Chapter 7

In less than two minutes, the door to the interrogation room was pushed open, and a middle-aged police officer, around forty years old, slightly balding and somewhat portly, walked in. Zhang Shaoyu inwardly cursed his fate, having already prepared himself mentally, waiting for a round of stormy interrogation, a ruthless destruction of innocence

With a loud clap, the police officer forcefully closed the record book. He finally understood that this kid had no intention of confessing to the details of the crime and was just beating around the bush. It seemed that he wouldn't give up until he faced some serious consequences; without experiencing a bit of hardship, he would not be honest.

However, the police officer did not think so. Look at this kid, he has such an arrogant demeanor; he might really know the director. If that were the case, it would be difficult to explain after hitting him. Moreover, he had matters to discuss with the director these days. No, this situation must be clarified. With this thought in mind, he threw down his baton and turned around to shout outside: "Xiao Liu, please bring the director here."

Am I encountering ghosts lately or what? Why is all this nonsense happening to me! I broke up with my girlfriend and then ran into that disaster, Zhao Jing. Sigh, it seems I really need to leave this place of sorrow

"What happened? Is that all?" the police officer asked, his eyes wide open.

Hello, old revolutionary, it's me, Xiao Chen. Yes, hey, how have you been lately? There's nothing much, just that Shaoyu is currently at the police station. Don't worry, it's nothing serious, just a little misunderstanding. Alright, alright, I will bring him back to you.

"Your name is Zhang Shaoyu, isn't it?" the director asked with a smile. Zhang Shaoyu felt a bit dizzy, wondering what was happening. He instinctively nodded and replied, "Yes, I am Zhang Shaoyu." Upon hearing this, the director did not ask further questions and took out his phone to make a call

From the tone he used while talking to his grandfather on the phone just now, it is evident that this is quite serious; he has truly embarrassed his grandfather, especially since the director personally sent him back. This is a big deal; he can almost see his grandfather's wrinkled face contorted with anger, while his grandmother stands by, looking at him with concern. Although this matter is a misunderstanding, will his grandfather believe him? Moreover, regarding the issue of going out with a kitchen knife, he can make excuses to the police, but how can he explain it to his grandfather?

Zhang Shaoyu lowered his head, his hands, which were handcuffed, trembled slightly

The matter is as follows. Zhang Shaoyu pondered for a moment and began to "confess". "That woman is a friend of mine. We arranged to meet at the dam today. The kitchen knife was actually for self-defense. The regulations on public security management state that carrying controlled knives is not allowed, but it doesn't say anything about carrying a kitchen knife, does it? Later, when she wanted to go home, I asked her to wait for a while, but she refused and even threw a tantrum, turning to leave. I chased after her, but unexpectedly, I was caught by you.

"Old Zhang, what is the matter?" After the director entered, he glanced at the ashen-faced Zhang Shaoyu and asked the police officer.

Zhang Shaoyu's face turned pale as he saw the police officer pick up the baton from the table. In a panic, he quickly extended his hands and desperately shook them, saying: "Hey, hey, uncle, please don't get agitated, listen to me, hey, hey, hey, uncle! Uncle!"

"Shaoyu, what’s wrong?" Director Chen, who was driving, asked with concern upon noticing Zhang Shaoyu's unusual expression. Zhang Shaoyu was not mistaken; many years ago, when his grandfather worked at the county committee, Director Chen was just a fledgling, having benefited greatly from the guidance of senior figures. He had always been grateful and wanted to repay that kindness. As soon as he entered today, he recognized Zhang Shaoyu, having seen his photo at the home of the old revolutionary.

"Who says otherwise? Young man, at your age, you should know the importance of studying well. You have no idea how difficult life can be. Society is not as simple as you think. Isn't it better to be an honest person?" Just as he said this, he suddenly noticed Zhang Shaoyu finishing one cigarette and lighting another, causing the police officer to hurriedly snatch the cigarette box back and tuck it away.

Zhang Shaoyu suddenly changed his expression; just a moment ago, he appeared anxious and fearful, but now he is calm and steady as a mountain. This move indeed startled the police officer; how could this young man’s expression change so quickly? He was just terrified, looking as if he was about to confess, and now he resembles an old man, coldly staring at him.

Zhang Shaoyu chuckled softly and leaned forward to say, "Uncle, there are too few people like you who are free of worldly concerns. You are a true people's police officer, dedicated to the people. A person like you should at least be a bureau-level official by now. Alas, this society is too dark."

