Director Zhang strode confidently, humming a tune. By the time he knocked on the door, his expression was full of self-assurance. It was Jing An who opened it.
"You?" Jing An immediately tried to close the door.
"Wait, your daughter's in big trouble. She's already been arrested and sentenced."
Director Zhang quickly laid out the story, then hinted, "This is serious. She'll probably face a year or more of labor reform. Think about it, men and women packed together in shared bunks, your delicate little daughter surrounded by hungry wolves staring at her… Of course, there's a way to solve this. After all, the house was allocated by me."
Jing An eyed Director Zhang suspiciously. His daughter, arrested? With her temper? And honestly, with her terrifying strength, a single punch could…
Seeing his disbelief, Director Zhang produced three confiscated phones. "Their phones were all taken away. Surely one of these belongs to your daughter, right?"
At that, Jing An finally grew tense. "So… you have a solution?"
A mysterious smile curled across Director Zhang's lips. For the next few minutes, he dropped hint after hint: as long as Jing An handed over virtual coins, his daughter would come out safe and avoid reform camp suffering.
"You don't know, the Second Squad's power shifted. Li Yuetian is out, Captain Hu is in. And that man is notorious for plucking every last feather off a passing goose. Tsk tsk. So, you'd better get her out before she's really locked in."
Jing An, looking anxious, said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Director Zhang, to help us."
"Easily done," Director Zhang replied, rubbing his hands together with satisfaction.
"Thank you so much," Jing An said gratefully.
Director Zhang: "???" I haven't even agreed yet! Do you not understand the rules?
"No, no, it requires smoothing things out first." Director Zhang rubbed his hands again, heavily implying.
"Then thank you for smoothing things out," Jing An said sincerely.
Director Zhang ground his teeth. Was this man really that dense, or was he pretending? "Why should I help you for nothing? Didn't I hint clearly enough?"
"Director Zhang, you just said you'd help me. How can you suddenly change your words?" Jing An looked astonished.
"Fine, let's cut the nonsense. Hand over 1000 virtual coins, and I guarantee your daughter comes out safe. Otherwise, she'll just end up as a casualty in the struggle between Li Yuetian and Captain Hu."
At last, Director Zhang couldn't help but blurt it out. Thankfully, he had been eavesdropping earlier and knew enough details to make his threats sound convincing.
Suddenly, a long beep rang out. Jing An exhaled in relief. "Perfect timing. The recording just finished."
Director Zhang's voice cracked with false bravado. "You dare play me? Even if you recorded me, so what?" He had underestimated this. All these years of pocketing bribes, everyone came to him wagging their tails. Even the dumb ones picked up on his hints. He'd never run into someone like this!
"So what?" Jing An answered with fists and kicks, beating Director Zhang down before tying him up. Only then did he call his daughter. Of the three phones, one had been her old spare, so her actual phone was still safe with her.
…
"Shocking, is the police station his family's business or what?"
When the recording video went online, it stirred another wave of outrage. The onlookers felt like they were watching a serialized blockbuster. Videos exposing corruption live always hit hardest.
Netizens demanded to know what would happen next, but then updates stopped. Many cursed the Wu City government for being too slow, letting people nearly get killed without stepping in.
Elsewhere…
The warehouse was massive. Jing Shu had been rummaging through, delightedly scavenging for anything useful, when the big door suddenly flew open. A group of people rushed in.
"So fast?" Jing Shu's lips curved slightly. At least their efficiency wasn't bad.
Sure enough, the three of them were immediately freed from their handcuffs. They were then ushered into an office where warm milk and boiled eggs were laid out as refreshments, personally handed to them by officials in a heartwarming show of care.
"It was such an injustice for you! It's our failure in duty that made you suffer this. Rest assured, we will strictly punish everyone involved!"
Click, click, went the cameras.
Jing Shu spotted an old acquaintance—the same young reporter who had interviewed her just yesterday.
She had to admit, once the higher-ups took notice, things moved fast. In under ten minutes, the occupied house had been cleared, the squatters driven out, and even a few household items added. The place had been scrubbed spotless, neat and pleasant.
Not only that, but the corrupt housing allocation director had been delivered to the office by a "concerned citizen" named Mr. Jing, and the bribed police officer had been fired.
Half an hour later, Jing Shu released a new video through her social account. It showcased the unity of government and people working hand in hand to fight corruption, ending in a scene of harmony.
"Thank you, Wu City government. Thank you to the leaders whose attention ensured this matter was perfectly resolved! And thank you all for your concern for Shi Jiujin!"
From start to finish, Jing Shu never appeared on camera again.
But Shi Jiujin knew the truth. The mastermind who directed this storm of public opinion wasn't Shi Jiujin himself, but Jing Shu. His admiration for her reached new heights. A small seed sprouted in his heart: "What if I could follow this boss in the future, helping her steer public opinion?"
Meanwhile, Captain Hu, newly promoted and ready to make a splash, suddenly received orders: "Your promotion has been canceled. Remain at your original post."
Captain Hu: "???" What just happened? I already finished writing my big plans!
On the other side, Li Yuetian, who had been suspended, was informed: "This time your entire year's bonus is docked, but your position is reinstated."
Li Yuetian: "???" What the hell is going on?
…
Zhou Bapi had been staring at the two potted plants for two hours. He even tasted the soil. "Strange. Nothing unusual. How is it possible? How could astragalus grow under these external conditions?"
"Uncle, when are you going to do a livestream eating shit?" Su Mali bit into a strawberry, unimpressed by its flavor.
"You child, something this big needs all the other uncles present too." Zhou Bapi coughed. He cursed himself for making such a boastful claim earlier. Now it was backfiring, brutally.
"Then tomorrow I'll call everyone over to watch your livestream. That'll be fun, right? They'll definitely make time." Su Mali's eyes lit up.
"Ah, Jing Shu's here! Look, Jing Shu's here! Why were you gone so long? I waited forever!" Zhou Bapi hurriedly rushed toward her, forcibly switching the subject.
"You might not believe it, but I was just arrested. Wait, who are you again?"