Chapter 1356
: Detained?
A suffocating silence filled the car.
Uncle Zhang started the car with trembling hands, and the engine emitted a weary roar.
After a long while, Sister Na looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene and murmured in a dry voice.
"See... Being a good person comes at a price... It's all that kid's fault... He messed with the wrong person..."
"Oh!"
Uncle Zhang slammed his fist heavily on the steering wheel, and the car horn emitted a piercing long blast!
His chest heaved violently, his heart filled with unvented frustration, humiliation, and anger, as well as a trace of self-hatred for his cowardice. But all of this turned into a deep sense of powerlessness in the face of overwhelming reality.
……
Ruan Jiaxin lingered outside the police station from the afternoon until dusk and then until the streetlights came on.
As she watched the police station staff leave one after another, the last glimmer of hope in her heart was shattered as the last few lights went out.
It was only then that she truly realized that Mr. Luo, who had stood up to help her, had actually been detained, and the charges sounded so serious.
A chill and a deeper worry gripped her.
She returned to "Sister Na's Beef Noodles" restaurant, distraught, hoping to discuss countermeasures with Uncle Zhang and Sister Na and see if there was any way to help Luo Fei.
However, what she saw was health bureau staff coming to her shop again to conduct a so-called "follow-up inspection".
It turned out that after Uncle Zhang and Sister Na returned from the hospital, despite feeling humiliated, they still went to the Health Bureau immediately to pay the 35,000 yuan fine.
Then, forcing myself to stay alert, I spent several hours giving the kitchen an unprecedented, almost grueling, thorough cleaning and tidying. I wiped every corner until it shone, and I even wanted to pry up the floor tiles and wash them.
When Health Bureau Director Li Mingwei personally led a team to conduct a follow-up inspection, he saw the completely renovated kitchen and a satisfied smile appeared on his face, his attitude completely different from before.
He patted Uncle Zhang on the shoulder and praised him.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad!"
Now that's how a business should operate! To err is human, to forgive divine! It seems this punishment has served as a good warning and educational measure!
He waved his hand and announced it on the spot.
"After our thorough inspection, the hygiene issues at your noodle shop have been rectified! The previous suspension of business has been revoked, and you can resume operations tomorrow!"
Upon hearing the announcement, Uncle Zhang and Sister Na could not muster a smile; instead, they displayed a numbness and deep exhaustion, as if they had survived a catastrophe.
They knew in their hearts that it wasn't because they cleaned so well, but because they had signed that humiliating "testimony" in the hospital ward, bending their backs in humiliation.
Taking advantage of the health bureau staff leaving, Ruan Jiaxin quickly stepped forward and anxiously spoke to Uncle Zhang and Sister Na.
"Uncle Zhang, Sister Na!"
Mr. Luo, who helped us, has been detained by the police! They say it's 'intentional assault'! We have to find a way to get him out of trouble!
To her dismay, Uncle Zhang and Sister Na didn't show much surprise when they heard the news, as if they already knew this would be the outcome.
The proprietress, Sister Na, glanced around nervously, avoiding direct eye contact with Ruan Jiaxin's clear yet anxious eyes. She sighed and offered her advice in a complicated tone.
“Xiaoxin... I know you’re feeling bad. Sister Na also knows that the gentleman was a good person; he saved you.”
But... but things have gotten this far, there's nothing we can do.
He really went too far that day. I heard that Young Master Xue's two friends were beaten into a vegetative state!
This...this is a serious crime! Everyone is equal before the law, and he must accept the punishment of the law..."
Ruan Jiaxin looked at Sister Na in disbelief, then at Uncle Zhang.
"Uncle Zhang? You think so too? Mr. Luo was trying to help us!"
Uncle Zhang was expressionless, his face showing exhaustion and numbness from a sleepless night and immense pressure. He avoided Ruan Jiaxin's gaze, only sighed deeply, waved his hand, and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Xiaoxin, you're tired, go home first... The shop is opening tomorrow, and there's still a lot to prepare..."
Seeing the couple's attitude, Ruan Jiaxin's heart sank completely.
She understood that Uncle Zhang and Sister Na had chosen to compromise and remain silent in order to save the noodle shop.
