Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Looking into his daughter's anxious eyes, Zhang Xue's father felt a heavy, tangled mess in his heart, a sense of unease washing over him. He simply couldn't understand how his carefully raised, well-mannered daughter could have fallen for such an unreliable scoundrel as Li Jianjun—reckless and impulsive, always dreaming of instant success, and now, utterly ignorant of his own limitations, had caused such a huge mess. But seeing his daughter's distraught state and red-rimmed eyes, the reprimand he was about to utter ultimately died in his throat, leaving only a barely audible sigh, like smoke dissipated by the wind.

The sky outside the window had completely darkened, the inky blue night sky devoid of even a single star. The halo of streetlights shone through the dust-covered windowpane, casting a blurry, bright patch on the ground, like an unyielding puddle of water. Zhang Xue's father straightened his neatly pressed clothes, his tone heavy, carrying an undeniable resolve: "It's dark now, perfect timing. I'll go see Li Jianjun. There are some things I need to make clear to him face-to-face, to let him know what he should and shouldn't say, so he doesn't get confused and make wild accusations inside, ruining himself and..." He didn't finish his sentence, but both father and daughter understood the unspoken meaning. He was speaking to his daughter, and also mentally calculating how to deal with the people inside to preserve the last shred of hope for his son.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xue's previously dim eyes suddenly brightened, like a drowning person grasping at the last piece of driftwood. She quickly looked up at her father, her tone resolute and her voice trembling slightly, "Dad, I'm going too. I have to see him in person, to encourage him, to let him know that the children and I are waiting for him. He absolutely cannot collapse." The thought of the grievances and hardships Li Jianjun might suffer inside gripped her heart like an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe. Even just seeing him from afar, being able to tell him "Don't be afraid" in person, would bring her some peace of mind.

Zhang Xue's father frowned, thinking that a detention center was a place of mixed people and a sinister atmosphere, not a place for a woman like her. He feared it would not only offend her but also cause her further distress. But seeing his daughter's stubborn gaze, like a headstrong calf, he changed his mind: "Fine, if you want to go, then come along. But remember, when you get there, speak little, keep your mouth shut and listen carefully. Follow my instructions completely. Don't act impulsively and cause trouble, or no one can save him." He knew his daughter's temperament too well; if he didn't take her with him, she would likely be anxious and sleepless at home.

Zhang Xue nodded hurriedly, wiping away her tears haphazardly like a chick pecking at rice. She turned to grab her coat from the hanger, her fingers trembling slightly with excitement, failing to grasp the hem several times. She quickly followed her father, her high heels clicking on the concrete floor of the stairs, the sound particularly clear in the quiet stairwell, like drumbeats striking the heart.

As night deepened, a chilly breeze swept through the alley, swirling fallen leaves and rustling the roadside trees like whispers in the shadows. Zhang Xue's father walked ahead, his back ramrod straight, like a stubborn old locust tree, but only he knew the weight of his heart—this trip would require bribing countless officials and sacrificing considerable face; it wouldn't be easy. Zhang Xue followed closely behind, her hands clenched tightly until her knuckles turned white, her mind focused on only one thought: she was willing to pay any price to ensure Jianjun's safe release.

As they reached the alleyway entrance, Zhang Xue's father suddenly stopped, glanced back at his daughter, and ultimately shook his head, his tone firm and unyielding: "Alright, I can handle this. You should stay home and wait. After all, the things I need to ask Li Jianjun involve too many things, and it's inconvenient for you to be there. Besides, there are children at home to look after, and they can't be left unattended." He paused, softening his tone, "Don't worry, I'll pass on the message and try to persuade him. Just wait for news at home."

Zhang Xue nodded gently, saying nothing more and making no mention of going home. She stood quietly in place, patiently waiting like a serene statue. She knew perfectly well that there must be something between her father and Li Jianjun that was inconvenient to say to outsiders. Her presence here would only be a burden; it would be better to wait for her father to come out and ask him about it in detail.

Seeing his daughter's composed demeanor, Zhang Xue's father sighed inwardly and didn't try to persuade her to go back. Right now, seeing Li Jianjun was the most important thing—some things needed to be clarified face-to-face, and some complicated matters needed to be resolved quickly; delaying would only lead to more problems.

In fact, Zhang Xue's father and Li Jianjun had long been entangled in numerous shady dealings, like a tight, impenetrable black net binding them together. These past few days, he'd been constantly on edge, like a rabbit with its tail between its legs, fearing that Li Jianjun, that spineless fellow, wouldn't be able to withstand the interrogation and might blurt out something inappropriate. You see, Li Jianjun had always been spineless, a typical coward; if pressed too hard during interrogation, he might not be able to withstand the pressure and might confess, and then everything would be over.

Over the years, Zhang Xue's father has abused his power to engage in numerous illegal activities. Through Li Jianjun, he has quietly amassed a considerable fortune, and most of the family's ill-gotten assets are related to this. Once these matters are uncovered by higher authorities, his current secure position and power will likely vanish in an instant, and whether he can even keep his job is uncertain.

He steadied himself, took a deep breath to suppress his panic, and turned to walk towards the police station. As expected, he was stopped by the officers on duty at the entrance. They sternly informed him that no one could enter without permission. Zhang Xue's father remained unperturbed, his expression unchanged. He simply took out his phone, walked to a quiet spot, and made a call. His tone was unusually respectful as he spoke a few words in a low voice before returning to the entrance to wait patiently.

Less than ten minutes later, Director Wang of the Public Security Bureau came running out from inside, his face plastered with a perfectly polite smile. He extended his hand from a distance and said, "Are you Mr. Zhang Lizhang? I just received a call. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting here. I apologize for any inconvenience."