Chapter Twenty-Four: Lei Feng Does Good Deeds Without Leaving His Name

Wu Chenglong and Ma Youcai were in the office discussing how to deal with Qin Luo when the door was pushed open. Wu Hu, Ma Heng, Skinny Monkey, and the group of street dance youths stood at the threshold, peering cautiously inside, too timid to enter. Even fearless Wu Hu had some apprehension toward his own father.

"Come in, all of you. What are you skulking about? Look at the state of you," Wu Chenglong said irritably. Just moments ago, Lin Qingyuan had called his son a hoodlum. Though furious, he could not refute it. He knew exactly what sort his son was. He’d spent no small amount of time cleaning up after him.

"Why are you all out here? Everything fine now?" Ma Youcai sized up his son Ma Heng and asked.

"Skinny Monkey got jabbed by him—couldn’t move his limbs at all. We were going to let him lie in the hospital and play dead, but an hour later he was up and about. Wu Hu and I each got jabbed too; the pain was excruciating at the time, but now we're fine—not even a mark left. Damn it, that Qin is too cunning," Ma Heng complained angrily.

"That’s just skill. If you could beat him so thoroughly that there was no evidence, I’d have less to worry about," Wu Chenglong scolded.

Wu Hu grinned and said, "Dad, where’s that Qin?"

"He’s being held in the interrogation room," Wu Chenglong said, sipping his tea.

Wu Hu wore a sinister smile, grabbed a police baton from the wall behind his father’s desk, and waved, "Brothers, let’s go get our revenge."

"Alright," the group responded, eager to head for the interrogation room and 'punish' Qin Luo.

"Get back here!" Wu Chenglong slammed his teacup on the desk and shouted.

"Dad, you don’t know how badly he hurt us. When he jabbed me, I wanted to die. Now, I must settle this score," Wu Hu protested at the door.

"Are you a policeman? By what right do you beat people? What’s your identity—my son? That kid isn’t ordinary; the hospital director is protecting him. If things get out of hand, even your old man won’t escape unscathed," Wu Chenglong said, exasperated. What on earth was running through this boy’s mind?

Tumbling? Handstands? Or the proud display he’d once given, legs hanging in midair like a slingshot, a steel helmet on his head spinning like a top on the floor? If the boy hadn’t gotten up quickly, Wu Chenglong would almost have kicked the 'spinning top' out the door.

Money, power, women—any of those would be fine. Why this passion for dance? It’s beneath notice, unworthy of the upper circles.

"So we just let it go? He gets to beat us for nothing?" Wu Hu argued.

"Use your brain! You think beating him will solve anything? If you truly had the ability to beat him, you wouldn’t have called me for help. I wouldn’t be here cleaning up your mess," Wu Chenglong retorted.

"Now, do as I say. Who was jabbed and couldn’t move? Monkey? Fine. Monkey, go back to the hospital. Say your limbs still won’t move—maybe there are lasting effects. Wu Hu and Ma Heng, go make a statement—anyone who didn’t fight, make a witness statement. Leave the rest to me," he commanded.

Wu Chenglong, after all, was the bureau chief; handling such matters was trivial. In a few moves, he straightened everything out.

Hearing his father, Wu Hu finally saw hope for vengeance, grinned, and led his group out to make their statements.

"Ha, these kids aren’t what we were in our youth. Back then, we were always the bullies, never bullied," Ma Youcai said, laughing as he watched them leave.

"Indeed. This bunch needs discipline," Wu Chenglong replied with a smile. "By the way, Old Ma, hasn’t your hospital’s mess been sorted yet? I heard Hall Director Hao say Lin Qingyuan would retire early and you’d take over. If Lin Qingyuan hadn’t meddled today, we could have handled this another way."

"Almost done," Ma Youcai replied, playing mysterious.

"Ha, then let me congratulate you in advance. When your appointment comes, I’ll host a banquet for you at Donghuang," Wu Chenglong said cheerfully.

"You ought to make a move yourself. You’ve been in this position for years—aren’t you tired?"

"Ha, I’m working on it, aren’t I?"

"May all your wishes come true," Ma Youcai toasted.

The two were immersed in visions of their bright futures when the phone on the desk rang abruptly.

"That must be Lin Qingyuan’s reinforcements," Ma Youcai sneered.

"Whoever it is, I’ll keep them waiting," Wu Chenglong said.

Unexpectedly, the phone rang twice and was hung up. Moments later, the red hotline on the desk began to ring frantically.

"Well, the old man’s got some clout," Ma Youcai remarked, surprised.

"Ah, this one can’t be ignored," Wu Chenglong said gloomily, rising from the sofa to answer the call.

"Director Du. Hello. Any instructions?" Wu Chenglong said respectfully.

"Instructions, my foot. Wu Chenglong, tell me, did you bring in a young man named Qin Luo?" The voice on the other end was explosive, as if he’d swallowed a pound of gunpowder.

