"Are you blind? My mom got beat up! She’s in the hospital! This is money you owe us," the man said harshly.

He Lang shook his head. "Do you have a medical report from the hospital? I’d like to see it."

The man’s expression faltered for a moment before he said haughtily, "My mom has a headache. The hospital tests can’t find anything. It’s an internal injury."

He Lang let out an exasperated laugh.

"Look, man, I run a big supermarket. I can’t just pay out every time someone tries to pull a scam. How would I even stay in business? Besides, I heard from my employee that your mom took something from our store. That would be theft, wouldn’t it? Even if the employee got a little carried away, I think he was just doing his job."

The man flew into a rage at his words, jabbing a finger at He Lang. "Who the hell does he think he is, slandering my mom for stealing? Do you even know who my uncle is? Even if my mom *did* take something from your supermarket, you should feel honored! I’m giving you an out, so don’t be shameless."

He Lang blinked. "And who might your backer be?"

"Hmph. My uncle is the police station chief, so you’d better know what’s good for you. I’m only asking for fifty thousand. I’m already going easy on you. In a few days, the price might not be the same."

He Lang frowned. This family was clearly trying to extort him, but he truly couldn’t afford to offend a man with such connections. He had no choice but to leave the hospital.

Soon, everyone in the family found out.

Xue Yue was very anxious. "Xing Jun is locked up in a place like that. Won’t he be scared? Isn’t there any other way?"

"There is. We pay them. Fifty thousand. I went to the supermarket. The others said pretty much the same thing as Xing Jun, but they didn’t see the old lady take anything," He Lang said.

"That’s just blatant extortion! Even if he has a relative at the police station, he can’t just do whatever he wants! This is daylight robbery," Xue Yue said angrily.

Xue Yue looked at He Lang. "Do you think my brother can do anything?"

"I don’t know."

Xue Xingzhou was at the Public Security Bureau. Although it was technically part of the same system as the police stations, it was also different. Besides, Beijing City had many branches of both the Public Security Bureau and local police stations.

After Xue Xingzhou found out, he came over to get the details of the situation from He Lang.

"Xing Jun is still a minor. Can’t he be released on bail?"

He Lang shook his head. "I asked, but the staff said their chief won’t allow his release."

Xue Xingzhou’s expression turned serious. "I’ll go take a look. I’ll see if they’ll release Xing Jun as a professional courtesy."

Wearing his Public Security uniform, Xue Xingzhou arrived at the East City Police Station.

Seeing a fellow officer, they exchanged salutes, but after hearing the reason for Xue Xingzhou’s visit, they still shook their heads at him.

"The chief gave the order himself. We can only follow orders."

"My brother is a minor. The details of the case still need to be investigated. If he gets traumatized, who among you will take responsibility?"

"Well— Officer, we’re also just following orders. Since we’re in the same line of work, please don’t make things difficult for me."

Xue Xingzhou’s brow furrowed. "You’re the ones making things difficult for us. Have you even inquired about what happened? Why did my brother hit someone? Where did he hit them? Do you have the hospital’s injury report? Are you just going to ignore the fact that they were shoplifting?"

"Sorry, we’re just following orders."

This was the only answer he got, and Xue Xingzhou was furious.

"Can I see your chief?"

"The chief isn’t here. He went home."

Xue Xingzhou snapped, "So you’re saying my brother isn’t getting out today, is that it?"

"Please understand. We are only following orders."

Xue Xingzhou left and returned to the Public Security Bureau.

"Captain."

"Ah, Xingzhou. What’s up?"

Xue Xingzhou hesitated for a few seconds.

"What is it? If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you hemming and hawing?"

"Captain, my younger brother is in a bit of trouble—" Xue Xingzhou could only give the Criminal Investigation Captain a rough summary of what happened to Xue Xingjun.

"Something like this happened? I don’t know anyone at the East City District Police Station, but our Bureau Chief should know someone. How about I go ask him?"

Hearing this, Xue Xingzhou waved his hand. "Forget it. We still haven’t cracked the vault robbery case. The Chief is busy enough as it is. I won’t bother him with my personal matters."

’It seems the only option left is to go through official legal channels,’ Xue Xingzhou thought. ’But that would drag things out, and Xing Jun would have to stay at the police station for several more days.’

The next day, Xue Yue and He Lang went to the hospital again.

Just as they left, Qin Haize arrived with his guard to look for Ruanruan.

Qin Haize was a frequent visitor, so Mrs. He wasn’t surprised to see him. She didn’t pay him much mind, letting him play around the house as he pleased.

Entering the house, he saw Ruanruan staring into space with her chin in her hands. Qin Haize tilted his head and looked at her.

"Xiao Luoluo, why are you so sad?"

Ruanruan glanced at him, pouting. "It’s none of your business. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you."

Qin Haize blinked and patted his small belly.

"Tell me. I’ll definitely understand."

Ruanruan sighed. "My little uncle was taken away by the police. My mommy didn’t sleep well all night. I feel bad for my mommy, and I’m worried about my little uncle."

Qin Haize asked, confused, "Why did your little uncle get taken by the police? Did he do something bad?"

Ruanruan shook her head. "My little uncle is a good person. He didn’t do anything bad. I heard my daddy and mommy say that he was framed, but he was arrested because the other person is a really big official."

Qin Haize sniffled and looked at the guard beside him.

"Uncle Xiao Mo, how big is a ’really big official’?"

The guard looked at Qin Haize, then glanced at He Ziluo, who was staring at him with hopeful eyes. "Where does he work, and what’s his position?"

Ruanruan thought for a moment. "I heard Daddy say he’s some kind of chief. Uncle Xiao Mo, is a chief a very big official?"

The guard had a good idea of who they were dealing with.

"Not that big of an official."

"Really? Does that mean my little uncle can be released? Oh, and my daddy said they want a lot of money. I don’t know if my family has that much." Ruanruan sighed again, distressed.

Qin Haize glanced at her, then turned to his guard. "Uncle Xiao Mo, can you handle this? Look at Xiao Luoluo, she’s so pitiful. Please help her."

The guard paused, thinking for a moment.

"I’ll have to ask your grandpa about this. If he agrees, I’ll make a trip."

Ruanruan gasped and ran to the guard’s side.

"Really? Uncle Xiao Mo."

Qin Haize took Ruanruan’s hand. "Xiao Luoluo, let’s call my grandpa. We’ll just have him help you get your little uncle out."

Ruanruan nodded. "Okay! We have a phone at my house. Let’s go, quick!"

At that moment, Qin Honghai was on the training grounds, addressing his subordinates, when he suddenly heard someone call out, "Commander, you have a phone call."

Qin Honghai glanced at the soldiers under his command, then strode quickly into his office. He looked at the number; it was unfamiliar.

"Hello, this is Qin Honghai."

"Grandpa."

"Grandpa Qin."

The voices of Qin Haize and Ruanruan shouted from the other end of the line.

Qin Honghai’s expression instantly softened, and a smile crept into his eyes.