Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 181 Trial?

He should take all the credit for this great achievement himself; there's no need to share it with anyone else.

It's been a while since I've had any chance of being promoted, but this time there's hope.

Thinking this, Fan Guocheng became more and more excited, and even began to fantasize about handing Wang Chengpeng over. However, his fantasy was quickly blocked by a tall body.

Alerted by the barking of the dog, Zhu Hong quickly stopped the suspicious-looking Fan Guocheng and said:
"Who are you looking for? And why are you lurking around my house?"

Zhu Hong felt that these scoundrels were impossible to get rid of no matter how many times he beat them. He had just chased one away in the morning, and now another one had come to him willingly.

"Wait, I'm a police officer. I'm here on business, and you have to cooperate."

"Where is Wang Chengpeng? I need to discuss something with him."

Having already dragged Wang Chengpeng into a crime, Zhu Hong's words were extremely blunt.

police?

Zhu Hong looked at Fan Guocheng with suspicion and found that the man looked familiar. Who else could he be but the policeman who came in the morning?

He immediately shouted into the house, "Brother Wang, the police are looking for you. Should we let them in?"

It's just that no one else lives here, otherwise Wang Chengpeng would have become famous just from that shout.

Getting confronted by the police? It's almost never a good thing.

After giving his family a reassuring look, Wang Chengpeng said, "It was expected."

"Father, Mother, I might be a little late. If you don't have time, please have Zhu Hong accompany my little sister to her exam tomorrow."

He then called out to the courtyard, "Zhu Hong, bring the person to the living room and have a seat. I'll be right there."

When Wang Chengpeng called the police and Fang Weimin was arrested, he already knew that the other party would not let him go.

Unfortunately, Fang Weimin had no idea that this was an opportunity given to him by Wang Chengpeng.

It would be better to let it go. If the police were called, Wang Chengpeng would be fine, but Fang Weimin would be in trouble and his barely profitable business would fall through.

As for the other matter, which is also extremely important, that is Wang Meiyan's entrance examination.

Wang Chengpeng originally planned to accompany Wang Meiyan to the exam in person, but with the police coming to his door, he figured he wouldn't be available for a while and would have to ask his family or Zhu Hong to do it for him.

Wang Tieshan glanced at Wang Chengpeng with concern and cautiously inquired:

"Son, what did you do to get the police to come knocking on our door?"

"And judging from the tone of your voice, something really might have happened."

With a helpless smile, Wang Chengpeng said, "Dad, what could possibly be wrong with me?"

"Your son is the most law-abiding, you know that."

"Don't worry, I'm just going to the police station for a visit. I'll be back in three days at most."

Wang Chengpeng's confident words instantly inspired Wang Tieshan, making him feel a little relieved.

However, he still felt uneasy. If he weren't still in front of Wang Chengpeng, he probably would have already rushed off to find someone to help him.

As for Wang Meiyan, she was much calmer, acting like a little adult, and said:
"Brother, it's just an entrance exam. I can go by myself."

"Don't worry, I will definitely get a perfect score and come back. I will definitely not embarrass you."

However, her anxious eyes betrayed her; she was clearly extremely worried about Wang Chengpeng.

Only Zhu Hong was a bit more easygoing, saying, "Brother Wang said nothing will happen, so nothing will happen. I don't know what you guys are worried about."

"Brother Wang, that policeman keeps urging you to go over there. You'd better go as soon as possible."

Nodding slightly, Wang Chengpeng bid farewell to his family and then got up to go to the living room.

Just as Wang Chengpeng sat down, he heard Fan Guocheng say something suggestive:

"Comrade Wang, your living room is really impressive. It's not only large enough, but it also has a lot of equipment. It must have cost a lot of money."

Instead of directly answering Fan Guocheng's question, Wang Chengpeng smiled and said, "The reason people work hard is to give their families a better life."

"If you earn your own living, as long as it's within your means and you don't steal or rob, it's not too much to spend any amount of money."

Fan Guocheng glanced at Wang Chengpeng with surprise and said, "It seems that Comrade Wang already knows why I'm here."

"Since that's the case, then I'll get straight to the point."

“If you confess, you will be treated with leniency, if you resist, you will be treated with severity.”

"If you confess your crimes sooner, it might lessen your punishment."

