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

Chapter 182 Reporting Back

Wang Yong had visited the Wang family a few times and was quite familiar with Wang Chengpeng's family, so he naturally recognized Zhu Hong and Wang Meiyan immediately.

Seeing the anxiety on Wang Meiyan's face, Wang Yong was startled and thought to himself that something serious must have happened, otherwise Wang Meiyan wouldn't have come to him.

Thinking this, Wang Yong said softly, "Cousin, don't rush, take a deep breath."

"Tell me if you need anything, and I'll do my best to help."

Seeing that Wang Yong didn't intend to drive her away, and even had a very good attitude, Wang Meiyan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It seems Zhu Hong was right; even Captain Wang's family has to give Wang Chengpeng some face, saying:
"Cousin, something terrible has happened! My brother has been arrested by the police."

"It's the policeman who came this morning, the slightly taller one."

What? My master has been arrested by the police? How is that possible? My master, such an upright person, could never have done anything wrong!
Even if he committed a crime, given his master's meticulous nature in handling everything, how could the police possibly have any leverage over him?
Thinking this, Wang Yong asked to confirm, "Are you sure it's your brother, Wang Chengpeng, who's been arrested by the police?"

“The master stays at home every day, never leaving the house, how could he have been arrested by the police?”

Recalling what had happened that morning, Wang Yong suddenly realized what was going on and exclaimed:
"It must have been that old bastard who did this this morning. With his blaming face, I'm afraid anyone even remotely associated with him will not get away with it."

"Don't panic, you two. I'll go find my brother and my dad right away."

“Especially my brother, he’s very familiar with the town’s police station, there’s absolutely no way he’d let anything happen to our master.”

After a few more words, Wang Fucheng and Wang Zhong also came out of the house.

Judging from the grease on their lips, they probably rushed out without even having time to eat.

Glancing at the two men standing at the door, Wang Fucheng said to Wang Yong:

"You stay home, kid. Your brother and I will handle this."

"Time waits for no one, let's set off now."

"As for the two of you, just go home and wait for good news."

The last sentence was addressed to Wang Meiyan and Zhu Hong: although the mission was to bail someone out, those going to bail someone out must have some status; otherwise, they would only cause trouble.

Especially for a young girl like Wang Meiyan, going there would not only be of no help, but could also easily frighten her, since the police station is not a place to be trifled with.

"Okay, I'll take her back right away."

Zhu Hong had kept Wang Chengpeng's instructions to protect the home in mind. Now that he had helped Wang Meiyan find someone to ask for help, he naturally couldn't just leave her to fend for herself any longer.

He immediately picked up Wang Meiyan and placed her on the back seat of the bicycle, saying:

“I’ve found the person for you, and now it’s time to go back.”

"Let adults do what adults should do. Children shouldn't worry about so much."

Wang Fucheng also reassured her, "Little niece, don't worry, leave this to me. I guarantee I'll bring your brother back safe and sound."

Wang Meiyan was just a child after all, and finding Wang Fucheng for help was already her limit. Although she was unwilling, she could only follow Zhu Hong back.

Just as the two were about to set off on their bicycles, they saw two familiar figures riding over. Who else could it be but Wang Tieshan and Liu Chunhua?
Money makes things easier, but you also need to find people who can help you get things done.

The couple were completely clueless, but Wang Meiyan reminded them, so they took all their belongings and headed towards Wang Fucheng's house.

Since getting rid of Liu Yanran, that bloodsucker, and with the compensation from the Liu family, the Wang family has managed to accumulate some wealth, even though they eat meat every day.

A rough count revealed it to be four or five hundred, which is definitely a huge sum of money.

With the addition of the three watches and two radios in the house, as well as the newly built mansion, it wouldn't be difficult for the Wang family to raise seven or eight hundred yuan.

Thinking this way, the couple's hearts finally calmed down a little.

He instructed Zhu Hong to make sure Wang Meiyan got home safely, as the girl had her entrance exam tomorrow and couldn't afford to miss her rest.

Upon seeing Wang Fucheng, Wang Tieshan made a move to kneel down immediately.

When asking someone for a favor, one must have the proper attitude, especially in a life-or-death situation, where one can disregard the saying "a man's knees are worth gold."

