Shen Qingqing received news from the doctor.
This virus could not breed in the human body unless it was injected or ingested with something containing the virus.
Shen Qingqing immediately informed Officer Wang of this matter, and they intensified their surveillance of Director Liu.
They would arrest Director Liu as soon as everything was wrapped up.
At the same time, Officer Wang assured her, "Don't worry, we won't stop investigating. Even if we can't arrest Director Liu, we will thoroughly investigate the source of the virus. There's no way someone could have acted without leaving a trace."
Shen Qingqing thanked him gratefully, "Thank you, Officer Wang. You've worked hard."
"It's nothing, it's our duty."
Shen Qingqing hung up the phone and left the hospital. As she turned, she saw a commotion at the street corner not far from the hospital, with a crowd gathered.
Curses, blows, and pleas for mercy mingled together.
Many people around were watching the spectacle.
As she drew closer, she understood what was happening.
In the center of the crowd was Director Liu. He had lost all his former prestige and demeanor. Clasping his head, he dodged the rain of fists, utterly humiliated.
The ones beating him were naturally the relatives who had not yet found their lost family members.
They didn't understand why Director Liu was still out and about. They had inquired at the police station, but the police had only offered official responses.
They didn't understand, didn't comprehend, but hatred was not so easily forgotten.
Director Liu, beaten and scurrying for cover, looked more pathetic and miserable than a homeless person on the street. His situation had escalated into a major incident.
The onlookers on the street all knew about him, pointing and gossiping.
Yet, no one stepped forward to intervene.
After all, he was scum. No one would act heroically to defend such a person.
Shen Qingqing stood a short distance away, watching them beat Director Liu almost to death. Finally, someone couldn't bear it and said,
"Stop beating him. If you keep going, someone will die."
But the relatives, blinded by rage, couldn't hear the kind advice of bystanders. They were determined to find out where Director Liu had taken their family members.
"Where did you take my son? You must tell me his whereabouts now. Alive or dead, I want to see him! If you don't tell me, I'll beat you to death!"
"Speak up, you scumbag, you beast!"
Let alone the blows, the spittle alone could have drowned Director Liu.
He truly couldn't take it anymore. He took out his phone, ready to call the police. Though he didn't want to see the police, it was better than being beaten to death here!
It was at this moment that Shen Qingqing pushed through the crowd and walked over.
"Enough."
Her voice was exceptionally clear and distinct. Especially in the somewhat cold weather, it was like a basin of cold water poured down, making everyone shiver and turn to look at her.
The relatives were all very familiar with her. Seeing her, they calmed down a bit and greeted her.
But some were confused, with a hint of disappointment in their eyes, "Miss Shen, what do you mean? Are you speaking up for this scumbag?"
The speaker was a young man in his twenties, whom she remembered quite vividly.
He had a fiery temper and spoke without courtesy. His sister had gone missing. It was said that she was less than sixteen when she was diagnosed.
The siblings depended on each other. Upon learning that his sister might not have died of illness, he had nothing left to lose and feared nothing, willing to risk his life for revenge.
Shen Qingqing glanced at him, "Will beating him to death help you find your sister's whereabouts?"
The young man faltered.
"Calm down," Shen Qingqing said softly. "Besides, this is a society governed by law. Your beating him is wrong. If he reports it, you'll lose your case even if you're in the right."
The young man's eyes reddened, "Are we just supposed to swallow this injustice?"
The faces of the others also showed indignation.
Shen Qingqing looked around, taking in everyone's expressions, "Violence is never the best way to solve problems."
The crowd still looked resentful, but they knew her words held truth. Although their gazes towards Director Liu remained fierce, they stopped their blows.
Shen Qingqing's voice softened, "Alright, you've had your beating and your cursing. Everyone disperse. If he's guilty, the police and the law will punish him for us."
The crowd exchanged glances, cast hateful glares at Director Liu, and dispersed one by one.
However, before leaving, some "accidentally" stepped on him or spat at him, their eyes practically wanting to skin Director Liu alive.
Seeing that there was no more excitement to be had, the onlookers also dispersed.
Shen Qingqing turned and met Director Liu's hateful gaze, "You don't have to pretend. I know you wished I'd been beaten to death!"
Shen Qingqing looked down at him, "Who got you out?"
Director Liu gritted his teeth, "Do you think I'll tell you? Don't even think about it!"
"Even if you don't tell me, I can guess," Shen Qingqing mused, stroking her chin. "Let me guess, is it Ning Xin?"
Director Liu immediately denied it, "No!"
But despite his strenuous attempts to conceal it, Shen Qingqing saw a flicker of guilt cross his face. Having gotten her answer, she had no desire to linger.
"Get lost. I don't want to see you."
"Do you think I want to see you?" Director Liu struggled to get up from the ground, stumbling. His face was covered in bruises, and though his body was covered by clothes, it wasn't much better. Every movement sent a sharp pain through him, yet he couldn't resist making a threat, "Shen Qingqing, I remember you. Just you wait, I won't let this go!"
His bright future had been ruined by this woman before him!
Shen Qingqing was fearless, "Whatever you say. You'd better not forget me, because this is not your final outcome."
Losing his job at the hospital and becoming a pariah was not enough.
Director Liu said hatefully, "Fine, let's see who the final winner is, who can laugh to the end. Don't underestimate me!"
"I don't underestimate you," Shen Qingqing replied smoothly, "Because you've never been in my sights."
Director Liu was so enraged he almost jumped up to hit her, but he was in no position to do so. Moreover, he had not forgotten her formidable strength.
A woman with astonishing physical power!
He dared not make a move, only glaring at her sinisterly before turning and limping away.
After walking for two blocks, he looked back. Seeing that Shen Qingqing wasn't following, he sat down on a nearby step, not caring if it was dirty.
If he walked any further, he really would die on the roadside.
He took out his phone and made a call. Less than ten minutes later, a car stopped in front of him. A young man got out of the car, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw Director Liu's condition.
"Get in the car first."
Around the corner, Shen Qingqing's figure flashed by.
She had seen clearly that this young man was the assistant Ning Xin had assigned tasks to.