Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 580: Chapter 581: Do You Like Her?

Seeing Yang Chen handle the matter so casually, Cai Yan felt a mix of complex emotions. She was impressed by her man's decisiveness but also somewhat miffed that he had taken over her job. As a strong-willed police chief, this was hard for her to accept.

However, Cai Yan knew she couldn't be petty about this. Yang Chen had already gone out of his way to apologize and help her resolve the case. She couldn't complain just because he had deprived her of the chance to punish the criminal herself.

So, Cai Yan vented all her negative feelings on the despondent Gao Yue. After summoning two officers and adding every possible charge to Gao Yue's record, she had two confession statements printed.

Although Gao Yue's lawyer arrived, upon hearing that Liu Qingshan had abandoned Gao Yue's bail, he wisely kept silent and left dejectedly. In the end, saving Gao Yue was a matter of Liu Qingshan's word.

Without any backing, Gao Yue could only grit his teeth and sign the papers, though the venom in his eyes was chilling.

Cai Yan had seen that kind of murderous glare many times before and wasn't intimidated. After finishing the paperwork, she instructed the officers to take Gao Yue to the detention center to await trial, then hurried out of the police station.

Yang Chen had been waiting by the car for quite a while, smoking a cigarette and lost in thought, leaning against the vehicle, staring at the traffic on the road outside the station.

Cai Yan couldn't understand why Yang Chen appeared so introspective. Since she had known him, Yang Chen had always been carefree and often shamelessly playful. This sudden change to a somber mood was disconcerting.

"Are you worried about how to explain things to that young lady from the Qinglong Association?" Cai Yan asked as she approached, leaning against the car beside him.

"Young lady from the Qinglong Association?" Yang Chen almost didn't react, then realized Cai Yan was referring to Liu Mingyu. He shook his head and smiled, "What's there to worry about? If Mingyu finds out, I'll tell her the truth. If she doesn't, then there's no need to say anything."

"Her name is Liu Mingyu, right? How did you two meet? I remember the Qinglong Association used to be in the Yandu underworld," Cai Yan asked curiously, wondering how this man always seemed to attract women wherever he went.

Yang Chen rolled his eyes, tossing the cigarette butt into the flower bed. "We met at Yu Lei International; we used to be colleagues. Then, something happened, and we ended up like this. Don't think I'm a predator; it really just happened gradually without us realizing it."

"Gradually?" Cai Yan said with a hint of jealousy. "Ruoxi must be something else, letting you 'gradually' get close to other women right under her nose."

"Why so jealous?" Yang Chen laughed. "I didn't realize our Yan Yan was such a little vinegar pot."

Cai Yan glared at him. "Am I not allowed to be jealous when I suddenly find out you have another woman? If I were to act all magnanimous despite being jealous, that would be hypocritical."

"You're definitely a police chief; you can't stand any nonsense," Yang Chen chuckled at her straightforwardness. No matter how much time passed or how her status changed, Cai Yan was always candid.

Cai Yan said glumly, "You're still laughing. Is this funny? I'm half-heartedly thinking about how many women you actually have but scared the answer will drive me mad. It's so frustrating!"

"Then don't ask. You'll find out when the time comes," Yang Chen replied, feeling a bit awkward discussing this topic. Then he changed the subject, "You mentioned your sister earlier. I'm still waiting for you to explain."

Cai Yan knew it was pointless to dwell on the other topic and sighed. "My sister is getting married."

Chapter 581: Do You Like Her?

"What?!" Yang Chen's mouth fell open, doubting his own ears. Cai Ning getting married?

"I just found out," Cai Yan said, looking slightly dejected. "I had the same reaction, but my mom told me, so it must be true."

Yang Chen frowned and asked, "To whom is Huayu getting married?"

"To a coward who only knows how to ride on others' coattails. You should know him; his code name in the Dragon Group is Evernight," Cai Yan replied disdainfully.

Yang Chen certainly remembered that guy. Evernight had persistently pursued Cai Ning, but he was weak and cowardly, always hiding like a turtle. Yang Chen couldn't understand why Cai Ning would marry him.

Seeing Yang Chen's deep frown, Cai Yan's eyes flashed with a strange light. In a soft voice, she asked, "Are you feeling bad about my sister getting married?"

Yang Chen's heart skipped a beat. He found it hard to meet Cai Yan's gaze because he suddenly realized that he did feel uneasy about it. It was a complicated feeling—empty, a bit sad, a bit resentful, and a bit helpless.

Suddenly, Yang Chen recalled what Cai Yan had mentioned before. It seemed Cai Ning's marriage had something to do with him. A clue flashed in his mind, and Yang Chen blurted out, "Is it because she took the blame for killing Zeng Mao?"

Cai Yan nodded, tracing small circles on the ground with her toe. "Although my sister is an important member of the Yanhuang Iron Brigade, she still has to set an example. Knowing the law and breaking it makes her even more culpable."

"She was punished?" Yang Chen's eyes showed a hint of anxiety.