Wu Chenglong froze, glanced at Ma Youcai, then replied, "Yes, Director Du."

"Release him immediately," came the commanding reply.

"But—Director Du, Qin Luo is involved in a serious injury case. The victim is still in the hospital, and our staff is investigating. If the investigation clears Qin Luo, I’ll release him at once," Wu Chenglong tried to stall, using official procedure as an excuse.

"Don’t play games. I already know the details. Release him immediately," Director Du said with a cold laugh.

"But, Director Du—"

"No buts. Let me be blunt: you’ve offended someone you can’t afford to offend. This call comes from above. If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you. Otherwise, you won’t have a good time. Release him. Now." Click.

Even after the call ended, Wu Chenglong’s ears were still buzzing.

He had offended someone untouchable? Who? Lin Qingyuan? Or Qin Luo?

"What now?" Ma Youcai asked grimly, having caught the gist from beside.

"Release him," Wu Chenglong said through clenched teeth.

***************************************

After making a few calls, Lin Qingyuan turned to Qin Luo. "Don’t worry. We’ll be out soon."

He realized after speaking that his words were unnecessary. Qin Luo showed no sign of fear. He sat calmly in his chair, holding his granddaughter’s hand and quietly chatting, occasionally squinting and smiling slyly, looking as fearless as a cunning fox.

"It’s fine. No classes this afternoon—a bit of extra sitting won’t hurt," Qin Luo waved dismissively. "Look, this is your love line. It’s long and clear, with no forks, which means you’ll be steadfast in love—"

"I don’t believe they can cover the sky with one hand," Lin Qingyuan said. "I’ve already spoken to a deputy director at the city bureau; he said he’ll try to communicate."

Just then, the interrogation room door was pushed open. Wu Chenglong stood at the threshold, smiling.

"Ah, Director Lin, sorry for keeping you so long. The matter is now clear. We will not let a good person—no, we will not let a bad person escape, but we won’t wrong a good person either. Those boys were at fault first. On their behalf, I apologize to Qin Luo. You may leave now," Wu Chenglong said, so flustered he even uttered nonsense about 'not letting a good person escape.'

"Hmph, I said Qin Luo wouldn’t be at fault. You’d best discipline your son. He’s young and already gone astray," Lin Qingyuan said sternly.

"Yes. He’ll be confined when we get home," Wu Chenglong replied, his facial muscles twitching.

"Qin Luo, let’s go," Lin Qingyuan said.

"Alright." Qin Luo rose, glanced behind Wu Chenglong, and asked, "Where’s Director Ma?"

"He had some business and left early," Wu Chenglong replied with a smile, thinking Ma Youcai had no desire to see Qin Luo—why invite trouble?

"Oh. Please give Director Ma my regards," Qin Luo said with a smile.

"Certainly. Certainly."

Wu Chenglong forced a smile and personally escorted them to the gate of the Meilan branch. Only after they departed did his smile gradually fade.

"Dad, you just let them go? What about our revenge?" Wu Hu ran up, shouting angrily.

Slap!

Wu Chenglong swung and slapped his son’s face, cursing, "If you want to die, don’t drag your old man down. If you stir up trouble again, I’ll shoot you myself."

Lin Qingyuan, driving, remarked, "It’s easier to talk to those within the same system. I reached out to many contacts in the medical and health system, but all said they couldn’t help. It must have been Director Li who intervened; I’ll call to thank him."

Lin Qingyuan dialed, "Director Li, this is Lin Qingyuan. Did you help by phoning the Meilan branch?"

"Oh, Old Lin, haha, I remember. We just had an impromptu meeting. I’ll call later and ask on your behalf. Don’t worry, nothing will happen," the man’s voice was perfunctory.

No one wanted to offend others for the sake of a soon-to-retire old man. In officialdom, an extra ally is far more valuable than one less enemy.

"Haha, Director Li, I’ve already brought him out—no need to trouble you. Still, thank you. Let’s have tea sometime," Lin Qingyuan said.

After hanging up, Lin Qingyuan looked bewildered. "It wasn’t him who made the call? Who got you out?"

"Perhaps they suddenly found their conscience and couldn’t bear to frame a good person like me, so they let me go," Qin Luo said cheerfully.

"Impossible," Lin Qingyuan and Lin Huanxi said in unison.

Qin Luo, seeing the tacit understanding between the grandfather and granddaughter, gave a bitter smile. "You ought to have more faith in our police officers. At least, we should hold on to a shred of hope."

"Qin Luo, do you know anyone in Beijing?" Lin Qingyuan asked.

Qin Luo shook his head. "I do, but none who would help me."

If Wenren Zhao knew he’d been arrested, he’d probably be ecstatic.

"Strange. Who could it be?" Lin Qingyuan wondered aloud.

"Grandpa Lin, best not to dwell on it. Good deeds are done anonymously," Qin Luo advised.

"But they always end up in someone’s diary. Eventually, the truth will come out."