The brief standoff ended as swiftly as it had begun.
Witnessing Bai Hao retract his penetrating gaze, Ning Dapeng gritted his teeth. The arrogance in his eyes, which had momentarily receded, flared up once more with renewed vigor. He had indeed been momentarily cowed by that look from Bai Hao, but it now appeared to be mere bravado. This was difficult for him to accept. He was the esteemed Young Master of the Ning family—how could he be intimidated by some country bumpkin from the backwaters?
"Young Master Ning, we were just about to escort him to the detention center. We beg you not to stoop to his level," the officer on Bai Hao's left said hurriedly with an ingratiating smile, seeing Ning Dapeng on the verge of another outburst. He had some understanding of Bai Hao's capabilities—subduing three Black Moon Society enforcers in under a minute was a feat far beyond his own skills. If pushed too far, Bai Hao could cause a scene that would be difficult to contain.
As he spoke, the officer shot a meaningful glance at his colleague on Bai Hao's right—the one who had just received a fierce slap from Ning Dapeng—signaling for him to steer Bai Hao around the Young Master and the two hulking bodyguards flanking him.
"The detention center?" A flicker of surprise crossed Ning Dapeng's face. His eyes narrowed in thought for a few seconds before his aggressive demeanor unexpectedly receded. A cold sneer played on his lips as he addressed Bai Hao, "The detention center is quite the place, boy. Do enjoy your stay. And rest assured, I'll make certain you receive... special attention."
"Young Master Ning, we'll take our leave now," the officer on the left said, forcing a smile. Together with his partner, he tugged at Bai Hao, clearing a path for Ning Dapeng.
A look of satisfaction instantly graced Ning Dapeng's face. He shot Bai Hao a disdainful sidelong glance, emitting a contemptuous snort, before proceeding forward with his two towering bodyguards in tow.
A chilling glint still lingered in Bai Hao's eyes. Though he had restrained his impulse, the cold fury in his heart remained undiminished. From the other's almost mocking tone, he knew there would be no reprieve. If he had heard correctly earlier, this insolent young scion was Ning Dapeng, elder brother to Ning Weiwei, and the heir of the Ning family.
"It seems this 'affray' was indeed orchestrated by the Ning family from the shadows. The personnel at the Southern Precinct must be colluding with them. The entire incident was likely staged, a setup targeting him from the very beginning. Is this the price for a single slap?"
This brief encounter with Ning Dapeng had erased all doubt from Bai Hao's mind, replacing it with grim certainty. He had become a target in the crosshairs of the Ning family, their weapon already loaded and aimed squarely at his head. As an insignificant nobody, he knew he possessed no power to retaliate against the might of the Nings. He could only await the incoming bullet in silent resignation.
It was a wretched, powerless feeling!
Bai Hao felt himself sinking into this wretchedness—the wretchedness of a small fry. The cost of that one slap was proving unbearably heavy, a weight threatening to crush his very spine.
The two officers afforded him no further time to dwell on the plight of the insignificant. They swiftly marched him out of the Southern Precinct building and into a police van bound for the South Suburb Detention Center.
Outside the office of the Public Order Section Chief on the third floor of the Southern Precinct, two men as immovable as small mountains stood guard—Ning Dapeng's personal bodyguards.
Inside the office, Section Chief Ning Hu wore a broad smile as he carefully poured tea for Ning Dapeng, who was technically a junior to him. Ning Hu's slightly plump chin quivered as he spoke ingratiatingly, "Dapeng, this tea is quite good. Please, have a taste."
Ning Dapeng did not refuse. He took a sip from the small cup and offered a light chuckle. "Uncle Hu, your life here in the office seems quite comfortable."
Ning Hu laughed heartily, refilled Ning Dapeng's cup, and set the teapot aside. "It is rather peaceful, yes. So, Dapeng, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Uncle Hu, I naturally have a matter to entrust to you," Ning Dapeng replied with a light smile.
"Oh?" Ning Hu feigned ignorance, though his mind was clear as a mirror. Ning Dapeng never visited without an agenda, and this time it was undoubtedly related to his sister's affair. What puzzled Ning Hu slightly was that Ning Zhongtian had already arranged everything. He wondered what this Young Master hoped to add to the mix. "Dapeng, speak freely. If it's within my power, I will certainly do my utmost."
