Chapter 02: Frequent Visitors, You Are the Guest

"What are you doing, Ermao? Are you planning to stay for a long time?" Wang Yingtang said as he looked at him

The car stopped in the courtyard of the Jinxiu Police Station. After the car door opened, Yang Wei jumped down directly. This courtyard, with its white lime-washed walls, was even more familiar to him than his own home. They extended their hands in front of the police officer, who, as usual, kicked him in the rear, unlocked his handcuffs with a mischievous grin, and said, "Old rules, go stay in a single room yourself"

Oh, this kid has changed his ways! What is going on with that old man sitting on the ground? Wang Yingtang, upon hearing this, became somewhat interested, as it was probably the first time he had heard that Yang Wei had not taken action.

"Go on, this time considering you didn't hurt anyone, I'll let you off the hook. But remember the fine; next time you get into trouble, you'll pay it together!" Wang Yingtang secretly laughed at how Yang Wei had fallen into the trap. At the very least, there would be no more entanglements over wrongfully apprehending someone; this kid was just afraid of being locked up, and that wouldn't be allowed. Grabbing someone by their weakness, it was always a sure thing. He looked at Yang Wei and waved his hand: "Get lost early, don't let me see you or I'll be annoyed!"

"Fine, I won't talk to you anymore, I'm going home!" Yang Wei said as he prepared to leave, but suddenly realized something and turned back to ask, "So, Deputy, aren't you all involved in wrongful convictions? I still have no place to seek justice, do I?"

"Deputy Director, it seems that something is a bit off today!" Liu Bao said to Deputy Director Wang, who was cleaning his gun. After the previous director retired, Deputy Director Wang Yingtang took over the work directly. Even though the formal appointment had not yet been issued, Wang Yingtang insisted that everyone still call him 'Deputy Director'.

What is going on, tell me about it? Wang Yingtang looked up for a moment and continued to clean his gun

Wang Yingtang glanced at the time; it was almost noon. He stood up, preparing to head to the detention room. In fact, he occasionally thought about these matters, but he was quite satisfied with his current life. Every day, he enjoyed a little drink, collected some small money, and had a young woman by his side. Every few days, he would indulge in a little corruption with his subordinates. After all, who among men would not want to indulge once in a while? As long as he did not cross the legal line, he was willing to avoid trouble whenever possible.

"Hi, Deputy Director, you aren't planning to keep me here for a few more days, are you? I have a lot on my plate!" Yang Wei exclaimed as he sat up abruptly, saying, "Deputy Director, today's situation is really not my fault; I don't even understand what happened. I am truly wronged!"

Oh no! The vegetable seller treated me like a city management officer! Upon being reminded, Yang Wei slapped his forehead in realization: "This damn military uniform has really caused me trouble, how did I not think of this! I just put on a piece of clothing this morning, and it just so happened to be this kid's uniform"

Yang Wei took the key and walked into the so-called single room of the police station, which was actually the detention room. As usual, he knew that the police station generally made him the last person to give a statement. In the past, he would be detained for at least a day until someone came to pay the fine before he was released. Over time, everyone in the police station, big and small, became familiar with this character. They all knew that he would come several times a month to deliver money to the station, and his attitude towards admitting guilt was exceptionally good. He would call male officers "brother" and female officers "sister," showing no shame at all. He was not afraid of being beaten, and he would laugh even when scolded, presenting a complete rogue demeanor that no one could do anything about. Therefore, unless it was a matter of principle, everyone usually treated this "God of Wealth" quite politely.

"How about I explain the reasoning to you? However, you must stay here until the matter is clarified!" Wang Yingtang seized his weakness, wearing a lewd smile, and pretended to pull handcuffs from his waist

... ...

"Let it go, just try letting it go. That person is nothing but a troublemaker, stirring up trouble even when ignored. Now you say to let him go, it would be strange if he doesn't take advantage of you!" Wang Yingtang said, "Keep him locked up, I will handle it shortly!"

"Good! What about Yang Wei? Has he been released as well?" Liu Bao, who was about to turn and leave, asked.

"Hi! Yang Ermao, get up, get up." Wang Yingtang entered the detention room and kicked the snoring, drooling Yang Wei, thinking to himself, what a foolish kid, full of energy, even able to sleep in a place like this.

