Chapter 33

Although Xia Sanwa was afraid, he did not just turn around and leave; instead, he stayed. He did not know that Wang Xiaoqiang was acquainted with the former vice-county magistrate of Huagui County, Tang Mingyuan, so he also did not know who Liu Juyi was calling.

In his view, Wang Xiaoqiang was in deep trouble now.

Wang Xiaoqiang was indeed capable of fighting, but once in the police station, with his personal freedom restricted, he would be at the mercy of the Guo family uncle and nephew.

Thinking of this, Xia Sanwa felt a wave of frustration. Wang Xiaoqiang had gotten into trouble for standing up for him. If he stood by and did nothing, how could he live with his conscience? Although Wang Xiaoqiang had told him to go back, how could he face the villagers of Sanmiao Village again?

Before Liu Juyi could connect the call, Xia Sanwa already asked her, "Da Li's wife, who are you calling?"

Liu Juyi had already pressed the call button. At this moment, she gave Xia Sanwa a look, signaling him to be quiet.

Xia Sanwa showed a look of anxiety and disdain, saying, "Da Li's wife, don't bother. It's no use. The police officer just now was Guo Biao's uncle, the chief of the Laojie police station. Once Xiaoqiang is in their hands, he will be at their mercy. In my opinion, we should prepare some money to pay for medical expenses and apologize, saying some nice words to get Xiaoqiang out as soon as possible... I have three thousand yuan left, I can advance it for Xiaoqiang..."

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

"Hello, is this Mr. Tang? I am Liu Juyi, Wang Xiaoqiang's sister-in-law..."

Tang Mingyuan had given his phone number to Wang Xiaoqiang, but Wang Xiaoqiang had not given him any contact information. This made Tang Mingyuan feel that he and Wang Xiaoqiang would not have much interaction in the future. Of course, he did not think Wang Xiaoqiang would call him, let alone come to see him.

However, Liu Juyi's call directly negated Tang Mingyuan's guess, making him feel a surge of excitement and joy. Because whether it was Wang Xiaoqiang or his family, as long as they called, it was good news to him!

"Uh, Juyi, hello, hello. By the way, did you and Xiaoqiang get on the bus?"

"No." Liu Juyi was straightforward, "Xiaoqiang was taken away by two police officers..."

"What, taken away by the police?"

"Yes, uh, right, it was the chief of the Laojie police station who took him away..." Due to her emotional agitation, Liu Juyi's words were somewhat rushed.

Tang Mingyuan comforted her, "Don't worry, don't be afraid. Take your time and tell me what happened."

"Uh, it's like this..." Liu Juyi narrated the entire story.

Tang Mingyuan was very angry after listening, but he did not show his anger on the phone. Instead, he comforted Liu Juyi, "Okay, I understand. I will take care of it. Don't worry, Juyi. I guarantee that Wang Xiaoqiang will come out safely. If Xiaoqiang is hurt, I will make those who hurt him pay double!"

Liu Juyi believed that Tang Mingyuan had the ability to do so. Hearing his words, she secretly sighed in relief and said gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Tang. We will thank you again when Xiaoqiang comes out!"

"Don't say that. You calling me is a sign of respect. I should thank you!" Tang Mingyuan said sincerely.

Xia Sanwa was right next to Liu Juyi, and he heard all of her conversation with Tang Mingyuan. However, the more he listened, the more confused he became. Who was this Mr. Tang? His tone was so grand, yet he was so polite to Liu Juyi. Liu Juyi asked him for help, and he thanked her. Wasn't he getting it backwards?!

Of course, Tang Mingyuan was not getting it backwards. He really needed to thank Liu Juyi for calling him. He was afraid that Wang Xiaoqiang would not trouble him, which would make it very difficult for them to meet again. His heart disease could only be maintained by a stent in his heart, and his life could only be sustained by that stent. He had no control over it. Although he was old and nearing the end of his life, he should not have such a strong desire to live, but he really wanted to live a few more years. After all, he had not yet held his grandson, which was his greatest wish before he died. He could not die with regrets.

After hanging up the phone, Tang Mingyuan immediately called his son, Tang Guowei, the county police chief of Huagui County.

