Chapter 048: Accused by Thousands, One Must Not Let Such a Person Lose Heart
The chaos at Tangwan Town District People's Hospital had finally subsided. With the formidable power of money, all the patients waiting for treatment were sent to various medical points for aid.
“Boss Zhang, I never expected so many workers to remember you,” Liu Jue said, sitting in the shade of a tree, sipping an iced soda and smiling.
Once inside the hospital, she dropped all pretense, openly filming as she assisted Zhang Tianfeng with tasks. She helped tally medical resources, volunteered within the hospital, and compiled the needs of those requiring help.
“The people who thank me are all unemployed, many can’t even afford a meal and sleep under bridges,” Zhang Tianfeng replied. “They’ve enjoyed the one-cent charity meal at my restaurant, some for months. It’s only natural they remember me.”
“Aren’t you afraid of losing money?” Liu Jue asked.
“If you’re afraid of losing money, what business would you be in?” Zhang Tianfeng finished his iced drink and stood up. “Thank you for your help today. I have something to attend to, so I’ll be off.”
“No need to thank me. If anything, I should thank you. Your cooperation gave me material for my report,” Liu Jue replied, standing and extending her hand. “I hope we can work together again. Next time, I’ll conduct a proper interview.”
“All right, I’ll look forward to it,” Zhang Tianfeng said, reaching out his hand.
As their hands clasped, a group suddenly sprang out. One held a camera and clicked the shutter. A flash of white light, and as his vision cleared, Zhang Tianfeng found himself surrounded.
“Mr. Zhang, I’m a reporter from Deep City Daily. Is this food poisoning incident related to you?”
“Food may be eaten carelessly, but words must be spoken carefully. Even if your teacher didn’t tell you to speak with evidence, didn’t your parents? Or do you have none?” Zhang Tianfeng retorted sharply.
He pushed the microphone away and led Liu Jue toward the exit.
The reporter blocked their path again. “Mr. Zhang, how do you explain your employee being arrested for poisoning?”
“Who was arrested? When did this happen?”
“Just ten minutes ago, your employee Wang Li was taken away by police for poisoning. As the boss, surely you’re aware, or are you pretending to be clueless?”
“Arrested ten minutes ago, and you from Deep City just happen to show up now?” Zhang Tianfeng sneered. “Should I assume you were tipped off and waited here for me?”
“Mr. Zhang, please answer directly.”
“Do you deserve my direct answer?” Zhang Tianfeng cast a sidelong glance. “If you block my way again, I’ll make sure you never work in media again. Try me.”
The reporter feigned fright and sneered, “Mr. Zhang, you’re quite good at threats, but I don’t believe a restaurateur can affect my career.”
As he finished, a police car screeched to a halt, and Lu Dingqian stepped out.
“Boss Zhang, please come with us for an investigation.”
“Certainly, thank you, Chief Lu.”
“You’re welcome. This way, please.”
Halfway there, Zhang Tianfeng turned back. “You should thank Chief Lu. Otherwise, you’d be lying on the ground right now.”
Had Lu Dingqian not appeared, Zhang Tianfeng truly would have slapped that reporter. He had no patience for schemers—he’d strike if necessary, no need for politeness.
After he left in the police car, the Deep City Daily reporters began a live broadcast outside Tangwan Town District People's Hospital.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Reporter Xiao Hu from Deep City Daily.”
“I’m sure you saw the scene just now. The suspect’s attitude was extremely hostile, threatening to hit me. Even the police chief stood by as he threatened me, showing their close relationship.”
“But I believe the law will never let a criminal go, nor wrong an innocent.”
“Next, we’ll interview a special guest, who dined at Zhang’s restaurant for a month. He may surprise us.”
The camera shifted, revealing Ma Chenggong.
...
In two lifetimes, this was Zhang Tianfeng’s first time inside a police station.
Sitting in the room, he looked across at Lu Dingqian, barely suppressing a smile.
Lu Dingqian, rubbing his bald head, sighed, “Boss Zhang, you can still laugh at a time like this?”
“If I don’t laugh, should I cry?” Zhang Tianfeng shrugged. “Anyone with a bit of sense knows this has nothing to do with me.”
