"Jianye, you're about to leave, right? We'll go to your unit with you."
Third Aunt quickly followed.
Yan Jiecheng also followed behind.
They walked out of the Siheyuan (Courtyard) gate.
"Third Aunt, you can sit on the back of the bicycle."
"Brother Jiecheng, the bicycle can only carry one person..."
Chen Jianye called out. Before he could finish, Yan Jiecheng quickly said, "Jianye, I'm so grateful that you can take my mom."
"I'll run a few steps myself to keep up with you, I promise I won't fall behind."
"Alright, I was worried that if I only took your mom and not you, you'd have an opinion."
Chen Jianye said with a smile.
"No way, I'm not someone who doesn't know what's good for him."
Yan Jiecheng smiled.
Third Aunt sat on the back seat of the bicycle.
Chen Jianye pedaled the bicycle, and the bicycle wheels started to turn.
Yan Jiecheng ran alongside.
In late April, the morning sun rose in Four Nine City, and the temperature was slightly warm.
Chen Jianye carried Third Aunt to the entrance of the Security Section.
Yan Jiecheng was already panting, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Comrade Security Guard, these two are from our Courtyard..."
Chen Jianye proactively explained to the Security Guard on duty.
"Register your information and go in. Don't ride the bicycle recklessly; push it or park it at the bicycle parking area."
The Security Guard was all business.
Yan Jiecheng registered information for himself and his mother, then followed Chen Jianye inside.
The three arrived at the entrance of the Security Section, and Chen Jianye parked the bicycle steadily.
He led the two directly to Office 202 on the second floor.
Seeing that Section Chief Hong's office door was open, Chen Jianye knew that Section Chief Hong must be in his office.
Knock knock!
Arriving in front of Section Chief Hong's office, Chen Jianye knocked on the side door.
"Oh, little Comrade Jianye."
Hong Shengcai was sitting in his office chair, looking at the documents in his hand. He looked up, saw Chen Jianye, and greeted him with a smile.
"Section Chief Hong, I've come specifically today to talk to you about two matters."
Chen Jianye didn't procrastinate and spoke directly.
"Sit down and talk."
Hong Shengcai gestured, pouring water for the three.
Third Aunt and Yan Jiecheng repeatedly expressed their gratitude, feeling much more at ease.
Seeing Chen Jianye's attitude while talking to Section Chief Hong, they realized the two indeed knew each other and were quite familiar.
With someone to help bridge the connection, it would be easier for them to bring up their matter.
"The agreement I signed with the Security Section was shown to a Public Security officer yesterday."
Chen Jianye spoke about his own matter first.
Hong Shengcai frowned.
You showed it to the Public Security in less than a day.
What about the promised confidentiality?
Yesterday, you repeatedly guaranteed not to show it to anyone.
Do you still have the nerve to tell me?
Before Hong Shengcai could speak, Chen Jianye continued, "I had no choice. Yesterday, I bought a bicycle and went home, right? Someone in the Courtyard was jealous and couldn't stand to see me do well, so they reported me."
"They said my bicycle ticket was from an improper source, and the Public Security came to investigate. I had no choice but to show the agreement to one of the Public Security officers."
"Of course, the Public Security promised to keep the contents of the agreement confidential, Section Chief Hong. If you have any objections, don't blame me."
"I'm just an ordinary citizen; I can't go against the Public Security."
At this point, Chen Jianye spread his hands, indicating his helplessness.
"Indeed, I can't blame you. It was my oversight; I should have given you a supplementary note."
"I've noted this. I'll be more meticulous in my work in the future."
Facing Chen Jianye's honesty, Hong Shengcai didn't blame him but rather reflected on himself.
As a Leader of the Security Section, a brother department to the Public Security, he couldn't openly speak ill of the Public Security.
After all, the other party was also acting according to the rules.
He couldn't blame Chen Jianye either; he could only say it was bad luck, happening to coincide with someone reporting it, which was unavoidable.
"The second matter is that an Old Comrade from our Courtyard, named Yan Fugui, was arrested by the Security Section."
"He didn't come home last night, and his Yan Family was worried sick. So, early this morning, they came with me to the Security Section to ask Section Chief Hong about Yan Fugui's situation."
