Chapter 20

Zeng Ya's wish was soon fulfilled. Just after Ding Hao nervously watched the female teacher leave, fearing she might mention the cave to Zhou Fuquan, he didn't wait for Zhou Fuquan but instead received a call from Chen Fang.

"Xiao Dingzi, where are you? Come quickly, Zhang Yongwei is here, and he's bullying me!"

Ding Hao was furious. What did Zhang Yongwei, that bastard, want? Since he knew I had already left, why was he still causing trouble in the village? In fact, Ding Hao had underestimated Zhang Yongwei. If he wouldn't even let tourists from the provincial capital pass by, seeing Chen Fang in the village that day naturally made him心动 (heart move).

Later, after some inquiries, it turned out that this beautiful young woman's husband was away working, and Ding Hao hadn't shown up for several days, so Zhang Yongwei had set his sights on Chen Fang.

Zhou Fuquan was also frustrated that he couldn't get his hands on Chen Fang and noticed that she seemed to be getting too close to Ding Hao recently. This time, when Zhang Yongwei and his gang came to cause trouble, Zhou Fuquan immediately went up the mountain to find the teachers, aiming to create an alibi. When he returned to the village, Zhang Yongwei and his gang were still there, and they were becoming more and more brazen.

Initially, because of the constant flow of people in and out of the convenience store, Zhang Yongwei and his gang were somewhat restrained, but gradually, fewer people dared to enter the store, and Zhang Yongwei became increasingly brazen. Most of the villagers just watched numbly.

"Is that Zhang Yongwei?" Zeng Ya had heard about him from Ding Hao in the cave, and she didn't expect to meet him so soon.

"Yes, Teacher Zeng, these people are hooligans. We should stay far away," Xia Lin didn't want anything to happen to the teachers at her home.

"No way, why are you so timid? Ask your father to help that villager," Zeng Ya, though a female teacher, was quite athletic and had a bold spirit, having just nimbly climbed up and down the canyon.

"No, Teacher Zeng, these people are unreasonable. Let them make a fuss for a while; they might leave. If you go out now, they'll just cause more trouble. Ding Hao is hiding because of them."

"Should we just watch them bully that woman?" Zeng Ya, though reluctant, didn't dare to act rashly seeing how many of them there were. She took out her phone to call Ding Hao but then thought it might not be a good idea if Xia Lin found out. She also noticed a police car in the distance. Ding Hao had said he wasn't afraid of Zhang Yongwei but of the police...

"Officer, I'm Ding Hao."

"Ding Hao, come here, put your hands behind your back," one of the police officers, recognizing the young man, called to his colleagues.

"Wait, I know you're aware of the whole story. I'll tell you the truth. On the surface, I'm a student at Yun Gang, but in reality, I'm responsible for protecting the children of several high-ranking officials who study there, including the safety of that woman! Do you know who she is? She's the daughter of a provincial leader. I've been enduring this to avoid making a big fuss, but do you think three of you could subdue me? Do you believe that one phone call could get your entire police station fired?"

"Stop talking nonsense," the officers had heard of Ding Hao and knew he was an orphan.

"Think about it. Why is an orphan so capable? Think again, would I risk offending Zhang Yongwei and be wanted by you all just for an unrelated woman? I can only say so much. Due to confidentiality, I can't reveal the girl's identity. If you continue to act unjustly, you might end up in jail! Don't believe me? Go ahead and handcuff me!"

The three officers looked at each other. Ding Hao's words weren't entirely baseless. Everyone in the area knew Ding Hao was an orphan, and the police in town were the first to know. It was also true that Ding Hao had taken down over ten of Zhang Yongwei's men before!

The officers could only charge Ding Hao with disturbing public order, and Zhang Yongwei's upper-level connections were useless. However, they knew who was right and who was wrong without investigation. Who was Zhang Yongwei? But if they didn't help him, they would offend this young master and his father.

But they had to consider Ding Hao's words. If they offended a provincial leader, they could really end up in jail for acting unjustly! They decided to play it safe. If this guy was bluffing, they could always deal with him later. Better safe than sorry.

"Comrade, can you reconcile with Zhang Yongwei?"

