Manipulative Harem God

Chapter 92 The Abandoned Mother and Daughter? (1)

"What do you mean, 10,000 HLD just for bail? We don't have that kind of money!" Li Liying's voice rang out, her frustration evident as she engaged in a heated argument with the police officer over the exorbitant amount.

Meanwhile, Fan Hong lounged nonchalantly in his chair, lazily clutching a cigarette, as if the whole spectacle were a mere sideshow to his amusement.

"Lady, I've made myself clear. We're not running a charity here, and rules are rules. Either cough up the cash or hit the road," the police officer retorted, his tone unyielding and devoid of empathy.

"What!?"

A surge of anger suffused Li Liying's face, her complexion flushed crimson, but Li Xiaoyu, ever the composed presence, discreetly tugged at the hem of her mother's clothing, urging her to rein in her emotions.

While the verbal duel raged on, Fan Hong's eyes shamelessly ogled Li Liying, his gaze shamelessly traversing her silhouette.

She was a woman of maturity, her lustrous black hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, framing a face adorned with slightly grey eyes. The intermingling strands of black and brown blended harmoniously, accentuating her high cheekbones and well-defined jawline. Her appearance possessed an undeniable allure, an air of distinction.

Li Liying stood with a poised grace that accentuated her feminine curves. Her impeccably tailored suit embraced her shapely hips and emphasized her slender waist. With every step she took, the fabric flowed effortlessly over her toned thighs, showcasing a confident sway. Her body possessed a natural elegance, effortlessly commanding attention, as if it were attuned to the art of movement.

Her eyes, with their subtle tinge of grey, possessed a magnetic quality that drew others in. They shimmered with a mix of determination and frustration, like smoldering embers waiting to ignite. When she directed her gaze toward you, it felt as if she could penetrate your very soul, leaving you both exposed and captivated.

Li Liying's lips were painted a bold shade of red, mirroring the intensity of her demeanor. They were full and well-defined, tempting anyone who beheld them to ponder a passionate kiss.

With each word she spoke, they curled ever so slightly at the corners, revealing a hint of her smoldering confidence, akin to a flame gracefully dancing in the wind.

Fan Hong's lewd gaze sent an unsettling shiver down Li Xiaoyu's spine, causing her to instinctively retreat, seeking refuge behind her mother, Li Liying.

His eyes traversed their figures with a disturbing intensity, stripping them bare with his lascivious stare, leaving them feeling exposed and digusted.

Li Xiaoyu, a delicate flower amidst a world filled with thorns, stood at a mere fraction of her mother's height. Her cherubic features exuded a captivating allure, accentuated by a pair of lips painted in alluring pink, poised in a perpetual pout. Within her innocent brown eyes, resembling pools of melted chocolate, glimmered a delicate mixture of curiosity and vulnerability.

Her lustrous tresses had been lovingly styled into a playful ponytail, the ebony strands cascading down her back like a synchronized dance, swaying with each graceful movement. Adorning her petite frame, a pristine white t-shirt whispered with the ethereal secrets of angels. Draped effortlessly upon her slender shoulders, a fashionable denim jacket added a touch of timeless chic to her youthful ensemble.

If Zhang Wei had encountered both Li Liying and Li Xiaoyu in the morning light rather than under the cover of darkness, he surely would have added them to his list of desirable encounters.

However, Fan Hong had already set his sights on them, his predatory gaze fixed upon their vulnerable forms.

Fan Hong was well aware that the woman standing before him lacked the means to afford the exorbitant sum he demanded.

He had been biding his time, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

Throughout the night, Ye Feng had longed to call Lin Ruoxi, but Fan Hong had forcefully prevented any such contact.

Now, he couldn't help but feel a sense of validation for his decision.

Li Liying detected the heated desire in Fan Hong's eyes, causing a repulsive wave to wash over her.

With determination in her gaze, she pulled Li Xiaoyu closer to her, shielding her daughter while straightening her own spine.

"Officer, surely there must be another way," she asserted, her voice laced with resolve.

"Haha! What are you talking about, lady? This isn't a marketplace where you can haggle," Fan Hong chuckled, sensing that the moment he had been anticipating had finally arrived.

Anger surged through Li Liying, her jaw clenching in frustration. 'Bastard!' she inwardly scolded, harboring a deep disdain for the shameful behavior of men.

Of course, she had no intention of conceding to Fan Hong's desires.

Fan Hong had anticipated her resistance, employing this tactic countless times before with wives of imprisoned husbands.

However, he had miscalculated this time. Despite the amicable relationship between Li Liying and Ye Feng, she was unwilling to be sacrificed for his sake.

Her admiration for Ye Feng stemmed from his honest character, the fact that he had never taken advantage of her helplessness.

Letting out a weary sigh, Li Liying reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone, glancing at the savings she had set aside for her daughter's high school fees.

