Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chen Le’s favorite animal was a leopard. Why a leopard and not a tiger? Tigers, with their regal air, were too ostentatious, exuding a bloodthirsty aura upon entering a scene. But a leopard, a creature of extreme patience, could lie in wait for an extensive amount of time to catch its prey. Afterward, it would launch an unexpected attack on the unsuspecting prey, always deadly with a single strike.

In Chen Le’s eyes, Nie Zhenbang currently resembled a leopard, an expert at disguise and staying under the radar. However, his first move was always a direct hit to a critical point. If they dug something up from Mo Mingwu, Chen Le was confident that things would become increasingly more interesting. Secretary Mo Zhihai’s position was likely nearing its end. Following that, Wu Zhixiong would take over Mo Zhihai’s position, and Nie Zhenbang would surely reap significant benefits.

Nie Zhenbang did not stay at the Public Security Bureau for long. He had not overthought his presence when he first arrived, but after his conversation with Chen Le, he started to regret driving there. If he had known the circumstances, he would have kept a lower profile when meeting. Now, all Nie Zhenbang could hope for was that Zhao Kunlun had not seen him, or did not care.

Not long after Nie Zhenbang left, Ma Ergou was also released. At this moment, he seemed somewhat smug, after all, following Brother Wu was a good decision. Even the Public Security Bureau had no way of dealing with him.

Standing at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau building, Ma Ergou stretched his body, feeling extremely satisfied. As he began to yawn, a policeman walked by him, lowering his voice as he passed, “Brother Wu told me to tell you not to spill the beans. We couldn’t get a message to you before. Did you keep quiet?”

Hearing the policeman’s words, Ma Ergou trembled. Damn, why did they wait until after he had confessed everything to ask this? Startled, Ma Ergou quickly chuckled, “No, I didn’t say anything. If I had, would they have let me go?”

The cop gave a nod, fully convinced by Ma Ergou’s words. The fact that Ma Ergou was released so quickly clearly meant he had kept quiet. The officer said, “It’s good that you know your priorities. If you did spill something, you better start planning your own funeral.”

Watching the policeman’s retreating figure, Ma Ergou shivered. During the interrogation, he had spilled everything out of fear. From the sound of it, if Brother Wu found out he had spilled the beans, his life would be in danger. An immediate thought of escape surfaced in Ma Ergou’s mind. He quickly quickened his steps and left the Public Security Bureau.

At this moment, Ma Ergou didn’t realize that there had already been four undercover cops staking out at the entrance, who immediately started following him. As soon as Ergou crossed the street outside the Public Security Bureau and entered an alley, the group swooped in, tackling him to the ground. The leading officer, pulling out his ID, flashed it in front of Ergou and said solemnly, “Ma Ergou, we are from the Criminal Police Team. You’re in trouble, come with us.”

“Officer, what have I done? You have to explain. I’ve just been released.” At this moment, Ma Ergou was petrified, thinking that Brother Wu’s men had come for him.

The leading man was the vice-captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, Lin Wei, who found Ma Ergou’s situation difficult to explain. With no other choice, Lin Wei vaguely stated, “You don’t need to know exactly what it is just yet. All you need to know is that it’s time for you to pay for your actions.”

At the same moment that Ma Ergou was being taken into custody, Chen Le was personally leading a fully prepared team, which included the head of Chengguan Police Station, Cai Weijun.

Chen Le’s face was incredibly serious at this moment. Chengguan, the place where he had started and made a name for himself. In front of his trusted subordinates, he didn’t mince words, saying bluntly, “Brothers, our futures depend on this operation. Wei Qiang, you probably know best where Mo Mingwu is hanging around these days. You will lead today’s operation. Everyone, myself included, will follow your orders. We aim to wrap things up within half an hour. Also, we’re going to conduct an unexpected search of Mo Mingwu’s residence.”

Mo Mingwu, the son of the county Party secretary, should logically be surrounded by women. However, he had a rather detestable hobby; ordinary single women failed to catch his interest. Even the most beautiful flowers were dismissed with contempt by him. He was particularly drawn to married women, and assisted by his father’s power, many officials’ wives throughout Lixian had been involved with him. Some voluntarily, but many were coerced. Wei Qiang was one such victim.

Wei Qiang’s wife, a well-known beauty who taught at Lixian Chengguan Middle School, had caught Mo Mingwu’s eye. He had raped her at the school one day, leading her to take her own life out of despair. This remained Wei Qiang’s deepest wound.

However, Wei Qiang was just an ordinary police officer and was completely powerless against Mo Mingwu. But he had been always preparing for his revenge. Chen Le’s current attitude was in part influenced by Wei Qiang’s situation.

