Rejecting Qinghua Baoyan, I became a military officer

"Ok?"

Xu Ye was somewhat surprised.

The original owner's parents' unexpected death was naturally not the result of any conspiracy, but what made the original owner suspicious was whether the car owner who was imprisoned was actually the one who was driving at the time.

Of course, the original owner only had suspicions and no evidence.

Unexpectedly, Chen Chen also had this question.

"I think the driver who went to jail in the accident involving my uncle and aunt might have been a scapegoat."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Chen said, "After all, the rumors were so widespread back then, they were probably not unfounded."

After the car accident, there were many rumors circulating in society, one of which involved the son of a high-ranking official in Los Angeles. However, this rumor was quickly suppressed.

With the driver pleading guilty and agreeing to pay compensation, this serious incident was quickly brought to a close, and the news didn't even spread beyond Los Angeles.

In the days before the internet was widespread, covering things up was incredibly easy.

The original owner of this body was immersed in the grief of losing both parents, and by the time she came to her senses, everything had already settled down.

For the original owner of this body, who was inexperienced in the ways of the world and was about to take the college entrance examination, there was nothing that could be done even if she had some doubts.

“Go on!” Xu Ye said.

“Xu Ye, this is just my personal speculation, and there is no substantial evidence,” Chen Chen said.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, if you weren't different now, I wouldn't have said this to you."

"After all, the father of the person I'm guessing is currently in our Los Angeles!"

As he spoke, Chen Chen made a gesture, the meaning of which was self-evident, "However, I'm really sorry, I don't have any evidence."

"Were the rumors at the time true?" Xu Ye asked thoughtfully.

Xu Ye was not surprised by what Chen Chen said. It's simple: such "scapegoating" incidents, let alone now, will not be completely eradicated even in a few years.

Of course, simply taking the blame for someone else's mistake is not an option.

After all, there are so many cameras.

However, a different approach can achieve the same effect.

For example, the driver has a mental illness or something like that.

It has to be said that mental illness has truly become a shield for some people to escape justice.

In this day and age, it's all too common to see people taking the blame for others, filling in for others in class, or even taking the place in a university admissions program.

Some of the smear campaigns by certain G-knowledge members are indeed difficult to refute, because China did have many problems during this period.

However, unlike those countries that are languishing in the mud, China is constantly striving to improve.

This point was deliberately ignored by those people.

Knowing these issues, Xu Ye is now certain that there's something fishy going on, unlike the original owner who only had suspicions.

However, now that everything has settled down and there is no evidence available, it would be extremely difficult to reopen the case, especially since it involves the son of that high-ranking official.

"do not know!"

Chen Chen shook his head.

"This is just my guess. A couple of years ago, I heard a rumor that shortly after the car accident, the man's son hurriedly went abroad to study."

"That's why I had my doubts."

Turning to Xu Ye, Chen Chen said in a muffled voice, "Xu Ye, don't blame me for not telling you. This is just my personal guess. That person's identity is not ordinary. Telling you will only harm you."

"I understand, thank you, brother!" Xu Ye shook his head and expressed his gratitude.

After all, Xu Ye was just a college student at the time, and even if he was from Tsinghua University, it wouldn't make much difference.

Knowing this about such a high-ranking official, without any evidence, would not only cause Xu Ye more trouble, but could very well ruin his life.

The reason he's speaking out now is because Xu Ye's current status is different, and he can fully guarantee his own safety.

In Los Angeles, he was indeed the local tyrant, but his influence absolutely did not extend to the army.

"Should I call Zhang Guicheng?"

Chen Chen breathed a sigh of relief and spoke.

"No need. He can't get involved in this." Xu Ye shook his head. "And you, don't mention this to anyone in the future, understand?"

"Xu Ye, what do you mean by this? What do you take me for?" Chen Chen asked in a bad mood.

If she were afraid, Chen Chen wouldn't have told Xu Ye anything tonight.

“Of course we’re brothers!” Xu Ye wasn’t angry. “However, this involves high-ranking officials, and my status is special. You’re different. What are you, a mere clerk, doing getting involved?”

"What? You look down on clerks? Let me tell you, don't underestimate clerks!" Chen Chen retorted irritably.

Then, Chen Chen's tone became somewhat low: "After all, I've eaten Auntie's cooking quite a few times."

