Chapter 589: Abusing His Authority?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The office was suddenly quiet.
Bai Muchuan had a slight change in expression.
He stared at Tang Yuanchu’s resentful expression for about 10 seconds. “Do you know what you’re talking about now?”
Tang Yuanchu had been working with him for so long and had a certain degree of understanding of his boss.
Bai Muchuan was indisputably cold and aloof.
If not for Xie Wanwan, he would never question his actions right to his face.
This was because it would be akin to accusing Bai Muchuan of abusing his authority.
As well as implying he was a man who couldn’t tell right from wrong.
“Captain Bai…” Tang Yuanchu looked at Bai Muchuan, his teeth feeling a slight chill. “I know that you might think of me as immature but this is exactly what I’m feeling right now. I don’t want to keep it from you. I don’t want to pretend either as you’re my boss… I must let you know how I have been feeling all this while.”
“Say it!” Bai Muchuan lifted his chin.
Tang Yuanchu paused for a moment and lowered his head slightly.
“I haven’t been in the police force for long and I’m still in the learning stage. But I always want to improve myself. I don’t want to keep such feelings inside when I don’t understand matters like this.”
He needed someone to answer his doubts.
He needed a reason to convince himself.
Otherwise, he couldn’t be at ease as his ethical values and faith were put in conflict.
Xiang Wan actually understood why Tang Yuanchu behaved like that.
Be it men or women, when people they like are involved, it would be difficult to be completely rational about it.
Nevertheless, she was more willing to believe in Bai Muchuan. There was no feud or grudge between him and Xie Wanwan. It was even less likely that he would deliberately pick on her.
“Fine.” Bai Muchuan suddenly laughed. “I can tell you very clearly. If it’s Xiang Wan, I will do the same thing.” As he said this, he suddenly let out a low chuckle and propped his forehead with his fingers. “You’ve probably forgotten that Xiang Wan also went in and out of the police station no less than Xie Wanwan!”
She also had been treated as a criminal suspect twice.
Bai Muchuan had always gone according to protocol and showed no mercy either.
Xiang Wan smiled and looked at him thoughtfully. When she saw Tang Yuanchu’s face turn red, she helped to ease the awkwardness between them.
“Online celebrity Tang, you should have more confidence in Captain Bai. He’s not someone like that. No matter what he does, he has a reason for doing so…”
“I…” Tang Yuanchu felt his body stiffen and his steps seemed weak and soft. “Teacher Xiang, I’ve never suspected Captain Bai. I’m just skeptical of the way that this is being handled… as well as worried about the consequences.”
Xiang Wan nodded her head. “I understand.”
She took a look at Bai Muchuan. “How is Xie Wanwan related to the case?”
Hmph! Bai Muchuan’s eyebrows furrowed as Tang Yuanchu just stood there, rooted to the spot. “From what we have, she’s not involved in the case itself. But some of the main members of Operation Heaven’s Wrath happen to be well-known, loyal fans of hers whom they knew and had contact with her manager privately. It’s merely protocol for us to investigate if she was involved in this case.”
“Mm.” Xiang Wan paused for a moment. She looked at Tang Yuanchu who was similar to a block of wood and showed a smile. “Before Captain Bai summoned Xie Wanwan for questioning, this issue has already created a huge controversy on the Internet where all kinds of rumors have been made and spread… If this matter gets cleared up and the police gave an official response to this matter, that would really clear Xie Wanwan’s name, isn’t it?”
She was willing to cooperate with the investigations.
And if there wasn’t any problem, the police could announce the results of their findings to the public.
It would really help Xie Wanwan out.
“Hence,” consoled Xiang Wan, “you need not worry about it. What Captain Bai did is actually the best way out for her.”
Such an explanation…
Bai Muchuan took a look at her.
Tang Yuanchu stood at his spot, looking dazed as he glanced at Xiang Wan for a moment. As if waking up from a dream, he scratched his head and felt ashamed of himself.
“Why didn’t this come to my mind? My bad, Captain Bai…”
He was a little awkward. “I’m too pedantic and didn’t think far enough. Captain Bai, I’m sorry. Umm, I’ll get back to work now…”
Bai Muchuan: “…”
Tang Yuanchu was extremely fast and slipped out of the office in no time.
…
Now the two of them were left in the office.
Bai Muchuan gave a soft snort. “You seem to know me very well, my spokesperson.”
Xiang Wan cleared her throat and a proud smirk appeared on her face. “Are you embarra.s.sed to have your thoughts seen through?”
Hmph! Bai Muchuan gave a few pats on her head. “You think too much, girl. You and Tang Yuanchu are polar opposites—he thought too badly of me whereas you thought too kindly of me…”
“Mm?” ‘What does he mean by that?’, she thought.
Bai Muchuan shrugged and showed his hands with a sigh.
“As a police officer who goes by the book, what else can I say?”
Pffft! Xiang Wan burst out laughing.
“Cut it out!”
“I’m serious. I’m just going by the book.”
“Okay, okay. You may go ahead and do your work. I need to look through all these doc.u.ments.”
Xiang Wan had never suspected Bai Muchuan of allowing his personal feelings to affect his work.
Not that she was confident or indifferent. It was simply because she was used to accepting reality and knew how to adjust herself.
If the matter did not concern life or death, there was no need to think too much about it.
Xiang Wan focused her attention on writing her profiling report. When Bai Muchuan arrived at the main hall, Cheng Xin hurriedly walked up to him.
“Captain Bai.”
Bai Muchuan: “What is it?”
Cheng Xin glanced towards the main entrance. “There are quite a number of media representatives from several well-known shows requesting an interview to learn more about the developments of the case. I also heard from Little Zhou that a lot of tabloid reporters are waiting outside the building…”
Bai Muchuan seemed grim and didn’t say a word.
Cheng Xin saw his expression and grimaced sulkily.
“This Xie Wanwan is a trouble magnet. It seems that every time she’s involved in something, trouble visits.”
Bai Muchuan’s face sank. “Reject all media interviews. For the information that we can release to the media, let Tang Yuanchu handle it.”
Tang Yuanchu had plenty of experience handling the media.
Moreover, he had a likeable face and would not offend others easily.
If Bai Muchuan were to handle the media, he would most likely be impatient after answering three questions.
Cheng Xin showed a lovely smile. “Got it.”
After that, she remained standing at her spot and did not seem to want to leave.
Bai Muchuan shot a cold glance at her. “Aren’t you supposed to get back to work?”
“Orh!” Cheng Xin answered a little meekly; her eyelashes quivered a little. “Captain Bai,” she asked softly, “I happened to see some gossip in the past that you and Xie Wanwan used to be lovers? So, did you behave so harshly towards her as you didn’t want Teacher Xiang to be unhappy?”
Bai Muchuan’s expression instantly turned gloomy.
“Please don’t talk about matters that are outside of work.”
He glared at her coldly.
Cheng Xin immediately stood still and straight. “Yes, Sir!”
After Bai Muchuan came back to his office, he called the team leaders of each team for a simple case a.n.a.lysis, formulated their next course of action and they got back to work. He turned his laptop on and checked his mailbox to see if Xiang Wan sent him anything.
There was nothing so far.
She wouldn’t be that fast.
Bai Muchuan rubbed his forehead, leaned against his chair slowly and closed his eyes for a short rest to clear his head…
At this moment, his desk phone rang.
“h.e.l.lo, Captain Bai.”
The moment Bai Muchuan heard that voice, he perked up a little.
“It’s me. What did you find?”