The Phone Rang

What happened last night kept many people awake at night.

Witnesses at the time included mid- to high-level managers of the nightclub, the fire department, the hospital, the public security bureau, Xie Guangjun's family, and so on.

Of course, Xiaoman's family was also among them.

When the police reviewed the surveillance footage and discovered that the intruders had arrived at the floor where Kang De lived, although they were almost certain that they had broken into Kang De's home, they still made a phone call to ensure they were on the safe side, considering that a well-known entrepreneur lived next door and that a robbery or kidnapping targeting a wealthy person was not out of the question.

Upon hearing the news, the father and daughter rushed back overnight. After arriving at the police station, Xiaoman went to pick up Kang De, while Uncle Wang went to the chief to find out what had happened.

After all, it was a major case involving five deaths and injuries, and the injured was the second son of a well-known entrepreneur in the province. The city attached great importance to it, and the bureau chief personally oversaw it. After a period of intense investigation and cracking through the night, although no final conclusion was reached, the major figures in the public security, procuratorate, and judicial system had a pretty good grasp of the general situation.

This is the inside story that Uncle Wang inquired about.

After Kang De and Xiaoman stayed in the car for a while, Uncle Wang came into their view.

Xiaoman's father is younger than Xie Liqian.

Because they started late, their net worth is much lower, and their hidden strength and foundation are also much weaker.

But after all, he's a figure from this province.

Moreover, youth naturally has its advantages, both for young people and for young companies—for example, they are more energetic, more receptive to new things, and have more advanced ideas and concepts.

As one of China's previous generation of entrepreneurs, Uncle Wang naturally possesses all the characteristics of a domineering CEO—for example, his hair is dry due to irregular lifestyle, his eyes are dull due to significant sleep problems, he is overweight due to excessive work pressure, overeating, and lack of exercise, and he dresses extremely casually, as if he thinks, "I'm awesome even if I wear shorts."

And the hairline defense line that has suffered repeated defeats and retreats.

He opened the car door and got into the driver's seat. Before he even fully closed the door, he turned back and smiled at Kang De, "Didn't scare you, did you?"

Kang De shrugged. "It's alright."

Uncle Wang glanced at him a few more times, making sure Kang De wasn't just putting on a brave face, and nodded, saying, "He's alright now. That little bastard brought it on himself. He suffered severe burns, his whole body was a mess, living is worse than being dead—don't tell anyone, the bureau chief just secretly told me that given the circumstances, Xie Guangjun almost certainly wouldn't have survived, but he did. It's like God opened his eyes and made him suffer a little more."

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, the wicked will be punished."

Uncle Wang turned around to open the car door and fasten his seatbelt. In that moment, Xiaoman stared Xiaoman at Kang De, Kang De was also looking at her with an extremely innocent expression.

The girl rolled her eyes.

Uncle Wang then said, "Are you hungry? Let me take you to lunch to calm your nerves—why don't you want to stay at the resort for the next few days? Or at the factory area, that's nice too, very comfortable, and there are security guards patrolling at night."

The so-called villa is Xiaoman's family's large villa. After all, since Uncle Wang became rich, the gap between the two families' wealth has widened and is getting further and further apart, but Xiaoman still prefers to live in the old house.

Kang De shook his head and said, "No need, it's safer now."

"That's right. As this matter has been investigated, Xie Guangjun has accumulated more and more scandals, which has put that old man Xie Liqian in a very awkward position. At a time like this, if something happens to you, the police will be furious. Xie Liqian won't go looking for trouble—he's already in a real bind."

Uncle Wang took the keys from Xiaoman, pressed the ignition button, started the car, and said, "I've already made arrangements. Someone will come this afternoon to install a security camera outside the door. It has recognition and automatic alarm functions. The police will also help cooperate. You should also replace your door."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman turned her head to the other side, looking out the window as if admiring the scenery.

Speaking of Kang De's house, the situation was quite tragic.

First, Xiaoman chopped it open with a fire axe, then a few skilled thugs managed to open it again. The worst part was that the lock the thugs broke was one that Xiaoman had paid for and installed herself...

That's why Xiaoman had this subtle feeling of having bought a counterfeit product.

Recalling the past, Kang De couldn't help but laugh.

Uncle Wang, thinking Kang De was still worried about the money, added, "You don't need to worry about the money. If nothing unexpected happens, Xie Liqian will send someone to discuss compensation with you in the next few days. It shouldn't be a small amount; it's mainly for calming the nerves and keeping quiet—the money for installing the door lock and surveillance cameras can come from there."

