Chapter 16

Chu Tianshu nodded and said, "I have two things to say. If you do as I say, I'll let you off."

Tian Keming was overjoyed and immediately got up, standing respectfully in front of Chu Tianshu, ready to listen to his instructions.

Chu Tianshu knew that Tian Keming had saved a lot of private money to indulge in his extravagant lifestyle, and Zheng Xiaomin's mother had been in poor health and needed money for treatment. So he asked, "How much money can you come up with?"

Tian Keming hurriedly replied, "Twenty thousand."

"Hmm?" Chu Tianshu pulled a stern face.

"No, thirty thousand, thirty thousand." Tian Keming said with a mournful expression, "I really only have this much. Any more and I'd have to ask my wife."

"Alright, you go withdraw the money and deliver it to Zheng Xiaomin's family as compensation for the girl's mental distress."

"No problem." Tian Keming agreed and then asked, "What if they don't accept it?"

Chu Tianshu mimicked Tian Keming's tone, "Are you brainless or something? Can't you just pay it directly at the hospital?"

"You're so smart." Tian Keming, now calmer, quickly resumed his flattery, and added, "Hehe, I'll tell them it's a joint donation from you and me."

"Whatever." Chu Tianshu didn't want to argue over the details and continued, "Also, next Monday at work, write a report and volunteer to go on the 'Rural Residence' program."

This time, Tian Keming hesitated, "This..."

"Unwilling?" Chu Tianshu stared at him.

"Willing, willing." Tian Keming gritted his teeth and agreed.

As long as Chu Tianshu didn't report this to higher-ups, with his rank, he wouldn't suffer too much. With his connections to Guan Haoyu and Huang Roshan, he could probably spend a year in Nanling County and return with a promotion advantage.

This was the seasoned bureaucrat Tian Keming. Seeing that Chu Tianshu had relaxed, he started calculating his career prospects.

Chu Tianshu shook his head in disgust.

Tian Keming was startled, thinking Chu Tianshu had changed his mind. He bowed and asked with a smile, "Xiao Chu, what about the video on your phone..."

Chu Tianshu said, "Once these two things are done, I'll delete it in front of you."

Tian Keming was still unsure, "Hehe, you won't download or copy it, right?"

Chu Tianshu's face darkened, "What, do you think I'll go back on my word?"

"Never, never!" Tian Keming bowed and said.

"Then, get out!" Chu Tianshu opened the door and pointed at Tian Keming, shouting loudly.

As soon as Tian Keming rolled out of the rest room, Zheng Xiaomin ran back, asking worriedly, "Big Brother Chu, are you okay?"

Chu Tianshu clapped his hands and laughed, "Xiaomin, do I look like something's wrong?"

"What about Director Tian, is he okay?" Although Tian Keming's figure had long disappeared, Zheng Xiaomin still looked out instinctively.

"He's fine too." Chu Tianshu comforted her, "Xiaomin, don't worry, he won't harass you again."

Zheng Xiaomin looked at Chu Tianshu with a mix of doubt and gratitude, and finally whispered, "Big Brother Chu, thank you."

Chu Tianshu said lightly, "What are you thanking me for? You've been calling me big brother for half a year. Could I just sit by and watch you get bullied?"

Zheng Xiaomin felt a surge of excitement and emotion.

During the shift change, Xiao Hui quietly told her about Chu Tianshu's heroic deed of standing up to Tian Keming the previous noon.

When she mentioned how Chu Tianshu had boldly declared, "Liu Chunna is my girl, no one can touch her," even after several hours, Xiao Hui's face was flushed and her voice hoarse. She concluded dreamily, "Xiaomin, you didn't see Big Brother Chu's aura. He was so cool and handsome. I really envy Sister Chunna!"

Thinking of this, Zheng Xiaomin couldn't help but ask with a trembling voice, "Big Brother Chu, did you tell Director Tian that I'm your sister, and no one can touch me?"

Chu Tianshu laughed, "No, I didn't."

Zheng Xiaomin lowered her head, a look of disappointment in her eyes.

Chu Tianshu, noticing the change in her expression, quickly changed the subject, "Xiaomin, did you see a cardboard box when you came on duty?"

"Yes, I did." Zheng Xiaomin turned around and dragged out a large cardboard box from the storage room next to the rest room. It seemed quite heavy.

Chu Tianshu walked over and confirmed it was the right one.

On the side of the box, a prominent "Jian" character was written.

He lifted it, and it was indeed quite heavy.

