"No need to thank me. I’m reassured knowing you’ll be taking Tangtang and Jiaxue back," Lin Qi said with a smile. Upon seeing Sun Chao’s arrival, he felt relieved. Despite Tang Qing’s repeated emphasis on their good relationship, Lin Qi still felt it necessary to meet Sun Chao in person, Ambassador Sun in tow. Upon meeting them, his experiences told him both were respectable individuals.
"It’s the least I could do, we are all friends after all," Sun Chao quickly responded.
Afterward, Sun Chao rushed to open the trunk, stuffing it with various items. The trunk was already fairly full, leaving him and Tang Qing to rearrange everything to make it all fit. The bulk of the items belonged to Tang Qing and Lin Jiaxue. Given the opportunity, their grandparents had packed heaps of items for them such as eggs, duck eggs, cooked food, beverages, homemade cured meats, and so on. Without sorting it out, the trunk would reach its capacity.
"Little Tang, and Jiaxue, you’re leaving now? How is Old Man Lin doing?" As Tang Qing was packing, a police car parked next to them, and Yang Quan, the local police station chief, stepped out and warmly greeted them.
During Qin Kong’s arrest, the two had not exchanged greetings. Yang Quan had stayed in the police car and Tang Qing had only met Officer Liu in person. However, after Zheng Xiu started work on the eighth day, he began questioning about Qin Kong. Well-prepared, Yang Quan took credit for multiple cases unearthed due to their relentless efforts on Qin Kong. They managed to serve him with multiple charges, making it highly probable for him to receive a sentence of several years. Zheng Xiu even complimented him, praising him for eliminating a menace for the people.
Qin Kong is currently being held in the county’s detention center, relieving Yang Quan of further responsibilities. He trusted Zheng Xiu would handle it appropriately.
On the third day, which was the tenth, Zheng Xiu came down to guide their work, and Yang Quan followed him to Tang Qing’s house to familiarize himself and have a meal. Despite being the oldest there, he served everyone throughout the dinner. Tang Qing tried to dissuade him several times to no avail, making the Lin family feel rather odd. However, Yang Quan didn’t have a choice. With his director there, the hierarchical difference was clear. Others there also had connections, a status he dared not challenge.
As he listened to Zheng Xiu and Tang Qing’s conversations, he grew surprised by the depth of their relationship. Conversations rarely involved Qin Yugang, but more centered on other individuals who appeared to be quite significant.
"Yes, Uncle Yang, we’re heading back as school is starting in a few days and we need to prepare," Tang Qing explained.
"Good, I am sure you will get into a top university. And who might these two be?" Upon finishing, Yang Quan looked at Sun Chao and asked. The only two unfamiliar faces were Sun Chao and his mother, who appeared to be the owners of the luxurious car. So, naturally, he was keen to get acquainted with them.
"This is a friend of mine, Sun Chao, and his mother," Tang Qing introduced.
"How do you do, Mr. Sun and Mrs. Sun," Yang Quan extended his hand, earnestly greeting them in the safest way possible without knowing Sun Chao’s occupation.
"Nice to meet you, Chief Yang. Just call me Xiao Sun," Sun Chao replied, shaking Yang Quan’s hand. He managed to maintain a demeanor that neither looked down nor up to Yang, although he was a police chief. Even the old Sun Chao, who was a soldier, would never concede or try flattery, as to not tarnish the image of a soldier.
"Haha, then I’ll take the liberty to call you Xiao Sun. So, you’re running a successful business?" Yang Quan asked with a chuckle.
"Not really, just a small business. No need to mention it," Sun Chao smiled and vaguely replied as he naturally couldn’t disclose the whole truth. It wasn’t that he was worried about embarrassment, but rather keeping things consistent.
"Haha, Xiao Sun, you’re being modest. That’s alright, I won’t probe further. Have a safe journey. I ended up not having a chance to host you. We even got a free meal from Little Tang. Next time you return, I must have the pleasure of treating you," said Yang Quan. Seeing Sun Chao’s dismissive response, he didn’t press further. To him, what mattered was that they had made an acquaintance.
"Alright, Uncle Yang. We’ll get going. We’ll definitely come to your place to enjoy a meal the next time we return," Tang Qing replied with a chuckle.
"You better remember that! If you don’t come, I’ll come to your house to fetch you. If Mr. Lin needs anything in the future, just give me a call," Yang Quan remarked. He was aware of Tang Qing and Lin Jiaxue’s connection, making Lin Qi a relative of Tang Qing, and by extension, a relative of Qin Yugang. Considering Qin Yugang was Zheng Xiu’s comrade, Yang Quan had no choice but to give it due importance.
This is the nature of interpersonal relationships in China; under the surface, God knows how many big fish are hidden.
After saying his goodbyes to the others, Yang Quan got in his car and left.
At this point, the trunk was packed. After bidding farewell to Lin Qi, the group set off on their journey back to the county. It was as Tang’s parents had previously arranged - they would invite Sun Chao for lunch to express their gratitude. Even as friends, they couldn’t just take advantage of him without offering anything in return too often. Offering money would be a tad vulgar, so inviting him to a meal was a more genuine gesture.
After Yang Quan left in his car,
"Chief, that Audi looked so cool. It would be great if our squad cars could also be like that," said the young policeman driving, full of envy.
"Dream on, kiddo. Those are hundreds of thousands more expensive, how could we afford to equip ours with those? Even Director Zheng doesn’t have one. There are only three in the whole county and they’re used by county leaders. For grassroots units like ours, it would take over a decade to upgrade to that type of car. Tsk, tsk. Hundreds of thousands...Sun Chao must be incredibly wealthy," Yang Quan said with a laugh and sigh. But, he wasn’t overly surprised. With Qin Yugang’s connections, it wasn’t unusual for Tang Qing to have wealthy friends. It could even have been arranged by Qin Yugang.