Chapter 51: Adjusting One’s Approach According to the Person

The Shui Town Police Station was housed in a three-story building that had clearly seen better days. Three police vehicles were parked in the courtyard, their surroundings overgrown with wild grass that no one bothered to clear.

Inside the station’s main lobby, five or six officers in deep blue uniforms lounged around idly, chatting and cracking sunflower seeds.

“Old Qin, how did you handle that case this morning—the one where the high school senior had his leg broken?” one officer asked curiously, tidying up the discarded seed shells.

Old Qin was the officer who had taken the report. He had brushed off Yang Jianwen, saying the case was too troublesome and those thugs were hard to catch. Old Qin was in his fifties, a bit overweight, balding, and his face pitted with scars. He was sitting in front of a computer, absorbed in a martial arts drama called “The Greatest Under Heaven.”

“Ah, how else could I handle it? I explained to the student’s father—just chalk it up to bad luck,” Qin Dapeng waved his hand dismissively, continuing to snack and watch his show.

“With the Chief Cao stepping down, the martial world has gone back twenty years, eh,” he sighed, clapping his hands.

“Old Qin, aren’t you worried the kid’s family might have some powerful connections? If so, you’ll be in trouble,” the same officer teased, a hint of mockery in his tone.

Qin Dapeng smirked, unimpressed. “Connections? What connections? He’s just an old farmer, obviously. What kind of background could he possibly have?”

“Old Qin, don’t be so sure. Did you forget that back in 2000, our town produced the county’s top scorer in the college entrance exam? He got 645 points and was admitted to Jijiang University.”

“That boy was called Yang Dong. I hear he’s now working at the city government office,” another female officer chimed in, recalling events from eight years ago.

Qin Dapeng looked up in surprise at the female officer.

“Sister Zhao, what’s that got to do with me?”

Officer Zhao laughed. “That farmer this morning was Yang Dong’s father.”

“So if Yang Dong knows some leaders in the city and puts pressure on you, aren’t you worried?”

She returned to her sunflower seeds, everyone merely passing the time in idle conversation. None of these officers were schemers; after all, working at a small-town police station didn’t offer much room for ambition or advancement. They were just marking time, so long as Shui Town avoided any homicides or major public order cases.

“What’s there to be afraid of? Even if he goes to the mayor, so what? These days I’m not afraid of the mayor, only the town chief and the station chief.”

“Haha, you’re right, Old Qin. The town chief and the station chief are the ones to worry about.”

“Remember when Old Ma went to the restaurant and didn’t pay? Turned out the place was run by the town chief’s family, and Old Ma got a tongue-lashing. He went back and settled the bill right away.”

“Exactly. The town chief scares me more than the mayor, since we never even see the mayor, right?”

The conversation soon shifted from exam scores to their colleague Old Ma, who was sitting nearby, his face dark with discomfort. The others had been ribbing him about that incident for half a year, and they never missed a chance to bring it up.

“Excuse me, is your station chief in?”

Old Ma, sitting closest to the door, was irritated by the ongoing teasing. When he heard someone ask from outside, his annoyance boiled over. He spun around and shouted, “Looking for the station chief, are you? Who do you think you are?”

Yang Dong had just stepped into the office and was greeted by this outburst. His expression turned cold. He had asked politely, yet the attitude of the Shui Town officers was truly appalling.

“I’m here to report a crime.”

Yang Dong strode into the office and glanced at Old Ma by the door.

Ma An leaned back, eyes full of impatience. “What’s the matter? Is it a report? Did someone die at home?”

Yang Dong frowned, already unhappy, and now he could hardly contain himself at such outrageous questioning.

“Call your station chief out.”

Yang Dong snapped, glaring at Ma An.

Instantly, the office fell silent. The officers all looked at Yang Dong, sizing him up from head to toe. Then, the room erupted in laughter.

“Haha, Old Ma, what did he say?”

“Seems like he wants to see our station chief?”

“Then let him see, why not?”

They burst out laughing, their voices dripping with sarcasm and ridicule.

“Do you have any business here? If not, get lost and stop being an eyesore!” Ma An waved Yang Dong off impatiently.

Yang Dong had expected some friction at the station, but not to this degree. He was truly astounded, now fully aware of Shui Town Police Station’s attitude and ways.

“I told you, I want to report a crime.”

Yang Dong fixed his gaze on Ma An and spoke in a deep voice.

“Well, spit it out then. Stop dawdling. If you don’t tell me, how am I supposed to know what you’re reporting?”

Old Ma tapped the table, picked up pen and paper, and glared at Yang Dong.

Yang Dong ignored his attitude and continued, “My younger brother was assaulted by several thugs at the school gate this morning. His leg was broken. I’m reporting the crime.”

As soon as he finished, the office was silent again.

Officer Zhao looked up in surprise. “Are you Yang Dong? The county’s top scorer who went to Jijiang University?”

“What does that have to do with my brother’s case?” Yang Dong frowned at the older female officer.

“Watch your tone! She’s our deputy chief. Show some respect!” Qin Dapeng, who had been watching TV, suddenly jumped up, slamming the table and shouting at Yang Dong.

“You’re the deputy chief?” Yang Dong ignored Qin Dapeng and looked at Officer Zhao.

Zhao Fang felt a sudden unease, though she couldn’t pinpoint its source.

She nodded at Yang Dong. “Yes, I’m the deputy chief.”

“Good. Since you’re in charge, let me ask you: my brother was assaulted and his leg broken by several thugs. How will you handle it?”

“Such a vile incident happened in your jurisdiction, and you’re just going to ignore it?”

“Is this how you serve the people? Is this what being a police officer means?”

Yang Dong stared at Zhao Fang and rebuked her sharply.

Zhao Fang was stunned by his barrage of accusations, left momentarily speechless.

“Who the hell are you? Kid, you dare make trouble on our turf?”

“If I don’t teach you a lesson, you won’t know what a police officer is!”

With a bang, Qin Dapeng kicked his chair aside and rushed at Yang Dong, swinging his fist.

Yang Dong’s eyes were cold as he watched Qin Dapeng. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge, holding it up.

“Go on, hit me. Right here!”

Yang Dong’s voice was icy, his gaze unwavering.

“Damn!”

Qin Dapeng saw Yang Dong’s work badge, the prominent national emblem, and the words "Lingyun City Disciplinary Committee of the Communist Party of China." His face changed instantly. He quickly withdrew his fist, almost wrenching his back.

Yang Dong put away his badge and stared coldly at Qin Dapeng.

“Well? Why aren’t you hitting me now?”

“Weren’t you going to show me what a police officer is?”

Zhao Fang had also seen the city disciplinary committee badge. Everyone else had as well. Their faces changed visibly.

Old Ma, who had been the most abusive toward Yang Dong, now wished he could crawl into a hole.

“Oh, so you’re with the city disciplinary committee!”

“Hello, hello, let me introduce myself. I’m Zhao Fang, deputy chief of Shui Town Police Station.”

“Please rest assured about your brother’s case. Our station will thoroughly investigate and ensure justice is served.”

“Don’t just stand there, Yang Dong, come sit. Let’s talk.”

Zhao Fang, now all smiles, grabbed Yang Dong’s hand and pulled him to a chair, seating him firmly.

Her attitude was suddenly worlds apart.

Serving the dish according to the guest—Yang Dong could only describe it that way.