Chapter 22.1

There were both men and women among these people, but the looks they gave Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yanzhao were not very good.

Xie Yanzhao’s tall figure blocked the door to the hospital room completely.

His face was stern, and the aura he exuded was reminiscent of a merciless executioner.

The few people standing outside, all in their early twenties, looked terrified. The slightly older leader was no exception. The fear in their eyes was palpable.

Goodness, where did this demon come from?

The leader’s previous bravado vanished entirely.

“Comrade, we received a report that you and Comrade Ruan are involved in an improper relationship.”

Having said this, the leader breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

The others had intended to speak, but upon seeing Xie Yanzhao’s scarred face, which made him appear even more menacing, they hesitated.

They started to doubt:

Would they really be able to complete this mission successfully?

Xie Yanzhao blocked the doorway, lifting his eyelids in a half-smile as he looked at the group, “Someone reported it?”

“No… We can’t say…”

Under the pressure of Xie Yanzhao’s imposing presence, the leader couldn’t even manage a scowl.

Other patients in the hospital room gathered around to watch.

“What’s going on? Why are these people here?”

“Such bad luck…”

“Keep it down, are you trying to get us all in trouble?”

The G Committee was essentially Zhou Dahu’s fief. His subordinates, like him, were unsavory characters. Although no one dared to provoke them openly, behind their backs, everyone had harsh words for them.

“Comrades, if you’re accusing us of improper behavior, you need to provide evidence,” Xie Yanzhao said firmly, leaning against the doorframe. “You can’t just arrest people based on accusations.”

The leader puffed out his chest, “Who says we don’t have evidence? The witness is in the police station.”

The other patients were stunned.

“What improper relationship?”

“Nonsense, my daughter and Xiao Xie are engaged and about to get married. Who is spreading these rumors?”

An impeccably dressed older woman pushed through the crowd.

Upon seeing the red armbands on the people’s arms, her eyes showed clear disdain.

“You’re the ones saying my daughter is involved in an improper relationship with Comrade Xie?”

The group exchanged glances.

Their investigation had shown that Ruan Mingfu’s parents were sent down, so who was this ‘mother’ who had suddenly appeared?

“Aunt Wei.”

Xie Yanzhao greeted the newcomer.

Before he could say more, he felt a light, tickling sensation on his back, like a feather scratching his skin.

Xie Yanzhao’s eyes flashed with helplessness as he grabbed the little hand that was causing the disturbance behind him.

He slightly turned, revealing Ruan Mingfu behind him.

“Auntie!”

“Hey!” Auntie Wei responded loudly, “My daughter, you stay in the room and rest. Auntie is here.”

The G Committee’s performance varied greatly depending on the leadership. The people in this county were unfortunate to have encountered Zhou Dahu.

He had wielded his power for years, and others dared not challenge him due to his father-in-law’s influence.

However, since his father-in-law’s term had ended recently, Zhou Dahu had become much more subdued.

Many things were now done covertly.

The recent group of police and the current individuals were not sent by Zhou Dahu.

He wasn’t foolish.

In these troubled times, with Zhou Dahu’s reputation tarnished, if he didn’t lay low, he’d be finished.

He couldn’t afford to sacrifice himself for his nephew.

Zhou Dahu understood this, but his subordinates were not very bright. The deputy director, trying to curry favor with Zhou Dahu, had made two major blunders. If Zhou Dahu were here, he might have lost his temper with the deputy director.

The G Committee members looked displeased after hearing Auntie Wei’s words.

“Who are you?”

They might fear Xie Yanzhao, but they didn’t fear Auntie Wei.

“Why do you care who I am?” Auntie Wei glared at them. “Without an investigation, you have no right to speak. My daughter and Comrade Xie are engaged. How is that an improper relationship?”

“So, according to you, engaged couples are all involved in improper relationships?”

The onlookers nodded in agreement.

“Exactly.”

“That’s the truth.”

“People just have nothing better to do and are stirring up trouble…”

The leader looked increasingly frustrated, “Comrade, please don’t misinterpret us.”

Auntie Wei continued, “Then what exactly do you mean?”

“We received a report, and Comrade Xie and Comrade Ruan need to come with us.”

“Have you forgotten that Comrade Xie and Comrade Ruan are engaged?” Auntie Wei retorted angrily. “Why should they go with you? Are you planning to coerce a confession?”

The onlookers all turned to look at them.

The leader shrank back, cold sweat forming, “We’re only addressing the matter at hand. Don’t slander us. Besides, how do we know they’re truly engaged?”

Ruan Mingfu’s pretty brows furrowed.

The other party was clearly being unreasonable, intending to drag them to the G Committee.

Ruan Mingfu wasn’t about to let them have their way!

She was about to speak when a voice interrupted:

“I can testify—they are indeed engaged.”

“Me too, I can testify.”

“I can testify as well.”

“You can’t let your director’s influence prevent you from catching the real culprits and instead intimidate the victims.”

“That’s not right.”

“Exactly!”

Over the years, the G Committee’s misdeeds had made everyone in the county unhappy.

“Let’s go report it!”

“Right, let’s go now!”

“Zhou Dahu is shielding his nephew and persecuting other comrades…”

Seeing the anger rising, everyone was incensed.

The leader swallowed hard, “It’s not as you think. Listen to me…”

With everyone worked up, they were not in the mood to listen to him.

The leader’s face turned pale, and he staggered a few steps back.

It’s over, it’s over…

Not only had the mission failed, but he had also endured such a disaster. Zhou Dahu and the deputy director would definitely not let him off.

Thinking of Zhou Dahu’s methods, his already pale face became even whiter.

The expressions of the others were also grim, but they had only been with the G Committee for a short time and had never seen such a scene. They could only turn their gazes to the leader, who was clearly scared stiff.

If it weren’t for the crowd around them, he would have collapsed by now.

Auntie Wei waved her hand decisively, “Sisters, let’s go find the leaders!”

“Right!”

“We’ll report the situation to the leaders. I refuse to believe no one can handle these people.”

“Exactly…”

The righteous onlookers were about to contribute their bit when a gunshot rang out.

Xie Yanzhao straightened up, his gaze sharp as he looked toward the sound.

Everyone was startled. Ruan Mingfu, standing behind Xie Yanzhao, instinctively grabbed his sleeve, trembling at the loud noise.

Ruan Mingfu’s face turned pale as she peeked out from the side of Xie Yanzhao’s arm.

Seeing Auntie Wei, who was also frightened, she asked with concern, “Auntie, are you alright?”

Auntie Wei’s face had gone ashen, but she shook her head.

The new arrivals pushed through the crowd and approached.

Ruan Mingfu furrowed her brows, looking at the newcomers.

These people were also police officers, and Ruan Mingfu had seen them before. Her confusion deepened.

They had serious expressions, and there was an apologetic look in their eyes when they saw Xie Yanzhao.

“Comrade Xie, someone has reported that you assaulted someone without cause. Please come with us,” the person said, clearly acquainted with Xie Yanzhao, his brow furrowing deeply.

Ruan Mingfu’s frown deepened.

These people are the fat chief’s confidants. Their presence must mean someone is putting pressure on the Public Security Bureau.

Could it be… Zhou Dahu?

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t figure it out. She clutched Xie Yanzhao’s sleeve with both hands, “Xie Yanzhao, don’t go…”

Auntie Wei’s brows were also knitted together. “Comrades, are you sure you’re not mistaken? The person Xiao Xie injured was trying to strangle my daughter. Instead of arresting him, you’re taking Xiao Xie away. What kind of reasoning is that?”