Xia Sanwa was scared, but he didn't just walk away; he stayed. He had no idea that Wang Xiaoqiang was acquainted with Huagui County's former deputy head, Tang Mingyuan, so he also didn't know who Liu Juyi was calling.

In his view, Wang Xiaoqiang was now in trouble.

Wang Xiaoqiang could fight, alright, but once inside the police station, where personal freedom was restricted, wouldn't he be at the mercy of Guo Biao's uncle and nephew?

Thinking of this, Xia Sanwa felt a wave of distress. Wang Xiaoqiang had gotten into trouble because he was standing up for him. If he ignored the situation, how could he have peace of conscience? Although Wang Xiaoqiang had told him to go back, how could he ever face the elders and fellow villagers of Sanmiao Village again?

Before Liu Juyi could get her phone call connected, Xia Sanwa already asked her, "Dali's wife, who are you calling?"

Liu Juyi had already hit the dial button, and at that moment, she gave Xia Sanwa a look, signaling him to keep quiet.

Xia Sanwa's face showed a mix of anxiety and disdain as he said, "Dali's wife, there's no use fussing. That policeman earlier was Guo Biao's uncle, the chief of Laojie Police Station. With Little Qiang in their hands, he'll be completely at their disposal. I think we should prepare some money now, to pay for the medical expenses and apologize, and try to get Little Qiang out as soon as possible...

I just happen to have three thousand yuan left with me; I'll front it for Little Qiang..."

Before Xia Sanwa could finish, Liu Juyi's phone had already connected, and an elderly voice came through from the other end, "Hello...."

"Hello, is that Old Tang? This is Wang Xiaoqiang's sister-in-law, Liu Juyi..."

Tang Mingyuan had given his mobile number to Wang Xiaoqiang, and Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't given him any way to contact him in return, which led Tang Mingyuan to believe that he probably wouldn't have any more dealings with Wang Xiaoqiang in the future. Of course, he didn't think Wang Xiaoqiang would call him, let alone come to see him.

But Liu Juyi's phone call directly disproved Old Tang's assumption, filling him with a mix of excitement and surprise, because whether it was Wang Xiaoqiang or a relative of Wang Xiaoqiang calling, it was good news for him!

"Uh, Juyi, hello, hello. By the way, did you and Little Qiang catch the bus?"

"No," Liu Juyi answered clearly and to the point: "Little Qiang has been taken away by two policemen...."

"What, taken away by the police?"

"Yes, uh, that's right. It was the chief of Laojie Police Station who took him away..." Overwhelmed by emotion, Liu Juyi's words came out in a rush.

Old Tang tried to soothe her, saying, "Don't panic, and don't be afraid. Take your time; what exactly happened?"

"Well, it's like this..." Liu Juyi recounted the whole sequence of events to him.

Old Tang was furious upon hearing this, but he didn't express his anger over the phone. Instead, he reassured Liu Juyi, "Alright, I understand. I'll handle it right now. Juyi, don't worry, I assure you that Wang Xiaoqiang will be released safe and sound. Of course, if Little Qiang has been harmed, I'll make sure the person responsible pays double!"

Liu Juyi believed Old Tang had the capability to make this happen. After hearing his words, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Old Tang. We'll thank you properly once Little Qiang is released!"

"Don't talk like that. You calling me is an honor; I should be thanking you!" Tang Mingyuan said sincerely.

Xia Sanwa was right beside Liu Juyi, listening to every word of her conversation with Old Tang, but the more he heard, the more confused he got. Just who was this Old Tang, who spoke with such authority and yet was so polite to Liu Juyi? Liu Juyi was asking him for a favor, and he was thanking her? Had he gotten things backward?!

Of course, Tang Mingyuan hadn't gotten it backward. He genuinely appreciated Liu Juyi calling him. He was indeed worried that Wang Xiaoqiang would not trouble him, for then, it seemed unlikely they would meet again. And if that were to happen, his heart condition would have to rely solely on the stent in his heart. Naturally, his life would also depend on that stent, completely out of his control.

Although he was elderly and nearing life's end, and should not cling so strongly to living, he truly wanted to live a few more years. After all, he had yet to hold a grandchild, his greatest wish before passing. He couldn't bear to enter his grave with regrets.

After hanging up the phone, Tang Mingyuan immediately called his son Tang Guowei, the Public Security Director of Huagui County.

With Huagui County's recent crackdown on public security, Tang Guowei, as the head of the local public security system, has been extremely busy. But no matter how busy he was, he dared not ignore his father's call. Not only was that his biological father, suffering from a serious illness and unable to receive filial piety as his son was absent, but how could he fail to answer his father's calls?

