Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

Just as Zhao Liqiang was wondering how to refute Zhou Jianmin, several cars pulled up and parked in the agency courtyard.

The people in the conference room could no longer sit still. The license plates indicated they were vehicles from the city government.

Several people got out of the cars and hurried toward the office building. They paused for a moment as they passed Miao Dahai and Li Guihua.

One of them went over and asked about the situation. He then helped Li Guihua up and turned to Miao Dahai, saying, ”So you’re Miao Dahai. I’ve heard so much about you. We’ve all read your report—it’s very insightful. I came here today specifically to deliver a document commending your work.”

When Hua Yusen saw this official, he relaxed. ’Thank goodness they made it today.’

Miao Dahai was stunned for a moment. But seeing the visitor’s friendly attitude and hearing the mention of his report, he was delighted. ”Thank you so much for the agency’s recognition. However, as for Zheng Delin beating a villager in the street... if the agency can’t give me an answer on this, I’m not leaving this spot. I want to ask: who gave Zheng Delin that power? By what right does he have it?”

Seeing that the visitor approved of him proved the man was on his side. This only strengthened Miao Dahai’s resolve to stay put and demand justice.

He wouldn’t leave until those people came out, apologized, and gave him an explanation.

’Let’s see if, in a world that’s supposed to be just, Zheng Delin can really get away with anything he wants.’

The man listened and nodded. He didn’t try to persuade him further, instead replying, ”Rest assured, we won’t wrong a good person, nor will we let any criminal who tarnishes our agency’s image get away.”

With that, he led his group into the office building. He needed to handle this matter as quickly as possible; he couldn’t let the old man suffer any longer.

When Zheng Delin and the other young men saw the newcomers, and especially after they overheard the conversation with Miao Dahai, they were all dumbfounded.

Xu Jinda’s mind raced. ’This is great! People from the city arrived at the most critical moment. I hope this is the chance to finally round up all those arrogant bastards.’

’They’ve already made a complete mess of the Labor County agencies. If things don’t change, even more people will starve this year, and even more will be falsely accused.’

Wang Guangkun from the city government walked straight into the conference room. The moment Zhao Liqiang saw him, he was completely stunned.

’So that’s why Zhou Jianmin dared to openly confront me today,’ he thought. ’His backup has arrived.’

”Hello, everyone. I’m Wang Guangkun from the city. The recommendation report submitted by Zhou Jianmin has been reviewed and approved by the city agencies...” Director Wang Guangkun read out at length, then glanced at Zhou Jianmin beside him. ”The originator of this report is Miao Dahai of Nianqiao Village. His successful experience is of tremendous importance to us for improving how we assist those in need and for protecting the interests of the villagers and the village itself. And you just allow such a meritorious man to be beaten in the street? Has public safety in Labor County truly deteriorated to this point? If so, then when I return, I will have to report this to the city and arrange for personnel to come here and maintain order to prevent any further unnecessary harm.”

Wang Guangkun’s words made Zhao Liqiang break out in a cold sweat. Flustered and panicked, he felt his composure finally crumble.

’It doesn’t matter how Zhou Jianmin convinced the city,’ he thought. ’If I can’t handle this incident with Miao Dahai properly today, I’m definitely going to face severe consequences.’

’Zheng Delin, was it?’

’The nerve of that guy, and he’s a complete idiot. To do something like this and put me in such a passive position.’

’I’m better off without an idiot like that. Now’s the time to sacrifice the pawn to save the king. No room for sentimentality.’

The people in the conference room who supported Zhou Jianmin were ecstatic. The officials from the city had arrived at the perfect time, dealing Zhao Liqiang a severe and well-justified blow.

As for Zhao Liqiang’s supporters, their hearts turned to ice. ’Walk a dark path long enough, and you’re bound to run into a ghost.’ Zheng Delin was fated to be the scapegoat, thrown under the bus so that Zhao Liqiang could get some breathing room and bide his time.

”Mr. Wang is correct. Zheng Delin’s methods were indeed too arbitrary and reckless. I will discipline him severely and make him understand that the safety of the working people is paramount, and they are not for him to bully as he pleases.” Zhao Liqiang’s whole demeanor changed as he spoke with righteous indignation. ”Everyone, come downstairs with me. We will thank this old gentleman for the contributions he has made to our work in Labor County, and we will offer him our sincerest apologies. Our own work has been subpar; we failed to protect him.”

In just a few minutes, Zhao Liqiang had completely reversed his previous stance, choosing to save his own skin. It was an eye-opener for everyone in the conference room. ’This Zhao Liqiang is really something else,’ they thought, ’so adaptable, and utterly shameless.’

Zhou Jianmin was inwardly contemptuous of Zhao Liqiang’s behavior, but it also put him on high alert. ’Zhao Liqiang’s ability to switch gears so quickly proves he has incredible composure,’ he thought. ’I need to be even more wary of him.’

Zhao Liqiang led the group straight downstairs. He reached out, grasped Miao Dahai’s hand firmly, and said with heartfelt earnestness, ”You have been wronged, sir. Please, get up. I will give you a just resolution today and make sure to extinguish the arrogance of those troublemakers.”

Seeing Zhao Liqiang come down in person, Miao Dahai was completely baffled. ’But isn’t Zheng Delin one of Zhao Liqiang’s own men?’

Then, it dawned on Miao Dahai. To save his own position, Zhao Liqiang was probably going to sacrifice Zheng Delin.

When Miao Dahai turned to look at Zheng Delin, he saw that the man’s face was pale, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at both Miao Dahai and Zhao Liqiang.

Just as Miao Dahai had guessed, Zhao Liqiang turned and harshly reprimanded Zheng Delin without mincing a single word. Then he directly ordered Xu Jinda to arrest Zheng Delin and his group of young men, a gesture to give face to Wang Guangkun.

Li Guihua was also stunned. ’Could it all be resolved this easily?’

’Is this what they mean when they say a higher rank can crush you?’

Those on good terms with Zhao Liqiang immediately rushed forward to help Li Guihua and fawn over Miao Dahai, hoping the day’s incident could be put behind them as quickly as possible. They were terrified, with the city leadership watching.

Zhao Liqiang adopted an exceptionally humble posture this time. Not only did he apologize, but he also dealt with Zheng Delin.

As Hua Yusen led Miao Dahai and Li Guihua out of the county seat, the old couple still found it hard to believe what had just happened.