For a moment, the atmosphere inside the carriage became somewhat heavy.

"It's okay, I'll figure it out!"

After a long pause, Xu Ye spoke slowly and firmly.

The dead cannot be brought back to life, but those who do wrong must pay the price and should never be allowed to escape justice.

Are you abroad?

That would be easier to do.

If he were in China, Xu Ye would still have some reservations, and the necessary procedures would be indispensable.

However, if you're abroad, there are many options.

Abroad, one should never underestimate the power of a billionaire.

Not to mention, Xu Ye controls far more than hundreds of millions of dollars in wealth.

"you sure?"

Chen Chen still has no selfish motives.

"Don't worry, I'm confident!" Xu Ye said with a smile. "Alright, we've finally met, let's not talk about this anymore."

"Alright, you must be careful and don't get yourself into trouble. It's not worth it for a beast!"

Chen Chen was a little worried and gave him a serious warning.

The dead are dead, and the living must continue to live. Xu Ye has a bright future ahead of him, and he can't let a beast ruin his promising life.

Although Chen Chen didn't know how skilled Xu Ye was now.

But those plaques of merit don't lie.

"What? You're worried I might get angry?" Xu Ye said with a smile.

"A little!" Chen Chen nodded honestly.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything stupid. I have plenty of ways!" Xu Ye reassured him with a smile. "However, you absolutely mustn't get involved in this matter anymore. Your frail body can't handle it!"

"Okay, I'll wait for your good news!" Chen Chen didn't insist.

Since Xu Ye has said this repeatedly, he must have his reasons, so I shouldn't hold him back.

“Since we’re not going to talk about this anymore, why don’t you give Zhang Guicheng a call and see if he has time?” Xu Ye added.

Unlike him and Chen Chen, Zhang Guicheng's family lived in Luocheng. Back then, he was also a member of their small circle and had a good relationship with the original owner of the body.

"Remember, don't mention that later!" Xu Ye added.

Even if he had just graduated and been assigned to Los Angeles not long ago, and even if he became the head of the criminal investigation team, he wouldn't be able to play a significant role.

Xu Ye already had a plan in mind and didn't need to bother others; tonight was just for drinking and catching up.

"Don't worry, don't you know how tight-lipped I am?" Chen Chen said somewhat irritably.

Clearly, this was still somewhat of a complaint against Xu Ye for telling him to "stay far away." Seeing this, Xu Ye smiled and pretended not to notice.

In 2004, some people were truly lawless and capable of doing anything for their own benefit.

"Hey, Lao Zhang, what's up?"

The call connected, and Chen Chen spoke casually.

Unlike Xu Ye, whose last meeting was at a high school teacher appreciation banquet, Chen Chen and Zhang Guicheng met frequently, especially after they graduated from university. One went to work in a district or county below, while the other worked in Luocheng. They met even more often after that.

That's why Chen Chen made that suggestion earlier – it showed he had enough trust in Chen Chen.

"Just got off work and was about to go home!" Zhang Guicheng bit off his glove, answered the phone, and straddled his motorcycle onto the road.

Unlike Chen Chen, whose family was a "Brahmin family in the county town," Zhang Guicheng's family was only moderately well-off, so his parents naturally wouldn't buy him a car.

However, he didn't own a car, but he did buy a Dayang motorcycle, which was made in Los Angeles, and it wasn't very conspicuous at the criminal investigation team.

"Working overtime again?"

"Of course not, I can't compare to you!"

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, I'm just going back to cook some noodles. What's up, are you going to treat me to dinner in Luocheng?" Zhang Guicheng said, a thought suddenly occurring to him.

Many young people don't want to live with their parents after they start working, and Zhang Guicheng was no exception. His parents couldn't persuade him otherwise, so they bought him a house in a newly developed community not far from the police station, as if they were buying their son a house for his wedding in advance.

He's our only child, so we'll have to buy him something sooner or later.

However, when I lived alone, back in the days before food delivery, I mostly ate instant noodles, maybe with a braised egg or a sausage.

Of course, most of the time, Zhang Guicheng ate at their police station canteen.

Although, it didn't taste very good.

However, having been trained in the cafeterias of high school and university, Zhang Guicheng had long since gotten used to it.

However, if Chen Chen, a wealthy man, were to invite him to dinner, Zhang Guicheng would naturally not refuse.

