Hotel.
Executive hotel room.
Xu Yan said. “Chaochao might be caught.”
Dong Xuebing consoled her. “You had called their Political Commissar. He should be fine.”
Xu Yan replied. “I can tell from Political Commissar Liu’s tone that he does not want to get involved. I am also not close with him.”
Dong Xuebing asked. “What should we do now?”
“I am going to call their Commander.” Xu Yan called someone to get Liu Guowei’s number and called him.
Ring… ring… ring…. No one answered.
Xu Yan looked terrible. “He should know my son was involved and purposely did not answer my call. It must be Political Commissar Liu who told him.”
“They share the same surnames. Are they relatives?”
“No, but they are much closer to each other than me.”
Dong Xuebing continued. “Maybe he is at the hospital with his son and did not hear his phone.”
Xu Yan called a few more times, but no one answered.
Dong Xuebing knew Liu Guowei should be aware of Xu Yan’s son. Xu Yan’s rank was not as high as his, but she was not far away. If he answered her calls, he must give her ‘face’ and release her son. That’s why he did not answer. Dong Xuebing could tell Liu Guowei doted on his son, or he would not allow his soldiers to bring firearms to catch Chaochao and his friends.
Dong Xuebing added. “I know about Liu Guowei. I spoke to him over the phone yesterday. But this guy is overbearing and doted on his son too much. We discovered work issues with his son, Liu Haibin, yesterday, and he called me to warn me. He asked me not to give his son a chance because of him, but he used a threatening tone. This guy is unreliable. How can he spoil his son to this extent? His son had turned out like this because of him. Your son should not be at fault in this incident, and I am sure it was Liu Haibin who started it.”
Xu Yan replied. “I know. Although my son is naughty, he has never created trouble for me.” She paused. “I am going now.”
“Where are you going?”
“The military base.”
Xu Yan stormed out of the room after saying that.
Dong Xuebing wanted to go with her but stopped. He felt it unsuitable for him to go and took out his phone to call Du Juan.
“Hello, Du Juan. I am Dong Xuebing.”
“I know it’s you. What is it?”
“You are in the County Office, and it should be easier for you to gather information. Help me ask around. I heard Tourism Bureau Deputy Chief Liu Haibin was beaten up. How are his injuries? Is he in danger?”
“Did something like this happen? I will ask for you.”
“Alright. Call me when you know anything.”
Dong Xuebing lit a cigarette after hanging up.
Du Juan called about five minutes later.
Du Juan said. “I had asked. Liu Haibin is in the hospital now. His arm and rib were cracked, and his life was not in danger. His injuries are not serious.” She paused for a second. “Xuebing, why are you asking about him? I heard the inspection team would investigate him, but his father is our City’s Military Base Commander. I think you should….”
“I understand. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Call me anytime if you need me.”
“Ok. Call me if you hear anything about him.”
“Sure. I will call you when I receive the latest news.”
Dong Xuebing looked at the time. It was almost noon, but he had no appetite. He paced around the room and called Xie Huilan.
“Huilan, it’s me.”
“My meeting is about to start. What is it? Be quick.”
“It’s like this. Do you still remember Xu Yan, Chief Xu?”
“Yes. She was your leader when you were working in State Security.”
“Her son had come to Ma Yang County and met Liu Haibin. He purposely provoked Xu Yan’s son, and her son beat him up with his classmates. Liu Haibin’s father sent his soldiers to bring Xu Yan’s son and his classmates back to the Military Base. The soldiers also beat them up.”
“Commander Liu?”
“Yes. Can you give him a call and ask him to release those kids? His son’s injuries are not serious, and they are only around 17 to 18. Does a Military base Commander need to do this to some kids? Even if they are wrong, they should be handed to Public Security. The military should not get involved. He is abusing his powers, and this is against the regulations. Can you speak to him?”
“Alright. I will try.”
“Ok. I am waiting for your call.”
After what happened between Dong Xuebing and Xu Yan, he felt obligated to help her more. He also does not want anything to happen to Chaochao because Sister Xu loves her son deeply. Although he had not met Chaochao before, he had done the deed with his mother.
A few moments later.
Xie Huilan called. “I had asked.
Dong Xuebing asked. “Liu Guowei answered?”
“Yes. But he said he knew his son was beaten up and did not know anything else. He also denied asking the soldiers to arrest them.”
Dong Xuebing’s eyes turned cold. “He doesn’t even want to give you ‘face’?”
Xie Huilan replied. “He is a senior City Party Committee member and does not need to give me any ‘face.’ I told him those students were my friend’s children, and he ignored me. I knew he would not give in and will do not say anything else. He will not give in to anyone.”
“What should we do now? They are not going to release the kids.”
“Liu Guowei does dare to go overboard. He should be trying to scare those kids to teach them a lesson.”
“Scare them? The soldiers beat up the kids. Do they need to bring their guns to scare them? This is too much.”
“Since Chief Xu’s son is among them, they should be released tomorrow.”
Dong Xuebing knew Xu Yan could not wait for one day after hanging up. He must rescue those kids today. Who knows how they would be tortured in the military base? What if they were scared out of their wits by those people? Sister Xu will go crazy.”
Liu Guowei….
You don’t want to give Chief Xu and my Huilan ‘face’?!
You old bastard! You think too highly of yourself!