Compared to Wang Chengpeng's safety, what does it matter if he suffers a little humiliation?
Not only Wang Tieshan, but Liu Chunhua was the same, which terrified the two men so much that they immediately stopped them from kneeling down, exclaiming:

"We're all from the same village, why are you two doing this? Are you trying to frame me?"

"Get to the point. If you keep this up, I'm leaving."

With a pained expression, Wang Tieshan said with great distress, "Captain Wang, I had no choice but to do this."

“I don’t know many capable people in or around the village, and I’m only remotely related to Captain Wang.”

"I'll do anything you ask as long as you can save my Cheng Peng."

This is Wangjia Village after all, with far too many relatives and friends here. It's practically impossible to get someone to help you with such a big favor based on those thin blood ties.

In particular, Wang Tieshan was the kind of person who would rather suffer a loss himself than let others suffer a loss. He only thought about giving and never thought about taking advantage of others.

Thinking this, Wang Tieshan shakily took out a money pouch from his pocket and handed it over, saying:

"There are over four hundred yuan in here, consider it a reward for Captain Wang's help."

"If it's not enough, just say so. I'll sell everything I own, even my house, and borrow money to scrape together the funds."

Hearing Wang Tieshan's words, Wang Fucheng felt a chill run down his spine.

He wasn't afraid of Wang Tieshan, that honest man, at all, but he was afraid of Wang Chengpeng!
He immediately stopped Wang Fucheng, who was about to kneel down and beg for help, and said, "Cousin, don't be so formal."

“We are all relatives, we can be considered family.”

"It's only natural for family members to help each other, so please don't act like that."

After a pause, Wang Fucheng added, "As for the money, you should keep it for now."

"Let's go to the county together to find out the situation first. You can contribute money when we really need it."

Wang Tieshan and Liu Chunhua never expected that Wang Fucheng would be so easy to talk to. They thanked him profusely, and the four of them set off for Hetian Town.

Although he had set off much earlier than the other four, Wang Chengpeng and Fan Guocheng had only just arrived at the police station because they were walking.

After greeting his colleagues familiarly, Fan Guocheng led Wang Chengpeng to the interrogation room.

Seeing Wang Chengpeng remain silent, Fan Guocheng issued a final ultimatum, saying:

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

"You have one last chance, so don't take it lightly." Faced with Fan Guocheng's stern but ultimately weak words, Wang Chengpeng maintained his initial attitude, saying:

"I've said what I needed to say. I think it would be better for the police officers to investigate thoroughly before making a judgment."

"By the way, I have some evidence that can prove the truth of this matter."

After saying that, Wang Chengpeng leisurely took out a few sheets of paper from his pocket and placed them directly on the table.

These papers are all photocopies, and the contents recorded are nothing other than the rewards Wang Chengpeng received for helping Ji Yongyue.

The amounts ranged from a dozen yuan to several tens of yuan, and in total, they amounted to about three or four hundred yuan.

These documents were naturally prepared in advance by Ji Yongyue by Wang Chengpeng, in order to explain the origin of the money in his possession.

Although this amount of money was highly inflated and far less than what Wang Chengpeng actually received.

But it's enough to appease the vast majority of people.

Frowning as he looked at the photocopy provided by Wang Chengpeng, Fan Guocheng said angrily:
"What kind of favor could you possibly do to earn hundreds of dollars in such a short time? Do you think I'm a fool?"

Fan Guocheng's suspicions were not unfounded. Combining the receipts for these payments, Fan Guocheng discovered that Wang Chengpeng was making money faster than he was, so how could he believe it?

With a sigh, Wang Chengpeng said helplessly, "I didn't want to explain things too clearly, but things have developed to this point, so I have no choice but to speak up."

"Didn't I say before that we were lucky enough to fix Station Chief Ji's radio?"

“Since then, the equipment at Station Master Ji’s house has been breaking down frequently, and he has to ask me for help to repair it from time to time.”

"Maybe it's because I have some skill, or maybe it's because I'm lucky, but I'm able to fix some things from time to time."

"Station Chief Ji also recognized my abilities and was extremely generous every time, which eventually led to the way things are now."

Frowning, Fan Guocheng stared intently into Wang Chengpeng's eyes, trying to discern how much truth and falsehood Wang Chengpeng had in his words.

