Chapter 97: A Sign of Maturity

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Yuan Xiaoying asked Liu Jingye. “Are you suspecting that Japanese bioengineering company?”

“I don’t rule out any possibilities,” Liu Jingye replied with a stern expression. “You must understand, world technology advances at an astonishing pace, especially the Japanese—they are leaders in this field. Back in the day, European powers forced open China’s doors with their ironclads and opium. Now, though those enemies are gone, their hostile intentions remain. Surely, they have modern schemes and conspiracies up their sleeves.

“Of course, it’s not just those unfriendly Japanese. The Vietnamese savages should not be underestimated either. They are world-class experts in drug manufacturing and could very well be behind some new type of narcotics.”

“It can’t be that serious, can it? I just started this job!” Yuan Xiaoying said in frustration. “Having something like this happen on my very first day in the district is clearly pushing me out of the post if it really is some new drug!”

Seeing her so downcast, Liu Jingye chuckled. “Of course, they could also just be mentally ill—too many drugs.”

“They’ll know the truth once they sober up,” Yuan Xiaoying sighed helplessly.

Liu Jingye sank into the large leather chair in Yuan Xiaoying’s office, leisurely sipping tea. Two high-end cigarettes lay on the desk, labeled as official hospitality smokes. He lit one and said, “Let’s enjoy the special treatment afforded to officials of relevant departments.”

“Be careful, those might be laced with drugs,” Yuan Xiaoying retorted sharply.

“No problem. Even if they contain drugs, I have the willpower to quit,” Liu Jingye said casually. To him, drugs and addiction were just excuses for a lack of self-control. Everything could be overcome with determination.

“Go ahead, keep smoking; sooner or later it’ll kill you,” Yuan Xiaoying said irritably. “Then your wife will be courted by someone else, and your kids will get beaten up. Let’s see what you’ll do then!”

Liu Jingye’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the cigarette, as he wiped cold sweat from his forehead. “No need to be so harsh—I was just calling your uncle and auntie earlier.”

“Now your aunt has no patience,” Yuan Xiaoying said plainly, her emotions always written on her face, her nature straightforward.

Liu Jingye tried to reason patiently, “Calm down. With your temper, how can you be a good leader? Didn’t I tell you before, to be a leader, you first need the capacity to tolerate others, withstand pressure from above, and not fear being stabbed in the back from below…”

“Enough,” Yuan Xiaoying narrowed her eyes. “Are you describing the traits of a leader or the features of your bed?”

Liu Jingye spread his hands. “If I stir the pot, I don’t open my mouth.”

At that moment, an officer came to inform them that the two young men had sobered up. Yuan Xiaoying immediately stood and went to interrogate them personally, with Liu Jingye following silently behind. No one questioned their authority.

“Tell me, what did you take?” Yuan Xiaoying demanded fiercely.

Terrified, the two quickly confessed once their hands were cuffed.

In truth, they didn’t know much themselves. They had been eating at a small shop when a former gang leader—someone they admired greatly—kindly gave each of them a cigarette. After that, their memories were hazy, only feeling inexplicably hostile toward each other, wanting to beat the other up.

“Who gave you the cigarettes?” Yuan Xiaoying asked coldly.

In unison, they answered, “Brother Hai…”

“Who’s Brother Hai?”

“Brother Hai of the Huang Chao gang. We don’t know his full name, but he used to control this whole area.”

“Again with Huang Chao?” Yuan Xiaoying muttered in frustration. “When will these bastards be wiped out for good?”

Her anger was so fierce, it seemed she wanted to storm the jail and drag Huang Xing out for a beating.

“Send someone out to find this Brother Hai immediately. When found, lock him up for a day without food or drink, then interrogate him,” Yuan Xiaoying ordered with the full authority of the chief.

The officers went out on their assignment. The two petty thugs were detained on charges of disturbing public order.

Yuan Xiaoying and Liu Jingye huddled together, both seeing deep concerns reflected in each other’s eyes.

“Is Huang Chao trying to rise again from the ashes, or are these just remnants?” Yuan Xiaoying asked.

“I think they’re coming back,” Liu Jingye analyzed. “After all, the true leader of Huang Chao has returned. He surely won’t let the family’s century-old legacy be destroyed. But the situation is severe—he can’t save Huang Chao alone. He’s relying on stronger forces, hoping to use external power to achieve his aims.”

“You mean Huang Guangzong might be leveraging the leftover influence of Huang Chao in this city to assist some outside forces in illegal activities, thereby boosting his own power and planning a comeback?” Yuan Xiaoying said.

Liu Jingye nodded. “That’s my guess. The Japanese investors who appear to be building factories are actually underworld elements—definitely hostile.”

“How do you know this?” Yuan Xiaoying asked.

Liu Jingye shrugged without answering.

