Cai Ying sat in his chair, a mountain of pressure on his mind.
He held Lin Fan's phone, hesitating whether to make the call.
If he did, and last night's scene repeated, with thousands of people swarming in, the police station itself might be torn to shreds.
But if he didn't, Wu Tao would be allowed to take the person away.
Cai Ying was a smart man. From Xie Sisi's words, he understood that she had brought a group of subordinates to avenge her husband, only to be thoroughly defeated by Lin Fan.
"Sigh~ Forget it, let it be what it will be."
Cai Ying felt a surge of anger just thinking of Xie Sisi's smug face.
He picked up his phone, entered the lock screen password, and opened the contacts.
"Who should I call?"
Cai Ying looked at the string of peculiar contact names, "Luofeng Village Committee."
This entry reminded him of the heroic young woman from last night.
Not only had she not joined in the commotion, but she had also stepped forward to help maintain order, proving herself to be a sensible person.
Xie Sisi's arrogant and overbearing demeanor flashed in Cai Ying's mind again, making him feel sick to his stomach.
Both were young women, yet the difference between them was so vast.
He pressed the dial button and patiently waited for the call to connect.
—
Luofeng Village, Village Committee.
Tian Mengyao returned to her office slowly, like a frosted eggplant.
In pursuit of her dream to one day be as respected by the villagers as Lin Fan, she had personally handled the medicinal herb planting cooperative, pouring all her effort into it. The result was undeniable: she was busier and more exhausted than anyone, her voice hoarse and her calves aching to the point of twitching.
"Oh."
Tian Mengyao sank into her chair.
She habitually turned on her computer, took a sip of the now-cool water from her thermos, and planned to rest before making dinner.
Buzz buzz…
The phone on the desk rang.
Tian Mengyao picked up her phone and saw that it was Lin Fan's number.
"You scoundrel, you just have to make me call you to the village committee!"
"I can't be the only one suffering!"
"Hello, Xiao Fan, where are you slacking off now?"
Tian Mengyao asked irritably.
There was no immediate reply from the other end. She paused, a sense of unease creeping in.
"Hello, is this Secretary Tian of Luofeng Village Committee?"
Cai Ying asked in a low voice, finding a secluded corner.
"You are…"
Tian Mengyao found the voice somewhat familiar.
"I am Cai Ying, the director of the Shimen Town Police Station."
"Hello, Director Cai. How do you have Xiao Fan's phone?"
Tian Mengyao's tone was rapid.
She had some impression of this person. When Secretary Zhou Weiguo had led her to familiarize herself with the local setup, he had already made arrangements for the heads of various departments to expect their visit.
Who knew that Cai Ying had been on a mission, which had caused Zhou Weiguo to fly into a rage? It was only after she had spoken up for Cai Ying that Zhou Weiguo had relented.
However, Cai Ying was unaware of this, and therefore hadn't recognized her when they met last night.
"Secretary Tian, please calm down first."
"Okay, I'm not agitated. Tell me quickly."
Tian Mengyao sat up straight, her expression fluctuating.
"It's likely that Doctor Lin was set up. He injured quite a few people and is currently being held at our police station by the criminal investigation team. He'll be transferred to them for processing shortly. You'd best notify his family, or find some connections…"
"Okay, I understand."
Tian Mengyao hung up immediately after speaking.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and she frantically tried to find connections.
She called the director of the Public Security Bureau, but it was busy.
Zhou Weiguo's number also wouldn't connect.
She was unaware that the city committee was holding a meeting today, and everyone's phones were turned off.
When her trembling fingers hovered over the third number, her emotions finally broke.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she navigated to the family section and pressed her father's phone number.
Ring ring…
"Mengyao, I'm about to attend a meeting. Is there something urgent?"
Tian Yutang, who walked with a brisk stride and a straight posture, answered the phone.
The secretary beside him dared not make a sound and quietly retreated.
Judging by the address, she was indeed the daughter of Minister Tian; there were certain things she absolutely should not overhear.
"Dad~"
A voice choked with sobs made Tian Yutang's heart lurch.
"Mengyao, don't cry. What happened?"
Tian Yutang asked urgently.
"Dad, yesterday someone named Jin Zhe led a team to the village, intending to seal Doctor Lin's clinic. I tried to stop them, and I was beaten."
"What did you say?!"
Tian Yutang instantly became enraged, his every hair standing on end.
"Mengyao, how are you now?"
"I... I'm in pain all over."
Tian Mengyao sobbed, indeed appearing as though she had just been beaten and deeply wronged.
"Today, they also sent people to arrest Doctor Lin. He's being held at the Shimen Town Police Station. I've tried calling several times but couldn't reach anyone…"
Tian Mengyao's crying, complete with sniffles and tears, made Tian Yutang's heart ache.
That was his daughter, his pampered daughter, whom he had never even dared to strike. Now she had been beaten, and he felt the pain all over himself.
"Mengyao, don't worry. Old Mr. Lin will surely be alright. I'll call your mother later and ask her to send someone to pick you up and take you to the hospital."
Despite his fury, Tian Yutang's mind remained clear.
Tian Mengyao, on the other hand, felt a pang of guilt upon hearing the term "Old Mr. Lin."
"Dad, I'm not seriously injured. Please save him first."
Tian Mengyao urged.
"Okay, don't rush. I'll make some calls."
Tian Yutang hung up the phone, his face ashen, his eyes bloodshot.
The secretary beside him felt a chill run down his spine, not daring to even breathe.
Every time Minister Tian looked like this, someone was bound to face misfortune!
—
Shimen Town Police Station.
Cai Ying stared blankly at his phone, surprised by Tian Mengyao's abrupt hang-up.
"Please don't do anything foolish!"
Cai Ying muttered worriedly.
As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang.
Sister Zhou?
He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hahaha!"
Zhou Yi was laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.
She was at a high-end club for a dinner gathering. Someone at the table mentioned the matter of Lin Fan's supposed deception, and upon hearing it, she immediately guessed the truth. She then excused herself to the restroom and called Lin Fan.
"Xiao Fan, why didn't you tell me you caused such a stir? Are you not considering me your sister anymore?"
Zhou Yi finally stopped laughing and straightened up.
"Hello, I am the director of the Shimen Town Police Station."
Cai Ying asked, "Are you a family member of Lin Fan?"
Hearing her claim to be Lin Fan's sister, he believed her.
"Yes."
Zhou Yi readily admitted.
"It's like this…"
Cai Ying explained Lin Fan's situation.
Zhou Yi thanked him, her expression darkening, and hung up the phone, hurrying back to the private room.
"Director Zhou, you're back."
"What's wrong? You were laughing at us, why the grim face now?"
"Seriously, Sister Zhou, you owe us an apology. At least three drinks for self-punishment."
The people present were unaware of the situation and were still immersed in the revelry.