“But your employee has been arrested, and there’s evidence of a crime. As the boss, you can’t escape responsibility.”
“I know. That’s why I said when I came in, ask whatever you want and I’ll answer. Just don’t try to force a confession.”
“With your background, who would dare?”
His words carried meaning—did someone from the Huo family in Tangwan Town intervene? It wasn’t worth it; such actions would only tarnish the Huo family’s reputation.
Lu Dingqian didn’t elaborate, nor did Zhang Tianfeng press further. They sat facing each other.
Soon, a knock came at the door. A young officer poked his head in. “Chief, someone outside wants to see Mr. Zhang, claiming to be his lawyer.”
“Let them in. We’ll step outside.”
A lawyer? Puzzled, Zhang Tianfeng soon saw Gao Ran enter, gold-rimmed glasses and a cheongsam accentuating her figure, her cool face and alluring eyes drawing attention.
He couldn’t help but marvel at her commanding presence.
Shaking off distractions, Zhang Tianfeng asked, “Weren’t you studying economics? Changed specialties?”
“Yes, but I also passed the bar exam. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Gao Ran, a senior lawyer from Port City, working at a law firm.”
Adjusting her glasses, Gao Ran continued, “I’ve learned that Wang Li was indeed responsible, but it was a conspiracy with Xu Juncong.”
“Now, Xu Juncong has turned informant and distanced himself.”
“Meanwhile, Ma Chenggong, bought by someone, is slandering you, and other night market restaurant owners are accusing your place of poor hygiene.”
“After Deep City Daily’s coverage, your name is now known throughout the coastal cities. Hundreds of thousands are cursing you.”
“That few?” Zhang Tianfeng asked.
Seeing his bewildered expression, Gao Ran’s lips twitched. “Do you have some strange affinity for insults? You think that’s not enough?”
Zhang Tianfeng shook his head. He had no penchant for being cursed. He simply wondered why, now that people in the coastal cities knew him, only hundreds of thousands were cursing him. Either the statistics were off, or the mastermind hadn’t hired capable people.
“What will you do? Right now, you’re under fire from all sides,” Gao Ran asked.
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Tianfeng replied, “Arrange an exclusive interview with Liu Jue for me. If she refuses, contact the leadership at Pearl City Daily and tell them I have a way to make Deep City Daily lose face.”
“That’s all?”
“For small fry like these, that’s enough.”
“Aren’t dozens of night market competitors more than small fry?” Gao Ran reminded him.
Zhang Tianfeng chuckled. “They just want a scapegoat to clear themselves. Once Wang Li’s crimes are exposed, their accusations will help me climb higher.”
Gao Ran wanted to probe his true thoughts, but this wasn’t the place. She needed to arrange the meeting quickly—the sooner it was resolved, the sooner Zhang Tianfeng could be released.
...
It took half a day to send patients to various medical points, and another half for the exclusive interview in detention.
Night fell. In a study, the television broadcasted a Pearl City Channel program, watched by an elderly man and a middle-aged official.
The elder was Chen Youcai; the middle-aged man, a leader from Pearl City.
“Mr. Zhang, how do you view the report, ‘If he didn’t poison them, why would he spend money and effort to help us?’”
“First, I must clarify that helping others is a traditional virtue in our country.”
“Second, out of all the patients I aided today, only 3% were my customers.”
“Of those, most were unemployed.”
“I promised to help them as much as I could, so I gave money and effort.”
“Even now, being implicated, I have no regrets. I trust the leaders of Pearl City will soon uncover the truth and clear my name.”
The interview continued, but Chen Youcai could no longer listen. He slapped the desk and said, “Look at him, even after being cursed by so many, he still speaks up for you.”
The middle-aged official replied, “Elder Chen, the case has progressed. We’re wrapping up, and will have results by tonight at the latest.”
“Make sure it’s soon. Don’t let others take the blame for us and grow disheartened.”
“Understood. I’ll hurry things along.”
“I’ll take the heat myself. I’m just a retired old man—let them gossip if they wish.”
The official smiled bitterly. Who would dare gossip about you, Elder Chen!