"You've seen, I've been hiding. I can't fight him. He relies on your support. Without it, he'll back off! As for reconciliation, I haven't wronged him. I'll go back to school when it starts. I'm just worried he'll bully the villagers, so I told you some things to help you explain to Zhang Yongwei. Tell him that if he doesn't stop, the city's disciplinary committee might investigate his father's financial issues..." Seeing the officers hesitate, Ding Hao added more pressure.

"This..." The officers knew what an investigation by the higher disciplinary committee meant. In a harmonious society, how many grassroots officials were clean? Even if he was a good and honest official, having a son like Zhang Yongwei would still bring trouble.

"I can only say so much!" Ding Hao, seeing his strategy working, put on a serious face. After some thought, the officers closed the car door and drove back to the station. If Ding Hao hadn't committed any real crime and if he really implicated Zhang Yongwei's father, the entire police station, including the chief, would be in trouble.

Success! Without the police, Zhang Yongwei was just a shrimp. Last time, he brought ten men and couldn't do anything to me. Today, he only brought two cars... Ding Hao strode confidently toward the convenience store.

"Slut, tell me where Ding Hao is, or I'll take you back tonight and rape and kill you!" Zhang Yongwei was causing a scene. After the last time, he no longer cared what the villagers thought. He knew he couldn't trick them again, but the police were nearby. He didn't know the relationship between Chen Fang and Ding Hao, but he was bored and found an excuse to tease her.

But Chen Fang saw it differently. Last night, she had spent half the night with Ding Hao. Did everyone know? Was Zhou Fuquan angry at Ding Hao and using her as a target to seek revenge? But where was Ding Hao hiding? He didn't come out. The villagers, afraid of the hooligans, sent a few brave ones to inform the village chief, but Zhou Fuquan was also watching from the sidelines.

"Brother Wei, since she won't talk, let's take her back and have some fun tonight!" One of the hooligans, seeing Chen Fang's beauty, was already drooling.

"Right, Brother Wei, Ding Hao let that woman go and won't show up to pay. Let this woman pay with her body!"

"Ha ha..."

The more they talked, the more Chen Fang's heart raced. They really thought she was Ding Hao's woman. Ding Hao had wronged them and saved a woman... Thinking of being taken by them, Chen Fang's tears flowed.

"Ha, this slut is good at pretending to be pitiful. Brother Wei, take her back." One of the hooligans moved to grab Chen Fang, but she dodged. Zhang Yongwei, waiting on the outside, stepped forward and grabbed her.

"Slut, be still. We'll make you feel good. If you move, I'll disfigure you!" Zhang Yongwei's words terrified Chen Fang. She would rather be raped than disfigured!

"Let her go!" A familiar voice rang out.

"Xiao Dingzi!" Chen Fang, terrified, closed her eyes, ready to submit. Hearing Ding Hao's voice, she was overjoyed.

"You still dare to come? Today, you're coming with me to the police station!" Zhang Yongwei, still holding Chen Fang, said to the crowd, "This guy is suspected of fraud and disturbing public order. I've already reported him!"

"I told you to let her go!" Ding Hao's presence was intimidating, and the hooligans who had seen his strength didn't dare to stop him. He walked straight toward Zhang Yongwei.

"Don't blame me if you're asking for it. Xiao Liu, call the police!" Zhang Yongwei, having seen Ding Hao's strength, was unsure. Without the police, his men wouldn't stand a chance against Ding Hao.

"The police aren't your father! Even if they were, they wouldn't always protect you!" Ding Hao kicked Zhang Yongwei, who, holding Chen Fang, let go in pain. Ding Hao pushed Chen Fang to the side and kicked Zhang Yongwei several times. Zhang Yongwei, not expecting a fight, had no weapons and was soon on the ground, clutching his stomach.

"Get lost, or I'll send you to hell!" Ding Hao, with one foot on Zhang Yongwei, glared at the hooligans who were about to help.

"Bastard, either you kill me today, or I'll make you pay!" Zhang Yongwei, used to bullying, was intimidated by Ding Hao, who had beaten him before.

"Pay my ass! Do you know why the police didn't come? If they dare to follow you and harm the villagers again, they'll end up in jail! And you, Zhang Yongwei, I'm warning you. If you bother me again or show up in the village, your father better start running!"