Chapter 40: In Need of Discipline

Zhang Jing followed inside and sat across from Ni Feihong, saying, “This matter is a bit complicated. Simply put, he has to come with me, but I don’t have the paperwork, so you can’t count it as him taking leave.”

Ni Feihong crossed his arms. “I’m waiting for your reason.”

“As for the reason, he’s involved in an assault case. The authorities haven’t made any statements or formal decisions, but personally, I have a positive view of him—what he did was an act of courage, the kind where good intentions lead to trouble. I’m saying I don’t have the paperwork because I don’t want to make a fuss and cause him more problems. Since there’s no official stance, it’s not recognized as a heroic act, so your company isn’t obliged to cover his early departure. But I suggest you be humane—just treat him as being on duty, or let him take a day off.”

Zhang Jing was unusually patient, simply because she didn’t want to provoke Ni Feihong.

Ni Feihong was taken aback. “He… acted heroically?”

Officer Zhang nodded. “Surprising, isn’t it? I don’t have time to explain—just ask him later.”

Ni Feihong couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Ma outside a few more times. Thinking it over, it did fit the kid’s style: generally timid and awkward, but full of interesting flashes of character. He probably did something good, but failed to rein in his theatrics, which led to complications.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ni Feihong nodded in support. “Let’s count it as time off.”

Zhang Jing couldn’t help but grumble inwardly—there’s never any surprises with management; it’s as if granting a day off would kill you.

“Anything else?” Ni Feihong asked.

“No.” Zhang Jing shot her a look, got up, and left with Xiao Ma.

In no time, Miki Ryuzawa entered with some documents.

Ni Feihong, with a mischievous look, asked first, “I heard that kid asked you to see a movie last night—did he get handsy with you?”

Miki Ryuzawa’s expression was peculiar; after thinking it over, she shook her head.

She felt this wasn’t a lie—he’s an idiot, so whatever happened really didn’t count as getting handsy.

Xiao Ma and Zhang Jing walked to the elevator. As the doors opened, they ran into Si Nan and Yu Chengmin coming out together.

Si Nan had an imposing presence, enough that even Zhang Jing gave him a second look. Men like him were rare indeed.

At that moment, Yu Chengmin was on the phone, exuding an air of authority as she raised her hand to signal Xiao Ma to wait. She turned away, continuing her call with her back to them.

Si Nan glanced at Xiao Ma with a strange expression, then smiled, “Yu, I’ll head over first—the photographer is waiting.”

Yu Chengmin, still on the phone, nodded slightly at Si Nan.

Si Nan strode off with confidence; when he was farther away, he turned and cast a contemptuous look back at Ma Weimin.

Zhang Jing leaned in with a mischievous whisper, “You’re doomed. That handsome guy is popular and clearly dislikes you. If he decides to mess with you, you’re finished. Judging by his build, he’s like a younger version of Qu Changfeng—purely athletic. Ten of you wouldn’t be enough for him.”

“Oh, is that so.” Xiao Ma rolled his eyes to show he understood.

At this point, Xiao Ma’s style was erratic—one day he was like this, the next like that. No one knew what the big boss was up to; damn it, if he ended up being sent to a psych ward, it wouldn’t do him any good.

Yu Chengmin’s call was wrapping up; she turned, smiling, “Alright, it’s settled, Director Qu. We’ll talk again.”

She hung up, considered Xiao Ma for a moment, and said, “You’re always standing guard outside Ni Feihong’s office like a door god—nothing to do, right? I’m moving offices and need help with some messy details. Others might not do it well, so you come over and help.”

Without waiting for Xiao Ma’s response, Yu Chengmin asserted, “You won’t refuse, will you?”

Xiao Ma’s demeanor changed again, and he stared at her for a moment before nodding slightly, “No, of course not. If I’m taking the company’s salary, I should work.”

“Good.”