A flicker of displeasure crossed her face as she realized the amount demanded by Fan Hong was far beyond her means.

Just then, another man entered the room, donning a black jacket. Fan Hong immediately straightened his posture and stood up, saluting the newcomer.

"Chief!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with deference.

Huang Kai nodded curtly, his gaze briefly lingering on Li Liying's back. 'She looks familiar.'

Li Liying's back appeared familiar to him, and just as he was about to pass by her, her face came into full view, causing him to momentarily freeze in his tracks.

Curiosity piqued, Huang Kai couldn't help but inquire, "And you are...?"

Li Liying seized the opportunity, her eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope. Instantly extending her hand, she greeted him eagerly, "Hello, Chief. I'm Li Liying. I've come to arrange bail for my friend, who has been detained since last night. However, the officer here is demanding an exorbitant price for it!" A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes for a brief moment, revealing her astute understanding of how society works.

Her voice deliberately carried a hint of volume, ensuring that her words reached the ears of everyone present.

"C-Chief, I only asked her to pay the official deposit amount," Fan Hong stammered nervously, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine as Huang Kai fixed him with a piercing glare.

Huang Kai skimmed through the documents, quickly comprehending Fan Hong's intentions.

It was true that the required deposit amount for Ye Feng's bail was unusually high, given the charges of suspected involvement in manslaughter.

However, Huang Kai was well aware of Fan Hong's true nature. There had been numerous accusations against him in the past. The senior officers, though cognizant of their juniors' misdeeds, often turned a blind eye unless something truly egregious occurred.

This time, Huang Kai was genuinely furious. 'Damn it,' he thought to himself. 'This bastard is going to cost me my job one day.'

"You are suspended until further notice!" Huang Kai thundered, his voice echoing through the room.

A collective gasp filled the air, followed by a chorus of hushed whispers and anxious conversations.

Bewildered colleagues exchanged wide-eyed glances, their voices blending together in a symphony of concern and speculation.

"What's happening?"

"I can't believe it!"

"Suspended, just like that?"

The atmosphere grew heavy with palpable tension, casting a dark cloud over the room.

Huang Kai's words had unleashed shockwaves that shattered the perceived stability within the ranks.

The staff erupted in an uproar, their emotions swirling like a tempest.

Little did they know, Huang Kai's palms were drenched in sweat, a testament to his own anxiety.

'If something happens to this woman, I won't just lose my job, but also my life,' he thought, a nervous gulp escaping his parched throat.

In an instant, Huang Kai spun around and commanded a group of individuals to escort Ye Feng out of the lockup.

The sudden turn of events left Li Liying stunned, but she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude.

"Thank you, Chief," she expressed, her voice filled with sincere appreciation.

Huang Kai's smile turned bitter as he replied, "Don't mention it. By the way, was your husband named Zhao Yang?" Suspicion laced his words, causing Li Liying to pause briefly before nodding in confirmation. "Does the Chief know my husband?" she asked, a tinge of suspicion coloring her inquiry.

Huang Kai's smile grew awkward as he recalled the painful memory of delivering the news of Zhao Yang's remains to Li Liying.

However, this was neither the appropriate place nor time to broach the subject. He simply nodded and spoke, his eyes reflecting a touch of admiration.

"Your husband was a remarkable man. His actions made significant contributions to our country! In the future, just contact me directly if you encounter any issues. There's no need for you to come here personally."

Li Liying felt a mix of surprise and suspicion, prompting her to inquire further, "Does the Chief know how my husband died?" Her question hung in the air, causing Li Xiaoyu to flinch slightly.

Huang Kai, realizing he had spoken too much, quickly left his contact information and offered an apology before retreating to his cabin.

Li Liying was taken aback by Huang Kai's sudden actions; she could only offer a bitter smile.

To this day, she remained in the dark about the circumstances surrounding her husband's death.

Zhao Yang had been an ordinary worker who vanished a few days after Li Xiaoyu's conception, claiming urgent overseas work.

From that point forward, Li Liying never saw him again until a few years after Li Xiaoyu's birth, when military vehicles arrived at her doorstep to deliver Zhao Yang's remains.

Li Liying, who had initially believed she had been abandoned by Zhao Yang, found herself utterly speechless.

That was the reason Li Xiaoyu carried her mother's last name rather than her father's—Li Liying assumed she had been forsaken by her husband.

The military officer leading the team had offered only a brief explanation, stating that her husband had died a martyr's death while serving the country.

Yet, to this day, she remained unaware of Zhao Yang's connection to the military or the circumstances of his demise.

The officer had extended additional support, which Li Liying declined due to her overwhelmed state at the time. In retrospect, she regretted her decision, realizing that she hadn't considered the welfare of Li Xiaoyu.

Raising a child on her own, without assistance, proved to be a formidable challenge.

The pension funds were meager, and both mother and daughter struggled to make ends meet.