I said, "Comrade police officer, don't blame me for not reminding you, the Ministry of Public Security has repeatedly emphasized that torture and coercion are strictly prohibited. If you lay a hand on me, that would be illegal. Perhaps you might say, this is the territory of the elder, and I can do whatever I want with you. But let me tell you, my grandfather has a bad temper and dotes on me. If you do anything to me, he is quite familiar with your station chief, you know, heh heh..." Zhang Shaoyu only intended to scare the officer; he certainly did not want to be beaten into a pulp. Thus, he fabricated this nonsense, which might not be effective, but at least could buy him some time to think of other ways.

"Being too clever can lead to one's own downfall." Zhang Shaoyu sighed inwardly, Zhao Jing, you little brat, I will not let this go. If I encounter you again, I will violate you a hundred times, a hundred times!

Zhang Shaoyu clearly felt a "thud" in his heart; it was over. He had originally thought that the director might be corrupting somewhere else, but how could he be right there in the office? Now that the lie had been exposed, wouldn't he have to face even harsher consequences?

The police officer quickly stood up, offered his seat to the director, and said with a smile, "Director, you have arrived. I have a small matter to trouble you with"

After taking the last puff, Zhang Shaoyu flicked the cigarette butt away and said cheerfully, "Alright, I will confess. Uncle, make sure to take a good record, and don't miss anything." The police officer found it both amusing and perplexing; it was the first time encountering such a criminal, and he even reminded me about it.

The director stood up after listening to the words and walked step by step towards Zhang Shaoyu. With each step he took, Zhang Shaoyu felt a tightening in his heart. The director arrived in front of Zhang Shaoyu and began to scrutinize him carefully

Young man, do not be afraid of making mistakes; just correct them. Go back and sincerely admit your errors to your grandfather, and do not provoke the old man to anger

"Huh? When did you start lying on my desk?" The police officer finally reacted, realizing that this kid was a criminal, casually lying on his desk and chatting as if it were a normal conversation! With a stern face, he immediately sent Zhang Shaoyu back, demanding that he promptly explain the details of the crime.

"Shao Yu?" the director called out tentatively

I said, you really don't consider yourself an outsider, do you? I haven't even dared to smoke this cigarette, yet you have become addicted to it!

Zhang Shaoyu's eyes widened even more: "Yes, that's exactly how the events unfolded"

The director nodded and pointed to Zhang Shaoyu, asking, "What has this young man done?"

It was Zhang Shaoyu's first time riding in a police car, and it was even the chief's special vehicle, yet he felt no sense of authority at all. It goes without saying that his grandfather had started working in the 1950s and eventually retired from the county committee. Most of the current leaders in the county, except for those transferred from outside, were familiar with him. This chief might have even been a subordinate of his grandfather's back in the day.

The police officer approached Zhang Shaoyu, brandishing a baton in front of him, and coldly remarked: "Kid, if you don't honestly confess, don't blame me for being rude."

Zhang Shaoyu lowered his head in silence, his mood had reached an extreme low.

Forget it, forget it, there's no way to avoid this. I will go back and face a good scolding. Tomorrow, I will pack my things and return to school, so as not to upset my grandfather.

Uncle, I have a request. When you make your move later, please do not hit my face, Zhang Shaoyu said in a low voice, with his head lowered

When he said this, he had his eyes half-closed, sighed repeatedly, and wore a look of deep sorrow, as if he were genuinely speaking out for others. In reality, this guy just wanted to bum a cigarette from someone else; this was a genuine Zhonghua brand. Usually, when the brothers got together, the most extravagant they would buy was a pack of Hongta Mountain, but smoking Zhonghua was a first for him. Therefore, he was trying every means to circle around the police officer, hoping to smoke a few more cigarettes; he certainly couldn't let himself come to the police station for nothing.

The power of this statement was no less than a bolt from the blue, causing Zhang Shaoyu's head to jerk up instinctively. A miracle? How does the director know my name? Could it be that he really knows me? But in my memory, there is no such person.

The police officer meticulously took notes and raised his head, waiting for Zhang Shaoyu to continue. However, after a long wait, that young man surprisingly fell silent.

Oh, it was him, chasing and attacking a young woman on the street with a kitchen knife. Fortunately, I intervened in time, preventing a bloodbath. I am currently interrogating him, but he said... The police officer paused here, leaned in, and whispered something in the director's ear. Zhang Shaoyu felt his heart leap to his throat, thinking, Director, this is unjust, you must stand up for me.