As dusk settled and the sun began to dip below the horizon, the shantytown on the outskirts of Jinling buzzed with activity. Narrow streets were choked with tricycles, vendor carts, and weary laborers. Some were heading home after a day's work, while others were setting up their stalls.
In today's highly connected world, many people on online platforms witnessed the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy. However, the reality was that this world and this nation were predominantly populated by the poor, even in provincial capitals like Jinling.
In this era of abundant material possessions, they were spared the ravages of hunger but were tormented by the hardships of life.
Inside a dilapidated rental house in the shantytown, Nie Xiaoqian's parents sat at a tattered coffee table, eating their dinner.
Tonight's meal was not the usual cold steamed buns and pickles, but a feast of six dishes and one soup.
This was brought to them by Qin Xiaozhi.
Qin Xiaozhi sat by the coffee table, his heart heavy as he watched Nie Xiaoqian's parents devour their food ravenously.
He had, as arranged by Jiang Wuming, purchased a property for Nie Xiaoqian's parents in Sujiang and planned to secure them positions at the Su Group. However, he hadn't yet revealed these plans to them.
He felt the time was not yet ripe. Nie Xiaoqian's parents weren't seeking houses, jobs, or money at this moment; they yearned for legal justice and societal fairness.
These two things were the courage and purpose that kept them going.
"Xiaozhi, you should eat too," Nie Xiaoqian's mother noticed Qin Xiaozhi holding his chopsticks but not picking up any food, instead watching the couple eat. She prompted him.
"Alright, Auntie."
Qin Xiaozhi nodded gently, then served a meat dish to Nie Xiaoqian's parents before beginning to eat with them.
"Wife, there's news!"
Nie Xiaoqian's father, who had been eating dinner while looking at his phone, suddenly dropped his chopsticks in excitement. His hands trembled as he held up his phone and exclaimed to his wife, "The military, martial, and police departments have issued a joint statement! They will re-investigate two cases, including Xiaoqian's. Furthermore, the statement announces a thorough investigation into the criminal acts of corruption and abuse of power by Yuan family members!"
"Is… is it true?"
Nie Xiaoqian's mother's chopsticks also fell instantly. She snatched the phone, her bloodshot eyes widening. She read the news word for word and then stammered, "Will… will they bring justice for our Xiaoqian this time?"
"Uncle, Auntie, due to issues with the previous investigation and trial, the military and martial departments will also participate in this case and re-investigate it thoroughly. They will definitely bring justice for Xiaoqian!" Qin Xiaozhi said with conviction, then handed the chopsticks back to Nie Xiaoqian's parents.
Nie Xiaoqian's parents took the chopsticks but didn't continue eating. Instead, they embraced each other, tears streaming down their faces.
They had experienced disappointment and even despair many times, but now they saw hope again!
…
Jiangnan Provincial Hospital, Special Ward.
Yuan Hao was playing on his phone in bed after finishing his dinner.
Although his case had been judged, he remained in the hospital due to his injuries. He would be sent to prison only after his injuries had fully healed.
"Mom… Mom, the news says the martial, military, and police departments are forming a joint investigation team to re-examine my dad and my cases. They're also going to investigate our Yuan family—what's going on?"
Suddenly, Yuan Hao stumbled upon the latest news, his expression changing drastically.
"Impossible, your cases have already been concluded. It must be fake news!" Yuan Hao's mother said, disbelief coloring her voice.
*Creak!*
As if in response to Yuan Hao and his mother, the ward door opened with a slight sound. Six men with stern expressions walked in.
Two of them were in police uniforms, two in military uniforms, and two wore martial department attire.
"What… what are you doing?" Yuan Hao's mother immediately stood up and questioned them.
"We are members of the joint investigation team for the Nie Xiaoqian case. We will re-investigate this case and re-interrogate your son!" the leading man, from the Police Department Headquarters, stated in a deep voice.
"My… my son's case has already been judged. On what grounds are you re-investigating? Where are your credentials? Let me see them!" Yuan Hao's mother, Zhou Ya, her face changed, then she shouted in a high-pitched voice. She appeared forceful, but it was a facade, indicating inner weakness.
Because her reason told her that the identities of these individuals before her could not be fake, and Yuan Hao had just seen related news!
