Su Xue and Ouyang Qing were both taken aback. In the past, Xu Chen would surely have just suggested grabbing a bite at a nearby restaurant; this change clearly showed the profound influence that man had on her.

Ouyang Qian hugged Xu Chen tightly. "Chen-chen, you’ve changed. Have you fallen for that money-chaser?"

Xu Chen’s face flushed bright red. She broke free from Ouyang Qian’s grasp. "Qingqing, you’re talking nonsense. Big Brother Zhao has a girlfriend. Mengmeng is much prettier than I am. Why would Big Brother Zhao like me? Besides, Mengmeng comes from such a good family. Big Brother Zhao wouldn't like me."

Ouyang Qian countered, "Whether he likes you is one thing; whether you like him is another. Chen-chen, we can all see you’ve changed a lot lately, and it’s all because of him."

Xu Chen faltered, speaking as if against her will. "I haven't noticed any change. It’s just that thinking about earning a lot of money in the future has made me much happier."

Su Xue chuckled. "Don't be afraid, Chen-chen. It doesn't matter if you like the money-guy. We’ll help you. We’ll send those photos we took that day to Fang Yanmeng and have her kick the money-chaser to the curb. Then you can swoop in. Don’t forget to invite us two matchmakers to the wedding banquet."

Ouyang Qian mused, "But that’s not right either. You can’t be sure that the money he’s helping Chen-chen with isn’t coming from Fang Yanmeng, can you? If Fang Yanmeng kicks him out, he might not be able to help Chen-chen anymore."

Su Xue looked conflicted. "That’s true. What should we do? We can’t have him deceiving Fang Yanmeng for money while simultaneously helping Chen-chen, right? That wouldn't be fair to either Chen-chen or Fang Yanmeng; it would only benefit the money-chaser."

Xu Chen grew anxious. "Hey, you two have misunderstood Big Brother Zhao! He has a job, a salary of forty thousand a month! If you just look at the surface, you can tell—Big Brother Zhao is a very independent person. He wouldn't rely on anyone to live."

Su Xue and Ouyang Qian burst out laughing simultaneously. "Chen-chen, look at you, already defending him! If you two really end up together, you’ll surely cast us aside."

Xu Chen didn't want to argue anymore. "Are we eating or not? If not, I’m not treating anymore!"

The two girls exclaimed, "Yes, we’re eating! Let’s go quickly, see if there’s an empty booth in the restaurant’s private section so we can order for ourselves."

Because they were in high spirits, the three women spent nearly an hour over the meal. When they returned to the dorm, they found three people waiting by the door. Xu Chen's expression instantly changed, and she turned to leave, but Ouyang Qian grabbed her. "What's wrong, Chen-chen?"

Xu Chen said, "Those are the sales staff from this morning. I don't want to see them again."

Su Xue immediately stood up for Xu Chen. "Chen-chen, get behind me. Let me deal with these people."

The two men and one woman blocked the doorway. Su Xue brazenly declared, "Good dogs don't block the road; move aside!"

A chubby man was just about to lose his temper, but after glancing at Xu Chen behind Su Xue, he smiled. "My apologies, my apologies. It turns out Miss Xu is back."

Ouyang Qian said coldly, "What do you want? Let me tell you, this is a student dormitory. If I shout, countless people will rush out. If you don’t want a beating, scram now!"

The male clerk couldn't stand it. He might fear Xu Chen, but he certainly didn't fear Ouyang Qian. He retorted angrily, "Who do you think you are, yelling at our branch manager!"

The chubby man was none other than Diao Chengshan, the branch manager of the Agricultural Bank of China. He turned and violently kicked the male clerk. "Shut your mouth! Miss Xu’s friends are our most honored guests. If you dare yap again, I’ll ruin you myself!"

The male clerk dared not speak further. Diao Chengshan bowed deeply. "Miss Xu, might we have a word inside?"

Su Xue opened the dorm door. "Come in. If you haven’t got good news, don't waste our time, lest you get scolded."

Xu Chen entered the dorm, sat down at her computer, and remained silent. Knowing Su Xue and Ouyang Qian were there, she knew she didn't need to say much.

Diao Chengshan chuckled nervously. "Miss Xu, it’s like this: we’ve investigated this morning’s incident, and it was indeed due to our improper service. I am Diao Chengshan, the General Manager of the Agricultural Bank of China, and I have come specifically to offer my sincere apologies."

"What! You're the General Manager of the Agricultural Bank of China?" The three women asked in disbelief.

Diao Chengshan confirmed, "Yes, yes, that is me."

Su Xue turned to Xu Chen. "Chen-chen, you’ve really made it big this time! The General Manager himself is here to apologize. I wonder if there’s any monetary compensation involved."

