His company was an education group that operated numerous schools across Changjing, several of which were located in this very district. District Head Liang was the Deputy Head in charge of Education and Health, and Huang Hai had dealt with him before.

“District Head Liang, what are you doing here too?”

Huang Hai asked softly, his face registering surprise but showing no hint of worry.

Anyone who managed to build a significant business, even someone of ordinary background like Huang Hai, possessed a substantial network now.

“Manager Huang?”

Seeing Huang Hai, District Head Liang also showed surprise. He had been focused mainly on the most brazen individuals, Su Zhantao and Li Ya, and hadn't truly noticed Huang Hai’s presence until now.

However, a big boss like Huang Hai rarely bowed to the authority of a mere Deputy District Head; even a direct supervisor might not command that respect.

Chunhui Education Group had connections reaching the Ministry of Education itself, having been specifically fast-tracked by the provincial department. Furthermore, the major shareholders of Chunhui Education Group maintained very deep ties with provincial leadership—that was what truly gave them pause.

Of course, District Head Liang could certainly make things difficult for Huang Hai’s company, throw some wrenches in the works, but he would have to be prepared to withstand the wrath of their major shareholders if he did.

“Zhang Yang, what exactly is going on? Who bullied you? Tell your brothers, and we’ll help you vent!”

Su Zhantao shouted at Zhang Yang, his demeanor incredibly dissolute and arrogant.

This display made Zhang Yang shake his head slightly.

If Su Shaohua saw him acting like this, he’d likely administer a harsh lesson. Right now, Su Zhantao was trying to impress Yang Ling, and since it involved Zhang Yang, he was perhaps overdoing his performance.

Long Cheng remained stunned. Long Feng noticed him but said nothing.

Long Cheng, an outer disciple, wasn't even worth his attention. If needed, Long Feng would seek him out; otherwise, he wouldn't pay him any mind, treating him like any ordinary person.

This was the difference between the Long family’s outer and inner gates—servant and master; one always needed to be clear about status.

“You, what are you people doing?”

Huang Ze finally managed to call out, though his voice lacked conviction. He dared not offend these people who had arrived in luxury cars.

Huang Ze knew clearly that there were certain young masters whom he absolutely could not afford to provoke; crossing them might lead to an unknown and swift demise.

“Director Huang, I apologize. They are my friends. Whatever issues arise, I will bear the responsibility!”

Zhang Yang answered first, then turned to Su Zhantao and the others. “Turn off your headlights for now. This is a police station, not somewhere else!”

“No problem. When we come back after turning them off, you’d better tell us what happened!”

Su Zhantao agreed immediately and hurried back to close his door, while Li Ya merely shrugged and walked back as well.

Huang Hai had no issue with the request. The dazed Long Cheng finally snapped out of it. He didn't know why Long Feng was accompanying Zhang Yang, but this was clearly not the time or place to ask; he would have to wait for a future opportunity to question Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang’s attitude brought a flash of gratitude to Huang Ze’s face.

He had only asked that question out of necessity just now. This was, after all, his territory. Several arrogant strangers had barged in, and if he had ignored them, his career prospects would have been finished.

Yet, pressing too hard also carried risks. These men were obviously spoiled rich kids; offending them seriously could lead to him suffering irreparable consequences.

Zhang Yang’s actions showed him respect, which was far better than what District Head Liang offered—Liang’s own driver had been permitted to berate Huang Ze earlier.

The car lights snapped off. The police station courtyard plunged into sudden darkness, but the officers felt a measure of relief.

When the bright lights were shining, these men, acting like dissolute young masters breaking in without restraint, had genuinely put a lot of pressure on them.

“Mi Xue, why don't you tell them what happened just now? It’s inconvenient for me to say it myself!”

Zhang Yang turned to Mi Xue. Since the incident involved two girls being victimized, it was more appropriate for her to explain.

Mi Xue nodded and immediately recounted the events.

She kept her telling concise but exceptionally clear, relating exactly how Nannan and Xiaodai had been victimized. As she spoke, her eyes reddened again, and tears slipped down her cheeks.

Her distress was more likely to evoke empathy from everyone present.

Forget Su Zhantao and the others; even the surrounding police officers started cursing District Head Liang and his cohorts as beasts—getting drunk, getting physical with young girls in a restaurant, and even attempting assault. Worse than beasts.

“Zhang Yang, why didn’t you tell us sooner that Xiaodai and Sister Nannan were bullied? Where are those guys? If I don't settle the score with them today, my surname isn't Su!”

As soon as Mi Xue finished speaking, Su Zhantao roared.

He knew Xiaodai and Nannan; he had shared meals with them a few times. Though their relationship wasn't deeply intimate, he held very good impressions of the two girls.

Even someone unfamiliar with them would usually feel outraged hearing such a thing; for an acquaintance, it was unacceptable. Young Master Su was already furious.

“Zhang Yang already beat those men and sent them to the hospital, and now someone is trying to get them released!”

Mi Xue quickly replied. She knew Su Zhantao’s background, and if he got involved, Xiaodai and Nannan were certain to see justice served.

