"Her baby says she's crazy, the doctor says she's crazy, and people around her say she's crazy. What else can she be if she's not crazy?"
"Where are you talking about?"
"Don't you understand?!"
…
It’s still the living room of Liu Weidong’s house.
It's still the same gang of victims, but compared to the last gathering, the number of people has been reduced by one-third.
A small living room with only a few people.
Beneath the red-faced argument was the panic and cowardice that could not be concealed.
Qian Shizhong was stunned on the sofa, his eyes empty.
He worked a lot on this case, and regardless of his old age and disability, he kept collecting evidence and visiting old friends.
But.
The more you work hard and the more you pay, the heavier the blow of failure will be.
He was more lost, confused, panicked, helpless than anyone else in the field, and even had a little bit of fear that he would never admit.
"Old money? Old money!"
The calls from others pulled him out of his sluggish state.
He looked up and saw everyone looking at him eagerly.
"What did you say?"
What to say? What else to say?
Lao Qian opened his mouth and said some words of encouragement in a confused manner; he dismissed the party in a confused manner; he went downstairs in a confused manner, touched his pockets, and forgot to take the car keys.
…………
The most vicious joke fate can play on a person is to hand hope in front of one's eyes and then have one watch it be destroyed before one's eyes.
Zou Ping was lying in a wheelchair, staring at the ceiling aimlessly. This woman, who was still sharp and stubborn even though she was half-paralyzed, was rarely tired at this moment.
Liu Weidong stayed by her side, holding his wife's hand without saying a word. The yellow dog seemed to be aware of its owner's mood, crawling beside the wheelchair, lowering his body and sobbing.
The party had dispersed, and the room was quiet except for the sound of cars and people outside the window.
"Brother Liu, Sister Zou."
A greeting sounded from the side.
But there was a young man leaning against the door with a cane and a hesitant look in his eyes.
The young man's surname was Kong, and he was also one of the victims of the black cell in the quarry. Others secretly called him "17", which was the number of the stone prison where he was imprisoned.
Of all the people, he was imprisoned the most harshly and injured the most. It made other people feel sad and deeply impressed.
"It's a small hole." Looking at the outsiders, Liu Weidong forced out a smile. "Did you forget something?"
The young man shook his head.
"I'm leaving."
Liu Weidong was a little confused by what he said, but he still warned: "Then walk slowly and pay attention to safety, tomorrow..."
The young man interrupted him.
"I want to leave Qishui."
Having said this.
Liu Weidong was stunned, but Zou Ping was furious.
She turned her head sharply, and a bellyful of vicious curses came to her mouth skillfully. But when she saw the young man and the crutch in his hand, she remembered the scene when she visited the hospital - at that time, the little boy
Kong was changing his dressing, and his pale face was full of weakness hanging by a thread. After the layers of bandages on his thigh were untied, there was a wound that had festered to the bone.
As a result, the insults that came to my lips were no longer easy to utter.
She thought of Zhang Jie again, thought of Cao Xiaofang, and thought of Lao Qian's confusion and helplessness, and her anger dissipated little by little.
"Let's go, go farther. It's better to be a deserter than a traitor."
Zou Ping's voice became lower and lower, but the young man did not leave, but came over.
"Sister Zou, Brother Liu." He pursed his lips, "As you know, I am not a local, and I have no relatives or friends in Qishui. I was hospitalized some time ago, and it was you who helped take care of me, especially Brother Liu.
, make soup for me, help me go to the toilet..."
Liu Weidong shook his head.
"What's the point of talking about this now?"
The young man did not answer, but instead asked an irrelevant rhetorical question.
"Do you know Tai Chi Club?"
Of course the couple knew that this was an old local club, known as the "heaven on earth" in Qishui. The couple didn't understand why the young man mentioned this, so they listened to him continue:
"The owner of that club is called He Taiji. He is a well-connected and experienced middleman. He often helps Hong Daihai and some people on the white road to thread needles and threads, and holds small gatherings in private rooms to connect with each other. I originally worked in this club.
Foreman, but some time ago, my family called me and said that my dad suddenly fainted on the construction site. When he went to the hospital, he found out that it was brain cancer. But it was discovered in time and he could be saved, but he needed a lot of help.
Big money.”
He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep breath.
"I may never make that much money in my lifetime."
He smiled.
"So, I had a bad idea. I installed a camera in the best private room in the club, and it happened to capture Hong Daihai and some big shots on the road. I used this video to ask Hong Daihai for money. As you can see, the money
If I didn’t get it, I would have been caught first.”
He paused.
"Fortunately, Hong Daihai wanted that video. If I didn't tell him, his men wouldn't kill me."
The young man patted the cane.
"I just lost a leg."
Liu Weidong said in surprise: "Didn't you say before that you were locked up because you owed usury and couldn't repay it?"
"That's a lie."
"Why?"
"Because I also want to exchange videos for money."
