He had never restricted her freedom, but now he hoped she would avoid traveling at night altogether, no matter how urgent the situation.

If she could take the train, she should.

He couldn’t stand the “what if.”

He was already thinking of training Jiang Lin in shooting and applying to the provincial Public Security Bureau under the name of her research institute to allow her to carry a gun.

Having a gun, even just to fire into the air, could scare off those who rob for money.

These criminals were after loot, not a direct confrontation.

Jiang Lin said, “Even if I install these safety measures, it only protects me. The Public Security Department needs to take this seriously to ensure the safety of more people.”

If Lu Hang had been driving an SUV this time, he likely wouldn’t have been in trouble.

But since this incident happened, it indicates that these highway bullies are becoming more rampant, and more citizens will suffer. They need to be dealt with severely.

She planned to gather her friends and students to write a letter to the provincial government, demanding that the provincial committee take it seriously and issue strict orders to crack down on highway bullies and robbers.

As long as a rigorous crackdown is enforced from top to bottom, she believed these malignant elements couldn’t remain unscathed.

Additionally, she thought it was time to develop more self-defense equipment.

She shared her ideas with Cheng Rushan, including designs for anti-slash helmets, portable stun guns, and other devices to help ordinary people protect themselves.

Cheng Rushan replied, “That’s a great idea. I’ll help you contact firearms experts to provide professional guidance.”

“Shan Ge, you’re so kind.”

Finding something she could do made Jiang Lin feel uplifted again.

Her unhappiness came from feeling powerless and frustrated.

Now that she felt she could contribute something, her previous dejection vanished, and she felt rejuvenated.

Cheng Rushan glanced at her and then focused on the road ahead, steering with one hand while holding her hand with the other. “Whatever you want to do, I support you.”

They had no other support; he was her support, and she was his. With mutual understanding and support, they would never be shaken.

Jiang Lin, now in high spirits and with a renewed sense of purpose, suggested, “There are still many homemade guns and semi-automatic rifles in the countryside. It’s best to confiscate them all.”

During the People’s Commune era, the countryside had militia armed with weapons.

After the commune was abolished, the militia was disbanded, but many weapons remained in households.

Some even openly made and used homemade guns.

Now, many highway bullies and robbers carry guns, which is very dangerous.

Cheng Rushan nodded slightly, “That’s a good suggestion. I’ll bring it up at the Provincial Committee meeting.”

Although he was the Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the old director had no hope of promotion and would retire to the Provincial People’s Congress to enjoy his retirement.

Naturally, he was willing to give real power to Cheng Rushan.

Only very complicated issues that were beyond Cheng Rushan’s level would be handed to the old director.

Since there hadn’t been such complicated cases yet, the old director was quite content.

As a result, Cheng Rushan often attended many meetings, especially some regular Provincial Committee meetings, on behalf of the old director.

In the evening, they stayed in a work accommodation.

Her room was actually quite nice, with facilities like a shower, mosquito coils, mosquito nets, glass windows, and wooden floors.

The next day, Cheng Rushan went to work, while Jiang Lin handed over her tasks to Su Xingyun and Zhang Shaopeng before heading to meet with the deputy editor of the provincial newspaper.

After Zeng Hongjie graduated from college, she didn’t pursue further studies but went straight to the provincial newspaper and later became the editor-in-chief.

In recent years, she had been traveling around the country rather than staying in the provincial capital.

Jiang Lin had a feeling that Zeng Hongjie was dealing with something, but since Zeng Hongjie didn’t mention it, no one else could find out, so they could only pretend not to know.

Even though Zeng Hongjie was not in town, she kept in touch with Jiang Lin through letters, phone calls, and postcards.

She had instructed her deputy editor to support Jiang Lin unconditionally if needed and to handle matters on her behalf.

Now that Jiang Lin wanted to use the provincial newspaper to expose the rampant local bullies and highway criminals, the deputy editor fully supported her.

Not only did he support her, but he also mobilized some reporters who frequently traveled to rural areas to collect first-hand information for Jiang Lin, ensuring the articles they wrote would be accurate and impeccable.

After discussing with the deputy editor, Jiang Lin then went to meet with Sun Qinghui and some teachers and students from the provincial university’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering departments to ask for their help in developing some self-defense equipment.

