174: Chapter 174 Chaotic Ocean Zone

By the time Director Zhao Jinan arrived at the scene, the traffic police were preparing to let them go.

The older traffic policeman held his walkie-talkie, his face ashen; the call he had just received from the Director of the District Transportation Bureau had left him completely deflated.

The leader had said that this was one of their own, so just going through the motions would suffice.

Just as he was about to return the identification to the middle-aged man who called himself "Fifth Master," a low engine roar suddenly echoed from afar. A black sedan sped over and stopped outside the police cordon.

The car door opened, and Director Zhao Jinan strode over. The police rank insignia on his shoulders, with the national emblem, was particularly striking in the twilight.

His gaze swept across the scene—the crumpled car hood, the scattered debris, the two traffic policemen preparing to wrap up—and finally landed on the luxury sedan and the burly, fierce-looking middle-aged man beside it.

"Director... Director Zhao?"

The middle-aged man sobered up significantly, the arrogance on his face instantly frozen, replaced by an unconcealable panic.

He hurried over to greet him, putting on a smile.

"Director Zhao, why did you come in person? How could such a small matter warrant your presence..."

Director Zhao Jinan didn't even glance at him, walking straight past him with quick strides, his leather shoes clicking sharply against the asphalt.

He walked up to Xu Weidong and looked him over.

Confirming that he was uninjured, the expression on his face shifted from tense to one of almost gentle concern.

"Comrade Weidong, are you alright?"

"You must have been frightened. I rushed over as soon as I received the call; I was worried about you on the way here."

Xu Weidong leaned against the car door, with Mu Ruxue holding his arm; neither of them was seriously hurt.

He glanced at Director Zhao Jinan, recognizing him as the head of the Yancheng City Public Security Bureau.

Xu Weidong did not put on airs; he reached out to shake Director Zhao Jinan's hand and said in a calm tone, "Director Zhao, thank you for your hard work."

"I am fine, it's just that my car was hit. The other party was driving under the influence and had a poor attitude."

Director Zhao Jinan held Xu Weidong's hand for a few seconds longer, his voice dropping lower, tinged with a sense of nostalgic reminiscence.

"Comrade Weidong, come to think of it, I must thank your father. Back when I was the Executive Deputy Director of the Yancheng City Public Security Bureau, I had the honor of receiving praise from Minister Xu."

Xu Weidong's lips curled slightly, but he did not pick up on that topic.

He knew Director Zhao Jinan was trying to build a connection; such words were best left as just words, not to be taken seriously.

Director Zhao Jinan let go of his hand and turned around, his facial expression instantly switching channels.

The gentleness vanished, the friendliness disappeared, replaced by a cold, imposing authority.

He looked at the middle-aged man as if he were looking at a piece of evidence about to be destroyed.

"Take him away."

"Drunk driving, hit-and-run, obstruction of official business—take him back to the bureau and interrogate him all night."

The middle-aged man's face turned deathly pale. He looked at Director Zhao Jinan, then at Xu Weidong, his lips trembling.

Two special police officers grabbed his arms from the left and right. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed onto the ground before being hoisted up and shoved into the police car by the officers.

The female celebrity, who had been squatting by the roadside with her face in her hands, trembling all over, was also led into a car by another policewoman.

Director Zhao Jinan turned back, his attitude toward Xu Weidong reverting to that gentle, soft-spoken manner.

"Comrade Weidong, I will arrange a car to take you and this lady. I will have your car towed and returned to you once it is repaired. Please rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter."

Xu Weidong nodded, said "Sorry to trouble you, Director Zhao," and then led Mu Ruxue into the car arranged by Director Zhao Jinan.

The car pulled away slowly, while Director Zhao Jinan stood by the roadside.

He watched the taillights disappear into the night before turning to whisper instructions to his deputy, then got into his own car and drove off.

Party Secretary Ouyang Ming of Haiyang District was awakened by his phone ringing. He had drunk some alcohol in the evening and gone to bed early; dazed, he fumbled for the phone on his nightstand and glanced at the caller ID.

Secretary Qi Min of the District Political and Legal Affairs Commission?

He frowned; it was so late, and Secretary Qi Min calling meant nothing good.

"Old Qi, what is it?"

Secretary Qi Min's voice came through the receiver, carrying an irrepressible tension and urgency.

"Party Secretary Ouyang, something big has happened. I just received a call—guess who it was from?"

Party Secretary Ouyang sat up, his sleepiness mostly gone, his tone turning grave.

"Who?"

"The General Office of the Central Committee!"