At this point, Fan Guocheng's eyes suddenly sharpened, staring intently at Wang Chengpeng like a hawk.

This is the imposing presence that Fan Guocheng developed through years of interrogating prisoners; not only prisoners, but even ordinary people would feel intimidated by it.

He felt that under his watchful gaze, a young man like Wang Chengpeng would not be able to withstand it for even a moment, and would frantically spill out his illegal acts like beans.

All I need to do is capture them and bring them back; that would be a great achievement for me.

However, something unexpected happened to Fan Guocheng.

Wang Chengpeng seemed not to notice his gaze, remaining as composed as before.

Wang Chengpeng even had the mood to laugh, grinning and saying, "Officer, you're right."

"If I were truly guilty, I would naturally confess without hesitation and would never cause trouble for the country and the people."

"It's really a bit too far-fetched for you to convict me with such baseless accusations."

Just as Fan Guocheng's anger began to rise, Wang Chengpeng continued:
"If you're wondering where the money to build the new house came from, then I can explain that."

At this point, a hint of nostalgia appeared in Wang Chengpeng's eyes as he said:

"It was an afternoon a few months ago. I just wanted to try my luck at the scrap yard, hoping to buy a few books that were barely readable."

"To be honest, I'm a little ashamed to say that my family was really poor, so much so that I could only try my luck at the scrap yard when looking for books."

"It was during that search for books that I had the great luck of meeting the former head of the scrap metal recycling station, Comrade Ji Yongyue."

"Perhaps because we are both scholars, Station Chief Ji was very generous. He didn't charge me any money and just gave me some very practical books."

"We scholars are not ungrateful people; we should repay even the smallest kindness with the greatest gratitude."

"It just so happened that Station Chief Ji was tinkering with a broken radio at the time, so I volunteered to help him fix it."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng looked unusually embarrassed and said:
"Looking back now, I realize that I was indeed a bit overconfident at the time."

"He just casually read a few books about radios, yet he dared to boast that he could help Station Chief Ji."

"Luckily, I was in luck. After fiddling with it for a long time, I finally found the cause of the radio malfunction and managed to fix it."

"As I just said, Station Chief Ji has always been a generous person and he didn't take advantage of me for nothing. He immediately gave me two yuan as a reward."

"It was through this small incident that I became acquainted with Station Chief Ji and developed some relationship with him." "Of course, strictly speaking, it was entirely my fault for being out of line with Station Chief Ji."

"After that, when I went to town, Station Chief Ji would often bring me some broken things from his home and ask me to help him repair them. Each time, he would give me some reward, more or less."

"Thanks to Station Master Ji's generosity, I was able to earn a little money, and with the help of my uncles and elders, I was able to barely build this house."

After briefly stating the facts, Wang Chengpeng remained silent, awaiting Fan Guocheng's trial.

With a glare, Fan Guocheng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, saying, "Behave yourself, and don't try to be clever."

"I admit your story is quite good, but you're still a bit short of fooling me."

“I inquired about your family's affairs at the village entrance when I came here, so I know better than you whether there's anything fishy going on.”

“I’ve already given you a chance, but judging from your expression, it seems you don’t intend to cherish it.”

Wang reached into his pocket, and Fan Guocheng surprisingly pulled out a pair of silver bracelets, saying:

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences. Once you come back to the station with me, you'll be in for a world of trouble."

"You'd better put your hands out now, or you'll be the one who loses face if you make a big fuss."

Wang Chengpeng shook his head slightly and sighed.

Although everything he said was true, Fan Guocheng didn't seem to be listening.

With his hands raised, Wang Chengpeng smiled and said, "Officer, whether I'm making up a story or not, you can find out by conducting an on-site investigation."

"I am willing to cooperate fully with your work until the matter is thoroughly investigated."

"As for these handcuffs, I don't think they're necessary."

"If I really wanted to run away, I wouldn't have come to see you so openly."

"Besides, with my small frame, there's no way I could run away from you. Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?"

Seeing Wang Chengpeng's confident tone, Fan Guocheng immediately hesitated.

He could neither completely believe Wang Chengpeng's words nor completely disbelieve them.

The reason he pretended not to believe it was to put pressure on Wang Chengpeng.

