Chapter 127 Kidnapped

Chief Zhao then asked the police officer behind him, "Do you know anything about the Yu family's situation?"

The local policeman had been around for a long time and knew everyone in the neighborhood. After thinking for a moment, he said, "On the old street, there's a son and a daughter. This Yu Li is the younger daughter, and she's been looking for a partner lately. She's picky, and none of the introductions she's had worked out. She even tried to introduce me to her last time. This woman is too domineering and materialistic. I wouldn't want her."

He spoke in a foul tone—he must have been hurt when they met.

"How could a neighbor be a spy?" Chief Zhao said, already prejudiced. "Even if he were a spy, he shouldn't look this stupid." His expression was resolute. "Regardless, since the police were called, we have to go check it out. Let's go!"

He brought two policemen with him and Xu Damao to the courtyard house.

When Li Jianguo saw the unfamiliar policeman, he looked at Xu Damao with questioning eyes.

Xu Damao quickly explained, "This is the new Director Zhao. Director Zhang has been promoted to the Municipal Bureau."

"I see. Director Zhang left without even saying goodbye. Congratulations on your new appointment, Director Zhao," Li Jianguo greeted him.

"No need for congratulations. It's my duty." Director Zhao showed no respect whatsoever, refusing even a word of congratulations—he had absolutely no understanding of social etiquette.

Li Jianguo was taken aback. He thought congratulations was just a polite gesture; a normal person would just laugh it off and say thank you. But this guy was different. He looked at Director Zhao strangely, then asked Xu Damao with his eyes: Is this guy crazy?

Xu Damao's lips twitched—he had witnessed this straightforwardness before, but he hadn't expected it to be this extreme. He leaned closer and whispered, "The battalion commander from the army transferred to civilian work; he has some connections. Originally, Director Zhang was supposed to stay at the station for a while, but as soon as he arrived, he quickly gave up his position and went to the municipal bureau."

"Not simple." Li Jianguo nodded. This was the first time he had met someone like this; he would have to figure out how to communicate with him.

"Where are the spies you're talking about?" Director Zhao went straight to the point.

Yu Li wrapped herself in the blanket and began to cry. "I'm innocent! Officers, you have to help me! They bullied me, a weak woman, because of their numbers and their status!"

She cried uncontrollably, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Director Zhao rarely saw women, but seeing this disheveled woman wrapped in a blanket, weeping bitterly, his heart softened. "They say you're a spy. Do you have evidence to prove you aren't?"

Yu Li nodded hurriedly. "I didn't touch anything, I didn't take anything. As soon as I entered his room, he pinned me to the bed. My family lives right at the entrance of the alley. If he were a spy, my parents are still here. How could I not care about their lives? I grew up in this area. Everyone in the neighborhood knows what kind of person he is. If he were a spy, how could he keep it from so many people? Director Li just doesn't want to take responsibility!"

Tears streaming down her face, she recounted her accusations. "Just two days ago everything was fine. We were chatting at the alley entrance. I thought he really liked me. He told me to wait for him at home, so I came. And what happened?" She covered her face and sobbed, "He accused me of being a spy and kicked me out. I'm a woman too! I have my pride too! Don't you all know how precious a woman's reputation is? He's a heartless man, always wanting more than he has. His girlfriend's family is powerful, that's why he treated me like this!"

Upon hearing Yu Li's accusations, Director Zhao's gaze towards Li Jianguo changed. "Director Li, is this the spy you're talking about?" His eyes were icy. "You say she's a spy? Produce the evidence! But based on the current situation, I believe what this woman said is the truth. As the director of the steel rolling mill, your personal conduct is so chaotic; I must report this to the steel rolling mill!"

Li Jianguo stared wide-eyed in disbelief—it was unbelievable.

Xu Damao was the same. "Chief Zhao, you're jumping to conclusions based solely on this woman's side of the story? Is this your style of handling cases?" He couldn't believe it. This woman was clearly trying to cling to Li Jianguo; even a fool could see that. Couldn't Chief Zhao see that? He wondered what kind of environment this man had grown up in.

"I haven't listened to only one side of the story. But for a woman to go through something like this and then be labeled a spy, I think there are many unreasonable aspects to this. For a woman to ruin her reputation like this, there must be something wrong with what you've done."

