Chapter 117: How Could It Be Like This?

"You should know what meritorious service led to my extraordinary promotion, right?" Director Zhou looked at Wu Ya, but his words were directed at Officer Yan, as well as the now-subdued Old Woman Zhang, who dared not show the slightest sign of resistance.

"Of course I know! You were recognized by your superiors and granted an exceptional promotion precisely because you cracked the biggest drug case since the city was founded and dismantled the organized crime syndicates that had plagued us for years! But what does that have to do with this kid?" As Officer Yan replied, he couldn't help but glare fiercely at Director Zhou.

What a load of nonsense! Everyone in the police department knew that Zhou had just gotten lucky. He had somehow received intelligence that someone was going to conduct a drug deal in the Suiyan District, and by acting unexpectedly, he had achieved unparalleled merit. In the process, he had wiped out the four major crime syndicates in one fell swoop, restoring a clear and bright social order to the entire Wuling City. That was how he had risen to such heights overnight! Otherwise, promotions within the system would grind you down until your hair turned white and your bones grew weary before you could ever become a bureau director.

"Hahaha, since you know the reason, you should also know that I earned that merit because I received the intelligence in advance. Guess where I got that information from?"

*Guess where I got that information from? Where did it come from?*

Officer Yan’s mind began to race, following the trajectory of Director Zhou's words. But where did it come from? He had no idea! It couldn't possibly be... the brat standing right in front of him, could it? No! Could it be that the original intel really came from this kid? Otherwise, why would he be playing this game of suspense? And even while he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Wu Ya!

And Wu Ya? The smile at the corner of his mouth remained perfectly calm, showing none of the shock one would expect upon hearing such monumental news! This directly proved that the kid also knew who the informant was! There was only one explanation—it was this kid, without a doubt!

Yet, he still couldn't bring himself to believe his own deduction. After all, the mysterious figure was known only to Zhou! So, he asked for confirmation. "Could it be that this kid gave you the information?"

"Exactly!" The response from Director Zhou was ironclad and decisive.

Boom! A thunderbolt struck Officer Yan squarely! "This... how is this possible! How could it be such a coincidence? How could it be like this?"

*How could it be like this?* At this moment, Officer Yan’s eyes glazed over with extreme shock. Back then, it was rumored throughout the police department that the mysterious informant had chosen to avoid publicity because he didn't want to be in the spotlight. This had not only added to his mystery but had also added a brilliant stroke to his act of courage! Promoting justice without seeking fame! He never expected that he would actually run into him today, and in such a dramatic fashion!

A young man known to all for his integrity, someone who dared to fight against vicious drug dealers and risked his life to eradicate organized crime, was being treated here as a criminal who abducted a minor, resisted arrest, and assaulted others? This was an absolute joke! If this got out, let alone being punished by the law, the people of Wuling City would tear him apart! The social order they enjoyed was all thanks to Wu Ya’s tip-off!

"Heh, well, are you convinced now? Wu Ya performed a heroic act and refused to take credit, assisting the authorities in wiping out crime! Yet, such a fine young man has suffered a grave injustice at our hands! Tell me, don't you deserve this?" Director Zhou’s tone turned stern once again.

Wu Ya, the very person who had eradicated the crime syndicates and combated drug trafficking in Wuling City, had almost been framed today! If it weren't for Huang Silu, who had notified him in time, a terrible mistake would have been made tonight! To prove his innocence, Wu Ya would surely have revealed his past exploits to the public. If that happened, the public would learn that a virtuous citizen who had contributed so much to eradicating crime had been framed by a neighborhood vigilante group colluding with corrupt police officers!

How would the public interpret this? Would they listen to an explanation that it was just a misunderstanding? No, they wouldn't! They would only believe that the authorities were betraying their allies and, under the manipulation of malicious actors, were openly suppressing those who stood up for justice. Wouldn't that be equivalent to siding with the criminals?

Cold sweat was now pouring off Officer Yan, soaking his entire uniform. "I accept my fate," he said, leaving only these words before being escorted to the car, head hanging in defeat.

Old Woman Zhang, after a brief moment of silence, seemed to realize something. "Director Zhou, it was my fault! I shouldn't have fabricated facts and slandered a hero! But I can testify that Officer Yan is indeed a good officer. He is truly upright and incorruptible!" Even now, she began to plead for Officer Yan and protest his innocence amidst her apologies.

Unfortunately... "You old hag, you deserve to die even more! Do you think saying these things now is of any use? You're a pig! No, calling you a pig is an insult to the intelligence of pigs!" Before Director Zhou could speak, Officer Yan, from inside the car, unleashed a barrage of insults.

"Heh, you can testify? With your history of contradicting yourself and your total lack of credibility, your testimony would be an insult to the law! Take her to the Fenghuangling Station and hold her in custody! Interrogate her first thing tomorrow morning!" Following this, Director Zhou scolded Old Woman Zhang, and due to the limited space in the police car, she was escorted by two officers to the Fenghuangling Station, where she would temporarily lose her freedom alongside the other suspended officers.

