Chapter Forty-One: Cooperation Between Police and Citizens?

"Yes, Zhang Quanbiao used to be a big shot around here. But after his wife and daughter died in a car accident two years ago, something went wrong in his head," Li Xiaoqing said to Yang Meng. "No matter what kind of person he was before, he truly loved his wife and child."

Yang Meng nodded. "You're right. When you put it that way, he really is quite pitiful. But you—you're still young. How did you end up in here?"

Li Xiaoqing, despite the heavy makeup, couldn't hide her youthful innocence. She looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen.

She didn't answer directly, instead taking off her coat—a long faux fur piece. With the heater on in the police station, it was indeed too warm for such attire. But underneath, she wore a thin, nearly see-through slip dress, with her undergarments faintly visible.

Well, judging by that outfit, she was either in the same line of work as Sister Ma, or a regular at nightclubs.

Li Xiaoqing's next words confirmed Yang Meng's suspicion. "Last night, while I was out at a club, some guy tried to grope me, so I broke a bottle over his head. And now I'm the one arrested? How is that fair?"

Yang Meng looked her up and down and changed the subject. "Why do girls like wearing see-through clothes? Good thing I didn't run into you earlier, or maybe I'd have been the one to get bottled."

Li Xiaoqing laughed. "Why do girls like wearing see-through clothes? Isn't it obvious? If it were completely see-through, the police wouldn't allow it!"

Yang Meng burst out laughing.

Li Xiaoqing's expression suddenly turned serious. "I know what you're about to say—are you thinking it's because I dressed like this that I got harassed?"

Yang Meng shook his head. "No, not at all. I just meant you look great. That whole 'she was dressed provocatively, she deserved it' talk you see online is total nonsense. That's bandit logic. No matter how a woman dresses, it's never an excuse to violate her."

Li Xiaoqing smiled. "You're quite the charmer. When we get out, drinks are on me."

Yang Meng waved his hand. "As a true gentleman, I'm not used to women footing the bill. I'll buy you a drink instead!"

Li Xiaoqing winked. "How could I let you take me for a spin on your bike if I don't at least buy you a drink?"

"Oh, so that's what this is about? If you don't mind my beat-up motorcycle, you don't even need to buy me a drink," Yang Meng laughed.

"Deal, then," Li Xiaoqing said with a smile.

Just then, the officer who had taken Zhang Quanbiao away returned, overhearing their conversation and scoffing, "What are you two doing? Having a grand old time? Making friends in here? Quiet down and sit still!"

Li Xiaoqing grew anxious. "Officer, let's be reasonable, alright? He harassed me, so why am I the one locked up instead of him?"

The officer replied, "Whether or not he harassed you is another matter. The fact is, you broke a bottle over his head and took his wallet!"

Yang Meng looked at Li Xiaoqing in surprise. She shrugged as if it were only natural. "Since when is free groping allowed? You have to pay for tofu, don't you?"

Yang Meng gave her a thumbs-up. This girl was something else.

The officer snorted. "You sure are bold. For your information, we've already notified your family! Let's see how carefree you are when your parents arrive!"

Li Xiaoqing snorted coldly. "Why notify them? I'm the one who hit someone, not them. Besides, I'm an adult. What does it have to do with them?"

The officer ignored her and sat back down, prompting Li Xiaoqing to grow more agitated. "Hey! I'm talking to you! Why notify them? I'm talking to you!"

When the officer still paid her no mind, Li Xiaoqing slumped back into her seat. "Great, more trouble."

Yang Meng grinned. "What? Afraid of getting scolded?"

Li Xiaoqing's eyes widened. "Old Li dares to scold me? He wouldn't! I'm not afraid of him!"

Yet as she spoke, she pulled her coat back on. Yang Meng chuckled to himself; her words were brave, but her actions told another story. He pretended to be clueless. "Then why so down?"

Li Xiaoqing muttered, "I just don't want to see them."

Yang Meng wanted to ask more, but a knock sounded at the door. A man and a woman entered—the man in his forties, dignified, the woman looking very young. At the sight of them, Li Xiaoqing snorted and turned away.

"Your mom looks quite young," Yang Meng observed, immediately guessing their identities from Li Xiaoqing's reaction.

"She's not my mother," Li Xiaoqing replied coldly.

The man walked up to the officer. "Hello, Officer. I'm Li Xiangqing's father, Li Muzhi. We've completed the bail paperwork. Can we take her home now?"

