Chapter 286: Yi Xi Is Dead (1/2)

The agent asked haughtily, ”Who are you?”

”We met last night.”

He dragged a long ”Oh” and scoffed, ”So it’s Officer Song. Sorry, we’re recording a program now. If you want to see me, schedule an appointment!”

”I have three requirements,” I calmly continued. “First, you and Yi Xi must meet me at the Taoyuan District Police Station within half an hour. Second, make a public apology on Weibo to clarify the truth of the so-called police beating. Make sure you sound completely sincere and I don’t want to see any tricks such as pushing the blame on a temporary worker or playing word games. Lastly...” I turned to Xiaotao, ”Last night, you weren’t very nice to Officer Huang. I want you to apologize to her and buy her a cake.”

At the end of my speech, Yi Xi’s agent froze for a few seconds before he suddenly laughed. ”Officer Song, are you out of your mind? Here’s my response–why the hell should I listen to you?!”

”I’ll let you in on a little secret,” I sneered. “And I promise you’ll do as I ask.”

“I’m all ears!”

I covered my mouth and enunciated each word into the phone. Xiaotao leaned in to eavesdrop but failed to catch anything, staring unwillingly at me. Just as I expected, the man’s tone immediately turned around. ”H-how do you... No... What exactly do you want?” he stammered.

”If you don't meet my requirements, I'll tell the entire world what I know,” I threatened. “And if you think hard evidence and facts produced by the police can't compete with your water army, then go ahead and bet on Yi Xi and your company's future! Anyway, our reputations have been smeared by you so it’s not like we have anything left to lose.”

The agent gulped. ”About your second condition...”

”There’s no room for discussion. Your rumors have caused us great trouble,” I said. “There’s a large number of fans outside the station right now.”

”It's not my call though,” came his pleading voice.

”Then you can go to the person who has the final say and tell me your decision,” I replied. “In short, you have half an hour.”

”Half an hour is too...”

Before he could finish, I hung up the call. Xiaotao stared wide-eyed at me and exclaimed, ”Song Yang, you were so domineering! What spell have you cast on the man? His attitude did a complete 180!”

I smiled, intending to keep my little discovery under wraps but failed to hold back under Xiaotao’s relentless pressuring. ”I told him... that the dead man is Yi Xi!”

”Yi Xi?” Xiaotao seemed doubtful. ”But... Wait... Could it be...” Her eyes lit up, ”I see! That’s what it is! We were going about it in the wrong direction.”

The microblog triggered an instant chain reaction and an officer soon ran in, shouting at the top of his lungs, ”The fans have retreated!”

”I know,” I laughed.

Xiaotao glanced at her watch. ”Prepare the conference room,” she said. “We’re expecting a couple of distinguished guests!”

Five minutes later, Yi Xi and his agent arrived holding a piece of cream cake in his hand as he bowed deeply to Xiaotao. ”Officer Huang, I have committed a great sin. I hereby solemnly apologize to you. I’ve learned my lesson.”

Xiaotao looked at me, the corners of her lips rising in a smile.

”Please sit down!” I said.

There were only four of us in the conference room. Although many officers wanted to listen to our conversation, I knew the matter was confidential. In order to pay attention to their privacy, I didn’t allow a single person apart from the four of us into the room.

”First of all,” I started. “Let me make one thing clear. I’m not Officer Song, I’m just a consultant. I’m really just an undergraduate at the moment.”