“Release them? I’d like to see who dares! I’m calling them right now!”

Young Master Su shouted with violent rage, already pulling out his phone.

“Don’t bother with a call. I’ll have Lawyer Hu come over. I actually hired him to help with this lawsuit. I know someone is going to offer false testimony, but that’s fine. The truth will definitely come out during the investigation, and then I will pursue accountability from those who lied!”

Zhang Yang shook his head at Su Zhantao. The restaurant owner hadn't left, and at that moment, he shivered.

He had sensed something was wrong the moment these luxury cars arrived. Seeing that they were Zhang Yang’s friends, his heart plummeted.

His greatest reliance was District Head Liang, and District Head Liang clearly couldn't handle these men. If Zhang Yang chose to investigate his complicity, he suspected no one could save him. He was genuinely frightened now.

“District Head Liang, is that true? Your brother did these things, and you came here demanding they be released?”

Huang Hai turned to District Head Liang and asked first.

He knew District Head Liang, but he wasn't afraid of him; he wasn't afraid of him alone, let alone with this entire group present.

With so many powerful figures assembled, even a full District Head might yield three points of deference. Long Cheng's connection alone was sufficient.

While Long Cheng, an outer disciple of the Long family, was only considered a junior among the inner disciples, in the outside world, especially the secular realm, the Long family possessed enormous energy. No outer disciple could be taken lightly. Otherwise, Long Cheng wouldn't be a leader among Changjing’s young elites.

“A misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding! My brother wouldn't do such a thing!”

District Head Liang hastily shook his head. The situation was overwhelmingly against him, but he wasn't foolish enough to confess to the crime. He was silently cursing his brother internally, wondering how he managed to offend such people who commanded such a formidable entourage.

Other~~ShuShu Net “Whether it’s a misunderstanding will be clear after the investigation. Director Huang, I think you should have someone bring them back from the hospital!”

Zhang Yang shook his head. Huang Ze started, momentarily stunned. He had long known Zhang Yang had connections, but he hadn’t expected them to be this formidable—some of these people knew District Head Liang, yet clearly didn't defer to him. The fact that they possessed such connections and rushed over specifically for this proved Zhang Yang’s own background was exceptionally solid. Huang Ze felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t offended Zhang Yang in any way previously. No matter how pressured he was, he had never targeted Zhang Yang himself. He felt he might have inadvertently sown a seed of goodwill.

Before Huang Ze could move, a police officer hurried over and whispered something urgently in his ear.

“What? Drugs?”

Huang Ze exclaimed in shock after hearing only a few words, then turned and stared at District Head Liang with horror.

District Head Liang’s brow twitched upon hearing his outburst.

“I understand. Since Captain Liu is handling things there, we will no longer interfere. Recall our men. Ask the Municipal Bureau if they require any assistance; we will cooperate fully!”

Huang Ze slowly instructed the officer, who immediately ran out.

He returned and quietly informed Zhang Yang, “Mr. Zhang, Manager Liang and the few men with him were discovered to be using narcotics. Captain Liu from the Municipal Bureau is handling the case at the hospital and found drugs hidden on their persons. All of them have been taken away by the Narcotics Division. We can no longer retrieve them!”

“Drugs?”

Zhang Yang froze for a moment, appearing somewhat surprised himself.

Huang Ze nodded gently. “High-purity drugs. All four of them were found to have consumed large amounts. Apparently, Captain Liu happened to have a suspect at the hospital and stumbled upon this incident!”

Finishing, he glanced at Zhang Yang with a peculiar expression.

Captain Liu was Liu Xiaotang, head of the Municipal Criminal Investigation Team—the very person Huang Ze had previously assumed was Zhang Yang’s backer. Zhang Yang’s group had assaulted people, and then Liu Xiaotang appeared at the hospital; it seemed too coincidental.

However, Huang Ze was mistaken this time. Zhang Yang’s relationship with Liu Xiaotang wasn't deep. Liu Xiaotang’s presence at the hospital was genuinely accidental; he had no idea those drug users had just been beaten by Zhang Yang. It was the hospital’s test results that betrayed them, followed by the discovery of drugs on their persons, which brought the whole affair to light.

District Head Liang’s personal appearance here was actually due to this very reason. His brother had a history of drug abuse, which he had repeatedly tried to correct. District Head Liang had always advised him under the principle that family scandals should not be aired publicly, but he had only grown worse, not only using drugs but also trafficking them.

The reason they stayed at the restaurant for so long was that they were using drugs. When they were sent to the hospital for treatment requiring blood tests, they didn't think much of it. But after the blood was drawn, they realized something was wrong. Out of fear, Manager Liang called his older brother, urging him to bail him out immediately.

Learning his brother was still using drugs, District Head Liang cursed him several times out of anger, but he couldn’t abandon him. Thus, he personally came to the police station and repeatedly demanded the police withdraw their personnel from the hospital. If the police withdrew, his brother could naturally leave as well.

...

Fourth update. I had planned for a five-chapter burst today but was delayed unexpectedly. Four chapters will have to count as a small surge! (To be continued...RQ)

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