Chapter 385 - 385 Apology
Wang Yuanbo understood Huang Feiming's intent, although it had been his own order to capture Ye Qing. However, now that it looked like Xu Changzhi was acquainted with Ye Qing, Huang Feiming no longer wanted to take responsibility for the matter. If Huang Feiming didn't want the responsibility, then Wang Yuanbo himself would have to carry the can.
Although carrying the can was not a good thing, for the current Wang Yuanbo, it was also an opportunity. He knew that if he took the fall for Huang Feiming this time, Huang Feiming would certainly not treat him poorly in the future. Therefore, he immediately gathered Chen Guoxin's subordinates and cautioned them that it was he who had personally ordered Chen Guoxin to apprehend Ye Qing, and that all of this had nothing to do with Huang Feiming.
In this way, Xu Changzhi would not take his anger out on Huang Feiming. As for how he would deal with him, Wang Yuanbo felt somewhat anxious. But he was confident Huang Feiming would not just sit by and watch, which gave him a bit of courage.
After instructing Chen Guoxin's subordinates, his deputy also invited Ye Qing to his office. Seeing Ye Qing was still handcuffed, Wang Yuanbo nearly went mad.
"What are you people doing? Quickly unhandcuff Mr. Ye!" Wang Yuanbo stood up, personally welcomed Ye Qing into the office, and said with an apologetic smile, "Mr. Ye, I'm truly sorry. Today's event was a complete misunderstanding. After our investigation, it's clear that Deputy Director Zhou Hongbin was not kidnapped by you. According to Deputy Director Zhou's statement, he was out on an errand with you, so there is no question of kidnapping. Moreover, that police car has nothing to do with you!"
Ye Qing was slightly surprised; he was still guessing in the detention room when Wu Anping would learn about this matter and how long it would take for them to get him out. Unexpectedly, Wang Yuanbo himself had invited him out so soon. Moreover, judging by Wang Yuanbo's ingratiating expression and tone, Ye Qing suddenly felt as if he was being buttered up.
What exactly had happened here? Logically speaking, both Chen Chunyang and Wu Anping were military leaders and had no authority over Wang Yuanbo. Even if Chen Chunyang personally made a phone call, Wang Yuanbo didn't need to be this courteous, right?
With doubt in his heart, Ye Qing remained polite on the surface and said, "Director Wang is sharp and perceptive, with your words, I can rest assured!"
"Mr. Ye, regarding today's mistake that caused you significant trouble, I'm truly sorry," Wang Yuanbo said, standing straight, "On behalf of the Jiuchuan County Police Department, I extend the sincerest apology to you, I'm sorry!"
Facing such a formal apology from Wang Yuanbo, Ye Qing was even more puzzled. He frowned slightly, glanced at Wang Yuanbo and said, "Director Wang, there's no need for formalities, cooperation between the police and the public is to be expected. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
"Wait a moment..." Wang Yuanbo hastily stopped Ye Qing, gave an awkward smile and said, "Mr. Ye, I must confess, there's actually... actually a bit more..."
Ye Qing asked directly, "What is it?"
Wang Yuanbo hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Mr. Ye, do you know a person named Xu Changzhi?"
"Xu Changzhi?" Ye Qing immediately recalled the young man who had been abducted by the Carjack Gang the other night; could this matter be related to him? How could that be? Who was this man who could make Wang Yuanbo nod and bow to him?
Ye Qing nodded slowly and said, "I know him, what about it?"
Wang Yuanbo's heart skipped a beat, panic flashing in his eyes, he asked, "What... what's your relationship with him?"
Seeing Wang Yuanbo's panic, it was clear he held Xu Changzhi in high regard, Ye's heart grew even more curious. However, he mostly understood why he had been personally released by Wang Yuanbo—it seemed not so much because of Chen Chunyang but because of this Xu Changzhi.
"I saved his life!" Ye Qing responded bluntly. Since Wang Yuanbo was so fearful of Xu Changzhi, there was no need for him to hide anything. By stating the nature of his relationship with Xu Changzhi, he would ensure that Wang Yuanbo wouldn't dare to trouble him in the future.
"Oh?" Wang Yuanbo became even more panicked; he had thought it was just a casual friendship, not anticipating they had a life-saving connection, and now the situation had blown up.
Ye Qing, observing Wang Yuanbo's expression and seeing him sweat, became even more certain of his guess. It seemed that Wang Yuanbo truly held Xu Changzhi in awe!
With this thought, Ye Qing felt much more reassured. He gave a cold laugh and said, "Director Wang, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave now!"
"Wait a moment..." Wang Yuanbo hurriedly stopped him while stammering for a good while before finally saying in a low voice, "Mr. Ye, Young Master Xu... would like... like to see you, this... this..."
Ye Qing, looking at Wang Yuanbo's stuttering self, cut him off and said, "I'm sorry, I don't have time to see him. My father, my teacher and my friends were all seriously injured, and then you dragged them from the hospital to the police station, now their injuries have worsened, and I must hurry to the hospital to see them!"
