Ma Juan sobbed as she answered, "My... my cousin was arrested and they’re saying he might be sentenced. What am I going to do now..."
Chen Bin felt a shock in his heart and quickly pressed her for details.
"What exactly happened?"
"Last night, after drinking, he beat up two people, and they were seriously injured. Can you think of a way to get my cousin out? I’m begging you."
"Alright, go back first, keep your phone available, and I’ll try to find out as soon as possible. I’ll get back to you then."
"Okay, thank you so much."
At this moment, Ma Juan had completely lost her usual boldness.
She looked delicate and vulnerable, like a bullied little girl.
After sending Ma Juan away, Chen Bin immediately went to Wang Jun’s office.
After explaining the situation, Wang Jun took the matter very seriously.
"Go and find out about this quickly, and report back to me as soon as you get any news. I think this is an important opportunity to take down Ma Baotian."
Nodding, Chen Bin quickly left the county government and headed straight for the police bureau.
The discord between Wang Jun and Huang Ming was making waves throughout Qingshi County’s political scene.
Although Huang Ming held the upper hand, no one dared to underestimate Wang Jun.
After all, how could someone sit on the sidelines for so many years and then suddenly leap to the top position?
It was hard for anyone to believe he didn’t have a powerful background.
Moreover, things in the political arena change rapidly; who knows, maybe one day Huang Ming could find himself unceremoniously ousted just like the previous County Magistrate.
So, many people were making preparations on both sides.
Treating both Wang Jun and Huang Ming as though they were revered lords.
This way, they wouldn’t make a mistake.
Upon arriving at the police bureau, Director Lin Hai personally received Chen Bin.
Although Chen Bin was just a small officer, being the secretary to the secretary of the County Committee, no one dared to underestimate him.
"Secretary Chen, welcome to our police bureau for an inspection."
With those words, Lin Hai extended his hand.
Chen Bin hurriedly shook his hand, smiling as he replied.
"Director Lin, you overpraise me. I’m just a secretary, not in a position to inspect your work."
Chen Bin was very aware that others respected him because of Wang Jun’s influence.
So, when he spoke, he made sure to maintain the other person’s dignity.
After Lin Hai arranged for Chen Bin to sit down, he had staff bring two glasses of water.
"I wonder what brings Secretary Chen here today?"
Chen Bin replied, "A friend’s cousin of mine got drunk and beat someone up last night, so I came to understand the situation."
"Alright, please wait a moment, I’ll go inquire."
With that, Lin Hai went directly to his desk and dialed a series of numbers.
"Who is handling the case from last night where someone got beaten up? Have them come to my office immediately."
Before long, Captain Guo Quanbo from the Crime Squad knocked and entered.
After Lin Hai’s introduction, Guo Quanbo detailed the events of the previous night.
Last night, Ma Xiangqian and some friends were dining at a restaurant in town.
After drinking, he accidentally bumped into someone on the way to the restroom.
Soon after, a verbal altercation ensued between the two parties.
The other side made the first move, and Ma Xiangqian knocked them to the ground.
Someone stepped in to mediate, and Ma Xiangqian injured that person too.
Frowning slightly, Chen Bin asked, "Was the one who first attacked the one who was in intensive care all night?"
"Yes! Actually, Ma Xiangqian retaliating could barely be justified as self-defense; the major issue is he severely injured the mediator, making this case difficult."
"How many years could the sentence be if convicted?"
"It’s hard to say at the moment. It depends on the victim’s condition. Due to the severity, it starts at a minimum of three years, and if the condition worsens, it could be at least ten years or more."
Chen Bin was completely unprepared for how serious the situation was.
So he continued to ask, "If a private settlement is reached, could sentencing be avoided?"
"That’s unlikely because this is a criminal case. Settlement can only lessen the punishment. However, if the victim’s condition isn’t very severe, there’s a possibility for a suspended sentence or even avoiding punishment."
"What does the hospital say?"
"The person hasn’t woken up yet, still have to wait and see."
After understanding the situation, Chen Bin nodded.
He stood up and said, "Thank you, Director Lin and Captain Guo. If the victim wakes up, please call the County Committee office to let me know."
Returning to the county government, Chen Bin immediately reported everything he’d learned to Wang Jun.
Wang Jun nodded, "Keep an eye on this matter. Update me whenever there’s any news."
He responded, and as Chen Bin was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered that today was Friday, so he asked.
"Godfather, are you going back this weekend?"
Taking a deep breath, Wang Jun’s eyes filled with melancholy.
"Go back by yourself, I have other matters to handle tonight."
Returning to his own office, Chen Bin immediately called Ma Juan.
"From the current situation, your cousin is likely to be sentenced, at least ten years or more. Life imprisonment or even the death penalty isn’t out of the question."
Upon hearing this, Ma Juan started crying again on the other end of the line.
She trembled as she said, "I’m begging you, please help Xiangqian. If he’s sentenced to death, how can my grandpa live on?"
"Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to mediate from the middle."
"Chen Bin, as long as you help me get my cousin out, I’ll do whatever you ask!"
Although the concept of favoring males over females has partly diminished, it’s still prevalent in some rural areas.
The younger generation of the Ma family only had Ma Xiangqian as a man.
Ma Juan considered him the only one for the family, so she didn’t want anything to happen to Ma Xiangqian.
"Wait at home for my news. Given our relationship, I will do my utmost to help you."
For the rest of the time, there was no news from the police station all the way till evening.
After work, when Chen Bin just got home, Zhao Xinmei asked him.
"Where’s your godfather, why didn’t he come back with you?"
"No, he said he’s got other things to do this weekend."
Sighing slightly, a trace of disappointment flashed across Zhao Xinmei’s face.
"Alright then, go wash your hands first, I’ll go make dinner."
With that, she headed to the kitchen.
In the bathroom, Chen Bin inadvertently saw the black stockings in the laundry basket.
He felt his heart skip a beat, a surge of heat rising from his feet to the top of his head.
Since the last time, he hadn’t tasted Zhao Xinmei’s scent for quite a while.
Peering out, he saw Zhao Xinmei busy cooking in the kitchen.
After a struggle in his heart, he still reached out and picked up the black stockings.
The instant he held it, it felt cold and smooth, very pleasant to touch.
This made the beast inside Chen Bin’s pants slowly awake, and he inexplicably brought the stockings close to his nose and took a deep breath.
The familiar scent was intoxicating.
At that moment, Chen Bin was like a recovering addict, facing that unforgettable flavor.
He could only struggle bitterly in an endless cycle of self-reproach.
The beautiful memory of that night flashed again through his mind, and Chen Bin couldn’t help but stick out his tongue and gently lick the stockings.
Instantly, it was like an electric shock coursed through his entire body.
Chen Bin felt his tongue go slightly numb.
Unconsciously, the beast in his crotch stood tall, aching slightly.
Just as he was about to take off his pants and stroke with the stockings, Zhao Xinmei’s voice suddenly sounded at the door...