Hearing this, the smile on Ning Dapeng's face widened. His tone shifted subtly. "Uncle Hu, you are aware of the incident where my sister was slapped at Seagarden Academy, I presume?"
Ning Hu maintained a neutral expression and gave a slight nod.
"The matter is grave," Ning Dapeng continued. "To insult my sister is to slap my face, and by extension, the face of our Ning family. In Baoli City, our family stands paramount. To have our face slapped—tell me, is that not a serious offense?"
"It is serious," Ning Hu replied, the flesh on his face twitching slightly.
"Then tell me, does that person not deserve punishment?"
"He does," Ning Hu affirmed with a solemn expression, his voice low. "However, Dapeng, regarding this matter, the Family Head has already spoken with me. The arrangements are largely in place."
Ning Dapeng showed no surprise. He sighed softly. "I am aware. I merely wish to inquire, Uncle Hu, how do you intend to punish that wretch?"
A trace of hesitation flickered across Ning Hu's face. The plan for dealing with Bai Hao had already been discussed with Family Head Ning Zhongtian. The scale of the retaliation had to be controlled, as Bai Hao was, after all, an employee of Baoli Corporation. Dragging the corporation into the fray would create significant complications and prove counterproductive. Now, with Ning Dapeng evidently wishing to involve himself, given his notoriously overbearing and violent temperament, acceding to his wishes risked escalating the situation. If that happened, Ning Hu would have a hard time explaining himself to Ning Zhongtian.
"What is it, Uncle Hu? Is there some... inconvenience?" Instantly, displeasure colored Ning Dapeng's features, and his tone turned frosty.
Ning Hu chuckled bitterly to himself. Offending Ning Dapeng was not an option. As Ning Zhongtian's only treasured son, Ning Dapeng was the heir apparent, the most likely successor to the family leadership. Ning Hu himself was merely a member of a collateral branch. His position as Section Chief owed much to the family's influence. Antagonizing the Young Master would undoubtedly lead to future repercussions.
"Not at all," Ning Hu quickly reassured with an obsequious smile. "Dapeng, there's no inconvenience. Please, have another cup of tea, and let your uncle explain in detail."
Ning Dapeng's expression softened slightly, and a hint of a smile returned. "Then speak quickly, Uncle. I am eager to hear how you plan to deal with that wretch."
Ning Hu nodded, his face still wreathed in smiles, and began his explanation. "Regarding how to handle him, the Family Head and I have deliberated carefully. The current plan is to pin a charge on him and incarcerate him for a period, serving as a sufficient lesson. Specifically, yesterday I had the Black Moon Society dispatch three enforcers to Seagarden Academy to teach him a lesson. The intention was to give him a thorough beating. Unexpectedly, the boy possesses considerable skill. He emerged unharmed and instead soundly thrashed the three enforcers. However, his fighting back played perfectly into my secondary contingency plan…"
Ning Hu spoke for a full ten minutes before concluding. The entire affair involving Bai Hao was, in fact, his own orchestration. His primary plan had been to have Bai Hao severely beaten before detaining him at the precinct for a few days—a substantial lesson. Bai Hao's unexpectedly formidable combat skills, which allowed him to overpower three enforcers, had seamlessly triggered the secondary plan, which was now unfolding. The medical assessment concluding one serious injury and two minor ones was indeed fabricated, arranged in advance with the hospital. In reality, only one person was injured, and it was merely a minor wound. The witness statements were, of course, also problematic. With his years of experience, manipulating such minor details was effortless. The case against Bai Hao was practically ironclad. Given the boy's negligible background and the Ning family's influence in Baoli City, securing a conviction was virtually assured.
Ning Dapeng listened with keen interest, sipping his tea intermittently. When Ning Hu finished, a pensive look settled on the young master's face.
After a silence of over ten seconds, Ning Dapeng finally spoke, his tone deliberate and tinged with doubt. "Uncle Hu, according to your scheme, what punishment should the wretch receive?"
"If convicted of intentional assault, given the conclusion of one serious and two minor injuries, the sentence could range from a year or two on the lighter side, to around three years on the heavier side," Ning Hu mused in response.
Ning Dapeng stroked his chin, eyes narrowed. After a few seconds' pause, he said slowly, "Uncle Hu, a year or two seems rather... light. My sister's face was terribly swollen; it hasn't completely subsided even now. Clearly, the brute struck with significant force. He needs a more memorable lesson. Push for the maximum sentence."
