Chapter 14: Reporting to the Police and Meeting an Acquaintance

“I report to the police—what does that have to do with my reputation? I went to the city early this morning, and many people saw it. I just got home and saw your son lying in my yard, and there were so many witnesses. Everyone saw it clearly. How am I the one suffering damage?”
The crowd nodded, confirming Ming Leyao’s words. Zheng Donglian’s heart sank. She glanced back at her cowering son and knew this matter wouldn’t end well. Without warning, she sat down, ready to wail softly, but the stern glare from Pang Jianyuan scared her into silence.

“Someone tie up Shi Tieniu, I’ll go to the brigade office to make a call. The rest of you, disperse.”
Two young men fetched some ropes and tied up Shi Tieniu, then followed the captain away. Zheng Donglian, crying and pleading for her son, had no choice but to follow behind. Meanwhile, Meng Zhaoqing crossed his arms, smirking as he watched her.

“What are you looking at?”
“Ming comrade’s character… is really quite changeable.”
“What’s that got to do with you?”
“Hey, hey, Ming comrade, we’re at least friends, right? Don’t be so cold.”
Ming Leyao: “…Who the hell said we’re friends? Did I agree to that??”

In front of Meng Zhaoqing, Ming Leyao slammed the door shut. Meng Zhaoqing awkwardly rubbed his nose, then suddenly his eyes lit up and he hurried off toward Fu Wencheng’s place.

“Wencheng, Wencheng, I just saw a really good show.”
As he spoke, the door was pushed open forcefully.
“Get out.”
“Hey? You’re so cold.”
“Cold?”
“Yeah, I think you and that Ming Leyao really are alike in character.”
“Ming Leyao? The show you just mentioned involved her?”
“Of course, why else would I tell you?”

Fu Wencheng put down his book and shifted quickly from calm to serious.
“Speak.”
Meng Zhaoqing chuckled inwardly, thinking Fu was such a “dog man.” But he eagerly shared the gossip, embellishing the story.
“Shi Tieniu… the Shi family…”

Crack—Fu Wencheng clenched the corner of the table into wood chips. Meng Zhaoqing swallowed hard. Damn, his brother’s grip strength was insane, and he himself was so small he probably couldn’t handle it!

As Meng Zhaoqing mourned quietly, Fu Wencheng suddenly asked,
“Did you deliver the message I gave you?”
“Yes, yes.”
“When are they coming?”
“In three days.”
“Good. You may go.”

This time Meng Zhaoqing wasted no time and quickly left.

Inside the room, Fu Wencheng’s cold, flickering gaze stared toward the door, a bloodthirsty smile curling at his lips.

“Are you the reporter?”
Ming Leyao was a bit stunned, looking at the middle-aged man in front of her and nodding blankly.

“Oh, I heard the reporter’s name is Ming Leyao, and I wondered if it was a coincidence. I came here just to try my luck—didn’t expect it really to be you…” The man’s praise was cut off by Ming Leyao.
“What a coincidence, haha, what a coincidence. Come in, come in.”

Captain Pang Jianyuan and the three police officers behind him looked confused—they didn’t know how these two knew each other. Ming Leyao’s attitude was warm, and the man only smiled quietly without saying more, following her into the neat courtyard.

Ming Leyao brought out a few small stools and invited everyone to sit. Knowing someone would come, she had even boiled a pot of water. Back then, only people with some means could afford tea leaves, which she clearly was not, so she prepared plain boiled water with some sugar to show her sincerity.

Once seated, the officers followed procedure, asking Ming Leyao about the incident and verifying Pang Jianyuan’s account. Before Pang could speak, the middle-aged man said,
“I can also verify everything Ming Comrade said. We even met this afternoon. She was indeed in town when Shi Tieniu came into her yard.”

Well, with the local bureau chief vouching for her, there was no need for further questioning.

“Captain, please take me and my three colleagues to see Shi Tieniu. I have some things to say to Comrade Leyao.”
“Alright.”

Pang Jianyuan noticed the officers’ respectful attitude toward the middle-aged man, realizing he must be someone important but not dangerous. Following his lead, they left together.

After they left, the middle-aged man chuckled and said,
“Benefactor, I didn’t expect you to be such a hidden gem, little girl.”
“In this era, doctors… I’m just a girl living alone, so it’s better to keep a low profile to avoid trouble.”
“That’s right, that’s right. I wasn’t thinking, benefactor, please don’t take offense.”
“No problem, just call me Leyao.”
“My name is Cui Ying, I’m a bit older than you, so how about calling me Uncle Cui?”
“Okay, Uncle Cui.”
“Thank you for saving me today. After you left, I went to the hospital for a checkup. The doctors said if I had come any later…”
“Uncle Cui, did the doctors say what I should do next?”
“When I told the doctors about how you treated me, they said it’s best if you keep helping me. All they can do is surgery and prescribe Western medicine, which tastes terrible. I had just left the hospital and was thinking how to find you when I heard someone report a case with your name. I figured I’d try my luck.”

Haha, what luck… unbelievable.

“Leyao, I admit defeat today. When I have time, I’ll bring your aunt over.”
“Good, Uncle Cui.”
“As for today’s matter, what do you want to do?”
“Uncle Cui, Shi Tieniu should count as trespassing and defamation, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Then handle it according to those charges. It’ll be a warning to everyone. Otherwise, my life won’t be peaceful in the future.”
“Alright, I know what to do. But since no real damage was done, the punishment won’t be too severe.”
“That’s good. If it were heavy, I don’t think I could stay long in Shangjia Bridge brigade.”
“You’re sensible and think things through.”

Ming Leyao blushed a little, embarrassed by the praise and didn’t reply.

When Cui Ying left, he took Shi Tieniu and Zheng Donglian back with him. The next morning, Pang Jianyuan carefully announced the whole incident over the loudspeaker.