Chapter 20 Chapter 019: The Fine

Ye Chen was already fuming, and when he saw two traffic officers chasing after him, he felt a sudden urge to toy with them, like playing with mice. With a sly smile, he slammed his foot down, pressing the accelerator to the floor. The battered Alto’s engine shuddered, emitting a low, angry roar, like a beast poised to strike.

It was rush hour in Jianghuai City, and the traffic was snarled and thick. Yet Ye Chen’s little Alto darted through the congestion like a fish in water, weaving left and right, speeding through the river of cars.

“9527, pull over immediately!” The traffic officer grabbed the loudspeaker, shouting at the top of his lungs, “9527, pull over for inspection!”

As the officer barked his orders, Ye Chen didn’t stop—but the private cars crawling along the road did, gradually pulling over. The traffic officers were riding patrol motorcycles, able to squeeze through gaps, but Ye Chen’s Alto was hardly bigger than a Chery QQ, racing along every available space, even darting onto the sidewalk now and then, startling pedestrians into exclamations.

“Damn it, he won’t stop!” The officer was furious.

“Catch up with him immediately!” the other officer shouted, twisting the throttle as their patrol motorcycle chased after Ye Chen’s little Alto in a wild pursuit. A cat-and-mouse chase unfolded right on Yuanling Road in Jianghuai City, speeding from Yuanling Road to East Construction Road, then turning right and arriving at the police station. Ye Chen parked directly in front of the station.

The two officers pulled up behind him, sirens blaring, both visibly angry. They removed their helmets, pressed the radios on their shoulders, and reported, “Headquarters, we’ve caught up with the suspect vehicle and are handling it!”

“Hey, what kind of driving is that?” The younger officer strode over, pointing at Ye Chen and demanding angrily, “Why didn’t you stop when we told you to?”

Ye Chen feigned confusion, smiling as he replied, “Why did you want me to stop?”

“Hmph! Your vehicle is well over the limits, violating environmental protection regulations,” the officer said coldly. “According to the vehicle emissions law, you’re clearly in serious violation.”

Smack!

The other officer stepped forward, saluted Ye Chen with a solemn expression, and said, “Hello, please show your driver’s license and registration.”

Ye Chen glanced at the two, quickly calculating in his mind. He guessed he’d probably have to pay a fine, and his run-down transport might even be confiscated. That couldn’t happen. He only had this one battered car—if it got taken away, he’d have to walk to work from then on.

“Well... Actually, I work here at the police station. We’re all in the same system, so can’t you cut me a break?” Ye Chen hurriedly pulled out some cigarettes, offering them to the officers.

“No, even if you were my boss, you still need to show the proper documents!” The younger officer was clearly new to the force. The older one tugged at his arm, giving him a meaningful look, and then said to Ye Chen, “You work here? Do you have ID?”

“Well... I just passed the civil service exam,” Ye Chen replied with a sheepish grin. “It’s my first day reporting in. Can you help me out?”

“Then let your supervisor confirm it,” the older officer said, frowning.

Ye Chen paused, then dialed Zhang Yantong’s number without another word.

Zhang Yantong was waiting for Ye Chen in her office. Nine o’clock had come and gone, yet he hadn’t arrived. She was about to go find him and give him a piece of her mind when Ye Chen’s call came through.

“Hey, girl, hurry up and come out. My car’s been impounded by the traffic police—you need to explain this for me!” Ye Chen’s voice was full of complaints, making Zhang Yantong frown. She wanted to toss her phone in the trash, but remembering she had a case that required Ye Chen’s cooperation, she had no choice but to go downstairs.

Zhang Yantong was the model officer in the police department, chosen every year as the department’s ambassador. So when she appeared, the two traffic officers were dumbfounded. She was the face of Jianghuai City’s police force—a famed beauty. They swallowed hard several times.

“Hello, I’m Zhang Yantong, Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team at Jianghuai City Police Bureau.” Dressed in a crisp uniform with her collar barely open, her fair and rosy neck invited the eye to trace its elegant curve downward. Ye Chen was transfixed, wishing a gust of wind would blow her collar wider. He craned his neck, standing on tiptoe, eyes eagerly peering inside.

Tsk!

