109: You can check, but you can't break the law
“Boss Lü, is that right? How about this, what do you think?” Since Young Master Fang didn't want to speak anymore, Ye Lin took over.
Lü Zhanyong gave Ye Lin a cold glance but didn't speak.
Ye Lin continued, “I can see that you won’t admit that you’re unrelated to Xiao Xi anytime soon. If I don’t let you investigate, you definitely won’t be convinced.”
“So you know that much.” Lü Zhanyong looked at Ye Lin with a sinister expression, waiting to hear what he would say next.
“Boss Lü, you can investigate, but as a police officer, I must warn you not to break the law, and not to use illegal means to threaten or retaliate against that young lady. Otherwise, I won’t let you off,” Ye Lin threatened forcefully.
Bang!
Upon hearing this, Lü Zhanyong slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Ye Lin and cursing, “Then come at me! Let’s see how you won’t let me off!”
Young Master Fang covered his face. What the hell was going on?
Before Ye Lin could retort, Young Master Fang stood up, walked over to Lü Zhanyong, pressed him back into his chair, then walked to Ye Lin and patted his shoulder.
“Gentlemen, we are here to solve problems. If you have any issues or demands, lay them out. Everyone has expressed their opinions, so shouldn’t I say a few words now?”
Both men snorted coldly, remaining silent, implicitly agreeing with Young Master Fang.
“Here’s the thing, Boss Lü lost his son in his old age, so it’s perfectly normal for him to have suspicions and want to investigate. Officer Ye, you police don’t have the authority to stop that, do you?”
“No, we police do not interfere with individuals’ non-illegal actions,” Ye Lin said coldly.
“Exactly, so Boss Lü, you absolutely have the right to investigate. But there has to be a limit, right? After all, we live in a society governed by law. Look at me, I wouldn’t dare break the law, so you, Old Lü, can’t either. Otherwise, the police aren’t just sitting around doing nothing, right?”
“Alright, Young Master Fang’s words make sense. I’ll listen,” Lü Zhanyong replied in a muffled tone.
Hmph, Ye Lin sneered. Isn’t what Young Master Fang just said the same as what I said?
“So, we’ll agree on this: you can investigate, but you cannot break the law, and you cannot use violence. Does everyone agree?” Young Master Fang looked at both sides.
“I have no objection. Xiao Xi, what about you?” Ye Lin asked.
An Yunxi timidly stood up. Although her body was still trembling, the expression on her face was incredibly firm. “Thank you, Young Master Fang, thank you, Officer Ye. And please, Uncle Lü, believe me, I did nothing to wrong Shaohui. I’m not afraid of an investigation.”
“I don’t care what you say. I’ll do my investigation. If I find nothing, I won’t touch you. But if I do find something, then don’t blame a father for avenging his son.”
“Young Master Fang, if there’s nothing else, I, Old Lü, will take my leave.” After greeting Young Master Fang, Lü Zhanyong slammed the door and left.
Young Master Fang shook his head, giving a bitter smile. “Young Master Ye, you’re really giving me a hard time.”
Ye Lin smiled slightly and said gratefully, “For such a big matter, if Young Master Fang hadn’t stepped in, who else would have been capable of mediating it?”
“Hypocrite, truly hypocritical. I find you’re becoming more and more hypocritical now,” Young Master Fang said with a laugh and a scolding tone.
Lü Zhanyong left, and the atmosphere eased. Young Master Long quickly had someone serve the dishes.
The few of them began chatting and drinking. An Yunxi wasn't very good at drinking, but she still mustered her courage, walked over to Young Master Fang with a wine glass, and smiled shyly. “Young Master Fang, I’d like to toast you and thank you for helping me get justice.”
Her slightly flushed cheeks, coupled with a tipsy expression, and a youthful fragrance wafted into Young Master Fang’s nose, causing him to momentarily lose himself.
“Young Master Fang, she’s toasting you,” Young Master Long reminded him.
Young Master Fang then reacted, stood up, and steadied An Yunxi, saying softly, “Miss An, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one can bully you.”
As soon as he said this, a sharp glint flashed in Ye Lin’s eyes, and his gaze towards Young Master Fang began to change slightly.
On the other side, Young Master Long was still foolishly eating.
Young Master Fang didn't notice the change in Ye Lin’s eyes; his full attention was still on An Yunxi.
An Yunxi gently struggled a little, pulling away from Young Master Fang’s hand. Her small face became even redder, making Young Master Fang suddenly feel a surge of impulse.
As the Second Young Master of Yue Province, Young Master Fang was not lacking in women. In fact, any girl he fancied would throw herself at him.
But those were all very snobbish and realistic girls, very utilitarian. Young Master Fang recalled his past and realized that he had only felt such purity during his high school days.
On the other side, Ye Lin snorted in dissatisfaction, and only then did Young Master Fang give an awkward smile and sit down, though his expression was a bit grim.
An Yunxi lowered her head and returned to Ye Lin’s side.
The drinking party continued, but even the slow-witted Young Master Long sensed that something was off between Young Master Fang and Ye Lin.
After an abrupt end to the gathering, Ye Lin took An Yunxi home.
The provincial city at night was full of neon lights, and bustling crowds walked past the two of them, making Ye Lin recall the night he met An Yunxi.
He stopped, and An Yunxi, who was half a step behind, also stopped, looking at him in surprise.
Ye Lin deliberated for a moment but decided to speak directly, “Miss An, Young Master Fang’s background is too high and complicated; he’s not suitable for you. I think you’re more suited for someone simpler. Of course, this is just my personal advice.”
An Yunxi looked at Ye Lin with a bewildered expression, then suddenly smiled slightly. “Brother Ye, thank you.”
Her pure smile made Ye Lin’s previously gloomy heart feel as if it had been illuminated by sunlight, instantly brightening.
“Haha, this is just my personal advice. You decide what to do, okay?” Ye Lin’s tone softened considerably.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”
“It’s fine, Brother Ye, I can just get a taxi here,” An Yunxi said obediently.
“Alright, then don’t worry. If anything else happens, remember to call me. When I’m done with work, I’ll take you out to eat,” Ye Lin said.
“Okay,” An Yunxi smiled sweetly.
After seeing An Yunxi into a car, Ye Lin returned home feeling relieved. Life seemed to have become more interesting... For the next two days, Ye Lin was busy with the Special Task Force, meeting the families of Huang Wen and Liu Dong.
Liu Dong’s older brother, Da Chun, was an honest and simple farmer. In his thirties, he looked like he was in his forties, with a dark, sturdy build and an honest, simple demeanor.
He wore a cheap black suit, a standard outfit for migrant workers in previous years—suits for returning home, work clothes for labor.
Da Chun’s statement was taken by Zhou Zhishen, and he started by saying, “Leaders, we’re from the countryside, we don’t understand anything. We’ve caused you trouble.”
His sincere and simple demeanor made Old Zhou sigh with emotion. Liu Dong, who was supposed to be the family’s hope for success, had died in college. It seemed the Liu family would have to wait for the next generation to rise to prominence.