Chapter 71: An Offering of Knees

Chapter 70: Someone Offers Their Knees

Fan Xiaoyao looked at Tang Ling, who was acting so brazenly before her, with a trace of amusement in her eyes. “Is your godfather really that impressive? These days, one can’t help but let their imagination run wild when it comes to godfathers.”

Tang Ling, however, was not the least bit ashamed. On the contrary, she flaunted it. “Think whatever you like. My godfather isn’t just anyone. You’d best be careful how you act!”

Wang Guocheng, standing to the side, remained unmoved. He shrugged indifferently. “So what? Why don’t you call your godfather over so I can see for myself?”

Wang Guocheng was, in fact, goading her on. He wanted to see if Tang Ling would really dare call her godfather out. With the current crackdown, he was curious to know who still had the audacity to act so recklessly.

Tang Ling herself had only been bragging. After all, she’d only recently wormed her way into this godfather’s good graces, and she truly had no idea just how protective he might be.

Now, with both Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng staring her down, Tang Ling found herself caught in a dilemma. Reluctantly, and for the sake of saving face, she dialed her godfather Chen Bonian’s number.

Chen Bonian was none other than the head of Kangcheng, recently embroiled in a city-wide scandal with his mistress.

Tang Ling put on her sweetest, most delicate voice as she spoke into the phone, “Godfather, it’s Lingling. Someone’s bullying me. Please, come quickly…”

Chen Bonian, having just left his office and settled into his secretary’s car, answered his new favorite’s call with a lascivious tone. “What’s wrong, darling Lingling? Who dares bully you? I’ll deal with them myself. And don’t forget, tonight at the usual place, wear that uniform I like…”

Tang Ling grew annoyed at his obvious distractions. “Godfather, I’m really being bullied! And all you can think about is that? I’m at Scholar Street right now. Hurry and come teach these people a lesson for me.”

Driven by lust, Chen Bonian didn’t hesitate. He ordered his secretary to head straight for Scholar Street.

Meanwhile, Wang Guocheng was not idle. He’d already sent a text message, instructing Ding Cheng in North City to coordinate with Kangcheng’s anti-corruption bureau—the authorities were on their way.

After hanging up, Tang Ling could hardly conceal her glee upon hearing Chen Bonian was really coming. She cast a scornful glance at Wang Guocheng and Fan Xiaoyao. “Just wait, my godfather will be here any minute.”

Wang Guocheng replied calmly, “Then we’ll wait right here for him.”

Soon, the distant blare of a car horn grew closer, and a sedan bearing the license plate KA00001 pulled up in front of them.

Chen Bonian climbed out and approached, shaking hands with Fan Xiaoyao. “Ah, so it’s Miss Fan from HK Corporation. I’ve heard much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. You’re even more beautiful than I’d heard.”

As he finished, his pudgy hand squeezed the back of Fan Xiaoyao’s hand so hard she winced in pain.

Wang Guocheng’s anger flared at the sight of Chen Bonian’s insolence. He pulled Fan Xiaoyao behind him and looked at Chen Bonian with open contempt. “You’re old enough to be her uncle. Show some respect for yourself. She’s my fiancée—mind your manners.”

Chen Bonian sized Wang Guocheng up with a sidelong glance. Though he sensed a powerful aura that set this man apart from ordinary people, seeing him arrive on a plain bicycle prompted a sneer. “Fiancée? With your shabby appearance? Wanting to marry Miss Fan is like a flower planted in a heap of manure.”

Wang Guocheng shot back, “Is that so? To me, you look much more like the manure. Look at your goddaughter—she seems younger than your own daughter. And yet you can stomach that?”

Chen Bonian’s face flushed with anger at the insult. “Where did this impudent brat come from, daring to speak to me like that? Do you even know who I am?”

Wang Guocheng replied coldly, “And what if I do? This is a pedestrian street—no cars allowed. Are you trying to abuse your power here?”

Enraged, Chen Bonian snapped, “So what? You, a pauper, want to lord it over me? Today, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

As he finished, Chen Bonian reached for his phone, intending to call someone to deal with Wang Guocheng.

Before he could dial, several men in uniform approached. The leader, dressed in black, addressed Chen Bonian. “Mr. Chen, we’re with the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Please come with us.”

Chen Bonian looked at them in confusion and arrogance. “The Anti-Corruption Bureau? What’s the meaning of this? Are you planning to detain me? Does your superiors know about this?”

The bureau’s leader replied with disdain, “Superiors? Chen Bonian, we’ve been watching you for a long time. Even now, you’re still so arrogant? We have all the evidence of your crimes. Men, detain him and take him back to the bureau.”

Realizing they meant business, Chen Bonian hurriedly tried to appease the lead officer. “I misspoke just now. Please, let me go this time. I truly meant no offense.”

Seeing Wang Guocheng standing there, calm and collected, Chen Bonian finally put two and two together. He dropped to his knees at Wang Guocheng’s feet.

“Please, have mercy! Help me say a few words on my behalf. I didn’t recognize your status earlier—I was wrong! You can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Fan Xiaoyao watched, bewildered, as the once arrogant Chen Bonian knelt before Wang Guocheng.

By now, all sense of shame had fled Chen Bonian’s mind. Survival was all that mattered.

Wang Guocheng shrugged, as if nothing concerned him, and said, “Stand by and do nothing? Mr. Chen, if you’ve broken no laws, if your conscience is clear, why are you begging me?”

He looked at Chen Bonian with a faint smile. “The people arresting you are from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. If you have a problem, why ask a pauper like me for help?”

Chen Bonian clung to Wang Guocheng’s trousers, kowtowing and bowing. “It’s just a misunderstanding! I didn’t see who I was dealing with. Please forgive me!”

Wang Guocheng ignored Chen Bonian’s pleas, subtly withdrawing his leg from the man’s grasp.

“Mr. Chen, if you’ve done nothing wrong, you shouldn’t fear investigation. Why are you so desperate and afraid, unless you have something to hide?”