Chapter 45: I’m Just Doing Qin Chuan a Favor Out of Courtesy

Qin Chuan’s information had been in Liu Rumei’s hands since last night. With her capabilities and connections, it was only natural that the head of the county personnel bureau personally delivered the materials to her.

Yet, after reviewing the files, Liu Rumei found herself even more puzzled.

She had initially assumed Qin Chuan had some powerful background—sent down to a township for training, gradually promoted step by step, and now assigned to Zhulin County merely to gain grassroots experience.

But the documents showed that Qin Chuan only had a single mother living in Xing’an City. His father had disappeared years ago, leaving no notable connections.

If Qin Chuan truly had no backing, then why had Song Yaozong obediently been sent to the detention center on Qin Chuan’s orders?

“No background at all,” Song Yaozong snorted coldly. What background? If he hadn’t known my secret, I would’ve… Huh?

At this thought, Song Yaozong froze. Indeed, only he and Qin Chuan knew why he’d been sent to the detention center. Yet others mistakenly believed Qin Chuan held some leverage over him.

If Song Yaozong lied and fabricated an aura of mystery and power around Qin Chuan, then his own incarceration would seem completely justified.

Exactly!

That’s the plan.

I, Song Yaozong, fear not Qin Chuan himself, but the people behind him.

With this in mind, Song Yaozong added, “But Boss Liu, I advise you: don’t ever provoke this man.”

Liu Rumei didn’t trust Song Yaozong’s words to begin with, and his warning only made her more doubtful.

“Brother Zong, I’m just opening a business here. Why would I offend the leadership?”

“We’ve known each other for so many years. Be honest with me—who exactly is Captain Qin connected to?”

Song Yaozong scratched his head, feigning impatience. “Boss Liu, you said you’re opening a business. Why ask so many questions?”

But seeing Liu Rumei’s steady, smiling gaze, Song Yaozong clenched his fist and thumped the table. “Alright, I can’t say much. Just know his roots are way up there.”

He pointed to the ceiling with his right index finger, wearing a mysterious expression.

“But I checked his personnel files through the bureau—they’re as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Above that…” Liu Rumei pressed on, still puzzled.

“Are you stupid? Someone with his background would never let you see the real files.”

“So… the files are fake?”

“What do you mean fake? Can the personnel bureau’s files be fake?”

Indeed, personnel files from the bureau shouldn’t be fake.

But they weren’t genuine either.

Who could manipulate those files?

How deep did his background run?

Song Yaozong narrowed his eyes, falling silent, wearing a look that said, “Think it over carefully.”

Liu Rumei bowed respectfully in a worldly manner. “Brother Zong, I owe you one for this.”

In business, the key is to have sharp eyes—to know who to provoke and who to avoid.

“We’re close; no need for formalities, Boss Liu,” Song Yaozong replied.

“My going inside was just to do Qin Chuan a favor, give him some face.”

“But keep this under wraps. My uncle told me not to tell anyone!”

Uncle?

Liu Rumei had wondered how Song Yaozong knew about Qin Chuan’s background—now she understood it was information passed down from his uncle.

No wonder.

Song Yaozong might be powerful in Zhulin County, but he wouldn’t know about higher-ups’ affairs.

It was Song Changfeng…

That explained everything.

“Brother Zong, when you’re out, I’ll arrange for Big and Little Shuang’er to welcome you!”

Hearing the names Big and Little Shuang’er made Song Yaozong’s lower abdomen burn with excitement.

They were twins, the absolute top stars of Jixiang KTV—the champions among champions.

Liu Rumei watched over them like her own daughters. Few in Zhulin County had ever experienced their performances.

Even she had only met them once.

“Haha! Boss Liu, you’re generous. It’s a deal!”

Unaware of all this, Qin Chuan, who had just sent off Lin Yueting and Shen Chuxia, had no idea that Song Yaozong had assigned him a prestigious identity.

Of course, even if he knew, it wouldn’t matter.

Though Qin Chuan lacked a powerful patron, he had the system.

Regarding Song Yaozong, Qin Chuan had considered arresting him outright.

After all, Song Yaozong’s 207 points of criminal guilt could buy him two lottery draws.

But the time wasn’t right yet.

That secret could nail Song Yaozong once, but not forever.

When the moment came for a final showdown, Song Yaozong would surely fight back.

For now, keeping Song Yaozong alive and leveraging his influence in Zhulin County to build Qin Chuan’s reputation was the best strategy.

After seeing Liu Rumei off, Song Yaozong swaggered back to his cell.

Originally, he had been assigned a single cell, but he refused it.

Having finally come inside, what fun was living alone?

Of course, he chose to stay in the large dormitory.

More people meant more victims to bully—otherwise, how would he survive these ten days?

“All of you, stand at attention! Brother Zong is about to speak!”

Song Yaozong hadn’t entered alone; three underlings followed him.

Qin Chuan paid no mind to such details—he only cared that Song Yaozong was inside, no matter who accompanied him.

Clear throat!

Song Yaozong cleared his throat, looking at the row of prisoners in their uniforms, trembling nervously—it was quite amusing.

“Don’t be afraid, I don’t eat people. For the next ten days…”

“Brother Zong!”

Just as Song Yaozong was about to give a rousing speech, someone interrupted him.

He turned, ready to curse, only to see the detention center warden.

“Warden Zhang? What is it?”

“A call from Xing’an City.”

A call from Xing’an?

Song Yaozong immediately guessed it was from his uncle.

“Everyone stand at attention. Wait for me to return!”

In the single cell next door, the speakerphone was on, nearly shaking the microphone apart.

“You beast! What did you do last night? Tell me everything, word for word!”

Song Yaozong had expected his uncle to comfort him or try to get him out, so he was already thinking of excuses.

Instead, he was met with a fierce scolding, the tone severe.

He quickly recounted all the events of the previous night.

“I didn’t so much as touch those two girls. I’m just sitting here in the detention center.”

After a pause, the voice on the other end finally spoke.

“Behave yourself. Stay put.”

“And that Qin Chuan you mentioned… don’t provoke him, and don’t go out seeking revenge, understand?”

“Yes, yes, Uncle. Don’t worry, I won’t mess with him!”

Song Yaozong was sincere—he had no desire to stir trouble and risk his life.

But this Qin Chuan… could he really have some powerful backing?

Otherwise, why would his uncle warn him so sternly?

***

At the top-floor office of the Fengfan Group headquarters in Xing’an City, Song Changfeng and Chen Si spoke briefly before Song Changfeng dialed another number.

“Secretary Guo, rest assured, last night was just a minor misunderstanding. The person is already in detention…”

“Yes, yes, I will make sure to punish him severely. You have my word!”