Chapter 134: Chapter 127: Qu Haobo’s Judgment
"Seems like such a thing happened, but at that time I was in a hurry and didn’t notice. Now that you mention it, I do remember at a crossroad near Yan University, there was a slight collision, maybe with a trash can or something. I didn’t notice at the time!" Qu Haobo said indifferently, not caring much.
"I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Director Lin from the Yanjing Bureau has asked Captain Li for the information about that crossroad!" Young Master Zhang said indifferently.
"Director Lin from the Yanjing Bureau? What does he want?" Qu Haobo didn’t care. Even if he did hit someone, he felt it was just a slight bump—shouldn’t be a big deal. And even if someone died, it wouldn’t mean much to him.
Even if Director Lin from the Yanjing Bureau investigates, at most he could hand over a person. Besides, Lin Zhifang must have eaten lion-hearted leopard gall to dare investigate him, Qu Haobo. In Yanjing, Director Lin is quite reputable. Qu knew this person well. He didn’t have much background. If there was any connection, it would be the current commander of the Yanjing Military Region having been Lin’s battalion commander. This relationship is neither close nor far. But Qu believed even the commander would not casually trouble the Qu family.
"This small matter doesn’t require Young Master Qu’s attention. I’ll make a trip to the traffic police brigade in the afternoon!" Young Master Zhang took up the task carelessly. He wasn’t really planning to visit; he’d send someone just to ask and wouldn’t bother himself.
"Hmm, I’m busy these days, not in the mood to deal with trivial matters. In a few days, the Xia Family elder’s 80th birthday is coming up. I heard Fatty Wang is going to be engaged to Xia Xue..." Qu Haobo hadn’t finished when the phone beside him rang. He glanced at it—the call was from Biaozi. Qu frowned, having forgotten about this since last night after parting from Biaozi.
However, Qu still trusted Biaozi’s handling. Not only was Biaozi one of the hall masters of the Liger Gang, but his own hall’s strength was renowned within the Liger Hall, usually capable of resolving any issue. Now since Biaozi was calling, the matter was likely sorted out.
Recalling the kick he took from that man that night, Qu’s anger bubbled up. Despite years of rivalry with Fatty Wang from the Wang family, he had never suffered such a setback—not even in childhood by his father’s disciplining. That kick nearly broke his ribs; he took two days to recuperate.
Could that guy be involved with Xia Xue? Qu wondered, but soon Biaozi’s voice came through the phone: "Young Master Qu, is it convenient for you to talk?" Biaozi’s voice was low, cautious, as if afraid others might hear.
"Biaozi, what’s with sneaking around like a thief, speaking so daintily?" Young Master Qu complained about Biaozi’s nearly inaudible tone, and with recent thoughts about Xiao Lin and Xia Xue, anger surged, not considering why Biaozi spoke that way.
"Young Master Qu, we’re in big trouble!" Biaozi’s voice remained low, careful, as if worried about being overheard.
Qu Haobo paused, sensing Biaozi’s trouble. He worried it might be related to last night’s activities. Yet that seemed unlikely—if something happened last night, why hadn’t anyone informed him? Gathering from Biaozi’s urgency, he quickly told the two massage girls on him and Young Master Zhang: "Alright, nothing for you here, get out!"
The massage girls knew the nature of these young masters, not daring to pout, and silently left, carefully closing the door. Seeing Qu’s reaction, Young Master Zhang was surprised, rarely seeing him nervous. His father was the third most prominent figure in Yanjing City, and with the Qu family’s influence — the elder having stepped down from the nation’s leadership role just a few years ago — hardly anything in Yanjing worried Qu Haobo.
"Young Master Qu, what’s the matter?" Young Master Zhang inserted timely.
Qu signaled to Zhang before softly speaking into the phone: "Tell me, it’s convenient here. What’s the trouble really about!"
"I was detained in the station; still inside. Our Banghu Hall’s hall master intervened, but it seems ineffective—managed only to connect with the guards to make this call!" Biaozi spoke lightly, without unusual tone, but Qu heard it as a threat, sparking anger.
Feeling threatened, Qu calmly replied: "Hmm, got it. Speak up; I have no objection!"
