Chapter 61.2

Qin Yan and Han Changfeng arrived at the town police station to see Jiang Ruan.

The officer informed them that two people were already visiting her, and they would need to wait.

Inside, Jiang Ruan was speaking with Xun Li and Chang Fuxiang. She told Xun Li that the old doctor had died when heavy snow caused the roof of the dilapidated cow shed to collapse. Jiang Ruan was confident that her brother, Han Changfeng, would uncover the truth, and she would then counter-sue Zhuang Chengdong for false accusation.

“I’m planning to move the farm once this is over,” Jiang Ruan said. “The supply to the fried chicken shop will be affected, so I’ll be returning that ten percent share.”

Xun Li anticipated that Jiang Ruan would retaliate, but he didn’t expect her to go all-in.

Everyone’s limits are different. If it were Xun Li, he would seize the opportunity to secure benefits rather than risking mutual destruction. But Jiang Ruan had different boundaries. She had always said that her initial goal was simply to have enough to eat, and once she achieved that, she could let go of everything else.

The village chief’s career was effectively over.

Xun Li smiled, “No need to give up the shares. We can switch to regular chicks for now. Even with the same standard supply, Chang Linyan’s shop will find it hard to outperform us.”

Jiang Ruan was sincerely grateful that he wasn’t pushing her, “Xun Li, thank you.”

Xun Li thought to himself, Jiang Ruan is really easy to please. She reciprocates genuine kindness.

He smiled, “Alright, Qin Yan and your brother are waiting for you. We’ll handle things out here.”

Chang Fuxiang, exasperated by his sister’s tactics, told Jiang Ruan, “My older sister is shameless, you know. If you’re angry, you can stop supplying me in the future.”

Jiang Ruan reassured him, “Don’t overthink it. I was just about to tell you—I’ll still be able to supply your single store with poultry, even though overall production might be affected.”

Qin Yan and Han Changfeng soon arrived to visit Jiang Ruan, and she was delighted to enjoy the meal they brought.

Her brother, Han Changfeng, wore a stern expression. He questioned Jiang Ruan about the events surrounding the old doctor’s death, spoke briefly with the station chief, who apologized, explaining that the township head had authorized her detention and she had to comply.

The chief added, “The village chief confident because Secretary Zhong is related to Chang Linyan. It would be wise to clarify this connection.”

Han Changfeng, gritting his teeth, replied, “No need. I’ll prove my sister’s innocence myself!”

Before leaving, he told Qin Yan, “I’ve spoken with the chief. Ruan Ruan is easily frightened, so stay a while longer to comfort her.”

Jiang Ruan couldn’t hide her smile. What was there to fear? She wasn’t afraid at all.

She comforted Han Changfeng, saying, “Big brother, take your time with the investigation. There’s food and drink here, so I’m not in a hurry. The one who should be anxious is the person accusing me. Hmph, when I get out, it’ll be his turn to come in.”

Qin Yan reminded, “Brother, you should also investigate Zhuang Chengdong.”

Han Changfeng was in a foul mood, and he replied irritably, “I don’t need you to remind me. Jiang Wei is already looking into it.”

Jiang Wei was Han Changfeng’s colleague and the elder sister of Jiang Teng, who happened to be a good friend of Shen Tianming. Jiang Ruan had even hit Jiang Teng once, making her wonder if her brother’s relationship with Jiang Wei was closer than it appeared.

…

Now, only Jiang Ruan and Qin Yan remained in the visitation room.

Jiang Ruan could see that Qin Yan was particularly angry. She had never seen him this gloomy, not even when he was dealing with his leg injury, as if he were a volcano on the verge of erupting.

Jiang Ruan quickly tried to soothe him, “Brother Qin Yan, don’t be angry. I’m fine here. The police are treating me well, and I’m getting enough to eat.”

But this was still a detention center.

Qin Yan said, “Ruan Ruan, we can’t stay here for nothing. This time, I want Chang Linyan to lose the thing she relies on the most.”

Jiang Ruan shared Qin Yan’s perspective. When it came to fighting back, she wasn’t one to show mercy. “And I want the township chief of Dawang to suffer an even bigger loss. I’m going to move the farm away from Yunshui County.”

After declaring her intentions, Jiang Ruan asked, “What about Qin Ao? Why didn’t he come?”

“He went to see Ran Xiaorong’s father to try and get him to intervene. I told him not to go, but I couldn’t stop him.”

Jiang Ruan sighed, “He shouldn’t have gone.”

Qin Yan also sighed, “You’ve always been loyal to him, and he remembers that. No one can persuade him otherwise.”

…

Ran Xiaorong was about to take her college entrance exams. Qin Ao didn’t go to see her; instead, he went to find Ran’s father, hoping he would step in and look into the situation in Dawang.

Qin Ao said, “Our farming business in Dawang is helping the villagers get wealthy together. If the farm moves away, it won’t benefit anyone. It’s just one phone call for you.”

Ran’s father replied, “You’ve already crossed a line by coming to me directly. If I make that call, people will accuse you of using connections to get special treatment. Do you think that’s appropriate?”

