Chapter 49: New Connections!

“Captain Yu, Captain Song, I’m truly sorry for the trouble my brother’s situation has caused you.”

Yang Dong took the initiative to shake hands with Yu Baijiang and Song Yue. After all, when asking for a favor, it was only right to be courteous and proactive.

“No need to be so polite. The two of us were Tiger’s roommates and close brothers back in police academy—thick as thieves.”

“His brother’s problem is our problem, too.”

Yu Baijiang’s face was all smiles as he explained briefly the deep bond he shared with Jiang Hu.

Song Yue nodded along with a smile, clearly in agreement.

“Regardless, I still have to thank you both!”

“It’s already noon, Captain Yu, Captain Song—why don’t we get some lunch first?”

Though he was anxious to see his parents and his injured brother as soon as possible, he knew that panicking wouldn’t help now that things had already happened.

In seeking help, attitude mattered most.

If you didn’t show proper respect, who would go out of their way to help you?

That was the hard reality.

He couldn’t assume that just because he was recommended by Jiang Hu, everything would be taken for granted.

“Don’t stand on ceremony—let’s get your brother’s matter sorted first.”

“Lunch can wait.”

Yu Baijiang waved it off and gestured to Yang Dong.

He already knew about Yang Dong from Jiang Hu’s phone call.

He also knew this young man in his mid-twenties was from the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission’s investigation team.

That status alone was enough for Yu Baijiang to treat him with caution.

So lunch was secondary; handling the matter at hand was the priority.

“Exactly, food can wait. Your brother being assaulted is serious.”

Song Yue nodded in agreement.

Both men, dressed in police uniforms, looked particularly imposing.

One was the deputy captain of the county criminal investigation unit, the other the captain of one of its subordinate teams.

Kaiyang County was one of the eight counties (or districts) under Lingyun City, strategically located.

Economically, it was the strongest among the eight, with a GDP of 11.75 billion yuan in 2007, accounting for thirty percent of the city’s total.

Consequently, the county party secretary of Kaiyang held a high political status—not only a deputy department-level official but also a member of the city’s standing committee, outranking even the municipal secretary-general, Zhu Yangming.

Kaiyang County comprised seven towns, eight townships, and an economic development zone.

Xiaoshui Town was one of those seven towns.

Yang Dong’s family home was in Xiaoyang Village, under Xiaoshui Town.

So, returning to Kaiyang County was as good as coming home.

He had attended high school at Kaiyang County No.1 High, and was intimately familiar with the area.

“I’ll go get the police car. Let’s head to Xiaoshui Town now.”

Song Yue addressed Yang Dong, then turned and walked into the police station courtyard.

“Brother Yang Dong, you’re from Kaiyang County, aren’t you?”

Yu Baijiang smiled warmly at Yang Dong.

He was a couple of years older than Jiang Hu and Song Yue, but they had attended the police academy in the same intake. In those days, a two- or three-year age gap, even five or eight, was not unusual.

“Yes, Captain Yu, I’m from Kaiyang County. My family is in Xiaoyang Village, Xiaoshui Town, and I went to No.1 High School here.”

Yang Dong nodded in reply.

Yu Baijiang’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help asking, “Oh? So you’re a graduate of No.1 High as well? Which year?”

Yang Dong’s heart stirred as he glanced at Yu Baijiang’s expression and smiled. “I graduated high school in 2000. Are you a fellow alumnus, Captain Yu?”

“Haha, that’s right. I was three years ahead of you—graduated in ’97.”

Yu Baijiang laughed heartily, deliberately making conversation to build rapport.

He’d heard from Jiang Hu that Yang Dong was no ordinary man—helping him wholeheartedly would undoubtedly bring benefits.

Jiang Hu’s background was already impressive, but for him to value someone so highly, Yu Baijiang knew he had to pay attention.

Building connections was a matter of mutual benefit; everyone knew it, though it needn’t be said aloud.

