"They say it was Fang Mu who bought the medicine for Fang Yan, but it turned into this for some unknown reason. If you ask me, this must be the Tang family's doing. They're utterly deranged; they'd even experiment on living people. Poisoning someone is child's play to them.
It's just bad luck for our Xiao Yue that they targeted her and caused this. If I'd known they had their eyes on my Xiao Yue, I would have dragged them down with me, even if it meant my death.
But it's not too late. The Tang family's crimes are basically confirmed, and they're all facing the firing squad. It's a pity Tang Shiqin managed to extricate himself cleanly. I refuse to believe he truly knew nothing," Ding Zhaoshan said, his resentment towards the Tang family so deep he wished he could devour their flesh.
Yan Guoguo listened without comment.
Zhang Liunian remained silent. Whether the Tang family was responsible or not, Fang Yan was likely destined to repeat the fate of her past life, becoming a madwoman or, if lucky, falling into an eternal sleep.
At this moment, Zhang Liunian couldn't foresee another possibility: amnesia.
"With Fang Yan's incident, there will be changes at the food factory. However, your cooperation with Fang Yan will remain unchanged; you can rest assured of that." Yan Guoguo realized that with Fang Yan's mishap, her position would have to be suspended, and someone would inevitably step in to replace her.
"It seems I've caused Uncle Yan more worry," Zhang Liunian said, pouring Yan Guoguo a glass of wine as a token of his appreciation.
Yan Guoguo accepted it without refusal and drank it down. He was truly happy today. The Tang family had fallen, allowing them to engage in foreign trade and boost Nancheng's economy.
Indeed, the downfall of the Tang family had benefited all the people of Nancheng.
"Oh, right. I just met with Director Wang. He told me that the Tang family's downfall is your doing, and he'll have a pleasant surprise for you as a reward." Yan Guoguo felt immensely proud, as if it were his own accomplishment, recalling Director Wang's high regard for Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian was taken aback, then asked in confusion, "Although I reported this case, it can't all be attributed to me!
Also, I specifically asked Tu Lu to detain me today. Why was I suddenly released? Could this also be Uncle Yan's doing?"
Yan Guoguo burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Yes, that person was me, because Director Wang is my cousin."
Zhang Liunian sighed in surprise at this unexpected connection. Then, recalling the matter of Tu Lu, he inquired further, "Did Tu Lu suddenly appear at Wuzhi Mountain and help me also because of Uncle Yan?"
Yan Guoguo stopped laughing, perplexed. "He went to Wuzhi Mountain? I distinctly remember him being taken into custody. How could he possibly have acted?"
"..."
What was going on?
Could it be that besides Uncle Yan's intervention, someone else had also lent a hand?
Who could that person be?
Alas, this matter was becoming increasingly muddled. Zhang Liunian dismissed the thought and didn't bring it up again. The three chatted for a while longer before parting ways.
Before leaving, Yan Guoguo said to Zhang Liunian, "Take whatever they give you; it's what you deserve. If it weren't for you, the Tang family truly wouldn't have fallen. The assistance and evidence you provided played a crucial role. And I must say, the evidence you gave was so comprehensive; it covered eighty percent of it."
So comprehensive? He had only provided evidence of their research, and that was considered complete? Zhang Liunian realized that besides himself, there was indeed another person.
And he still didn't know who it was, which was not a pleasant feeling at all.
But no matter what, the Tang family had finally fallen.
In the afternoon, around dinner time, Zhang Liunian, carrying some items, first visited his mother, then Fang Yan. He encountered his former sister-in-law, Fang Ru, in Fang Yan's hospital room.
Upon meeting again, both felt a moment of awkwardness.
"How is Director Fang? When will she wake up?" Zhang Liunian asked, setting down the fruit and showing concern.
Although Fang Yan had schemed against him, she was still a partner. With her current predicament, it was only right and proper for him to come and see her.
Fang Ru replied stiffly with a blank expression, "I don't know. The doctors can't say for sure."
"I hope she recovers soon. I'll be going now." Zhang Liunian didn't know what else to say here, so he decided to leave.
However, before he could exit the room, Fang Ru called out, "Wait, don't be in such a hurry to leave."
As Fang Ru spoke, she noticed her elder sister's finger twitch. She was both surprised and delighted.
Zhang Liunian stopped and turned around. "Is there something you need?"
Her finger twitched again. Fang Ru was now certain that Zhang Liunian's voice indeed had an effect on her elder sister.
At the same time, she belatedly realized something. Before her elder sister's accident, she remembered her saying she had someone she liked, but they could never be together.
If the person she liked was Zhang Liunian, then everything would make sense. Why would her elder sister react solely to Zhang Liunian's voice? Why would she say they could never be together?
Zhang Liunian had a wife and child, so it was naturally impossible for him to be with her elder sister.
But why would it be her former most looked-down-upon brother-in-law who had captured her elder sister's heart?
What was Zhang Liunian's appeal?
Fang Ru stared intently at Zhang Liunian and suddenly realized that Zhang Liunian was truly a man blessed with the essence of heaven and earth. He was tall and handsome, with a calm and reserved demeanor. Moreover, now that he seemed to have money, it was truly hard not to be moved by him.
"I hope you can visit my elder sister often in the future. Can you?" Although Fang Ru was very surprised by her discovery, she still hoped her elder sister would wake up soon.
Only then could their Fang family stop being chaotic and broken, and stop worrying about their future lives.
Although the Fang family was considered middle-class, half of its members worked at the food factory because of Fang Yan.
If Fang Yan couldn't wake up soon, half of the household would surely face unemployment.
Zhang Liunian was unaware of the Fang family's situation and had no desire to know. "If I have time, I will come."
However, he doubted he would have the time in the future. Fang Ru saw his intention and wanted to say something more, but Zhang Liunian turned and left.
After he left, Fang Ru sighed and sat by Fang Yan's bedside, speaking aloud, "Elder sister, why did you have to fall for him? He's a married man, and you can never be together. Besides, he was once my brother-in-law. It's truly impossible for you."
Fang Yan, lying in the hospital bed, seemed to hear this and her fingers twitched twice more.
Seeing that her elder sister reacted upon hearing Zhang Liunian's name, Fang Ru felt a mix of happiness and profound sadness.
Meanwhile, all on-duty personnel at Nancheng Police Station were mobilized to arrest those connected to the Tang family. Anyone even remotely associated with the Tang family was to be brought to the station for questioning about any involvement in illegal activities.
This included Brother Tang, who had recently vandalized Zhang Liunian's shop. He was apprehended while dining with Qian Fei.
The two had been in high spirits until the arrival of law enforcement. Qian Fei immediately distanced himself from Brother Tang, claiming they were mere acquaintances and he knew nothing.
Brother Tang, his pride wounded by Qian Fei's actions, secretly resented him and declared he no longer considered him a subordinate.
Qian Fei, showing no deference to Brother Tang, stated that his family's downfall was due to too many wrongdoings, which infuriated Brother Tang. He then left abruptly.
Brother Tang was eventually taken to the station. However, he was young, and Tang Shikang had not involved him in any illegal activities. After an investigation, it was basically confirmed that he had no incriminating evidence.
He would be released shortly, once the formalities were complete.
"How is she, Liunian? Is Mom alright?" That evening, as Zhang Liunian returned home, Jiang Qingqing anxiously rushed forward to inquire about Yu Xiaohua's condition.