Shameless Gangster

Chapter 17A

Title: All things are predestined, and no one can control it

Translate: Sae

"What are you talking about?" Du Zhen asked in complete amazement. For him, amiability begot riches,[1] yet now his slightly plump face was sweating, and his eyes were open wide.

His partner, or colleague, or offline—or the person that was a combination of the three identities was not the slightest moved by his consternation as he expressionlessly repeated what he had just said:

"I said, bring the kid back."

"You must be saying this nonsense with a fever, right?" Du Zhen continued to stare at him, "At that time, you had strongly suggested this. Let me pretend to adopt her, take her back, and allow the bureau to arrange a good place for her. Isn't that what we agreed to? The higher-ups had officially replied at top speed! At top speed! Now you......"

Zhang Xueming also looked annoyed. He picked up the teacup from the table and took a sip before saying: "This was my miscalculation. I didn't expect Han Jia to take this matter so seriously. Yesterday, he had even sent out some people to search for the whole day. Today, Xiao Li had an accident so he couldn't attend to it, but I can't say for sure if he will still keep looking. You also know that he's very familiar with Zhou Guoshu. If by chance he asks him to help out...... the factions in the bureau, you also know......"

Du Zhen also frowned, and said with dissatisfaction: "What's wrong with my adoption of that little girl? Why is he looking for her? Don't tell me that he won't even let a little girl go?"

Zhang Xueming glanced at him and said succinctly: "He thinks that you are a pervert, and afraid that you will harm that kid."

Du Zhen froze. After a while he repeated in disbelief: "He thinks that I'm a pervert?"

Zhang Xueming seemed to no longer hold back, and looked at him with a smile: "Don't you always like to find minors?"

"Laozi[2] was specifically investigating underage prostitution! I wasn't fucking looking for a minor, I... I..." Du Zhen's face was flushed. "Fuck, he is a pimp. Why care whether or not I'm a pervert? Isn't it fine just to give him money?"

"I tried," Zhang Xueming muttered to himself as an answer.

"Unsuccessful?" Du Zhen observed his expression, "How much did you mention to him?"

"Thirty-thousand," Zhang Xueming said.

Du Zhen remained silent for a few seconds. He had handled similar cases for nearly a decade and knew that such a sick little girl was far from worth so much. In the end he said: "If he is that determined then let him go and waste his time. I rescued this little girl. I can't just send her back like this. People like Han Jia tend to change their minds after a while and putting the kid in his hand is risky."

Zhang Xueming had no intention to refute him; he only sighed and said: "Alright, then I'll go and reveal my identity to Han Jia."

"Are you crazy?" Du Zhen lashed out. "We have been operating for so many years, and you want to ruin this mission just like this?"

Zhang Xueming said: "Otherwise, he will definitely drive me out of Jin Ting, and the mission will be declared as a failure as well."

Du Zhen frowned, and after a while, he said: "You've been embedded for so long, there's no one you can use? If he wants to drive you away, you really have no other way?"

Zhang Xueming touched the corner of his mouth where there was a new bruise, and then he whispered: "There was one before... unfortunately, I just offended him not too long ago, and I've already used that trick so it can't be used again this time."