022 Police inspection

Kai nodded in agreement, and Pang Dahai stopped making things difficult for Tang Shu. "Xiao Shu, I'll give you face today and let him off the hook. But can you handle him? He seems pretty drunk." Pang Dahai's usually coarse tone took on an unprecedented tenderness.

Perhaps feeling envious of Zhang Ziwen's good fortune, Pang Dahai sighed with a hint of regret as he said to Kai, "Look at that couple, so affectionate. You, young man, need to strive harder. Don't spend your days being a womanizer outside. Learn a thing or two. A good mosquito doesn't bite, observe that lad, he only goes after the young and tender ones." His words carried weight and a hint of sarcasm, aimed at teasing Zhang Ziwen.

Kai immediately put on a facade of attentiveness, promising to learn from Comrade Zhang Ziwen. The two of them continued to jest at Zhang Ziwen's expense, and in the end, they didn't forget to ask him and Tang Shu to finish the remaining two glasses of wine.

Their banter amused Tang Shu to no end. Hearing them describe her relationship with Zhang Ziwen in such a close manner filled her with joy and sweetness. But Zhang Ziwen wore a pained expression, as if he had suffered some great injustice. Trying to defend himself in front of these two teasing friends only made matters worse. He could only force a bitter smile and down another glass of wine.

After a while, the second bottle was soon emptied. In such circumstances, a third bottle usually followed, but Tang Shu attempted to pay the bill this time, though her efforts were in vain. Seeing Pang Dahai's faux anger, she abandoned the idea of continuing to foot the bill for three grown men.

By the time half of the third bottle was consumed, Zhang Ziwen, Pang Dahai, and Wang Kai were all a bit tipsy, except for Tang Shu, who remained relatively sober. 

Just then, the lights in the entire bar suddenly brightened, the music abruptly stopped, and the microphone transmitted the clear voice of the bar manager: "Ladies and gentlemen, friends, for the sake of maintaining a clean bar environment, the police are conducting an inspection. We apologize for any inconvenience caused."

As soon as the announcement was made, some dealers of ecstasy and ketamine began slipping into the restroom, only to find undercover officers waiting for them. The entire bar erupted into a cacophony of hushing, whistling, and cursing, as chaos ensued.

"Quiet down, please. The police are conducting an inspection. Sit tight and refrain from moving to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings," the sweet voice of a woman echoed through the microphone.

Several police officers arrived, and both the entrance and the restroom were secured. It appeared to be a planned anti-drug operation for the night. Seven or eight officers formed a group, divided into ten teams, and began inspecting patrons individually.

Zhang Ziwen, Pang Dahai, and Wang Kai lounged lazily on the couch, having consumed too much alcohol. They paid little attention to the police inspection, instead catching their breath and allowing themselves a break.

A few officers approached their booth, and one of them, upon seeing Zhang Ziwen slouched on the couch, made a sound of recognition. This officer was none other than Yang Wei, the unfortunate cop who had interrogated him alongside Wen Min in the detention center. His badge bore the title of Assistant Inspector, with the identification number 9090980.

Yang Wei's eyes brightened upon seeing the beautiful Tang Shu beside Zhang Ziwen. She was truly stunning. He couldn't help but compare her to his superior, Wen Min, finding it difficult to decide who was more attractive. However, the girl before him exuded a gentle and charming aura, while his boss remained a cold and aloof figure. But why was this beauty with Zhang Ziwen, a troublemaker? Yang Wei felt a twinge of unfairness.

With a beauty present, Yang Wei felt compelled to put on a show. He ordered Zhang Ziwen and his friends sternly, "You, you, and you, show me your ID cards, and do it quickly!" The police's authority was on full display as they prepared to check the identities of the three men.

Yang Wei's stern expression softened as he turned to Tang Shu and smiled, saying, "Miss, could you please also show me your ID card? It's just a routine check, please cooperate." His approach was polite and civilized, unlike the treatment reserved for Zhang Ziwen and his companions.

"I don't have it," Tang Shu replied, a bit displeased with his attitude towards Zhang Ziwen and his friends. Her ID card was in her purse, but she didn't want to show it to him.

"I see," Yang Wei felt a bit disappointed. Without her ID, how would he know her name, age, and address? He gestured for a nearby officer to pass him a notebook and said, "Perhaps you could write down your details here."

"Let's do this instead," Tang Shu interrupted him, taking out a business card from her purse. "I'll give you my lawyer's business card. If you need anything, feel free to contact my lawyer directly." She handed the card to Yang Wei.

This young lady was not ordinary. She even had a personal lawyer. Yang Wei reluctantly accepted the card, then turned to glare at Zhang Ziwen and his friends. "And what about your ID cards? Stop stalling and show them to me!"

"Nope, didn't bring it. You guys have all our information anyway. What's the need for ID cards?" Zhang Ziwen, though a bit drunk, still recognized Yang Wei. He had no intention of cooperating with this unfortunate cop.