She didn't say anything more, just glanced at them with a strange look, then silently turned around and went back to her cramped rented room.
This night was incredibly long for Ruan Jiaxin; she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Helplessness, anger, worry for Luo Fei, and fear of this upside-down reality intertwined, making her feel the complexity and coldness of society for the first time.
……
Under the same night sky, Luo Fei was alone in his detention cell. In the southern summer, the cell was hot and humid, teeming with mosquitoes. At first, he was covered in bites, unbearably itchy.
But he quickly mobilized the energy within his body and activated [Super Physique]. His skin seemed to be covered by an invisible barrier, and the buzzing mosquitoes could no longer pierce his skin, only hovering around him in vain.
However, maintaining this state also requires energy. After using it for a long time, he felt a little weak, so he switched to [Super Physical Fitness], which instantly dispelled his fatigue and made his mind full and sharp again.
He sat quietly on the cold iron bed, his eyes still clear in the darkness.
He had countless ways to easily leave that small detention cell, but he didn't.
He chose to stay and cooperate with the other party's so-called "procedure" because he wanted to see with his own eyes what tricks they could pull and just how powerful the mastermind behind it all was.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, a policeman came to the detention room and formally informed him of the "progress of the case".
"Luo Jian, according to the hospital's authoritative assessment, Xue Shihao's two friends suffered severe brain damage due to a heavy blow to the head and are currently in a vegetative state with an extremely low chance of waking up."
The police officer read the report expressionlessly while carefully observing Luo Fei's reaction.
"This means that your actions constitute intentional injury causing serious bodily harm. According to criminal law, the sentence could be more than ten years in prison, or even life imprisonment."
The police officer paused, his tone seemingly carrying a formulaic "admonition".
"You...you'd better be prepared. Also, please give us your family's phone numbers; we need to notify your relatives. And I advise you to hire a lawyer."
Upon hearing the result of "two people in a vegetative state," Luo Fei felt a chill in his heart, which also completely confirmed his guess.
His face showed no panic, but rather an unusual calmness, even with a hint of mockery.
He looked up at the policeman and said in a calm tone.
“I’m an orphan, I have no family.” “A lawyer? No need.”
"I will accept whatever judgment is rendered."
His reaction startled the policeman, who looked surprised.
He had seen too many criminal suspects break down, cry, or desperately plead for mercy after hearing such news, but he had never seen anyone so calm, or even "calmly" accept a severe criminal sentence.
The police officer gave Luo Fei a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
The door to the detention cell closed again.
Luo Fei's eyes sharpened.
He sneered inwardly.
"The Xue family... what cunning they are! They can even manipulate the police station and the hospital so flawlessly. Those two blond thugs were definitely put into a vegetative state by the hospital! They're determined to kill me!"
……
Meanwhile, in the deputy director's office, Chen Yunfei received a phone call from the director, Zhong Baoyu.
As soon as the call connected, Zhong Baoyu's voice, filled with dissatisfaction and accusation, came through.
"Yunfei! What's going on?! Why hasn't Director Luo from the National Security Bureau shown up yet?!"
Chen Yunfei's heart tightened, and he quickly explained.
"Director Zhong, I...I don't know either. I've been waiting since yesterday, but I haven't seen Director Luo at all."
Zhong Baoyu spoke in a serious tone.
“I received a call from the National Security Headquarters yesterday, saying that Director Luo arrived in Dongguan by plane last night! They demanded our full cooperation! What are you doing? You couldn't even pick him up? Didn't I tell you to take good care of him and be responsible for his reception?”
"Director Zhong, I have indeed been waiting..."
Chen Yunfei also found it strange.
"You mean... could it be that Director Luo went to investigate the case alone without notifying us?"
"Nonsense!"
Zhong Baoyu rebuked.
"The files on Zhu Dafa's case are all in our bureau. Even if Director Luo wants to investigate the case, he can't possibly act alone without first coming here to understand the basic situation! Contact the National Security Department immediately, get Director Luo's contact number, and ask him directly about the situation!"
"Yes, yes, I'll contact them right away!"
Chen Yunfei quickly agreed.
Zhong Baoyu added another sentence, his tone becoming even more serious.
"Also, the inspection team will arrive in Dongguan this afternoon. You need to be on your guard and pay attention to everything. Don't let anything go wrong at this time!"
