Lin Nan went to the detention center to complete the procedures, while the others waited outside.
Yu Feng also arrived at this time, clearly notified by Liang Liang and the others. Lu Yao no longer had much aversion to her and, as the hostess, generously greeted her.
Ten minutes later, the gate of the detention center opened, and Lin Nan and Yang Jian walked out.
After being detained for seventeen full days, Yang Jian's mental state was still good, but he had lost weight and his beard had grown.
Lu Yao's tears flowed uncontrollably, and she stepped forward to embrace Yang Jian tightly.
These seventeen days had been filled with longing, a river of yearning, and torment.
These seventeen days had felt like years, like sitting on pins and needles.
These seventeen days had been fraught with worry and exhaustion.
At this moment, all of Lu Yao's worries and anxieties vanished, and Yang Jian once again deeply felt how precious and beautiful freedom was.
With so many people watching, the two felt it inappropriate to linger too much. Yang Jian smiled and greeted them one by one.
"Brother Jin, why did you come all this way?"
"You are my brother and partner, how could I not come? Take this."
Li Jin stepped forward, hugged Yang Jian, and handed him a manila envelope.
Yang Jian immediately knew there was money inside, at least a hundred thousand. He quickly declined, "Brother Jin, what is this for?"
"Brother, this is the rule of the underworld. Don't think it's too little."
After speaking, Li Jin stepped aside.
Song Jianhao came over and patted his arm, "It's good that you're out."
He then handed over a paper bag, which was noticeably smaller, estimated to contain about twenty thousand yuan.
This confused Yang Jian. He hadn't had this kind of ceremony when he got out of the detention center last time. Why were people giving him money now?
Biao Biao came over and explained in a low voice, "Brother Jian, this is the rule of the underworld. Whenever a big shot with some reputation in the underworld gets out, people will give them money. I heard that Pan Wenbin went in once and received over a million yuan when he came out. Just wait, people will still send you money in the next few days."
What kind of rotten rule was this? Were people who broke the law celebrated upon release? Wouldn't this just embolden those big thugs to become even more arrogant?
Although Yang Jian didn't understand, this was the reality. Yu Feng also handed over a large envelope, similar to Li Jin's, likely no less than a hundred thousand yuan.
"Second Jian, it's good that you're alright. Go to my hotel to take a bath and change your clothes. Also, Biao Biao and the others have rushed over from Hancheng and haven't had lunch yet. I'll go prepare a table of food and drinks for you, and we'll eat before you go home."
After speaking, Yu Feng waved goodbye to Song Jianhao and the others and drove away.
Ah Feng, Biao Biao, Song Jianmin, and the others also wanted to give money, but Yang Jian refused, "Don't do this, guys. We're all brothers. I won't accept it."
Biao Biao and the others knew Yang Jian's temperament and didn't insist further. They prepared to get into their cars and head to Fengqi Hotel.
"Brother Yang Jian, please wait a moment."
A handsome man in his thirties got out of a Mercedes-Benz and walked directly to Yang Jian. Behind him followed a burly young man, who seemed to be the driver and bodyguard.
"Who are you?"
Yang Jian, who was about to get into the car, was stunned. He didn't recognize the man, but his features seemed somewhat familiar. However, he was certain he had no prior dealings with this person.
Everyone stopped. They had long been curious about the owner of this Mercedes-Benz, as anyone who could afford such a car was not just ordinarily wealthy.
"I am Lu Hao, Lu Yue's brother."
Lu Hao smiled and extended his right hand.
Yang Jian suddenly understood. No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity. During his interrogation, he had learned that the couple he had saved were named Cheng Zhifeng and Lu Yue. This Lu Hao indeed resembled Lu Yue.
"Hello, thank you for coming such a long way to see me. How are your sister and brother-in-law doing?"
Yang Jian politely shook his hand.
"My sister is physically fine, but she lost the baby. My brother-in-law was seriously injured and will likely need several months of recovery to be fully healed."
"It's good that he can recover. Honestly, I was really worried he wouldn't make it through the surgery or would be left with lasting effects."
"Thank you, Yang Jian. If it weren't for your timely intervention and immediate transport to the hospital, my brother-in-law would truly have died, and my sister would have been in great danger."
Yang Jian sighed, "Alas, I'm ashamed to say I hesitated and acted too late. Otherwise, your sister's child wouldn't have been lost, and your brother-in-law wouldn't have been so severely injured."
Lu Hao quickly waved his hand, "You don't need to blame yourself. Anyone in that situation would consider their own safety and that of their companions. With so many people present, you were the only one who rushed out to help. That's already remarkable. Of course, we also thank your sister and her classmates for promptly protecting my sister and nephew."
Yang Rui, standing nearby, quickly waved her hands, "Cough, it was just a small gesture. It's just such a pity about sister's child."
Lu Hao nodded at her and then took out a bank card. "There's two hundred thousand in here, no password. Please transfer it to the other classmates. When we return to Hancheng, I will invite you all out for a personal thank you."
"No, no, how can we accept your money? It was truly a small gesture, there's no need to be so polite."
Yang Rui dared not accept the bank card. Two hundred thousand was no small sum. She felt she hadn't earned it, and what they had done was trivial, not deserving of such a generous reward.
Lu Hao directly put the bank card into her bag. "If you don't accept this money, our family won't be at peace. Besides, this money isn't for you; it's for the other four classmates. Each of them gets fifty thousand. As Yang Jian's sister, I have other arrangements for you."
It was clear that Lu Hao did not know Ma Ming was Yang Rui's boyfriend and assumed he was also her classmate.
Yang Rui still wanted to return the bank card, but Lu Hao had already turned around. "Yang Jian, I haven't had lunch either. Can I join you for a meal? Also, I'd like to visit your home."
In this situation, it was impossible to refuse. Yang Jian could only nod. "Then please get in the car and come with us."
The group immediately got into their cars and headed to Fengqi Hotel. Lin Nan and Wei Xia had to work in the afternoon, so they left separately.
Upon arriving at Fengqi Hotel, Yu Feng had already arranged a private room. Yang Jian went to freshen up first, while the others waited in the room.
By the time Yang Jian had washed up and changed his clothes, the food and drinks had been served.
Just as everyone was about to start eating, Xi Ge arrived and placed a bulging manila envelope in front of Yang Jian.
"Manager Yang, I just heard you were out. This is a small token of appreciation from my sister and brother-in-law. Please keep it for tea money."
"Brother Xi, this is too much. I've never even visited Mr. Zhou. How can I accept such a generous gift from him?"
Xi Ge's brother-in-law was Zhou Tao. Yang Jian was puzzled. He had never even met Zhou Tao, so why would he send so much money? This bag of cash was at least two hundred thousand.
Xi Ge must have learned about his release from Song Jianhao; they had been in contact.
"Manager Yang, we hit it off immediately. My brother-in-law has also wanted to meet and chat with you for a long time. Consider this a welcome gift. In a few days, their second child will have their tenth birthday, and you'll receive an invitation then."
"Alright, alright, I will definitely go."
Since there was an opportunity to reciprocate, Yang Jian had no choice but to accept the cash. It was a matter of courtesy; he could always send a gift back in a few days.