At that moment, Shen Linzhou had Xiao Zhenyu’s wrist clamped in an iron grip. Xiao Zhenyu felt as though the bones in his wrist were about to snap.
“You actually dare to assault someone in public at a hospital? Xiao Ding, go call the police.”
Xiao Ding answered and hurried off.
The moment Xiao Zhenyu heard that the police were being called, he panicked. “Who the hell are you? What right do you have to interfere in our family’s business? She’s my sister. I was just trying to scare her—I’d never actually lay a hand on her. Mind your own business and let go of me! Ah... it hurts, it hurts!”
Li Fengmei was frightened as well. Calling the police would make things serious. If word got back to her husband’s factory, wouldn’t that only make matters worse?
“Comrade, you’ve misunderstood. We’re family. It’s normal to have a few disagreements now and then. We can talk it out. Please let him go.”
“Xiao Mandong, tell this man to let Zhenyu go.”
As soon as Li Fengmei finished speaking, Shen Linzhou twisted Xiao Zhenyu’s arm behind his back and pinned him against the wall. Ignoring his pig-like squeals, he simply waited quietly for the police to arrive.
At that moment, Xiao Mandong felt something she could not quite put into words. In both her lifetimes, ever since her family had been sent down, this was the first time anyone had stood up for her like this. Honestly, it felt rather nice. But she quickly reminded herself that this was only an act. Shen Linzhou was quite committed to the role.
Before long, the police arrived and took them all back to the station. To their surprise, they ran into the Lu family there.
The Lu family had come to the police station early that morning, anxiously asking about Lu Jianguo. What the police told them was like a bolt from the blue:
“Lu Jianguo’s crimes are extremely serious. He is suspected of unlawful detention, hooliganism, and inciting others to commit crimes. With multiple charges combined and the severity of the case, he is very likely to receive a heavy sentence—possibly even the death penalty.”
Ma Lanying collapsed to the floor on the spot. The color drained from her face as tears and snot ran down together. She had just lost her eldest son, and now, if her younger son were executed, what was she supposed to do? After a long while, a piercing wail finally tore from her throat.
“My son... How could this happen? Sob...”
Lu Bingshan’s face turned purple with rage, his chest heaving violently. He had never imagined the consequences would be so grave. Lu Jianguo had told him about the plan, but at the time, he had thought kidnapping his own wife was no big deal, so he had not stopped him. It was all his fault. Why hadn’t he prevented his son from committing a crime?
Overwhelmed by grief and remorse, Lu Bingshan crouched on the floor and sobbed quietly, clutching at his hair. He truly regretted it. He would rather die himself if it meant his son could live. Both of his sons were gone—what was the point of him continuing to live? There would not even be a son left to perform the funeral rites for him.
Beside him, Lu Hong’s legs trembled with fear as tears streamed down her face. What was she supposed to do? She was not even married yet. If there was a death-row criminal in the family, how could she ever find a husband? Who would want a girl from a family like this? And with her second brother gone, wouldn’t the burden of supporting her parents fall on her shoulders too? Then no one would want to marry her even more. Her second brother had truly ruined her life.
Lu Bingshan suddenly dropped to his knees before the police officer. “Officer, please—help me think of a way. Is there anything we can do to save my son’s life?”
The older officer sighed. “Under the current laws and regulations, a severe sentence is all but certain. The only possible way is to obtain the victim’s forgiveness. If she is willing to issue a letter of forgiveness, there may still be a chance to spare his life.”
At the officer’s words, Lu Bingshan abruptly lifted his head. Hope flashed in his bloodshot eyes.
“Thank you, thank you. I’ll go beg her right away. Even if I have to kneel, I’ll beg her to forgive him.”
Ma Lanying had heard the officer as well. All her former arrogance had vanished. As if she had seized the last straw that could save her, she hurriedly climbed to her feet. She had to beg Xiao Mandong. As long as Xiao Mandong was willing to write that letter of forgiveness, she would do anything.
After repeatedly thanking the older officer, the group left. The moment they reached the entrance hall of the police station, they happened to run into Xiao Mandong.
Without a word, Ma Lanying dropped to her knees in front of Xiao Mandong and began viciously slapping herself across the face.
“Mandong, I was wrong. I never should have plotted against you. It was all my fault. Please, can you forgive Jianguo just this once? I’m begging you. If you forgive him, I’ll do anything—even be your servant for the rest of my life. Please... I only have this one son left. If he’s really executed, I won’t be able to go on living. I’m begging you... please...”
As she wept, Ma Lanying repeatedly knocked her forehead against the ground.
Seeing Ma Lanying like this filled Xiao Mandong with indescribable satisfaction. In her previous life, Ma Lanying had always held herself above her, always controlling and tormenting her. So she could fall this low too.
“Your son deserves what’s coming to him. I will not forgive him.”
With that, Xiao Mandong stepped back half a pace in disgust, avoiding Ma Lanying as she headed into the police station.
Ma Lanying, nearly frantic, lunged forward to grab the hem of Xiao Mandong’s clothes, but Shen Linzhou raised a hand to stop her.
His gaze swept over her, cold and severe. “What are you trying to do?”
Frightened by Shen Linzhou’s imposing presence, Ma Lanying froze with her hand suspended in midair.
Lu Bingshan quickly pulled Ma Lanying back and repeatedly apologized to Shen Linzhou. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. My wife is beside herself with worry. She means no harm.”
Then he turned to Xiao Mandong. “Mandong, we’re only here to beg for your forgiveness. We don’t mean anything else. As long as you’re willing to write that letter of forgiveness, I’ll agree to any condition you name.”
Lu Hong’s eyes were red as well. Choking back tears, she said, “Sister Mandong, my second brother’s actions were truly unforgivable this time. But he’s the only hope our family has left. Please, show mercy. Name your conditions, and we’ll do whatever you ask.”
Xiao Mandong looked at the Lu family’s pathetic expressions and curled her lips in a mocking smile. “So even the Lu family can end up like this?”
Then, without looking back, she walked into the police station.
Ma Lanying was about to chase after her when Lu Bingshan stopped her. “We’ll wait here. She must have come to the station for something.”
Ma Lanying rubbed her hands together as she waited anxiously outside, her mind racing with thoughts of how she could appease Xiao Mandong and win her forgiveness.
The officers at the Public Security Bureau already knew Xiao Mandong and were aware that she was close to Director Lin’s family. With a regiment commander accompanying her as well, they naturally treated Xiao Mandong with courtesy. By contrast, they showed Xiao Zhenyu and Li Fengmei no such consideration.
In the end, Xiao Zhenyu and Li Fengmei were detained for twenty-four hours for disturbing public order.
Xiao Zhenyu was young and inexperienced. He did not dare say another word and obediently followed them to the holding cell.
Li Fengmei, however, refused to accept it. “Why are you arresting us but not them? What did she give you to make you so unfair? I’m going to report you!”
Right there inside the Public Security Bureau, Li Fengmei threw a tantrum—and in the process, accidentally smashed one of their thermos flasks.
In the end, she earned herself two days of detention, had to pay for the thermos, and was fined as well. This time, she finally settled down. No more shouting, no more fussing; she obediently went to the holding cell.
After giving her statement, Xiao Mandong thanked the officers handling the case. She, her younger sister, and Shen Linzhou were preparing to leave when they saw that the Lu family was still waiting outside the entrance.
