The police officers' faces immediately twisted with unease. They had witnessed firsthand the aftermath of Liu Fu and the other two parents—half their teeth shattered, jaws not only dislocated but mostly broken.
One officer scoffed. "We know exactly how much force a slap can deliver. The victims claimed you beat them with an iron rod. Their injuries… match that."
Ye Fengwu's expression was calm. "So… they reported me for attempted murder?"
The officer standing in front of him barked sharply, "The evidence is clear. I suggest you cooperate."
But when they tried to twist Ye Fengwu's hands behind his back, their faces reddened in vain effort. Anger crept into Ye Fengwu's eyes as he rested his hand near his weapon.
"First warning: cooperate with law enforcement," the officer said.
Ye Fengwu's face grew colder. He knew exactly how far their authority extended—after three warnings, pepper spray and tasers would come into play. Whether they were old, weak, or injured, the law would still strike—and that was his confidence.
"Be careful," Ye Fengwu said coldly. His eyes narrowed, and suddenly the officers felt an unmistakable chill crawl up their spines.
The lead officer, no longer able to control himself, drew his gun. "Hands where I can see them! Any resistance, and I have the authority to shoot!"
Ye Fengwu's gaze darkened further.
"Stop!" a sharp voice rang out behind the armed officer. A car door opened, and a striking female officer stepped out, her uniform perfectly fitted, her presence commanding.
Ye Fengwu couldn't help but glance at her. Short, efficient haircut. About five foot seven. Long, shapely legs that any man would notice. A slim waist with exaggerated curves. No cosmetics, yet effortlessly radiant—a dangerous mix of beauty and authority.
Even the gun-wielding officer flinched at her presence, seemingly unwilling to provoke someone so formidable.
The woman approached Ye Fengwu, frowning. "We are the Criminal Investigation Division of Haihua City. I'm Captain Chen Nan. You are a suspect in a murder case. Cooperate with our investigation."
Ye Fengwu's coldness softened slightly. "Suspect… then there's no need to hogtie me, is there?" He glanced at the two other red-faced officers.
Chen Nan waved a hand. "Handcuffs are sufficient."
The two officers exhaled in relief and handcuffed Ye Fengwu, who didn't resist.
"I at least get to call my wife," he said, "tell her I won't have lunch, but make sure dinner is ready."
Chen Nan's brows tightened. "Murder or not, you're facing years in prison. Dinner isn't a priority."
As they began escorting him to the car, a low-end Chevrolet screeched to a stop. Qin Qinghan leapt out, her face anxious.
Chen Nan's expression softened.
Qin Qinghan approached. "Captain Chen… can you… vouch for him?"
Chen Nan sighed. "Qinghan, he assaulted people. The victims filed complaints at the station for attempted murder."
Qin Qinghan's face changed. "Murder? No… he just lost his temper! At worst, it's assault!"
Chen Nan frowned. "I'll investigate thoroughly. Come with me; I need to ask you some questions."
Ye Fengwu raised an eyebrow, amused, whispering to the two officers beside him: "See that? My wife knows your boss."
The officers stiffened. "That doesn't change anything. Our boss is known for being impartial. He won't bend the rules for personal reasons."
What Ye Fengwu didn't know was that Chen Nan and Qin Qinghan were high school classmates. Chen Nan was the only person who had never betrayed Qinghan and often helped her.
Leading Qin Qinghan aside, Chen Nan glanced cautiously at Ye Fengwu. "Qinghan… when did you get married? How come I didn't know?"
Qin Qinghan's face hardened. "It's complicated… my grandfather arranged it."
Chen Nan's expression darkened. "The Qin family… they never treated you like a person. And this man… who is he? What's his past?"
Qin Qinghan hesitated. "I… don't really know him. He just got out of prison… convicted of rape. Please… check him out for me."
"Rape…?" Chen Nan's voice rose. "Are you insane? You could ruin your life marrying a rapist!"
Qin Qinghan smiled bitterly. "My life hasn't been my own since I was sixteen. At least… he treats Jing Si well."
Chen Nan's brows knitted tightly. "I'll find out the truth. If he's really a rapist… you should leave him now. And those three he hit… serious injuries. Even if it's not murder, five or six years are likely."
Qin Qinghan's eyes filled with conflict. She grabbed Chen Nan's hand. "I know you hate favoritism… but please… plead for him. He acted for Jing Si."
She recounted the bullying Jing Si suffered at school and Liu Fu's repeated attempts to intimidate her, emphasizing that Liu Fu had maliciously spread rumors.
"That bastard… he should've been killed—at least it would've served justice," Chen Nan gritted her teeth.
After a long pause, Chen Nan shook her head, locking eyes with Qin Qinghan. "Qinghan… I understand. You hate rapists above all else. Even if he's kind now… it's because he wants you. What happens after he seduces you? Will he still be kind?"
Then Chen Nan turned and walked toward the police car. The other officers escorted Ye Fengwu, who looked back calmly. "Wife, I'll be back before dinner. Make something good."
Qin Qinghan's emotions swirled—she didn't like Ye Fengwu, a convicted rapist, yet he had defended Jing Si. She couldn't let him go to prison.
Inside the interrogation room, Ye Fengwu sat handcuffed to the table. Across from him were two empty chairs.
Chen Nan handed his file to a male officer. "Check everything—his background, his family, even his ancestral graves. I want it all, down to the last detail."
The officer shrank back, silently questioning why this striking female officer was making such a fuss.