Recently, Huagui County had launched a strict crackdown on public security. As the head of the county's public security system, Tang Guowei had been extremely busy. However, no matter how busy he was, he did not dare to ignore his father's call. First, it was his own father, who was seriously ill. As a son, he could not be by his side to show filial piety, let alone ignore his father's call. Second, although his father had retired, he still had influence. To put it bluntly, if his father was dissatisfied with him, he could use his connections to make things difficult for him as the police chief. Of course, this was impossible unless Tang Guowei did something unforgivable.

"Hello, Dad, are you okay now?" Tang Guowei was about to attend an important meeting, so his tone was somewhat urgent.

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

"Ah, Dad, did Xiao Fei take you to the hospital? Are you okay now? Should I come back?" Tang Guowei asked anxiously.

"I was saved by a man named Wang Xiaoqiang, and now I'm fine!" Tang Mingyuan's tone softened.

"Uh, that's good. Who is this Wang Xiaoqiang? I will thank him in person when I'm done here!"

Tang Mingyuan did not answer but asked, "Tang Guowei, are you currently conducting a strict crackdown on public security?"

Tang Guowei was puzzled by his father's sudden question, "Yes, Dad, otherwise how could I not come home for days... Your son is busy!"

"What are you busy with? I think you're just busy for nothing. You're really not doing your job as a police chief!" Tang Mingyuan said bluntly, his tone filled with disdain.

Tang Guowei now realized that his father was not physically unwell but mentally upset. He said anxiously, "Dad, what do you mean? Is there something wrong with my work..."

The situation was urgent, so Tang Mingyuan did not beat around the bush. He interrupted his son before he could finish, "Listen carefully..."

Tang Mingyuan then narrated how Guo Biao had kidnapped and beaten Xia Sanwa, lured Wang Xiaoqiang to the Laojie water station, and attempted to beat him up. He added, "That Wang Xiaoqiang is the one who saved Dad. Now, Wang Xiaoqiang has been taken to the Laojie police station by Guo Biao's uncle, Guo Xiongzhi. You must personally handle this matter immediately. If Wang Xiaoqiang is harmed, you will never see me again!"

In Tang Guowei's memory, his father had never been so angry or given such a serious order. This indicated that Wang Xiaoqiang must have saved his father.

"Rest assured, Dad. I will go there right away!" Tang Guowei promised his father, feeling a mix of shame and anger.

He was ashamed because his work was indeed not up to par, and there were loopholes. He was angry because, during the strict crackdown on public security, someone dared to commit a crime, and Guo Xiongzhi, a police officer and the chief of the police station, had acted unjustly, covering up for the real culprit and framing the innocent.

These people were despicable, and he, as the police chief, also bore some responsibility.

Thinking of this, Tang Guowei immediately canceled the upcoming meeting and personally called the head of the county public security team, Wang Chao, ordering him to go to the Laojie police station without giving a reason.

After the call, Tang Guowei personally led a team to the Laojie police station.

Back at the station, Liu Juyi had just hung up the phone when Xia Sanwa impatiently said, "Da Li's wife, we can't waste time. Let's go to the bank to get the money, and then we'll go to the Laojie police station to get Xiaoqiang out..."

Seeing Xia Sanwa's eagerness to help and his willingness to advance the money, Liu Juyi felt that Wang Xiaoqiang had not helped him in vain. She said, "We don't need to get the money. Let's go to the police station now. You are the most important witness in this matter, and you must testify to Xiaoqiang's innocence."

Xia Sanwa's face turned grim, "I should testify for Xiaoqiang, but Da Li's wife, think about it. They are clearly trying to frame Xiaoqiang. What good will my testimony do?"

Liu Juyi said, "Don't worry, Uncle Xia. I just called Mr. Tang, and he promised to help. Xiaoqiang will be fine..."

"Mr. Tang, right, who is Mr. Tang? His tone is so grand. Is he a county leader?"

"I don't know if he is the county magistrate, but Mr. Tang lives in the county party committee compound. I think he must have some influence..."

Hearing this, Xia Sanwa's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Lives in the county party committee compound... He must be a high official or the family of a high official. This is good. Xiaoqiang will be saved... Let's go to the Laojie police station now."