Chapter Ten: Encounter with the Young Master of the Manor

  The east of the city is less managed. Director Qi Zhen Dong shook hands with Jiang Wei and exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats as host and guest.

  "Ha ha, good job, kid! You're getting promoted again. At this rate, you'll catch up with your old brother in two years!"

  Qī Zhèndōng's younger sister Qī Xīn has already obtained a marriage certificate with Jiāng Wēi, they are both former superior and subordinate relationship, as well as real close relatives.

  Two people have known each other for many years, and in this kind of relationship, there aren't so many formalities between them. Jiang Wei spoke bluntly: "The child who mistakenly killed the Shan Long Army is now transferred to your place, named Ye Haodong."

  Zi Zendong was puzzled: "What's going on? Why would someone like that be sent here?"

  Jiang Wei: "This kid was only seventeen, a few months ago he didn't know the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth and beat up Shan Longhui. As a result, he brought back the Shan Long army, stared at this kid for several months, and finally caught an opportunity to take action. At that time, this kid was wearing two layers of military cotton-padded jacket, the Shan Long army's shotgun only fired one shot, and the kid didn't get hurt much. On the contrary, Shan Longhui was hit on the back of his head by a furnace shovel and died. The court took into account the kid's voluntary surrender, and also considered that he was a first-time offender with no previous bad record, so when sentencing him, they naturally gave him a lighter punishment. As a result, this reckless and daring kid was sent to you."

  Zi Zhendong heard a lot of content from Jiang Wei's introduction, and it was clear that Jiang Wei was suspicious of Ye Haodong, who might become the new unstable factor in the juvenile detention center. If Jiang Wei's speculation was correct, then the arrival of such a person, mixed among a group of ignorant young offenders, would bring what kind of trouble to the juvenile detention center? It really needs to be prevented.

  "Are you very concerned about this kid? Do you know his family situation?"

  Jiang Wei did not deny: "Yeah, his father passed away last year, and he has a mother and two older brothers at home. His mother doesn't even know about him being sent to the juvenile detention center yet. I've chatted with him once and also indirectly understood his situation. If this kid can be salvaged, he'll become a talent in the future."

  Zi Zhendong showed interest, took out a pack of Hongshan tea-flavored cigarettes, handed one to Jiang Wei and said: "Oh? Tell me about the situation you understand, specifically, I'd like to know what this kid has done to make you appreciate him so much that you're willing to come to my place through the back door."

  Jiang Wei didn't directly answer Qi Zhendong's question, but instead changed the subject: "I and Qixin have registered, you know why we're almost thirty and still haven't gotten married, it's because of a house, to put it bluntly, it's because of money. We've been separated for nearly eight years without dividing up the house. Originally, I and your sister were planning to buy a commodity house, but last time we went to Baoneng Temple to look at new houses, the result was that we were shocked back. The houses there are over 10,000 yuan per square meter, a 60-square-meter house would be 600,000 yuan. I make just over 7,000 yuan a month, and I still have to support Lanlan's education, smoke cigarettes, eat, and give gifts... buying a house? I've given up hope."

  Zi Zendong impatiently said: "Don't drag these useless things, did I marry my sister to you because you have money? Are you here to cry poor or is the matchmaker at fault?"

  "Ah... I've been working for almost ten years since graduating from the police academy, and I still can't afford a new house. Guess how much that kid made in just four months after leaving school to work at the bathhouse? Just selling those medicinal bath formulas he researched to Li Tianyu was over 600,000! And that's not all - before the incident, he had already quit his job at the bathhouse and used that money to open a scrap metal collection station on Taiping Mountain. He's really got guts, I'll give him that. If he focused on doing business, he'd definitely achieve great things."

  Qizheng Dong furrowed his brow, his brother-in-law's words made him feel a bad omen. He said sternly: "Did you take his money? Or do you have some idea? If you plan to make money from this kid, I advise you to dispel this notion early on, otherwise, let's not say relatives, we're not even friends!"

  Jiang Wei smiled: "What are you talking about? You still don't understand me, is that what I meant?"

  Qizheng Dong remained unmoved: "What do you mean?"

  Jiang Wei: "My point is that this kid still has the heart to focus on proper things, it's clear he hasn't fallen too deeply yet, and indeed he's a talented individual. I hope you can train him well and don't let him be influenced by those little rascals here, or else it would be a pity if he can't be pulled out in the end."

  Jiang Wei explained it reasonably, and Qi Zhendong thought about it and felt the same way. His expression eased a bit: "What do you think? Say something."

  Jiang Wei: "I think we should take him home to take a look, and then bring him back. This way, his family won't know what's going on, and he can avoid getting into trouble in the future. Also, this way, he'll definitely be grateful to you, and it will be easier for you to manage him later."

  Qī Zhèndōng rolled his eyes and glanced at Jiāng Wēi, muttering: "If it weren't for your decent behavior in the past, I'd really suspect you of taking that kid's money."

  Jiang Wei smiled slyly: "I haven't seen that kid since I sent him to the detention center, why did I cry just now, don't you understand?"

  "Ah, you're using a roundabout way to save the country, trying to get me to persuade Mom and Dad. You little scamp, your conscience is really bad!"