Yu Chengmin nodded and walked away with a commanding stride—it wasn’t the gait of a model, but she carried herself like one.

Zhang Jing dragged Xiao Ma into the elevator, “Let’s go. You’re always daydreaming—are you brain-damaged or what?”

“You know nothing about strength. I don’t even want to talk to you,” Xiao Ma retorted.

Zhang Jing continued, “That woman’s really assertive—she treats you like a dog, and you cleverly agreed.”

“You know nothing about work either—it’s just a job, nothing to do with being a dog.” Xiao Ma coolly tried to sound superior.

Zhang Jing nodded, “Alright, you’re right. Actually, she’s really impressive. If you can truly please her, your case won’t be a problem.”

“Oh, is that so.” Xiao Ma didn’t seem to care.

Zhang Jing said, “Don’t think I’m joking—she just called our bureau chief, and you didn’t notice. Judging by the length and tone, she’s absolutely a core figure. I know our chief’s personality too well.”

Xiao Ma’s face was wooden, indicating he heard her.

Zhang Jing sighed, “Don’t doubt me. You might think I’m not high enough to be familiar with the city bureau chief, but I am. The chief is Qu Changfeng’s father, and Qu Changfeng’s interested in me—you didn’t know?”

Finally, Xiao Ma showed some expression; a faint black line appeared on his forehead. He thought, Qu Changfeng, that loser… he dares…

“Jing Jing, let me be your nanny. I’ll protect you from being harassed by losers,” Xiao Ma suddenly smiled.

After a moment, Zhang Jing crossed her arms and observed him, then laughed, “It’s good you found a job here. In every way, it’s decent—for your case, and for my instincts too.”

Xiao Ma couldn’t help feeling a bit pleased; when she was gentle, she really was quite nice.

He raised his hand and playfully punched her shoulder, laughing, “Come on, stop it.”

Zhang Jing tilted her head and thought for a moment, then slapped the back of her head and swept his legs, laying Xiao Ma out in the elevator.

Damn! No one knew what got into her.

It took two questions to find out—she thought Xiao Ma’s punch was a “terrorist attack or provocation.”

For crying out loud, it was obviously just a friendly gesture—something he learned from Chen Xiao. The first time he used this communication trick, it backfired; she pinned him in the elevator and kneaded him like dough.

They went down to the parking lot and got into her beat-up car. Caught in traffic, Zhang Jing mused while waiting for the red light, “By the way, that punch you gave me wasn’t an assault on an officer, was it?”

“….” Xiao Ma truly didn’t know how to answer.

“Did I do something wrong?” Zhang Jing speculated based on Xiao Ma’s colorful expressions.

Now Xiao Ma felt a bit better; she could still be saved, just needed some training—otherwise, she’d be unruly…

At the sub-bureau, nothing special happened; it was mostly about cooperating with further investigation, as requested by Prosecutor Zhen Yuqi.

Actually, the file Zhang Jing submitted was nearly complete—her direction clear, arguments well-structured, logic and evidence all sound.

But since she’d had the audacity to assault a prosecutor at the police station, Zhen Yuqi signed it back: Nonsense, supplementary investigation needed.

That was easy enough to handle. Zhen Yuqi seemed strong, but her word wasn’t final—even her boss couldn’t guarantee anything. As long as Qu Changfeng’s father stepped in, the nature of the case would be decided in a single sentence; neither the judiciary nor city administration would argue further.

The key figure was Qu Changfeng. This second-generation official was pursuing Zhang Jing and seemed to have some interest in Zhen Yuqi too. Given the pressure from Zhang Jing, Qu Changfeng was now caught in the middle, expressing no opinions for the time being.

Apparently, when she got the paperwork, Zhang Jing wanted to confront Zhen Yuqi at the prosecutor’s office, which scared Qu Changfeng into holding her back desperately. In the end, he leaned slightly toward Zhang Jing’s stance, temporarily easing the situation.

These were the details Zhang Jing shared on the way.