Morning.
South Willow Lane Alley.
After Dong Xuebin's burst of shouting, the alley fell silent for several seconds.
His words had been ruthless—holding every single person criminally liable, sentencing them, sending them to prison. He had instantly intimidated the people below.
Seeing that the other side had immediately gone quiet, Peng Gang, Yu Rongfeng, and the others looked at Dong Xuebin with newfound respect. His words had come at exactly the right time. They might not actually arrest anyone, and these people's actions did not amount to criminal liability, let alone warrant prison sentences, but if they wanted to intimidate these merchants, the harsher the threat, the better. Compared with Willow Lane Community Secretary Song Qing's mild, ineffective threats earlier, Dong Xuebin's words carried far more force. Terms like "prison" struck directly at the merchants' nerves—frightening words that made their hair stand on end.
"They're going to arrest people?"
"Prison sentences!?"
"They're just trying to scare us! The law can't punish everyone!"
Although the merchants still looked furious, their voices had gradually weakened.
Dong Xuebin had worked in public security and dealt with grassroots citizens countless times. He knew what words could frighten people and what could deter them. Clearly, what he had said had worked. Hearing it, Xue Gui immediately said coldly, "Don't listen to their bluffing. This isn't nearly enough for prison! I know the law! Everyone, relax!"
Yellow Hair said from behind him, "Right, we absolutely can't let them tear it down!"
"That's right! Drive them out!"
Xue Gui and several others were still inciting the crowd, but fewer people were joining in.
Dong Xuebin stared coldly at Xue Gui in the distance. Even his good temper had been provoked. As the relative of a cadre, Xue Gui not only failed to set an example, but repeatedly