HLM -Chapter 1407 A Conflict Sparked by a Bus Stop

After some discussion, Wang Bo and the others concluded that this regulation was just the New Zealand government trying to act cute—it was basically impossible for it to ever become law. Since that was the case, there was no need for them to enforce it.

Even so, the issue stirred up quite a debate in New Zealand. Some people supported it, happily waiting to collect money, while others banded together to protest, claiming that single people were being discriminated against.

In addition, another bizarre incident happened in New Zealand in May: a bus stop in Lewis Town, right next to Sunset Town, was stolen.

New Zealand had recently put some new-style bus stops into use. They were all integrated units, with roofs and bases built as a single structure, unlike the old-style stops where shelters were embedded into concrete platforms.

Yet less than a month after it was installed, the bus stop in Lewis Town was stolen.

The town’s police station only had four officers, and there were very few surveillance cameras. All they knew was that after the thief loaded the bus stop onto a truck, the vehicle headed straight toward Wanderers Town.

Wanderers Town didn’t have a single surveillance camera. Furious, Lewis Town’s mayor, Camilla, and police chief, Upton, summoned Wang Bo, saying they wanted to confront the “Glorious Hero.”

Since the three towns were allied, Wang Bo had no choice but to go when something like this happened.

He picked a relatively quiet Tuesday, drove to Lewis Town first, and then went to take a look at the spot where the bus stop had been stolen.

It was the season of continuous autumn rain. Drizzle fell from the sky, and four or five people were waiting for the bus at the empty stop, huddled under umbrellas, shrinking their bodies against the cold—it looked miserable.

Wang Bo went to the Lewis Town office. After shaking hands with Camilla, he asked, “Still no relevant information?”

Just mentioning it made Camilla angry. “That’s right. Damn it. Some people in our town are saying it was Wanderers Town—that they did it!”

Wang Bo waved his hand. “Don’t say that, Camilla. If people from Wanderers Town hear this, it won’t be good. We’re allies.”

“Putemontla never thought about being allies with us!” Camilla snapped. “If he did, why wouldn’t he help with this?”

Camilla was usually a mild-tempered middle-aged woman. For her to be this angry, it was obvious that something Putemontla, the mayor of Wanderers Town, had said during earlier communications had seriously upset her.

Not wanting a misunderstanding to ruin relations between the two towns, Wang Bo called Putemontla and asked him to come over to discuss the matter.

Putemontla was still very respectful toward Wang Bo—after all, Wanderers Town had made a lot of money by following Sunset Town’s lead.

In less than half an hour, his big Hummer arrived.

As soon as he entered the office, Putemontla laughed and said, “Hi, Camilla. On the way here, I noticed your bus stop location is still empty. Why not just replace it already? You’re really dragging your feet.”

“Because it was shamelessly stolen!” Camilla gritted her teeth. “And I will definitely catch that damn thief!”

Hearing this, Putemontla frowned. “Hey, what do you mean by that? You’re saying it was someone from our town, aren’t you?”

“Did I ever say that?” Camilla sneered. “Who’s feeling guilty here?”

Putemontla pointed at her. “Don’t play games with me. Damn it, just look at your expression and your eyes—you’re looking at me like I’m a thief. Listen carefully, Camilla Kraken: our people didn’t do this. They didn’t!”

Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Wang Bo stepped between them. “Sit down, both of you. Is it really worth getting this angry over a bus stop?”

Putemontla pointed at Camilla again. “This isn’t about the bus stop anymore, buddy. This stupid woman firmly believes we Māori are thieves. That’s f*cking insulting, OK?”

“Hey! Who are you calling a stupid woman?” Camilla shot back. “What image Māori people have—do you think that’s something I can change with a few words?”

“You’re lucky Wang is here,” Putemontla growled. “Otherwise, even on your own turf, I’d slap you!”

“Go ahead!” Camilla sneered. “Aren’t Māori best at hitting women? Come on, hit me! Let me see how mighty you are.”

“F*ck you!”

Wang Bo grabbed the enraged Putemontla and shouted, “What’s wrong with you two? You’re acting like children! Is this how three allied towns should look? I have a boxing ring in my town—how about you go fight it out there?”

“I’m afraid I might accidentally beat her to death,” Putemontla said through clenched teeth.

Wang Bo replied, “It’s just a bus stop. This isn’t a big deal. Listen—we’re allies. A sacred alliance. Now let’s solve the problem…”

“This isn’t about the bus stop, buddy,” Putemontla yelled. “It’s about respect. She doesn’t respect me!”

Camilla yelled back, “Have you ever respected me? Ever since we met, you’ve believed that a woman can’t be a mayor. You’ve always looked down on me—haven’t you?”

Putemontla shrugged. “As if you’ve done such an outstanding job. Look—just a bus stop. Do you know how many more valuable things get stolen in New Zealand every year? What if they can’t be recovered? Relax. Just replace it.”

“But I won’t let the thief get away,” Camilla said.

“Then stay stubborn, you stupid woman.”

The two started shouting at each other again.

Wang Bo sat down, covered his ears, and read through the case file. In fact, the situation was very simple.

One morning, people discovered that the bus stop was gone. They thought there must be some issue and that it was going to be replaced with a new one.

By the second day, there was still no news, so someone reported it to Camilla. Only then did they realize that the bus stop had been stolen.

They quickly checked the surveillance footage and found that the bus stop had been stolen at midnight. After leaving Lewis Town, the truck headed toward Wanderers Town.

But Wanderers Town had no surveillance cameras, and no one reported seeing the truck. The trail went cold, and that was when Camilla and Putemontla started tearing into each other.

After finishing the file, Wang Bo slammed his cup onto the floor.

The two people who were arguing were startled and turned to look at him. Wang Bo didn’t explain anything. He directly asked, “Why doesn’t Wanderers Town have a single camera?”

Putemontla replied impatiently, “Because it violates our right to privacy. Māori people don’t want that.”

Wang Bo asked, “Have you ever collected information from the whole town? Maybe someone saw the truck. Maybe someone happened to take a photo that captured it.”

Putemontla fell silent.

Camilla angrily said, “You never did that. You only say we’re allies, but you don’t fulfill the responsibilities of an ally!”

“Enough!” Wang Bo said sharply. “Listen carefully—I’m taking over this case now. Putemontla, go back and contact your police chief, then gather clues from the entire town. Camilla, pull all the surveillance footage—I want a full week’s worth, and I’ll have people analyze it.”

“The thief wouldn’t steal a bus stop for no reason. They must have scouted the area in advance, so I need your surveillance data.”

Putemontla and Camilla both nodded. “Alright.”

“I’ll take care of it right away.”