“Oh, by the way, Captain Yu, let me introduce you—this is Comrade Lu Yike, from the First Discipline and Inspection Office of the City Commission.”

Seeing Lu Yike standing quietly behind him, Yang Dong promptly introduced her to Yu Baijiang.

At the mention of her name, Yu Baijiang’s face changed and he looked at the beautiful woman with a complicated gaze, not the least bit tempted, but rather filled with apprehension.

Lu Yike had made quite a name for herself at the city commission in recent years, having investigated plenty of officials—from section chiefs to department heads, and even two deputy directors.

She had long since built a golden reputation.

“Comrade Lu Yike, I’ve heard so much about you—an honor to meet you!”

Yu Baijiang immediately saluted and extended his hand.

Lu Yike nodded with a faint smile. “It’s an honor to meet, but please—no bribes.”

“Ah? Heh, Comrade Yike, you have quite a sense of humor.” Yu Baijiang broke into a cold sweat, feeling a bit nervous.

As deputy captain of the criminal investigation unit, how could he be squeaky clean?

Maybe not involved in major corruption, but a few packs of cigarettes or bottles of liquor here and there for doing favors—that was common, a matter of course.

But if the discipline commission were to investigate strictly, even those gifts would count as violations.

“The police car’s ready.”

Yang Dong chose this moment to break the tension, turning everyone’s attention to the white-and-navy Santana police car that had just rolled out, emblazoned with the word “Police.”

Before the Eight Provisions came out, using official vehicles for private matters was still common.

No one really pursued such things closely, not even the discipline commission—it all depended on the self-discipline of officials at various levels.

“Brother Yang Dong, come with us in our car.”

Yu Baijiang opened the door and smiled invitingly.

“I’d rather not. It feels a bit odd to ride in a police car. I’ll take our own.” Yang Dong chuckled and waved off the offer.

“All right, let’s meet at the Xiaoshui Town Clinic.” Yu Baijiang understood Yang Dong’s feelings and didn’t insist.

Truthfully, not many people liked to ride in police cars.

Yang Dong got into the Jetta from the city commission, and Lu Yike resumed driving, following the police car ahead.

“I think there’s something off about Yu Baijiang,” Lu Yike said coldly as she drove, eyes fixed on the police car in front.

Her instincts never failed her—Yu Baijiang was definitely not clean.

“Comrade Yike, in this environment, it’s nearly impossible to stay as upright as Hai Rui.”

“So long as he hasn’t broken the law, hasn’t harmed the people’s interests, and hasn’t caused serious negative consequences, that’s already not bad.”

“If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Do you want to arrest everyone, Comrade Yike?”

Yang Dong smiled wryly, not trying to persuade her but simply stating the facts.

Besides, he didn’t want their first meeting with Yu Baijiang to end with Lu Yike hauling him away…

After all, these were the two officers Jiang Hu had recommended to help him—what sense would it make to have them arrested?

“I know, I was just saying.”

Lu Yike sighed. After so many years in the discipline commission, and with a father who had been in the bureau for over thirty years, she knew all too well the state of officialdom.

Bad habits couldn’t be changed overnight—keeping things within an acceptable range was already a success.

Lu Yike fell silent and focused on driving straight for Xiaoshui Town.

Kaiyang County, being prosperous, had well-constructed roads.

The whole route from the county seat to Xiaoshui Town was paved.

The distance was only about twenty kilometers—less than twenty minutes by car.

At the Xiaoshui Town Clinic.

Before Yang Dong even got out of the car, he could see his father, Yang Jianwen, squatting on the ground, smoking a pipe, worry and sorrow etched all over his face.

At the sight of that familiar, somewhat careworn figure, Yang Dong could no longer contain his emotions.

As soon as Lu Yike parked, Yang Dong hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt and ran out.

To meet again—it was already another lifetime.

His father had passed away in 2019 in his previous life; counting the years, it had been a long time since he’d last seen him.

“Dad!”

He waved and called out.