Before Kang De could speak, Xiaoman scoffed, "Hush money... so you're already trying to cover this up?"

Uncle Wang shook his head. "Xie Guangjun is half-dead now, still being treated. Whether he'll survive is uncertain. After all, he's his own flesh and blood. Xie Liqian certainly doesn't want his son to be burdened with all sorts of messy stigmas after his death, nor does he want to be remembered as a poor parent... So he'll definitely use his connections and influence to put this matter to rest. It would be best if it were classified as a fatal accident caused by drunk driving."

Xiaoman said indignantly, "He killed someone! He confessed to it himself!"

"It's that video, right? But that one alone is useless."

Uncle Wang replied, "The police are also working hard on the clues from that video, but unfortunately Xie Guangjun is already unconscious and cannot be interrogated. Furthermore, if Xie Guangjun had disposed of the body completely, leaving no trace, then the video alone is not enough to convict him. Even if Xie Guangjun confesses to killing someone, it still won't be enough to convict him."

He turned to his daughter. "After all, if a delusional person went to the police station and confessed to murder, even if the details were incredibly detailed and the logic perfectly consistent, but no evidence could be found, would the public security, procuratorate, and court convict and sentence him? Of course not. Just like Xie Guangjun's case, if you can't find evidence, you can't rule out the possibility that Xie Guangjun was drunk or high and talking nonsense."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman looked at Kang De.

Kang De also shook his head.

He learned of Xie Guangjun's suspicion from the female ghost.

If you tell the police officer this, the officer will also think he's high.

Xiaoman sighed, "How could this happen?"

"Alright, no need to be so sentimental. Didn't that little bastard get his comeuppance?" Uncle Wang had long been used to even more outrageous things, so unlike his daughter, he wasn't bewildered or indignant. However, he still sighed with a sigh, "Severe burns, multiple injuries all over his body. Even if he survives, he'll basically be crippled and won't live long. This is much better than an immediate execution."

Then, with a rather complex tone, he sighed, "So, people should have some reverence, because some things in this world are very mysterious and difficult to explain with science."

As one of the previous generation of domineering CEOs in China, Uncle Wang naturally possesses many of the characteristics of wealthy people, namely, a belief in metaphysics.

Generally speaking, in most cases, there are three types of people in the world who tend to believe in metaphysics.

People from the lower rungs of society, people from the upper rungs of society, and Africa.

Under Kang De 'Xiaoman gaze, Kant smiled and nodded in agreement, "Uncle Wang is right."

In short, for Kang De, this matter was now closed.

--That's how Uncle Wang sees it.

He considered this issue from the perspective of an entrepreneur and a high-ranking person, believing that Xie Liqian would be in a terrible predicament and might even become the target of public criticism. He would have to deal with his son's mess, a series of subsequent troubles, and even more pressing issues and inquiries from higher-ups. He would also have to consider how to deal with stock price fluctuations and shareholder inquiries if public opinion escalated. Just thinking about all these messes made Uncle Wang feel a headache for Xie Liqian.

In this context, the conflict between Kang De and Xie Guangjun was an extremely minor matter.

Therefore, Uncle Wang believed that Xie Liqian would definitely not care about such things, especially now— Xie Guangjun had caused two incidents, one involving hiring someone to illegally break into a house and the other involving a murder case from last year, which had embarrassed the Municipal Public Security Bureau. If Xie Liqian were to make any more moves, the Provincial Public Security Department would definitely slap him in the face.

Moreover, Wang Yongzhi had already made many arrangements and sent out his message today, Xie Liqian clearly understood his stance. If he dared to make any further moves against Kang De, it would mean a complete breakdown in relations.

These are the rules.

In China, everyone has to follow the rules.

So, no problem.

Here, we must mention another characteristic of China's previous generation of domineering CEOs.

They are extremely familiar with rules and adept at maximizing their use of them, but their extreme confidence in the rules and in themselves leads to a somewhat rigid mindset.

For example, he simply couldn't imagine that whether there was a problem or not didn't lie with Xie Liqian.

But it was Kang De, who sat in the back seat and whom he had watched grow up.

Originally, Uncle Wang intended to take Kang De and Xiaoman out for a big meal to calm their nerves and show them some comfort. However, considering that Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang, and the villagers were still waiting for news back in their hometown, they told Uncle Wang and drove straight back to their hometown to eat at his house.

I called ahead, so when I got home, the elderly couple had already prepared a very lavish meal.

Grandpa Wang pulled his son aside to ask him questions, while Grandma Wang held Kang De and Xiaoman's hands, asking them all sorts of questions. Only after both sides were satisfied did they begin to eat.

