After hearing that Lin Qi had been hospitalized, Mr. Fox rushed to the scene as quickly as possible. After learning from the doctor that Lin Qi was not seriously injured, he found that aside from some malnutrition, Lin Qi had only suffered two soft-tissue contusions.
Although the injuries were not serious, Mr. Fox was still furious. He thought highly of Lin Qi, whether sincerely or because he wanted to win him over, and at the very least, he had to make his position clear.
"We're suing him!" Mr. Fox paced back and forth in the hospital room. "We'll sue him until his family is ruined and he can't even afford a pair of pants!"
Lin Qi watched Mr. Fox put on a performance. Although half of it was genuine, he still couldn't help laughing as he waved his hand. "Forget it. There's no need to go that far."
By the time he reached the hospital, the spasms in his body had already eased. Apart from some discomfort in his stomach, there was nothing else wrong with him. During that time, he had seriously considered what he should do next and had already made his decision.
Mr. Fox raised his eyebrows. In essence, he had said those things to go along with Lin Qi. Although he did not know how Lin Qi had sent Little Michael to prison—he had apparently even confessed voluntarily—he had sensed Lin Qi's vengeful nature.
Would someone like that really not take advantage of such an opportunity? This was clearly an excellent chance.
Before coming, Mr. Fox had already consulted his lawyer. The lawyer believed that as long as they filed a lawsuit, Michael would be finished.
First, he had forcibly broken into the house without the owner's permission. Then, he had coerced the homeowner by violently assaulting him. On top of that, he was a government employee who had knowingly committed an illegal act. He would not only be publicly ruined but would also face at least five years in prison.
Mr. Fox thought that Lin Qi was clever enough to ruin Michael's reputation completely. But to his surprise, Lin Qi had told him to forget it. Had he guessed wrong, or was Lin Qi putting on an act?
Seeing the intense curiosity on Mr. Fox's face, and remembering that he had rushed over at the first opportunity, Lin Qi was still grateful despite the man's overacted performance having fallen apart a little. Besides, he would need Mr. Fox's help later, so he explained his thoughts.
"Suing Michael would be seen as a challenge to the Federal Revenue Service. That's an extremely sensitive signal, and it might even have the opposite effect from what we want."
"The Federal Revenue Service will definitely do everything it can to protect Michael, in order to ensure that its own authority, sanctity, and power to conduct on-site enforcement remain unchallenged. So they'll do everything possible to nail me to the label of 'criminal.'"
"By then, the person facing me won't be Michael, but the entire federal tax system's officials and the interest groups behind them. I can't win."
He spoke as if it were nothing, but Mr. Fox was so shaken that he could no longer manage any change in expression. Lin Qi continued speaking.
"The best approach is to use the media to oppose them. Those reporters who aren't afraid of trouble will help us deal with Michael. The whole country will learn about this scandal, and to preserve its image, the Federal Revenue Service will actually punish Michael."
Lin Qi frowned slightly. "There's a good chance he'll be suspended and investigated. They may handle the matter quietly, and once the storm passes, he might be transferred somewhere remote to spend his retirement. But that isn't important. What matters is that we need the power of the media."
"Let the media do the things we want to do but don't dare to do and can't do. By then, I'll still be the victim. And Michael?"
Lin Qi shrugged and spread his hands. "He'll have become a stray dog."
Suing Michael was, at its core, a provocation against power, even a blasphemy. That was because Michael did not represent merely an individual in this situation. He represented the Federal Revenue Service's power of law enforcement.
It was like a case involving a lawyer and a police officer. When a lawyer sued a police officer, he was actually challenging the power of the entire federal police force. That was the real reason he had aroused everyone's anger.
If he had been a little smarter and used a more tactful method, that police officer would certainly have regretted what he had done for the rest of his life, and the lawyer would no longer have needed to spend every day fearing legitimate harassment from the police.
Lin Qi did not know about this incident. If he had, he might have thought that lawyers were not necessarily all smart people.
A layer of sweat had already appeared on Mr. Fox's forehead. Thinking of the favor Lin Qi had asked of him earlier, he could not help pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his brow. He was beginning to have trouble seeing through this young man.
His thoughts, methods, and meticulousness were nothing like those of a useless person who had received Happy Education before entering society and sinking into mediocrity.
If someone had told him that Lin Qi was actually the heir to some great family, Mr. Fox would have been willing to believe it at that moment—and believe it with absolute conviction and reverence. Ordinary people truly could not reach this level.
"Is there anything I can help with?" he asked hurriedly. By then, he no longer viewed their relationship from a superior position. Instead, he regarded Lin Qi as an equal, or even placed himself slightly lower.
A young man this capable would inevitably become a major figure who could shake the entire federation, as long as he did not die prematurely.
Investing in him while he had yet to rise was far better than waiting until he became successful and then shamelessly flattering him while gnawing at whatever scraps remained.
Lin Qi immediately noticed the change in Mr. Fox's attitude. Although he was a little puzzled, he did not dwell on it. Having suffered such a major loss, all he could think about was getting revenge. "Of course. I need the media to interview me—lots of media outlets. Preferably some with national reach. We can spend a little money, but we have to make a splash!"
Mr. Fox let out a relieved breath. This was something he could do. To be honest, people in his line of work most often dealt with various licensed professionals and people on the fringes of the entertainment industry.
He immediately thumped his chest and promised, "Don't worry. By the day after tomorrow at the latest, some of the country's well-known media outlets will be here!"
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Lin Qi said politely.
"It's the least I can do!" Mr. Fox replied, sharing his indignation.
After he left, Lin Qi called for a nurse. The Nurse then summoned the attending physician. After the two of them remained in the room for a short while, the attending physician emerged from the hospital room with a solemn expression. "Immediately transfer this patient to the emergency center..."
And so, the director of the Sabine City branch of the Federal Revenue Service, who had been roused from bed in the middle of the night, had only just lain down and prepared to return to sleep when another ringing phone woke him up. Before he had time to lose his temper, his expression changed dramatically.
The victim was critically injured and in grave danger. He had already been sent to the emergency center, and the doctor had issued a risk notice. Unforeseeable complications might occur.
At the thought of this, how could he sleep? Cursing Michael viciously as he dressed, he hurried to the hospital. If Lin Qi really died, he would have to begin handling the matter immediately.
Not long afterward, the attending physician at the emergency center made an "Eight Kays" gesture with Lin Qi, who was supposedly undergoing "resuscitation." The two smiled at each other in silence.
And all of this happened because of what the director, who had hurried over, said—a sentence everyone in the entire hall heard: "You must save Lin Qi. Use the best equipment and Special Medicine. The Federal Revenue Service will foot the bill!"
Success!
① "Eight Kays": In a tabletop game, "Kay" represents a damage-free round. Only someone with unbelievably good luck can draw eight "Kays" in a row and secure victory outright. Thus, "Eight Kays" became a phrase used to encourage one another.