Chapter Ten: The Situation

Early the next morning, He Zhixing brought his injured grandfather to the employer’s home, where they had been hired for carpentry work. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the family: the employer, a tall, imposing man in his forties with fierce brows and piercing eyes, dressed in military attire. The three family members, except for the elegant middle-aged woman in casual clothes, all wore police uniforms.

Standing nearby was the daughter, strikingly beautiful and full of vigor. From the sharpness in her gaze, it was clear she was a rose with thorns—never to be underestimated. Seeing the exhaustion in the grandfather and grandson, and noticing the grandfather’s labored walk, the family quickly inquired about what had happened. They recounted the events that had transpired the previous evening before darkness fell.

The burly man erupted in anger, “Outrageous! Lawless in broad daylight—where is justice? Looks like the operation the mayor asked us to plan must be expedited.” He glanced meaningfully at his daughter.

“Come, you’ve had a rough journey. Old He, you’re injured—don’t strain yourself. Rest well these next few days; the carpentry isn’t urgent. Su Mei, help Grandpa He inside.”

“Yes, Father.”

This middle-aged man was the city's Chief of Police, named Zeng Li. His daughter, Zeng Su Mei, worked at the police bureau as the head of the Criminal Action Squad. The family had commissioned the furniture through the Five Towns Hemp Village Primary School’s administrative office, introduced by Old He, who was also from He Zhixing’s village and a distant cousin to He Zhixing’s grandfather—they shared the same lineage.

Aside from a spacious house, the family lived simply. The compound held a two-and-a-half-story house, with flowers and vegetable patches on the top floor. The house wasn’t new; inside, there was no sofa yet, only seven or eight old stools and a large, well-used round table. Beneath the courtyard walls were stacks of timber and solid logs for the carpentry, as well as several long wooden benches reserved for their work.

Over the next few days, the grandfather rested while He Zhixing worked alone. Young and energetic, he completed the carpentry swiftly and with finesse. The grandfather occasionally ventured outside to offer guidance. In less than three days, He Zhixing crafted two beautiful, stately long sofas adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, along with three elegant Qing-style armchairs. Zeng Li was greatly impressed and delighted.

Within fifteen days, all the furniture pieces were finished: long benches and sofas, armchairs, small chairs, a TV cabinet, bookshelf, foldable dining table, cupboards, and more. The grandfather’s injury had healed, and all the pieces had been polished. Their current task was varnishing, which took a day and a half. At last, the work was done, and they enjoyed rare leisure at the Chief’s home, preparing to return home the next morning.

During their stay, Aunt Su, the graceful woman, was responsible for cooking and tending to them. When not busy with meals, she shopped for groceries and worked in the garden. Father and daughter went to work daily except on Sundays.

That afternoon, with some free time, He Zhixing decided to go out and look for Gou Quan. Just as he reached the street, two thugs blocked his way.

He Zhixing glared, “What do you want?”

One of the thugs, a bit more aggressive, spoke up, “Kid, our boss wants to see you.”

He Zhixing brushed past them, “Who’s your boss? I don’t know him. Move aside—good dogs don’t block the road!” The two thugs, unwilling to let him go, blocked him again, one on each side. “Kid, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a penalty! Our boss is being generous—better show some gratitude. Who do you think you are?”

Unwilling to waste words, He Zhixing acted quickly—kicking one in the abdomen and elbowing the other in the jaw. Two thuds rang out as they fell to the ground.

About to leave, one thug propped himself up and shouted, “You know Hou Juan, right? If you don’t want anything to happen to her, come with us to meet our boss.”

He Zhixing’s expression changed, “What have you done to her? If anything happens to her, none of you will get away!”

The thugs chuckled, “If you want to know what’s happened to her, follow us.” Supporting each other, they led the way. One glanced back, checking that He Zhixing followed before proceeding.

They stopped at the entrance to the Jiahao Grand Hotel. The thug whispered to the security guard, “He’s here!” The guard nodded and glanced at He Zhixing, “Go on in.”

As they entered the hotel, the security guard hurried to the guardhouse and made a call, “Boss, he’s here.”

In a luxurious suite on the eighth floor, the man on the phone replied, “Alright, I know,” and hung up. At the same moment, the city police chief’s office phone rang. Zeng Li answered, “Report, Chief Zeng—two thugs brought someone into the Jiahao Grand Hotel. It’s the young man who worked at your house. The girl they caught at noon was also identified—she’s locked in one of the hotel rooms.”

“Understood. Stay there and report any developments immediately. Our operation is about to begin.”

Beside him, his daughter’s eyes burned with anticipation—she was eager for action. Hearing her father’s call and conversation, she knew the operation was imminent.

Looking at her, Zeng Li said, “Su Mei, assemble Captain Guo and Captain Ma—bring them here.”

“Yes.”

Zeng Su Mei quietly closed the door and left the chief’s office, preparing for the swiftest deployment of the latest operation.