Qin Xuan was just about to push harder to get Zheng Yan to talk when Luo Wen knocked and entered, followed by a few others, one of whom was tied up.
Qin Xuan’s expression darkened immediately. “Luo Wen, who gave you permission to bring him here?”
Ignoring Qin Xuan’s anger, Luo Wen responded calmly, “We’ve confirmed Chen Kai’s identity. Better to handle this sooner rather than later, Young Master Qin.”
Qin Xuan stared at Luo Wen for a long moment, his face tight. Then he turned to Zheng Yan, speaking softly. “I’ll have someone take you home. I’ll come find you in a few days.”
But before Zheng Yan could respond, Luo Wen cut in, “Since Mr. Zheng is your teacher, it might be good for him to stay and listen.”
“Luo Wen! Get out! Take them and leave!” Qin Xuan roared.
Luo Wen remained unmoved. “Do you remember what I told you, Young Master?”
“That is not happening.” Qin Xuan hesitated, his voice turning cold. “I’ve already told you—I don’t want my teacher involved, and I won’t let you drag him into this.”
Luo Wen cast a meaningful glance at Zheng Yan.
Zheng Yan looked confused, but when he saw the man tied up on the ground, his face went pale. Pointing at the bound figure in shock, he stammered, “What are you doing? This is illegal!” He stepped toward Chen Kai, seemingly to untie him.
Qin Xuan quickly grabbed him, pulling him back. “He tried to steal from us, and we caught him. If you let him go, he’ll escape.”
“If he stole something, then take him to the police!” Zheng Yan struggled free and pulled out his phone. “Untie him. There’s no way he can run with so many people here. I’ll call the police to handle this.”
“Mr. Zheng.” Luo Wen said as he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Zheng Yan’s forehead. “I’d advise you not to make any sudden moves.”
Seeing the cold barrel of the gun pointed at him, Zheng Yan instinctively took a step back, staring at Qin Xuan in disbelief. “You… you’re with him?”
Qin Xuan’s temple throbbed visibly. “Luo Wen, put the gun down.” Luo Wen hesitated for a moment, but Qin Xuan quickly strode over, snatched the gun out of his hand, and slammed it onto the table. “Didn’t you hear me? When I say put the gun down, you do it! If my word means nothing to you, then go back to my father and stay out of my sight!”
Luo Wen remained silent. Qin Xuan turned away, no longer looking at him.
Zheng Yan had retreated a few steps, but Qin Xuan pulled him back, speaking with restrained patience. “Teacher, I have some things to take care of. Please sit down and don’t do or say anything. I’ll explain everything when I’m done, okay?”
He truly didn’t want Zheng Yan involved in this, but Luo Wen had forced his hand with this reckless move. Damn Luo Wen!
Zheng Yan seemed like he wanted to say something, but he swallowed his words. His face had gone deathly pale, making the red handprint on his cheek stand out even more.
Qin Xuan’s fury flared again. “Weren’t we supposed to draw him out slowly? What do you think you’re doing, bringing him in like this?”
Luo Wen glanced again at Zheng Yan, carefully observing every shift in his expression, but found nothing to indicate guilt. Either Zheng Yan was truly innocent or his acting was flawless. “We received confirmation just now—Chen Kai is working with the police.” He approached Chen Kai, removing the blindfold and turning his head so that he faced Zheng Yan. “Do you recognize him?”
Chen Kai squinted against the sudden light and coldly replied, “I don’t. Luo Wen, if you’re planning to frame me, there’s no need to drag in unrelated people.”
Luo Wen raised an eyebrow and tossed out a memory card. “How about this? Do you recognize it? We found it in your phone. You know exactly what’s on it.”
Chen Kai remained composed. “Fabricated evidence. I see you’re not short on excuses.”
“Oh?” Luo Wen clapped his hands, and a video started playing. As the footage rolled, he said, “So, what do you say now? We have both evidence and witnesses. Officer Chen, you’d be better off confessing now and avoiding further suffering.”
“He’s a police officer? Then who are you?” Zheng Yan suddenly asked, breaking the long silence. “Qin Xuan, who exactly are you?”
Seeing that there was no longer any point in hiding the truth, Qin Xuan calmed down. “There are some things you don’t need to know. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.” From the start, he hadn’t believed Luo Wen’s claim that Zheng Yan could be working with the police. Seeing how frightened Zheng Yan was now, he knew it wasn’t possible. Look at Chen Kai—the two clearly didn’t know each other. Luo Wen’s meddling had only made things worse, and Qin Xuan would have to deal with him later.