Considering Wang Chengpeng's confident demeanor, and given that he genuinely lacked any substantial evidence, he ultimately agreed to Wang Chengpeng's request, saying:

"Okay, as long as you behave, there's no need to handcuff you."

“Come with me to the police station now. If the situation is true, I will clear your name.”

"If it is found that you have committed fraud and are indeed a spy who has infiltrated the people, then you will not have an easy time either."

Under the anxious gaze of his family, Wang Chengpeng was eventually taken away from home by Fan Guocheng.

Although Wang Chengpeng remained incredibly calm and composed, the others did not possess his level of mental fortitude.

Liu Chunhua, in particular, kept muttering, "What exactly happened? Things were just starting to look up, and now Xiaopeng has been taken away by the police?"

At such a crucial moment, it was Wang Tieshan, the head of the family, who stepped forward and asked:
"Chunhua, how much money do you have at home?"

“If my son really commits a crime, I will sell everything I own, even my house, to get him back.”

After Wang Tieshan's reminder, Liu Chunhua finally came to her senses and said:
"I still have a few hundred yuan left, which I was saving for my son's wedding. Now I have to use it to tide me over."

"Wait a minute, I'll go find the money right now. You must bring my good son back safe and sound."

Seeing Liu Chunhua already wiping away tears, Wang Tieshan concealed the deep worry in his eyes and said:
"Don't worry, I will definitely bring my son back safe and sound."

Watching her parents' discussion with a blank expression, Wang Meiyan was still too young to know what to do in the face of such a sudden change.

Perhaps the only thing she could do was to not cry or make a fuss and try not to cause trouble for her parents.

After her parents went inside to look for the money, Wang Meiyan completely broke down, tears streaming down her face.

In her eyes, Wang Chengpeng was an extremely capable person, but now that even he had been arrested by the police, all Wang Meiyan could think of was crying.

Her crying left Zhu Hong, who was standing to the side, somewhat at a loss. He gently comforted her, saying:

Why are you crying all of a sudden?

"Are you worried about Brother Wang? I think you're just worrying unnecessarily. Since Brother Wang said he's fine, then he can't possibly be in any danger."

Seeing the look in Wang Meiyan's eyes that seemed to want to devour him, Zhu Hong, unusually, changed his tune and said:

"If you're really worried, you can ask the old man surnamed Wang for help."

"He's taken so many benefits from Brother Wang, what kind of person wouldn't lend a hand in this crucial moment?"

An old man surnamed Wang?

Wang Meiyan was stunned for a long time before she realized that the person Zhu Hong was talking about was actually Wang Fucheng. He was probably the only one in the entire Wangjia Village who could call Wang Fucheng an old man with the surname Wang.

Wang Fucheng was, after all, the production team leader, a big shot, and Wang Meiyan held him in great awe.

Listening to Zhu Hong's extremely unreliable suggestion, Wang Meiyan blinked and said:

"Would Captain Wang even acknowledge us?"

Zhu Hong nodded vigorously and said, "Of course he wouldn't ignore you."

"If he dares, see how your brother deals with him."

Try to save the dead horse as much as possible!
Wang Meiyan gritted her teeth and shouted into the house, "Father, Mother, I'm going with Brother Zhu to find Old Man Wang—I mean, Captain Wang—for help."

"Wait a moment, we'll be right back."

Zhu Hong had already ridden out on his bicycle, and Wang Meiyan didn't stand on ceremony and sat on the back seat.

Urged on by Wang Meiyan, “Hurry up, hurry up!” the two arrived at Wang Fucheng’s house in less than ten minutes.

It was obvious that the Wang family was having a meal at that moment, as the aroma of food wafted out.

Knock, knock, knock. Wang Meiyan knocked anxiously on the door.

To save her brother, she was willing to go to any lengths, even daring to smash the door of the production team leader's house.

"Which brat dares to bang on my door while I'm eating? Do they have a death wish?"

With a roar, Wang Yong's furious face was revealed.

However, his face quickly changed from anger to confusion, then to surprise, and then to apprehension, which was quite a dramatic turn of events.

Clearing his throat, Wang Yong said, "Oh, this is my master's house. Welcome."

"Judging from your anxious appearance, it must be something very important. Please speak freely."

(End of this chapter)