Chapter 175: Chapter 175: The Charm of Boiled Fish, Can’t You Respect Me?
At dusk, the setting sun sank in the west.
The Sichuan restaurant continued to be exceptionally busy.
Meanwhile, not far from the Sichuan restaurant, in an office building, a young man and woman were quarreling.
"Hao Jun, I told you already, I don’t like you anymore. Let’s break up. Can’t we part on good terms?" Gao Xi said, her expression resolute.
"I don’t agree! What’s wrong with me? Why do you want to break up?" Hao Jun pleaded, his face a mask of desperation.
"I just don’t like you anymore. To tell you the truth, I’ve met someone better than you, someone who understands me more. I don’t like to string others along. I’m not here to discuss this with you; I’m here to tell you that no matter what, we can’t be together."
"If you break up with me, I’ll jump from here!" Knowing it was hard to salvage the situation, Hao Jun threatened.
"Can’t you be more mature? You’re an adult! How can you still act like this? Aren’t you embarrassed?" Gao Xi roared in anger.
Seemingly provoked, Hao Jun spotted the nearby window, leaped up, scrambled onto it, and then stood on the protruding ledge outside the building.
"AH!"
Gao Xi was terrified and immediately stepped back two paces.
"Are you still breaking up with me or not?" Blinded by love, Hao Jun roared.
Gao Xi didn’t dare to utter a word.
At this moment, a few people downstairs noticed the situation on the office building.
"Ah! Look over there! Someone’s going to jump!"
"Holy cow! It’s real! What’s happening?"
"Call 120!"
"What’s the use of calling 120? To collect the body? You should call 110!"
"It should be 119, right?"
People discussed it fervently. Being a spectator is human nature. A few shouts successfully drew the attention of passersby, and then, more and more people gathered around.
Several people were lined up outside the Sichuan restaurant, waiting for a number to get in. Hearing the shouts, they also ran over to join the crowd.
A throng formed below. Hao Jun’s mind went blank, veins bulging on his forehead. Seeing Gao Xi collapsed on the ground, he felt a surge of boundless courage. In such moments, Gao Xi dared not provoke him further.
"Come down quickly!"
"Come down, and then we’ll talk!" Gao Xi said, her voice choked with sobs.
"Why do you want to break up with me? Everything I did was for you! The money I earned was for you to spend! You’re my everything! Why break up?" Hao Jun questioned furiously.
"We’re not compatible. I’m going back to my hometown. I’ll pay you back the money you spent!" Gao Xi responded numbly.
They went back and forth. Gao Xi was determined to break up with him, but the current chaotic situation left her too flustered to concede.
"I don’t want your money!" Hao Jun’s heart ached.
Why must warriors who charge headfirst into love suffer such a tragic fate?
At this moment, the person in charge of the office building hurried over. In such a situation, he didn’t dare speak carelessly. He could only take out his phone, recording while trying to console Hao Jun, "Young man, don’t be impulsive. Think of your family. Please don’t do anything foolish!"
By this time, a large crowd had gathered below the office building to watch the scene unfold. Soon, the police and firefighters arrived as the situation seemed to be escalating.
Jiang Feng was still cooking in the Sichuan restaurant, completely unaware of what was happening outside. However, the diners in the restaurant were drawn to the commotion.
"Someone’s jumping off the building over there!"
"Really?"
"The police are here. Could it be fake?"
"Let’s finish eating quickly, then go have a look!"
"I want to go see too!"
The patrons sped up their dining. No matter how enticing the spectacle, they needed to finish their delicious Sichuan meal. After all, it was too good to waste.
Hao Jun had made up his mind. He clung to the outer wall of the office building, refusing to come down. The office building windows were high, and there were railings outside that people normally wouldn’t climb. But Hao Jun, his head muddled by impulse, had jumped right out. His position was also difficult for a rescue.
Police negotiator Wang Liang rushed upstairs. After understanding the situation, he said to Gao Xi, "Could you temporarily agree to his terms? Just stabilize him and get him down."
Upon hearing this, Gao Xi shook her head. "He’s very stubborn and unyielding. If I agree, he’ll keep pestering me. I must make it clear today that we’re definitely breaking up. I won’t agree to it!"
Seeing Gao Xi’s refusal, Wang Liang found himself in a bind. He understood her refusal was natural; Hao Jun’s extreme act of threatening to jump was indeed terrifying. Wang Liang then looked towards Hao Jun, attempting to get closer. "Brother, there will be other loves. Don’t be rash, please!"
By this time, Hao Jun had lost all reason. "Don’t come any closer! I’m telling you, if she breaks up with me today, I’ll jump from here! Why does she want to break up with me!"
At this point, Gao Xi’s emotions also collapsed. "Don’t you understand? I don’t like you anymore! Being with you makes me miserable! We can’t get back together!"
After saying this, Gao Xi ran out crying. A female police officer followed to comfort her.
Hao Jun’s face was etched with grief, while Wang Liang continued to earnestly persuade him. But Hao Jun’s mind was in turmoil, and he couldn’t hear a word.
Meanwhile, Wang Liang’s mentor, Liu Hongzhong, hurried to the scene. He had been on his way home for dinner after his shift but was called back by his superior for overtime. On the way, Liu Hongzhong learned about the incident: a young man, heartbroken, was threatening to jump off a building. As an experienced veteran, he knew that direct persuasion was futile at such times. The person had backed themselves into a corner, and no amount of talking would get them out. The best method was to divert their attention.
