The three turned to look. Lu Guanghong and Zhang Shener stood at the doorway.
In the Lu family, Lu Chengwen called the shots now. His parents had assumed their eldest son would pull out all the stops to save his younger brother. Yet, two days later, Lu Chengwen acted as if nothing had happened, completely ignoring the situation. Furious, Lu's mother came to confront him. Lu Guanghong, knowing his son's temperament and worried his wife might get too upset, hurried after her. They ran into Officer Zhang Shener at the entrance and entered together.
They overheard Lu Chengwen reasoning with his mother. Lu Guanghong stood silently, head bowed, while Zhang Shener felt a stir of emotion.
This is Lu Chengwen? she thought. Reasonable, law-abiding, and principled?
Frankly, with his wealth, he could easily pull strings for his brother. The world wasn't fair—money often meant you could do whatever you wanted. Leniency for Lu Chengwu could free up Lu Chengwen to contribute more to the city's development. It wasn't a hard calculation for any leader.
Lu Chengwu's case could be big or small. Fake drugs? That's serious—ten to eight years in prison, no question, especially with their family's supposed "luck." But call it minor, and it's just cost-cutting gone wrong, not malicious intent. A skilled legal team could argue it was an internal technical error. The drugs were stopped and destroyed, all procedures followed legally and swiftly, with no harm done to the public.
There were three tiers of intent: deliberate harm, cost-cutting with no regard for consequences, or an honest mistake with prompt correction. The first warranted severe punishment, the second a variable sentence, and the third? Just a technical issue.
Zhang Shener was here to discuss this case. Mayor Zhao was in a bind. He needed the Lu family's shantytown project to benefit hundreds of thousands of Xuecheng residents—housing, jobs, education, and stable futures all hinged on it. The city's growth, infrastructure scale, and economic lifeline for years to come depended on this project. Alienating the Lu family wasn't an option, but the law couldn't be bent to shield wrongdoing. A balance had to be struck between justice, sentiment, profit, and the greater good—a leader's dilemma.
Zhang Shener was sent because the consensus was that Lu Chengwen, a notorious playboy, would be more amenable to a beautiful negotiator. The risk? He might make inappropriate demands. Mayor Zhao thought it unlikely and took the gamble.
Zhang Shener laid out the options sternly. "There are three paths. First, deliberate production of fake drugs for profit, given the scale and potential harm, could mean five to seven years, even with your timely destruction of the drugs. Second, substandard drugs due to cost-cutting, with no serious harm done, would revoke his pharmaceutical management license permanently and mean one to three years in prison. Third, a severe internal error in execution parameters leading to non-compliant drugs. Given Ninth Pharmaceutical's prompt correction and no major harm, his license would be revoked, he and the company would face hefty fines, and he'd get three months' detention."
She fixed Lu Chengwen with a cold stare. "So, Lu Chengwen, what's your take?"
Lu Guanghong stayed silent, but Lu's mother jumped in. "Officer Zhang, our Chengwu isn't a bad kid. He just wanted to save money—no, I mean, he made a mistake. Revoke his license, fine, but skip the detention. We'll pay whatever fine you want."
Zhang Shener gave a faint smile. "Auntie Lu, this is already the most leniency we can offer the Lu family. If not for Dasheng Group's contributions to the city, Mayor Zhao wouldn't bother. I despise people who pull strings at the station. I'm not here to haggle."
She didn't mince words, hating the task. Opening backdoors for the rich? Disgusting. These scum should all be shot.
Lu's mother turned frantic. "Guanghong, say something! You're close with Mayor Zhao—make a call! Chengwu's counting on you!"
Lu Guanghong's heart ached for his son, torn between paternal love and fury at his recklessness. His face hardened as he glanced at Lu Chengwen, then gritted his teeth. "Chengwen's in charge of the Lu family now. Officer Zhang, talk to him. I'm out of this."
