Urban Soldier Young Master

Leaving the bar, Chu Ge went straight back to the hotel. As for what Mu Xiaoting might think, Chu Ge simply didn't care—clear conscience speaks for itself.

He had already apologized where necessary, explained what needed to be explained, and even helped her reset her arm. Now, should he go groveling to coax her again? He truly had no interest in that.

Back in the hotel room, Chu Ge took off his clothes and observed the injuries on his body, applying once again the Golden Wound Medicine given to him by Liang Lao Qi.

The bruises all over his body were already not so apparent. Judging by this, they should heal eighty to ninety percent by tomorrow. Since he had accomplished everything he came to the provincial capital for, he planned to check out and return home tomorrow.

In the afternoon, Mu Lingshan had called, complaining a bit about the situation with Mu Xiaoting. Chu Ge laughed it off casually, and finding his nonchalant attitude, Mu Lingshan, although helpless, shifted the topic back to yesterday's incident where they were set up by Chang Xin.

Talking about this matter, Chu Ge uncharacteristically became more serious and shared his perspective with Mu Lingshan: that this matter, at least on the surface, should end here.

In the world of bureaucracy, one often has to adhere to the principle of blending in—even though a deputy director like Chang Xin might seem insignificant compared to Secretary Mu Chongyi, and even if his father, Chang Shao'en, cannot compare with Secretary Mu, the interwoven relationships in this circle have always been complex. Sometimes, tearing down the facade isn't the most prudent course of action.

This time, the testimony obtained from those few policemen would undoubtedly become a sword hanging over the Chang family's father and son's heads. As long as this sword hangs without falling, they would remain on edge.

Compared to "serious punishment," holding a trump card over the opponent, making them wary and submissive, or allowing them leniency so they feel grateful and gain more self-serving factors, isn't a bad strategy either.

Since Mu Lingshan had the backing of Mu Chongyi, those petty people wouldn't easily dare to pull any dirty tricks again. With all these benefits, why not enjoy it?

This was ostensibly told to Mu Lingshan, but in reality, it was addressed to Mu Chongyi.

Chu Ge had no doubt that in this matter, even if Mu Chongyi had a plan, he would certainly consult Mu Lingshan's opinion. Unexpectedly, this was probably also Mu Chongyi's original intention.

However, because of Mu Lingshan's importance to him, if Mu Lingshan insisted on "serious punishment," there was an eighty percent chance Mu Chongyi would respect her opinion.

Besides the rational factors, the real reason Chu Ge did not want to pursue the matter was still rooted in the fatherly love that Chang Shao'en exhibited.

Thinking of Chang Shao'en kneeling on the ground, eating the piece of corn bread he had trampled, made his heart feel heavy. He just couldn't steel himself to a certain extent.

After discussing business, the two chatted about other things and ended the call.

Somewhat surprisingly for Chu Ge, until the call ended, Mu Lingshan hadn't mentioned the topic of Mu Chongyi wanting to see him, as if it had never happened.

Though he didn't know whether this was because Mu Lingshan didn't want to mention it herself, or it was at Mu Chongyi's behest, since she didn't bring it up, Chu Ge was also happy to play dumb, and he certainly wouldn't bring it up proactively.

Once the Golden Wound Medicine on his body had mostly taken effect, Chu Ge took a shower. It was already evening by then. He went downstairs for a quick bite and then returned to his room early, ready to head back to Lidu at first light and reunite with his wife.

In these short three days, so much had happened. It's no exaggeration to say that he treaded the edge of death several times. Even though his body was tough enough and heart strong enough, he felt mentally and physically exhausted.

Lying in bed, Chu Ge called Qin Ruojing, casually chatting about some anecdotes from "a friend's wedding" and some intimate talk between them, but he didn't tell Qin Ruojing he would be returning the next day, as he wanted to surprise her.

Although Chu Ge always thought this kind of thing was cliché, now that it was his turn, he found the feeling truly delightful. Thinking about suddenly appearing in front of Qin Ruojing the next day and her surprised and joyful smile, his mouth instinctively curved upward.

After chatting affectionately on the phone with Qin Ruojing for a while, they ended the call, and Chu Ge started to sleep soundly.

He didn't know how long he had been sleeping when he suddenly heard footsteps faintly echoing in the corridor—the sound was sneaky, intentionally softened, and it constantly approached his room.

