NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: A Protagonist We Already Know?
Outside the karaoke building, the night air carried a crisp chill that caused Shen Zeming's sleek navy gilet to rustle slightly as the wind brushed against it.
He leaned back against the sleek, obsidian-colored body of his McLaren Senna, the streetlights reflecting off its aerodynamic curves. His expression remained composed, betraying little of his thoughts as he gazed up at the inky black canvas of the sky, dotted sparsely with pinprick stars.
In his hand, the smartphone's screen glowed dimly, the active call indication blinking steadily. Shen Zeming's fingers drummed an absent rhythm against the car's fender as he waited, the only sound aside from the faint whisper of the breeze.
Then, in the distance, the unmistakable wail of sirens pierced the night, growing louder as a cavalcade of police cruisers approached, their blue and red lights casting an eerie strobe effect on the surrounding buildings.
The black-and-white Ford SUVs screeched to a halt in a semicircle before Shen Zeming, kicking up a small vortex of fallen leaves and debris. Doors swung open and several uniformed officers emerged, one in particular striding forward with a smile and humble air.
He was a stocky man with a thick mustache and deep-set eyes that narrowed as he appraised the scene, gaze lingering momentarily on the sleek lines of the exotic sports car.
"Good evening, Young Master Shen," the gruff voice carried the faintest hint of surprise as the officer introduced himself. "I am Zhang Ning, Police Captain with the Beijing Police Department. I heard you found a group of drug smugglers. Could you please tell me where they are?"
Zhang Ning's practised smile was polite yet strained, masking an inward jolt of disbelief that this call had come from the heir to one of the city's most prominent families. Still, he kept his composure, clasping his hands respectfully as he awaited Shen Zeming's response.
Shen Zeming's own expression remained coolly impassive, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth the only hint of amusement. "Of course, Mr. Zhang," he replied evenly, gesturing towards the karaoke entrance with a tilt of his head.
As if on cue, the doors burst open, disgorging a ragtag group of disheveled young men, all struggling furiously against the restraining grips of black suited security guards. At the forefront, Luo Chen by his words – twisted and fought like a cornered animal.
"Bastard, let go of me, or you'll face the consequences!" Luo's face was flushed with anger and perhaps other substances, sweat beading on his brow as he issued his futile threats. "Don't you know who I am? I'm Luo Chen from the Luo family!"
Another of the captive group, looking equally debauched, joined in with indignant protests. "I swear, there's been a mistake! You can't hold me here. My father's gonna have your heads!"
"This is just a scam!" another one cracked with desperation. "I don't know anything about this. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please, let me make a call."
The others quickly joined the chorus of protests, shouting over one another in a discordant wave of outrage and feigned innocence.
"I was just having a drink with friends!"
"We didn't do anything illegal!"
"You have no right to hold us like this!"
As they struggled fruitlessly against the iron grips of the security guards, Shen Zeming's gaze remained fixed coolly on the increasingly flustered Police Captain Zhang Ning.
"There they are, Mr. Zhang," he stated plainly, unfazed by the unfolding spectacle.
Zhang Ning visibly started at the calm declaration, his brows knitting together in a deepening frown. He glanced back at the writhing, well-dressed young men, taking in their affluent appearances, and the realization of exactly who they were quickly settled in.
He swallowed hard, shifting his weight as uncertainty crept into his expression. "Um...Young Master, are you sure they're the culprits?" The question emerged tinged with trepidation.
Zhang was all too aware of the power and influence wielded by Luo Chen's family name.
To wrongfully accuse them could spell career suicide. Not only is the Luo family involved, but there are probably also many famous figures. Yet offending Shen Zeming is not a wise choice either, with the Shen family behind him.
He forced an awkward chuckle. "Isn't that Young Master from the Luo family your friend? If this is a joke, please tell me."
The words had scarcely left his lips when Luo Chen's voice cut through the din like a thunderclap.
"You, Shen Zeming! You bastard! How dare you frame me!"
The others rapidly piled on, taunts and vitriol raining down in Shen Zeming's direction.
"You son of a bitch, how dare you scam us!"
"Are you out of your mind, Young Master Shen? Don't you fear for your position as heir after this?"
Shen Zeming's expression remained utterly impassive as the verbal onslaught washed over him. He lifted his chin almost imperceptibly, seeming to draw himself up to his full, imposing height as he leveled his gaze at the increasingly unsettled Police Captain.
"Do you doubt me, Mr. Zhang?" His tone remained measured, but carried an undercurrent of quiet menace. "The heir of the Shen family? Do you doubt the validity of the Shen family's heir?"
He leaned forward slightly, allowing the stark shadows cast by the streetlights to accentuate the sharp planes of his aristocratic features.
Although Shen Zeming could only summon a Police Captain due to his reputation, it was more than enough to have his 'fake' friends detained, even if just for a brief moment.
A heavy silence fell as Shen Zeming's authoritative words seemed to linger in the air. Zhang Ning opened his mouth, then closed it again, his protest withering on his lips as one of the burly security guards approached.
"Good evening, Police Officers. Here is the evidence," the guard stated, extending a plastic-wrapped bundle towards the visibly stunned Zhang Ning.
The captain accepted the plastic-wrapped bundle with slightly trembling hands. His brow furrowed deeply as he scanned the plastic-wrapped bundle.
Shen Zeming watched impassively as the officer absorbed the damning evidence. "Is that enough?" he prompted, his voice level.
Zhang Ning flinched almost imperceptibly at the pointed question. He closed his eyes briefly, mentally weighing his options. Finally, he exhaled a long sigh of resignation.
"Enough, enough! Thank you for the report, Young Master!" Though he forced a tight smile, the strain was evident around the police captain's eyes.
With a curt nod, he turned and began issuing brisk orders to his unit. Within moments, the squirming group of young scions were being unceremoniously herded into the waiting police transports amid a chorus of impotent outrage.
On the other hand, Shen Zeming allowed the smallest of satisfied smirks to crease his lips as he watched the scene unfold.
'The leaks have been temporarily sealed. This should be more than enough as a hidden weapon,' he mused inwardly.
His gaze flickered momentarily to meet the hate-filled glares being leveled in his direction by his so-called "friends."
The reason he decided to cut ties with them wasn't just because they had manipulated him all these years, but also because...
'This foolish owner, doesn't he realize his position as heir is as fragile as a feather?' Shen Zeming thought while shaking his head.
Thanks to his experiences reading many webnovels, he could sense something fishy going on within the Shen family based on the memories of this body's owner.
'Now then, he inwardly queried, what is the name of the protagonist?'
[DING!] The protagonist's name is Li Yue. He is a retired special forces soldier. After retiring, he lived overseas, built a mercenary group with his former comrades, and gained a reputation as the Mercenary King.
'As expected, the setting and the background are the same,' Shen Zeming mused. But then, as the name echoed in his mind, something seemed to click into place.
'Li Yue? Don't tell me it's the same Li Yue who was bullied in my previous life?'