province is considered a fellow countryman. Within the province, people from the same region are called fellow countrymen. Furthermore, in this huge southern city, meeting someone from your own regio...Chapter 563: Tang Ran's Father Arrives

Tang Qing was very reassured about his son, so when he received a call from the other party asking him to come over, he thought for a moment before packing up and heading out with his secretary and driver towards the location mentioned in the phone call.

When Tang Qing's car reached the front of Guangming Police Station, his phone rang. After a while, he hung up and fell into deep thought.

The previous call had been from one of his son's two bodyguards. His son seemed to have known that he was coming, instructing them not to use his official car but instead walk or take another vehicle.

Uncertain about what game his son was playing, Tang Qing decided to follow his instructions and parked the car by the roadside; only his secretary accompanied him into Guangming Police Station.

Tang Qing entered the Chief's office directly with his secretary in tow.

The chief, Yu, was feeling rather pleased. Although Zhang Secretary and Driver Xiao Zhao had already left, through this incident, he had grown closer to both of them. Additionally, based on what Xiao Zhao said, any money that could be squeezed out from the boy's parents would all go straight into his pocket.

Such an arrangement suited Yu very well; if anything went wrong, Secretary Liu would take the blame while he just collected the cash—hardly a more gratifying way of making money existed.

"Knock knock knock." Chief Yu had one leg crossed over the other on his desk, smoking and humming a tune when a knock at the door interrupted his reverie.

“Come in!” Upon hearing the knocking, Yu sat up straight and called out to whoever was outside.

The moment he finished speaking, two men entered: one around forty years old, the other in his thirties. When Yu saw the man in his forties, he felt a sudden jolt.

Although he recognized the face, he couldn't place it; however, this middle-aged man gave off an imposing air that even the Beijing city bureau chief hadn’t had when they met during a conference. Upon seeing him for the first time, Yu’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself and asked: "What can I do for you two"

Though his spirits were slightly shaken upon seeing this man, as the police station chief overseeing local peace, he soon calmed down.

"I am Tang Ran's father. Didn't you call me" Upon hearing the chief’s words, Tang Qing calmly replied.

Hearing that Tang Qing was the father of that child, and seeing his current appearance, Director Yu's face showed a strange expression. When Tang Ran was arrested at around thirteen years old, he remained calm and composed; however, there wasn't any obvious reaction from his father upon learning about it.

Ordinarily, when parents learn their son has been arrested for fraud, they would anxiously inquire with pleasantries to gather more information. But this person didn’t show any emotion at all!

"Yes, your son is suspected of fraud and will be temporarily held here!" Director Yu said to Tang Qing.

"Oh, hahaha, my son is only eleven years old; how could he possibly cheat people" Upon hearing that Tang Ran was accused of fraud, Tang Qing couldn't help but chuckle.

Considering their family background, would his son really engage in such activities Therefore, the moment this director spoke up, he knew exactly what was going on.

"Oh, go ahead and tell me! What conditions do I need to meet to get my son released" Tang Ran’s bodyguard had already briefed him about the situation. Knowing roughly what his son needed to do, he didn’t waste any words and spoke directly.

Upon hearing Tang Qing's response, Director Yu's eyes lit up, secretly thinking that he might have overthought things earlier. This person should be a wealthy businessman; regardless of what kind of merchant he is, as long as he isn't an official or the son of one, it’s all good.

When Tang Qing first came in and Director Yu saw his aura, he assumed that Tang Qing was either an official or a rich kid. But after hearing him speak, Director Yu knew this wasn’t the case. If he were an official, he would have handled everything with just one phone call; if he were a rich kid from a powerful family, he would have already smashed up the police station. Only wealthy businessmen would act like this—starting negotiations about money and conditions straight away.

“It looks like we’ve caught a big fish this time!” Director Yu thought to himself joyfully as he looked at Tang Qing in front of him.

"Hahaha, sir, you seem very pleased! Considering your son’s young age and first-time offense, twenty thousand yuan will suffice. If you can pay up within that amount, we’ll negotiate with the victim so they won’t pursue it further. Otherwise, a year of labor re-education is the lightest sentence for him!"

Since this family wasn't connected to any influential officials or rich kids, but merely businessmen, things were going smoothly according to Director Yu's expectations. Therefore, he gritted his teeth and said firmly.

According to his standards, five thousand yuan would already be a good sum, but an extra income. However, seeing Tang Qing’s demeanor made him decide to ask for more. That was why he asked for twenty thousand yuan in the first place.

"Hahaha, twenty thousand Alright then, Little Lin, go get the money!" Upon hearing Director Yu's proposal, Tang Qing broke into a rare smile and said.

