Chapter 1: I Sell Beef Offal—Why Are So Many SWAT Officers Here to Arrest Me?
“Selling beef offal, selling beef offal! One yuan per skewer, delicious beef offal! One yuan per skewer!”
“No risk of being cheated, no chance of being taken advantage of!”
Parallel world, China, Linjiang City.
The best university, at the gates of Linjiang University.
A young man, looking every bit a student, was shouting with all his might.
On his stall hung a signboard, adorned with some dazzling, artistic lettering.
[Xiaoming’s Beef Offal]
My name is Wang Xiaoming—yes, that Xiaoming whom teachers always tell to leave the classroom!
It’s been nineteen years since I crossed over into this world.
Unfortunately, my family circumstances weren’t ideal when I arrived.
My parents passed away early, leaving only my younger sister and me to depend on each other.
My sister is gravely ill, lying in the hospital undergoing treatment.
To pay for her medical bills, I have to work and study, taking up part-time jobs every holiday to earn money.
“Xiaoming, your skills are getting better and better!” A few classmates approached Wang Xiaoming’s stall.
They picked out some beef offal at random, but paid double the price.
Everyone knew about Wang Xiaoming’s family situation.
So, no one ever looked down on him, nor did anyone mock him.
His stall was permitted by the school authorities.
An outstanding student, always winning scholarships.
There was no reason not to help him a little.
Besides, working part-time fosters independence and self-reliance among students.
The school naturally encouraged it.
Seeing the double payment scanned over, Wang Xiaoming just smiled and said nothing.
After all, it wasn’t the first time.
He simply pretended not to notice, quietly slipping in a few extra skewers of beef offal.
As the class period ended, more and more students gathered around Wang Xiaoming’s stall.
“Xiaoming, summer break is almost here. What are you planning to do?” Fatty, Wang Xiaoming’s roommate, asked.
His family owned a company and was quite well-off.
“How about working at my dad’s company? There’s air conditioning, the work is easy, and the pay is good!”
Wang Xiaoming shook his head, “No, no, I’ve already found a part-time job.”
---
“What is it this time?” Fatty asked, chewing on a skewer.
“Digging holes, running around, manual work—that sort of thing.”
Fatty sighed.
“Xiaoming, why go through all this? Delivering food in the heat of summer is bad enough, but working at a construction site? Aren’t you afraid of heatstroke?”
Wang Xiaoming just smiled, saying nothing.
“I’m going to watch the Olympics, Xiaoming. Want to come?” Fatty continued.
Wang Xiaoming shook his head, “I don’t have time, and besides, I can’t afford it.”
“Yeah, true,” Fatty said regretfully, “Guys like you are rare these days. You’ve always been my idol and role model.”
Wang Xiaoming laughed, “If I’m your idol, why not follow my example?”
“How about working part-time with me this summer?” he said, giving Fatty’s belly a playful squeeze.
Fatty jumped back, “Forget it! I worked hard for this fat, don’t want to lose it!”
Just as Wang Xiaoming’s stall was bustling with activity, the wail of police sirens sounded from afar.
Wang Xiaoming immediately picked up his scissors, alert.
But when he saw the number of police cars, he slowly put the scissors down.
“Xiaoming, what’s up? Why are you suddenly so serious?” Fatty asked, puzzled, noticing the police cars, “Why do those officers look like they’re coming here? What’s going on?”
Wang Xiaoming shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.
But inwardly, he was already prepared.
Sure enough, more than a dozen police cars pulled up at the school gate.
Dozens of SWAT officers poured out, fully armed.
They quickly surrounded Wang Xiaoming’s stall.
“Holy—what’s going on here!” Not only Fatty, but all the students eating beef offal stopped dead in shock.
A figure who looked like a leader stepped out from the SWAT ranks.
He strode straight to Wang Xiaoming’s stall.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Fu Jiang, Chief of Linjiang Public Security Bureau.”
Everyone gasped.
Wang Xiaoming nodded, saying nothing.
Fatty was dumbstruck, “Officer, our Xiaoming has a business permit—the school helped him get it!”
Fu Jiang glanced at Fatty, “I know.”
“Then, Officer, are you here for something? Is eating beef offal illegal?”
---
“It’s not illegal,” Fu Jiang replied, not in the mood for explanations. He clenched his fist behind him, “Anyone not involved, leave immediately!”
In an instant, dozens of guns were trained on Wang Xiaoming.
All the students scattered in terror.
Only Fatty stayed, frozen beside Wang Xiaoming.
“You should head back, Fatty. I’ll find you later,” Wang Xiaoming said.
Hearing this, Fu Jiang smiled, “Wang Xiaoming, I’d like you to come with us to answer a few questions. Is that alright?”
Though phrased as a request, the tone brooked no refusal.
Wang Xiaoming nodded, “Alright.”
So calm and casual, Fu Jiang could hardly believe how smoothly things went.
“Well then, let’s go.”
He gestured for Wang Xiaoming to proceed, and the SWAT officers opened a path for him.
As he was leaving, Wang Xiaoming reached for his scissors, but Fu Jiang sternly stopped him.
“Sorry, Wang Xiaoming, you can’t bring your weapon.”
Wang Xiaoming shrugged.
Fu Jiang waved, and a SWAT officer stepped forward to collect the scissors, placing them in a bag.
Once Wang Xiaoming left, the crowd erupted.
“Holy crap, what did Xiaoming do? Why are so many SWAT officers after him?”
“Who knows? The chief seems pretty polite to him, though.”
“Is Xiaoming in trouble?”
“He’s just a student—what could he possibly have done to warrant so many SWAT officers?”
Meanwhile, in the principal’s office, all the teachers had gathered, exchanging bewildered looks.
No one knew what was happening.
Soon, the news swept across the entire campus.
Everyone was left with a single question in their hearts.
Just who is Wang Xiaoming?
At that moment, Wang Xiaoming sat silently in the police car, heading toward Linjiang Public Security Bureau.
All the way, he remained quiet...