Chapter 2477: Death Sentence

"Bullshit!" Yan Minru, who had been waiting for an opportunity, erupted. The elderly woman's eyes widened, and her fighting spirit was more intense than ever: "Shi Guoqiang, the day after Factory Manager Liu submitted the reconstruction application to you, I, along with Principal Ma and Principal Liu, as well as over a dozen school leaders, went to the State-owned Assets Office to ask you when it would be approved."

"At that time, you said you needed to hold a meeting in the afternoon to study it, so we left. The third day, we went to ask you again, and you still told us you had to hold a meeting to study it. The fourth day, when we went again, you said the Woolen Mill's funds were tight and you couldn't spare the money to rebuild the teaching building and staff dormitory for the time being."

"At that time, I told you that Factory Manager Zhou had already reached a cooperation agreement with the Daguang Group. The teaching building and staff dormitory would be built by the Daguang Group, and the construction funds would be advanced by them; the Woolen Mill didn't need to provide any funds. Yet, you still said you had to hold a meeting to study it..."

Hearing this, Wang Jianmin turned his head and looked deeply at Zhou Andong. This kid had the contractor advance the funds—could it be that he did it specifically to dig a pit for Shi Guoqiang?

"Shi Guoqiang!" Yan Minru glared, pointing her finger at Shi Guoqiang's nose, her voice stern: "For the next few days, every time we went to the State-owned Assets Office, you showed extreme impatience. Sometimes you didn't even bother with the most basic perfunctory gestures and simply had people drive us away like flies!"

Yan Minru's voice echoed in the air, filled with immense anger, piercing everyone's eardrums and reaching straight into their hearts.

"The day before yesterday, we went to the State-owned Assets Office again, and you finally tore off your hypocritical mask completely!" Yan Minru's voice grew higher, her emotions becoming increasingly agitated: "You cursed at us, calling us 'stinking old nines' without any restraint."

"You even said that we 'stinking old nines' should all go die. You said if the staff dormitory collapsed and crushed us to death, it would be just right, as it would save food for the country and count as a contribution. You said only elite cadres like you were worthy of living and had the qualifications to enjoy life!"

Yan Minru's words were like sharp swords piercing Shi Guoqiang, making his body tremble uncontrollably. He felt even more wronged than Dou E, because he had never said those things.

"Yan Minru, you are slandering me." Beads of sweat broke out on Shi Guoqiang's forehead. His voice became hoarse with fear, and he shouted desperately: "When did I ever call you 'stinking old nines'? And when did I ever say you should go die? This is completely fabricated and malicious slander!"

Shi Guoqiang's body trembled uncontrollably. His heart beat rapidly, as if it were about to jump out of his throat. He knew very well that if this fabricated matter were confirmed, he would truly be beyond salvation.

"Mayor!" Shi Guoqiang shouted with a trembling voice: "I really never said those things. This is entirely Yan Minru's gibberish. You must uphold justice for me and clear my name!"

Hu Guanghui's face was as dark as water. He looked at Yan Minru with a piercing gaze and said sternly: "Principal Yan, you must think clearly. Such words cannot be spoken casually. Can you take responsibility for what you have said?"

Yan Minru did not back down. She straightened her body, held her head high, and answered decisively: "Of course I can take responsibility for what I said!"

As she spoke, Yan Minru raised her hand and pointed at Ma Qingmin and Liu Bo, continuing: "And these words were not heard by me alone. Principal Ma and Principal Liu, as well as the other school leaders who went to Shi Guoqiang's office with us, they all heard it!"

Ma Qingmin quickly echoed: "That's right, Mayor. I can testify that these words were indeed spoken by him to us yesterday morning when we went to Shi Guoqiang's office."

Liu Bo also stepped forward two steps and said: "I can also testify that these words were indeed spoken by Shi Guoqiang."

The other school leaders also stood up one after another, saying in unison: "We can also testify!"

Shi Guoqiang was struck by lightning. He stared with wide eyes at the scene before him, completely stunned. A sense of terror surged into his heart like a tide, growing increasingly intense, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Hu Guanghui looked at Wang Jianmin. Their eyes met, and both saw pity for Shi Guoqiang in the other's eyes. They simply did not believe Shi Guoqiang would say such things. Even if this guy was devious, he wouldn't be stupid enough to go to such lengths. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be qualified to be a dog for the Yin family.

Hu Guanghui and Wang Jianmin turned their gazes toward Shi Guoqiang simultaneously. If it were just Yan Minru accusing Shi Guoqiang, it might not pose a major threat to him.

