Underworld Chronicles: Qiao Si's Strategist, Xiao Ke, and Wang Weifan

It must be said that this guy surnamed Song really does get things done when he gets paid. Although he's a bit lecherous and greedy, he's absolutely trustworthy when it comes to getting things done.

After receiving the money from Su Xiaolin, Deputy Director Song went back and inquired about the case, then summoned the person in charge.

The person in charge of this case was a friend of the anti-smuggling bureau squad leader, surnamed Liu. Deputy Director Song sent someone to call him into the office.

When Liu Maotou heard Deputy Director Song call him, he was immediately flattered and wondered why someone two ranks higher than him would suddenly call him.

With a heavy heart and a sense of unease, Liu Maoshi went to Deputy Director Song's office and knocked on the door.

Please come in.

"Director Song, you wanted to see me?" Liu, wearing a hat, said with a fawning smile as he entered the room.

"Ah, Xiao Liu, come, sit down, sit down. I'll make you a pot of tea." Deputy Director Song said, standing up from his chair to get hot water to make tea.

"Director Song, no need for that, no need for that. I'll just have some plain water." Liu, the man in the hat, breathed a slight sigh of relief seeing that Deputy Director Song was quite polite to him. He figured that he hadn't been called in for a reprimand.

"Why drink plain water? I have some top-quality Maojian tea here, have a taste." Deputy Director Song said, bringing over a cup of tea.

The moment Liu Maozi sat down on the sofa, he jumped up like a bouncy ball and took the teacup from Deputy Director Song with both hands.

"Please sit down, please sit down, don't be so polite." Deputy Director Song also sat down on the sofa.

"Have you been quite busy with work lately?" Deputy Director Song asked.

Yes, it's quite busy. They keep arresting and interrogating people; the cages are almost overflowing.

"Yes, you should take care of your health. Balance work and rest; health is the most important thing," Deputy Director Song said, feigning concern.

Yes, Director Song, I'll keep that in mind.

"Hey, didn't you arrest someone nicknamed 'Little Ke' yesterday?" Deputy Director Song suddenly changed the subject.

Ah, yes, they arrested a guy named Xiao Ke. He actually went to the anti-smuggling bureau to steal smuggled clothes. He's incredibly audacious. They haven't even started interrogating him yet. Director Song, do you know this guy? Liu asked.

Ah, I don't know him. Yesterday, a distant relative contacted me to ask how serious this case was, so I just asked him briefly.

"So, does Director Song mean... does he want it to be serious or not?" Liu asked tentatively.

"I cannot participate in the investigation. Whether it's serious or not is for you to determine. It requires a thorough investigation, and you must be rigorous and strictly follow procedures," Deputy Director Song said.

"Yes, I understand, Director Song. We will be thorough." Liu Maozi was still completely bewildered. Was this some kind of leniency for Xiao Ke, or were they following the normal procedures?

"Drink tea, drink tea," Deputy Director Song said, picking up his teacup and drinking. Liu Maotou also picked up his teacup, glaring at Deputy Director Song out of the corner of his eye as he drank, still trying to figure out what Deputy Director Song was thinking.

Suddenly, Liu Maozi had a flash of inspiration. Damn it, how could I be so stupid? Since they asked about it, they must want to set up this business. Otherwise, why would they call me all this way for nothing?

Director Song, since your distant relative has inquired about this, I'll just keep this matter quiet. I'll release that Xiao Ke when I get back.

"Well, is that in accordance with normal procedures? I'll have that relative pay some bail. Besides, the anti-smuggling bureau needs to give us an explanation. I'll have her come directly to you. You two can discuss it. Remember, it must be done according to procedure; there can be no violations or breaches of discipline," Deputy Director Song instructed.

"Understood, understood. I'll head back now. Director Song, please continue with your work." Liu, the head of the household, fully understood his superior's intentions and stood up to leave.

"Alright, Xiao Liu, I won't see you off then. I'll strongly recommend someone as young and promising as you for the next promotion." Deputy Director Song said, patting him on the shoulder.

