Chapter 30: Passing the Buck

Yang Jin had been feeling uneasy, his eyelids twitching incessantly. When he finally answered the phone, his ominous premonition was confirmed.

Xiao Ziguang had fired two shots on the outskirts of the city, hitting a punk who had been attempting rape. Even more absurd, Xue Qiang—Xue Bin’s son—was at the scene and had supposedly played the hero, helping to subdue the assailant.

It sounded like a tasteless April Fool’s joke. In Tianhai City, Xue Qiang’s reputation was so foul it could be smelled from ten miles away. For him to perform a good deed was as likely as the sun rising in the west.

Yang Jin’s brow furrowed so deeply he could have crushed a fly. He had known Xiao Ziguang was trouble, but he hadn't expected this level of recklessness. Moreover, he sensed a deeper motive he couldn't quite put his finger on. People rarely did things without a purpose. Why fire those shots? Was he showing off? Or was he flexing his muscles, proving his connection to Xue Qiang and demonstrating that he held sway within the Xue family? Could his goal be to end his undercover assignment early?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Yang Jin was a man who prioritized his career, so he weighed every situation carefully, sometimes over-analyzing. Unable to make a decision, he called Xiong Yaohui. Since Xiong was the one who had handpicked Xiao, it was only right to report such a major incident to him.

Director Xiong, currently drinking at a clubhouse, felt a wave of dizziness; his brain struggled to process the news.

"What do you mean, he fired two shots? And with an unregistered black-market gun? Yang Jin, what am I supposed to say to you?"

"I recognized Xiao Ziguang’s potential, but you shouldn't have bet your own future on him. That’s irresponsible to your own career and creates unnecessary risks. Who else knows about this?"

Yang Jin focused intently, parsing the meaning behind the words. The first sentence distanced Xiong from any fallout. The second clarified that Yang and Xiao were now tied together—if one fell, both would be purged. The third sentence was the shortest, yet the most difficult to interpret.

Deciding not to overthink it, Yang Jin replied honestly, "Besides you, only Luan Jin'an from the Criminal Investigation Division knows."

Director Xiong let out a sigh of relief. "Then that makes it easy. Xiao Ziguang is a detective with the Criminal Investigation Division, and he's currently on a major case. Let the division handle the report. See how Luan Jin'an writes it up."

"Understood. I’ll call Luan right away." Yang Jin felt relieved; as part of the Narcotics Squad, it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to handle this case. If he could pass the buck, someone else would inevitably carry it.

Thus, a yawning Luan Jin'an arrived at the scene, cuffed the punk, sent him to the hospital, and hauled everyone back to the station.

Once inside his office, Luan snapped, "Xiao Ziguang, you've really done it now! Such a temper! Firing shots at the drop of a hat? What did Yang Jin give you? A 'Big Black Gorilla'?"

Luan’s irritation vanished the moment he saw the gun. He snatched it, playing with it admiringly. Though Luan had a standard-issue QSZ-92, its 5.8mm rounds couldn't compare to the power and presence of the Big Black Gorilla. To Luan, his own weapon felt like a toy.

"Stop playing and let's talk business," Xiao said, taking the gun back. "I fired two shots—one as a warning, one to hit him. Since the gun isn't registered, how should the report be written?"

A wicked grin spread across Luan’s face. "The report is old man Xiong’s headache. Since you’re his handpicked mole and Yang Jin provided the gun, I’ll write whatever Xiong tells me to."

"That’s a brilliant pass," Xiao remarked, realizing for the first time that Luan was not just reliable, but exceptionally so.

"Don't get too happy yet," Luan warned. "Knowing Xiong, he’ll either bury this or swap the gun for a registered one. The matter might be covered up, but be careful—you need to know your limits. Xiong is helping you now, but that just gives him leverage. There’s no guarantee he won't use this to blackmail you or settle scores later."

Xiao understood the danger. In the legal system, there were countless ways to ruin a person, even throw them in prison. He had always been wary of Xiong, a parasite hidden within the police force, and he intended to purge him when the right opportunity arose.

Luan called Xiong, and as predicted, Xiong ordered him to swap the gun for one with a serial number and omit Xiao's name from the official record. In the eyes of others, this was a catastrophe, but in Xiong’s hands, it was easily erased. In a small town in the year 2000, a deputy director in charge of criminal investigations truly had the power to cover the sky with one hand.

As Xiao Ziguang stepped out of the station, he saw a black Mercedes. Standing next to it were a beaming Xue Qiang and a grim-faced Xue Bin. Xiao rubbed his nose to mask his tension. Even with his second chance at life, facing Xue Bin still exerted a palpable pressure.

"Get in," Xue Bin said, gesturing to the car before opening the door.

Xiao sat in the backseat. The car didn't move; the driver and Xue Qiang remained outside, leaving Xiao and Xue Bin alone.

"Why help Xue Qiang?"

The question was broad, carrying a double meaning. Xiao pondered for a moment. "It’s not entirely for him; it’s for myself, too."

"Uncle, you should understand. I’ve lived a hard life. Even after marrying into the Xue family, my reputation is ruined and I’ve seen little profit. I’m an ordinary man with desires, and I’ll seize any opportunity to get ahead."

"So, you’re stabbing us in the back and betraying my older brother?" Xue Bin’s eyes widened, his killing intent chilling the air inside the car by several degrees. Xiao was certain this man had killed before, and more than once.

"A bird seeks shelter in a tall tree. As long as the Xue family prospers, I enjoy its protection," Xiao looked into Xue Bin’s eyes. "As for betrayal, I don't think it goes that far. The name 'Xue' is written the same for all of us. As long as wealth circulates within the family and leads to greater prosperity, it’s a good thing for everyone."

Xue Bin softened his posture and asked in a low voice, "Is this what my brother wants?"

"Uncle, if my father hadn't spoken, I wouldn't have known about this. He knows your difficulties, and I hope you understand his. Once I’ve finished talking with Xue Qiang, the two of you can discuss it face-to-face." Xiao added, "It might take time—maybe a year or so. My father has been in charge of Shangfu Street for a long time; an abrupt withdrawal would hurt both your reputations. But a gradual transition will keep the family harmonious."

"My point is, let's keep the peace. The Xue family shouldn't become a laughingstock to outsiders."

Xue Bin remained silent for a long time before nodding slowly. "One year, then. Shangfu Street in exchange for the Second Construction Company and the Yunling Mine."

"Understood. I’ll tell my father. If he agrees, I’ll arrange a time for you two to have tea."

Xue Bin looked at Xiao deeply. "You’re an impressive young man, Xiao. You have finesse, strategy, and a sense of the big picture. It’s a pity my daughter doesn't have the fortune to be with someone like you..."

Xiao smiled without responding. Some things were better left unheard; taking them to heart would only lead to trouble.