"Hehe, what a coincidence, neither did I," Pang Dahai muttered. He was already a bit high from the alcohol, and coupled with his dissatisfaction with Yang Wei's tone, he closed his eyes and pretended to be drunk.

Kai couldn't be bothered to speak and lay on the couch, snoring away. He adopted the classic 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' stance, even Tang Shu could tell he was pretending to sleep.

Their non-cooperation infuriated Yang Wei. He angrily declared, "What's with your attitudes? No ID cards? Fine, then you'll have to come to the police station to assist with the investigation."

"Sure thing," Zhang Ziwen lazily replied, tilting his head. "We're too drunk to walk, buddy. Do us a favor and call someone to carry us."

"Hehe," Yang Wei chuckled coldly. "Zhang Ziwen, you brought this upon yourself. Hindering official duties and defying the government, it's no wonder we police aren't nice to you."

"You guys," Yang Wei commanded the officers beside him, "cuff these three and escort them out. They're drunk anyway."

"What are you doing? You can't treat them like this," Tang Shu intervened, seeing Yang Wei commanding the officers to get rough.

"Xiao Shu, move aside," Zhang Ziwen swayed to his feet. "You move aside, I want to see how they're going to cuff me today." He reached out to pull Tang Shu away.

"No! I won't let go," Tang Shu stubbornly shook off his hand. She knew Zhang Ziwen's skills; if things turned physical, it would end badly.

"Are you going to move?" Zhang Ziwen stared at Tang Shu with reddened eyes. Drunk as he was, his blood was boiling. He disliked Yang Wei immensely; it was this corrupt cop who had smacked him hard on the head in the detention center last time. Unable to find an opportunity to retaliate, he intended to teach Yang Wei a lesson today, even if it meant going back to jail.

"Brother Wen," Tang Shu turned back to him, seeing his fierce gaze. "Please, don't." She knew what Zhang Ziwen wanted to do to those policemen.

Suddenly, Tang Shu turned and hugged Zhang Ziwen, pleading softly, "Please, Wen, don't." She held him tightly, her eyes glistening with tears, her delicate features on the verge of being overwhelmed.

Yang Wei, seeing Tang Shu embracing Zhang Ziwen, felt a surge of anger. "What are you waiting for? Why aren't you doing anything?"

Several officers approached with handcuffs, and one reached out to pull Tang Shu away from Zhang Ziwen. But before his hand could touch her, another hand firmly grabbed his wrist like a vice, causing him to cry out in pain.

It was needless to say it was Zhang Ziwen who intervened. He was being tightly held by Tang Shu, unable to exert much force to shake her off, but his hands were still free.

"Wen, don't," Tang Shu pleaded softly.

At the same time, a voice rang out, "Stop, all of you, stop." It was clear and pleasant, and upon hearing it, several policemen stopped in their tracks.

Zhang Ziwen recognized the voice instantly. It was too familiar – Inspector Wen Min, his arch-nemesis. Zhang Ziwen sighed inwardly, releasing the policeman's wrist.

"It's you again," Wen Min saw Zhang Ziwen clearly, being hugged tightly by a girl. "Zhang Ziwen, what trouble are you causing now?"

"Trouble?" Zhang Ziwen rolled his eyes. "Who's causing trouble? I don't have time for that."

Wen Min detested his arrogant attitude the most, glaring at him fiercely and asking Yang Wei, "What's going on?"

Yang Wei leaned in closer to Wen Min, about to speak to her when she frowned and gestured for him to speak openly. "Is there a need to whisper?" she said.

Yang Wei felt awkward, his chance to impress her cut short. He chuckled awkwardly. "This kid obstructed our duty, refused to show his ID, and was disrespectful. We were about to take him to the station."

"Zhang Ziwen, is this true?" Wen Min stared at him coldly.

Zhang Ziwen shrugged and sneered, "He said it, so it must be true. I have nothing to say."

Wen Min fixed her gaze on him. "So you obstructed duty and assaulted an officer?"

She then pointed to the officer who had been lightly disciplined by Zhang Ziwen. "He's the one you attacked first?"

"No," Tang Shu, still holding onto Zhang Ziwen, suddenly interjected. "He harassed me first. My boyfriend just stopped him."

After saying this, Tang Shu blushed, her face flushed. Her words painted Zhang Ziwen as her boyfriend, and the shy expression almost made her bury her face in Zhang Ziwen's chest.

Zhang Ziwen, a bit drunk, didn't pay much attention to what she said, but Tang Shu's intoxicating fragrance kept wafting into his nostrils, making him involuntarily twitch his nose several times. The feeling of warmth and fragrance in his embrace made his body react slightly. Yet, he also somewhat enjoyed this subtle sensation. At the moment, he didn't have the heart to shake off Tang Shu's tightly held hands.