A trace of difficulty appeared on Ning Hu's face. He hesitated before saying, "Dapeng, the court is beyond my influence. If you truly wish for a longer sentence, the family would likely need to... make its presence felt within the judicial circuit."
Ning Dapeng's brow furrowed slightly, but upon brief reflection, he understood. Cases handled by the police were forwarded to the procuratorate, which then filed charges with the court for the final judgment. The chain was indeed lengthy, and a mere section chief like Ning Hu might lack the necessary reach. However, such a matter posed little difficulty for the Ning family. If he personally intervened, it should be easily manageable.
"I see," Ning Dapeng said, his brow smoothing. He took a delicate sip of tea. "Uncle Hu, I saw the wretch on my way in. His arrogance was quite palpable."
The ferocious, icy glare Bai Hao had shot him had indeed given Ning Dapeng a profound shock. In his view, it was nothing less than a provocation—the height of arrogance.
"Arrogant?" Ning Hu expressed surprise. He had met Bai Hao, having personally interrogated him the previous night. The boy hadn't struck him as particularly arrogant.
Ning Dapeng glanced at Ning Hu but offered no explanation. Being intimidated was a loss of face he had no intention of advertising; doing so would be shooting himself in the foot. He would never engage in such self-defeating behavior. He shifted the topic. "Uncle Hu, you're sending him to the detention center?"
Ning Hu nodded. "Our work at the precinct is essentially complete. He's been sent to the South Suburb Detention Center. This afternoon, I'll have the case files delivered to the procuratorate. The subsequent process will be their responsibility. But rest assured, Dapeng, I have connections there. No mishaps will occur."
"Good, that puts my mind at ease." Ning Dapeng's eyes shifted thoughtfully. "Are you familiar with the people at the South Suburb Detention Center?"
"Indeed. I have a good relationship with Warden Liu," Ning Hu replied, taking a sip of tea. "Why do you ask? Is there something you need?"
A sinister smile flickered across Ning Dapeng's face. He spoke unhurriedly, "Uncle Hu, that wretch struck my sister, leaving her face swollen. Letting him off without some... physical admonishment would be far too lenient. Since you are acquainted with the Warden, perhaps you could ask him for a favor—to teach the boy a proper lesson. I, Ning Dapeng, will remember this favor."
A slight twitch touched the corner of Ning Hu's mouth. This Ning Dapeng is truly ruthless, he thought. The boy was already in detention, facing imminent imprisonment, yet the Young Master still wasn't satisfied, wanting him roughed up inside as well. Nonetheless, Ning Hu's face remained wreathed in smiles. "That shouldn't be difficult. I'll have a word with Old Liu."
"Excellent. My thanks, Uncle Hu." A brilliant smile instantly brightened Ning Dapeng's face, while inwardly he reveled in dark satisfaction. Just you wait, you wretch. How dare you glare at me like that? I'll make your life in that detention center a living hell.
"No need for formalities between us," Ning Hu replied, all smiles. "However, Dapeng, regarding the... extent?"
Ning Dapeng immediately understood. He stroked his chin. "Just don't kill him. That would spoil the fun. I plan to visit the detention center for a... tour in a couple of days."
"Understood. I will convey your instructions clearly to Warden Liu," Ning Hu replied, his smile unwavering.
Half an hour later, Ning Dapeng finally exited the Southern Precinct building, flanked by his two towering bodyguards.
Seeing Ning Dapeng off, Ning Hu let out a long, weary sigh. He hurried back to his third-floor office, retrieved his communicator, and dialed the number of Family Head Ning Zhongtian. For about three minutes, he spoke into the device, nodding and bowing deferentially even though the other party couldn't see him, before finally ending the call.
His communication with Ning Zhongtian served two purposes. Primarily, it was to report the progress on the Bai Hao matter—his part at the precinct was essentially complete, and the rest was largely out of his hands. Secondly, it was to seek instruction regarding Ning Dapeng's request. After all, Ning Zhongtian was the Family Head. Should anything go awry, Ning Hu could not bear the responsibility.
Regarding the matter of teaching Bai Hao a lesson in the detention center, Ning Zhongtian raised no objection. He merely advised caution to avoid letting the situation get out of hand.
With this, Ning Hu felt considerably more at ease.