The "Small-Foot Vigilante Group" was forcibly disbanded for provoking the wrong person. Slandering a hero was enough to lead to its dissolution, not to mention that, under Old Woman Zhang's leadership, these people had frequently bullied their neighbors. Therefore, adhering to the principle of "punishing the ringleader while being lenient to the followers," the authorities sentenced Old Woman Zhang to six months of detention. As for the others, like Auntie Shen, they were ordered to apologize publicly to all their neighbors and return all illicit gains before being released after education.

However, after this incident, their reputations were completely ruined. They truly became the "rats crossing the street" that Wu Ya had promised. Everywhere they went, they were despised and ignored. People pointed at their backs and openly reviled them. Eventually, they became so depressed that they didn't dare step out of their homes for over a decade. By the time they died, they hadn't stepped outside their doors a single time.

"Little brother, I'll be going now. We shall meet again!" With the matter concluded, Director Zhou didn't linger. After greeting Wu Ya, the police car drove off into the vast night, kicking up a trail of dust.

"His father, it seems Ya'er is really okay, right?"
"Yes, yes, he really is okay!"

Watching the police car drive away in the distance, leaving only Wu Ya behind, Wu Wanli and his wife were overcome with excitement. Two lines of tears welled up and spilled over. As Liu Qian had said, was their son really fine?

"Quick! Liu Qian, let's go over! Let's see what happened! Why is Ya'er suddenly okay?" After steadying her emotions, Zhang Caixia urged them forward.
"Right, let's go over and see if everything is truly resolved." Wu Wanli seemed to snap out of it and started walking forward.

By now, Wu Ya was already approaching them. "Mom, Dad, are you alright? You can rest easy now! I'm fine! Those people have all received the punishment they deserve! After tomorrow, there won't be a trace of the Small-Foot Vigilante Group left in the entire Suiyan District! That kind of civilian organization has been ordered to disband!"

Upon reaching them, Wu Ya grabbed his parents' hands. *That kind of civilian organization has been ordered to disband!* "What did you say?" Wu Wanli and his wife were stunned. Their son was okay—that was a piece of news they could accept. But the fact that the Small-Foot Vigilante Group would cease to exist starting tomorrow, and had been ordered to disband? The couple was completely bewildered.

Earlier, at home, their son had declared in a fit of rage that he would have the group disbanded. At the time, not only did Sister Li and the others not believe it and mocked him, but even they themselves hadn't believed it! They had all thought it was just the impulsive, grief-stricken words of a young man. Yet, who could have known that it would actually come true? That the group would be forced off the stage of history, allowing the neighbors to finally release their pent-up anxiety!

Where did their son get this kind of influence? Had he met some big shot capable of swaying official decisions?

"Mom, Dad, don't be surprised. I couldn't have done this on my own! It's all thanks to Huang Silu. I had Liu Qian call him, and in his urgency, he used his father's influence, which is how I was able to turn things around! As a side note, his father also suggested to the authorities that they disband the Small-Foot Vigilante Group. Given his father's status, it was an easy task."

To avoid worrying his parents and to prevent them and Liu Qian from finding out that he was the one who had single-handedly eradicated the crime syndicates and blocked drugs from entering Wuling City—that it was his own initiative, risking his life to report them—Wu Ya spun a massive lie in Huang Silu's name. After all, in that era, the manager of a hardware company held a position of supreme social status in people's minds.

Because of this, Wu Wanli and his wife didn't have the slightest doubt. Only Liu Qian’s eyes flickered with a ripple of thought, but she didn't show it.

"Alright, Mom, Dad, let's not stand here. Let's go home."
"Right, let's go home!"
"Let's go home!"
"Hahaha..."

Accompanied by the evening breeze and their hearty laughter, a storm born of jealousy had come to a complete end. The family leaped from a state of shock and anxiety to the peak of joy. Laughter filled their home.

The night passed quickly. At the first light of dawn, Wu Ya had already left the house. Today was the day his three production lines were arriving! Naturally, he had to head to the factory early to prepare.

"Boss Wu, hahaha, you're here early!" Before Wu Ya could even park his bicycle, a voice full of excitement came from behind him. It was Factory Manager Pei. They were the first two to arrive at the factory.

"Manager Pei, you're early too! Thank you." Wu Ya turned to greet him and offered his thanks. No further words were needed. The fact that Manager Pei could put aside the dignity of a factory manager to come so early and toil for him was something that moved Wu Ya, regardless of the reason. If he hadn't come, what could he have done? After all, it was just a partnership; even though he paid him a salary, it was based on mutual benefit. You couldn't just assume Manager Pei was his subordinate.

Especially in the last few days, with the arrival of the assembly lines, the entire factory had undergone earth-shaking changes! And all of this was done by Manager Pei himself. Wu Ya, the boss, had become an absentee owner! For that alone, he should be full of gratitude toward Manager Pei.

"Hahaha, between you and me, what's with the 'thank you'? By the clock, they should be arriving soon, right?" Manager Pei laughed heartily and looked toward the road outside the factory gate. Since Wu Ya had started the reforms, Manager Pei had shaken off his old, listless, time-wasting ways and rediscovered his youthful passion! It was as if a new era of striving for progress had dawned. He was full of energy.

"Yes, it should be soon! Come, let's go to the gate and wait." Wu Ya nodded. The two walked briskly toward the entrance together, their path filled with irrepressible laughter.