Along with the searing pain in his forehead, Zhou Yi's vision briefly went black, and his body began to sway.
But almost immediately, through sheer force of will, he forced himself to regain his balance.
Warm, wet liquid ran down his temple, obscuring the vision in his right eye.
"Director!"
The police officers paled in shock, then erupted into motion. As one, they tightened their grips on their batons and rushed toward Zhou Yi, while Shao Mingbao and Cai Xiaobo went so far as to put their hands on their guns.
It was no exaggeration to say that, at the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau today, Director Zhou Yi was every officer's idol, their one and only leader, and the spiritual symbol that set the bureau apart from other government departments.
Forget laying a hand on him-just try saying one bad word about their director. Try it, and you'd die!
Now that they had seen their director attacked, every officer present was instantly fired up, overcome with fury.
Yes! Just like that!
Get in there! Hit them! Shoot!
Lin Gongzhi and someone in the crowd were perfectly in sync, hoping for the same thing and shouting silently.
But a single gesture from the Public Security Director immediately shattered their hopes.
Zhou Yi raised his left hand toward the officers and said in a calm, forceful voice, "Everyone, stand back!"
The officers fell silent for a moment. Reluctant though they were, they obeyed their director's order and slowly backed away.
Zhou Yi turned and fixed a cold gaze on the panicked man holding the club. "If you're one of these miners, I can forgive what you just did," he said evenly. "So tell me, are you?"
The man holding the club searched the crowd with his eyes. Then, apparently receiving some sort