Wang Dui forced himself to be calm. He adjusted his tie and asked, “Why was I called over by Chief Shen?”
Chen replied, “I’m not sure. You’ll find out after you meet him.”
Wang Dui stopped asking. It was probably about the footage. Shen Peichuan has evidence of my dirt now, so what else could it be? He must be asking me over to torture me.
Wang Dui took a deep breath before knocking on the door to the chief’s office.
A voice rang out from inside the office.
Wang Dui opened the door and entered.
Shen Peichuan was on the phone at the time, and when he saw Wang Dui there, the former gestured for the latter to take a seat.
Wang Dui pulled up a chair and sat in front of Shen Peichuan’s desk. He was nervous, but he didn’t show anything on his face.
An old wives’ tale said that a superior, even if he were only one rank higher, could kill his subordinate. Things were grave for Wang Dui because Shen Peichuan was a few ranks higher than him. It was bad enough that Wang Dui had publicly gone against Shen Peichuan, but being caught red-handed? That left Wang Dui with nothing to defend himself.
“I got it,” replied Shen Peichuan before hanging the phone up.
“I have nothing to say. Just punish me as you see fit,” said Wang Dui as soon as Shen Peichuan put the phone down.
Wang Dui was exuding a prideful aura, and it was clear that he refused to back down.
Shen Peichuan leaned back and stared calmly at him. “Naturally, a punishment is inevitable,” said Shen Peichuan. But then he continued, “Didn’t you say that you want to take over case number 218? You can have it. I want it solved within ten days!”
“T-This is the punishment?” blurted Wang Dui, as his eyes bulged in disbelief.
“Yes, it is,” answered Shen Peichuan.
Wang Dui paused before saying, “Don’t try to be nice to me. I won’t buy it. Just deal out your punishment.” Wang Dui was still reluctant to accept anything from Shen Peichuan.
“That is my punishment to you. If you think it is too lenient, then I will shorten the deadline. You now have five days to solve the case,” said Shen Peichuan.
He then picked up the mug from the table and took a sip of the tea inside. It seemed that the tea was too hot because Shen Peichuan put it back down after only a sip.
Wang Dui was proud, but he was a capable man, after all. That was why he was displeased when Shen Peichuan was promoted to deputy chief. The former always thought that Shen Peichuan only got promoted because Captain Song favored him. He was basically in denial and refused to accept that he wasn’t as capable as Shen Peichuan.
Shen Peichuan had used Wang Dui’s account to share that video because he wanted to cut off Wang Dui’s means of escape.
Song Yaxin must think that Wang Dui has betrayed her. It is likely that she now sees Wang Dui as an enemy and will never cooperate with him again.
“Don’t try to win me over,” insisted Wang Dui.
Shen Peichuan chuckled. “Why would I need to win you over? I am just using fully utilizing my resources and my people to get the best results. If you fail to crack the case, I will punish you accordingly as well. Alright then, get to work.”
Wang Dui couldn’t make head nor tail of what Shen Peichuan was doing. The former asked, “Aren’t you angry?”
“Of course I am,” confessed Shen Peichuan. “I almost got suspended, so why wouldn’t I be mad? However, I have never committed any sins, and I trust my people to clear my good name. I believe in the system and in my comrades. As for you… Well, I don’t think that you’re evil. You’re only after me because you think you’re just as capable as me but you’re not being appreciated or recognized for your skills.”
Shen Peichuan’s gaze suddenly turned sharp before pointing out, “But have you ever considered that your lack of promotion had nothing to do with your skills? Have you given it a thought that perhaps the problem lies within you?”
Wang Dui didn’t respond.
“Your attitude, for starters, needs to change. That’s all I’m going to say,” said Shen Peichuan, who didn’t further reprimand him nor risk making things worse. “Go on then. I’m busy, so you can leave now.”
Wang Dui shot a look at Shen Peichuan before standing up and leaving.
A single question kept circling in Wang Dui’s mind. Is there really something wrong with my attitude?
Shen Peichuan breathed a sigh of relief after the door was closed. He picked up his hat and put it on before heading out of the office.
The call he had just received was from Captain Song, who had invited him to meet up.
It was likely that Captain Song had learned about what happened that day.
Shen Peichuan got out of the police station and drove to Captain Song’s house.
It has been a while since I came here. I’m guessing that today’s visit will be my last visit as well.
When Shen Peichuan reached the front door, he knocked on it.
The door was opened soon after. Captain Song and Song Yaxin were the only ones at home. Captain Song had gotten Mrs. Song out of the house because he knew that his wife was stubborn. She would try to defend Song Yaxin if she were around.
“Come in,” said Captain Song.
Shen Peichuan entered with a grim expression.
Captain Song closed the door and got two glasses of water over. One glass was placed in front of Shen Peichuan.
He sat down and said, “I heard about it.”
Shen Peichuan didn’t respond because he knew that Captain Song hadn’t finished speaking yet. There must be more the man wanted to say.
As expected, Captain Song continued, “I am partially responsible for this. I didn’t teach my daughter well.”
“Song Yaxin!” Captain Song called out.
Song Yaxin walked over.
“Apologize to Peichuan!”
Song Yaxin stubbornly said, “No, I…”
Slap!
Captain Song slapped Song Yaxin as soon as she spoke. He reprimanded angrily, “You embarrassed me! How could you do something so despicable? And you have the audacity to complain after that? How dare you?”
Shen Peichuan acted as if he didn’t see a thing. He simply picked up his glass and sipped some water.
Song Yaxin had her hand over her face. Tears welled up in her eyes as she glared at Captain Song in disbelief. She muttered, “Dad, how could you lay a hand on me?”
He had never hit me before, regardless of how I acted up in the past. Yet, he slapped me today!
“I’m your daughter!” reminded Song Yaxin with reddened eyes.
“That is precisely why I slapped you. I regret not slapping you sooner. If I had, you wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