He appeared righteous and indignant, but what he said was both laughable and pathetic.

Li Jianguo was too lazy to argue. It was obvious he was stubborn and couldn't be reasoned with. He'd rather let Director Yang handle it.

"Then let's report it to Director Yang." Li Jianguo directly requested Director Yang's intervention.

"Okay. I'll go find Director Yang now and report this." Director Zhao took matters into his own hands, leaving the two policemen behind, and rode his bicycle to find Director Yang.

As I passed by, I saw Li Jianguo's car, and my eyes lit up—I was even more certain that Li Jianguo was persecuting women. How many people in Beijing own a car? For a mere department head to drive one, he's definitely not a good person. It's no wonder that someone like him would oppress women.

His opinion of Li Jianguo dropped even further.

He went all the way to the steel rolling mill, but Director Yang wasn't there; he had gone home after get off work. So he went to Director Yang's house instead.

"Who is this comrade looking for?" A similar car was parked in front of Director Yang's house. Director Zhao's eyes darkened—another leader misusing a government vehicle. He had to write a report; this behavior had to be stopped.

He thought this to himself, but didn't show it on his face. He looked at the man in front of him, his expression serious. "I'm looking for Director Yang. There's something I need him to witness."

"That's me. And who are you?" Director Yang had never seen Director Zhao before, which was a bit strange. Looking at his tall figure and uniform, he guessed who he was.

"I'm the police station chief, my surname is Zhao. I just received a report from Director Li of the steel rolling mill, who claimed a woman broke into his home and was a spy. According to my investigation, the woman is not a spy. I suspect Director Li seduced her and then abandoned her. I need to inform you of this—"

Before he could finish speaking, Director Yang glared at him angrily. "Nonsense!" he roared, staring coldly at Chief Zhao. "What have you investigated? All you found out is that she started a relationship and then abandoned you? Our Director Li only has one girlfriend, Secretary Jiang's daughter, a beautiful and capable high-achieving student. They're about to get married. This other woman suddenly appearing is definitely a frame-up! You haven't even figured things out, and you're already spouting nonsense? Is this your style of handling cases?"

After delivering his message, Director Yang ignored him completely, went downstairs, and drove his car straight to the factory.

Chief Zhao chased after the car on his bicycle, getting increasingly angry as it sped up. Their police station didn't even have a car, yet every leader in the factory had one—clearly abusing public resources for private gain, and possibly even accepting bribes. He was determined to report these corrupt officials.

Factory Director Yang had no idea what Director Zhao was thinking. He rushed to the factory as fast as he could and went straight to the security department.

"Everyone who's not doing anything, come out here!"

The security personnel usually live in the factory, and they all come out when they hear any noise.

"Director Yang, what's wrong?" Squad leader Li Hu walked over. Ever since he went out with Li Jianguo last time, he had risen rapidly in the security department.

"Xiao Li, call all the security guards who are not currently in work. Director Li is in a bit of trouble; let's go check it out."

Upon hearing that Li Jianguo was in trouble, the entire security team assembled without hesitation.

Director Zhao arrived at the steel rolling mill just then and saw Director Yang gathering a group of people, marching menacingly towards the courtyard. He clicked his tongue in surprise—and suspected even more that Director Yang was a factionalist, protecting those in his own factory who had made mistakes. He rode even faster, thinking to himself: I absolutely cannot let these people bully that weak woman.

Soon the group arrived at the courtyard house.

Yu Li, who was lying on the ground, had been persuaded to go inside by the two policemen who remained. She changed her clothes and came out again. She still looked like she was about to cry. Judging from Chief Zhao's demeanor earlier, she guessed that this Chief Zhao was different from Chief Zhang before, and might actually be able to stand up for her. As long as Li Jianguo admitted it, everything would be fine.

Factory Director Yang entered, saw her standing there, and immediately ordered, "Tie her up!"

Yu Li was startled. Why were they kidnapping her? She struggled to break free from the two men who were grabbing her. "Who are you? Why are you arresting me? I haven't stolen anything, I haven't robbed anything, I haven't broken the law! Is there no law anymore?" she cried out anxiously to Chief Zhao, "Chief Zhao, please help me! You're the police station chief!"