Secretary Wang, though he hadn't served Director Gao Jianhua of the Municipal Public Security Bureau for long, recognized these several precinct chiefs, and running into them here was quite a surprise. "Gentlemen, why are you all here? I'm just here to apprehend a petty hooligan. I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner. He has no connection to you, does he? He’s just a student." One of the precinct chiefs asked cautiously, "Are you certain it's him?"

Secretary Wang racked his memory carefully. "Definitely him, no mistake. He used this very hand to grope that female student’s bottom. His behavior was utterly base."

The precinct chief inquired again, "Did Director Gao send you to make the arrest?"

Secretary Wang dared not invoke Director Gao's name, since these men attended meetings at the Municipal Bureau every few days, and the truth would be revealed upon inquiry. "No, I only came here after receiving a tip-off."

"Oh, I see," the precinct chief said, pulling out his mobile phone and calling Director Gao Jianhua at the Municipal Bureau. "Director Gao, we have a massive problem. Your secretary brought people here to arrest Chief Zhao. This matter has huge repercussions, and we can't handle it. You should speak to Secretary Wang yourself."

The precinct chief handed the phone to Secretary Wang. Sweat immediately beaded on Wang's forehead. First, he couldn't fathom why these precinct chiefs were here, but since they were, it likely meant trouble. Second, he was acting privately, and if Director Gao found out, he’d surely be reprimanded. Third, he noticed that this alleged hooligan wasn't afraid of him at all; instead, the fellow was making Wang profoundly uneasy. Did this student have some hidden background?

Secretary Wang stammered weakly, "Hello, Director Gao..."

Before he could finish, a furious voice cut him off. Director Gao’s voice thundered with rage: "Wang Kefeng! Is your head filled with sludge? If you’re tired of living, go smash your head against a wall! Don't cause us trouble! Has the public security system in our Jingdu City truly become hopelessly corrupt? Provoking a Chief again and again—who gave you the order to arrest someone? Who gave you the authority? Do you even know whom you are trying to detain? I am formally notifying you now: you have been dismissed from public office and are being arrested for obstructing national security! Either crawl back here to face judgment, or I will send men to fetch you. If I don't see you in thirty minutes, I will issue a wanted notice. Figure it out!"

With a thud, Secretary Wang collapsed onto the floor. He couldn't grasp what was happening. Could Director Gao be drunk? But his tone was sharp and sober. If he wasn't drunk, could something this serious really happen? Could he go from being a promising civil servant to a criminal charged with obstructing national security in the span of a single puff of air? Was this some joke? A Chief? Was he referring to the petty hooligan standing before him? Seeing how deferential all those directors were, could the young man truly be a high-ranking official? And why were there so many beautiful women in the room? Weren't they afraid of him acting like a hooligan?

Director Gao’s voice was loud enough for us to hear from our side. Secretary Wang fell to the ground, his phone skittering away. The precinct chief who had been questioning him stepped forward, picked up the phone, listened briefly, and then handed it to me.

I said to Gao Jianhua, "Director Gao, forget it. No need to be so severe. Someone is likely just playing a joke on me, posting photos of my girlfriend and me online, causing a misunderstanding. A few stern words of criticism will suffice; let him off. Everyone is in high spirits today; let's not let a small matter spoil the mood."

Gao Jianhua sighed heavily. "Chief Zhao, I, Lao Gao, have failed you. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. It is truly my failure to manage my subordinates properly. Please, don't interfere. If I don't handle him severely, I won't be able to rectify the style of our officers, nor can I give an account to you or the Ministry."

While we were speaking, one of the precinct chiefs, who usually had a good relationship with Secretary Wang, pulled him out of the private room. Secretary Wang's legs were trembling violently. He asked the chief, "Director Yu, what on earth is going on? Who have I offended?"

Director Yu urged him, "Don't ask so many questions, Little Wang. Have you heard what happened to Old Kong over at the East Precinct last time? That was the consequence of offending the person you were trying to arrest. Quickly listen to Director Gao and go back to confess. Otherwise, if you manage to anger the people in that room, even Director Gao can’t guarantee your survival."

"He's that jinx?" Secretary Wang’s legs felt as though they were filled with lead, and he nearly collapsed again. Director Yu patted his shoulder. "Hurry back. Staying here will only be more dangerous. Look out for yourself." Secretary Wang shuffled backward step by step, his guts twisted with regret—of all people, he had to offend the one figure in the Jingdu City Public Security System whom no one dared cross.

"Secretary Wang, Secretary Wang, how did it go? Why are you coming out by yourself? Was the person taken away?" Zhang Tianqiao rushed downstairs to inquire.

Secretary Wang had no energy left to deal with Zhang Tianqiao. He even thought bitterly, You punks tried to set him up, and now you’ve dragged me into this. I won't tell you the truth; let you all go die on your own.

Secretary Wang said nothing at all. He left the Haitan Hotel, got into his car, and headed back to the Municipal Bureau to accept his punishment, leaving Zhang Tianqiao standing bewildered at the entrance.

When the young playboys learned of Zhang Tianqiao’s report, they were utterly baffled. "What happened? Secretary Wang must have left due to an emergency. The plan failed—what should we do now?"

Shen Mao tapped the table. "We’ll go investigate the situation. Everyone keep your heads down so that young man doesn’t recognize us. Tianqiao, you stay put; you know them. None of us have met face-to-face before, so even if we run into him, he won't know us. Let’s go."

Ouyang Qian took a sip of wine and reached for a dish, accidentally dropping a large shrimp onto her black evening gown. She nearly jumped up in fright. I said solicitously, "How could you be so careless? Go to the restroom and dab it off."

Ouyang Qian hurried out. I noticed her purse was still on the chair, so I picked up the bag and followed her out, leaving Fang Yanmeng staring daggers at me. She must have been angry that I was showing too much concern for Ouyang Qian.

There was a public restroom just outside the men's and women's facilities. Ouyang Qian was rinsing the hem of her skirt with water. I found tissues in her bag. "Dab it clean; washing it with water won't look right. You can use detergent to wash it properly when you get back."

Ouyang Qian took the tissues. "Why did you come out? Fang Yanmeng will get suspicious. I don't want any conflict with her; that would put you in a difficult position between us."

"It doesn't matter. She’ll find out about us sooner or later anyway. Mengmeng is actually very kind-hearted; she just throws little tantrums sometimes."

"Right, what about those big officials? Why were they so respectful to you? And who was that who came to arrest you? How did one phone call scare him off like that? Husband, you're hiding a lot from me."

I washed my face. "The reason is simple: my rank is higher than theirs. Understand now?"