Chapter 113: The Wen Family Intervenes

Chapter 113: The Wen Family Intervenes

"Come, come, have some tea! Otherwise, it won't taste good once it cools," Sun Yanjie said with great enthusiasm.

Tian Yaopeng took a small sip, sighed, and said nonchalantly, "I don't fear the tea going cold; what I fear is a cold heart."

Glancing at Sun Yanjie, who remained calm, Tian continued, "Once a heart grows cold, unnecessary mistakes might occur. Captain Sun, wouldn't you agree?"

"Haha, is Section Chief Tian implying I'm a poor host? Someone, bring me my tea-brewing set," Sun Yanjie declared grandly.

"No need," Tian Yaopeng stopped him.

Just then, the officer responsible for the paperwork returned. "Captain, the paperwork is done."

"Ah, that’s more like it! You bunch of rascals need a firm hand; look, it took less than ten minutes," Sun Yanjie said, holding the forms and cursing the officers as 'rascals.' One might have thought he was scolding Tian Yaopeng himself.

Tian Yaopeng's expression was a spectacle, shifting through as many colors as a rainbow.

"Well, since the paperwork is complete, I won't overstay my welcome. I'll go collect the prisoner now. Many thanks for your hospitality, Captain Sun." Having secured the documents, Tian departed immediately, eager to leave.

"Then I won't keep you," Sun Yanjie said, putting on a show.

Once Tian had left, the young officer smiled. "Brother, did I do well? I stalled for a whole hour."

"Not bad. I was worried you wouldn't grasp my intent," Sun Yanjie chuckled softly.

"How could I not?"

"Alright, back to work," Sun Yanjie said, waving him off.

Left alone on the sofa, Sun Yanjie fell into thought. He had stalled specifically to buy time for Bai Zeshao. Before this, when he entered his office alone and calculated that Bai Zeshao had likely reached the Special Services Office, he had made a call.

"Brother Sun, I’d just returned when your call came through. What’s up?" Bai Zeshao asked curiously.

"Tian Yaopeng is here to claim the prisoner," Sun Yanjie stated bluntly.

"Claim Li Huihui? Heh," Bai Zeshao let out a cold laugh. "Brother Sun, let him take her. I just fear that while it’s easy to invite a god, it’s hard to send one away. Master Tian will have his hands full soon enough."

"Oh? Does Little Bai know something?" Sun Yanjie asked, intrigued.

"Nothing, just a hunch. We’ll see the outcome soon enough," Bai Zeshao replied with a smile.

"You’re always so mysterious. Fine, I’ll release her then," Sun Yanjie said.

"Right. Though he’s taking her, it shouldn't be as immediate as he wants. Surely the handover requires time," Bai Zeshao suggested with a straight face.

"Haha, I didn't realize you’d picked up such wicked tricks. You’re thinking exactly like me!" Sun Yanjie laughed.

They ended the call, and the subsequent obstruction lasted an hour.

At the Special Services Office, as soon as Tian Yaopeng’s car pulled in, Bai Zeshao spotted it from the window. Sensing eyes on him, Tian looked up at the window where Bai stood. They locked gazes, offering no words, though the coldness in their eyes was palpable.

"Take the prisoner to the interrogation room," Tian ordered after turning away. He then headed to Wu Zhengke’s office to report.

Meanwhile, at the Wen Mansion, Qi Zhengyi had just returned to his room when the phone rang. He answered calmly, but upon hearing the caller, his expression shifted. He hung up and shut the door.

"Speak. What is it?" Qi’s tone was cold and impatient, though he remained on the line.

Given the Wen family’s status in Shanning and Qi’s position within it, it was hard to imagine who could make him feel so helpless and accommodating. The person on the other end didn't seem to mind his attitude and simply explained the matter.

"Just to bail out one person? Is there no hidden agenda I should know about? If there is, tell me so I can handle it properly," Qi said, skeptical. He knew the caller’s capabilities well; nothing was ever simple with them.

"Steward Qi, I said it’s just a simple case. She was merely misled by classmates during the protest this morning and was caught by mistake," the mysterious caller explained with a smile.

"She isn't a Red, is she?" Qi probed. Even if she were, he had ways to get her out; she was just a student, likely on the periphery.

"Steward Qi, I can guarantee she is not a Red. If she were, I wouldn't be making this call," the caller said patiently.

"Fair enough." Qi nodded, acknowledging the caller’s status. He realized he wouldn't learn the girl's true identity, so he pressed no further. He didn't care why the caller didn't intervene personally, but his interest in Li Huihui had piqued.

After the call, Qi mused for a moment before dialing another number. "Director Wang, what have you been busy with lately?"

"Just keeping busy," the Director replied. After some small talk, Qi steered the conversation toward Li Huihui.

"A mere student? I’ll make a call and ask. If the case isn't serious, she should be released soon," Director Wang promised graciously.

"I appreciate it, Director. I can vouch for that child’s background," Qi said with a laugh.

"Then wait for my good news, Steward Qi. You might even want to head to the Special Services Office now; you might arrive just as she’s released," the Director joked.

"Haha, excellent. Let’s dine together sometime. By the way, aren't you interested in that? We can discuss it then." They exchanged a few more pleasantries about business before concluding the call.