  The conversation ended pleasantly, and the two burst out laughing.

  The new juvenile delinquent was quickly arranged to go through the motions. Ye Haodong was surprisingly lucky enough to be assigned to the same dormitory as Huang Ma'er. The dormitory had twelve people in one room, with bunk beds. There were ten "original residents" in the room, and everyone was waiting expectantly for the new arrivals. The instructor who escorted Ye Haodong and Huang Ma'er hadn't left yet, and the juvenile delinquents were waiting anxiously for further instructions. No one dared to sit down, including Huang Ma'er, a veteran of this place. Ye Haodong didn't care about any of that, he put his personal belongings (which had been searched many times, leaving only a few clothes) on an upper bunk and sat down casually. The other juveniles admired his boldness while also expecting him to get into trouble. They were waiting to see how this foolish kid would mess up next.

  The door was suddenly opened from the outside, and a black-faced policeman carrying two batons walked in, his waist straight, his body seemingly tailored to perfection. His sharp eyes scanned the room full of young people, and with a stern expression, he pointed at Ye Haodong: "You come out with me for a moment!"

  Even Huang Maoer and all the young offenders took a deep breath, this kid was so lucky to have run into the famous Qi Laohu on his first day, now this is going to be interesting.

  Huang Mao'er wanted to say something, but when he saw Qi Zhendong's gaze sweep towards him, the back of his neck involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat, and in the end, he didn't dare stand up to help Ye Haodong explain.

  Zi Zhendong walked ahead with his hands behind his back, while Ye Haodong followed behind him, looking utterly carefree and nonchalant.

  In a flat residential area at the foot of Liangting Mountain.

  Zi Zhendong and Jiang Wei stood at the entrance of the alley, smoking while waiting for Ye Haodong to finish visiting his mother.

  "This environment is complex enough."

  The glowing cigarette butt illuminated Jiang Wei's face, which was sometimes bright and sometimes dark. Qi Zhen Dong's words were laced with meaning, and Jiang Wei wasn't oblivious to them. In fact, he was worried that Ye Hao Dong might take advantage of the situation and run away. After all, Ye Hao Dong was only a 17-year-old kid, and it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't do something foolish if he didn't think things through. Without saying a word, Jiang Wei focused his attention on the alley entrance. After a long time, the sound of barking dogs came from outside, and Ye Hao Dong's figure emerged from the darkness. Jiang Wei finally let out a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, this kid isn't so complicated after all. Let's go back."

  The three of them walked side by side out of the residential area, with Ye Haodong sandwiched in between. Qi Zhendong quietly put handcuffs on Ye Haodong, and the three quickly returned to the police car parked on the side of the road.

  All the way in silence, when the outline of the small pipe appeared in the three people's line of sight under the dark night sky, Ye Haodong, who had been fluctuating all the way, finally stabilized his emotions and said calmly: "Great kindness doesn't need to be thanked, I'll repay you two later!"

  Jiang Wei: "Don't mess around with others inside, when you're in a muddle, think of your mother more often, don't look for trouble again."

  Zi Zhendong: "If there's something, report it up. If the lower levels can't handle it, find me. No matter what happens, I hope you remember what your brother Jiang told you. You'd better not disappoint us."

  "Mind your own business."

  Jiang Wei and Qi Zhendong looked at each other: "This kid, is he reliable or not?"

  Ten minutes later, Qi Zhen Dong personally handed Ye Hao Dong over to the instructor in charge of dormitory duty. He asked him to take Ye Hao Dong back to his room to rest. The headmaster's unusual behavior left this instructor somewhat bewildered, but he didn't dare to slack off and instead escorted Ye Hao Dong back to the previous dormitory with a friendly attitude.

  The door of room 216 was suddenly opened, and the group of young offenders who were discussing what would happen to Ye Haodong immediately fell silent. The room that was previously bustling with noise suddenly became quiet as a mouse. Ye Haodong walked in under the escort of the duty officer, looking worried and preoccupied. The officer's voice followed behind him: "Go to bed early, don't make trouble! If you have anything to report, shout it out."

  Ignoring the curious glances of the crowd, Ye Haodong found the only empty upper berth and lightly jumped up to lie down. His mind was filled with thoughts about today's events. Alas, this person owes too much emotional debt. Fortunately, his mother was comforted on that side, and the excuse this time was still going south. Luckily, Li Weidong had sent 2,000 yuan home a few days ago, creating the illusion that Ye Haodong was still working at the bathhouse. His mother didn't think much of it, and now that she saw her son safe and sound, she finally put her mind at ease. Her son only stayed home for a short while before leaving again, and Wang Lin naturally couldn't help but remind him repeatedly.

  Something on his mind, Ye Haodong couldn't sleep. He went over the events of the past month in his head again, it was like a dream. Among the 360 professions, every profession produces a top scorer. I, Ye Haodong, became a top scorer as a masseur and earned more than 600,000 yuan. In the future, when I become a waste recycling king, I must earn 6 million yuan. For now, I still can't let Mom know about the money, otherwise she would save every penny and put it in the bank to earn interest, and my plans would all be ruined.

  "Hey, you new kid, who told you to sleep? Get down quickly."

  As he listened carefully and looked over, Ye Haodong noticed the person who was speaking.