Chapter 28: The Presidential Suite

Old Yang was all smiles as he emerged from the lounge with Hua Shi’er and Chen Nian. Although he did not know what exactly had happened to Liu Beishan to make this former street urchin take such a decision, everything he had done was undoubtedly a help to the police—a clever choice.

For a young person with such a sharp mind who wanted to turn over a new leaf, Old Yang was happy to provide an opportunity to help him reform. After all, the police had always advocated for policies of guidance and rehabilitation for wayward youth; this was the very reason he had agreed to grant Hua Shi’er the status of an informant.

Yet, unlike Old Yang, Zheng Yi was completely baffled by the cordial rapport between the two. In the eyes of this young detective, the police were meant to be at odds with evil—a world of black and white.

Zheng Yi believed that Liu Beishan, now known as Hua Shi’er, had made certain contributions and performed a service in the operation against Ma Qi’s theft ring, but that did not mean his past crimes could be erased.

If Liu Beishan had been eighteen or if there were evidence of his involvement in large-scale thefts, Zheng Yi would not have hesitated to slap handcuffs on him right then and there. At most, when the court handed down a sentence, he would simply mention that the suspect had rendered meritorious service to seek a reduced sentence. That would be strictly following protocol; he had absolutely no fondness for such hoodlums and petty thieves.

Old Yang was speaking with Hua Shi’er with a smile, but when he turned around, he saw his prized pupil standing not far away, looking at them with a conflicted expression. He asked with surprise, "Hey, Zheng Yi, why are you here? Didn't I tell you to go interrogate Ma Qi and his gang?"

Zheng Yi gestured behind him. "I told Wang Li and the others to handle the preliminary interrogation. I have something to say to Chen Nian..."

Old Yang frowned. A few days ago, a girl named Hu Xiaodie from Yaohong Academy had jumped to her death. Chen Nian was her classmate. At the time, it was Chen Nian who had covered Hu Xiaodie’s body with her own school uniform, preserving the girl’s final dignity so she wouldn't be gossiped about by classmates even after death. Through police interviews, they learned that Hu Xiaodie had no friends at that cram school; the only one who might have been her friend was Chen Nian.

When Old Yang and Zheng Yi had gone to the school to question Chen Nian, she had acted strangely, her eyes filled with conflict and silence. They suspected she knew something about Hu Xiaodie’s ordeal. But since Chen Nian wouldn't speak, they were helpless, and since Hu Xiaodie’s death was confirmed as a suicide, the matter was dropped. Zheng Yi had wanted to pursue it further, but the school had requested that the police not interfere with Chen Nian’s upcoming college entrance exams. Weighing the options, Old Yang had kept Zheng Yi from further investigation.

Thinking Zheng Yi was once again fixated on the Hu Xiaodie case, Old Yang said helplessly, "Zheng Yi, that case has already been confirmed as a suicide. There is no need to investigate further..."

Hearing the mention of Hu Xiaodie, a flicker of pain and struggle crossed Chen Nian’s eyes. She glanced at Hua Shi’er beside her, bit her lip, and looked hesitant. But at that moment, Zheng Yi insisted:

"Master, it’s not about that case. I just want to tell Chen Nian that this Liu Beishan is not a good person. She is a student and should keep her distance from such delinquent youth!"

To everyone’s surprise, Chen Nian suddenly snapped. She shouted, "Who are you to me? Why should I listen to you? Who I choose to associate with is none of your business!"

She pulled on Hua Shi’er’s sleeve and said, "Let’s go. I don’t want to stay here!"

Zheng Yi stood stunned, wanting to say something, but seeing Chen Nian’s resolute attitude and intense reaction, he didn't know how to proceed. Old Yang shook his head with a bitter smile and waved at Zheng Yi. "Go back to work! You have too much free time on your hands, worrying about matters that don't concern you!"

In his view, Chen Nian appearing at Liu Beishan’s house today might mean they were dating. For a policeman to tell a girl in front of her boyfriend that he wasn't a good person and she should stay away—that was overstepping, wasn't it? Look how upset he had made her!

After reprimanding Zheng Yi, he turned to Hua Shi’er and Chen Nian. "This boy is fine in every other way, but he’s just stubborn and can't see the bigger picture. Don’t hold it against him!"

Hua Shi’er waved his hand. "I’m much older than him. Why would I bother acting like a child?"

"You..." To Zheng Yi, this was a blatant insult.

Old Yang smiled helplessly. The boy really didn't hold back. But thinking of how he had handled Ma Qi and that Boss Wang, he understood. He shooed Zheng Yi away and said to Hua Shi’er, "I’ll arrange for someone to take you back..."

He paused, reconsidering, and added, "Ma Qi’s gang still has members at large. The fact that Ma Qi went to your house today proves it’s no longer safe. I’ll have someone arrange a hotel for you first. By tomorrow, when we’ve rounded up the rest of them, everything should be fine. I’ll pay for the hotel personally as a thank you for your help!"

Hua Shi’er didn't mind; a hotel was certainly better than the environment at Liu Beishan’s place, so he nodded and thanked him. Chen Nian wanted to refuse, but the events of the day had left her frightened. Thinking of the ridicule she faced at school about her mother being a deadbeat, and the flyers posted on their door every day, her lips moved, but she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Little Wang, come over here!"

Old Yang beckoned a young subordinate, gave him instructions to take Hua Shi’er and Chen Nian to a hotel, bade them farewell, and hurried off to the interrogation room.

The officer named Little Wang drove them to an express hotel. Chen Nian didn't have an opinion, but Hua Shi’er was reluctant. These express hotels, to say nothing else, had serious hygiene issues. It wasn't that other hotels were perfect, but at least they were formal establishments, unlike these places where young people played cards and ate fast food, and where the sheets were rarely changed between guests. Even if the management guaranteed it, Hua Shi’er wouldn't believe it.

He said to Little Wang, who was driving, "Officer, how can anyone stay in a place like this? Why don't you take us to the Hilton?"

Little Wang, who was only in his twenties, was annoyed at being called "Uncle," but he was so amused by Hua Shi’er’s request that he laughed. "I think even the Earth isn't good enough for you; why don't I send you to Mars? The Hilton? Old Yang told me to book two rooms under two hundred yuan. You want to go to the Hilton? Pay for it yourself!"

He had meant it sarcastically, but to his surprise, Hua Shi’er nodded with a straight face. "I’ll pay for it myself. I’m serious. Hurry up and drive, I want to get some rest!"

Little Wang was stunned, then his own temper flared. "Fine! I’ll take you there, but if you can’t pay, don't blame me for leaving you stranded!"

He started the car and drove toward the Hilton. Chen Nian didn't know what Hua Shi’er was up to, but his performance today had been so dazzling and had so completely overturned her perceptions that she wisely chose to remain silent.

When they arrived at the Hilton, Little Wang parked the car and followed them into the lobby, heading to the front desk. On one hand, he was fulfilling Old Yang's request; on the other, he wanted to see the look on Hua Shi’er’s face when he couldn't pay the bill.

To his astonishment, Hua Shi’er took his ID and a bank card from his pocket and placed them on the counter. "Please, I’d like a presidential suite. Thank you."