When Su Mulan left home that morning, she had mentioned she was going to the police station to inquire about the progress of her case. So as soon as she returned, someone asked her about the outcome.
“Mulan, what did the police say?”
“The police said Zhao Zhenhua has confessed—it was indeed him who hired someone to harm me.”
As she spoke the long-awaited answer, there was not a hint of joy on Su Mulan’s face.
Someone noticed something was off and asked, “Mulan, since he’s confessed, why aren’t you happy?”
Su Mulan let out a long sigh. “Last night, Zhao Zhenhua’s parents brought the deputy factory director to my house, saying they wanted to negotiate. We couldn’t reach an agreement.
His father said even if I don’t back down, he has plenty of ways to get Zhao Zhenhua out.
Today, when I went to the police station, the officer handling my case said they were short-staffed, so my case has been transferred to the Qiyuan Police Station.”
Qiyuan Police Station is in the west of the city, while the garment factory is in the east. The two places are far apart. Even if the case needed to be reassigned, there was no reason for such an arrangement.
Putting the two incidents together, anyone could sense something fishy.
“Those despicable scoundrels!” Auntie Yuan planted her hands on her hips, furious. “Their son did something vile, and instead of kneeling and admitting guilt, they dare pull strings to move the case. Aren’t they afraid that with all the bad deeds they’ve done, they’ll end up in the eighteenth layer of hell after they die?”
A young wife holding a laundry basin frowned anxiously. “Who told them they have connections up top? They can just move the case wherever they want. What can we ordinary folks do to challenge them?”
Others couldn’t stand it either. “What is the Zhao family trying to do? Are they trying to act above the law? Just because they know a few people, they think they can turn black into white? Our factory can’t tolerate this kind of crooked behavior!”
“Exactly! If we let this slide once, it’ll happen again. We must report this to the factory leadership. We can’t let him become the local tyrant of our residential compound.”
“Pah! A family of rotten-hearted scum. They’ll get their retribution sooner or later!”
The discussions boiled over like hot water.
This was exactly the effect Su Mulan wanted.
Everything Zhao Zhenhua had inflicted on her in her past life—she would return it all, bit by bit!
After spreading the word in the residential compound, Su Mulan went to the Municipal Public Security Bureau.
“Comrade, hello. I’m looking for Hu Mingjie from the Second Criminal Investigation Division.”
Last night, she had carefully reviewed the memories from her past life.
In her business dealings, she inevitably had to interact with people from various government departments. Hu Mingjie was one of her connections.
When Zhang Zhigang fell from power, Hu Mingjie had once mentioned that his uncle had competed with Zhang Zhigang for the position of head of the Criminal Investigation Division, but Zhang Zhigang had won in the end.
After Zhang Zhigang was promoted, he rose smoothly and suppressed Hu Mingjie’s uncle, who remained a division head until retirement.
She felt that Hu Mingjie’s uncle could become her ally.
Hu Mingjie came out quickly, looking somewhat puzzled at Su Mulan. “You’re looking for me?”
Su Mulan said, “I have some good news for you, related to your uncle’s promotion. Can we find a place to talk?”
Hu Mingjie frowned. “Do I know you?”
Su Mulan smiled. “No, but since I can’t see Deputy Division Head Liu, I had to ask you to help pass on a message.”
Hu Mingjie stared intently at Su Mulan but couldn’t detect any flaws.
Curious about what Su Mulan was up to, he led her to the entrance of an alley next to the Public Security Bureau.
“Let’s hear it. What’s this good news of yours?”
“Let me make this clear upfront: if you dare lie to me, you’ll regret it.”
Hu Mingjie wasn’t in uniform. He leaned against the wall like a boneless slouch, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his eyes carrying a hint of threat. He looked nothing like a public security officer—more like a street thug.
Su Mulan didn’t beat around the bush either: “My name is Su Mulan. Two nights ago, I was nearly raped. I reported it at the Liberation Street Police Station, and the main perpetrator, Zhao Zhenhua, has already confessed.
But Zhao Zhenhua’s parents sought help from Zhang Zhigang, the deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Division. This morning, the case was transferred to the Qiyuan Police Station.
I estimate that in less than two days, Zhao Zhenhua will be released.”
Hu Mingjie gave an ambiguous smile. “So you want my uncle to seek justice for you?”
“If your uncle can restore justice for me, he can also push Zhang Zhigang out. He won’t lose out—in the long run, he’ll be the one who gains.”
Hu Mingjie stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Why should I believe you?”
Su Mulan didn’t bother hiding her disdain, rolling her eyes openly. “Isn’t the information I just gave you enough for you to verify?
Are you up for it or not?
If not, I’ll find someone else.”
She understood Hu Mingjie’s temperament. If nothing else, he respected women, so she didn’t hold back in her words.
Hu Mingjie laughed heartily. “Alright, I’ll look into it. If you dare lie to me, just wait for my revenge!”
Su Mulan wasn’t the least bit afraid. She waved her hand and left.
On her way home, she happened to run into Zhuang Chuntao.
“You little bitch, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!
If you had just taken the money and the job last night, everything would’ve been settled.
Now you’ve lost everything—you won’t get a thing!”
Zhuang Chuntao stood with her hands on her hips, blocking the stairwell entrance like a victorious rooster, her chin held high. Her narrow eyes gleamed with undisguised malice and triumph. “A fool like you still wants to retake the college entrance exam?
You’re too stupid—you’re just not cut out for studying.
Just wait and rot at home. Watch how my Zhenhua will soar to great heights in the future, marry a wife a hundred times better than you, and make you die of envy!”
Her expression perfectly embodied the phrase “a petty person intoxicated by success,” as if the person who had tearfully begged for forgiveness yesterday was someone else entirely.
Su Mulan took two steps forward, closing in on Zhuang Chuntao. Under Zhuang Chuntao’s bewildered gaze, she raised her hand and punched her twice in the stomach, leaving Zhuang Chuntao stunned.
The groundwork for public opinion had already been laid. She had no interest in trading insults with Zhuang Chuntao.
What was the point of hurling curses back and forth?
Better to strike where it hurts—that was real pain.
Her voice was cold and sharp. “A good dog doesn’t block the way.
If you come spouting nonsense in front of me again, I won’t mind grabbing a loudspeaker and shouting my grievances at the factory gate. Let’s see if your son can still keep his job there.”
Only after Su Mulan had walked far away did Zhuang Chuntao react. “You… you dare hit me?”
Su Mulan looked down at her with contempt. “You say I hit you, but who can prove it?”
Zhuang Chuntao had only started cursing at Su Mulan because she was sure no one was around. She never expected it would backfire on her now. Furious, she screamed, “Ahhh—!”
Su Mulan ignored her completely and went straight home.
That evening, Su Guoqiang still hadn’t returned from work. It was said he was staying in the duty dormitory.
Song Yumei was somewhat displeased about this but didn’t bring it up in front of her daughter.
Instead, she shared some happy news: “Mulan, I’ve taken tomorrow off to take you back to school for your retake year.”