Wang Yuanbo knew that Ye Qing was blaming him for arresting those people; he also regretted it deeply now. But what use was regret? How could he have anticipated that Ye Qing was Xu Changzhi's life-saver and that his brother-in-law had actually attacked Xu Changzhi? If he couldn't resolve this matter, then he would be in big trouble!
Wang Yuanbo said, "Mr. Ye, it'll just take a moment of your time. Young Master Xu has come all this way and has expressed a desire to meet you. If you don't, wouldn't it be quite disrespectful to Young Master Xu..."
Ye Qing replied coldly, "I can meet with friends any time, but my father and the others are seriously injured; I don't have time to delay here. Besides, I never agreed to meet him. It was you who made the promise, what does it have to do with me?"
"Mr. Ye, regarding the incident with your father and the others, I'd like to offer my apologies here as well. Please, do me the honor of meeting Young Master Xu. He came to Jiuchuan County specifically for you!" Wang Yuanbo looked at Ye Qing almost pleadingly, "Mr. Ye, the previous fault was mine. Please, as someone who is magnanimous, forgive me just this once."
Ye Qing hadn't planned to irreparably fall out with Wang Yuanbo, after all, his father would still need to live in Jiuchuan County in the future. His strong words just now were meant to serve as a warning to Wang Yuanbo. Seeing him like this, he knew the lesson was mostly learned.
"Director Wang, since you've put it that way, alright then!" Ye Qing nodded slowly and asked, "Where shall I meet him?"
Wang Yuanbo was overjoyed, hastily responding, "Right here, right here. Mr. Ye, please wait a moment, I'll bring Young Master Xu to you immediately!"
Wang Yuanbo almost ran out, and not long after, he brought Xu Changzhi over. Huang Feiming followed closely behind. After having chatted with Xu Changzhi just a moment ago, Huang Feiming learned that the person who had saved Xu Changzhi's life was none other than Ye Qing. With that, Huang Feiming lost all his temper and didn't dare to hold any dissatisfaction with Ye Qing's actions.
Upon seeing Ye Qing, Xu Changzhi, too, was pleased, hurrying into the office and saying, "Ye, are you... are you alright?"
"Not bad," Ye Qing looked Xu Changzhi up and down and said, "I didn't expect that Young Master Xu, you would have such capabilities. Director Wang of our Jiuchuan County has always been known to be unwavering in his words, yet, this time he managed to change his stance and released me. That's really not a small feat!"
Hearing this from outside, Wang Yuanbo's face was immediately flushed with embarrassment; he knew Ye Qing was still somewhat displeased with him.
Xu Changzhi turned his head sharply and glared at Wang Yuanbo, saying, "Ye, last time you left in such a rush, I didn't even have a chance to properly meet you. I have made inquiries about your situation, there was no illegality involved, and you can leave freely at any time."
With that, Xu Changzhi looked towards Huang Feiming, "Director Huang, isn't that right?"
"Yes, yes, yes..." Huang Feiming nodded repeatedly, feeling inwardly miserable. He initially intended to arrest Ye Qing as a warning to Wu Anping. Yet, he hadn't anticipated Ye Qing's connections; this time, he could no longer take any action against Wu Anping.
Xu Changzhi nodded with satisfaction, turned to Ye Qing, and said, "Ye, you're clear now. You can leave anytime."
"That's good to know!" Ye Qing nodded and glanced again at Wang Yuanbo, who didn't dare meet his gaze.
Without further difficulty, Ye Qing chatted a few more words with Xu Changzhi, then left the police station and headed back to the hospital to visit his father and Gu Xianping.
Huang Feiming had originally wanted to invite Xu Changzhi to stay at the guesthouse, but Xu Changzhi didn't offer him the courtesy, instead following Ye Qing to the hospital to visit Ye Changwen, Gu Xianping, and others.
When Xu Changzhi went, Huang Feiming of course had to go as well. With Huang Feiming present, Wang Yuanbo naturally couldn't decline to accompany them. Thus, the entourage grew larger. Both Huang Feiming and Wang Yuanbo, who had never met Ye Changwen and Gu Xianping, even went out of their way to purchase fruit and personally visit them.
Ye Changwen and Gu Xianping were alright, as they didn't know Huang Feiming and Wang Yuanbo. Thinking these visitors were friends of Ye Qing, they merely exchanged pleasantries. However, when they went downstairs to visit Chen Jun Hou San and the others, the situation changed drastically.
Chen Jun and Hou San might not have known Huang Feiming, but they had seen Wang Yuanbo, the county chief. To them, Wang Yuanbo was an absolute authority, and even a glimpse was rare. To their astonishment, Wang Yuanbo was there in person to visit them, leaving these little hoodlums almost popping their eyes out in shock.
Luckily, they were unaware of Huang Feiming's position; otherwise, it would have been even more overwhelming. And Xu Changzhi's identity, if revealed, would have been truly frightening.
While they were visiting the patients, Hospital Director Lin Guoqiang, upon learning of Wang Yuanbo's arrival, personally came down to greet him. But as soon as he saw Wang Yuanbo, he spotted Huang Feiming.
Lin Guoqiang, being a knowledgeable man, recognized Huang Feiming at a glance, and was stunned. It took him a good while to regain composure and, shaking, he extended his hand, "Director Huang... when did you... when did you come down here?"