messaged Lin Wanqiu, informing her of the situation here.
"Jiang Wangshan is already handling it, but the soonest will be tomorrow."
"Well, it’s fine, just wait one more day."
"When did you come to Beijing?" Lin Wanqiu suddenly asked.
"I came the night of New Year’s Eve; I initially planned to visit uncle and aunt on the second day, but then this happened."
"Oh~"
Whoever said text couldn’t express emotion, this "Oh," was filled with doubt.
"The police are here, I’ll talk to you after this," Song Guanchao quickly found an excuse to end the chat. While the police hadn’t arrived yet, he grabbed his chopsticks to fill his belly, or he’d have nothing to eat if he got hungry at night.