Chapter 141: A Day of Hunting Ends with the Hunter Being Pecked

“Su… Captain Su, hear me out. I admit that I acted impulsively, letting my emotions get the best of me. But this guy was asking for it. He not only resisted interrogation but also assaulted an officer. I felt I had no choice but to draw my weapon.”

Zhao Cheng, who had been shaken by Su Mengjia’s arrival, hastily explained, his words flowing more smoothly as he went on. He even took the opportunity to shift the blame onto Lin Xiao.

Unbeknownst to him, Su Mengjia not only was acquainted with Lin Xiao but was also fully aware of the real situation. Zhao Cheng assumed he was simply unfortunate to have run into Su Mengjia by coincidence.

“Exactly, Captain Su. This lowlife is utterly despicable. He didn’t just resist law enforcement but also assaulted an officer. Captain Zhao was forced to draw his gun. We must deal harshly with such scum.”

At that moment, Le Fangyun, standing nearby, also chimed in. He looked at the strikingly beautiful Su Mengjia, a glint of infatuation crossing his eyes. He then flashed what he considered his most charming smile in agreement.

Sadly, he failed to realize that he looked ridiculous, having been beaten up by Lin Xiao until his face was swollen like a pig’s head. His smile only accentuated his ludicrous appearance.

“And who are you?”

Su Mengjia eyed the man before her, who had the swollen visage of a pig, and questioned him coldly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“I’m Le Fangyun, Captain Su,” he replied, completely unaware of his unsightly condition.

Although he had heard of Su Mengjia’s reputation, he had never met her face-to-face. Seeing her breathtaking beauty now, he couldn’t help but fantasize a little.

“So, you’re Le Fangyun?” Su Mengjia’s voice was icy, her eyes emitting a cold glare.

Based on the young officer’s earlier account, she already knew that Le Fangyun was the instigator of the whole mess.

Le Fangyun remained oblivious to the fact that Su Mengjia was fully aware of the situation. Upon hearing that she seemingly recognized his name, he felt somewhat elated.

Could it be that this ravishing police officer had been keeping tabs on him? Given his prominent standing in Jinghai City, it wouldn’t be surprising if she wanted to curry favor with him.

With that thought, a gleam of euphoria flashed in Le Fangyun’s eyes.

“Yes, Captain Su, I am indeed Le Fangyun,” he confirmed, grinning eagerly.

“Good, you’re very good,” Su Mengjia responded, a hint of anger lacing her words.

Ignoring the bewildered expressions on Le Fangyun and Zhao Cheng’s faces, she turned her attention to Lin Xiao. With a touch of both a smile and concern, she asked, “Are you okay?”

Su Mengjia glanced at the additional police officers strewn about the ground, as well as a plump man and a skinny man screaming nearby. She realized she’d asked a pointless question.

The man standing before her, Lin Xiao, didn’t have a single scratch on him, looking nothing like someone who’d been in a fight. In contrast, Le Fangyun and his crew were in a sorry state. If she hadn’t known the full story, Su Mengjia would’ve been at a loss as to who the real victim was.

Although shocked by the scene, she wasn’t surprised. She had previously witnessed Lin Xiao’s combat abilities. Even a group of armed men had been no match for him, these people naturally couldn’t lay a finger on him.

Lin Xiao was just as surprised to run into Su Mengjia. Yet, considering their relationship was merely that of acquaintances, he greeted her with a composed nod, “Hello, Captain Su.”

“Calling me Captain Su sounds a bit stiff. Just Mengjia will do,” she responded.

Aware that a past misunderstanding had tainted Lin Xiao’s impression of her, Su Mengjia didn’t seem to mind. She even greeted him with a smile.

Lin Xiao did find her tone a bit too familiar and raised an eyebrow, but chose not to make it awkward, nodding in agreement.

However, Su Mengjia’s words triggered a slight change in Zhao Cheng’s expression. It was clear to him now that the two were acquainted, and from Su Mengjia’s tone, it even sounded like she was trying to please Lin Xiao.

Zhao Cheng knew Su Mengjia to be a prominent figure in Jinghai City. Though not unapproachable, she was usually reserved. And here she was, allowing a man to call her by her first name. It was practically unheard of.

Realizing this, Zhao Cheng felt a wave of dread. He knew full well Su Mengjia’s influence within the police system. Even if they appeared to be on the same level, their roles held different weights.

She was in criminal police and he in public security. Especially considering her youth and rumors of her impending promotion, Zhao Cheng didn’t dare offend her.

His concerns deepened, knowing that if word got out about his recent actions, he would be in hot water. Keeping a lid on things might be possible with an ordinary person, but not with someone like Su Mengjia.

Meanwhile, Le Fangyun was jolted awake from his delusions. He couldn’t believe that Lin Xiao, a man he had considered a nobody, was actually acquainted with this stunning police officer. It reminded him of a similarly aloof beauty he had met at Longhua Shopping Mall, who had also seemed surprisingly fond of Lin Xiao.

Unable to contain his jealousy any longer, his anger boiling over, he yelled, “Captain Su, don’t let yourself be fooled by this worthless trash. He’s nothing but–”

Before he could finish, Zhao Cheng forcefully grabbed him, preventing him from saying more.

Though aware he was in a precarious situation, he still clung to a sliver of hope. His only way out now was to leverage Le Fangyun’s influential background. If only Le Fangyun would divulge who was backing him, all problems would vanish.

Preparing to ask Le Fangyun to make a phone call, he underestimated how enraged Le Fangyun was at that moment.

Overtaken by fury, Le Fangyun glared at Zhao Cheng for daring to restrain him and shouted, “Who the hell do you think you are, grabbing me? In my eyes, you’re nothing more than a dog. Let go now.”

“You…” Even Zhao Cheng, a man usually adept at manipulation, quivered with anger at Le Fangyun’s words.

Had it not been for Le Fangyun, he wouldn’t have been in this mess.

Suppressing his irritation and contemplating Le Fangyun’s influential background, he managed to force a smile and whispered, “Young Master Le, we’ve got a problem. Maybe it’s time to call in Mayor Le.”

“Call Mayor Le?” Hearing this, Le Fangyun gradually cooled down, realizing the gravity of the situation.

However, he didn’t give Zhao Cheng’s suggestion a second thought. If calling Mayor Le was an option, he would’ve done it already.

If he were to make that call, he’d likely be the first one behind bars.

Nevertheless, he needed to keep Zhao Cheng on his side; if Zhao Cheng turned against him, he’d be finished.

Considering this, he lowered his voice and said, “Captain Zhao, I apologize for my earlier impulsiveness. Don’t worry about this situation, I’ll discuss it with my uncle. You’ll be fine, but resolving this will take some time, so…”

Although he left the sentence hanging, the cunning Zhao Cheng easily grasped the implication.

“Thank you, Young Master Le,” Zhao Cheng quickly replied. “Rest assured, I’ll shoulder the blame for now to ensure no harm comes to your reputation.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Seeing Le Fangyun’s satisfied expression, Zhao Cheng exhaled a sigh of relief. His livelihood and future depended on Le Fangyun’s powerful connections.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Cheng, however, was that Young Master Le was all talk and no action, frequently setting up others only to end up being the one hunted and pecked at all day.