"Get lost!" Wang Yingtang lifted his leg and kicked Yang Wei in the butt. Yang Wei bent down to dodge and immediately turned to run away

"It's fine, nothing serious, just let these vegetable sellers go!" Wang Yingtang said somewhat absentmindedly

At around 9:00 AM, Officer Liu Bao, who had completed the record and was the one who kicked Yang Wei, walked into the director's office with a stack of documents and knocked on the door. A voice from inside called out, "Come in"

After this incident, Wang Yingtang often reflected on himself. In the Public Security Bureau, he was at least someone of note; there were even rumors that he would be the next candidate for the Municipal Criminal Investigation Team. However, he did not place much importance on this. In recent years, in this area known as the most chaotic in the city, reputed to be the number one red-light district in Sanjin, one could even find introductions to the entertainment options available online. The jurisdiction has 9 bathing centers, 6 foot massage parlors, and 12 karaoke venues, each with increasingly formidable backers. They dare not arrest, and even if they do, it is never-ending; in fact, it is often futile. If they take down a boss named Wang, it is likely that an even more powerful boss named Zhang or Li will emerge. This is beyond the control of a small station chief, especially one with a deputy title. Of course, the benefits of being here are also evident. At the very least, funding is never a concern. When funds run low, a half-hour outing at night can yield a substantial amount, and fines alone are no small sum. The real fear is capturing a big fish; in this day and age, anything can happen. One might inadvertently offend a powerful figure, leading to trouble for the police station. The previous station chief faced consequences for shutting down a karaoke venue for a few days, which angered a local boss with connections, resulting in his removal! He retired to live a quiet life, and he certainly did not want to attract such trouble.

"Cut it out, you are really ruthless. Let me tell you, I will not acknowledge that 1000 yuan fine; aren't you just trying to swindle me?" Although Yang Wei was dissatisfied, he truly did not dare to confront the police. If they were to investigate thoroughly, who could say how they would deal with him.

Ah! Alright, let's go, Yang Wei probably loves to hear this phrase the most, and he happily walks out. However, just as he steps out the door, he turns back and says: "Uncle Wang, I really am wronged this time; I still haven't figured it out!"

I want!

He is a farmer from ** Township, who came to the city to sell radishes. He is quite timid and it is probably his first time in the police station. According to him, Yang Wei grabbed his collar, and out of fear, he pretended to be beaten and fell to the ground himself. Based on Yang Wei's usual behavior, it is likely that he really did not hit him; otherwise, it wouldn't be like this!" Liu Bao continued, saying that he knows Yang Wei extremely well. The worst outcome would be a bruised face, and it is indeed rare for him to not injure someone.

"No! You were not wronged that time!" Wang Yingtang emphasized, elongating the word "no".

... ...

"It is not... it is not... Deputy Wang, Uncle Wang, look, we haven't talked about this before, but just this time, I swear by heaven and earth, I am truly wronged." Yang Wei noticed that Wang Yingtang did not believe what he was saying at all, and he became a bit anxious, genuinely worried that he might be locked up for a few days without any clear reason. He hurriedly spoke well of himself to Wang Yingtang, directly addressing him as 'uncle'.

Yang Wei is probably wronged! Liu Bao said: "I just took statements from several bystanders at the scene. The incident started because Yang Wei somehow ended up wearing a city management uniform. The vendors saw him alone and tried to scare him off, but instead of being frightened away, Yang Wei ended up scaring them. However, according to the statements, Yang Wei indeed did not hit anyone this time!"

"Hmm! Whose clothes are you wearing?" Wang Yingtang did not state it explicitly, pointing at the dirty urban management uniform worn by Yang Wei.

"Hey, you just locked me up for two days, and now you want to do it again? That won't do! Besides, you've kept me locked up these past few days; how am I supposed to get you money? If you want money, you have to let me out first!" Yang Wei wore a cheeky grin, embodying a rogue demeanor. This was also his usual tactic when dealing with the police, making it so that they couldn't get angry with him, nor could they do anything about it.

This morning's incident truly left him in a cold sweat, reminding him of the recent uproar surrounding a collective event. The cause was the dissatisfaction of taxi drivers with the city's fee policies, leading to thousands of vehicles surrounding the Huanghua Street section of the municipal committee, rendering it completely impassable. Just thinking about the countless people gathered that day made Wang Yingtang feel extremely uneasy. On that day, after receiving the support order, the six officers from the Jinxiu Police Station couldn't even enter the neighborhood, as they were stuck at the entrance, unable to move. In that moment, the usual deterrent power of state agencies seemed to have completely failed. Even the elderly women on the street dared to point their fingers at the police and scold them, let alone the troublemakers who thrived on chaos, seizing the opportunity to throw stones or beer bottles. He thought to himself, this is it, this could lead to serious injuries in the line of duty, and it would all be over! At that moment, he felt that the courage and strength he had ten years ago were gone, and everything seemed so pale and powerless. In the end, it was the armed police who intervened, and only after the mayor and the secretary of the municipal committee made promises did the collective incident calm down. At that time, Wang Yingtang looked at the heavily armed riot police, feeling a strong sense of intimidation and the overwhelming aura of power. He felt deeply ashamed, reflecting on the fact that he had served five years in the military, and it seemed he had wasted his youth on trivial matters, unable to compare with them at all.

As he pondered, Yang Wei indeed was not adept at using his brain, and then he fell into a drowsy sleep.