Additionally, though his father had retired, his influence remained. To use an improper metaphor, if his father was dissatisfied with his son, he could use his connections to make life difficult for his son, the Public Security Director, at any time. Of course, that was impossible unless Tang Guowei committed an unforgivable act.

"Hello, Dad, how are you feeling now?" Tang Guowei was about to start an important meeting, so his tone was somewhat hurried.

"Not good, not good at all. I just had a heart attack and nearly didn't make it!" Tang Mingyuan's response was filled with indignation.

"Ah, Dad, did Little Fei take you to the hospital, and are you having any trouble now? Should I come back?" Tang Guowei asked in a flustered manner.

"Some guy named Wang Xiaoqiang has already rescued me, and I'm fine now!" Tang Mingyuan's tone softened.

"Uh, that's good. So, who is this Wang Xiaoqiang? Once I'm done here, I'll have to thank him in person!"

Instead of answering, Tang Mingyuan interrogated, "Tang Guowei, I'm asking you, are you currently conducting a crackdown on public security?"

Seeing that his father did not respond to his question and suddenly threw out such a phrase, Guowei was completely baffled.

"Yes, Dad, otherwise how could I stay away from home for several days without coming to see you… Your son is busy!"

"Busy with what? It seems to me you are just blindly bustling about. You're really not doing your job as the Public Security Director!" Old Tang said bluntly, with a tone of disdain.

By now, Tang Guowei realized his father wasn't upset about his health but about something else. He said fearfully, "Dad, what do you mean? Is there something wrong with my work…"

Since it was urgent, Tang Mingyuan didn't beat around the bush any longer and cut off his son, saying, "Listen carefully to me…"

Tang Mingyuan recounted the incident of Guo Biao kidnapping and beating Xia Sanwa and luring Wang Xiaoqiang to the Old Street Water Station in an attempt to assault him. He concluded, "That Wang Xiaoqiang, he's the one who saved my life. Now, Wang Xiaoqiang has been taken to the Laojie Police Station by Guo Biao's uncle, Guo Xiongzhi. You need to go deal with this personally right away.

If Wang Xiaoqiang gets hurt, you don't need to come see me ever again!"

In Tang Guowei's memory, his father had never been so angry or given him such a serious task. It seemed that this Wang Xiaoqiang must have been the person who saved his father.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll go there personally right now!" Tang Guowei promised his father, feeling a sudden surge of shame and anger.

He felt ashamed because his work, just as his father had said, was not up to standard and had flaws. He was angry because, during this crackdown on public security, there were still people who dared to commit crimes against the wind, and Guo Xiongzhi, a police officer, the very head of a police station, actually turned justice on its head, protecting the guilty and framing the innocent.

These people were detestable, and he, as the Public Security Director, bore some of the responsibility as well.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Tang Guowei immediately ordered the cancellation of the upcoming meeting and personally called Wang Chao, the captain of the County Public Security Brigade, instructing him to make a trip to the Laojie Police Station without explaining why.

After making the call, Tang Guowei personally led people to the Laojie Police Station.

Meanwhile, back at the bus station, Liu Juyi had just hung up the phone when Xia Sanwa impatiently said, "Dali's Wife, we can't delay, you have to go withdraw the money with me right now, and then we'll go to the Old Street Police Station to get Little Qiang out…"

Seeing how anxious Xia Sanwa was about Wang Xiaoqiang's situation and his willingness to help with the money, Liu Juyi felt that Wang Xiaoqiang's assistance had not been in vain. At that moment, she said, "There's no need to withdraw money. Let's head straight for the police station right now. You are the most crucial witness in this matter; you must testify to Little Qiang's innocence,"

Upon hearing this, Xia Sanwa grimaced and said, "It's right I should testify for Little Qiang, but Dali's Wife, haven't you thought about it? They are clearly out to get Little Qiang, what good is my testimony going to do!?"

Liu Juyi reassured, "Don't worry, Uncle Xia, I've just called Old Tang, and he promised to help. Little Qiang will be fine…"

"Old Tang, right, who is Old Tang? He sounds like he has a lot of clout. Could he be a county leader?"

"I don't know if he's the county head, but Old Tang lives in the County Committee Family Courtyard. I believe he must have some influence…"

Upon hearing this, Xia Sanwa's eyes lit up and he murmured with a hint of excitement, "Living in the County Committee Family Courtyard… Then even if he's not a high official, he must be related to one. This is good, Little Qiang has hope… Let's go, we'll head for the Old Street Police Station right now."

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