<strong>Chapter 1004: Chapter 996: Love and Hate</strong>


    Fortunately, Hua Xiangrong’s father didn’t say much either; he just gave a faint smile, his eyes showing aplex expression that Xiao Yifei couldn’tprehend.


    Perhaps he really was an adult? After certain events, he began living the life he has now. Xiao Yifei looked at Hua Xiangrong’s father and spected in his heart. Xiao Yifei also sensed a distinctive aura from Hua’s father, a sense of integrity in his character. Whatever he did in his daily life, it was always methodical and nned.


    But if he truly was a soldier, how could he have ended up in such a situation? Xiao Yifei was very curious, but he couldn’t ask these questions.


    After that, Xiao Yifei went out to handle the most important matter of the day. He went to the police bureau in Hua Xiangrong’s district to report a case. This police bureau was one level above the one Hua Xiangrong was associated with. Xiao Yifei did not hold much hope for the investigation of this case; he had already pinned all his hopes on Mr. Deng.


    As long as Mr. Deng was willing to help, the matter would surely seed. Since thest time, Xiao Yifei hadn’t contacted Mr. Deng. It’s just uncertain whether they could find the Green-eyed Silver-tailed Needle in the end; retrieving it seemed quite a difficult task.


    He felt Mr. Deng was a decent person; he could almost always help him when needed. However, as for his son, Deng Fuguo, Xiao Yifei initially had a pretty good impression of him, but with each additional meeting, his dislike for him grew. Even if he couldn’t offer much help, he shouldn’t have treated him that way!


    Xiao Yifei still harbored resentment regarding what Deng Fuguo did to him in the hospital. Perhaps, when a person possesses enough power, they unconsciously change. Such situations often lead to two extremes: either they be arrogant and dismissive of others, backed by their significant power, fearing nothing since they already wield considerable power.


    Another kind of person, after gaining full power, bes even more modest and low-key than before. They understand the principle that a tall tree catches the wind; hence, the lower they keep their profiles, the better. Evidently, Deng Fuguo wasn’t of this second type, which is why Xiao Yifei grew increasingly resentful of him.


    However, despite the dislike, the superficial cordiality had to be maintained. Liu Rui’s future was entirely in his hands; perhaps, in truth, releasing Liu Rui was merely up to his word. Xiao Yifei thought about it; he didn’t know exactly how great Deng Fuguo’s influence was, but he knew Deng Fuguo was a formidable figure. In Beijing, someone capable of influencing all around—you can imagine what level his authority reached.


    After reporting the case, the police imed they would immediately address Xiao Yifei’s case, instructing him to go home and stating they would contact himter.


    With that taskpleted, Xiao Yifei had nowhere to go. It was too early to return home, and staying at someone else’s house all the time deprived Hua Xiangrong’s father of his personal space. Thus, Xiao Yifei decided to wander around. Having been in Beijing for several days, he was constantly preupied with matters concerning Liu Rui, leaving no time for leisurely sightseeing.


    Xiao Yifei once took a taxi ride. Unfamiliar with the costs, he ended up spending more than a hundred yuan on a journey that took less than fifteen minutes.


    He hadn’t anticipated that taking a taxi in Beijing would be so expensive. In his hometown, a simr trip would cost only around a dozen yuan. Little did he expect prices in Beijing to have doubled.


    Since then, he dared not casually take a taxi. Already penniless, he stuck to taking the subway or buses whenever he went out, regardless of theplicated transfer routes.


    He was curious: how did people survive in such a big city, with everyone living so hard? What was it all for?


    People say it’s for better development opportunities. So manye to Beijing, yet only a few seed in making a name for themselves. Ultimately, the once passionate drive to achieve something vanished without a trace. Now, their only dream is to have weekends without overtime, and to sleep in.


    Sometimes, faced with reality, dreams be utterly insignificant, and we all eventuallypromise; only those who persevere in life are qualified to speak of dreams.


    So, what exactly were these people working so hard for? Watching the indifferent faces of subway passengers, most appeared to be regr office workers, earning barely any money after a month of hard work. Indeed, most of that money would be spent on rent.


    If they returned to their hometowns, they’d surely do better than now, living morefortably. Yet, fueled by a stubborn resolve not to return home, having made bold promises to all friends and rtives not to go back, returning now would be utterly disgraceful!


    In this whole carriage, Xiao Yifei seemed to be the only idle one, appearing as if he wandered aimlessly every day. Worrying about Liu Rui’s matters was pointless; it would be better to take this chance to explore the area leisurely.


    Almost every Chinese person wishes to visit this ce, whether for work or travel; it is usually their first choice.


    As a result, the poption of Beijing continues to grow, with streets bustling with people. As Xiao Yifei watched the people on the streets, he wondered, how could there be so many people?


    Only during the Spring Festival each year does Beijing be a ghost city, as almost everyone returns to their hometowns to celebrate, leaving only those whose families have lived in Beijing for generations. Only at this time do they get to truly own this city—their so-called hometown, filled with all their love and hate.


    Although he had registered his case with the police, Xiao Yifei did not hold much hope. The forces involved were too powerful, and only someone of Deng Fuguo’s level could contend with them. Sometimes, power is truly a valuable thing.


    In the afternoon, Xiao Yifei bought some food and returned home. He had been freeloading at Hua Xiangrong’s home for quite some days. Though he intended to repay their kindnesster, he still felt quite embarrassed, especially now that he had brought such trouble to their family.


    If it weren’t for his presence, Hua Xiangrong’s father and Hua Xiangrong would undoubtedly live a peaceful and stable life. But his appearance disrupted such tranquility. Once everything is resolved, he must properly express his gratitude to Hua Xiangrong and her father.


    Upon returning home, Xiao Yifei discovered not only Hua Xiangrong’s father there but also two other police officers. As soon as Xiao Yifei walked in, they asked, “You’re Xiao Yifei, right? We’ve been waiting for you. We need you both toe with us to the police department.”


    Xiao Yifei looked at Hua Xiangrong’s father, hoping to glean some information from him, but Hua’s father wore the same bewildered expression, apparently knowing nothing as well.