Zhang Shener smirked contemptuously. Rich people, always protecting their image. Mayor Zhao and the chief send me to do their dirty work, and Lu Guanghong pushes it onto his son. Typical black-hearted capitalists.
Lu Chengwen paced, biting his finger. Zhang Shener pressed, "Hurry up. We've got other things to discuss, like today's events. Mayor Zhao leans toward treating it as a technical error—not illegal, just a major mistake. No court, just standard penalties." She pulled an agreement from her bag. "Sign here if you agree."
Lu Chengwen glanced at it, his grip tightening. Zhang Shener grew impatient. "Come on, big boss, make it quick. Sign."
"What technical error?" Lu Chengwen snapped. "He did it on purpose!"
Lu's mother gasped. "Chengwen, what are you saying?"
Lu Chengwen turned to his father. "Old Lu, take your wife home. I've got work to do."
Lu Guanghong blinked, stunned. His son had never spoken to him like that. Even Leng Qingqiu and Zhang Shener stifled chuckles.
Leng Qingqiu, in particular, was struck. Moments ago, Lu Chengwen had been flustered and shy during her confession. Now, facing a crisis, he was commanding, decisive, exuding authority.
Lu Guanghong hesitated, then grabbed his wife. "Let's go. Leave it to Chengwen."
"No, no!" she protested. "This kid's gotten too big for his boots, ignoring his own brother! You can't let this go!"
Lu Guanghong's eyes flashed. "Don't you get it? No one can save your precious son now! You've coddled him every time he messed up, and now he's nearly caused a catastrophe!"
Tears glistened in his eyes. "You think I want this? If we bail him out now, next time he'll do something worthy of a firing squad! A mother's love ruins her son!"
Lu Chengwen, exasperated, said, "Take your fight home. I'm busy." He patted his father's back gently.
That gesture nearly broke Lu Guanghong. He looked at his son, nodding, a mix of pride and deep emotion. His boy had grown, dependable even when the sky fell. His stern words cut through the chaos, keeping his parents from interfering, while the pat was a reassurance: I won't abandon my brother or you. I'll handle this.
Lu's mother knew her husband's resolve, and now her son's matched it. No amount of tears would sway them. She left, sobbing, casting a pitiful glance at Lu Chengwen.
He avoided her eyes, staring at the agreement with a hard expression. His parents left.
"Officer Zhang," Lu Chengwen said, "I'll personally thank Mayor Zhao later. As for my brother's case, judge it as you see fit. He deliberately cut corners to save costs. But please, consider our prompt handling of the situation and show leniency. Thank you."
He bowed deeply. Zhang Shener's lips twitched. "President Lu, your integrity and willingness to put justice over family are moving. Rest assured, the law won't wrong the innocent or spare the guilty."
"Thank you."
Lu Chengwen was exhausted. [These past few days have been relentless. I can't catch a break—one thing after another. The family needs me, my friends need protection, and this city's full of bastards stirring trouble. God, I'm just a small-time villain! Other villains live it up—why am I so miserable? I want to quit, but those 300,000 shantytown residents… I have to give them homes. This is my one chance to do something big for so many people. Even if it costs my life, I'll build those houses!]
Zhang Shener was stunned. Lu Chengwen… is this who he really is? His inner thoughts—lying to himself would be insane. But he's always been scum! What's with this sudden do-gooder act?
Leng Qingqiu watched Lu Chengwen's back, smiling with pride and joy. My man, a world-saving hero, building homes for hundreds of thousands? What a noble dream! I'd go through hell to support you.
Lu Chengwen turned, locking eyes with Zhang Shener. She panicked, quickly looking away, adjusting her expression.
He squinted. [This officer's got some fire! Toss her on a bed for some wild fun—she'd be a blast! The angrier she gets, the cuter she is! Tie her up, give her a playful spank—oh, that'd be something.]
Zhang Shener's face turned green. Leng Qingqiu's lips twitched.
So, Chengwen-ge's a huge pervert?
_
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