"What, what's going on? Why are there so many people ..." Chen Tianpeng feigned ignorance and surprise, scanning everyone until his eyes finally rested on Xu Jingxue, squeezing out a smile, "Chief Xu, you're here too ..."

"Director Chen, take a look at what your son has done ..." Before Chen Tianpeng could finish, Xu Jingxue had already tossed a freshly made transcript onto the table in front of him.

Chen Tianpeng, despite his lustful and erratic approach towards parenting, was anything but foolish in other matters. He had already clarified the situation over the old police officer's call on his way there. The only things he couldn't figure out were why Xu Qingxue would come to the bureau in the middle of the night and her attitude towards the matter.

Now, seeing Xu Qingxue throw the transcript with a frosty face, and his son along with several companions who often hung out with him, each looking dejected and hanging their heads, Chen Tianpeng understood that Xu Qingxue had intervened, and her fury seemed considerable.

Therefore, although it pained him to see his son bruised and swollen, he ignored his son completely and didn't even glance at the transcript, but instead walked directly toward Xu Qingxue with a smile.

"Chief Xu, you've worked hard!"

"Director Chen, you flatter me." Although Chen Tianpeng was a rank higher than Xu Qingxue, the saying goes, 'a higher rank can crush you,' but Xu Qingxue was never afraid of him. The Xu family's background was well-established, and in truth, Chen Tianpeng was wary of the Xu family's power. Otherwise, given Xu Jingxue's beauty, she would have already succumbed to his authority.

Moreover, now Xu Qingxue had caught Chen Tianpeng in a compromising position. If she persisted, Chen Kai's actions could be deemed criminal, warranting police custody. The matter wasn't significant, but if word got out, it would affect Chen Tianpeng and be detrimental to his campaign for Deputy City Public Security Director.

Therefore, at that moment, Xu Qingxue said coldly, "As a public security officer and a deputy director, it's my duty to handle these matters; where is the hardship in that?"

Chen Tianpeng was well aware of Xu Qingxue's temperament, straightforward and incorruptible like her father, Yongqian. Seeing her attitude, although he was slightly annoyed, he dared not show it. After all, he was hoping she would be lenient and let him off the hook this time. So, he just awkwardly smiled and then turned to his son, asking sternly, "Kai, what is this all about?"

Seeing his father, the director, arrive, Chen Kai initially couldn't help but rejoice, thinking his savior had come. He hadn't expected his father, upon seeing Deputy Director Xu, to lose his usual authority; he suddenly remembered his father's warnings about Xu Qingxue's formidable background. Failing to perform well now might mean that even his father couldn't save him.

Thus, as soon as Chen Tianpeng started speaking, he spilled the beans.

Chen Tianpeng knew his son was mischievous and often caused trouble outside, but he had never taken it seriously, assuming it was just youthful mischief. However, today he realized his son's audacity had reached such an extent. Shocked, he couldn't help but pick up the transcript from the table and hit his son over the head with it, shouting, "I'll beat you to death, you lawless brat!"

"Dad, stop hitting me, I was wrong, I won't dare do it again," Chen Kai pleaded as he dodged around.

Cui Wei and his friends, seeing Chen Kai being beaten wildly by his father, shuddered in fear, their faces pale, their glances towards Xu Qingxue filled with even more dread. Only then did they truly realize the terrifying influence behind Deputy Director Xu Qingxue, who sat quietly on the side, watching with cold eyes.

As a deputy director, Xu Qingxue could clearly see that Chen Tianpeng's beating was for show, hoping she would back off to save face. Yet, she despised the lawless behavior of Chen Kai and his group, and considering the matter involved Wang Xiaoqiang, she simply let Chen Tianpeng proceed with his act.

Chen Tianpeng had only one son, whom he usually overly indulged and never laid a hand on before. Today's circumstances were exceptional and forced him to put on a semi-real, semi-fake display of "self-inflicted punishment." Being the chief here, he expected Xu Qingxue to give him some face, but when Xu Qingxue ignored him completely, he felt both annoyed and embarrassed.

Suddenly, he kicked his son, knocking him to the ground,

saying, "Aren't you going to apologize to Chief Xu ..."