In the end, he still couldn't glean anything from Wang Chengpeng's eyes, and could only continue to question:
"You can make so much money just by helping someone out. You're a smart person, I don't believe you wouldn't notice the trickery involved."

Sighing again, Wang Chengpeng said, "So what if we notice?"

"Since Station Chief Ji is so generous, and he has been kind to me, it is only natural for me to help him out with a small favor."

"As for why he wants me to do these things, that's not something I need to worry about. I just need to know that I haven't done anything great."

"If you really want to investigate this matter, you might as well go directly to Station Chief Ji instead of me."

Wang Chengpeng's decision to sell Ji Yongyue was decisive, but it was also a rule that the two of them tacitly agreed upon.

When things had deteriorated to the point that Wang Chengpeng was arrested, Ji Yongyue had no way to get him out, nor did he naively believe that Wang Chengpeng would choose to shoulder everything alone.

Ultimately, it was just a transaction between them; Ji Yongyue was simply a better partner to Wang Chengpeng.

However, Ji Yongyue has already left this place, and since it was Fang Weimin who took the initiative to report Wang Chengpeng, he has no psychological burden.

Listening to Wang Chengpeng's explanation, Fan Guocheng's expression became increasingly miserable. He felt that he had been tricked by Fang Weimin.

If Station Chief Ji, whom Wang Chengpeng mentioned, really has such great abilities and dares to arrest Wang Chengpeng, he will be in deep trouble.

However, Fan Guocheng, being a policeman, quickly spotted the flaw in Wang Chengpeng's words, saying:
"Station Chief Ji?"

"As far as I know, the person who reported you is the real owner of the scrap metal recycling station—Fang Weimin!"

Considering he might be scammed, Fan Guocheng didn't hesitate to sell Fang Weimin directly.

Of course, even if he didn't say it, Wang Chengpeng knew who had reported him.

Nodding slightly, Wang Chengpeng continued to explain, "Station Chief Ji was the former station chief of the scrap metal recycling station, while Fang Weimin is the current one."

“I know my behavior was somewhat inappropriate, but given Station Chief Ji’s kindness, I couldn’t refuse to help.”

"However, after Station Chief Ji left, Fang Weimin took over the management, and I never helped with this kind of thing again."

"That's precisely why there are no recent time period vouchers."

"Aren't you curious why Station Chief Fang, a city dweller, would go to the countryside to find me this morning, and even go so far as to climb over the wall to enter my yard?"

Ultimately, all he wanted was for me to continue working with him.

With a disdainful snort, Fan Guocheng said:
"In that case, I have wronged you."

"You not only abide by the law, but you also know how to repay kindness?"

Fan Guocheng wasn't stupid, and he didn't immediately accept Wang Chengpeng's statement.

However, Wang Chengpeng's words were so watertight that even if he wanted to do something to Wang Chengpeng, there was nothing he could do.

Just as Fan Guocheng was hesitating about whether to increase the intensity, Wang Chengpeng laughed and said:
"Officer, I have always abided by the law and there is absolutely no problem with me, but I can provide you with some clues."

“We’re just good-natured people trying to help; we’re not going to do anything bad anyway.”

"But why would the scrap yard owner have so many old and broken devices at home, and where would they be sent after they were repaired? That's what really needs to be investigated."

"The big fish is right in front of you, so why are you so fixated on us innocent people?"

"We are just struggling to make ends meet, and we have earned some money within our means."

"It's not just me, but also some of the older employees of the repair shop."

"They also help out at the scrap metal recycling station in their spare time, trying to improve their lives through their skills. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, Fan Guocheng subconsciously frowned.

If this matter only involved Wang Chengpeng, he could still manage to pull some strings.

However, if it also involves many long-time employees of the repair shop, then it becomes quite difficult to handle.

Just as Fan Guocheng was hesitating and struggling with his decision, Wang Chengpeng spoke up again:
"Perhaps you are afraid of the people behind Fang Weimin, so you dare not take any major action."

"But I still suggest you check it out; you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised."

"Some things you only realize after you do them that they are not as difficult as you imagined."

It wasn't just a hint; Wang Chengpeng was practically demonstrating to Guo Cheng that he should hurry up and investigate, lest he miss such a great opportunity.

(End of this chapter)