That Felt Damn Good

Zhou Yi walked into the conference room and immediately sensed something odd about the atmosphere.

Besides Director Lei, Director Zhang, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Yu Zhen, and the other members of the Special Case Task Force, there were several unfamiliar faces. They were probably the deputy director of the Municipal Procuratorate Anti-Malfeasance Bureau, Secretary Jiang from the Municipal Bureau Discipline Inspection Commission, and their staff.

Indeed, Zhang Liping had already called him on his way back, so he knew exactly what was going on.

Someone had filmed him beating Zeng Yuqiang in the street on August first, then cut off the beginning and end of the video before posting it online.

The poster's motive and intended outcome were as obvious as a louse on a bald head.

Zhou Yi had no doubt that Fu Yu was behind this.

"Hello, Secretary Jiang. Hello, Director Cui..."

After shaking hands with Jiang Weihong and Cui Mingzhi, Zhou Yi sat down and waited for their questions.

"Comrade Zhou Yi, how do you explain what's shown in this video?" Cui Mingzhi turned the laptop screen toward him and asked with a solemn expression.

Zhou Yi watched the entire video carefully, then looked up and answered calmly, "The situation was critical. The criminals in the vehicle were holding a victim hostage, and they had weapons. I punched and kicked the criminal on the ground for two reasons. First, I couldn't determine whether he had a more dangerous weapon concealed on him, such as a firearm, so I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Second, I was trying to provoke the criminals in the vehicle and draw their attention to me, ensuring the victim's safety and creating an opportunity to rescue her."

Lei Ming and Zhang Liping both froze for a moment. Oh, that was a good explanation. A really good one. Absolutely flawless. Why hadn't we thought of that?

They had to admit that young Zhou was the quick thinker here.

Cui Mingzhi was stunned as well. The answer was watertight. He couldn't find a single fault with it.

How was he supposed to keep questioning him now?

"Can you guarantee that everything you just said is true?" After struggling for a long while, that was the only feeble question Cui Mingzhi managed to produce.

"Every word is true. I also have the complete video here to provide to you, Director Cui. I hope you'll verify it and clear my name," Zhou Yi said earnestly.

"Don't worry, young Zhou. Before I came, Director Zhao specifically instructed me to protect and uphold the legitimate rights and interests of our bureau's officers. We must never let our heroes shed tears after shedding blood."

Jiang Weihong's words made the Municipal Public Security Bureau leadership's stance on the matter perfectly clear. They moved Zhou Yi, but also left Cui Mingzhi looking rather embarrassed.

Just then, He Haidong, chief prosecutor of the county People's Procuratorate, entered the conference room with his staff.

"Director Lei, pursuant to Secretary Gao's instructions, please transfer Fu Yu to our County Procuratorate so we can formally open a case." Chief Prosecutor He handed Lei Ming an official letter.

The Secretary Gao he referred to was Gao Xin, deputy secretary of the County Party Committee and secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

He was also the official directly responsible for coordinating relations between judicial bodies such as the procuratorate, the court, and the Public Security Bureau.

Lei Ming glanced at the letter and handed it straight back.

"Sorry, but County Magistrate Yan just called. The County Public Security Bureau is to take sole responsibility for Fu Yu's case."

He Haidong's face darkened with anger. He slapped the table and barked, "Lei Ming, do you understand the law at all? Fu Yu is implicated in the crime of unexplained huge assets, which falls entirely under the procuratorate's direct jurisdiction. By refusing to transfer him, you're knowingly breaking the law!"

Although Lei Ming ranked half a level below He Haidong, he wasn't about to indulge his obnoxious behavior. He immediately slapped the table in return and shouted, "Who do you think you're intimidating? Who's the one who doesn't understand the law? Let me make this clear: Fu Yu isn't just suspected of the crime of unexplained huge assets. More seriously, he's also suspected of rape and contract killing. Those are criminal cases under our jurisdiction! Transfer him? Transfer him, my ass!"

He Haidong paused, then asked with a sneer, "Do you have evidence of this rape and contract killing you're talking about?"

"We're still investigating..." Lei Ming said grimly.

"So you don't have any yet? Then how about this? We'll take Fu Yu back for questioning first. After all, the evidence for the crime of unexplained huge assets is already available. Once your investigation makes progress, you can bring him back for questioning. Oh, speaking of which, we really must thank Comrade Zhou Yi from your bureau. This must be Captain Zhou, right?"

He Haidong cut Lei Ming off without giving him a chance to object, then made a show of looking around. Pretending he had only just noticed Zhou Yi, he stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Captain Zhou, remember to transfer the stolen valuables to our procuratorate as well. We need to verify them." Chief Prosecutor He wore an insincere smile on his thoroughly unpleasant face.

Lei Ming wanted to march over and slap him across the face. Did I agree to the transfer? You're standing there spewing bullshit and ordering my people around!

"Sorry, Chief Prosecutor He, but we can't hand over those stolen valuables," Zhou Yi said, shaking his hand while refusing with a smile.

The false smile on Chief Prosecutor He's face instantly froze.

What's this supposed to mean? Did you take everything I just said as hot air? Go on, tell me why you can't hand them over!

"Not only can we not hand over the valuables, but you can't take Fu Yu away either," Zhou Yi continued with a smile.

"On what grounds?" He Haidong narrowed his eyes and asked darkly.

"Among the stolen valuables is a Gold-Inlaid Jade Buddha belonging to Wang Wei and Peng Jiahui, the victims in the major homicide case in Lingyun Town two years ago. Fu Yu is therefore a prime murder suspect and must be questioned by the police," Zhou Yi answered unhurriedly.

"Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" He Haidong regarded him skeptically.

"If you don't believe me, Chief Prosecutor He, I can have a colleague take you to see it. Before that, though, I'll need you to step outside for the time being. I have important developments in the case to report to the municipal bureau leadership and the Special Case Task Force leadership." Zhou Yi pointed toward the door, signaling for Chief Prosecutor He to take his people outside first and stop interfering with their real work.

"You..."

Chief Prosecutor He was left practically choking with frustration, yet he couldn't find anything to say in rebuttal. He could only snort coldly and leave the conference room with his people.

Cui Mingzhi watched it all with a cold eye, increasingly convinced that Zhou Yi would be difficult to handle.

He thought quickly and spoke persuasively. His reasoning was rigorous and flawless. More impressively, he could turn a passive position into an active one before anyone realized it, seizing the advantage even when he moved second!

As he pondered this, he suddenly noticed Zhou Yi, Lei Ming, Zhang Liping, Jiang Weihong, and the others giving him strange looks.

It abruptly dawned on him. Damn it, I was so busy watching the show that I completely forgot my two subordinates and I were outsiders too. We were supposed to leave as well!

Watching He Haidong and Cui Mingzhi leave the conference room one after the other, Lei Ming wanted nothing more than to shout in sheer satisfaction, "That felt damn good!"