After checking the papers, the officer nodded. "Alright, you can take her and wait for further notice." He opened the holding cell door. "Li Xiaoqing, you're free to go."

Li Xiaoqing, clearly reluctant, waved to Yang Meng. "Hey, cutie, give me your number. We'll be in touch!"

Yang Meng was about to give her his number when Li Muzhi, standing outside the cell, snorted. "I'm not dead yet! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave? You're flirting with these disreputable punks right in front of me?"

"Disreputable punks?" Yang Meng glanced around, realizing the insult was aimed at him.

Li Xiaoqing glared back. "Who I hang out with is my business! Mind your own, I don't need you meddling!"

"You don't need me? Who's here to pick you up if not me and your mother?" Li Muzhi retorted angrily.

"She's not my mother! And I didn't ask you to come get me!" Li Xiaoqing shot back.

"You—" Li Muzhi raised his hand, as if to strike her.

Li Xiaoqing leaned forward defiantly. "Go on, hit me!"

Li Muzhi's hand hovered in midair, unable to strike.

A nearby officer intervened, "Hey, if you want to discipline your child, do it at home. This is the police station, not your private living room!"

Li Muzhi took a deep breath and lowered his hand. "Sorry, Officer. We'll take her home right away. What are you waiting for? Move!"

Li Xiaoqing waved to Yang Meng. "See you, cutie! Looking forward to that motorcycle ride!"

Yang Meng glanced at Li Muzhi, whose glare was practically scorching him alive. Yang Meng managed a wry smile and waved back. "Alright, another time. You'd better go. Your dad's about to explode!"

Li Xiaoqing strutted out like a proud rooster. As she passed her stepmother, she inexplicably bowed and greeted her with "Hello, Teacher Zou," leaving Yang Meng thoroughly puzzled.

After Li Muzhi left, he shot Yang Meng one last venomous look, as if he wanted to kill him with his eyes.

Yang Meng could only laugh bitterly. What did I do to deserve this?

With Li Xiaoqing gone, Yang Meng found himself a bit dejected. Having someone to chat with was nice. Now there was no one left to talk to.

He reached for his phone to browse the internet, only to remember it had been confiscated. Left with nothing to do, he grew increasingly bored.

He even started wishing the officers would come interrogate him, instead of leaving him to rot in limbo, not knowing what to do next.

He couldn't figure it out. Longteng was supposedly in a hurry to find him about Long Nanyao's situation, so he should have arrived by now. But after all this time, there was still no sign of Longteng. Was it all talk and no action?

Not knowing when someone would finally address his case, Yang Meng simply closed his eyes and focused inward, deepening his understanding of the legacy of the Great Emperor of the East Mountain—after all, constant self-improvement is the only real path forward.

He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there when the main door to the holding cell finally opened. Longteng entered with several others. Leading the group was an older man in a police uniform. Upon seeing Yang Meng, he hurriedly ordered the cell door opened.

Hearing the commotion, Yang Meng opened his eyes, bewildered as the door swung open.

At that moment, the old officer strode over, grabbed Yang Meng's hand in both of his, and said enthusiastically, "You must be Yang Meng? I'm Jin Junde, Chief of the South District Precinct! Without you, we couldn't have taken down such a massive fraud ring so easily! This is all thanks to you! On behalf of the victims and the police, I thank you! If every citizen had your sense of justice, our society would be much better off!"

Yang Meng was baffled. What fraud ring? I was arrested for fighting, wasn't I? How did I become the hero who busted a fraud ring?

And to make matters weirder—someone was snapping photos of him shaking hands with the chief. Was this a reporter? Was he about to be given an award for his "exemplary conduct"?

But Yang Meng was no fool. Now was not the time for questions; best to go along with it. He replied modestly, "Chief Jin, I was just doing what anyone should do. No need to make such a fuss. The real credit goes to the police for their excellent work."

He still had no idea what was really going on, but keeping a low profile couldn't hurt.

As he finished speaking, he caught Longteng giving him a surreptitious thumbs-up from the side. Yang Meng knew immediately this must be Longteng's doing.

Jin Junde was very satisfied with Yang Meng's answer. "The police can't do it alone. 'Police-community cooperation' isn't just a slogan. We need to work together. Mr. Yang, let's not stand here—let's move to my office upstairs. This fraud ring we busted involved huge sums and countless victims. We believe there are still many who don't know the gang has been taken down, so we're planning a press conference to call on more victims to come forward!"

"Uh... oh! Sure, sure!" Yang Meng was completely at a loss. What on earth was going on?