While Xia Xiaolan inquired about Station Chief Ma, as an experienced police officer, he had naturally investigated Liu Fen’s background.
Moreover, when Station Chief Ma arrested Zhang Cui, she spilled everything about Liu Fen while defending herself. Thus, Station Chief Ma prided himself on knowing Liu Fen’s situation as well as anyone.
Tang Hongen thought the same way.
He knew all about the mess with the Xia family and naturally understood Liu Fen’s social circle.
While Station Chief Ma mistook him for Liu Yong, Tang Hongen would never mistake Ma’s identity.
“Comrade Liu Fen, is this Xiaolan’s uncle?”
As Station Chief Ma asked uncertainly, Tang Hongen had already regained his composure.
The situation wasn’t as serious as he’d imagined since Ma hadn’t even met Liu Yong. Mayor Tang had not only met his potential brother-in-law but had also paid respects at Liu Fen’s parents’ graves. The villagers in Liu Fen’s hometown probably already saw him as the Liu family’s son-in-law.
This thought made Tang Hongen more relaxed.
“I’m not Xiaolan’s uncle, though she does call me Uncle. My surname is Tang. I usually work in Peng City. I must thank you friends for taking care of Ah Fen!”
Station Chief Ma felt uncomfortable. This man spoke mysteriously – he wasn’t Liu Fen’s brother, yet thanked others for looking after her.
What right did he have? His tone suggested he was Liu Fen’s man.
Tang Hongen extended his hand, and Ma, unwilling to lose face, grasped it firmly with considerable strength:
“Nice to meet you, Comrade Tang. I’ve known Comrade Liu Fen for half a year but this is my first time seeing you. I work nearby at the Xidan Police Station and am always happy to help with any small matters.”
Station Chief Ma couldn’t determine Tang Hongen’s background.
He didn’t look like an ordinary person.
But Ma wasn’t intimidated.
As the saying goes, “A local official outranks a distant noble.” No matter how powerful Tang Hongen was in Peng City, wouldn’t Liu Fen still need to rely on him, the Xidan Police Station Chief, for local matters?
Where was this Tang when Liu Fen was being stalked?
In this brief moment, Tang Hongen and Station Chief Ma had completed their first exchange. Mature men didn’t need crude words or violence – they could measure each other’s worth through conversation.
Station Chief Ma mentioned his position at Xidan Police Station – he had no choice but, to wear his uniform.
Besides, being a police officer wasn’t shameful. In 1985, the police had a very reliable image among the masses and great deterrent power against criminals. For a divorced businesswoman alone in Beijing, remarrying a police officer would naturally provide security.
Moreover, Ma wasn’t just any officer – he was the Xidan Station Chief, and two of Liu Fen’s shops were in his jurisdiction.
The Xiushui Street shop wasn’t worth mentioning, being in the embassy district where troublemakers dared not cause problems.
As for the new ‘Blue Phoenix’ shop at Gulou, though Ma couldn’t directly oversee it, he had colleagues who could help keep an eye on things.
Regardless of Tang Hongen’s background, since he only mentioned working in Peng City, Station Chief Ma wouldn’t back down.
Tang Hongen couldn’t compare positions with Ma on the street.
So this policeman must be who Grandmother Yu had warned about.
Tang Hongen turned to Liu Fen, “I went to your home looking for you. Grandmother Yu said you were at the shop, so I came directly.”
His familiar tone irritated Station Chief Ma.
Liu Fen didn’t know what to make of the situation.
Station Chief Ma had always been caring but hadn’t expressed his intentions clearly. Liu Fen couldn’t presume to reject him.
She had tried avoiding him several times, but Xidan was his jurisdiction. When he patrolled and stopped to chat, that was his prerogative.
It wasn’t normal for a station chief to roam the streets all day, and the Xidan police staff gradually noticed their chief’s intentions.
The chief had his eye on the clothing store owner!
Everyone naturally tried creating opportunities for their chief. Whenever something happened, Ma would appear promptly. Liu Fen couldn’t hide – whenever she appeared in Xidan, someone would inform him.
Tang Hongen’s sudden appearance made Liu Fen inexplicably nervous.
She found it strange when Tang Hongen and Ma shook hands.
When Tang Hongen spoke to her familiarly, Liu Fen didn’t resist but instead followed his lead:
“I didn’t know you were coming. Why didn’t you let me know beforehand?”
Doing business meant dealing with all kinds of people, and even the slowest learner would improve.
Besides, Liu Fen wasn’t slow.
She had previously lacked experience and been straightforward. After leaving her village for two years, Liu Fen had grown considerably. Following Tang Hongen’s lead was her way of ending Station Chief Ma’s hopes. With things unclear with Tang Hongen, Liu Fen dared not encourage others – better to end one possibility quickly.
Tang Hongen found it secretly amusing.
Ah Fen wasn’t usually this close to him – clearly, this police officer hadn’t won her favor either.
Realizing it was a one-sided interest from Ma, Tang Hongen’s heart settled instantly:
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise. I suddenly missed you and couldn’t help coming to see you, so I booked a flight.”
Liu Fen’s face turned bright red, while Station Chief Ma’s darkened.
The veteran officer wouldn’t admit defeat easily. Ma had confirmed Tang was his rival, deliberately provoking him. Hmph, as an experienced officer, he wouldn’t be defeated by such simple tactics.
Let Tang put on his act.
If Liu Fen truly had a serious suitor, he would have discovered traces.
With one in Beijing and one in Peng City, how deep could their relationship be?
Ma felt his chances were excellent and maintained his dignity: “Since your friend is here, I won’t interrupt your reunion. If you need anything, just have someone call me. I have some matters at the station to handle first.”
The burly Station Chief Ma spoke very gently to Liu Fen, though his naturally loud voice could never match Tang Hongen’s soft tones.
Station Chief Ma gave Tang Hongen two slightly dejected looks – what a pretty boy! Hopefully, Comrade Liu Fen wouldn’t be fooled by such a pretty face.
Tang Hongen looked at Station Chief Ma and thought him a brute!
Yet a calculating brute – though Ah Fen didn’t like him now, with this brute constantly hovering around her, he might find an opening someday. Grandmother Yu’s warning was right – he needed to clarify things with Ah Fen soon before she had time to appreciate other men.
“Take care, Comrade Ma.”
“No need to see me off, Comrade Tang. Let’s have a meal together sometime!”
Both middle-aged men, one scholarly and one militant, were quite outstanding.
Young Wang rushed over like his bottom was on fire, but Tang Hongen and Station Chief Ma had already finished their exchange, with Ma making a strategic retreat and Tang achieving a temporary victory.
“Leader, I just remembered there’s also a place that makes good duck soup…”
Young Wang’s voice grew increasingly quiet – the leader seemed unhappy.
Damn, his timing seemed bad.
As Young Wang fought back tears, Liu Fen’s face burned: “Duck? Alright, let’s have duck. I’ll deposit money at the bank, then we can buy some duck.”
Tang Hongen shook his head, “It’s too hot to cook in this weather. If you want a duck, let’s go to Quanjude for roast duck.”
Young Wang lowered his head with shaking shoulders, remembering how the leader had said roast duck would cause internal heat in hot weather – what happened to those principles?