Grandma Wang looked at Xiaoman and Kang De sitting together, and all her previous worries disappeared; she just smiled.

After finishing his meal, Kang De went from house to house to tell his uncles and great-uncles who had surrounded the police car that morning that everything was alright, as a way of letting them know he was safe and expressing his gratitude.

Xiaoman went along too.

The two elderly people laughed even harder upon seeing this. Grandma Wang whispered to Grandpa from behind, "It's just like handing out invitations and wedding candy. That's what we did back then."

"I've never seen you enjoy visiting relatives so much before."

After visiting the fifth house, Kang De stuffed another handful of beef cubes into his pocket, biting into an apple, and said goodbye to the old man and woman who saw him off at the door. Xiaoman asked while peeling an orange.

Kang De walked alongside her, smiling and greeting the villagers along the way. After a moment's thought, he said, "Hmm, I'm starting to like it now. I used to find it boring and tedious, not knowing all these relatives, near and far, and since we're all in the city, it felt distant... But now that we're further apart, it feels closer."

In this other world, especially now, he sees countless friendly smiling faces.

But just like the story of Zou Ji advising King Qi to accept advice.

Most people treat him with extreme friendliness, respect, and admiration out of fear, to curry favor with him, to ask for favors, or to gain some benefit from him. Only a handful of people are truly sincere towards him.

Things only started to change slightly after the speech in front of the national cemetery.

He was certainly not angry, and he understood these people's thoughts perfectly. But that's precisely why the villagers' kindness and sincerity were so precious—not because he was awesome or powerful, but simply because they shared the same surname and the same ancestor, so they were like family.

Xiaoman remained silent.

She couldn't imagine the hardships and difficulties Kang De had gone through, but she could understand what Kang De was saying.

Having fought through that endless cycle of cruelty, bloodshed, and despair to achieve such success, the higher one climbs, the more one longs for ordinary, everyday days...

But she couldn't offer any real help.

After a moment, the girl whispered, "When will I really be able to come back...?"

Kang De paused for a moment.

He thought of his days in the other world, and of many people: the knight, Hong San, Nick, Preston, Tina... the massacred villages, the soldiers who fought to the death, the elves sent to the battlefield by politicians, the war-torn world, and countless lives lost and pitiful.

He had only set foot on Goth's land because of a promise he made to a knight.

And now...

"I'm sorry," Kang De said softly, "I still have things to do, for those who have died."

Xiaoman gently took Kang De's hand.

Comrades, sacrifice, promises, revenge, resurrection, breaking fate... In an instant, a magnificent picture unfolded in Xiaoman's heart, a plot of at least a million words.

"If you're going to do it, then do it."

She smiled gently, "But holidays should be enjoyed to the fullest... Let's go out and have fun together tomorrow."

Kang De looked at her and nodded, saying, "Okay."

They visited each relative's home, sitting and chatting at each one for a while. Time passed quickly, but Kang De didn't find it tedious, and neither did Xiaoman.

The former finds joy in his own company, while the latter simply wants to stay by Kang De's side.

While they were visiting neighbors and even wandering around the village, Xie Liqian had already returned home. Several people were standing in the living room, looking frightened and uneasy. They were all the lackeys who had accompanied Xie Guangjun to party wildly at the nightclub that night.

"As you all know, I, Xie Liqian, have always been fair in my dealings and will never hold a grudge against you."

Xie Ligan sat on the sofa, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces. "I am a father, and I just want an answer. I just want you to tell the truth—did he use drugs?"

The group exchanged glances, and finally, one person stepped forward and answered, "Mr. Xie, I don't know about other things, but we can guarantee that, at least within the store, Young Master Xie didn't touch those things."

People nodded in agreement.

Xie Liqian tapped his fingers twice on his knee and said calmly, "So, my son just went to the restroom and then started spouting nonsense? The nightclub manager personally promised me that they checked the restroom afterwards and found no signs or residue of smoking. What's going on here?"

No one can answer this question.

Xie Liqian continued to ponder, while the others were drenched in sweat and dared not utter a sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Liqian raised his head. "Tell me again what happened last night, from beginning to end, every single detail, without omitting a single thing!"

The group took turns telling their stories, supplementing each other's points, one after another.

Xie Liqian repeatedly asked questions to explore the issue.

"Wait a moment..."

Upon hearing a detail, he looked up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Did An Kui's daughter ask you if you heard the phone ring?"

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PS1: Damn, I really shouldn't make promises I keep. I'm so sleepy tonight, and I'm writing so slowly... I'm going to sleep now, and I'll continue writing later.