“I see,” Yuan Xiaoying was smart and didn’t press further. She had strongly supported Liu Jingye’s appointment as an underground judge, a role that, though righteous in punishing evil, skirted legal boundaries. As a police officer, some things were better left unknown.

But Yuan Xiaoying was straightforward and quick-tempered. She said angrily, “These days, the police are so restricted. Everything must follow legal procedures with evidence. I’m itching to shed this uniform and join you in delivering justice where the law can’t touch.”

“Don’t flatter me,” Liu Jingye said. “I’m no vigilante, much less a heavenly avenger. My principle is simple: if no one provokes me, I don’t provoke anyone. I have boundaries to protect, and only when crossed will I act.”

“What about me?” Yuan Xiaoying pointed at her nose. “Am I one of your taboos, your ‘do-not-touch’ line, someone you protect?”

“What do you think?” Liu Jingye countered.

“I think so,” Yuan Xiaoying took a step closer and suddenly kissed him on the lips. “Given the relationship between our mouths, if you don’t protect me, who else will?”

Liu Jingye licked his lips and smiled. “If things get any closer, I can issue you a ‘Lifetime Protection Card’—with services like immediate response and all-out battle on call.”

“Hmph, in your dreams,” Yuan Xiaoying replied coolly. “If we get that close, you’ll be working for me for free.”

Liu Jingye muttered softly, “If I’m working for you, you gotta feed me.”

“Pervert!” Yuan Xiaoying blushed and scolded him.

They waited until the end of their shift, but the officers returning had found no trace of Brother Hai or any remnants of Huang Chao. It was as if they vanished into thin air after handing out those two cigarettes.

Yuan Xiaoying was helpless but still indignant. “This is the limitation of the police—you’re bound by legal procedures, forced to act by the book, with your hands tied.”

“Anyway, since it’s off-duty now, let’s go on a date. Let’s check out the nearby nightclub—those Huang Chao remnants will definitely show up there. We can gather some intel. Come on, handsome, it’s time for the underground judge to make his appearance.”

“No way!” Liu Jingye answered firmly.

“Why not?” Yuan Xiaoying was surprised.

All the nightclubs nearby were run by Lin Shengnan, a big boss lady. If any trouble started, it would be a disaster, so Liu Jingye was resolute.

Feigning solemnity, he said seriously to Yuan Xiaoying, “Stop calling yourself the underground judge. This is a society governed by law. As an enforcer, you should trust in justice and fairness, not abuse vigilante actions.”

“So what? I only target those criminals the law can’t touch,” Yuan Xiaoying shrugged. “Besides, I’m a cop. Investigating suspects during my off-hours is nothing wrong. I think it should even be commended.”

Liu Jingye was speechless. It seemed she was determined. Well, he would just have to go along.

Fortunately, it was still early, and the nightclubs hadn’t opened. Liu Jingye suggested, “Since it’s early, how about I treat you to dinner first, then we catch a movie?”

“Great!” Yuan Xiaoying was surprised. “The blockhead finally got it. To win a beauty’s heart, spending money and effort is essential. Every man should know that.”

Liu Jingye immediately clasped his fists in respect. “I’m enlightened.”

They hadn’t gone far when Liu Jingye stopped. It looked like they were heading toward a fancy hotel.

He smiled wryly. “Although spending money is needed to woo you, sister, I’m not as rich as your ex. Dropping tens of millions on drugs and luxury hotels for dates is out of my league. Street food will have to do—just enough to fill the stomach.”

“Hey, what do you mean by that? You’re still hung up on my ex?” Yuan Xiaoying caught the implication and laughed. “Though I had an ex, our relationship was pure as water, as clear and pristine as a flower bud. You don’t need to get jealous. Besides, haven’t you had a few ex-girlfriends with some unsavory past memories?”

“Maybe a few vague shadows for a few months,” Liu Jingye said frankly. “But that was youth and innocence—crushes on the class monitor or the beauty from the next class.”

“Oh, so you claim immaturity now? Sounds like you think you’re very mature now,” Yuan Xiaoying scoffed. “Tell me, what does mature mean?”

Liu Jingye scratched his head, recalling the past—his deskmate, the girl next door. He lit a cigarette quietly, his voice tinged with melancholy. “Maturity means not wanting what you couldn’t have before.”

“That’s quite an interesting way to put it,” Yuan Xiaoying said with a hint of surprise. “But those are abstract, mental things. Tell me, what are the concrete signs of your maturity?”

Liu Jingye thought for a moment. “When I was young and naive, I liked to eat sausage and eggs by placing the sausage at the front and eggs at the back, symbolizing a perfect score on a test. Now I eat with the eggs on the sides and sausage in the middle.”

Yuan Xiaoying’s face flushed as she said, “That’s not maturity, that’s just weird!”

—————

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