22: Things Change, People Don't Remain the Same

"Captain Bai, I naturally have my reasons, and Mr. Shen is not at fault in this matter!" Yang Hu was an honest man, and at this point, his voice noticeably paused.

Bai Qingyu was utterly astonished. In her mind, Yang Hu had always been an upright Police Chief (the head of a police bureau), and today's incident truly left her utterly dumbfounded.

"Chief Yang, how can you shield someone like this? I believe it's more reasonable to detain and interrogate this man!" Bai Qingyu pointed at Shen Yifei as she spoke.

To question his mentor (an experienced teacher or trainer), Yang Hu's expression instantly darkened: "Detain him for what?! Captain Bai, this matter doesn't concern you!"

He remembered his days in the trenches, when he and his comrades-in-arms were captured. It was Shen Yifei who had single-handedly infiltrated the enemy camp, leaving dozens of corpses in his wake, and brought his comrades-in-arms back completely unharmed.

Within Yang Hu's heart, no one was allowed to slander his mentor!

Bai Qingyu was instantly incensed, her voice cold: "Chief Yang, I truly never imagined you were this kind of person. You haven't even investigated the matter thoroughly, yet you're shielding a suspect so blatantly. How am I supposed to trust you in the future?"

Shen Yifei shrugged. "I say, you two, stop being so stubborn. Can't you just get along peacefully?"

"You shut up, you bastard!" Bai Qingyu snapped angrily.

"Bai Qingyu!" Yang Hu roared, furious, at Bai Qingyu: "Do you know who you're cursing at? Let me tell you the truth, stopping you from getting entangled in this is also for your own good. Don't let things become unpleasant for everyone later!"

Bai Qingyu grew even angrier, huffing: "For my own good? Chief Yang! Are you implying that Shen Yifei has some kind of powerful background (connections or influence)? Even if he does, before the law, everyone is equal! This guy has no special privileges!"

Yang Hu was absolutely livid, bellowing: "Bai Qingyu! Don't think that just because you have a Lieutenant General (a high-ranking military officer) for a grandfather as your backer (source of support), you can look down on everyone! When have you ever handled anything efficiently? Do you truly believe you earned your qualifications as the Criminal Investigation Squad Captain (the head of a police unit specializing in crime) based on your own abilities? Laughable! Without your grandfather's support behind you, you'd be nothing!"

"I..." Bai Qingyu was speechless, unable to utter a rebuttal, her delicate frame trembling slightly.

Could it be that her title as Criminal Investigation Squad Captain truly came from her grandfather's backing...

"Bai Qingyu, recite the ninth secret article of the Criminal Police Regulations in your mind, properly!" Yang Hu rebuked.

Bai Qingyu's pretty face went blank. The ninth secret article of the Criminal Police Regulations stated that for individuals belonging to national secret or security departments, the police had no right to interfere with any of their actions.

In other words, even if such individuals blatantly committed offenses within the nation, the police could only turn a blind eye. Even if they committed a major crime, it would be handled by the nation's secret departments, and the police would have no right to interfere.

Could it be that this man before her was...

Bai Qingyu dared not imagine, much less believe, that Shen Yifei would possess such a mysterious identity.

Shen Yifei smiled at Bai Qingyu. "I say, beautiful officer, have the misunderstandings been cleared up now? Although we've had our disagreements, I still trust you. Would you please help me keep my identity a secret?"

Bai Qingyu's body trembled slightly. After learning Shen Yifei's identity, she had lost all her confidence, and could only weakly manage a faint, "Alright..."

"You're rather cute like this," Shen Yifei chuckled. "See you later."

Bai Qingyu's cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away, lightly huffing, "Even though your identity is extraordinary, please try your best not to stir up any trouble!"

"Alright, alright," Shen Yifei replied casually.

Yang Hu cast a remorseful glance at Shen Yifei. He had unintentionally revealed Shen Yifei's identity to Bai Qingyu.

Shen Yifei, however, didn't mind. Perhaps it was better to tell Bai Qingyu, saving himself from being pestered by such a woman later.