Zhang Yantong clicked her tongue, glaring at Ye Chen with bright eyes, forcing him to drop his lecherous look. The officers, seeing Zhang Yantong step in, realized the matter would be resolved. They laughed it off, telling Ye Chen to drive more carefully next time. With a beauty and a captain’s authority, Zhang Yantong made everything smooth.

“Heh, it always works when a beauty steps in!” Ye Chen sidled up, sneaking a glance inside before quickly averting his gaze. Inwardly, he marveled: Goodness, she must be at least a 34C? This girl really curves in all the right places. He wondered if marrying her meant dying from nightly exercise.

“Come inside,” Zhang Yantong said, glancing at Ye Chen.

Led by Zhang Yantong, Ye Chen followed her in. But once inside, he realized bringing her out had been a mistake. As soon as they entered the station’s lobby, dozens of sharp eyes swept over him—regardless of rank or experience, every gaze was that of a man.

Like hungry wolves spotting a rival, Ye Chen suddenly shivered, icy chills running down his spine. He sidled closer to Zhang Yantong and whispered, “Why does it feel so cold in here? So chilly, it’s scary!”

“Really?” Zhang Yantong was surprised, then quickly noticed the lobby’s atmosphere. She flashed a brilliant smile. “Well... you’d better be careful!”

“Careful of what?” Ye Chen asked, confused.

“Careful the men in our station don’t take you out!” Fang Qin, who’d been shoved aside by Ye Chen last time, came over with a mischievous smile. “Sister Yantong is the prettiest policewoman here. All the men see her as their goddess. She’s never brought any man in before—except suspects. So now, they see you as the enemy!”

Ye Chen was stunned. So that was the situation. He could understand their feelings; such a beautiful flower, everyone sees as belonging to all. If someone suddenly plucks it, of course, it stirs up outrage. Ye Chen shivered, sticking close to Zhang Yantong, afraid he’d get mobbed if he fell behind.

The Criminal Investigation Team was on the third floor. Ye Chen followed Zhang Yantong into her office. At first, he thought he’d entered the wrong place—it looked more like a bedroom than an office. Stuffed dolls and cute decorations filled the room. Ye Chen was surprised; did the cold, stern captain really like these things? He shuddered.

“Have a seat,” Zhang Yantong said, settling onto an orange sofa. Ye Chen looked around curiously, sat across from her, and picked up a stuffed toy. Fang Qin immediately snapped, “Scoundrel, put that down! It’s mine!”

Embarrassed, Ye Chen quickly put the doll back, laughing awkwardly. “I didn’t expect there’d be such a cozy corner in the police station.”

“That’s right,” Zhang Yantong nodded, smiling. “I prefer a relaxed atmosphere, and often find clues in casual surroundings. So I had the team decorate this place like a warm home.”

“I see,” Ye Chen nodded, finally understanding. But he was still curious. “What about the men? Surely the guys can’t work in this environment. Wouldn’t they go crazy?”

He was baffled. Men and women are different, after all, and the criminal team couldn’t be all women. If men spent every day among stuffed dolls, even the toughest would lose their edge.

“Hah!” Fang Qin scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You don’t know, do you? Our team is split in two. Only the women are allowed in here. Male officers aren’t permitted—if they enter, it’s treated as peeping. You’re the first man under forty to set foot here. You should feel honored!”

Ye Chen was amazed. He hadn’t expected the Jianghuai police to be so humane—not only were workspaces personalized, but you could cuddle dolls at work. He was thoroughly impressed.

“Actually, this kind of thing is common abroad,” Zhang Yantong said with a gentle smile as Fang Qin poured Ye Chen a cup of tea.

“Well, I’m not here to ask about that. You’d better tell me why you called me here,” Ye Chen said, waving his hand. He sensed these two women weren’t as simple as they seemed, and he didn’t want to get too involved—if they were ever forced to turn against friends for justice, he’d be the first target.

“Alright,” Zhang Yantong nodded, turning to Fang Qin. “Qin, bring me the files.”

Without a word, Fang Qin brought over a stack of documents from Zhang Yantong’s desk. Zhang Yantong pulled out one and handed it to Ye Chen. “This is Jianghuai Hotpot City, across from University Town.”