"Understood, Director Zhong!"
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yunfei fell into deep thought.
Where did this mysterious Director Luo go?
In order to welcome this important person, he has not dared to leave his post since yesterday, for fear of missing the opportunity.
After more than ten minutes, Chen Yunfei finally obtained Luo Fei's mobile phone number through internal channels.
He didn't dare to delay and immediately dialed the number.
"Beep...beep...The number you dialed is temporarily unavailable, please try again later..."
The phone call went through, but no one answered.
Chen Yunfei frowned and dialed again and again, but the result was the same.
Inside the police station building, in a cabinet in the interrogation center's evidence storage room, in a paper bag containing his personal belongings, Luo Fei's phone vibrated a few times, the screen lit up and then went dark, before finally returning to silence.
His cell phone and personal identification were searched by the police when he was arrested and put into this paper bag.
His national security police officer ID, which was enough to intimidate everyone, had been casually tucked into the sun visor of the car and was not on his person, so it did not attract the attention of the police officers.
Chen Yunfei called several more times, but there was still no answer.
A feeling that something was wrong grew stronger and stronger.
How could a National Security Bureau chief of such high status not only fail to contact them after arriving in Dongguan, but now even his phone is unanswered?
This is so unusual!
He dared not delay any longer, immediately picked up the phone and called Zhong Baoyu again, reporting with a hint of panic in his voice.
"Director Zhong! Something terrible has happened! Director Luo's phone is not answering! I suspect... I suspect something might have happened to Director Luo! Or rather... he's gone missing!"
-
Luo Fei was detained in the Dongguan Detention Center, where cold iron bars isolated him from the outside world. The small space was filled with a damp, musty smell and the odor of disinfectant.
He sat back on the hard wooden bed, his hands crossed behind his head, his eyes fixed on the dim light bulb on the ceiling, his mind churning with thoughts of the recent situation.
The series of measures previously taken by Great Xia—suspending visas for a certain island nation and raising the military's combat readiness level—were undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face, making it clear to the other side that their secret plan had been completely exposed. Luo Fei recalled the details in the intelligence: the death of Tojo Masayoshi and the capture of Sato Junichiro triggered a chain reaction like dominoes. The old members of the Heavenly Secrets Group and their families were now under tight protection, and the enemy's insidious plan to defeat them one by one had completely failed.
His appearance had likely caught them completely off guard, making them hesitant to act rashly. According to the latest intelligence, the volcano within their territory might erupt within ten years. This countdown hung like a Damocles' sword, so while they were anxious, they wouldn't act rashly before fully understanding Luo Fei's capabilities. Great Xia was currently relatively safe, but Luo Fei's brow furrowed even more deeply—he was worried about the top two ability users on the opposing side. If their strength truly surpassed his own, Great Xia might face a significant threat.
It seems that a decisive battle between the two countries is inevitable, and I will become a key figure.
This thought weighed heavily on him, as if he were carrying a tremendous burden on his shoulders.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts. After dealing with Yamaya Masako, he needed to quickly earn sin points to improve himself—this system, though strange, was currently his greatest asset.
He knew very little about Masako Yamaya; he only heard from Sato that she was a middle-aged woman in her forties, with an ordinary appearance but a mysterious way of doing things.
She entered Daxia six months ago on a teacher's visa, then vanished without a trace, likely using someone else's identity to infiltrate Dongguan. Luo Fei's fingers tapped unconsciously on the bed. His target might be Zhu Dafa, a retired member of the Tianji Group—this veteran, though retired for many years, might still possess some crucial information. Immigration records showed she hadn't left Daxia, but the possibility of smuggling still existed. Luo Fei leaned towards the conclusion that she was more likely still hiding in Dongguan, operating under a covert identity, like a drop of water in the ocean—finding her would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
To Luo Fei's surprise, before the case even began to be investigated, he himself was detained by the Dongguan police.
This was truly a case of being caught off guard and sinking in the gutter; he shook his head with a wry smile. Now, there were only two paths to get out.
He could either sneak away—with his skills, the iron bars of the detention center might not be able to stop him—or reveal his identity and have the police escort him out respectfully. (End of Chapter)