127. Because It Was Far Too Difficult

When a problem arises, it must be resolved; work could wait for now. The biggest headache was the three spoiled sons of Miao Zili. Regarding this matter, there was no doubt—they would never let it go. Zhang Pa’s request was simply to keep calm for a while; perhaps with time, people’s minds would change.

That morning, he had answered numerous calls about hemorrhoids. Standing by the window, gazing outside, he suddenly felt a bit unsettled. Compared to the days he spent cooped up at home, cycling to work every morning now brought a strange sense of joy and fulfillment—it was good to have something to do. Perhaps a life of coming and going, rushing about, was the right way after all.

After standing there for a while, another call came in. It was Ning Changchun, the chief of the Xingfu North Police Station, asking to see him.

Ning Changchun was in his forties, his face somewhat aged. As a police officer, he was competent; as a leader, somewhat immature. That immaturity had kept him as station chief for sixteen years without promotion.

Four years ago, during Zhang Pa’s struggles in Xingfu Li, he often reported to the station, which was how he came to know Ning Changchun. But Ning likely didn’t know his phone number.

When the call connected, Ning introduced himself: “This is Ning Changchun.”

“Ning Chief, what’s this about? I haven’t fought anyone in a long time,” Zhang Pa replied.

“There’s a matter. You know Miao Zili and Zhang Chen, right?” Ning asked.

Zhang Pa sighed, “Chief, what are you trying to do?”

“I want to say that your actions are illegal,” Ning said.

Zhang Pa countered, “But they hit me—isn’t that illegal?”

“You can call the police if they do,” Ning replied.

Zhang Pa scoffed, “Come on, if calling the police worked, they wouldn’t be so brazen.” Then he added, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless.”

Ning said, “Come to the station; they’re here now.”

Zhang Pa sighed helplessly and hung up. He immediately called Miao Zili. “Hey man, didn’t we already settle this?”

“We did, but I’m still uneasy,” Miao said. “If you had a secret on me, wouldn’t you constantly want to take it back and deal with it?”

“That’s true,” Zhang Pa admitted. “But is it fun to keep this up? You guys started this, bullying me, you know?”

“We can apologize if we bullied you. We just want you to delete those photos,” Miao said, then added, “Come over and we’ll talk.”

Zhang Pa was frustrated but had no choice. He got dressed and set off on his bike.

In the second-floor meeting room of the police station, Ning Changchun sat with Miao Zili and Zhang Chen, alongside a middle-aged man in his forties.

Zhang Pa, familiar with the place, pushed the door open: “I’m here.”

Ning pointed to the seat opposite him. “Sit down. Let me introduce you—this is Deputy Director Cheng from the district bureau.”

Deputy Director Cheng smiled at Zhang Pa. “Hello.”

Zhang Pa nodded. “Hello, sir.”

Ning continued, “You know these two, right?”

“Yeah,” Zhang Pa said, turning to Miao Zili. “Brother, what exactly do you want?”

“I want to be friends,” Miao replied.

Ning said, “You know why you’re here, so please cooperate.”

Deputy Director Cheng stood and said, “Let the young people talk. Ning, let’s step out for a smoke.”

Ning agreed, and they left the room.

The large meeting room was left with the three men. Zhang Chen’s expression was calm. “What happened with you getting hit was our fault, but you taking those photos…” He suddenly grew angry and cursed loudly, “Damn it! If they were just nude photos, no big deal. But you, you little bastard, posing in all these ridiculous ways—if those get out, you’ll never wash it off by jumping into the Pacific.”

Zhang Pa had a wicked sense of humor, making those photos as scandalous as if they were from a shady site. And the protagonists were the three men themselves… That was the main reason Miao Zili kept pressuring Zhang Pa.

Zhang Pa said, “But you didn’t keep your word, so I had no choice.”

“I keep my word—you delete the photos,” Miao said. “You’re something else, forcing me to bring in the police. You know how embarrassing that is for us?”

Zhang Pa replied, “Not necessarily. They haven’t even seen what kind of photos they are.”

“Not yet, but if you keep refusing…” Miao said. “I admit, after talking with Chief Ning, you’re a real bastard and not afraid to die. Fine, since you’re fearless, I’ll accept it. No more trouble from us.”

Zhang Chen said, “Me too.”

Zhang Pa laughed, “Don’t kid yourselves. Haven’t I fought before? Haven’t I seen people like you? Anyone who’s been bullied naturally wants revenge—even if they can’t get it, they’ll at least dwell on it. What you’re saying now doesn’t even reflect what you really think. So please, just stop coming after me, okay?”

Miao Zili was silent for a moment, then said, “Now it’s just me and him talking to you. If we can’t convince you, Chief Ning will. Also, Wang Zhongxing is coming back for you.”

“Who’s Wang Zhongxing?” Zhang Pa asked. “That guy from the capital?”

