Chapter 169: Turning a Big Issue into a Small One?

The man who was beaten curled up in pain, having lost even the strength to cry out.

The two men beside him, seeing Zhou Haidong's brutality, had their groans gradually weaken, showing a hint of fear in their eyes.

Being ruthless didn't mean they were willing to risk their lives.

After all, money could solve problems, but no amount of money was worth a life. They were unwilling to gamble on whether Li Dong would take their lives.

In these times, wealthy people could be ruthless, and there were cases where a few people were killed and others were framed for the crime.

The two exchanged glances. Before Li Dong could ask further, one of the men with a buzz cut said, "I'll talk!"

As soon as he spoke, the buzz cut man winced in pain, feeling the broken ribs Cao Hongbing had struck flare up again, almost bringing him to tears.

Seeing Li Dong's cold stare, the buzz cut man gritted his teeth and said, "We're working for Brother Fei. This time, Brother Fei sent us to keep an eye on you."

"Be more specific. Who is Brother Fei?" Li Dong frowned.

"Wang Fei, the owner of Feiyang Bar. We usually work as security at his bar…"

The buzz cut man explained their background and then detailed their purpose under Li Dong's questioning.

They didn't have the courage to kill anyone; they only wanted to invite Li Dong back for a chat.

This was Wang Fei's exact words. Li Dong couldn't help but sneer.

A chat? Who was Wang Fei? What was there to talk about?

To put it bluntly, this was kidnapping!

However, Li Dong felt there was more to it. A bar owner, not a real outlaw, wouldn't do something as brainless as kidnapping him.

After a moment of thought, Li Dong asked, "Do you know Zhang Qing?"

Both men looked confused and shook their heads.

Li Dong furrowed his brows. Was it not Zhang Qing? Or were these small fry not in touch with that level?

Since discovering that someone was tailing him, Li Dong's first suspect was Zhang Qing.

After all, he hadn't offended anyone recently except for Zhang Qing.

Li Dong thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you know Niu Meng?"

This time, both men nodded quickly. The buzz cut man cautiously said, "General Manager Niu often comes to our bar. Brother Fei… Wang Fei and him have a good relationship."

Li Dong was relieved. He had suspected it was people from Zhang Qing's side.

Although it wasn't confirmed, Li Dong felt it was unnecessary to verify further. This matter was highly likely related to Zhang Qing's side.

Having finished questioning, Li Dong found the captured men no longer useful.

He pondered for a moment and then dialed Wu Jianguo.

After the call connected, Li Dong briefly explained the situation, omitting Wang Fei and Niu Meng. He only mentioned that someone had tried to kidnap him and was captured by his bodyguards, asking Wu Jianguo to send someone over to handle it.

Wu Jianguo, hearing that Li Dong was in the southern suburbs, sounded somewhat troubled. Cross-jurisdiction law enforcement could be quite troublesome.

Li Dong considered and said, "Then I'll bring them back to Yaohai. But those guys are injured; do they need to be sent to the hospital?"

Wu Jianguo dismissed the concern, "If they're not dying immediately, it's fine. Just bring them to the police station."

Hanging up the phone, Li Dong instructed Zhou Haidong, "Take them to Yaohai Substation."

Zhou Haidong called to Cao Hongbing, and the two of them, like handling chickens, dragged the three men to the van outside the warehouse.

Li Dong also had them take the machetes and dagger along. The group then drove to Yaohai Substation.

...

Yaohai Substation.

In Wu Jianguo's office, Li Dong recounted the events in detail this time.

He even mentioned the suspicion about Niu Meng but did not bring up Zhang Qing.

Wu Jianguo was likely concerned about Niu Meng, but the concern wouldn't be too great.

However, if Zhang Qing were involved, Wu Jianguo, a cunning old fox, would definitely be hesitant to offend him.

As expected, after Li Dong finished speaking, Wu Jianguo began to frown.

After pacing a few times in the office, Wu Jianguo shook his head and sighed, "You've been too reckless this time!"

Li Dong understood what he meant. He had directly captured the people and detained them privately in the southern suburbs, which indeed was rather reckless.

However, Li Dong didn't regret it. If he hadn't clarified who was behind the trouble, he wouldn't have been able to sleep soundly.

Wu Jianguo sighed but still considered Li Dong his major client. He wouldn't neglect him. After a moment's thought, he said, "Let's just deal with the matter with those few guys. Don't stir up more trouble."

Li Dong raised an eyebrow and asked, "Wang Fei can't be dealt with either?"

It was expected that Niu Meng couldn't be handled, given his father's position as an ordinary deputy mayor who had no influence in Yaohai District.

But if Wang Fei, the direct instigator, couldn't be dealt with, Li Dong was unwilling to accept it.

Wu Jianguo shook his head, "What I mean is to downplay the issue. Wang Fei has deep roots in Guanhai District, and I can't interfere. Besides, you're involved quite deeply in this. If it escalates, you might also get tangled up in it."

Wang Fei's subordinates hadn't acted yet. Li Dong had already detained people and was even involved in illegal detention and malicious injury.

If no further action was taken, it would be acceptable. Everyone would be at peace, and Wang Fei and Niu Meng wouldn't cause trouble. If things got serious, they would surely cause trouble for Li Dong, and the small fry might even turn against him.

Wu Jianguo understood these implications, so he saw that the matter might end up unresolved.

Li Dong frowned. Was this how it was going to end?

Dealing with a few small fry was of no use. Niu Meng and Zhang Qing wouldn't care at all. This matter had no impact on them.

Though reluctant, Li Dong knew Wu Jianguo was right.

The only evidence was the testimonies of the small fry, with nothing else. It was too difficult to take down Wang Fei and Niu Meng.

Moreover, Wu Jianguo was unwilling to put in extra effort, leaving Li Dong with no viable options.

After some thought, Li Dong nodded with a stern face and said nothing more.

Wu Jianguo, seeing Li Dong's decision, breathed a sigh of relief. Li Dong was his major client, and he needed to be well served.

However, Niu Meng's side wasn't to be underestimated. Though his father couldn't interfere with him, a person in that position would still have connections.

If the matter escalated, Wu Jianguo, as a substation director, might not be able to handle it.

Since Li Dong chose not to pursue further, it made things easier. Handling a few small fry was manageable, and no one could fault him for that.

Niu Meng's father, if he wasn't foolish, wouldn't stick his neck out for these inconsequential people.

...

After leaving the police station, Li Dong let out a long sigh.

Although he had captured the people, he didn't gain any advantage and felt more like he had suffered a loss.

Not only had he been on edge all day, but Cao Hongbing had also been injured. In the end, Niu Meng and Zhang Qing were unaffected, and he couldn't even deal with a bar owner. It was incredibly frustrating!

Thinking about it, Li Dong increasingly longed for a powerful backer.

If he had a strong supporter, Zhang Qing and Niu Meng wouldn't be able to repeatedly bully him.