Zheng Yan trembled, standing up. “I want to go home.”
“Wait.” Qin Xuan pushed him back into the chair, his tone firm. “I’ll take you home soon, but right now, it’s too late, and it’s not safe for you to go alone.”
Zheng Yan grabbed Qin Xuan’s hand. “Qin Xuan, you’re too young. You can’t get involved in this kind of thing.”
Qin Xuan squeezed Zheng Yan’s hand in an attempt to comfort him, but Luo Wen interrupted, “Mr. Zheng, do you think Young Master Qin is doing something he shouldn’t?”
Zheng Yan looked directly at him. “I don’t know what grudge you have against this officer, but tying him up like this is illegal, and you’re carrying guns.”
“I see.” Luo Wen chuckled. “I thought Mr. Zheng knew more about our less-than-legal activities.”
Qin Xuan frowned, instinctively glancing at Zheng Yan, whose eyes now reflected fear as he pressed his lips tightly together, saying nothing more.
“Take Luo Wen downstairs.” Qin Xuan ordered coldly. If he could tolerate any more of this, he wouldn’t have been able to oust several senior members in just a month. Of course, when he said “downstairs” he didn’t mean a simple escort.
When no one moved, Qin Xuan growled, “What are you waiting for? If he doesn’t respect me, do you all think you don’t have to either?”
Two of the bodyguards exchanged a glance before stepping forward and speaking quietly to Luo Wen. “Mr. Luo, please come with us.”
Luo Wen’s face darkened, but he bowed respectfully. “Take care, Young Master.”
The original plan had been to use this opportunity to flush out Chen Kai’s contacts. But once Zheng Yan showed up, Luo Wen lost his judgment. He had been convinced Zheng Yan was the connection, but Qin Xuan knew better. Speculation about Zheng Yan was just that—speculation. Qin Xuan was confident in his teacher’s innocence.
“Officer Chen.” Qin Xuan said, turning back to Chen Kai. “You’ve been in Qin Shi for two years. How much of the trouble we’ve faced during that time is thanks to you?”
Chen Kai realized there was no point in further denial. He smiled grimly. “You might as well do whatever you want to me. What’s the point of asking more questions?”
“Qin Shi is conducting legitimate business now.” Qin Xuan said, patting Chen Kai on the shoulder. “No need to speak so harshly, Officer Chen.”
Chen Kai met his gaze without fear. “Legitimate business? Qin Shi has a history of crimes—murder, arson, and more. One day, Qin Xuan, the law will catch up with you.”
Qin Xuan’s expression darkened. He pulled back his hand, his voice icy. “Who is your contact?”
Chen Kai shrugged. “I don’t have a contact.”
After a long pause, Qin Xuan spoke in a low voice, “Qin Shi has reformed. Can’t you give us a chance?”
“Reformed?” Chen Kai laughed, shaking his cuffed wrists and glancing at the gun on the table. “You call this reformed, Qin Xuan?”
Qin Xuan’s face showed signs of exhaustion as he remained silent for a moment. Then, with a resigned sigh, he said, “Ah Liang, take Officer Chen to the eastern suburbs.”
One of the men nodded and stepped forward.
“Wait—” Zheng Yan interrupted, his hand clenching into a fist at his side. He walked over to Qin Xuan, voice trembling. “Qin Xuan, he’s a police officer. Don’t do anything foolish. Do you remember that you’re still a student?”
Qin Xuan gently stroked Zheng Yan’s soft black hair. “If I lock him up, will you report me, Teacher?”
Zheng Yan didn’t flinch or avoid the question, though his expression shifted several times. Nearby, Chen Kai saw the tension in Zheng Yan’s clenched fist and scoffed. “What do you think? Just because he’s your teacher, you expect him to cover for you? Do you really think everyone’s as lawless as your Qin Shi?”
Zheng Yan paused, slowly releasing his clenched fist. Chen Kai was reminding him not to lose sight of the bigger picture, but how could he just stand by and watch Chen Kai be taken away?
Chen Kai’s words hit a nerve with Qin Xuan. “You stay out of this.” Qin Xuan snapped, his earlier politeness gone. “Take him to the eastern suburbs and keep a close watch on him.”
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