"Bah, old fool." As Yang Wei quickly ran out of the police station, he cursed from a distance, his voice not loud, only audible to himself

"Enough, stop trying to be friendly and talking nonsense!" Wang Yingtang impatiently interrupted him, saying: "Let’s get straight to the point. This time, I can’t be bothered to interrogate you. The usual rule applies: 7 days of detention and a fine of 1,000 yuan. You have two options; choose for yourself!"

Do you know what this is called? It is called just deserts. I have never heard of city management going out alone. Now, both the ladies and the city management have to go out in groups of three or five. It's a shame you are still hanging around the entertainment district; you deserve it!" Wang Yingtang said, looking at his disheveled appearance, with irritation.

Do you want to know why you were hit

In fact, Wang Yingtang is also a retired soldier, but the great melting pot of society has long since worn away the sharp edges of a soldier. Looking at his slightly protruding belly, he realizes it is from drinking! Touching his once angular face, now shiny with oil, he knows it is due to an overly rich diet! His once straight back has begun to hunch a bit, a result of bowing and scraping before superiors every day! In the past, he could do over 200 push-ups, and in 20-meter rapid-fire pistol shooting, he could score above 180. Yet, in nearly two years, he has hardly fired a shot, and the calluses on his hands have long since disappeared. Wang Yingtang often gazes at his increasingly thick and soft hands, and he thinks to himself, people often say that beautiful women are pleasing to the eye; perhaps beautiful women also soften the hands. Why are his hands becoming softer, and why does he feel less strength in his arms? Perhaps it is the negative effect of frequently touching young women's hands and fondling the chests of ladies.

For instance, this morning when Yang Wei was caught, he was already aware that he was a person not to be trifled with. His identity remains unclear, but he is known to frequent the police station for a few days each month. Every time he sees the trouble this young man causes, it gives him a headache; the offenses are neither too serious nor too trivial. Fights, extortion, and collecting protection fees occur several times a month, and he seems to be involved in every conceivable wrongdoing, falling into the category of minor offenses without committing major crimes. By normal standards, he could easily receive two years of re-education through labor for his actions. However, each time, the cases end up unresolved because this young man not only has a keen sense of how to gauge the 'degree' of his misdeeds but also has someone backing him. It is said that he claims to be the number one 'stick' in Fengcheng, and due to his peculiar ability to be troublesome, he has become notorious among the existing gamblers, thugs, and enforcers in Fengcheng's underworld, earning the title of 'stirring stick.' On one occasion, he spent half a month in the substation, causing more than half of the ladies in Jinxiu City to go on strike (this incident inspired a local saying: 'Ladies' Great Strike—Anti-Japanese,' note that the character for 'day' here should be pondered over, as it does not refer to the Japanese). His peculiar ability to be troublesome has made him a well-known 'stirring stick' in the underworld. On one occasion, he spent half a month in the substation, leading to a strike by more than half of the ladies in Jinxiu City (this incident inspired a local saying: 'Ladies' Great Strike—Anti-Japanese,' note that the character for 'day' here should be pondered over, as it does not refer to the Japanese), forcing the owner of the entertainment city to urgently bail him out the next day. However, it is not known that he has committed any other serious offenses; aside from being troublesome, he does not engage in conflicts with the police, nor has he been reported for any heinous crimes. Moreover, his relationship with the police station is quite subtle; at the very least, the local officers, who are usually quite aggressive, treat him like a brother, making it difficult to gauge the depth of their connection.

Ah, a yawn... Who is it! Ah, it's Deputy Wang, what's the matter? It's time to eat! I'm not fully awake yet!" Yáng Wěi, yawning, sat up, speaking in a muddled manner.

Yang Wei walked into the detention room and lay down on the concrete floor, not expecting any better treatment. In fact, it was already a great favor not to be handcuffed in the detention room. After a night of heavy drinking, he felt a bit tired, and with the chaotic events that had just occurred, he couldn't sort out his thoughts. Last night, a friend named Guan Jun, whom he had met a year ago and who was a regular at the Jinxiu Gecheng, came to ask for his help, bringing along someone who seemed to be in the medicine business, looking like a seller of counterfeit drugs. As they drank, they ended up consuming a bit too much, not because Yang Wei drank excessively, but because Guan Jun and his friend did. The three of them chatted aimlessly in the private room for half the night, hardly sleeping at all. Yang Wei had originally planned to return home to sleep after his morning exercise, but he didn't expect to encounter this situation on the way.

After Liu Bao left, Wang Yingtang tucked the cleaned six and four-style weapons into his waist and muttered to himself, "Fortunately, this kid didn't hit anyone today; otherwise, it would have been a real hassle!" Once the situation was clarified, he felt relieved, lit a cigarette, and took a satisfying puff. He recalled that just a few days ago, the city had issued an urgent notice requiring all grassroots police stations to closely monitor group incidents. If a group incident or gang fight were to occur in his jurisdiction during this sensitive period, he estimated that his position would likely never recover from such a small matter, and it was very possible he would have to roll up his bedding and go home.