"This is my credential." As if to confirm Zhou Ya's judgment, the leading man took out his identification and showed it to Zhou Ya. He then added, "Not only your son's case, but your husband Yuan Zeping's case will also be re-investigated. Therefore, we will also interrogate you!"
"Why… why??" Hearing that his father was also to be re-investigated, Yuan Hao panicked.
"Because justice is demanded, and heroes should not be wrongly accused and die!" This time, the man in military uniform spoke. He was filled with righteous indignation over the death of Su Shirong, who had once been a hero.
"I… I don't believe it. I want to make a call to verify this!" Zhou Ya, unconvinced, instinctively reached for her phone.
"Don't bother. It's useless to find anyone—someone has used the sword of justice to sever your Yuan family's network!" A person from the martial department also spoke. They had received orders this time to investigate thoroughly, regardless of who was involved, and to show no leniency. If anyone tried to interfere or intervene, they were to be directed to Marshal Qi Wufu of the Martial Department!
"Ugh…" Hearing the martial department member's words, Zhou Ya's legs went weak, and she collapsed by the hospital bed.
"No… impossible! This is absolutely impossible!!" Yuan Hao shook his head frantically, unable to believe or accept this outcome! After all, the Gu family had promised the Yuan family that he and his father, Yuan Zeping, would serve at most three years in prison, and they could be released in as little as a year!
…
Jinling Prison.
After dinner, Yuan Zeping was reading a book when he heard someone approaching his cell.
Immediately, the cell door was opened, and the prison guard and six people appeared at the entrance.
"Yuan Zeping, members of the joint investigation team for the Su Shirong case are here. They will re-investigate this case. You will leave with them now to be investigated!" the prison guard announced loudly to Yuan Zeping from the cell entrance.
"Wh… what? Joint investigation team? What kind of organization is that? I've never heard of it?" Compared to the mother and son, Zhou Ya and Yuan Hao, Yuan Zeping was much calmer. He unhurriedly put down his book and asked with a frown.
"Yuan Zeping, the previous investigation and trial of the Su Shirong case had major issues. The police, military, and martial departments have jointly established an investigation team to re-examine this case!" A man in police uniform entered the cell and stated in a deep voice.
*Swish!*
This time, Yuan Zeping was no longer calm; his face turned deathly pale! This was because he recognized the speaker. The man was from the disciplinary department of the police force, known as the Iron-Faced Yama. They had met before, not just once.
"Wh… what's going on?" Yuan Zeping sensed danger. He tried his best to control his emotions, but his trembling voice was the most honest reflection of his inner turmoil—panic!
No response.
Neither the man known as the Iron-Faced Yama from the police disciplinary department nor the other five individuals responded to Yuan Zeping. Instead, they instructed the prison guard to take Yuan Zeping away.
Meanwhile.
In the study of the Yuan family ancestral home, Yuan Guhai also saw the news. He immediately called Gu Lü, the future successor of the Gu family, but his calls were rejected three times in a row.
It's over! This outcome chilled Yuan Guhai to the bone. Reason told him that in the previous investigation, Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao, father and son, had been sacrificed as pawns to protect the Yuan family's marshal. Now, the entire Yuan family was being sacrificed as pawns by the Gu family.
As if to confirm Yuan Guhai's judgment, just as he realized the crisis, a disciplinary department vehicle stopped in front of the Yuan family ancestral home. Five staff members from the Dragon Country's disciplinary department alighted, entered the ancestral home, and proceeded directly to the study.
"Yuan Guhai, we are from the disciplinary department. Based on the information we have gathered, you were involved in the Su Shirong case and the Nie Xiaoqian case, and you acted as a protective umbrella for Qiao Tianba, the head of the Jiangnan underground forces. Please cooperate with our investigation!" The leading person first presented his credentials to identify himself, then stated the purpose of their visit to Yuan Guhai.
Yuan Guhai, before his retirement, held a significant position. He needed to be investigated by the disciplinary department first, before undergoing investigation by departments like the police.
No response.
Yuan Guhai slumped in his chair like a puddle of mud, his face ashen, his body trembling uncontrollably. He was then escorted away from the Yuan family ancestral home by two disciplinary department staff members.
That night, all direct members of the Yuan family, including Yuan Guhai, were taken away for investigation.
Jiangnan underwent a drastic change, shaking the Dragon Country.
The wind begins to blow!