"You see, Officer Zhou’s behavior is quite worthy of criticism and education. It’s not conducive to protecting the whistleblower’s privacy and reputation."
Upon hearing this, Tan Yunlong was almost amused with anger, and he approached Tan Wenbin directly.
Tan Wenbin took up a defensive stance, "Dad, calm down. Your son has got some kung fu skills now. It won’t be good if you really get hurt during a sparring match."
Tan Yunlong raised his hand and slapped it down on Tan Wenbin’s head.
Tan Wenbin, of course, wouldn’t really fight back against his own father, so he could only hold his head as his dad smacked it.
"Why were you so careless this time? Rescuing someone and they even learned your real name?"
Tan Yunlong originally wanted to make it seem like his son was the whistleblower, but because of Liangliang’s words, his son turned into a direct rescuer.
"Oh my god, Dad, I really can’t be blamed for this. It was Brother Xiao Yuan who called me ’Brother Binbin’ at the time, and the kid heard it."
"You’ve become quite capable, huh? Making a mistake and still trying to shift the blame to Xiao Yuan?"
Tan Wenbin was at a loss for words, he did indeed remember that moment when Brother Xiao Yuan was drinking a can of Jianlibao and said to him: "Brother Binbin, as long as you’re happy."
Then, that kid started calling him "Brother Bin Bin."
"Making a mess and still not wanting to take responsibility!"
Tan Wenbin was chased around the office, crying out with grievance, "Dad, who exactly is your real son?"
"I really do fancy a change."
Hearing this, Tan Wenbin couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud:
"Pfft...you sure have a big face, Dad."
The next slap came down with double the force.
"Ow, isn’t that so? You want Xiao Yuan to be your son. Have you even asked if Brother Xiao Yuan is willing to have you as a dad?"
"I can’t even dare to imagine what it would be like to have Brother Xiao Yuan’s brain, but you go even further than me, haha, ow!"
"Smack smack smack smack smack!"
The office finally calmed down because Tan Yunlong was tired from the slapping.
Tan Wenbin sat in the chair, having received so many hits, but to him, this was nothing. Even a year ago, he would have considered this level of physical interaction as nothing more than an appetizer. And now, his body was even tougher.
"Dad, you’re tired, right? Let me pour you some tea."
Tan Wenbin picked up the thermos next to him and started pouring tea.
Tan Yunlong saw his son’s movement of retracting shoulders and elbow tucking while grabbing the hot water flask, and immediately asked:
"Did you throw those rocks?"
Was that woman killed by you?
Tan Wenbin continued pouring the tea with a calm demeanor, then replied puzzledly, "What rocks? I didn’t smash anyone’s windows."
Tan Yunlong said, "Pretending to be too casual can come off as forced, in the eyes of someone perceptive, you’ve already given your answer just now."
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
"The right way is to predict in advance what the other person will ask you, then prepare yourself mentally, really thinking it wasn’t done by you, that kind of reaction is more realistic."
"Dad, are you planning to give a lecture on legal education at our school? Hey, that’s not right either, such topics aren’t suitable for a lecture."
"You’ve improved a bit, at least you now know to push back, to prevent from being tricked into a confession."
"Officer Tan, if it makes you happy."
Tan Yunlong didn’t pursue the topic further, instead, he said, "No matter what, it’s ultimately a good thing. Ask Xiao Yuan if he is willing to come out to accept the commendation."
"No need to ask, Brother Xiao Yuan definitely wouldn’t want to."
"I obviously have to follow Brother Xiao Yuan’s lead, fame and wealth are like passing clouds to me."
"It’s too late, you’re going to go through the procedure in a bit, you can’t hide this anymore."
"Even if I try to downplay the impact, the department already has corresponding rules, certificates and notifications to the school, it’s unavoidable."
"That sounds troublesome..."
"You should understand the principle of Zigong redeeming others."
"It’s also quite good, getting a certificate, being commended by the school, it’s beneficial for your future development."
"Even the dead wouldn’t recognize this award."
"Nothing, nothing, fine, Officer Tan, I’ll cooperate with the work."
Tan Wenbin left the office and was taken to give a statement.
After all the procedures were completed, he was escorted back to school by several police officers, and in front of the teachers and students at the store’s entrance, he was given an award certificate, which was to restore his reputation.
There was also a bonus, placed in an envelope.
In fact, the procedure didn’t go that quickly; the bonus required formal approval, so the envelope was stuffed with newspapers.
After the ceremony was over, Tan Wenbin walked into the shop with his certificate in hand.
Lu Yi had just been cleaning the storage in the basement, so he missed the commotion earlier. Just now he had come up, saw Tan Wenbin return, and exclaimed in surprise, "Dude, you’re out!"
Tan Wenbin: "Yeah, dude, thanks for looking after my parents for me."
"Uh, I misspoke, I didn’t mean that, huh, what’s this, a certificate? Oh, impressive, you’re awesome, let me frame it and hang it above the counter."
"No, just keep it for me for now, low profile."
"Alright, alright, I get it, you’ve always had a broad vision, dude."
Tan Wenbin grabbed a bag, filled it with some food and drinks, and though he did not pay, he had Lu Yi tally it at the counter.
Then he carried the goods back to his dorm, knocked on the custodian aunt’s door, went in and chatted with her for a while, sharing some life annoyances and missing his mother.
Leaving, he left behind all the food and drinks.
Returning to his dorm room and seeing Brother Xiao Yuan hadn’t come back, he went to take a shower, changed into clean clothes, and then headed over to Lu Yi’s room.