After leaving the office, Liu, the man in the hat, wiped the sweat from his forehead and cursed, "Damn it, dealing with these hypocritical bastards is exhausting. Why can't they just say what they want to say? Why do they have to beat around the bush? It's so damn tiring."

After Liu Maotou returned, Deputy Director Song sent a message to Su Xiaolin, asking her to go directly to Liu Maotou to discuss the matter.

Su Xiaolin took some more money and went directly to Liu Maozi's office. After arriving, she said, "Boss, I'm here about Xiao Ke's matter. Director Song asked me to come and see you."

"Ah, please sit down, please sit down. You can all leave now." Liu Maotou dismissed the others in the office and made Su Xiaolin sit down.

After everyone else left, Su Xiaolin took out 10,000 yuan from her bag and said, "Boss, this is for your hard work. I'm sorry to have troubled you with Xiao Ke's matter."

When Liu, the man in the hat, saw the stack of cash, his eyes lit up. He hadn't expected the visitor to be so generous and beautiful. With a mindset of serving the people, he became even more enthusiastic.

"Are you Xiao Ke's?" Liu, with a hat on his head, asked with a smile.

"Ah, I'm his wife. My son, Xiao Ke, acted impulsively. I hope the leaders can be lenient." Su Xiaolin said to Liu Maotou with a smile.

"Yes, this is indeed a big deal, but since Director Song has made arrangements, it's a different story. It's just that it's hard to explain to the Anti-Smuggling Bureau. They're waiting to earn merit and get promoted, and then you guys stole the goods. It's going to be difficult for them." Liu Maozi said with difficulty.

Su Xiaolin's eyes lit up, and she immediately came up with a plan. "Boss, could you call the anti-smuggling bureau people over now? I'll figure out a solution."

"Alright then, I'll have someone go and call them. You sit here and wait a moment." Liu, the man in the hat, said as he went out to call for help.

Liu Maotou and Su Xiaolin waited in the office for more than 20 minutes before the squad leader from the anti-smuggling bureau arrived.

"Hey Liu, what's up? You called me over in such a hurry!" the squad leader called out as he pushed open the door.

He had barely finished speaking when he noticed Su Xiaolin sitting on the sofa. Good heavens, where did this stunning beauty come from? Could it be that Brother Liu found her for him?

"Who is this beautiful lady?" the squad leader asked.

Su Xiaolin stood up with a smile. Liu Maotou introduced her, "Ah, this is Ms. Su. She's here about Xiao Ke. This is the leader of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau."

"Hello, leader!" Su Xiaolin greeted with a smile.

"Ah, hello." Upon hearing that the squad leader was there because of Xiao Ke, his good mood vanished instantly, and his face darkened. He pulled Liu Mao aside and asked, "What's going on, Brother Liu?"

Liu Maozi briefly explained why Deputy Director Song had come to him, saying that he couldn't refuse such a request, and that Miss Su would come up with a solution later, so the squad leader should listen to it first.

After Liu Maotou and the squad leader sat down on the sofa, Su Xiaolin took out 10,000 yuan from her bag and placed it next to the squad leader.

Boss, this is compensation for your losses. My son, Xiao Ke, offended you, and I apologize on his behalf. Also, I will have someone send you some smuggled clothes when I get back today. It will absolutely not affect your promotion. Can you please let my son off the hook?

Su Xiaolin's offer to both pay money and deliver clothes really surprised the squad leader. "Well, how about this," he said, "if you can really deliver them, I won't pursue the matter any further. The rest is up to Brother Liu."

Ah, it's easy for me. If the people don't complain, the officials won't investigate, haha~ Liu Maotou said with a laugh.

So, after Su Xiaolin returned, she asked Wang Zhi and the others to give all the second-hand clothes from the shop where the pockmarked man had been vandalized to the squad leader of the anti-smuggling bureau.

Xiao Ke was released that same day. What will happen to Xiao Ke after his release? Stay tuned for the next episode.