Chapter 11: The Criminal Investigation Unit

Xiao Zigang never expected the outcome to be surprisingly good—indeed, changing one’s father-in-law was like taking a giant leap to the top! Now, not only had he firmly established himself in the Xue family, but he had also boarded the legitimate flagship of the Xue Ao branch of the main family.

As for his relationship with Xue Wen, that could be nurtured after marriage. After all, what Xiao Zigang needed most now was time. The longer he could endure, the stronger he would become.

The plan to have children was already on the agenda. Xiao Zigang spoke frankly about eugenics and quality care, explaining that Xue Wen’s health was poor and that she needed three months of recuperation before proceeding.

Xue Wen agreed; after all, they had just arranged a marriage by substitution, and rushing straight into childbirth was indeed too hasty and hard to accept.

Xue Ao also agreed, hoping that the next generation would produce a head of the Xue family. Naturally, he wanted the child to have the best possible start, so the more thorough and grand the preparation, the better.

Although Xiao Zigang was married to Xue Wen, they slept in separate beds. Wealthy as he was, Xiao Zigang deposited half a million yuan into the hospital account, securing the funds for his father’s surgery. This lifted a heavy burden from his heart.

The three-day wedding leave flashed by, and Xiao Zigang rode his little motorcycle to the Criminal Investigation Unit.

In his previous life, after the wedding leave ended, Xiao Zigang had taken sick leave. When his leg was mostly healed, he returned to the unit in a wheelchair, working for three months amid various discriminations and exclusions. Eventually, with no other options, he took early retirement due to illness.

A sunny, optimistic man who upheld his principles and held hope for life—he had turned completely dark within just three months.

The Xiao Zigang of the past became a cripple confined to a wheelchair. Not wanting to rot away, he became the most ruthless and sharpest blade under Xue Bin’s command.

This time, both his legs were intact, and he hadn’t tarnished his reputation by marrying into the family as a cripple.

Though still a live-in son-in-law, he was one to be envied and not to be underestimated.

The Tianhai City Criminal Investigation Unit had seventy-nine official officers and one hundred and sixteen auxiliary officers, divided into four large squads. All criminal cases in the nearly six million population city fell under their jurisdiction.

Xiao Zigang was assigned to the Second Squad. As a recent transfer, he had yet to be given specific work and was considered a rookie needing a mentor.

Just as he parked his bike, two officers greeted him. Xiao Zigang smiled brightly, took out two candies from his bag, and handed them to them to share in his good fortune.

When you are strong, you find the world around you full of good people and kindness everywhere. Even if your strength comes from relying on others, or through an unbalanced marriage that creates a false sense of power.

Generally, those with high emotional intelligence or those hardened by life’s trials might harbor some resentment but would keep it to themselves.

After all, living off someone else’s success is a matter with no clear standard; it depends on one’s perspective.

Xiao Zigang was very conspicuous because he knew he had to be. To rise quickly, he needed to distance himself from others. Some rely on their fathers, some on their abilities; Xiao Zigang had no other advantage but to rely on his father-in-law’s family background.

Pushing open the Second Squad’s door, the once noisy office instantly fell silent. Upon seeing Xiao Zigang, some hesitated to speak, others looked at him with disdain, and a few scoffed arrogantly in contempt.

Where there are people, there is always intrigue; where there is intrigue, there are grudges.

Some things and some people can be tolerated by some, but not by others. Those with high emotional intelligence keep their feelings inside, while those with low emotional intelligence wear it all on their faces.

In the very quiet office, a sneer of contempt suddenly broke the silence: “Look who's here—the Xue family’s live-in son-in-law, the freeloader Xiao Zigang.”

The snide speaker was dark-skinned, about one meter fifty tall, weighing at least one hundred and fifty pounds, with rushed, tightly packed features and thick lips. If he had grown fangs, he could easily play a wild boar spirit.

Faced with such unfounded malice, Xiao Zigang did not back down but retorted, “Zhu Gang, are you envious, jealous, or have you started to hate me?”

“I just think you’re pretending to be an elephant with onions up your nose—looking like a pig and as dumb as one. If you didn’t open your mouth, I might still consider you human. But once you speak, you’re just a big-eared pig.”

“If I were you, I’d get plastic surgery first—make your mouth less foul and your appearance more human.”

Though no curse words were spoken, every sentence was a cutting insult. Zhu Gang’s chest heaved with anger; his face flushed from black to red, like a gasoline barrel about to explode.

“Xiao Zigang, who are you calling a pig?”

“I said Zhu looks like a pig. Are you a pig too?”

“You…” Zhu Gang was furious. If he weren’t afraid of losing, he would have hit Xiao Zigang long ago!

Faced with such a dense-headed fool, Xiao Zigang showed no mercy and stretched out his leg: “What’s wrong? So angry you want to fight? Come on then!”

“I want to see if you can even hit my knee when you jump.”

Such words were not just insulting but deeply disrespectful. Xiao Zigang, taller than Zhu Gang, looked down with utter contempt, igniting Zhu Gang’s fury.

Just as Zhu Gang was about to lose control and strike, the office door opened again.

“Everyone here? There’s been a robbery at Xin Xin Hotel. Who’s coming with me to the scene?” The deputy captain of the Second Squad, Luan Jin’an, entered.

Zhu Gang’s eyes flickered with a sudden idea. Pointing at Xiao Zigang, he loudly suggested, “Captain Luan, Xiao Zigang is the most capable. Let him come with you.”

Xiao Zigang did not take the low blow to heart but muttered softly, “Xin Xin Hotel!” Suddenly recalling a very interesting memory, he nodded at Luan Jin’an, “Captain Luan, I’ll come with you.”

Watching the two leave, Zhu Gang spat disdainfully and loudly declared to those around him, “I can’t stand nonsense. When I see something I don’t like, I’ll say something about it. I don’t care who it is or what background they have.”

Those around looked at Zhu Gang with complicated expressions, unsure how to judge him.

Some seek benefit through conflict; others just damage others without gain.

They were grown adults dealing in interests, no longer children dividing right from wrong.

Moreover, Zhu Gang was clearly making trouble for no reason. He lacked the privilege of a princess but acted like he had princess syndrome. Seeing Xiao Zigang climb to a higher place, he mocked instead of trying to get closer.

Such a man would remain as he was all his life. With time, his grievances would accumulate, turning him into a bitter, resentful failure who only complained about life’s injustices.

Some wise people had quietly decided to keep their distance from Zhu Gang, even if they did not openly sever ties, just to avoid being bitten when he acted foolishly.