Chapter 56 - 56 56 Start with a Punch

Words : 1935 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

56: Chapter 56: Start with a Punch 56: Chapter 56: Start with a Punch Lin Xiaosu stood up, “Director Ren, I’m handing this notice to you. Although I consider myself to operate within the law, the professionals at City Security Bureau might interpret it differently. If you still feel it’s necessary to penalize me severely, fine, let little Song take the trouble and fine me again!” Director Ren’s face twisted into a bitter gourd. Little Song shivered at this. Lin Xiaosu patted his shoulder, “Little Song, you don’t need to be scared. You’ve only been working for a few years, right? Even if you’ve never done anything wrong, in such short time, you could hardly have done anything too terrible...” Little Song stared at him, as if seeing a ghost alive. As Lin Xiaosu left the director’s office, he bumped into several policemen right in front. They were from the special case group. Inside, Zhou Luping’s legs went weak, and he was helped downstairs by two members of the case group. It proved that he wasn’t someone with a strong psychological foundation. He knew he should stay calm at this moment, but his legs wouldn’t cooperate, what could he do? The City Security Bureau was utterly shocked... As Lin Xiaosu exited the building and the yard, right in front of him was the Yishui River, next to his electric bike a black car was quietly parked. The window was open, and a beautiful woman inside was staring at him. He sensitively noticed that she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him come out. She was Zhou Mei. “When I saw the police enter, I could almost bet my last 8000 yuan savings that they were there to arrest you,” Zhou Mei said. “With only 8000 yuan savings, are you that poor?” Lin Xiaosu glanced at her. “In front of others, I have a house and a car, but in front of you, I have to pretend to be poor. Do you know why?” Zhou Mei lowered her voice, “I’m afraid you’ll get me into trouble!” Haha... Lin Xiaosu laughed and sat in her passenger seat, “It seems you already know something.” “I just found out a very explosive piece of information. The Vice Director of the City Security Bureau, Liu Dong, was just taken to have tea at the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and the person who sent him there was you! And right afterwards, members from the special case group went in and arrested Zhou Luping because of you!” “This is the unique ecosystem of small county towns. When an official is taken down, the news spreads very fast.” Zhou Mei said, “There isn’t much fun in a small county town, but these things are quite entertaining. Who can resist spreading such explosive news?” Lin Xiaosu said, “Actually, this also shows from another level that the general populace really detests corrupt officials. As soon as they hear such news, they celebrate enormously!” “So you think you are advocating for justice for the people today!” “Isn’t it?” “Yes!” Zhou Mei said, “But do you know why those in history who advocated for the people, most often had tragic endings?” “I understand what you mean!” Lin Xiaosu sighed softly, “From today onwards, not only criminals hope I leave Fengcheng, but a bunch of dirty officials hope even more urgently that I leave Fengcheng!” “You really understand it!” Zhou Mei sighed softly, “But why does someone as clear-minded as you insist on placing yourself in such a storm?” “Because to do business peacefully in such an environment, you must establish authority. Otherwise, you will never know who issues the next ticket, or whether some trouble, not involving money but a hundred times more bothersome, might pop up and prevent my detective agency from operating.” Deterrence, establishing authority! These were the real reasons behind his uncompromising actions today. He wanted to create a commanding presence in one strike. He wanted all those who harbored ill intentions against him to not even dare to make a move! That’s called nipping in the bud! In large cities, the downfall of one or two officials might not cause much stir, but in a small county town under this special ecosystem, any small disturbance is known throughout the entire county within hours. These officials will look at Fengcheng Detective Agency with caution. They will know that taking action against him involves high risk. In this world, no one is perfect. No one can boldly claim that they have nothing they can’t speak of. So, he may have become a taboo in Fengcheng... Zhou Mei slowly shifted her gaze from the distance, “What did Director Ren say about the ticket?” “That ticket is not a big deal, it’s not up to him to comment,” Lin Xiaosu said. “What do you mean?” “Legally, it’s clearly defined: Detectives are a special industry, not subject to ‘Market Management Law’, applicable are ‘Da Xia Special Business Regulations’, article seventy-eight clearly stipulates: Service fees are based on the contract.” “Is there a legal basis?” Zhou Mei’s eyes brightened. “Do you law enforcers not study the law?” Lin Xiaosu looked at her disdainfully. “No...” Zhou Mei said, “Did you already know there was no legal issue when you angrily rode off on your little e-bike?” “Isn’t that obvious? If my own hands weren’t clean, would I dare to challenge Zhou Luping?” “Why didn’t you explain it on the spot? It could have been resolved with just a single sentence...” “Didn’t I just explain? Deterrence! I want