Secretary Qi Min's voice was very low, so low it sounded like he was speaking of a secret that couldn't be made public.

"A Secretary-General from the General Office of the Central Committee called personally, saying that someone had rear-ended a car in Haiyang District, and the person involved was a younger relative of their leader."

"They didn't specify who exactly, but you can imagine the tone."

"Party Secretary Ouyang, at my level, to receive a call from the General Office of the Central Committee—how big do you think this matter is?"

Party Secretary Ouyang's fingers tightened abruptly, and the phone nearly slipped from his hand.

He threw off the covers and got out of bed, standing barefoot on the floor, his voice changing pitch.

"The General Office of the Central Committee? You aren't mistaken?"

"Party Secretary Ouyang, I might get anything else wrong, but not this. The number came from a secure red phone line; I checked the caller ID, it's correct."

Party Secretary Ouyang took a deep breath, his mind racing.

The General Office of the Central Committee calling personally—what did that mean?

It meant that the person who was rear-ended had "those few people" standing behind them.

Haiyang District was his territory; with something like this happening, he, as the Party Secretary of the District, could not escape responsibility.

He had to immediately shift the blame and push the responsibility to where it belonged.

"Old Qi, listen to me."

His voice regained its composure as he said, "This matter is an issue on the government side. I hear that the perpetrator has a close connection with Su Wenzheng."

"Don't get involved on your end. Organize the situation and report it to me first thing tomorrow morning. For now, keep the scene under control, don't let the situation escalate, and I'll be there immediately."

"Understood."

Party Secretary Ouyang hung up the phone and got dressed in a flash.

As he walked, he dialed his driver's number, saying, "Old Liu, get the car out and go to the main road in Haiyang District, quickly."

Meanwhile, District Mayor Su Wenzheng was in his private club practicing calligraphy with his mistress.

His mistress was a woman in her early thirties, dignified and beautiful, with a fairly solid foundation in Yan-style calligraphy.

Su Wenzheng held her hand, teaching her to write the character for "quiet" stroke by stroke, while making aimless small talk; the atmosphere was as warm as a painting.

The phone rang. Su Wenzheng frowned, let go of his mistress's hand, picked up the phone, and took a look.

Director Han Qing of the District Transportation Bureau!

"District Mayor Su, something has happened."

"Fifth Master rear-ended a car on the main road of Haiyang District, and the other party called the police."

"I had already instructed the traffic police below to let him go, but later, I don't know how it happened, Director Zhao Jinan of the City Public Security Bureau arrived at the scene in person and took Fifth Master away."

Su Wenzheng's expression changed. He let go of his mistress's hand, stood up, walked to the window, and said in a very low voice, "Director Zhao Jinan went personally? Are you sure?"

"I am sure, District Mayor Su. My people saw it with their own eyes at the scene."

"Moreover, Director Zhao Jinan's attitude toward the person who was rear-ended was extremely respectful, as if he were serving some big shot."

"District Mayor Su, Fifth Master may have kicked an iron plate this time."

Su Wenzheng gripped the phone, shocked and furious!

Fifth Master was his white glove, having helped him handle many shady affairs in Haiyang District over the years.

If Fifth Master got into trouble and implicated him, his political career would be over.

He had to find a way to cut his losses!

"Han Qing, listen to me."

"Do not interfere in this matter any further. Destroy all records related to Fifth Master; leave no trace at all."

"I will handle the rest."

"Understood, District Mayor Su."

Su Wenzheng hung up the phone, turned around to look at his mistress who was still practicing calligraphy, and forced a smile.

"I have something urgent tonight, you go back first, I'll accompany you another day."

The woman looked at him, didn't ask any questions, packed up the brush and ink, picked up her bag, and left.

Su Wenzheng stood by the window, watching her car drive out of the courtyard, picked up his phone, and dialed a number.

It rang a few times before being answered, the voice raspy from being just awakened.

"Old Su, what is it?"

"Mayor Wang, something has happened. Fifth Master caused trouble in Haiyang District and was taken away by Director Zhao Jinan. Do you think you could..."

"Old Su, wait."

The voice on the other end immediately became alert.

"I cannot interfere with Fifth Master's matter."

"You know what kind of person Director Zhao Jinan is; he doesn't care about anyone's authority."

"Let him take the fall himself; don't let it implicate you."

The call ended. Su Wenzheng gripped the phone, standing by the window, watching the blurry shadows of the trees in the night, motionless for a long time.

Fifth Master is finished this time...

He had to make a clean break from Fifth Master to save himself.