Zhu Lao San's bodyguards, upon seeing the police arrive, did not obediently stand still. Instead, they exchanged glances and scattered.
Some fled on their own, some tried to drag Zhu Lao San away, and others attempted to take a hostage.
The over twenty bodyguards had their own ideas, but their common goal was to avoid capture.
Zhang Liunian shielded his three nephews behind him, preventing anyone from seizing them. He glanced at them and saw that his nephews were already gaping, stunned by the chaotic and terrifying scene. Only after the police brought the situation under control did they hug Zhang Liunian and call out to him.
"Third Uncle, sob..."
"Third Uncle."
Zhang Liunian held them and comforted them in a low voice, "It's okay, it's okay now."
His gaze, however, fell upon Zhu Lao San and Wu Gu Di, who had not escaped. Zhu Lao San was truly at his last breath, his face as pale as paper, but his eyes were filled with unwillingness.
"Xiao Zhu Zhu, you'll be alright, you'll be fine. I'll take you to the hospital right now." Wu Gu Di, seeing Zhu Lao San gasping for more air than he was taking in, was frantic. She hugged him, intending to find a doctor.
The police, of course, would not let them leave so easily. After giving instructions, a few officers accompanied them to the clinic. Before leaving, Zhu Lao San used his last ounce of strength to say to Zhang Liunian, "I will not let you go."
Zhang Liunian heard this with a blank expression, yet he felt a flicker of unease, fearing that Zhu Lao San might not die even like this. If so, he would truly have to admire his tenacity for life.
"You all need to come with us." The police first took away those of Zhu Lao San's men who were carrying guns, and then they took Zhang Liunian and his group to the police station for questioning.
After several confirmations, when they learned that Zhu Lao San was the instigator of the incident, they released Zhang Liunian and his group.
However, before leaving, Zhang Liunian was not only lectured but also fined several thousand yuan.
Zhang Liunian was indifferent to this; instead, he inquired about Zhu Lao San's condition.
"Comrade, was Zhu Lao San successfully rescued?"
"He's dead. Just received the news. Died from excessive blood loss. If you hadn't been unarmed, you would have been detained for a few days."
"I understand."
Stepping out of the police station, Zhang Liunian breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Zhu Lao San was finally dead, which meant his Qingqing was temporarily safe.
"Xiao Qian, take a few people and help me send Ming Hua and the others back." Zhang Liunian instructed his nephew and Zhang Qian after leaving the police station.
"Okay, what about you?" Zhang Qian did not ask if he wanted to go back with them.
Zhang Liunian understood his unspoken question and shook his head, "No, I'll stay in the provincial capital to handle things."
He had not forgotten that Zhu Lao San had brothers. Given the magnitude of this incident, he was sure his brothers would know that he was responsible for Zhu Lao San's death.
At that time, his brothers might make a move against him, and other complications might arise. He needed to stay to deal with them.
"Alright, then I'll get a few people and send them back now." Zhang Qian also knew that it was not suitable to keep Zhang Ming Hua and the others here. After speaking, he left with the three brothers.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liunian called his eldest brother, telling him not to come to the provincial capital and to wait to pick up the children in Nancheng.
If Zhang Liushui hadn't received Zhang Liunian's call, he would have boarded the train to the provincial capital. Now, hearing that his third brother had rescued the children and was bringing them over, he was relieved and waited in Nancheng.
After resolving his nephew's matter, Zhang Liunian returned to the department store. As soon as he sat down, Supervisor Gu approached him with the news that Wu Gu Di had called asking for money. "Boss, you're here. Someone called just now, saying you need to pay twenty million to save someone. What exactly is going on?"
"This matter is resolved, no need to worry about it." Zhang Liunian waved his hand, telling him not to dwell on it.
Upon hearing this, Supervisor Gu did not ask further questions and instead described the bustling scene at the department store that day.
"Today, our department store has broken its previous sales record, selling a total of 250,000 yuan in a single day. The goods you sent from Pengcheng are very popular with everyone. They are all very interested in the new designs..."
Supervisor Gu recounted the day's sales figures. Zhang Liunian listened with his hands clasped until Supervisor Gu finished speaking.
"Everyone has worked hard. If the department store can achieve sales of over 200,000 yuan in the future, I will increase everyone's salary by ten yuan per month."
While earning money, he wouldn't neglect those who worked tirelessly below.
"That would be wonderful! Everyone will surely work with renewed vigor when they hear about it." Supervisor Gu was extremely excited at the prospect of a salary increase.
"I also have a pickled vegetable factory in Nancheng. I'll allocate a section there specifically to sell my pickled vegetables and put them in the food section." With Nancheng opening up, Zhang Liunian's pickled vegetables could also flow into the provincial capital. This department store here was just the first stop; in the future, he would have 'Zhang Family Pickled Vegetables' sold nationwide.
"Okay, I'll handle it immediately. When can we stock the goods?"
"Within these two days, let's test the waters first." Zhang Liunian was not yet clear about the actual performance of the Nancheng pickled vegetable factory, so he would need to make a phone call back to inquire.
"I'll go do it now."
"Go ahead!"
Meanwhile, Zhu Lao Si, who had just returned to the Tiger Dragon Gang, was listening to his subordinates report that the Black Dragon Gang had seized their territory again while he was away from the provincial capital, had beaten their people, and had even targeted his third brother's factory. Enraged, he smashed the solid wood armchair with a single palm strike.
The subordinates, looking at their imposing leader who had shattered a chair with one hand, all showed expressions of joy.
This was their boss, the number one boss in the provincial capital. With their boss around, the Black Dragon Gang members would surely cower like grandsons.
Just as the Tiger Dragon Gang found their backbone, a hurried young man rushed in, sliding on his knees before Zhu Lao Si and shouting, "It's bad, boss! Someone sent word that your third brother is dead."
Boom!
Hearing this, Zhu Lao Si slammed his hand down again, shattering the tea table beside him. "Nonsense! I just came from Third Brother's place, and he was fine then. How could he be dead just like that?"
"It's true. They said that as soon as you left, someone named Zhang Liunian appeared. He charged into your third brother's house alone and caused havoc, eventually leading to your third brother's death. Your third brother's body is still in the morgue at the clinic, waiting for you to claim it!"
"Bang!" Hearing his subordinate's firm assertion, Zhu Lao Si struck a nearby pillar in anger. With a "crack," the pillar split in two.
"If Third Brother is truly dead, I will not spare that Zhang Liunian fellow." Zhu Lao Si declared this, then furiously headed to the clinic.
When he saw his third brother lying in the morgue, he cried out to the heavens in rage, "Ah!"
"Xiao Zhu Zhu, how could you die? You haven't even seen your son born yet. He needs to call you 'Dad.' Hurry and get up!" Wu Gu Di sat on the ground, holding her belly, overcome with grief.