Sun Qinghui was originally from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the provincial university and now worked as an engineer at a machinery factory, focusing on the integration of mechanical and electrical engineering.

This aligned with Jiang Lin’s ideas.

She wanted Sun Qinghui to help develop a civilian stun baton, with the voltage controlled to a non-lethal level but still powerful enough to incapacitate an attacker instantly.

Sun Qinghui asked, “Jiang Lin, what if bad people buy it after it’s developed?”

Jiang Lin smiled and replied, “Who’s stopping them? They already have guns, sticks, and stones. What do ordinary people have? Just their bare hands. If we develop a stun baton, ordinary people will have this weapon too. Meanwhile, the bad people will still have guns, stones, sticks, and perhaps even stun batons.”

It’s about giving ordinary people a chance to protect themselves.

Sun Qinghui said, “Alright, I’ll help you.”

Jiang Lin replied, “Thank you. Since I met you in the countryside, you’ve always been helping me.”

“Don’t say that as if we’re strangers. You’ve helped us even more. We went barefoot into the countryside and came back barefoot; if we don’t help each other, who will?”

Jiang Lin smiled.

True friends don’t need to constantly express their feelings with words; they just give their all when needed.

She was grateful.

As summer arrived, Jiang Lin was finally able to relax a bit.

The project was on track, and with people like Su Xingyun and Zhang Shaopeng ensuring everything ran smoothly, she was able to take a few days off.

During these days, Jiang Lin stayed at home with Yan Runzhi, watching TV and researching recipes to regain some of the weight she had lost.

She also went to see Dabao and Xiaobao play soccer in high school.

The two brothers were exceptionally handsome, and their mother watched with great pride.

She attended Baosheng’s campus storytelling event as well.

This girl outshone her brothers; she organized a storytelling event at her elementary school, where she listened to classmates’ stories and shared experiences.

She could draw inspiration from their stories and help soothe their hearts, gradually helping them open up.

It was a remarkable ability.

Despite her youth, she had never studied psychology, yet she had an innate talent for reaching people’s hearts.

Jiang Lin felt enriched by this experience and believed that youthful enthusiasm never truly fades.

One day, she went to Cheng Rushan’s office to find him and invited him to watch Dabao and Xiaobao’s soccer game.

Wen Sheng, Baosheng, and others would also be there, and she asked Cheng Rushan not to be late.

Whenever she invited him, Cheng Rushan, no matter how busy, would agree, make some arrangements, and quickly freshen up and change into a shirt and trousers.

As Cheng Rushan went to drive, Jiang Lin waited at the door.

Suddenly, Bian Haitao rushed in from outside.

He was wearing a uniform, his hair was wet, and he was sweating profusely, looking somewhat disheveled.

Jiang Lin frowned slightly and moved aside, not wanting to speak with him.

To her surprise, Bian Haitao approached her and said, in a tone that was both restrained and loud enough for others to hear, “Jiang Lin, tell Cheng Rushan that if he continues to provoke us, he’ll face the consequences!”

Jiang Lin, who had initially ignored him, now responded with a cold smile, “Director Bian, please show some respect and be mindful of your position. You’re not a reckless teenager; speaking such rude words like this is beneath your dignity!”

Those coming and going overheard and looked on with curiosity.

Some who recognized them asked, “Director Bian, Dean Jiang, is there a misunderstanding?”

Bian Haitao looked at Jiang Lin with a suggestive gaze and a tone of frustration, “It’s nothing, just came to ask.”

At that moment, Cheng Rushan drove up.

Seeing Bian Haitao, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel and, with a roar, accelerated the Jeep towards him.

“Ah—” Bian Haitao, caught off guard, screamed and scrambled to avoid the oncoming vehicle.

Of course, Cheng Rushan had no intention of hitting him.

He smoothly parked the car next to Jiang Lin, then opened the door.

Jiang Lin quickly got in, closed the door, and ignored Bian Haitao.

They were running out of time and couldn’t afford to be late.

Bian Haitao, realizing what was happening, was infuriated and quickly moved to the car, pressing his hand on the window.

He demanded, “Let’s have a word.”

Cheng Rushan coldly replied, “I have nothing to say to you.”