Diao Chengshan replied, "There is, of course. Firstly, on behalf of the Agricultural Bank of China, I offer Miss Xu my deepest apologies and wish to provide fifty thousand yuan in cash compensation for the emotional distress caused this morning. We sincerely hope Miss Xu can accept our apology."

As he spoke, Diao Chengshan pulled out a cashier's check from his pocket, filled out for 'Fifty Thousand Yuan Only.' Diao Chengshan kicked the two people standing behind him, and the three bowed respectfully while presenting the check.

Su Xue gasped when she saw it. "It really is fifty thousand yuan! Chen-chen, you’re rich!"

Xu Chen, however, spoke calmly to Diao Chengshan. "Manager Diao, I don’t wish to pursue the matter from this morning any further. I don't want this money either. Please leave. I never want to see anyone from the Agricultural Bank again as long as I live."

Ouyang Qian added, "Yes, get out. Don't mind my harsh words, but people from your Agricultural Bank speak even worse than I do. Anyone who has business done there has had the worst luck in eight lifetimes. If you know the procedure, fine; if you don't, they'll verbally abuse you to death."

Diao Chengshan wiped the sweat from his brow. "This is entirely my dereliction of duty. I take full responsibility. The specific rectification plan will be announced within the next couple of days, and we sincerely hope the three young ladies will supervise its implementation."

Su Xue scoffed. "Forget it. We closed our accounts at the Agricultural Bank long ago. It’s only because Chen-chen’s hometown has no other choice that we’d bother being angry with you people."

Diao Chengshan glared at the two behind him. "Did you hear that! People like you have dragged the Agricultural Bank of China down to this point! You’ve caused me terrible trouble!"

The two dared not speak. If Diao Chengshan wanted to destroy them, they wouldn't dare utter a sound. After all, he was the manager of the Agricultural Bank of Great Dragon Country; even if they were forced to resign and go home without any employment records, he could still deal with them.

Ouyang Qian ushered the three out. "Go on. Our Chen-chen already said she doesn't want the money or your apologies. Get as far away as possible so you don't hurt our eyes."

Diao Chengshan dared not show anger. He forcefully placed the money in front of the computer, bowing servilely. "Miss Xu, we have one more favor to ask. Could you possibly contact your friend? We wish to apologize to him again and beg his forgiveness."

Xu Chen replied, "He's not at school. Besides, you shouldn't go. Once my Big Brother Zhao gets angry, not even nine oxen can pull him back."

Diao Chengshan threw all pretense of dignity aside and knelt down with a thud, weeping loudly. "Miss Xu, Diao's fate rests entirely in your hands! Your Big Brother must listen to every word you say. Please have pity on this old man of forty or fifty years. I have elders above and children below. Ask him to raise a hand and let me off the hook! I... I will kowtow to you."

The male clerk was stunned. He didn't know what the manager feared, but the female clerk’s mind worked quickly. She stepped on the male clerk’s foot and whispered, "The manager is scared to this extent, and we still don't know what's coming. I’m going to be ruined because of you this time."

The two also dropped to their knees with a thud. The person they offended this morning must have been a deity. They were lucky not to have died; now, seeing how terrified the manager was, they understood why those police officers had been so respectful toward him.

If the three had stood firm, Su Xue and Ouyang Qian truly wouldn't have feared them, but watching them weep and kneel would soften any girl’s heart. Su Xue asked, "Chen-chen, what is going on? Why has it escalated to this life-or-death situation?"

Xu Chen replied hesitantly, "I don’t know either. Maybe Big Brother Zhao went after them again afterward."

Ouyang Qian wondered aloud, "Who exactly is Junior Brother Zhao-chasing-money? How can he terrify a bank manager like this?"

Diao Chengshan was still crying on the floor. "Three female Bodhisattvas, we know we were wrong now! Please give us a chance to correct our mistakes."

Su Xue couldn't bear watching anymore. She said to Xu Chen, "Chen-chen, perhaps you should intervene. They look genuinely pitiful crying like that. Besides, it’s not some earth-shattering disaster."

Xu Chen looked troubled. "But I don't know what happened, so how can I intervene? And I can't control it anyway."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Diao Chengshan immediately stopped crying. "Miss Xu doesn't need to know what happened. The situation is extremely critical. All you need to do is accompany us to find your Big Brother Zhao, and then speak a few good words for us. I will repay your immense kindness by serving you like an ox or a horse in the next life."

Ouyang Qian was confused. "Chen-chen, how serious is this? What exactly did you two do this morning?"

Xu Chen explained, "How would I know? After buying the computer, I parted ways with Big Brother Zhao. He said he was treating some friends to dinner and asked me to come along, but I was in a hurry to get back to study, so I declined."