Awakening from his dreams, Chu Ge frowned slightly, feeling a bit irritated. Regardless of who it was, if they continued pestering him, he wouldn't tolerate their bad habit.

Finally, the footsteps stopped because the person was clearly standing at the door. Chu Ge silently sat up on the bed and glanced at his phone—it was already two in the morning.

As a cold smile formed on Chu Ge's lips, knocking sounds came from the door. In the stillness of the night, they were extraordinarily distinct.

By now, Chu Ge had already moved to the door. Just as the knocking started, he abruptly opened the door.

At the door stood a man wearing a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, his right hand lifted, evidently about to knock again.

Chu Ge suddenly opened the door, causing the man to jump in fright. He shuddered, dropping the item in his hand with a "thunk," and without a word, turned to flee.

Unfortunately for him, even though his reaction was quick, Chu Ge was much faster. His body hadn't even fully turned when Chu Ge grabbed him by the neck and yanked him into the room.

Meanwhile, Chu Ge glanced at the thing that had fallen to the floor—a fairly large box, judging by the "thunk," it was clearly not light.

"Click."

Ignoring the box outside the door, Chu Ge swiftly entered the room, nudged a switch with his shoulder, and the once-dark room was instantly as bright as day.

The man under Chu Ge's firm control shuddered again. He clearly wanted to say something, but Chu Ge's hand was covering his mouth, rendering him silent.

"I ask, you answer. If you dare scream..."

Chu Ge spoke coldly, pausing his words as his right forearm tightened around the man's neck. His face turned from red to purple, eyes bulging, as he began to suffocate.

As his body started convulsing from lack of oxygen, Chu Ge continued coldly, "I won't waste words—if you understand, nod your head."

As soon as Chu Ge finished speaking, the man under his control managed to nod with difficulty.

"Who sent you?"

Chu Ge slowly released the man's neck, but before he could catch his breath, Chu Ge pinned him against the wall with his left hand around his neck, using his right hand to swiftly snatch off his cap.

Chu Ge scrutinized the man, who appeared to be in his twenties, with an unremarkable face full of panic and fear. His lips trembled as he gasped for air.

"Speak!"

Chu Ge squinted his eyes, coldly prompting, applying a bit more pressure with his left hand on the man's neck. He had no time to waste waiting for this man to catch his breath; who knew if he had accomplices or other intentions planned.

"I... I don't know him!" Stared down by Chu Ge's icy gaze, the man hurriedly squeezed out a few words.

"Don't know him?" Chu Ge sneered coldly, the man's words clearly indicating he was indeed sent by someone else. "If you don't know him, why run here at 2 a.m. with that box? Am I that gullible to you?"

"B-B-Brother, I really don't know him!" The man shook his head desperately like a rattle drum, appearing on the verge of tears. "He gave me five hundred yuan to bring that box here, told me to knock on the door, and once I heard footsteps inside, to leave it and flee quickly."

Chu Ge attentively observed the man's expression, seeing no indication of lying. He frowned slightly, "What did this person look like? Other than that, did he say anything else?"

The man, though flustered, managed to speak relatively clearly, immediately describing to Chu Ge the appearance of the person who had instructed him, then pleaded, "Brother, that's all I know—I wouldn't dare lie to you! Had I known it was so dangerous, even for a thousand yuan, I wouldn't have come!"

Chu Ge gazed into the man's eyes. After four or five seconds, he slowly released the man's neck; however, just as the man began to catch his breath, Chu Ge unexpectedly swung a punch toward his head.

With the wall behind him, the man had nowhere to retreat. Combined with the speed and ferocity of Chu Ge's sudden punch, he was petrified. As the punch whooshed toward him, he instinctively shut his eyes.

Several seconds passed and the anticipated pain never came. The man opened his eyes bit by bit, seeing that Chu Ge's fist had halted just a few millimeters from his nose.

Soon after, he felt a warm trickle beneath his nose. Instinctively raising his hand to touch it, he looked down to see blood—a bright crimson nosebleed. His pupils dilated in shock as he blurted out a cry, "Oh my God!"

Alas, as he started to cry out, Chu Ge clamped a hand over his mouth, turning his fist into a palm, holding back any sound he'd try to make.

"Kid, if you don't tell me the truth, I guarantee my next punch won't stop. If you think your head is tough enough, feel free to test it out,"

Chu Ge's voice grew even colder, sending shivers through the man's body as he shook like a leaf.