Chapter 9

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After instructing Officer Zhao on the matter of Li Tan, Lan Penghao’s phone suddenly rang.

He cupped his hand over the phone and quickly walked to the corridor outside.

Officer Zhao watched as his superior left. He smiled and said to Chen Yeliang, “He is still getting calls at this hour. The deputy chief is really busy.”

Chen Yeliang piped in. “Indeed, no wonder he neglected Lan Sixi.”

After ten minutes, Lan Penghao re-entered the ward.

“I’m sorry, Chen. I have something to attend to at the station. I have to go back.”

He walked over to Lan Sixi’s side and took a long look at the girl sleeping soundly. His feet wavered between staying put and leaving.

“Uncle Lan, don’t worry. When Sixi wakes up, I will let her know.” Chen Yeliang said considerately.

“I’ll have to trouble you then, Chen. Remember to get my dear Sixi to finish her meal.”

With that, he nodded to Officer Zhao, picked up his police uniform, and left in a flourish.

When his superior had finally left, Officer Zhao heaved a long sigh of relief. He pulled up the guest chairs between the two beds and built a simple bed.

He laid down and removed his coat to cover himself.

“Officer Zhao, are you staying back to accompany us?” Chen Yeliang asked, puzzled.

Officer Zhao placed his hands behind his head. “Yes, I am staying back to protect you guys.”

“Protect?”

This word sounded a little too serious. Was someone planning to take revenge on them?

When Officer Zhao saw Chen Yeliang’s puzzled expression, he turned to lay on his side, using his elbow to prop up his head. He asked softly, “You still don’t know who Li Tan is, right?”

Chen Yeliang shook his head and said, “No, I don’t. Is he such a big deal?”

At the mention of Li Tan’s name, Officer Zhao became secretive. He turned around to look at Lan Sixi to make sure that she was not awake.

Then, he lowered his voice and said to Chen Yeliang, “Brotherhood, have you heard of it?”

Chen Yeliang found this name somewhat familiar. He seemed to have heard of it before somewhere.

He had teleported here. The Host’s original memories were still in this body. If he tried recalling, he would remember the information about the Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood was a street gang that originated from a place called the “Brotherhood Bar”.

He had heard that the owner of the bar, Qian Shan, was a man of honor and was good at dealing with interpersonal relationships.

If there was any fighting or brawling, or territorial disputes in the nearby nightlife district, they would seek him to mediate before calling the police.

As time went by, he became an authoritative father figure in that district.

Thereafter, many people who had heard of his reputation gathered to follow him. Qian Shan was forthright and did not reject anyone. He provided food, accommodation, and jobs. Gradually, a gang formed around him.

However, the Brotherhood was different from other gangs in the usual sense. On the surface, the businesses they operate all appeared legitimate.

Otherwise, Officer Zhao wouldn’t be hanging around in the ward gossiping.

“I’ve heard of it, why?” Chen Yeliang asked curiously.

“Li Tan is a member of the Brotherhood. In fact I heard that he is related to Qian Shan!” Officer Zhao said conspiratorially.

Chen Yeliang said in all seriousness, “Li Tan only has himself to blame for this! Are you telling me he really intends to get back at us?”

Officer Zhao said, “It’s hard to say. Miss Lan is the daughter of the deputy police chief, they might think twice about laying a finger on her. But it’s difficult to say the same for you, Student Chen…”

He seemed very serious, there was perhaps even a hint of warning in his tone.

Chen Yeliang did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Officer Zhao, you’re a police officer. You just told me that the Brotherhood might take revenge on me. Can’t you put in place some preventive measures?”

Upon hearing that, Officer Zhao patted the seat under his butt indignantly. What he meant was, “I am the preventive measure!”

Officer Zhao examined Chen Yeliang’s calm demeanor. He felt that Chen Yeliang had not realized the gravity of the problem.

He then got up and walked to the door of the ward. He peered out and checked that no one was in the corridors, before returning to his seat.

In a stern tone, he said to Chen Yeliang,

“Student Chen, since you are on good terms with the Deputy Chief and you are not an outsider, I’ll tell you the truth.”

“On the surface, the accounts at Qian Shan’s Brotherhood Bar are all legitimate, and they are one of the city’s largest taxpayers. We have only heard about their clandestine operations, but have never managed to get any evidence!”

Chen Yeliang said in surprise, “Not even you police?”

“Nope,” Officer Zhao shook his head furiously like a rattle-drum.

Although it sounded like exaggeration, Chen Yeliang was certain that Officer Zhao would not lie just to scare him.

If it was really as he said, that meant the Brotherhood could cover their tracks so well that they could even evade the police’s scrutiny. Qian Shan was indeed someone not to be trifled with!

Chen Yeliang thought about how he had thwarted Li Tan’s’ plans and even personally delivered him to the police.

If Li Tan did not take revenge on him, he wouldn’t be able to live up to his reputation as a gangster!

When he noticed Chen Yeliang did not speak for a long time, Officer Zhao thought that his words were too disturbing and had frightened the kid.

He changed the topic. “But don’t worry. I’ll stay here with you guys tonight and send you back to university tomorrow.”

“There are many people in the dormitory. He wouldn’t dare to do anything to you in public.”

“After this incident, the university will definitely beef up the campus security.”

“I will come over to visit you when I am free. Li Tan will definitely not have any chance to strike!”

Officer Zhao said a lot and analyzed all the pros and cons to Chen Yeliang in great detail, hoping to put Chen Yeliang’s mind at ease.

Chen Yeliang however, was not a timid person. He was not one to worry about things that have yet to happen.

He smiled. “I understand. Thank you, Officer Zhao.”

Sensing his good mood, Officer Zhao then smiled and said, “Don’t mention it. I’ll leave my phone number with you. If you encounter any problems in future, just look for me!”

Chen Yeliang nodded gratefully.

Just then, Lan Sixi, who was sound asleep, stirred and slowly woke up. She called out in a daze, “Daddy?”

Officer Zhao quickly got up and helped her raise the bed headrest.

Chen Yeliang shuffled in his slippers over to Lan Sixi’s side and said softly, “Sixi, Uncle Lan has gone back. We will keep you company tonight.”

“Ye Liang?” Lan Sixi had just woken up and her mind was still groggy. It was a long while before Chen Yeliang’s words sunk in.

When she heard that her father had left, she sulked and nodded in disappointment.

“Well, Miss Lan, you must be hungry. I’ll go find a microwave to heat up the food.” Officer Zhao didn’t want to be a third wheel here, so he slipped out with the lunch box.

Lan Sixi lowered her head. Her straggly hair covered most of her face, making her look very disconsolate.

Chen Yeliang could sense her disappointment and said gently, “Uncle Lan was watching over you while you were sleeping. He only left two minutes ago.”

Lan Sixi looked up in surprise. “Really?”

“It’s true.” Chen Yeliang smiled and said, “Uncle Lan has told me a lot of things. He knows that he has neglected your feelings and feels very guilty about it. He will definitely not let anyone bully you again in the future!”

“Really?” Lan Sixi asked, pleasantly surprised. A smile finally appeared on her face.

Chen Yeliang patted his chest and pledged, “Of course! If Uncle Lan doesn’t have the time, come and look for me. I will protect you!”

His words were like a gentle arrow that shot straight into Lan Sixi’s heart.

Lan Sixi pursed her lips and did not answer. She simply looked at Chen Yeliang and smiled. Her rosy cheeks were filled with the radiance of a young girl in love.. Her eyes were filled with adoring admiration for Chen Yeliang!