Ye Qing only wanted to shut down Lin Wanās family store, preventing them from reopening, never thinking of causing anyoneās death. Before Mei Langchi left, he specifically sought a friend from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau responsible for this district, hoping to resolve the matter smoothly. Who knew this issue would be so hard to handle, and now someone was injured, naturally causing him worry.
Watching from a distance as people covered in blood were carried out, Ye Qing did not linger, but turned and silently blended into the crowd.
After Xiao Gu was sent to the hospital, he was immediately rushed into the emergency room. Upon receiving the news, Hu Bin and Liu Wei hurried over. They were both from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, with connections in various districts. Liu Wei belonged to this district and today heard someone was causing trouble for the hot pot restaurant, prompting him to quickly come to check. Hu Bin was passing by on business and learned of the incident at the hot pot restaurant upon passing, but both were a step too late, offering comfort to Liang Hongmei.
"This situation seems fishy, you probably offended someone who also has connections in the bureau and wants to mess with your store. Iām not clear on this yet, but I will help investigate tomorrow. Those people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau are ours, and if they stabbed someone, they must take responsibility," Liu Wei said.
"Are there any issues with the storeās paperwork or hygiene?" Hu Bin asked.
"No real issues, we buy the vegetables we use every morning at the market, and our kitchen counters are always spotless. The Industrial and Commercial Bureau frequently checks us, and each time, we are the model for this area."
Hu Bin sighed, knowing without guessing that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Right now, Xiao Guās life is crucial, and Liang Hongmei quickly gave Aunt Gui money to rush the paperwork.
After being loaded into the car, Xiao Gu had already passed out, and no one knew the situation inside at this point.
"Iāll help you report this to the police; donāt worry, this matter canāt be let go just like that. Just now, I saw the kid isnāt too seriously injured, so rest assuredāthough heāll likely suffer and need to recuperate for a few days," Hu Bin contemplated briefly and said.
"All right, weāll follow your lead. Xiao Wan isnāt home right now, and my son doesnāt know about this, and Iām at a lossādonāt know what to do," Liang Hongmei expressed urgently.
Hu Bin then asked Liu Weiās opinion, considering those people were his colleagues.
"Report it," Liu Wei said without any concern.
"Xiao Liu, we canāt report this to the police, we are all colleagues, you need to help us. We really didnāt do it on purpose." Liu Wei just nodded, when confronted by several people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau rushing over. Liu Wei coldly regarded the approaching group, saying, "Brother, donāt you know the store you shut is my relativeās? Usually, this store is rated as excellent; I donāt know what the reason is this time for suddenly storming in during non-routine checks, picking faultsāthis clearly disrespects me."
His words caught several people off guard; they hadnāt expected this connection, especially since Director Hu from Central Street had shown up.
Only then did they realize this hot pot restaurant is not simple, today their superior told them to check a store, and they were trying to ingratiate themselves by coming over. They hadnāt expected the situation to be so complicated, risking their uniforms.
The leader began speaking, "Since we indeed made the initial mistake, regardless, letās first get the person treated, then discuss the rest and find a resolution."
"Yes, yes, yes, we all take responsibility; please donāt report this to the police."
This time, the one speaking was the rude man who previously attacked Xiao Gu. Now, realizing fear, he deeply bowed to Liang Hongmei, "Iām sorry, I was too impulsive earlier, causing injury. Iāll cover the medical expenses and the costs for recuperation."
"Do you think weāre short of money?" Liang Hongmei replied with a cold laugh, "How about I stab you a few times, admit error, and then pay the medical expenses? Is there such good fortune in this world? I just found out today youāre the peopleās public servants."
"Dear... Big sister, no one wanted this incident to happen; donāt you agree? We genuinely came to apologize, we understand youāre upset, you can handle this however you wish besides reporting it to the police. Weāll take care of the young man until heās fully recovered. Will that work?" Losing his previous arrogance, he pleaded helplessly, "Big sister, honestly, nobody wants things to happen like this, and we donāt either. If you trace it back, he was the one who picked up the bottle first."
"Would he have grabbed the bottle if you hadnāt attacked us first?" Liang Hongmei retorted angrily.
"Yes, yes, yes, the crucial thing is that the person is okay now, then we can take good care of them. Besides, we werenāt here to fight; itās official business conducted formally, you have to understand us, correct?"
"Understand what? You went against women and children and expect understanding? You say official business, and we let you conduct it, right? You wanted to close the store, and we allowed it, but you wonāt let the storeās belongings be movedāis that freezing assets? Weāre not legally savvy, but weāre no fools. If the city canāt resolve this, weāll go to the province; surely weāll find someone in charge somewhere." Aunt Liu and Aunt Gui came back from paying the fees and countered fiercely, their voices loud in the quiet hospital. Aunt Liuās shout echoed, drawing nearby onlookersā attention.
Hu Bin sneered, "Is reasoning so effective? Where did all your expertise go? Youāre enforcing the law, but youāre clearly being unreasonable. How are you any different from thugs? If itās okay to just pay compensation after injuring people, then maybe we should beat you and send you to the hospital, how about that?"
"Director Hu, calm down, we acknowledge our handling was inadequate. This matter was genuinely unintentional; we were following our superiorās instructions, just aiming to shut down a store, never intending to harm anyone. Besides, weāre not strangers to their establishment, we know their situation." The leading man pulled out a cigarette, "Come, Xiao Liu, Director Hu, have a smoke... This matter, Xiao Liu knows, there must be someone scheming. We ended up being used as tools."
"You knew and still came; thatās knowingly breaking the law, right?" Liu Wei said coldly.
"We... weāve only just realized what happened."
"Letās first bring this issue to the heads of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau. Closing the store but freezing assets is inexplicable. Their original notice only prohibited opening the store, without mentioning removing items. You staff members, knowingly breaking the law, storming in like bandits, must give us an explanation. The medical expenses undoubtedly are yours to cover, for surgeries and recuperation, not one penny less." Liang Hongmei coldly stared at the instigators, "We are ordinary citizens, not people to be bullied whimsically. We run our business diligently, never cheating or doing anything against our conscience. I can boldly claim no restaurant in the vicinity can match our value. If someone accuses us of exploitation, our employees know best whether we do. Everyoneās well aware of the real situation; today this matter doesnāt end." After a pause, she directly demanded, "You all can leave, weāll keep the receipts for the medical costs; none of it will be omitted."
After exchanging glances, someone finally spoke, "Alright, we will go back and return tomorrow."
Seeing the unfavorable scene, realizing people were angry, they knew talking was futile, they heard Liang Hongmeiās formidable words clearly. The people understood the underlying issue and once the immediate chaos was sorted, they needed to quickly relay information back.
After they left the hospital, they noticed a car parked across the street, pulling up directly in front as their superior exited the vehicle, blocking the hospitalās entrance and quickly inquiring about the situation.
After being informed of the incident inside, the superiorās face turned grim, "Incompetent troublemakers, you were supposed to close a store yet nearly caused a casualty."
"Sir, itās not our fault; you ordered the seizure of all items and money inside. We didnāt know the owner was sharp and exposed us on the spot. We had no options. Plus, your nephew, who just started two days ago, was reckless, unreasonably beating their adopted son without distinguishing reason, then striking some women in the store."