Chapter 20: Alarm at the City Bureau
As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face.
Zhao Feng took a deep breath and forced a smile. “We’ve come to visit Zhao Jun.”
The man from the red organization snorted. “Zhao Jun is a felon. No visits allowed.”
Zhao Feng frowned. “I know he’s committed a serious crime, but surely there’s still a right to visitation?”
“Hmph! If I say no, then it’s no!”
“You—” Zhao Feng was at a loss for words.
“What ‘you’? Hurry up and leave!”
Chen Lan tugged at Zhao Feng’s arm. “Feng, what’s going on?”
Zhao Feng patted her hand. “Mom, don’t worry—everything’s fine.”
“I’ll call the bureau chief,” Zhao Feng said, taking out his new phone and preparing to dial.
Suddenly, a white Cadillac drove up.
The man on duty saluted and prepared to let the car through.
Zhao Feng frowned. “Whose car is that?”
“Hmph!” The man snorted coldly. “You don’t know? That belongs to Young Master Xiang!”
“Young Master Xiang? Xiang Tao?”
“That’s right.”
Zhao Feng was puzzled. “What’s Xiang Tao doing here?”
“That’s none of your business! I warn you, leave at once!”
“I—” Zhao Feng wanted to vent his anger, but he was under the eaves and had no choice but to bow his head.
He restrained his frustration, took out his phone, and prepared to call the bureau chief.
He stepped aside, opened his phone, and dialed.
“Beep…”
“Beep…”
“Click!”
“Hello? Who is this?”
Zhao Feng was somewhat excited. “Director Liang, it’s Zhao Feng. I’d like to visit my father.”
Liang He, at the other end, paused for a moment. After recovering, he said, “So it’s Zhao Feng! Just go directly to the Fifth Prison.”
Zhao Feng sighed. “Director Liang, I’m right outside the Fifth Prison, but the staff here stopped me and won’t let me in.”
Liang He frowned. “That’s impossible. I made special arrangements.”
Zhao Feng was surprised. “You said you made special arrangements?”
“Yes! I used to be comrades with your father.”
Zhao Feng was startled, and immediately understood why Director Liang had been so kind to him yesterday.
“You were comrades with my father?”
“Yes! I even held you as a child.”
“How come I don’t remember you?” Zhao Feng asked.
Liang He laughed. “Your father is a good man in every way, except for one thing.”
“To avoid suspicion, he didn’t keep in touch with me.”
Zhao Feng exhaled in relief. “Is my father in trouble?”
Liang He shook his head. “The situation isn’t promising. After all, your father committed murder.”
Zhao Feng nodded. “I know. Is there any way to help?”
Liang He smiled. “I’ve already contacted our old commander. He’s on his way to Chen City now.”
Zhao Feng felt much more at ease. “That’s good.”
“Alright, Zhao Feng, go see your father first.”
Zhao Feng nodded. “Okay.”
Liang He said, “Hand your phone to the gatekeeper.”
“Alright.”
Zhao Feng walked over to the gatekeeper, holding out his phone. “Here, Director Liang wants to speak with you.”
But the gatekeeper sneered. “I don’t know any Director Liang. Don’t ask me to take the call.”
Zhao Feng frowned.
Everything the gatekeeper said was heard by Liang He.
Liang He frowned as well.
He spoke, “Xiao Liu, you don’t recognize me?”
The gatekeeper, Xiao Liu, snorted. “I don’t.”
His reply was crisp and decisive, which made Zhao Feng and Liang He suspect something was amiss.
Liang He was angry. “Zhao Feng, wait for me. I’ll come in person.”
Zhao Feng nodded. “Alright, Director Liang. I’ll wait here.”
“Good.”
Liang He hung up, quickly summoned his driver, and rushed over.
At the Fifth Prison gate, Zhao Feng waited quietly. Less than half an hour later, a white Santana approached.
Zhao Feng glanced over and immediately spotted Liang He inside.
He hurried to the car, opened the door. “Uncle Liang, you’re finally here!”
Liang He smiled and stepped out.
As soon as Liang He was out of the car, his expression turned cold.
He walked up to Xiao Liu. “Xiao Liu, did you just say you don’t recognize me?”
The gatekeeper was a little nervous, but still held his head high. “I don’t.”
Liang He laughed in anger. “Very well!”
He produced a sheet of paper and placed it in front of Xiao Liu. “I am now here to interrogate the prisoner. Let us pass.”
Xiao Liu was stunned. He had not expected Liang He would use such a move. Clearly, Liang He was prepared and had brought the necessary documentation.
Xiao Liu hesitated, unsure what to do.
At that moment, a voice rang out. “Hmph! I wondered who it was—so it’s Liang He, coming here with such airs!”
Liang He frowned and turned, surprised.
Three middle-aged men approached, one of them short and stout. The speaker was this stout man.
Zhao Feng frowned, and asked quietly, “Uncle Liang, who is that?”
Liang He’s expression darkened. He spat out two words, “County Chief.”
Zhao Feng was surprised. He hadn’t expected to see the county chief here.
He fell silent, saying nothing.
Clearly, someone was working behind the scenes. Zhao Feng thought it over, and could only suspect Xiang Tao.
Liang He took a deep breath. “County Chief Wang, we’ve come to visit Zhao Jun. That’s not wrong, is it?”
Wang Meng sneered. “Zhao Jun is a felon—a major case! Such things happening in my jurisdiction, I absolutely will not permit!”
“But, but—”
“No ‘but’ about it!” Wang Meng waved his hand, his attitude resolute.
Liang He inhaled deeply. “But I am handling this case now.”
Wang Meng shook his head. “None of us can handle this case anymore.”
“Why?” Liang He was taken aback.
Wang Meng laughed. “This case has alarmed the city bureau. These two beside me are from the city bureau.”
Liang He was astonished.
Zhao Feng was equally surprised.
He hadn’t expected his father’s case to alarm the city bureau. This would not be easy.
Zhao Feng sized up the other two middle-aged men. One wore glasses—likely a secretary.
The other was tall and thin, his hair already showing white. He seemed to be the leader from the city bureau.
Zhao Feng fixed his gaze on the city bureau leader, watching for a while, lost in thought.
The leader frowned.
He spoke up, “Why are you staring at me?”
Zhao Feng shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“My name is Li Changqing. And you, young man—what’s your name?” Li Changqing asked.