Chapter 11: Negotiation, Naturally, Demands Negotiation

Yan Siqi’s already weak leg gave way instantly, and she collapsed under the bed with a heavy thud.

“Wife, are you alright?” Ni Qingguo hurriedly helped her up from the floor.

“Dad, please don’t rush. Tell us everything from the beginning,” Yan Kuan said helplessly, recounting all he knew to the family members present.

There was no need for him to hold back, as everyone was aware of what Li Yunxia had done—except for Ni Fang.

“Siqi’s mom really has guts, to dare do something like this,” Ni Fang remarked.

Yan Siqi’s eyes reddened with tears. “What are we going to do now, Dad, Qingguo? If something happens to Mom, I don’t want to live anymore.”

“Don’t cry yet. Since Mom is already at the police station, let’s first find out what’s going on there. Reporting this will definitely impact her reputation, but conviction requires evidence.”

“There are witnesses,” Yan Kuan quickly added. “Those who saw the report letter all went to the police station together. Even some discharged patients’ families heard and plan to seek justice there. I’m afraid there will be more and more witnesses.”

Ni Qingguo frowned. “What about physical evidence? Is there anything at the office or at home?”

“No, last night when I brought food, they had already taken everything away.”

Ni Qingguo breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s normal for a family to have money. Dad, if there’s anything left at home that hasn’t been dealt with, you should handle it now. Siqi and I will head to the police station to inquire. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll figure out the next steps.”

He then looked at Ni Fang. “Sister, don’t you know someone there? If we can’t get information, please help us pull some strings. Come along with us.”

Ni Fang naturally wouldn’t refuse.

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

—

They split up.

After returning home, Yan Kuan immediately burned all possible evidence on the stove before rushing to the police station.

Meanwhile, at the station—

—

Because so many people had come to report, the place was overcrowded. Ni Qingguo and the others, having no connections, couldn’t even get inside, let alone gather any information.

“What do we do? Are all these people here to report my mom? What will happen to her? Will she come out safely?” Yan Siqi anxiously stamped her feet, tears streaming down her face.

Ni Fang was unbothered. “Your mom is safer inside for now. If she were out now, it would be more dangerous.”

“Sis, don’t be so cold. We can’t get in or find anyone to ask. Please hurry and get help. Siqi is really worried.”

“I’ve already called him. He should be here soon.”

After Yan Kuan reunited with them, Xiao Yuanbing arrived leisurely.

“I don’t know much about this yet. I’m not sure if I can solve it. Let me inquire first.”

Xiao Yuan easily went in but came out with a grim expression.

Without saying much, the four felt a chill deep in their hearts.

Ni Fang quickly asked, “What’s wrong? You look terrible. Is the situation that bad?”

“More than that. There’s ample witness and physical evidence. Multiple charges piled up. Based on what I just learned, it doesn’t look good.”

“But the final verdict isn’t out yet. It’s not impossible to negotiate, though the police aren’t confident it will help. This case has blown up—not only the hospital but also the newspaper, TV station, and police station have all received complaints.”

“This has become huge. Your mom can’t completely get away with this. The officer told me this is aimed straight at her. The evidence was collected long ago, clearly a long-standing grudge.”

The core issue was that Li Yunxia had offended too many people—everyone was suspicious. They had no idea who wrote the complaint letters.

“The police said that in similar past cases, the penalties are severe. You must prepare yourselves mentally.”

The father and daughter, unable to accept this, nearly fainted on the spot.

Ni Qingguo and Ni Fang each pressed a point on their faces to steady their breathing.

“Siqi’s dad, don’t faint now. You must decide quickly whether to negotiate. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. Of course, it’s possible all the money will be wasted. Think carefully,” Xiao Yuanbing said earnestly.

“Negotiate, definitely negotiate. We’re not asking to get her out, just to save her life.”

—

Lin Wei had no idea the matter in the new county was escalating so fast.

—

Idling in the car, noon arrived.

She had just unwrapped the cloth bag holding her lunch box when she noticed a small pouch hidden inside by Aunt Liu.

Three hundred yuan in cash and a note.

“Girl, I gave you this money in person. If you refuse, Uncle and Aunt can’t do this. Consider it money for furniture. Take it without burden. Uncle and Aunt haven’t lost out; we actually earned quite a bit. I’ll watch over what you asked me to. If you ever find yourself desperate, Brother Awang is still in Jiangcheng. Find him; he will definitely help you.”

Lin Wei felt warmth spreading through her heart as she read the note.

Seeing her eyes redden, Lin Yuan comforted her, “Sister, don’t cry.”

“Yeah, Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu are worried we have no money and sent it to us. We must remember the kindness of the Liu family and repay it someday.”

“Okay.”

Lin Wei carefully put away the money and, in a daze, finally arrived at their destination—the Jiangcheng Yarn Factory—by 3 p.m.

—

Her aunt, Lin Xiaomeng, worked at the Jiangcheng Yarn Factory as a mid-level production supervisor and lived in the dormitory provided by the factory.

Since most of the neighbors were her aunt’s colleagues, Lin Wei bought a few gifts after getting off the car and easily found her aunt’s residence after asking around.

But before entering, she saw layers of people surrounding the small courtyard, with occasional bursts of argument from within.

“You’re shameless, throwing cigarette butts on other people’s bedding. Look what you’ve done to mine! If I hadn’t noticed early, all the bedding around here would have been burned.”

“You’re the shameless one. I didn’t do it on purpose. If you hadn’t hung the bedding there, my cigarette butts wouldn’t have reached it,” the middle-aged man said nonchalantly.

The middle-aged woman pointed at him and scolded, “You’re unreasonable. I hung the bedding first, and you threw the cigarette butts afterward. Besides, the angle of the bedding drying there—it wouldn’t have burned like that unless you did it on purpose.”

The man waved it off. “You think I did it on purpose? I was just about to say you did it on purpose. You live alone in a small courtyard. The bedding isn’t that big. If you don’t dry it in your own yard and hang it outside mine every day, it’s like you want me to see it. You’re just…”

“Shut up! Stop talking nonsense.”