“Cheng Rushan, don’t push your luck!” Bian Haitao’s face twisted with anger, looking desperate.

Cheng Rushan was about to drive away, but Bian Haitao was quick to block the car’s path, determined to prevent them from leaving.

A small crowd had gathered at the entrance, curious about what was happening.

“Could it be that he’s unwilling to be investigated?”

“What’s there to be unwilling about? As long as Director Cheng has evidence, no one should resist being investigated.”

“Didn’t hear about an investigation into Bian? It must be something else.”

“I heard it’s about a personal issue…” someone whispered, “Director Jiang.”

Everyone immediately turned their attention to Jiang Lin in the car.

Although she was in her thirties, her skin was still as fair as ever, with a youthful glow in her cheeks and clear, bright eyes. She looked like she could be in her twenties.

Was she involved with Bian?

“No way! Director Cheng is so handsome and capable.”

“It seems like it’s from the past.”

Oh, so she had been with Bian before and then married Director Cheng.

Got it.

The onlookers exchanged glances, enjoying the drama.

This was exactly what Bian Haitao wanted.

He had heard that Cheng Rushan was investigating him and suspected that Cheng Rushan was out to destroy him.

He had always suspected that Cheng Rushan was targeting him and had been spreading such rumors.

However, without evidence and without Cheng Rushan taking any actual action, Bian Haitao felt tormented.

He was convinced that Cheng Rushan would eventually act against him, and the inaction only added to his anxiety.

He thought it would be better if there were a public investigation, so he would know what steps to take next.

He deliberately sought out Cheng Rushan to stir up trouble.

Regardless of what he said on the surface, people would be drawn to the relationship between Cheng Rushan and Jiang Lin.

In matters of relationships, especially with beautiful women, such gossip always attracts more attention than serious issues and is more talked about.

His intention was to shift people’s focus onto the romantic aspect, making it seem like Cheng Rushan was investigating him not because of any real wrongdoing but out of jealousy and a desire for revenge.

If he could prove this, Cheng Rushan’s investigation would face obstacles, be discredited, and possibly even lead to his dismissal!

He had his calculations and acting skills, but unfortunately, he was up against Cheng Rushan.

When Cheng Rushan once again looked at Jiang Lin with a suggestive gaze, he immediately pushed the door open and got out of the car.

Seeing Cheng Rushan was lured out, Bian Haitao felt a surge of triumph and provocatively shouted, “Cheng Rushan, if you want to investigate, do it openly and honestly. Don’t resort to personal revenge. I have a…”

Before he could finish saying Jiang Lin’s name, Cheng Rushan’s punch came like a gust of wind, landing a powerful left hook to Bian Haitao’s face.

“You—” Bian Haitao was stunned by the blow, collapsing to the ground.

If Cheng Rushan hadn’t controlled his force and avoided hitting vital areas, that punch could have knocked him out cold.

Cheng Rushan leaned down, grabbed Bian Haitao, and threw him against the wall of the nearby artificial fountain.

Bian Haitao, who had initially planned to show weakness and not fight back, was now dazed and unable to speak.

He wanted to resist because the humiliation of being thrown around was too much to bear.

Unfortunately, Cheng Rushan gave him no chance to resist.

Regardless of how he wanted to fight back, he was forced to remain in a humiliating position.

Cheng Rushan looked down at him with utter disdain. “Bian Haitao, whether you’re trying to create public opinion or muddy the waters, or drag my wife into it, I guarantee I’ll destroy you!”

Over the years, even though Bian Haitao might still have feelings for Jiang Lin, Jiang Lin had none for him.

He had always been relatively restrained and kept his distance, never crossing any lines.

But today, he was acting like a reckless teenager, not caring about his own dignity to provoke Cheng Rushan.

Did he think Cheng Rushan wouldn’t see through it?

“Instead of letting people speculate about my wife, why not conduct a public investigation and see if you, Director Bian, have any dealings with the beautiful artist, the mysterious fortune teller, or any of the local entrepreneurs?”

Bian Haitao’s pupils suddenly contracted and then widened.

He gritted his teeth and said, “Cheng Rushan, you’re trying to frame me and take revenge for personal reasons!”

Cheng Rushan pushed him aside, washed his hands in the fountain, and sneered, “The Monkey King will be waiting for you up ahead.”