Chapter 55: Tian Guanghan, You Cannot Be Spared!

“Brother Yang, now that things have reached this point, it’s no longer something the two of us can get involved in,” Yu Baijiang said with a wry smile as he stood at the entrance of the health clinic, looking at Yang Dong after leaving the Xia Shui Town Police Station.

If it were matters within the town, they could still help Yang Dong handle them. But now that it involved people and affairs from the city, they no longer had the authority to interfere. Tian Yuan was a thug from Lingyun City, and capturing him would not be easy. Both of them worked at the county public security bureau and knew that Tian Lao San and Tian Yuan had powerful connections. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have committed so many crimes and still live freely in Lingyun City, enjoying his life.

“Don’t worry, Captain Yu, Captain Song, you’ve already helped me a lot. You caught those thugs and got them to confess about what happened, and I’m truly grateful,” Yang Dong said. “No matter what, I owe you both a favor. When I make something of myself, I’ll be sure to repay you.”

“But for now, I must invite you both to a meal to show my gratitude.”

Yang Dong spoke, understanding that Yu Baijiang and Song Yue’s capabilities had reached their limit. He was grateful they’d helped catch those thugs and made the Xia Shui Town Police Station do its job properly. Without these two, he would have been searching in the dark, unable to find anything. It was obvious to anyone that the local police had been covering for those thugs. But once Yu Baijiang stepped in, their fate was sealed.

The rest would follow the judicial procedures, ending in sentencing and awaiting the harsh hand of the law. Especially Pan Dalong, who was most culpable—he was the one who broke his younger brother’s leg, and would likely face at least three years behind bars. The other thugs would get a year or two at minimum. This was something Yu Baijiang could still help with: sending them to court, giving his brother justice.

But it was only because he had connections and could call in favors that justice was served. How many ordinary people in the world have grievances and pain that go unresolved, spinning helplessly beneath the protection of officials and their shields? How could they ever be as fortunate? When will their justice be done? Should they be consoled with that empty phrase, “Delayed justice is still justice”?

In the end, it all came down to the benefits of power. Power is captivating indeed.

“Let’s hold off on the meal for now—your brother’s issue isn’t resolved yet. Go handle it first,” Yu Baijiang waved him off with a smile. “We’ll keep that meal on the tab. Next time, let Tiger take us to Lingyun City, and we’ll have a proper feast!”

“Agreed. It’s settled, then. Brothers, I’ll head to the city now—there are things I must deal with!” Yang Dong replied. “But there’s one more thing I need your help with!”

Yang Dong didn’t stand on ceremony; when he needed something, he asked.

No need to trouble others unnecessarily.

“This health clinic isn’t well-equipped, as you can see. Could you help me get in touch with a county hospital? It would be better for my brother’s recovery.”

“We’ll pay the costs ourselves; I just need you two to help us find a good hospital room and a skilled orthopedic doctor.”

Both of them were important figures at the county public security bureau and surely had connections in the medical system.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence? My sister is the deputy director at Kaiyang County Hospital. Leave it to me,” Yu Baijiang chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about a thing; I’ll arrange for the hospital’s ambulance to come pick up your brother directly.”

Yang Dong was once again struck by the value of connections. Without them, getting things done was nearly impossible.

“Brother Yu, I’ll remember this!” Yang Dong patted his chest, signaling his gratitude.

“All right, we need to get back to work; if we don’t return soon, the chief will scold us for neglecting our duties,” Yu Baijiang said, then turned with Song Yue and got into the police car.

“Director Lu, we’re off,” Yu Baijiang called out, waving to Lu Yike before leaving. Lu Yike nodded, watching the police car drive away.

Yang Dong turned and entered the clinic, finding his father, Yang Jianwen, and mother, Du Yuxiang, at the door to the ward.

“Dad, Mom, the county hospital’s ambulance will come soon to take my brother for treatment and admission. I’ve already arranged the attending physician and the room.”

“The thugs who beat up my brother have been arrested by the police and will be sentenced.”

“There’s no need for you two to worry anymore,” he said, updating his parents on the situation and reassuring them.

He also mentioned the transfer to the county hospital.

“Son, have your two friends left?” Yang Jianwen asked, not seeing Yu Baijiang and Song Yue enter.

“Yes, they’ve gone back to the county bureau. Both are leaders in the Criminal Investigation Division, and they’re busy,” Yang Dong replied with a smile.

“Well, Criminal Investigation leaders? Son, you’re impressive! Knowing people like that? You’re doing well!” Yang Jianwen exclaimed, his face full of excitement.

His son had joined the municipal office years ago but remained a clerk after four long years. At first, the villagers envied him, but lately they’d begun gossiping—claiming Yang Dong would never amount to much and would remain a clerk all his life.

Some argued that even a promotion to deputy section chief required years of service, that you had to be a clerk for a set number of years before moving up…

But those rules were nonsense. If promotions really followed those timelines, where did those thirty-something deputy bureau chiefs and forty-something provincial heads come from? If advancement depended solely on seniority, you’d have to be sixty or seventy before reaching party secretary…

In truth, it all came down to connections, background, or being favored by a leader. If a leader said you were ready, you could rise. Everything else was just a façade.

“Dad, Mom, I have to head back to the city,” Yang Dong said, responding to his father’s excitement with a faint smile.

He couldn’t say much—fate was changing little by little. For now, he was still relying on borrowed power, but soon, the opportunity would be his; hope was just ahead, waiting for Secretary Yin to step forward.

“Xiao Dong, who’s that young woman outside? She’s quite pretty, though a bit aloof, and she seems a little older, but she’d make a fine wife. Since you broke up with Han Wen, maybe you…” his mother, Du Yuxiang, had shifted her focus to Lu Yike outside, chattering away, eager to know more.

Yang Dong quickly cut off his mother’s rambling.

“Oh, Mom, she’s just a colleague. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

He knew exactly what his mother meant—he’d broken up with Han Wen, and at twenty-six, he wasn’t getting any younger. In 2008, being unmarried at twenty-six made him a late bloomer. Perhaps the village gossips were already talking, which made his mother so anxious.

“I’ll go check on my brother and then head back to the city.”

Yang Dong walked into the ward, which was quieter now; most patients and their attendants were napping. Still, the chorus of snores irritated him, and he saw his brother, Yang Nan, equally annoyed.

He knew that having Yu Baijiang help get his brother admitted to the county hospital was the right decision.

“Xiao Nan, someone from the county hospital will come soon to take you for treatment and admission. Don’t feel pressured.”

“While you’re in hospital, don’t neglect your studies—there are less than three months until the college entrance exam. You’ve got to work hard.”

“You said you wanted to enter public service, right? Then you must aim for a top provincial university.”

Yang Nan nodded at his brother’s words. “Don’t worry, bro, I know what I’m doing.”

“I trust you. You’ve always been mature, with your own ideas. I’m not worried,” Yang Dong nodded, unconcerned about Yang Nan’s state.

He exchanged a few words with Yang Nan, then turned to leave. After bidding farewell to his parents, he got into the Jetta.

“Yike, let’s head to the city disciplinary committee building. I want to report Tian Guanghan’s crimes in person to Secretary Wei!”

Yang Dong’s expression hardened as he clenched his fists.

Since you show no mercy, don’t blame me for showing none in return.

You dared to harm my family, you’ve touched my untouchable scale!

Tian Guanghan, I will not let you go!