Chapter 43: The Insurance Company Shows Great Sincerity

“What should this thing be called? One-Ear?” Gu Changqing played with the single ear in his hand for a moment before tossing it into the box. One-Ear it would be, then.

The rest of the things left behind by Xu Sheng and Jin Hu weren’t worth much—a wallet, some bank cards, a few thousand in cash. There was also a ring of keys, among them a car key.

It wasn’t long before the insurance company sent someone over, two men—one around forty, the other just past thirty.

“Mr. Gu, I’m the claims specialist from Nanwan Insurance. We’re already aware of the situation. According to our investigation, the damages were intentional and deliberate. Under such circumstances, we recommend you pursue third-party liability. Unfortunately, our hands are tied…” The older man seemed to be in charge.

Before he could finish, Gu Changqing grabbed him by the neck and pressed him against the wall, smiling coldly. “I’ll give you one more chance. Think carefully before you answer.”

“I pay you all that money every month, and now you’re telling me there’s no payout?”

Though Gu Changqing was smiling, the savagery in his expression made the insurance men blanch.

“Mr. Gu, it’s company policy…” the claims specialist stammered.

Gu Changqing drew his pistol and pressed it under the man’s chin, then shifted the muzzle slightly and pulled the trigger.

With the crack of the gunshot, the claims specialist could feel the heat of the bullet passing by his face. He nearly lost control of his bladder.

“Mr. Gu, I want to help process your claim, truly, but all I can do is submit your request…” The man was trembling now.

His companion didn’t even dare breathe.

A man who would draw a gun so easily—who could stand up to someone like that?

“I’m a reasonable man. You take my money, you do the job. If you take my premiums, you pay out when the time comes!” Gu Changqing leaned in close. “Even a child understands that. Don’t tell me you don’t. Go back and tell your company.”

He released the man, who slid down the wall in relief.

“You have one day,” Gu Changqing said, glancing at them both before heading back into the house.

A little while later, officers from the Public Security Bureau arrived. When they saw Gu Changqing, their bravado faded, especially after witnessing the wreckage in the parking lot below.

Facing Gu Changqing, who stood a towering six-foot-three and radiated a violent aura, they began to sweat.

“Officer Gu, someone reported that you threatened them with a firearm…” The officers had tried to pawn the case off on each other, but eventually, two of them had to come up.

“Really? Bring him here and have him say it to my face. If he doesn’t dare confront me, then it’s a false report, isn’t it? You know how to handle that, right?” Gu Changqing ignored the bullet holes in the wall entirely.

“Oh, wait a moment!” Gu Changqing suddenly remembered something. He went back inside, came out with two rolls of a thousand yuan each, and stuffed them into their pockets. “Go have some tea.”

“Officer Gu, we really can’t accept this,” they protested awkwardly. One was a deputy inspector, the other a security officer.

“We’re all part of the same system. I can’t even buy you a cup of tea? Don’t want my tea? Or do you look down on me?” Gu Changqing teased.

“Not at all! Thank you, Officer Gu!” They accepted the money without further protest.

“That’s more like it. Back when I was at the Southern Precinct, I’d take everyone to the nightclub—each with two girls. What’s a cup of tea compared to that?” Gu Changqing slung his arms around their shoulders.

“But I’m always clear on right and wrong. If someone files a false report against me… you know what to do, right? And let the insurance company know as well. They have one day to pay for my car.”

“Here, take this car key and see where my car’s parked. It’s either in the lot or outside,” he said, handing over the keys left by Xu Sheng and Jin Hu and giving their shoulders a pat.

Half an hour later, the deputy inspector returned and handed back the keys. “Officer Gu, your car is parked across from the east entrance of the parking lot. Blue SUV.”

Gu Changqing slipped another thousand into his pocket. “I’ve got things to do later—go get yourselves some supper.”

The insurance company acted quickly. After a thorough review of the scene and some internal reflection on management and contract issues, someone came to visit that very evening.

“Mr. Gu, I’m Qu Ying, client manager at Nanwan Insurance. The fault is ours for lax internal controls. I apologize for the trouble we’ve caused you,” said the young woman, who looked about twenty-five or six, with a sweet face and a fine figure.

“May I come in?” Qu Ying smiled up at Gu Changqing.

She had seen his photo before coming, but only in person could she sense his unrestrained aura and the explosive power he radiated.

Her gaze grew more alluring, her smile sweeter.

“Your company does seem sincere,” Gu Changqing said, lifting her chin with a finger and raising an eyebrow with a grin.

His status as a police officer wasn’t the real issue—but his identity as an Awakened was something else entirely. Especially since the two squads from the Zhongming Organization who entered the community had all ended up hospitalized—except Gu Changqing, who walked out on his own.

Even if tens of thousands couldn’t buy the goodwill of a powerful Awakened, at least it was worth not offending him.

Qu Ying’s apology was thus exceedingly earnest—she apologized for three hours straight.

Gu Changqing decided to insure his new car with Nanwan Insurance again.

…

The next morning, Gu Changqing finally saw his new car: a blue SUV, quite decent. A quick search online revealed it was last year’s model, worth about 300,000. There wasn’t anything valuable inside.

When he arrived at headquarters, he noticed there were more people around, and the training ground was echoing with the sounds of combat.

Clearly, some had already been discharged from the hospital. After all, Awakened heal differently from ordinary people, and there were plenty of drugs tailored for them.

“Captain Gu! That outfit is so stylish today—it really suits you!” Li Yue called out with a smile, dimples showing.

Today, Gu Changqing wore cream-colored cropped pants, leather shoes with no socks, a leopard print jacket, and a white graphic tee underneath.

Standing there, he gave off an air of arrogance and defiance. With his imposing stature and distinctive gait, he could be picked out from a hundred meters away.

“Good eye!” Gu Changqing pointed at Li Yue and laughed heartily.

The clothes were picked out by Meng Xi—he liked them; they suited his style perfectly.

In the office, he found Zhuo Zhipeng and Tan Li already at their desks.

Their injuries had never been serious—just some blood loss and weakness.

“Captain! Thanks for the fruit basket!” they said, standing up quickly as Gu Changqing came in.

They had once nursed grudges against him, but after learning what happened to Team One, their attitude changed. Team One had more people—nine in all—and were stronger, yet their casualties were far worse: one dead, several severely wounded, and even their captain hospitalized.

Compared to Team One, Team Two had done much better—especially since Gu Changqing, after finishing Team Two’s target, went to handle Team One’s as well.

Looking back, what Gu Changqing had said wasn’t wrong.

Their attitude shifted.

“What’s a fruit basket worth? If you want to thank me, thank me for saving your lives,” Gu Changqing said, glancing at their desks and snatching up a romance magazine.

“If your health’s not great, don’t read this stuff,” he said, flipping through it as he walked into the office.

“Captain, Qiao Renxia still needs some time to recover,” Tan Li called after him.

Qiao Renxia’s wounds were similar to theirs, but his psychological trauma was worse—after all, not everyone could handle being swallowed alive, wrapped in blood and flesh.

Especially when someone else had thrown him in.

Gu Changqing waved a hand dismissively, unconcerned.

Back in his office, he finished reading the magazine. He had to admit—the taste was quite refined.