There was an apology on the young man's face.
"To be honest, I'm sorry for you. I have been negotiating the price with Yang Sanli in the past few days, but we have never reached an agreement."
The sudden truth made the couple look at each other with mixed feelings.
Scolding him? Xiao Kong did have a last resort.
Comfort him? But how can we let go of our own suffering?
The couple didn't know how to react for a while. In the end, they just asked:
"Why did you say it today?"
"Last night, my uncle called me. My dad jumped off the building in the hospital in order not to drag me down." The young man's face was very calm, and he even showed an incomprehensible smile. "He told me to go back to the hospital quickly."
"and you……"
After all, Liu Weidong had a meek temper, and some words went around in his mind, but he still didn't say them out.
But the young man seemed to have guessed what he was thinking.
"I almost died in the stone prison this time because I was lucky and met Reporter Li. When the red-grass people are free, I may not be so lucky next time."
The young man's eyes stared into the void.
"I have a younger brother at home. He is still studying and has good grades. He must be more promising than me... I can't die."
"I will return to my hometown tomorrow. No matter how long his hands are, Hong Daihai can't reach that far."
"I don't want the money anymore, but I feel like this."
The young man took out a USB flash drive from his pocket.
"You may need it."
Zou Ping's breathing suddenly became rapid, but Liu Weidong held her hand.
"Why didn't you give it to Captain Yuan?"
The young man said calmly:
"I can't trust officials."
Liu Weidong wanted to ask again, but Zou Ping broke away and grabbed the USB flash drive.
The young man seemed to have been relieved of some heavy burden. He breathed a sigh of relief and solemnly reminded:
"You must be careful. Don't let others know about this until the critical moment."
"do not worry."
Zou Ping put the USB flash drive against her chest and held it tightly.
"Even if I die, I won't allow anyone to take it away!"
…………
A teahouse in Linjiang.
Elegant room.
A pot of tea, sitting across from each other by the window.
Qian Shizhong looked at the white air rising from the tea and was lost in thought.
He didn't understand why he wanted to eavesdrop? And why he wanted to escape in a hurry?
After thinking about it, I can only blame it on my body doing its own thing and it has nothing to do with my wishes.
"Old money? Old money!"
He suddenly woke up, and looking at the concerned eyes of his old friend across from him, he realized that he was distracted again.
My mind wanders lately much more frequently than usual.
Lao Qian couldn't help but think: Could it be that he is really old?
He then put this doubt behind him and continued the previous topic.
Qian Shizhong didn't invite his old friend to meet him just for a cup of tea. He wanted to ask his old friend to help him, exert influence and advance the development of the case.
But I didn't expect it.
"Old Qian, I advise you to stop. If you continue to make trouble, it will not benefit either party."
Noisy?!
Qian Shizhong was already in a daze, but now he was even more angry and blurted out.
"What's wrong? Are you being bribed too?!"
As soon as these words came out of his mouth, Lao Qian regretted them.
Sure enough, my old friend slapped the table and turned dark.
"Qian Shizhong! What the hell are you talking about? I have been innocent all my life. I swear to God that I have never been greedy for a penny."
I also spent my old money.
"You're not greedy? Then why do you want to speak for the underworld?!"
My old friend suddenly stood up.
"You think I'm used to Hong Daihai's gang? I hate them so much."
He walked around the room angrily.
"You only want to bring down Hong Daihai, but have you thought about the consequences of the Hongmao Group's collapse?"
as a result of?
Of course Lao Qian knows that.
Hongmao Group can be said to be the economic pillar of Qishui.
The rapid development of Qishui in all aspects in recent years is inseparable from the support of Hongmao Group.
People rely on it for food, and officials rely on it for political achievements.
but.
"Those things of his are lies!"
"Liar?"
The old friend shook his head and laughed.
"Are the nearly 100 million yuan in annual tax revenue a lie? Are the thousands of jobs created a lie? Are the tens of thousands of cooperative medicinal planters a lie?"
"If these are all lies, then fine, I'll ask you again."
"Is the Hongmao Second Bridge they funded and built a lie? Is the university town they invested in and planned a lie?"
"Old Qian, we are already so old. Haven't you seen clearly yet?"
"Can we really distinguish between true and false, right and wrong in this society?"
"Do you think you are upholding justice?"
"No!"
"You are standing against everyone and ignoring the overall situation."
The old friend finally sighed.
"Go back and think about it carefully."
"Take care of yourself."
…………
Another bad breakup.
But unlike before, this time, some of the persistence in the Qianshi Center is already shaky.
on the way home.
Lao Qian thought over and over again, what was his original intention in confronting Hong Daihai?
Is it motivated?
Compared with the hardships we endured, the difficulties we faced were a bit ridiculous.
Is it for the country?
But his old friend told him clearly: That was just selfishness and wishful thinking!
For the people?
He looked up and around.