Checking the time, it was almost eight.

Chu Tianshu thought for a moment, took out his phone, and called Jian Ruoming, "Director Jian, I just found the box. Is it convenient to deliver it now?"

Jian Ruoming, who had been waiting impatiently at home, said irritably, "Chu Tianshu, what can I say to you? It took you two hours to find a box. You really have a way with things."

"Director Jian, I... this..." Chu Tianshu stammered, not knowing how to explain.

"Forget it," Jian Ruoming didn't let Chu Tianshu explain, and said sternly, "You're drunk. What are you doing here in the dark? Chu Tianshu, when you sober up, then you can deliver it."

It seemed Jian Ruoming was convinced Chu Tianshu was drunk.

Chu Tianshu smiled bitterly and quickly agreed, "Alright, I'll definitely deliver it tomorrow morning."

Jian Ruoming still wasn't reassured and added, "Alright, don't come too early. Wait until you're fully sober."

Chu Tianshu breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Zheng Xiaomin not to tell anyone about what happened today, to act as if nothing had happened, and to never believe others' lies again, and to learn to protect herself.

Zheng Xiaomin tearfully agreed.

Leaving the office building, Chu Tianshu felt a great relief after dealing with Tian Keming and saving himself from being exiled. His mood was extremely high. It was already past eight, and he hadn't eaten dinner, so he took a taxi straight to Fengqing Street.

Fengqing Street was the most famous snack street in Qingyuan City, where you could find snacks from all over the country, and the prices were very reasonable. As a result, the street was always crowded every night, and the bustling business continued until two or three in the morning.

Chu Tianshu arrived relatively early and found a relatively large stall near the main road. He ordered a few small dishes and three bottles of beer and started eating and drinking with relish.

Not long after, more and more people filled the street.

The surrounding stalls were packed.

The sounds of drinking, toasting, and calling friends echoed throughout the street, making it lively and noisy.

Chu Tianshu had a good tolerance for alcohol, and drinking beer was like drinking water for him. After an hour of talking to Tian Keming, he was really thirsty, so within half an hour, he had already finished five empty bottles.

Just as he was enjoying his meal, a quarrel broke out in the distance.

Quarrels were a common sight on Fengqing Street, usually happening at least three or five times a night.

It was rare to see someone like Chu Tianshu drinking alone. Most people came in groups, and it was common for someone to get drunk, bump into each other, or have a disagreement, leading to a quarrel. However, there were always a few sober people in the group who would calm things down after a few words, and they would continue their drinking and eating.

From the sound, it seemed to be a man and a woman arguing.

This usually happened between couples, where the woman would scold the man for drinking too much, saying the wrong thing, or making inappropriate moves.

However, today seemed a bit unusual, as the man's voice was louder, while the woman's was lower.

Chu Tianshu looked up in the direction of the argument. From a distance, he couldn't see clearly, but the woman's silhouette seemed to resemble Liu Chunna, who was arguing with a tall, thin man.

Chu Tianshu didn't pay much attention, as Liu Chunna was a typical local, and there were many girls in Qingyuan City who looked like her.

He drank two more cups alone, and the argument grew louder. Chu Tianshu frowned, wondering why they were arguing so much in front of so many people. He stretched his neck to look, and saw the tall, thin man pulling the girl.

Seeing this, Chu Tianshu recognized that it was indeed Liu Chunna, and the man's actions were quite forceful.

Chu Tianshu was annoyed. How could a man lay hands on a woman?

He stood up to go over, but the owner of the stall stopped him, smiling, "Boss, are you going to pay the bill first?"

Chu Tianshu took out a red bill and handed it to her, "Don't give me change. Keep my seat, those arguing are my friends. I'll go calm them down and come back to continue drinking."

The owner took the money and said nothing more.

While Chu Tianshu was talking to the owner, Liu Chunna was pulled by the man to the shadow of a tree at the entrance of Fengqing Street, where a car was parked. The man seemed to want to drag Liu Chunna into the car, but she resisted, trying to leave several times, only to be pulled back. The man's hand was also groping her.

Liu Chunna, angry and anxious, pushed the man hard.

The man, enraged, slapped her.

Liu Chunna stumbled and almost fell.

The thin, tall man was about to kick her.

Chu Tianshu rushed over in a few quick steps, grabbing the thin, tall man. Due to the force, the man lost his balance and fell onto the car.

Chu Tianshu didn't bother to tangle with him and bent down to help Liu Chunna.