But when over a dozen people, including Ma Qingmin, Liu Bo, and others, stood up to testify, Shi Guoqiang's situation became precarious. Especially with Zhou Andong standing nearby, eyeing him like a tiger and wanting to put him to death. Even the Yin family, under these circumstances, could not protect Shi Guoqiang.

After all, "the clamor of the masses can melt metal." In the face of so many testimonies, unless Shi Guoqiang could produce conclusive evidence to prove he never said those things, he was a dead man. Moreover, they suspected that all of this was a death trap set by Zhou Andong for Shi Guoqiang.

At this moment, all the injured had been carried onto vehicles. Whether it was ambulances or vans, they were all packed with people and sped away. Therefore, all the staff and their families gathered around, three layers deep, each wanting to know how Shi Guoqiang would be dealt with. It could be said that the staff's hatred for Shi Guoqiang had reached their marrow; everyone wanted to see him receive the punishment he deserved.

In addition, they had one more pressing question: when would the reconstruction application for the dormitory be approved? After all, someone else's house had collapsed today, burying them in the ruins; who could guarantee that the same tragedy wouldn't befall their own homes tomorrow?

Hu Guanghui did not say how Shi Guoqiang would be dealt with, but instead looked around. Because the sky was already brightening, everyone's face could be seen clearly. Hu Guanghui's gaze swept over every person's face at the scene, and then he spoke slowly.

"On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, I express my sincerest gratitude to all the staff and family members who participated in the rescue operation!"

At this moment, the scene fell into silence, with only Hu Guanghui's voice echoing in the air. His tone revealed endless sorrow, moving everyone present.

"Please rest assured," Hu Guanghui continued, "we will definitely do our utmost and spare no effort to treat every injured person."

"Mayor!" A woman's voice came from the crowd: "We want to know when the reconstruction application for the teaching building and dormitory will be approved."

Hu Guanghui looked toward the direction of the voice, but there were too many people, and he couldn't find who had spoken. A smile appeared on his face: "Today, in a little while, I am going to the hospital to visit the injured. After I return this afternoon, I will personally sign the approval."

"Good!" Deafening applause erupted at the scene.

"Thank you all again!" Hu Guanghui raised his hand to press it down, then bowed to thank everyone present: "Now, please, comrades, hurry home to rest, change into clean clothes, and make sure not to catch a cold."

The staff and their families received the answer they wanted, and the shadow cast by the house collapse was also alleviated significantly. They turned and left one after another, talking about the dormitory reconstruction as they walked.

"Factory Manager Zhou!" Hu Guanghui looked at Zhou Andong with a smile: "Where are you going next?"

Zhou Andong raised his wrist to check his watch. It was almost six o'clock. If it weren't for the overcast sky, it should have been broad daylight by now: "To the hospital. So many people are injured; I, as the factory manager, cannot fail to show my face."

"Then let's go together." Wang Jianmin said to Zhou Andong: "I happen to have something to discuss with you."

"Let's go!" Zhou Andong nodded and walked toward the intersection with Hu Guanghui and Wang Jianmin.

Yan Minru, Ma Qingmin, and Liu Bo followed behind with the school leadership team. The Dean of Academic Affairs of the primary school section hurried forward a few steps, caught up with the three principals, and asked in a low voice.

"Principal Yan, Principal Ma, Principal Liu, what does the leader mean? Will Shi Guoqiang be dealt with or not?"

Yan Minru smiled slightly: "Regarding this matter, the higher-ups will definitely send an investigation team down. As long as we say what we discussed beforehand, Shi Guoqiang is a dead man; he won't have a single chance to turn things around."

Shi Guoqiang and Shao Yan and the others walked at the very back. Even now, they were still a bit dazed. How did things turn out like this?

"October 1st!" Old Comrade Zhou said helplessly: "There is less than a month left, and the invitations haven't been sent out yet. This couple isn't in a hurry, but I'm anxious."

"Chairman Zhou must have a plan in mind." Old Cricket laughed loudly: "Is the wedding held in the capital or Jiangzhou?"

"Held in Jiangzhou." Old Comrade Zhou said: "The relatives and friends at home are all in the hometown, it's not convenient to come to the capital."

"That's right!" Old Cricket nodded and asked again: "What about the friends here in Jiangzhou?"

Old Comrade Zhou said: "Andong said to find a few large buses, and Jiangzhou will arrange the hotel."