In the corner of the community, a few people gathered together to take a look at the long-tongued woman who was pointing at him, and instantly scattered like birds and beasts; in the past, if they bumped into her, they would have warmly called "Minister Qian", but now they were far away.
Just stay away from him, as if he were a stinky old dog.
Qian Shizhong was still full of doubts until he returned home.
At home, the second child, who was not doing his job, was sitting on the sofa, just playing with his mobile phone without raising his eyelids. The boss noticed him, but opened his mouth to persuade him not to waste any more.
"If you defeat this one and that one in one day, which one can you defeat in the end? To uphold justice? To uphold justice? Who around you understands you? Which one appreciates your affection?"
Old money is said to be popular.
Are you my father (father), or am I your father?
he shouted loudly.
"Even if no one understands me, I will still stand firm and set an example for future generations!"
As soon as I said these angry words, it was like a bright light illuminating my confusion.
Yes!
Lao Qian seemed to have grasped the last straw.
I am setting an example for future generations!
But the boss sneered.
"Future generations? Role model? You should go and see Yaya first before talking about it."
…………
Yaya is Lao Qian's granddaughter and is only in the third grade of elementary school.
When Lao Qian found her, the little guy was feeling aggrieved, with a wrinkled little face, which made the old man's heart melt.
"Grandpa, I don't want to study."
"Why?"
"My classmates all bullied me and wouldn't play with me."
Lao Qian just regarded it as a minor conflict between the children and smiled.
"Why don't they play with you?"
"Qiqi said that if you want to destroy the company, his father will lose his job and our family will have no food to eat."
"The second baby said that the company has collapsed, the university town can no longer operate, and his sister cannot graduate. Our family has made his sister unable to study."
"The teacher said that if the company collapses, the amusement park will also collapse. Our children will no longer be able to go to the amusement park."
…
Yaya clapped her fingers and continued talking one after another. The smile on Lao Qian's face became more and more stagnant.
finally.
The little granddaughter looked at him with her big eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering.
The innocent child's voice was like a dose of poison injected into his heart.
"Grandpa, are you a bad person?"
…………
Qian Shizhong felt that something in his heart seemed to be pierced, and his soul sank gently.
In a trance.
He heard someone ringing the doorbell.
I heard someone opening the door.
I heard the boss say enthusiastically:
"Mr. Yang? Welcome, welcome!"
…
"Then in this way, we will have an agreement between the two parties."
Yang Sanli stood up with a smile and held out his hand reservedly.
"Minister Qian, it's settled."
Lao Qian buried his head and didn't answer. He collapsed on the sofa, as if his spine had been taken away.
When the boss next to him saw it, he quickly leaned over, took Yang Sanli's hand, and shook it vigorously.
"A word is a deal! A word is a deal!"
The second child even cheered.
"Have we agreed? Can I join the group?"
he complained.
"Recently, many of my friends have joined the group. It's just because of my dad that they won't let me join, so I'm falling behind."
"What kind of group?"
After hearing this, Lao Qian finally had some reaction.
Yang Sanli smiled and said:
"Those are just some public security mutual aid groups that we, Mr. Hong, organized for the sake of community harmony in Hongmao City. It is mainly to monitor some disharmonious elements."
After speaking, he handed over the phone.
Lao Qian took it and took a look, but it was a full WeChat group called "Hongmao Harmonious Mutual Aid Group 13".
He stroked casually, his breath stagnated, and his eyes widened.
He saw himself fleeing from Liu Weidong's house in panic.
He saw himself meeting an old friend at a teahouse.
He saw himself walking into the community in despair.
He saw Yuan Xiaochuan, Cao Xiaofang, Liu Weidong... He saw every move they made outside, bit by bit.
Yang Sanli's voice explained in his ear:
"We always select some trustworthy people to join the group. If we encounter some suspicious people or suspicious things, we will take pictures and put them in the group. Our company also often sends out red envelopes to mobilize everyone's enthusiasm. If we take pictures of important things,
There are also separate rewards..."
Qian Shizhong felt his head was buzzing, and he could no longer hear what was said behind him.
He looked at the strange smile on Yang Sanli's face, and suddenly remembered what Yang Sanli said during the celebration.
"Do you think you are just challenging Mr. Hong and the Hongmao Group? No, you are challenging the entire Hongmao City."
He felt that something in his soul was shattered, and what disappeared with it was some of his last persistence.
He suddenly felt relaxed, even happy.
He straightened his body and looked at Yang Sanli.
"I want to retaliate."
Yang Sanli was stunned for a moment.
Fortunately, he was a white paper fan and had some ink in his belly. He realized that Qian Shizhong was saying that he wanted to be an official again.
"no problem."
He nodded.
But.
"Original position."
At this time, the smile on Yang Sanli's face faded.
"Old Qian, you can't be so greedy. If you eat too much, you'll end up spitting it out."