Diao Chengshan urged, "Miss Xu surely has his phone number, right? Could you call him and ask where he is? But please, don't mention we are here first—I beg you."

Xu Chen replied, "Su Xue, you have Big Brother Zhao’s number. You call him."

Su Xue knew Xu Chen didn't have a cell phone. She took out hers while calling and said to Diao Chengshan, "Manager, you’ll have to reimburse my phone bill."

Diao Chengshan pulled out his checkbook from his pocket. "Deal. How much do you say?"

Seeing he was serious, Su Xue waved her hands in alarm. "Forget it, forget it. One phone call isn't worth that much."

It took a long time for someone to answer. Su Xue said lazily into the phone, "Junior Brother Zhao-chasing-money, Chen-chen misses you. Where are you? The Diaoyutai Guesthouse? Wow, you really are rich! Can we come over too? Alright, have someone come down to pick us up in a bit."

Su Xue turned triumphantly to Xu Chen. "Chen-chen, see? Your name is such a powerful banner! The moment I mentioned your name, he told us to take a taxi over immediately and that he’d reimburse our fare."

Xu Chen blushed. "Xue'er, how could you talk like that? When did I ever say I missed Big Brother Zhao?"

Diao Chengshan had no patience for such romantic nonsense. "No need for a taxi, no need! My car is parked outside. Let’s all go together."

***Hu Qing drove an unmarked vehicle to pick me up. Once in the car, I asked, "Why the change of vehicle? Is this newly bought?"

Hu Qing replied, "How could I afford that? I didn't dare drive a police car to dinner; that would be fighting the wind, wouldn't it? Those fellows at the Rectification Office are too ruthless. Things are tense in the Capital now; officials think three times before doing anything."

I asked Hu Qing, "Is it that serious? As long as one acts uprightly and honestly, what is there to fear? The people from the Rectification Office aren't unreasonable."

Hu Qing conceded, "You have a point. I have nothing to hide, but using an official vehicle for private matters is technically against regulations. I suppose I am holding myself to strict standards."

I gave Hu Qing a thumbs-up. "Brother Hu, you’re capable. You’ll definitely have a promising future. Keep up the good work, strive to get into the Municipal Bureau next year, and the Ministry of Public Security the year after."

Hu Qing said, "Younger Brother Zhao, please allow me to address you this way for now."

I interrupted him. "Look, Brother Hu, among people not in official capacities, we can be casual."

Hu Qing continued, "Alright, I won't maintain strict hierarchical distance. Let me voice an opinion on behalf of the comrades: integrity is certainly necessary, but integrity shouldn't mean the comrades suffer, right? Housing prices in Capital City are ridiculously high, and commodity prices change daily. Pork is like a flying pig with wings, soaring upward. Especially for our brothers doing fieldwork, running around day in and day out—they can’t eat straw and wild vegetables, can they? We have an officer in our bureau, 34 years old, with a family of eight squeezed into a forty-square-meter old apartment. He has been diligently saving for over a decade, but his savings rate can’t keep up with the soaring housing prices. The old man sighs with regret every day, and his wife threatens divorce over this issue constantly. Can he possibly concentrate on his work?"

I was somewhat surprised. These past few days, my mind had been entirely focused on rooting out corruption—the mansions and luxury cars of corrupt officials. Hearing Hu Qing’s account now felt like a needle prick to my heart.

"Brother Hu, if you hadn't reminded me, I truly wouldn't know about these situations. Although my Vice Minister position is nominal, I’m here as long as I hold the title. I’ll take charge of this matter. I’ll discuss it with the Minister tomorrow to allocate some funds to solve the immediate financial difficulties of the impoverished families within the public security system."

Hu Qing expressed his gratitude. "Younger Brother Zhao, I thank you on behalf of the comrades first. I was truly pushed to the brink by that situation. I'll pass this news on to him. Minister Xiao Jian of the Ministry of Public Security is also attending your dinner today; you two can discuss it later."

When I arrived at the Diaoyutai Guesthouse, I realized this group of people certainly wasn't going to let me save money. Several high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Public Security were present. Since Director Gao Jianhua of the Capital City Public Security Bureau was the initiator of this dinner, he naturally had to be present as the host. Although Hu Qing was only a small deputy in a sub-bureau, his unusual relationship with me secured him a seat as well.

Minister Xiao Jian was quite young, in his early forties, and seemed like the kind of person with decisiveness. We shook hands, and Xiao Jian said, "My Minister Zhao, you’ve been quite something, coming to power so long ago and not paying me a visit."

I apologized. "Minister Xiao, please forgive me. I truly haven't been able to break free. To be honest, today I’m actually skipping class and running away from school. If my father found out, I’d probably get a good thrashing; he has informants watching the school."