Qin Ao was taken aback, “But your intervention would be for justice and for the people of Dawang Village. They’d suffer the most if the farm were to relocate!”

Ran’s father said, “If you want to appeal to a higher authority, you need to follow the proper channels—file a petition, or write a formal complaint. Coming to me through your relationship with Xiaorong is not the right way.”

Qin Ao’s face flushed with frustration. He wanted to ask if Ran’s father would be indifferent if he and Ran Xiaorong weren’t involved, but he knew that Ran’s father already held a bias against him, and asking would only invite further humiliation.

No wonder Qin Yan didn’t want him to come.

Regaining his composure, Qin Ao said, “I’ll tell Ran Xiaorong that we’re breaking up because of our different social backgrounds. I hope you can be honest with her and explain your real thoughts about me. I’m sorry for troubling you.”

…

Zhong Guangyuan, recently back in Beijing, overheard parts of the conversation between Qin Ao and Ran’s father. He didn’t recognize Qin Ao but was intrigued by the mention of Jiang Ruan being detained.

Zhong Guangyuan asked with a faint smile, “Is that hot-headed young man your future son-in-law?”

Ran’s father laughed, “Hardly. Xiaorong has a bit of a crush on him, but you know how young people are. Who knows if their long-distance relationship will last a few years? We’ll see.”

Zhong Guangyuan continued, “What’s going on in Dawang? If the issue concerns the people’s welfare, the township government should be supportive.”

Ran’s father responded, “I’m not entirely sure. According to Qin Ao, Jiang Ruan is involved in a criminal case, accused of committing murder for financial gain. It’s best to let the police handle the investigation. Anyway, it’s already noon—let’s go have lunch.”

Zhong Guangyuan politely declined, “I’m meeting an old friend. Maybe next time.”

…

Zhong Guangyuan hadn’t actually made any plans. He instructed his secretary not to call the driver and took a car to Dawang Township.

He asked the secretary, “Did you get a full picture of the situation?”

The secretary, skilled at reading between the lines, had already gathered details on Jiang Ruan’s case, knowing that his boss was showing an interest.

The secretary explained, “Late last year, Jiang Ruan mentioned cultivating medicinal herbs, and she successfully managed to grow a variety that can treat ailments. The herb’s stems and leaves, when added to feed, improved the quality of the farmed chickens and ducks. A man named Xun Li from the city started sourcing from her to open a fried chicken shop, which then became a competitor to Chang Linyan’s business.”

“Chang Linyan acquired feed and seeds from Dawang Village but couldn’t replicate the success. She then approached the village chief, asking him to promote chicken farming throughout the area, but Jiang Ruan refused.”

“How did she end up in the detention center?” Zhong Guangyuan asked without showing any emotion.

At this moment, his mood was hard to decipher, but it was clear that he was upset.

The secretary cautiously replied, “Chang Linyan’s employee, the nephew of the herbal doctor who taught Jiang Ruan medicine, reported her to the authorities, accusing her of murdering the doctor for money.”

Jiang Ruan had saved several lives, and Zhong Guangyuan did not believe she would kill someone over a prescription.

He muttered in frustration, “How could the township chief take advice from Chang Linyan? Doesn’t he have any sense?”

The secretary gently reminded him, “Chang Linyan has been telling people that she’s related to you.”

Zhong Guangyuan: … It turns out he was the one who inadvertently sowed the seeds of this trouble.

…

The Dawang Village chief didn’t expect Secretary Zhong to visit and scrambled to accommodate him, secretly relieved that he had followed Chang Linyan’s advice. Her reciprocation appeared to be paying off with Zhong Guangyuan’s visit.

Zhong Guangyuan waved him off and said, “Earlier this year, a young friend helped treat my rheumatism with great results. She mentioned that she was working on cultivating some medicinal herbs here in Dawang Village. This is an important endeavor for the people, and I’ve kept it in mind. I thought I’d come to check on the farming progress.”

The township chief was stunned. Did this mean Jiang Ruan had treated Zhong Guangyuan?

The secretary said with a kind smile, “Chief Chu, Secretary Zhong has a meeting this afternoon. Please lead the way. Jiang Ruan should be in the village today, right?”

Jiang Ruan was actually being held at the township’s detention center.

The village chief felt a headache coming on and beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He cautiously asked, “Secretary Zhong, what’s your relationship with Madam Chang Linyan?”

Zhong Guangyuan didn’t bother to answer the foolish question.

The secretary’s expression turned serious, and he said sternly, “Madam Chang is merely the widow of Secretary Zhong’s late comrade. There’s no close relationship. That’s all there is to it. Chief Chu, you’re not planning on spreading any rumors about Secretary Zhong, are you? Secretary Zhong is a bachelor who has dedicated his life to serving the people.”

Chief Chu nearly had a heart attack from fear and quickly explained, “It wasn’t me who said anything, it was Madam Chang who claimed to be your relative. Jiang Ruan is at the township’s detention center. I’ll arrange to have her brought to the village right away.”