"See you at the Stone Hotel in twenty minutes!"

After saying that, Chen Chen hung up the phone without giving him a chance to speak.

Clearly, this was a surprise for Zhang Guicheng!

"I... fine, a rock is a rock, it's better than eating noodles!"

Just as Zhang Guicheng was about to complain, he put away his phone and comforted himself, saying, "But I haven't eaten here in a long time, and I do miss it."

There was nothing he could do; poverty makes people lose their will. He was grateful to have anything to eat, so Zhang Guicheng didn't fuss over anything.

He had only been working for a short time, and his salary was not high, not even four figures.

That's right, it's less than a thousand, and with high daily expenses, I'm a typical "moonlight clan" (living paycheck to paycheck).

Buying and renovating the house significantly reduced Zhang Guicheng's family savings, and Zhang Guicheng was too embarrassed to ask his parents for help.

"I remember Zhang Guicheng's family was quite well-off, wasn't they?"

After Chen Chen hung up the phone, Xu Ye asked with some confusion.

Xu Ye had overheard the entire conversation between the two men and was naturally able to keenly perceive Zhang Guicheng's "poverty".

"My salary is low, I don't want to rely on my parents, and I'm pursuing a girl, so naturally I don't have enough money!" Chen Chen explained casually.

"That's true!"

Xu Ye understood.

Los Angeles has a long history and some industry, but the income of Los Angeles residents is nowhere near the top in the country, let alone compared to big cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Even in enterprises and public institutions, many people's salaries are only around one or two thousand yuan, and they don't earn much more.

For someone like Zhang Guicheng who has only been working for a short time, the salary is even lower.

Of course, if it's just one person, then there's no problem.

For the vast majority of men in China, their normal monthly expenses are really not much.

Smoking, getting perms, and washing feet, especially washing feet, well, let's just say that wasn't said.

Normally there would be no problem, but why did Zhang Guicheng have to be so foolish as to pursue girls at such a young age?

It's perfectly normal that the little money you have each month isn't enough.

"What about you? Your salary isn't high either, is it?" Xu Ye asked curiously.

He knew very well that Chen Chen had been a big spender ever since he learned to spend money, and it was all thanks to his father's ability to make money.

"What do you think?" Chen Chen said dismissively. "Anyway, I don't live off that salary. My mom puts 10,000 yuan into my account every month."

"As expected of you!"

Xu Ye was not surprised.

"That's right, it's my parents' money, isn't it? It's only natural to spend their money."

"Old Zhang deserved it!"

In closing, Chen Chen couldn't resist taking a jab at Zhang Guicheng.

They're all only children, and they don't have enough money, so what's wrong with asking their father for some? They're not strangers!
"You're just as shameless as me!" Xu Ye retorted sarcastically.

With his thick skin and his father's help, this guy might actually be the one calling the shots in Anxin County in the future.

"hey-hey!"

Chen Chen chuckled and didn't deny it.

Anyway, he felt no shame about spending his father's money.

"We're here, get off the car!"

Amidst laughter and conversation, Xu Ye stopped the car and turned to look at the familiar little restaurant not far away, which hadn't changed much.

"Xu Ye, your technique is fast and steady, I'm impressed!"

Chen Chen got out of the car, stomped his foot, took out a cigarette and tossed one over, saying with some admiration.

Their family bought a car a long time ago; Chen Chen learned to drive when he was in junior high school.

drving license?

In a small county town, there's practically no one checking vehicles.

When Chen Chen came of age, he never went to driving school for a single day. His father just spent some money and he got his driver's license.

Yes, that's how wild it is.

Let alone a car driver's license, even a large vehicle driver's license is no problem as long as you have money.

However, Chen Chen, who prided himself on his excellent driving skills, was completely convinced after sitting through the journey.

“Practice more!”

Xu Ye lit a cigarette, took a puff, and turned to look at the brightly lit teaching building not far away, where evening self-study was taking place. A hint of reminiscence appeared in his eyes.

"After we finish eating, shall we take a walk around the school?"

Seeing this, Chen Chen walked over to Xu Ye, followed his gaze, and offered his suggestion.

That direction leads to the classroom where they used to sit.

"Let's talk about it after we finish eating!" Xu Ye said noncommittally.

Just then, the roar of motorcycles came from afar.

"Old Zhang is here," Chen Chen said, turning around. (End of Chapter)