Someone in a high position is backing me.

As soon as Xu Wen heard Ye Feng say this, he felt his head spin and his legs grow weak. At this moment, he wished he could simply die rather than remain another second in this suffocating room. He truly had no idea how this child before him could endure it.

In desperation, Xu Wen slapped himself twice across the face, his voice low and submissive as he pleaded, “What happened today was my fault. If you wish to hit me or punish me, so be it. I only beg you to leave this place first, please?”

Xu Wen’s tone was pitiful, but Ye Feng remained unmoved, showing not the slightest trace of sympathy. If not for Luo Ming’s presence today, Ye Feng believed he might have died in this dark room with no one the wiser. Clearly, this was not the first time Xu Wen had done such a thing—how many others had suffered at his hands before? Still, Ye Feng was not so noble as to seek vengeance for those people; a small taste of retribution was punishment enough.

Ye Feng smiled faintly and fell silent for a moment. When Xu Wen was nearly on the verge of tears and about to kneel for mercy, Ye Feng spoke in a calm voice, “I would like to leave, but after half a day in here, my brain is starved of oxygen and my legs won’t obey me. I’m afraid I can’t walk.”

“That’s easy to solve! Not a problem at all!” Xu Wen was overjoyed to hear Ye Feng soften, and he quickly offered, “I’ll call someone to carry you out right away.”

“There’s no need for anyone else. Captain Xu, you can carry me yourself. Didn’t you just say you’d accept whatever punishment I wished? I won’t hit you, nor punish you—consider it your reward to carry me out.” Ye Feng raised an eyebrow, his expression full of playful amusement. “Surely you wouldn’t refuse your reward, Captain Xu?”

“Uh… this…” Xu Wen stammered, hesitating. Normally, he wouldn’t mind carrying someone for a short distance, or even several kilometers. But after spending so long in this stifling room, his lungs were starved of oxygen, his head was spinning, and his limbs felt powerless. If he dropped this honored guest, he would be in real trouble.

Ye Feng sighed in mock resignation. “Since Captain Xu doesn’t want his reward, I’ll just stay here, then.”

“No, no, no!” Xu Wen hurriedly shook his head and forced himself to agree. “Since I have the honor of carrying you, I’d be remiss not to oblige.”

With his brain foggy and his limbs uncoordinated from lack of oxygen, Xu Wen staggered over to Ye Feng, turned his back, and crouched down. Ye Feng didn’t hesitate to climb onto his back. The weight of over a hundred pounds nearly made Xu Wen collapse, his body trembling violently. Only with the help of the two policemen who had come in with them did he manage to stay upright; otherwise, he might have fallen flat on his face.

For Xu Wen, carrying Ye Feng was no different from shouldering a mountain, but he dared not put him down. Every step was taken with extreme caution, terrified that any mishap would spell disaster. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

It was only a few steps, but Xu Wen moved painfully slow—not because he wanted to, but because he simply lacked the strength to go any faster. At last, when they reached the doorway, Xu Wen gasped, “May I rest for a moment here?”

Ye Feng could feel Xu Wen’s exhaustion and the trembling of his body. Not wanting him to collapse from overexertion, Ye Feng nodded sympathetically. “Alright, you can put me down.” He added, “Thank you, Captain Xu!”

As Ye Feng’s feet touched the ground—

Xu Wen collapsed onto the floor, gulping in air, his face ashen and his vitality thoroughly drained. Still, he managed to respond to Ye Feng.

“Of course, of course… you’re too kind!”

After this ordeal, it would likely take him at least half a month to recover his strength.

The officers nearby couldn’t help but shrug and snicker. They’d always seen Xu Wen as high and mighty, swaggering about under the protection of the director, bullying his subordinates and showing no mercy to any petty criminals who fell into his hands. He was truly despicable. Now, seeing him humiliated like a beaten dog by Ye Feng, how could they not feel satisfied?

Xu Wen hadn’t even caught his breath when he was forced to his feet again. From the distance, Wang Datong’s furious shouts could be heard: “You’ve got some nerve, arresting Luo Ming’s friend! That’s bold, isn’t it? Today you collude with criminal gangs, tomorrow you’ll rebel! Where are they? Arrest them all!”

“I… I really didn’t mean to…” Xu Wen’s legs trembled uncontrollably, his voice quivering as he begged, “Please forgive me! I’ll change, I promise. From now on, whatever you say goes—I’ll be your loyal dog!”

He understood as soon as he heard Director Wang’s words: if this young master didn’t intercede for him, he was doomed.

Ye Feng chuckled softly and patted the shattered Xu Wen on the shoulder. “No need to be nervous. I’m sure you were forced into this, weren’t you? I trust you know what to do.”

Xu Wen’s heart eased somewhat at Ye Feng’s words; evidently, this young man didn’t want him dead.

“But I believe we live in a society governed by law,” Ye Feng continued, his tone businesslike. “Those who break the law must face consequences.”

Xu Wen grew nervous and confused. Settling things privately would be best for him—at worst, it would cost him some money. But if things proceeded officially, he could only hope to keep his job. After all, Director Wang regarded Li Baobao’s crew as a criminal organization.

Soon, Wang Datong arrived, bringing with him over thirty fully armed SWAT officers. The scene looked less like a rescue and more like a raid.

Ye Feng hadn’t expected Luo Ming to actually bring Wang Datong, nor for the director to come with SWAT in tow.

Seeing the SWAT officers, what little color remained in Xu Wen’s face drained away completely. He muttered in despair, “It’s over, it’s over, I’m finished this time…”

“Arrest Xu Wen,” ordered Wu Fanzhi, gesturing at the SWAT behind him. Two officers immediately stepped forward to seize him.

“Uncle Wang, I think Captain Xu was forced into this. Let him redeem himself through meritorious service,” Ye Feng said calmly.

Wang Datong paused, surprised, and glanced at Ye Feng, failing to recognize him at first. He’d only seen Ye Feng years ago, before the Ye family’s decline, and seven or eight years had passed since then. However, Ye Feng was the only one not in uniform, making his identity easy to deduce.

“So you’re young Ye?” Wang Datong’s face softened into a kindly smile, as if looking at his own family’s younger generation. But Ye Feng knew that if he weren’t Luo Ming’s friend—and Luo Ming the future heir of the Luo family—Wang Datong would never have come today.

“Yes, Uncle Wang.”

“What did you just say? You want him to redeem himself?” Wang Datong pointed at Xu Wen for confirmation.

“Yes. I’m sure Captain Xu would never shield criminals,” Ye Feng replied, patting Xu Wen’s shoulder.

“Is that so?” Wang Datong shot Xu Wen a cold look.

“Yes… yes… absolutely. I’ll cooperate fully!” Xu Wen stammered, nearly groveling.

“All others, assist the precinct officers in rounding up the gang members!” Wang Datong issued a second order, then a third: “Bring Xu Wen to the interrogation room. This matter must be thoroughly investigated—I want to see just how many rotten officers are sheltering criminals.”

Once everyone was assigned, Wang Datong turned to Ye Feng. “Young Ye, if you need anything in the future, come directly to me.” He handed Ye Feng a card with his personal number.

Ye Feng took out his phone and dialed the number; Wang Datong’s phone rang in response.

“Uncle Wang, this is my number. I hope you’ll look after me in the future.”

“Of course, young Ye. I’ll handle this matter properly. You should head home now. I’m sorry—my men didn’t do their job and ruined your holiday.”

“It’s nothing, nothing at all. It’s not your fault. I’ll be off then—goodbye, Uncle Wang.” With that, Ye Feng left, not intending to exchange further pleasantries with Wang Datong.