Biaozi was startled, realizing his words seemed harmless, promptly said: "Young Master Qu, sir, I didn’t mean it that way—I absolutely wouldn’t implicate you. I acted alone in this matter, nothing to do with Young Master Qu, I promise!"
"Glad you know!" Qu coldly remarked, "If that’s all, I’ll hang up! I’ll inform your chief!" Hearing Biaozi’s quick response lacking any threat, he realised he misinterpreted, mainly due to differing perspectives from prestigious backgrounds and those from the streets. Understanding Biaozi’s anxious explanation, Qu knew he mistakenly took his intentions, deciding he wouldn’t let down Biaozi, as they’ll both continue in Yanjing.
Ending the call, Qu lit a cigarette, taking a deep inhale before leisurely exhaling smoke in swirling rings ascending, then cursed softly: "What’s wrong with me lately, encountering so many troublesome events!"
"Young Master Qu, what happened? Even you feel it’s troublesome? There’s no issue in Yanjing City we brothers can’t handle, right?" Young Master Zhang sat beside Qu, speaking brashly, unaccustomed to adversity. Even when Qu clashed with Fatty Wang previously, he didn’t consider Wang substantial.
"Biaozi encountered an issue, detained at the Yanjing Bureau. Even Tiger Hall couldn’t help! Despite Tiger’s good relations with Vice Director Guan Shaofeng, they couldn’t swiftly free Biaozi. Likely requiring intervention from two Liger Gang bigshots!" Qu spoke indifferently. Though bothered by the matter, it was merely discomfort—not dangerous. For Qu, it felt like a mere inconvenience, without sniffing out any threat.
Young Master Zhang was surprised, asked: "Did you find out who’s holding Biaozi?"
"That hasn’t been asked. Do you mean? Someone targeting me?" Qu’s heart skipped, pondering—could anyone in Yanjing City target him? Certainly, but for those with capability, it’s child’s play in their eyes, unworthy of attention. Those capable taking action—perhaps only Fatty Wang from the Wang family would dare.
"Hmm, that’s my feeling. Captain Li called earlier; the surveillance investigation order came from Vice Director Lin. For the past months, Director Lin has managed Yanjing Bureau affairs—the chief hospitalized for health reasons, long detached from duties. The person possibly tripping Guan would indeed be Director Lin!" Young Master Zhang had more intel than Qu, refraining from detailing trivial matters, which didn’t concern Qu.
"Director Lin of Yanjing Bureau? Lin Zhifang? A mere city bureau director? Doesn’t he know who I am? Not to mention, for you Young Master Zhang, even if Lin Zhifang had ten guts, he wouldn’t dare treat you poorly!" Qu remarked indifferently. Though Zhang’s lineage seemed ordinary, his father was Yanjing City’s council member, with voting power—Lin Zhifang wouldn’t appear significant.
"Heard Lin Zhifang recently grew closer with the Wang family. At the city council meeting, Organizational Department Minister Wang Zhanting mentioned Lin Zhifang for bureau chief!" Young Master Zhang seemed interested in Yanjing’s political landscape movements, as his father implored political aspirations for Zhang, sharing irrelevant anecdotes regularly.
Wang Zhanting, Fatty Wang’s third uncle, was Wang family’s key political figure, though among the family, Wang Zhanting ranked only fifth perhaps.
"Do you believe Fatty Wang would leverage political power against me? Would Wang dare take this path?" Qu didn’t underestimate Wang. If Wang engaged political forces for him, it transcended child play into family rivalry.
Neither Qu nor the Wang family would allow such occurrences. Qu’s father, Qu Dongbo, had been close with Wang Zhanting, and Wang wouldn’t dare employ political forces, understanding Wang Zhanting’s superior was technically Qu Dongbo, deputy secretary.
"If it’s not Fatty Wang, who else would dare act against you? Employing Lin Zhifang’s hand? Could it be the Yanjing Military Region commander? This seems unrelated to us, right?" Young Master Zhang analyzed.
Their analysis gradually cleared Qu’s thoughts, yet remained implausible. Could it be really him? Realizing this, even Qu doubted yet voiced out: "Could it be the man who kicked me then saved Xia Xue that night?"