"Section Chief Hong, this is Yan Fugui's wife, and this is Yan Fugui's eldest son, Yan Jiecheng."
After Chen Jianye finished his introduction, he introduced Hong Shengcai to the Yan Family across from them: "This is Section Chief Hong Shengcai, from our Rolling Mill's Security Section."
"Hello, Section Chief Hong."
"Hello, Section Chief Hong."
Third Aunt and Yan Jiecheng quickly stood up and extended their hands.
"Hello."
Hong Shengcai stood up and shook hands with both of them, a hint of confusion in his brows.
Yan Fugui?
He's a teacher at Red Star School, right?
He thought he had already had someone release him yesterday afternoon.
Did they not release him?
Or did he forget to say so?
"Section Chief Hong, my Old Yan is an honest and law-abiding person. At most, he's a bit greedy for small advantages; he couldn't possibly do bad things."
"Did you make a mistake somewhere?"
Third Aunt asked softly.
"Our Security Section's handling of Comrade Yan Fugui's mistakes is absolutely reasonable and legal."
"How about this, I'll have Comrade Yan Fugui brought up."
Hong Shengcai spoke in an official tone.
Of course, he couldn't say that he had abandoned Yan Fugui.
That would surely earn him a few slaps from the Yan Family.
As things stood, he could only confirm that Yan Fugui had made a mistake, and then he would show leniency.
This would both punish Yan Fugui and demonstrate his magnanimity.
It would also be a joyful event for the Yan Family to take Yan Fugui home.
Hong Shengcai's order was relayed, and soon, two Security Guards supported the barely standing Yan Fugui to the doorway.
"Old Yan."
"Dad."
Third Aunt and Yan Jiecheng cried out excitedly.
Especially Third Aunt, seeing Yan Fugui's haggard appearance, couldn't help but shed tears.
"Is... is there anything to eat?"
Yan Fugui's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, as if he was barely clinging to life.
"Old Yan, I didn't bring any food. When we get home, I'll make you something delicious."
Third Aunt felt even more heartbroken.
"Dad, how much suffering have you endured?"
Yan Jiecheng's eyes were also red.
Although he wasn't overly conscientious, seeing Yan Fugui in such a miserable state, he couldn't help but feel sorrow.
"Don't talk nonsense. Our Security Section enforces the law civilly; we never engage in torture or forced confessions."
Hong Shengcai said unhappily.
"Section Chief Hong, my son doesn't know how to speak properly. Please don't hold it against him."
Third Aunt quickly pleaded.
"Yan Fugui, drink some water and take a breather. In front of your wife and child, tell us what you did."
"Lest outsiders think our Security Section arrests people indiscriminately, I need to make it clear to you that the Security Section doesn't arrest people randomly; all arrests are based on evidence!"
At the last sentence, Hong Shengcai slapped his palm heavily on the table.
Yan Fugui's legs went weak. Thankfully, the Security Guards were supporting him, otherwise he would have knelt down right there.
Third Aunt and Yan Jiecheng were also startled and immediately became obedient.
Chen Jianye watched from the side, finding it amusing.
Don't think he was talking to Hong Shengcai as an equal; that was because he had a hold on the Security Section, or rather, on Hong Shengcai's lifeline.
If that agreement from the Jia Family were to be exposed,
the families of the workers who died at the Rolling Mill before would cause a commotion.
At that time, Hong Shengcai would definitely lose his official position.
That's why he was talking nicely to Chen Jianye.
Now, facing the Yan Family, Hong Shengcai displayed some official authority, and the Yan Family couldn't resist at all.
As the saying goes, the people's will is like iron, but official law is like a furnace.
The common people cannot win against officials.
Why?
Officials have a group of enforcers under them, who strike wherever they are told. Ordinary people, with only a few family members and many worries, simply cannot resist.
For example, Hong Shengcai.
Although he is an ordinary person, he has over a hundred Security Guards under him.
With the organizational power he wields, even the current Chen Jianye is no match for Hong Shengcai head-on.
Only an organization can fight an organization.
This is an ironclad rule!