Now, Wei Qiang’s face was sombre and filled with agitation, the fervor of revenge burning bright within him. Looking at Chen Le, Wei Qiang nodded and said grimly, “Director Chen, rest assured. I’ve been investigating this bastard’s residence all this while. Today is Wednesday, and he should be in the residential area of the finance bureau. He’s been getting quite close with Gu Fengjiao, the head of the Personnel Division of the Finance Bureau.”

After this, Wei Qiang looked at Chen Le, “Director Chen, I’ll finally have my revenge today. I can finally make it up to Juan’er. From now on, I am at your command. Even if it means my death, I will not back down.”

Chen Le waved his hand and said solemnly, “That’s enough. We’re all brothers. I understand what you mean. There are still plenty of days ahead, so you need to buck up. We have Director Nie to thank for this opportunity for revenge. From now on, we’re in the same boat with Director Nie.”

Chen Le was a good subordinate. He didn’t need to say these things with Nie Zhenbang not being there, but he did, which showed his true nature.

After saying that, Chen Le looked around at everyone present. Each police officer was steadfast and serious. This kind of spirit pleased him very much. Then, he nodded and said, “Let’s move. Wei Qiang and I will lead a few men to the Finance Bureau to arrest Mo Mingwu. Weijun, you lead another team to Mo Mingwu’s private residence for a thorough search. Remember not to turn the house upside down before finding sufficient evidence.”

Sinced this was a secret arrest, the group was not in uniform, and their vehicle carried civilian license plates. Under the cover of darkness, the car melted into the night.

At this hour, even the quarters of various government units were bereft of security guards and property management staff. Their presence was minimal. There was a gatehouse, but it was generally only used to keep refuse collectors and scavengers out. Personal cars were still rare in those days, and there would be no barriers stopping them. They parked the car under the apartment building where Feng Jiao lived.

Chen Le spoke again, “Wei Qiang, don’t act impulsively. Director Nie has the whole picture in mind. If we succeed this time, not only will Mo Mingwu not escape, but neither will Mo Zhihai. When the time comes, there will be a reckoning. Don’t jeopardize the big picture out of momentary anger.”

As they were about to disembark, Chen Le, still a little worried, reminded Wei Qiang. A wife stolen, a wife murdered—these were the reasons for his deepest hatred, and Chen Le was worried that Wei Qiang might not be able to resist acting out.

Wei Qiang, face cloudy, simply nodded. “Director Chen, don’t worry. I’ve been patient for so long. I won’t rush things now.”

Chen Le, Wei Qiang, and another police officer got out of the car, leaving one person to keep watch. The three of them went up to the third floor, to Feng Jiao’s front door. Chen Le gave a signal, and Wei Qiang knocked on the door.

A moment later, a voice came from inside, “Who’s there?”

The voice was impatient. It was Mo Mingwu’s voice. At this point, Chen Le felt a thrill of satisfaction. He looked at Wei Qiang beside him, gave a nod, and Wei Qiang caught on and said, “We’re from the Public Security Bureau. Is the director of the health bureau, Yin, here? Director Yin got drunk and caused a scene at a restaurant. We’re here to inform his family.”

The moment he finished speaking, a woman’s voice came from inside. “The damn bastard. Even drinking causes trouble.”

As soon as the door opened, Chen Le and Wei Qiang, already prepared, rushed inside. Mo Mingwu was stunned to see Chen Le, and he hastily tried to escape, but Chen Le tackled him to the ground.

Now that he knew he couldn’t escape, Mo Mingwu let loose. He turned his head and glared at Chen Le, furious. “Chen Le, Deputy Chief Chen! You’ve got guts, arresting me. I’ll let you see what happens when you cross me.”

Since it had come to blows, all pretenses were gone. Chen Le didn’t care anymore. He saw that Feng Jiao was also being subdued by Wei Qiang. He then said sternly, “Mr. Mo, perhaps you don’t yet know. You’re implicated in instructing Ma Ergou to obstruct the Min Nong Company’s construction and inciting a mob to besiege a state agency. You’re exposed. Start worrying about yourself. Your father has serious troubles of his own.”

Just after Chen Le’s team’s action had begun, another team led by Cai Weijun also brought good news. A police officer walked in from outside, looking at Mo Mingwu and Feng Jiao who were handcuffed in the side. Without any reservations, the officer said, “Director Chen, we hit the jackpot. We found a whole hundred thousand cash in Mo Mingwu’s residence, along with a ledger, plenty of gold and jewelry, bankbooks and other pieces of evidence implicating Mo Mingwu in illicit activities.”

Upon hearing the officer’s words, Mo Mingwu turned pale. The hundred thousand in cash was the gifts he received during the New Year. The rest were accumulated over the years. The ledger detailed who had given what, and crucially, the illicit evidence would be the nail in his coffin. (To be continued. If you like this novel, please vote for it at . Your support is the biggest motivation for me.)