“That’s him. Let me put it this way—he’s not as easygoing as we are. Imagine if you were caught in a photo like that by Wang Zhongxing. Would you back down easily and just accept it?”

“I wouldn’t,” Zhang Pa said.

Miao smiled. “You probably don’t know who Wang Zhongxing is, and you don’t need to. Just know he’s even more arrogant than me. Last time he came to the provincial capital alone; this time he won’t be alone—at least six people, and some will be tough to deal with.”

Zhang Pa sighed. “What exactly do you want?”

“You know,” Miao said. “This time… simply put, we hope you cooperate.”

“Damn it, just kill me already,” Zhang Pa shouted.

Zhang Chen said, “If necessary, Wang Zhongxing might just grant your wish.”

Miao added, “This is the last time I’m telling you. If you refuse to cooperate, I truly won’t know what will happen next.”

For Miao Zili, Wang Zhongxing, and Zhang Chen, the matter could definitely be resolved. The question was how many people would know about it—or even see the photos.

Zhang Pa had been incredibly shameless. The photos contained all sorts of details; if they got out, the three brothers would be finished.

At their core, these spoiled sons were no different from the thugs in Xingfu Li—each had their own gang and enemies. With Wang Zhongxing’s arrogant personality, he certainly had many rivals. If those photos reached their enemies… their reputations would be ruined. They lived on their faces; lose that, and they’d lose everything.

Zhang Pa remained silent. The situation had escalated to the point where Miao Zili had to involve the police, and now Wang Zhongxing himself was involved.

Zhang Chen said, “If you give us the photos, you can still go back to being a teacher.”

Zhang Pa was furious. “Are you crazy? You push me too far—I’m leaving the provincial capital! Besides, I don’t even have a job anymore.”

Miao Zili was stunned and stood up to leave.

Zhang Chen shook his head and followed.

At that moment, Ning Changchun reentered and sat opposite Zhang Pa, placing his hands on the table. “Why go to such lengths?”

Zhang Pa said nothing.

Ning continued, “I don’t know what you have on Miao Zili and Zhang Chen. But here’s a fact—I have superiors. Even though I haven’t been promoted for over ten years because I’ve done things that upset them, I’ve also done things that pleased them. That’s why I’m still station chief. Now district leaders have spoken to me; the message is clear: if you don’t cooperate, I will pay special attention to you in the coming days, and many colleagues will do the same.”

Zhang Pa said, “That can’t be.”

Ning said, “I know who you are, so I’m being blunt. I hope you understand my intentions—and my difficulties.”

Zhang Pa nodded.

Ning said, “Think it over and talk to Miao Zili again later.”

Ning was a good man. To speak so plainly to an outsider meant he didn’t want to see Zhang Pa suffer.

Zhang Pa asked, “What if I leave the city?”

“Then hurry up. If you leave, I’m off the hook,” Ning replied.

Zhang Pa asked, “Can I have a little more time?”

Ning looked at him. “How much?”

“One day?” Zhang Pa answered.

Ning smiled and got up to leave. Soon, the two spoiled sons returned.

Miao Zili asked, “You want to think for another day?”

Zhang Pa said yes.

Miao nodded. “Alright, I trust you won’t do anything foolish.”

This was no longer a matter of trust but a demand for Zhang Pa's full cooperation.

The photos had been in Zhang Pa’s hands for so long. They could be copied onto a flash drive and uploaded online at any time. Who knew how many backups existed? The core of the problem was those indecent photos. No matter how well Zhang Pa promised, Miao and the others wouldn’t believe him.

Because they missed the golden opportunity to demand the photos at the start, unaware of how many backups existed, the three brothers endured and endured, slowly stirring up trouble over the matter.

But it was still a paradox—at its root, it was a question of trust. Even if Zhang Pa deleted the photos, would they believe it?

This was an unsolvable problem. One thing was certain: it wasn’t over.

Seeing Miao agree, Zhang Pa stood to leave but immediately turned back. “Even if I give you all the photos, would you believe me?”

Miao smiled. “The whole thing started wrong—you should never have taken the photos.”

Zhang Pa smiled back. “Alright then. Goodbye.” He opened the door and walked out.

Things were becoming more chaotic, so much so that Zhang Pa didn’t know what to do. It was his own foolishness—nude photos were one thing, but why pose in such imaginative ways? Like close-up contact.

On the bike ride home, he imagined himself as Wang Zhongxing, a man with a powerful background. How would someone like that deal with a scoundrel like Zhang Pa? The simplest way: eliminate him. Next step: life imprisonment. Beyond that, a twenty-year sentence… A blood feud sparked by some photos.

He wandered around, cycling aimlessly, lost in thought. Trying to persuade Wang Zhongxing and the other three was impossible. The only option was to convince himself.

He sighed deeply. Life—how could it be so dramatic?