Cai Yan shook her head. "When she was recalled to Yandu, they initially wanted to take her to a military court. After all, Zeng Mao wasn't a small figure, and many of his family members have considerable influence in the central government. Although our Cai family is not easily bullied, we couldn't cover up my sister's responsibility."

Yang Chen gradually pieced together the story as Cai Yan continued.

Back then, Cai Ning took the blame for killing Zeng Mao to prevent Yang Chen from attracting more trouble. As a result, she bore the responsibility.

The remnants of the Zeng family in Yandu naturally refused to let it go, and many of Zeng Mao's protégés held significant positions in the government.

Therefore, protecting Cai Ning became impossible for the Cai family. Even though Cai Yuncheng had become a general in the Yanhuang Iron Brigade, this position was mostly confidential and wouldn't be much help even if everyone knew about it.

Cai Ning, as a key member of the Yanhuang Iron Brigade and a national security agent, had clearly violated the law. She was facing military court and subsequent punishment.

Cai Yuncheng was at his wits' end, but Cai Ning and Cai Yan's mother, Jiang Shan, was desperate to save her daughter and sought help from various influential families.

However, given Cai Ning's established crime and the people she had offended, no one dared to risk assisting her without absolute influence. Finally, with no other options, Jiang Shan thought of Evernight, who had been pursuing Cai Ning. Although Evernight was not remarkable, his parents, Li Xin and Guo Yali, were high-ranking political figures. More importantly, Evernight's family was part of one of the four major families, the Li family!

The Li family was the true power behind the National Security Bureau. If someone from the Li family pleaded for Cai Ning, citing her years of meritorious service in the Yanhuang Iron Brigade, the military court would not turn them down. Moreover, even the remaining members of the Zeng family would not dare provoke the Li family.

When Jiang Shan sought help from the Yongye family, Yongye's parents, Li Xin and Guo Yali, did not directly refuse. They were willing to help, but their demand was clear: Cai Ning must marry their son, Yongye.

According to the Yongye family, if Cai Ning became the daughter-in-law of the Li family, everything would fall into place.

Desperate for a lifeline, Jiang Shan immediately agreed, but a quick marriage was not feasible. Instead, she agreed to an engagement between Cai Ning and Yongye, with the wedding to follow once things had settled down.

When Cai Yuncheng learned of this, he did not object. He knew he could not step in to protect his daughter, and only a powerful family like the Li family could intervene openly. Marrying into a wealthy family, even if it wasn't to a man she loved, was better than wasting her youth in prison.

Cai Ning, being a quiet and reserved woman, did not oppose her mother's efforts and quietly got engaged to Yongye.

After the engagement, the Yongye family indeed took action. Li Xin, a direct descendant, contacted the Li family's main branch, mentioning only the marriage alliance with the Cai family. The Li family, seeing no issue, was willing to pull some strings.

After all, the Cai family was respectable, and half of the military court was under the Li family's control. Without Zeng Mao, the Zeng family was not even considered second-tier compared to the influential Cai Yuncheng, who secretly commanded the Yanhuang Iron Brigade.

With the Li family's subtle maneuvering, Cai Ning's case was put on hold, and no one dared to bring it up again.

However, to ensure Cai Ning would not face charges, she had to marry Yongye and become a true member of the Li family. Upon hearing this, Yang Chen remained expressionless, understanding why Cai Yan had said Cai Ning was suffering in Yanjing.

Cai Ning had always disliked Yongye's pursuit, but now, due to her mother's pleas and the Yongye family's help, she was not only engaged to Yongye but also set to marry him soon.

Such a situation, despite Cai Ning being technically free, was akin to being trapped in a gilded cage.

Yang Chen recalled the afternoon when Cai Ning had instantly killed Zeng Mao in front of him with the Soul-Devouring Nail, revealing a brilliant smile. At that moment, she must have known the consequences she would face.

A surge of anger rose within Yang Chen. He realized that Cai Ning acted not out of fear of the Zeng family but to prevent a bloodbath and further complications, sparing those around her from getting involved.

Yet, Yang Chen found it hard to accept. It was his responsibility to bear. Even if he had killed Zeng Mao, the Zeng family remnants or other Yanjing families would have continued to cause trouble. It wasn't right for Cai Ning, a national security officer and an outsider, to shield him from these problems.

Yang Chen did not like being protected by others, but he knew that Cai Ning had indeed shielded him from a storm.

"If your sister doesn't like that Yongye, she shouldn't marry him. If anyone dares to harm her, let them come at me," Yang Chen said, suppressing his anger.

Cai Yan seemed to have anticipated Yang Chen's reaction. She chuckled softly and said, "If that's the case, my sister wouldn't agree. She would immediately marry Yongye."

"Why?" Yang Chen asked, puzzled.

A hint of sadness flashed in Cai Yan's eyes. "Although I didn't witness these events personally, I think the last thing my sister wants is for you to get entangled in those disputes again."

Yang Chen fell silent, understanding that with Cai Ning's personality, she might indeed choose to marry Yongye just to end things once and for all.

Seeing the despondence in the man's eyes, Cai Yan felt a pang of sorrow. With a thousand emotions running through her, she forced a bitter smile and asked, "Do you like my sister?"