Chapter 6: Jia Dongxu Taken Away

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Jia Dongxu’s heart raced in panic, and the more anxious he became, the less he knew how to explain himself. In the end, he could only cast a pleading look toward his mentor, Yi Zhonghai.

Sensing Jia Dongxu’s desperate gaze, Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

He had just spent a thousand yuan to solve a problem for the Jia family. Yet barely an hour had passed, and the Jia family had already provoked this Wang Lin.

Yi Zhonghai, a sharp man, had already suspected from the attitude of the police and Director Wang that Wang Lin’s identity was anything but ordinary—definitely someone they shouldn’t mess with.

But Jia Dongxu was his ward, and having already spent a considerable sum, the thought of abandoning him was painful.

“Officer, Jia Dongxu is definitely not that kind of person. He’s very honest and filial. You can ask the people in the courtyard,” Yi Zhonghai vouched for him.

Hearing Yi Zhonghai speak up, Jia Dongxu’s heart leapt with hope and he quickly chimed in.

“Yes, yes, you can ask the people in the courtyard. I’m definitely not a bad person.”

The veteran policeman swept his gaze over the crowd from the Fourth Middle School and said calmly,

“Is what they’re saying true? Think carefully before you answer. Perjury is a crime.”

At the officer’s words, although Yi Zhonghai’s influence in the courtyard was longstanding and no one dared defy him, they feared the law more.

Under the police’s stern gaze, not a single person spoke up. Wherever the officer looked, heads dropped, and no one dared meet his eyes.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai’s expression grew very grim.

Jia Dongxu turned pale, so frightened that he lost control of his bladder. He knew that if no one explained on his behalf, he would be taken away by the police.

In a desperate bid to save himself, Jia Dongxu hurried to explain everything in detail to the police, including how Wang the matchmaker and Qin Huairu had stood him up yesterday.

The old policeman listened but refused to make a decision, instead glancing toward Wang Lin to see how he would respond.

Wang Lin merely sneered lightly, and the veteran officer immediately knew how to proceed.

“If someone hasn’t agreed to a match, it means they don’t fancy you. Even if you have been introduced, until you’re married, she’s not your wife. You have no right to lay hands on Qin Huairu. Since you have, that’s a crime. Now come with me to the police station.”

“No, you can’t take my son away. Whoever takes him away, I’ll fight you.”

Seeing the police about to take Jia Dongxu away, Mrs. Jia Zhang lost her composure and rushed to block him.

The old policeman frowned deeply and said displeased,

“You’re obstructing our law enforcement!”

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As the old policeman spoke, he gave a meaningful glance to the two younger officers beside him.

The two young policemen, taking the hint, stepped forward and restrained Mrs. Jia Zhang.

One had to admit, Mrs. Jia Zhang’s strength was formidable. The two young policemen couldn’t subdue her immediately.

For the sake of her son, Mrs. Jia Zhang no longer feared the police. She plopped down on the ground and began to throw a tantrum, thrashing and rolling.

“Oh dear, Old Jia, come back and see! Everyone in the courtyard is bullying us poor widows and orphans! Hurry back and put them in their place.”

The veteran policeman’s face darkened at what he called the “summoning of the undead.”

“Mrs. Jia Zhang, you’re quite bold, spreading feudal superstitions, are you?”

Hearing the cold rebuke, Mrs. Jia Zhang felt a chill run through her body, as if a fierce beast was staring her down.

“Take both of them away.”

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai quickly stepped forward with a conciliatory smile.

“Officer, Mrs. Jia Zhang isn’t spreading superstitions. She’s just lonely because she’s the only elder at home and her son is about to be taken away. She’s thinking of her late husband.”

Yi Zhonghai exchanged subtle glances with Second Uncle Liu Haizhong and Third Uncle Yan Bugui, knowing that the police wouldn’t listen to him alone.

“Yes, what Big Uncle says is true.”

Second Uncle Liu Haizhong wasn’t sure what to say, but to maintain the courtyard’s reputation and avoid offending Yi Zhonghai, he had to speak up in agreement.

“Indeed, Officer. Mrs. Jia Zhang is not spreading superstition. We will counsel her well so that no matter how much she misses her late husband in the future, she won’t shout like this.”

Third Uncle Yan Bugui, a cultured man, spoke convincingly.

Still, the old policeman wouldn’t make a decision on his own and looked toward Wang Lin.

Wang Lin nodded slightly.

With Wang Lin’s approval, the veteran policeman relaxed. After all, Yi Zhonghai was a Grade 8 fitter at Red Star Steelworks—it might come in handy someday.

“Take Jia Dongxu away.”

Following the order, the two young policemen forcibly led Jia Dongxu out of the courtyard.

Mrs. Jia Zhang tried to stop them, but at Yi Zhonghai’s signal, the usually idle Shazhu stepped forward to block her.

“Aunt Jia, you must stay calm. If you go in with Brother Dongxu, your Jia family will be finished.”

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He Daqing was dumbfounded and utterly disappointed in his foolish son.

“What a fool. Can’t just watch the show quietly—has to go cause trouble.”

Though He Daqing was as rough as Shazhu, he was smart. Wang Lin’s identity was clearly extraordinary, and their family couldn’t afford to provoke him.

But now that Shazhu had stepped forward, He Daqing had no choice but to intervene to prevent Shazhu from making matters worse with Wang Lin.

“Mrs. Jia Zhang, don’t be ungrateful. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll deal with you myself.”

By then, Jia Dongxu had been taken away, and Mrs. Jia Zhang, already fearful of He Daqing, dared not speak under his threat.

“I’ll give you one day. By this time tomorrow, Huairu and I will come back. If the house isn’t cleaned up, you’ll be coming with us.”

With that, Wang Lin left the courtyard with Qin Huairu.

“Going to the factory for a meeting.”

“H-Husband, am I going to the meeting too?”

Qin Huairu was a little at a loss. Though she was from the countryside, she knew factory meetings weren’t for her to attend.

“No worries, I’m here.”

Wang Lin spoke calmly and led Qin Huairu away.

Hearing Wang Lin’s words, Yi Zhonghai’s heart sank further. From Wang Lin’s tone, it was clear his identity was far more complex than just a deputy director at the steelworks.

Seeing Wang Lin and the others leave the courtyard, Big Uncle Yi Zhonghai quickly spoke up.

“Everyone, please help move Mrs. Jia Zhang’s things back to her home.”

If anyone else asked, the courtyard residents might not listen, but with Big Uncle Yi Zhonghai’s long-standing prestige, no one dared refuse unless it was a special circumstance.

“Alright, we’ll follow Big Uncle’s orders.”

While the others busied themselves moving the belongings, only Shazhu kept watching the direction where Wang Lin had left.

He wore a dreamy smile, lost in thought, his mind a mystery.