After getting out of his car, Liu Hongzhong noticed a nearby Sichuan restaurant that was particularly busy. He remembered it was the popular one everyone was talking about, with a reputedly incredibly skilled chef. Liu Hongzhong walked straight to the restaurant entrance and showed his police badge.
The owner, Shen Hai, hurried over. "Officer, what can we do for you?"
Liu Hongzhong glanced around and saw an apprentice carrying out a steaming pot of boiled fish, its aroma enticing. Liu Hongzhong then said, "Boss, do me a favor. I need a pot of boiled fish right now. I’ll come back and settle the bill later. Thank you."
Liu Hongzhong took the boiled fish, stuffed several pairs of disposable chopsticks into his pocket, and hurried off. Shen Hai, seeing the urgency, said nothing. Some of the nearby diners were somewhat stunned. Shen Hai quickly explained to the affected diner and ordered another pot for them, saying it would be ready soon.
Soon, Liu Hongzhong arrived at the scene with the pot of boiled fish. Hao Jun was still standing outside the window, poised to fall at any moment. Wang Liang’s face was filled with anxiety, terrified he would fall. Seeing Liu Hongzhong arrive, Wang Liang heaved a sigh of relief. "Master."
Liu Hongzhong waved his hand, walked to a spot three meters from the window, and said to Hao Jun, "Hey, kid, want some boiled fish? It’s from the Sichuan restaurant downstairs. Have you heard of it? The chef is top-notch, really popular, makes Sichuan dishes that are incredibly delicious!"
The young police officers nearby were taken aback by Liu Hongzhong’s words. What’s going on here? Why did Captain Liu bring a dish up here? Everyone was afraid to speak.
Hao Jun was also stunned. Wait a minute, I’m trying to jump off a building, and you’re asking me if I want to eat boiled fish? You’re asking me if I want to eat boiled fish? Can’t you show me some respect?
"I specifically bought it for you. It was really hard to get; so many people are lining up there," Liu Hongzhong said to Hao Jun. "It’ll get cold if you don’t eat it soon."
Hao Jun smelled the aroma of the boiled fish and couldn’t help but gulp. "I know that Sichuan restaurant. I was actually planning to take her there to eat," Hao Jun finally spoke.
Liu Hongzhong remained composed. Hao Jun’s response indicated his train of thought had shifted, though mentioning his girlfriend showed the wound was still deep. "Eat first, then we’ll talk. I bought it specially for you. Boiled fish only tastes good when it’s hot! Look at this color, this fragrance. Especially fragrant." Liu Hongzhong picked up a piece of fish and waved it in front of Hao Jun, suggesting again.
Hao Jun gulped; he was gradually calming down. It wasn’t that the prospect of food stopped him from jumping; rather, the shift in topic made Hao Jun less impulsive. He actually didn’t want to jump; he had just been overcome with emotion earlier. Now that he had calmed down and regained his reason, he was no longer acting so impulsively.
"Come over here, eat the fish. It won’t be good once it’s cold," Liu Hongzhong said again.
"Okay, okay, I’m coming over. Can I really eat the fish?" Hao Jun’s attention was captivated by the boiled fish. He no longer planned to jump; he just wanted to eat.
"It was bought just for you. Hurry up."
"Alright, coming." Hao Jun leaned over the windowsill, his body reaching forward. Seeing this, several police officers rushed over to support him.
It was finally over. Nobody could have expected such a bizarre turn of events. One moment he was desperate to die; the next, he was talked down by a pot of boiled fish. The farce ended just like that.
Liu Hongzhong breathed a sigh of relief. "Come on, let’s eat the fish together." He took out the chopsticks.
Hao Jun came over, took the chopsticks, and really started eating the boiled fish. The other young officers, seeing this, also picked up chopsticks to try the fish.
Wang Liang was still in disbelief. No way, he was talked down just like that? As simple as that? Liu Hongzhong invited him to taste the boiled fish as well; other details of the experience would be discussed back at the station.
The boiled fish was extremely delicious. After eating two pieces, Hao Jun felt not quite as sorrowful. The young officers were also amazed.
"Captain Wang, this fish is really tasty! Where did you buy it?"
"From the Sichuan restaurant downstairs. It’s quite popular recently."
"In that case, let’s go there to eat after work."
"You’d have to be able to get in line. The evening slots are usually all claimed by noon; it’s been impossible to get a table then for a while now."
The officers whispered among themselves.
The matter was thus resolved. Afterwards, the police reprimanded Hao Jun, and he apologized to them. Generally, the press isn’t allowed at such scenes, so reporters didn’t know what had transpired there. But there were surveillance cameras in the office building, and the incident had been clearly recorded. Some resourceful reporters rushed to the surveillance room first and bought the footage from the security guard.
Soon, a video of a man being talked down from a ledge with a pot of boiled fish appeared online. Netizens found the incident highly amusing.
After finding out about it, Hao Jun wasn’t embarrassed. Instead, he opened a short video account and recorded a video apologizing to the netizens and the police. His forthright manner earned him many likes. Later on, it was said that Hao Jun started live-streaming and was popular for two days before quickly fading into obscurity.
The world is full of turmoil, and no one knows what will happen next.
Jiang Feng, however, was minding his own business, cooking delicious food. Only after hearing about the incident did he laugh and say, "Oh, really? Someone was talked down with boiled fish? Well, that’s good. It counts as accumulating merit and doing a good deed."