Chapter 47: Are You Playing Me?

  This was the first time in Zhang Yang’s life that someone had pointed a gun at him and told him to kneel.

  Instantly, a wave of humiliation surged through him. When that young officer aimed his gun at him, Zhang Yang didn’t raise his hands, nor did he kneel. Instead, he stared at the officer and said calmly, “I can cooperate, but at least find out what really happened before you think you have the right to do this.”

  The young officer’s expression changed immediately. He lifted the muzzle slightly and shouted again, “If you resist arrest, don’t think I won’t shoot! Kneel down!”

  As he spoke, he flicked off the gun’s safety.

  The atmosphere turned ice-cold. Everyone’s gaze fell on Zhang Yang. Beside him, Qiao Xier’s face darkened. After only a moment’s hesitation, she stepped in front of Zhang Yang and glared at the young officer, sneering, “Do you people even care about justice anymore?”

  The young officer froze when he saw Qiao Xier. She was simply too striking—shorts, a red T-shirt, 1.75 meters tall, long fair legs, and a stunningly beautiful face. She was the kind of woman that could stop anyone in their tracks. Who could bear to hurt a beauty like that?

  His face flushed red, and his gun instinctively lowered. The same thing happened with the others—every cop and auxiliary officer’s eyes were glued to Qiao Xier, as if they’d forgotten Zhang Yang even existed.

  Seeing the young officers all dazed and gawking at Qiao Xier, the officer whom Minister He had called Chief Zhang stepped forward. He smiled faintly and said, “Miss, we’re carrying out official duties. Don’t interfere, or we’ll have the right to detain you.”

  “You’re arresting us without even figuring out what happened. Based on what?” Qiao Xier glared back without backing down.

  The officer frowned slightly but explained patiently, “Someone reported a disturbance at Bai Group’s building. Bai Group is a key enterprise in our district. We can’t just allow anyone to cause trouble there.”

  “What a joke. Just because someone says there’s trouble doesn’t make it true. It was Bai Group who started it—assaulting people and running shady operations. I’d say someone’s colluding with corrupt businessmen to bully civilians.”

  Hearing that, the officer’s face darkened immediately. He stared at Qiao Xier for a few seconds before saying coldly, “Miss, you can’t throw accusations around like that. I’m officially warning you—you’re obstructing law enforcement. We have the right to detain you for investigation.”

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  “Oh really? You’re sure you want to arrest us?” Qiao Xier sneered and raised her snow-white arm in front of him. “Go ahead.”

  The officer froze. Her tone carried zero fear. He had seen that R8 when he got out of his car—this girl clearly wasn’t from an ordinary background. Arresting her might not be a problem, but if she had connections, it could get messy.

  Thinking of that, he hesitated.

  Noticing his hesitation, Minister He immediately stepped closer and whispered to the officer, “Chief Zhang, I don’t want to put you in a tough spot, but Chairman Bai’s got an extremely important meeting at Meining University tonight. If these people ruin his mood, our Yuetian District will lose face. Even Director Ou might come asking about it.”

  Chief Zhang’s face grew darker. The report he’d received earlier was from the Dengyuan Building front desk—it said gangsters were causing trouble. He’d rushed over with his team, only to find a young couple and a bunch of guards rolling on the ground. The whole thing made no sense.

  How could some pretty boy take down five men by himself? If Bai Group wanted to stage something, fine—but at least make it believable.

  Still, he didn’t dare say that aloud. Bai Group was one of the biggest companies in Yuetian District, even in Meining City. Their president, Bai Wensheng, was well-known in both business and politics—and more importantly, Deputy Director Ou of their district bureau was his close friend.

  So when Minister He spoke, even though Zhang was suspicious, he had no choice but to comply.

  “Don’t worry, Minister He. We’ll handle this properly.” Chief Zhang thought for a moment. No matter what, this couldn’t reach Director Ou.

  “That’s the spirit.” Minister He finally smiled, patting Chief Zhang’s shoulder familiarly. “You know how important Chairman Bai’s meeting tonight is.”

  “Huh, Minister He, what kind of meeting is so late?” Chief Zhang asked casually once he’d made up his mind.

  “Heh, Chief Zhang, surely you know.” Minister He looked at him smugly and said mysteriously, “Your Director Ou must’ve been busy with it all afternoon.”

  “Wait, you mean the UICC President’s visit to Meining University?” Chief Zhang suddenly realized. “Captain Gao took most of our people out earlier to clear the way. But what’s that got to do with Chairman Bai? Minister He, care to share?”

  Being called ‘Minister He’ so respectfully made him beam with pride. He leaned closer to Chief Zhang and said quietly, “Chief Zhang, don’t you remember? Our company is now a partner in Meining University Medical School’s ‘Dragonborn Project.’ Do you know what that is? It’s the world-famous biological anti-cancer immune drug project—a revolutionary gene therapy that’s changing cancer treatment as we know it. Once Bai Pharmaceuticals secures the production rights, entering the Global Fortune 500 is just a matter of time.”

  “Fortune 500?” Chief Zhang’s eyes widened. Bai Pharmaceuticals might be listed, but Global 500? Hell, it wasn’t even close to the top 500 in Huaxia.

  “That’s right—not Huaxia 500, Global 500.” Minister He’s face gleamed with arrogance, as if Bai Group was already a global giant. “Dr. Hill, the UICC President himself, is visiting Meining University tonight. The news will hit every major outlet tomorrow. And since we’re their partner, just imagine what’ll happen to our stock prices. Now, if Chairman Bai’s schedule gets messed up because of this punk, your whole Qianshui Precinct will be in deep shit.”

  Cold sweat broke out on Chief Zhang’s forehead. Minister He’s words were harsh, but not wrong. If Bai Wensheng got upset, he’d definitely complain to Director Ou.

  “So what are you suggesting, Minister He?” Chief Zhang glanced at Zhang Yang and Qiao Xier, then turned back.

  “Hmph. See that old man over there? He started the commotion. Then those two joined in. I suspect they’re working together to sabotage Chairman Bai’s meeting. Wouldn’t be surprised if another company’s behind it. You should look into it thoroughly.”

  “Got it, Minister He. I know what to do.” Chief Zhang immediately turned back to Zhang Yang and Qiao Xier, his tone cold. “You two, come with us.”

  Seeing that he and the bearded man had whispered for so long only to come to this bullshit conclusion, Qiao Xier was furious. She pulled out her phone to make a call—but before she could, an auxiliary officer snatched it right out of her hand.

  “What, trying to warn your accomplices?” He smirked as he glanced at the phone. “Wow, brand-new iPhone 5. Let’s go. You’re too pretty for us to drag along—don’t make this ugly.”

  He pointed toward the police car by the curb.

  Qiao Xier’s face darkened as her phone was taken. “You’ll regret this.”

  “Regret?” Chief Zhang walked up, glanced at Zhang Yang and Qiao Xier, then at her flashy R8, and sneered. “You think driving a fancy car puts you above the law? You’re not going anywhere until this is cleared up.”

  Qiao Xier opened her mouth to argue, but Zhang Yang quickly signaled her to stay quiet.