to use this incident to block malicious intentions from all sides. He jumped out on his own and became this warning monument, why wouldn’t I be happy?” A warning monument! Why not be happy about it? Zhou Mei was unsure what to think... You rascal, you really are cunning! You don’t know how much I talked with people this morning or how turbulent my heart was. Little do you know, you already had everything planned, you were already beyond the scope of that ticket... “Let’s hurry back... Your little girlfriend is so anxious she’s almost climbing the roof, bring her this good news and share some joy with her!” Zhou Mei was right about that. She was anxious. But Miao Ruolan was even more anxious. Zhou Mei still had a few channels to talk things through, even if the responses were lukewarm, she still had some ways. Miao Ruolan was completely clueless and anxious. She was the one who needed to know this news the most. Lin Xiaosu got on her electric scooter and started it... Zhou Mei felt something unusual in her heart, she said that, yet he didn’t argue or clarify. Do you really treat Miao Ruolan as your girlfriend? I ask you tentatively, and you don’t argue? Lin Xiaosu stopped her vehicle in front of her window and knocked. Zhou Mei’s heart skipped a beat, remembering to clarify now? The window slid down. Lin Xiaosu greeted her with a smile: “Are you free this afternoon?” “What for?” Zhou Mei asked. “Let’s go out and have fun together.” “Just the two of us?” “Yes!” Zhou Mei’s heart swerved a bit. Is this your argument? You didn’t argue about whether Miao Ruolan is your girlfriend or not, you just directly asked me to go out, and it’s just us two... Zhou Mei’s brows furrowed slightly, she pondered for a long while then nodded: “I’ve just finished my tasks at hand, where shall we go?” “Come over at two-thirty this afternoon, I’ll tell you the details then,” Lin Xiaosu rode away on her electric scooter. Zhou Mei stood there a little disoriented. Today is a workday, I still have a pile of tasks, how did I get so heated up and agree to go out with him? Skipping work to go out with a man, is that really okay? But I’ve agreed already, it seems bad to go back on my word. Besides, I’ve set up so many impressive achievements over the past month, one more sensational than the other, taking a day off occasionally, Chief Zhang probably won’t say anything... Lin Xiaosu returned to the Detective Agency. Miao Ruolan was still pacing in the office and almost cried when she saw him. But Lin Xiaosu smiled, and just by his smile, Miao Ruolan’s heart leapt: “How did it go?” “It’s fine!” “Fine... what do you mean by fine?” “It means, the fine issue is not an issue, we don’t have to pay even a cent in penalties, we have laws to follow...” A legal clause searched out from the computer, Miao Ruolan’s feelings truly fluctuated... After a long time, she exhaled deeply: “So it’s resolved like that.” “Yes!” “Resolving it peacefully is the best; we’re doing business here, no need to really confront them head-on. After all, they are law enforcement, we can’t really fight to the death.” “Are you advising me?” “Yes!” Miao Ruolan admitted directly. In Fengcheng, doing business smoothly without waves is good, facing government units, it’s better not to confront them directly. Lin Xiaosu said: “It’s a bit late! Zhou Luping has already been arrested, little Song who came with him may have a long-lasting enforcement phobia, the Vice Director Liu Dong, who directed them, has already been dealt with by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.” Miao Ruolan was deeply shaken, gasping. Lin Xiaosu gently patted her shoulder: “I tell you this because I don’t want you to face them without confidence. The only thing we need to do is make sure we operate legally and pay taxes according to the law. As long as we are upright, there’s no need to feel timid in front of anyone, from now on, no matter who acts imperiously in front of us, you can stand up straight!” “To be honest, with so much money, I really don’t feel confident...” Miao Ruolan blinked: “In the future, I will definitely learn, learn both the law and your way of handling things, hoping someday I can also boldly point at someone’s nose and say: I’ll deal with you!” Damn! You’ve changed, little girl, getting a bit naughty... Miao Ruolan’s eyes flickered slightly: “Today someone also sent over a piece of paper.” Lin Xiaosu’s eyes widened: “What else?” “Yeah! Take a look!” Miao Ruolan picked up a scroll from the desk, three feet long and two feet wide. “My god, such a huge fine, it can’t be meant to bankrupt us?” “To bankrupt us they really don’t need such a huge fine, a single A4 paper could bankrupt us ten times!” Miao Ruolan handed the paper over. Lin Xiaosu took the paper and unfolded it... He was stunned, inside was not some dead person from some unit, sending a fine. It was a painting. In the painting, a person was shown in profile. Leaning by the window reading a book. Outside the window, showed the bustling flow of carriages and horses, inside, it was a leisurely, quiet reading time. Not too many elements, just these two. But it depicted the contrast of motion and stillness full of philosophy. A single large character on the painting, it was the title: “Window”. Next to it were ten small characters: “Shallow ripples beneath the eyes, long days beyond the window”.

Chapter 56 - 56 56 Start with a Punch

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