This time, Chen Kai smartened up. He immediately got up and scurried over to Xu Qingxue, starting to ingratiate himself.

"No need to apologize to me; you should apologize to the victim instead!"

Reluctantly, Chen Kai had no choice but to walk up to Wang Xiaoqiang, bow deeply, and offer an apology, "Wang Xiao... ah, no, Brother Wang, I was blind and I offended you. You are a generous person, please forgive me this once..."

Wang Xiaoqiang coldly ignored him, turning his face to look at Xu Qingxue instead. He could tell that Xu Qingxue was only able to control the situation because she had a strong backing. But, since she officially ranked below Chen Tianpeng, and considering they still had to work together in the future, a stiff relationship wouldn't be good.

Therefore, he decided not to express any opinions and left everything to Xu Qingxue's arrangements.

"Chief Xu, Little Kai has been spoiled by his mother since he was young, which is why he has become so lawless. You see, I've both hit and scolded him... But of course, rest assured, I will definitely discipline this boy properly when we get home. Ahem, as a parent, I also need to sincerely apologize to Comrade Wang Xiaoqiang and his girlfriend, and actively compensate for the harm they've suffered.

How about..." As Chen Kai solemnly bowed and apologized to Wang Xiaoqiang, Chen Tianpeng also timely stepped forward, thick-skinned, to plea for his son.

Xu Qingxue, who had always appeared very cold, found herself in a difficult position seeing Chen Tianpeng lower his stance so much.

Although she could insist on the appropriate punishment for Chen Kai and the others based on principles, since Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't really been hurt—strictly speaking, it was only Xia Guifang who was a bit shocked, while it was actually Chen Kai and others who had suffered harm.

Even if they were to go through the normal legal proceedings, the worst that would happen to Chen Kai and his group would be a few days of administrative detention. But doing so would likely completely fall out with Chen Tianpeng.

Although she wasn't afraid of Chen Tianpeng given her background, since they worked in the same office and Chen Tianpeng was usually quite respectful to her, things would be difficult if they couldn't work together in the future.

"Chief Xu, let's just forget about this matter, shall we? After all, we weren't really harmed!" Wang Xiaoqiang said, seeing the troubled look on Xu Qingxue's face.

Hearing Wang Xiaoqiang say they hadn't been much harmed, Chen Kai and others felt so frustrated they almost wanted to bang their heads against the wall. Damn it, you weren't hurt at all! It's us who were truly harmed, isn't it?

Xu Qingxue also found it amusing. This guy had beaten others to this state and still claimed he wasn't much hurt!

"Alright then, thankfully there were no injuries, and since the victim is not pursuing it, let's leave this matter here. However, the youth really need to be disciplined properly, otherwise if a real disaster occurs, it will be too late to say anything," Xu Qingxue said, looking at Chen Tianpeng.

"Chief Xu is right. I will definitely discipline this boy properly when I get back. I also thank Chief Xu and Comrade Wang Xiaoqiang for their magnanimity. I am deeply grateful!

How about this, to express my gratitude, I would like to host a dinner for Chief Xu and Wang Xiaoqiang tomorrow at First-Class Study Room and would be honored if you could join," Chen Tianpeng said, relieved to see Xu Qingxue finally relenting, his tone becoming increasingly modest and polite.

"Little Qiang, what do you think?" Xu Qingxue did not agree immediately. She wanted to see Wang Xiaoqiang's response; if Wang Xiaoqiang agreed to the dinner, she should go along. But if Wang Xiaoqiang declined, she really wasn't interested in dining alone with a notoriously lascivious director.

"Let's skip the dinner; we peasants are too busy and don't have time for that."

This statement frustrated everyone in the room. Wang Xiaoqiang was indeed a peasant, but they had never seen one who was too busy. They thought this little peasant was too arrogant; the Chief of District Public Security was inviting him, and he didn't give any face at all.

Although everyone disliked Wang Xiaoqiang's attitude, none dared to show it.

Seeing this, Xu Jingxue also laughed and said to Chen Tianpeng, "Chief Xu, since Little Qiang is so busy, let's just forget about the dinner! Sorry!"

The muscles at the corner of Chen Tianpeng's eyes twitched, and he said with a forced smile, "Uh, no problem, we can always do it another time."

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