“Boss, this…” The young man beside Tang Qing wanted to say something but was promptly stopped by Tang Qing’s hand gesture.

This 'Little Lin' was Tang Qing's secretary who had followed him for three years. Naturally, he knew Tang Qing well and thus didn’t speak further when he saw Tang Qing halt his words. Seeing the smile on Tang Qing’s face, he realized that someone was probably about to be倒黴了, so as Little Lin left, he gave Director Yu a pitiful glance.

"Can we bring my son over now" Tang Qing asked Yu, the chief, after seeing Xiao Lin leave.

"Sure, please wait a moment!"

"Officer Li! Go to the holding room and bring that child here."

After hearing Tang Qing's request, Yu didn't hesitate at all. This person was so straightforward; there was no need for him to be stingy either. Moreover, the other party wouldn't dare not pay him because if he issued an arrest warrant, they would have nowhere to run.

In a short while, a police officer in his thirties brought Tang Ran over.

"Father!" Tang Ran greeted when he entered.

Upon hearing his son's greeting, Tang Qing nodded and told his son, "Pack up your belongings; we're leaving soon."

Tang Qing had already heard the account of events from his son's bodyguard earlier. So, he was now somewhat clear on what to do next, thus cooperating with his son.

"Yes, father!" Tang Ran replied and then looked at Chief Yu.

"There, your belongings are in that box!" Upon seeing Tang Ran looking at him, Chief Yu understood he wanted to retrieve his items. Therefore, he pointed towards a long chair by the door of the room.

After hearing Chief Yu's words, Tang Ran began sorting through his belongings inside the box. However, when he opened some papers in the boxes, his expression suddenly changed as he said, "Something’s wrong! All these items are correct, but one of my calligraphy pieces is missing!"

"What" Hearing his son's words, Tang Qing exclaimed and then glared at Chief Yu, asking, "What's going on here Where is the calligraphy piece from my son"

"Which calligraphy piece Isn't it all accounted for Check your record; there are three pieces of calligraphy in total. Aren’t they all here now"

Seeing Tang Qing's stern face, Chief Yu was startled but quickly regained his composure and pointed to a book in front of him.

"There are indeed three pieces, but not these three; one of my calligraphy works has been swapped!" Tang Ran said indifferently as if the swapped item wasn't his own.

"I don't know about that, anyway, none of us touched your belongings!" Director Yu said without even looking at Tang Qing and Tang Ran.

"Boss, I've retrieved it!" At this moment, Little Lin walked in holding a handbag. When he got to Tang Qing's side, he said.

Seeing that Little Lin was back, Director Yu stood up from his seat and walked over to him, reaching out for the handbag in Little Lin’s hands.

"Wait!" As soon as Director Yu reached for the bag, Tang Qing shouted.

Hearing Tang Qing's voice, Little Lin instantly retracted the bag while Director Yu stared at Tang Qing with a puzzled look on his face.

“Comrade Director, what’s this about my son mentioning that scroll of calligraphy” Seeing that Director Yu was looking at him, Tang Qing couldn't help but ask.

"Heh heh, I don’t know. All I know is if you don’t pay up, your son will have to be detained and sent for labor reform! Think it over carefully—would a scroll of calligraphy be more important than your son" After hearing Tang Qing's question, Director Yu shot Tang Qing and Tang Ran an sidelong glance and sneered.

He wasn’t afraid that this father-son duo wouldn’t submit. He was now holding the reins around their necks.

Hearing what Director Yu said, Tang Qing cast a sideways look at him before nodding to Little Lin who had been standing beside him. Only upon receiving Tang Qing's nod did Little Lin take out the handbag and pass it over to Director Yu.

“Comrade Director, you’d better count your money properly!” As soon as he saw Director Yu take the money, Tang Qing said to him.

"Little Lin, give a call to Chief Qin from the municipal bureau. Tell him to come and check on his team!" When Director Yu had finished counting and putting away the money, Tang Qing's face darkened. He turned to the young man next to him and instructed.

Hearing what Tang Qing said, Director Yu’s expression changed, looking at Tang Qing in confusion.

"Yes, Mayor Tang!" Little Lin straightened up after hearing Tang Qing speak.

"Mayor Tang Mayor Tang" Hearing Little Lin's address, Director Yu's face turned pale again. Muttering to himself, he quickly rummaged through his file stacks for a while before pulling out a piece of paper and looking at it.

After a short moment, he looked from the paper back to Tang Qing; Director Yu’s complexion instantly paled as if he had seen a ghost. He collapsed onto the chair like a heap of rotten mud, dropping the paper in his hands on the floor.trouble, driving away customers who were eating, resulting in significant losses each day. It might be better not to open the shop!"Right, you should leave quickly! We won't charge you for today since...