Soon, Yang Hu called for two police officers, preparing to escort Shen Yifei out.

Just as everyone was about to leave the interrogation room, a police officer entered and said to Yang Hu, "Chief, there's a woman outside who says she's here to bail out Shen Yifei."

"A woman? Did you ask for her name?" Yang Hu frowned slightly.

"Yes, Chief. Her name is Su Muqing," the officer replied.

Shen Yifei was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Su Muqing to find out about his detention at the police station.

His phone had been confiscated when he was arrested. The first contact in his phone's address book was labeled 'Wife,' which was actually Su Muqing.

He guessed that He Guobing's people had mistakenly assumed Su Muqing was his wife earlier and called her to the police station to claim a family member or something.

"Tell the lady that Mr. Shen is fine, and she can come in now," Yang Hu said with a smile.

"Wait," Shen Yifei called out to Yang Hu, then added, "That's a friend of mine. Since she says she's here to bail me out, let's just follow the normal procedures."

Shen Yifei didn't want Su Muqing to know his identity.

"Understood," Yang Hu nodded, understanding Shen Yifei might have certain reservations.

"I'll handle this. Chief, you can go back first," Bai Qingyu offered proactively.

Earlier, she had mistaken Shen Yifei for a robbery and rape suspect, causing a whole farce, and she felt a slight pang of guilt towards him.

"Alright," Yang Hu nodded.

Under Bai Qingyu's arrangements, Su Muqing successfully bailed out Shen Yifei, though she still didn't understand why he had been arrested.

"Excuse me, Officer, what exactly did Shen Yifei do?" Su Muqing asked Bai Qingyu, frowning, inside the office.

"It wasn't serious. We had mistakenly identified him as a suspect in a robbery and rape case, but later realized our error. Here's the bail certificate; you can take Mr. Shen with you now."

"Thank you, Officer," Su Muqing sighed in relief, grateful it wasn't anything serious.

Originally, Su Muqing had business to discuss that evening, but upon learning that Shen Yifei might have been arrested, she rushed to the police station immediately.

A short while later, Su Muqing was led by two police officers to the interrogation room.

As the interrogation room door opened, Shen Yifei walked out.

"Shen Yifei, I don't mind that you're useless, but can you at least cause me less trouble? What are you doing wandering around this far out in the suburbs for no reason?" Su Muqing snapped, exasperated.

Because of Shen Yifei, her evening business deal hadn't gone through, and she couldn't help but feel some resentment.

Shen Yifei looked up and immediately saw a trace of coldness and a hint of disgust on Su Muqing's face. He fell silent at once.

"Come back with me. If you genuinely commit a crime next time, I won't be so kind as to bail you out!" Su Muqing said, her voice icy.

Shen Yifei felt a bitter taste in his mouth. The only reason this woman had come, he suspected, was purely out of pity.

But pity was a one-time thing. Next time, he figured, this woman wouldn't care if he lived or died.

Shen Yifei suddenly felt a wave of despondency. After getting into Su Muqing's car, he remained silent the entire ride.

He felt that he and Su Muqing no longer had anything in common, no emotional foundation, and that she wouldn't care about him.

"Su Muqing, do you really... want me to leave?" Shen Yifei spoke indifferently from the passenger seat.

Shen Yifei's initiative in asking surprised Su Muqing. She replied coldly, "You already know what I think, don't you?"

Shen Yifei nodded. When it came to matters of the heart, he no longer held any hope. Su Muqing felt uncomfortable just seeing him; she probably couldn't wait for him to leave.

Years of arduous training had long stripped Shen Yifei of any concept of shame, yet his self-respect remained strong.

He had encountered many women, and staying by Su Muqing's side wasn't for anything as shallow as pursuing her romantically.

Shen Yifei's sole reason was the innocent, cheerful little girl who had once offered him a cream cake. But time had swept by, circumstances had shifted, and people were no longer the same.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Yifei decided to abandon his mission and leave this place.