Anan didn't persuade further. He got into the car and left with Junjun.
Liangliang asked in confusion, "Brother Jian, what Anan said makes sense. Aren't you planning to lie low for a while?"
"Of course, I need to avoid trouble, so I'm not going back to Xinqiao. I'll go to Chengguan with you."
"But Chengguan isn't safe either. You'll definitely have to show your face for the topping-out ceremony."
"It's fine. Call and ask why the car you ordered hasn't arrived yet."
Liangliang's wife was pregnant, so Liangliang didn't return to the casino with Anan and the others. He had pre-arranged a car from Chengguan to pick him up. Yang Jian decided to hitch a ride, leaving his own car for Jiang Bin to use.
The news of the arcade being smashed was like a thunderclap, causing a huge sensation in Xinqiao Town. Countless residents rushed to the scene, blocking the entire street. The police station had to dispatch all its officers to maintain order.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Er Bingzi, who had just rushed over from Luojiaqiao, almost burst into tears. This arcade, which his cousin Xu Zheng had invested over 300,000 yuan in, had been operating for less than a month. Before even recouping one-third of the cost, it was completely destroyed.
With more than twenty people injured at the casino not yet admitted to the hospital, and now such a major incident, Er Bingzi, with trembling hands, dialed his cousin's number.
"Brother Zheng, the... the arcade has been smashed."
"What? Say that again."
Xu Zheng on the other end of the line hadn't registered the news yet, thinking Er Bingzi was still talking about the casino incident.
"I said the arcade in town has just been smashed. All the game machines are destroyed, and five of our brothers are injured."
"Damn it, who did it? Does anyone know?"
"Xiao Hui, who was on duty, said it was three men wearing masks. They rushed in and started smashing. Xiao Hui and the others tried to stop them but were no match. Later, the people playing games also joined in the vandalism, and all the cash from the cashier's desk was stolen."
"According to Xiao Hui, these three people must have come from Luojiaqiao after smashing the casino. It's either Yang Jian's men or Yang Jian himself. I'll settle this with him, life or death."
"Brother Zheng, what should we do now?"
"What to do? Call the police. Tell Xiao Hui and the others to identify Yang Jian as the one who smashed the place. Get the police to put him away first."
"The police have already arrived. Xiao Hui and the others are being questioned."
"Then you go over there and tell them that while they were smashing, someone shouted Yang Jian's name. Even if he didn't do it, put the blame on him. Once he's in the station, he won't be able to deny it."
"Brother Zheng, you should calm down. I think Old Luo is right. There's no need to make an mortal enemy of Yang Jian. This person is too terrifying. Even if you lock him up, he'll eventually get out, as it's not a murder case. His revenge afterward will be even more ferocious, and you won't be able to defend yourself."
Xu Zheng fell silent. He hadn't expected Yang Jian's retaliation to be so swift and fierce, happening overnight. Although he had his uncle as a backer, he couldn't let Yang Jian serve a life sentence, nor could he protect himself at all times.
Seeing that his suggestion was effective, Er Bingzi continued to persuade, "Brother Zheng, Cao Wu was killed by him when he had a gun, Liu Ming, who was known as the number one expert in Xinhe, was crippled by him. Wu Laizi and Bao Guo were forced to not return to Xinhe by him. Do you want to suffer the same fate?"
"Wait there at the scene. I'll discuss it with my uncle and let you know what to do."
Xu Zheng was a little scared. Continuing to clash with Yang Jian wouldn't end well.
Er Bingzi waited for a full half hour before Xu Zheng called back.
"Brother Zheng, how is it? What did Uncle say?"
Er Bingzi and Xu Zheng were maternal cousins; they were both nephews of Yu Xiangdong.
"Uncle said he would handle this matter. You don't need to provide false testimony."
"Then can you come back?"
"Uncle told me to stay away for a while and will notify me when to return after things have calmed down. I've handed over the family matters to you. If you don't understand anything, ask Old Luo more often. He's older and experienced."
"No problem, I'll handle the family matters well. Did Uncle say anything about dealing with Yang Jian?"
"No, he already knows about the casino and arcade being smashed. Not only did he not comfort me, but he also reprimanded me, saying I'm always causing trouble for him."
"Alright then, I hope Uncle can resolve this matter quickly."
Er Bingzi nervously hung up the phone, unsure of how his uncle would resolve the situation. He just hoped his uncle wouldn't have the same idea as Xu Zheng and try to get Yang Jian arrested, as that would mean unending trouble for Xu Zheng.
Yang Li Village, Lijian Board Factory.
Factory Director Jiang Bin was taking statistics for the workers who were about to finish their shifts. The workers were paid by piece rate, and he had to accurately record each worker's output daily. He personally handled this task, partly to prevent the statistician from being biased and colluding with employees to falsify accounts, and partly to protect the employees' interests. If there was a statistical error, the employees would surely cause trouble.
A police car drove into the factory and stopped at the workshop entrance. Two young police officers got out.
Seeing this, Jiang Bin quickly put down his work and went to greet them.
"Hello, officers. I am Factory Director Jiang Bin. Whom are you looking for?"
"Hello, Factory Director Jiang. We are officers from the Xinqiao Police Station. My surname is Ma, and my colleague is Xiao Zhou. Here are our police IDs."
The two officers showed their IDs to Jiang Bin.
"Officer Ma, Officer Zhou, shall we talk in the office?"
"No need. We're here to understand the situation. Is the owner of this factory, Yang Jian, here?"
"Mr. Yang isn't here right now. Is there something you need him for? I can call him."
"We'll call him later. Factory Director Jiang, I heard Yang Jian returned today. Is that true?"
"Yes, Mr. Yang returned this morning. His cousin was beaten, so he rushed back specifically for that."
The two officers exchanged glances. Officer Ma immediately asked, "Where is he now?"
"He was dealing with the destroyed excavator this morning and went to Chengguan to see his cousin this afternoon. It's past five o'clock now, so he probably won't be back, as the topping-out ceremony for his house in Chengguan is the day after tomorrow."
"What time did he go to Chengguan this afternoon?"
"Around four o'clock. Because there's a lot of work at the factory, and his sister's surgery meant she couldn't come back, many materials and contracts had piled up. So, he was busy until four o'clock before heading to Chengguan."
"So, you mean Yang Jian didn't leave the factory from the time he returned this morning until four in the afternoon?"
"Yes. After lunch, Mr. Yang didn't even take a nap. He was busy at the factory the whole time. I accompanied him throughout."
Officer Ma frowned. "Who else can confirm that he stayed at the factory and didn't leave?"
"Who can confirm? All sixty-plus employees in the factory can confirm. Did something happen to Mr. Yang?"
Jiang Bin looked completely bewildered.
Officer Ma looked into his eyes for a moment and felt he wasn't lying. "Alright, stay here and don't move. Xiao Zhou, go ask them."
Officer Zhou immediately entered the workshop and questioned workers from different positions. The answers were consistent: Yang Jian had been busy with work at the factory before four o'clock and had not left.
"Officers, do you need me to call Mr. Yang to come back?"
Seeing the two officers preparing to get into their car, Jiang Bin politely asked.
"No need, Factory Director Jiang. You carry on with your work."
The two got into the police car and sped away.