Chapter 385: The Four-Virtue Youth

Gong Jimin was truly a bit dazed. It was only after leaving the house that he remembered he hadn't notified his driver, so he went back to call the duty room, told the driver on duty to pick him up at his home, and then headed out once more.

Upon reaching downstairs, he waited only a short while before the car arrived.

Gong Jimin and Wei Shumin got into the car: "Go to the Panhe City Central Hospital. Fast, drive as fast as you can."

Hearing Gong Jimin's words and seeing Wei Shumin crying incessantly, the driver knew something major had happened. He pressed the accelerator all the way to the floor; the only regret was that the car didn't have wings and couldn't fly.

After passing Liaonan, a drizzling rain began. By the time they were nearing Baikou City, the rain grew heavier, and the driver had no choice but to slow down.

Gong Jimin and Wei Shumin were burning with anxiety, but they also knew that driving fast in such weather was too dangerous, so neither of them urged him further.

Finally, at past ten o'clock in the evening, they arrived at the Panhe City Central Hospital.

The leaders of Panhe City, both big and small, were already waiting. Gong Jimin's son had met with an accident within their jurisdiction; these fellows were like people whose backsides were on fire, and regardless of what they were doing, they had all rushed over.

Seeing Gong Jimin arrive, the Panhe City leader, Wu Zhengrong, personally reported the situation to him.

"I only learned that Gong Xu had met with an accident after receiving a call from Comrade Zou Xiangqun of the Municipal Bureau. By the time I arrived, the director of the Central Hospital and over a dozen specialists had already entered the operating room..."

Wu Zhengrong spoke in detail, including the entire course of the case: "The two people accompanying Gong Xu were knocked unconscious. We couldn't find any valuable clues on them; we can only wait for Gong Xu to wake up."

Gong Jimin said nothing. He silently walked to a chair nearby and sat down, looking as if he had suddenly aged more than a dozen years.

Wei Shumin sat beside Gong Jimin, her eyes staring blankly at the light above the operating room, her mind a complete void.

No one spoke again, and no one dared to speak. For a time, it was so quiet it felt oppressive, and in this oppressive atmosphere, time reached four o'clock in the morning.

The light in the operating room went out, and everyone's spirits lifted. After nearly eight hours of surgery, Gong Xu was wheeled out.

The crowd immediately swarmed forward. An elderly man with graying hair said: "His life is temporarily saved. As long as he can make it through the next 24 hours, there will be no problem. However, both legs have been amputated, and furthermore..."

Wu Zhengrong took a deep breath: "Furthermore, what?"

The old man said: "The patient's *** is gone; it was severed by a sharp weapon."

Although Gong Jimin had mentally prepared himself, hearing the old man's words, his vision still went black. His body swayed, and he was hurriedly steadied by those around him.

Wei Shumin had already fainted completely. The doctors and nurses were in a flurry, carrying her to a ward.

"Ding-a-ling..."

Before seven o'clock, Zhou Andong was startled awake by the urgent ringing of the phone. Squinting his eyes, he felt for the receiver.

"Hello!"

"Zhou Andong!" Cheng Zhanjun's dignified voice came through the receiver: "Around seven o'clock last night, six kilometers north of Panhe, Gong Xu was beaten by thugs who broke his legs and castrated his ***."

"Ah?" Zhou Andong was instantly alert, then burst into loud laughter: "Oh Heavens, oh Earth, which angel sister is it that has vented this anger for me?"

Cheng Zhanjun was silent for a moment: "It wasn't you who did it?"

Zhou Andong sat up and found a cigarette to light: "Leader, do you think I, Zhou Andong, am that stupid? To have a conflict with him in full view of everyone, and then have someone finish him off that same night?"

Clearly, Cheng Zhanjun let out a breath: "I also know that you, this little fox, wouldn't do such a stupid thing. But when I thought about you telling me you wanted to leave a deep impression on Gong Xu, I had to call you to confirm."

Zhou Andong said with dissatisfaction: "I am a four-virtue youth possessing public virtue, morality, goodness, and character. You, an elder, actually suspect me like this—doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Cheng Zhanjun gave a cold snort: "Stop your glib talk and think about how to solve the trouble that follows."

"I now strongly suspect that Gong Xu being dealt with might have me as the target; otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence?" Zhou Andong sighed: "I reckon the police will be at my door today. I must make arrangements quickly, or things will surely fall into chaos."

Cheng Zhanjun didn't say anything else and hung up the phone.

Zhou Andong held the phone, deep in thought, then called Gu Bing: "Something has happened. Come to the hotel to find me."

Then he dressed, walked quickly out of the room, arrived outside Wu Huilin's room, and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Wu Huilin's voice came from inside the room.

"It's me!" Zhou Andong said.

The door opened, and Wu Huilin had also just gotten up: "So early?"

Zhou Andong said: "The person who had a conflict with me at yesterday's auction was crippled by someone. I am the prime suspect, and the police will be at my door very soon.

I will likely have to stay inside for a period of time. You must speed up the evaluation for the First Construction Company. Also, for Yuxi Real Estate, Gu Qing can be trusted; you can let her handle it with a free hand."

Wu Huilin's expression changed, and she said worriedly: "Won't there be any trouble? Should we notify Qiuqiu?"

"No need!" Zhou Andong said: "It's just a little trouble. Notifying her would only make her worry; it's unnecessary."

Wu Huilin said: "I'll tidy up and go to your room in a while."

Zhou Andong nodded, turned, and returned to his own room, then picked up the phone again to call An Jing, explaining the situation: "Don't worry, and don't be anxious..."

"Doo-doo-doo..."

Before Zhou Andong had finished speaking, An Jing hung up the phone.

Soon, Wu Huilin and Tang Bei arrived. Twenty-some minutes later, Gu Bing, An Jing, and Zhou Anqin also arrived.

"Brother!" As soon as Zhou Anqin entered the room, her eyes turned red.

"This is just a little trouble, no need to worry." Zhou Andong smiled and rubbed Zhou Anqin's head, then said to Gu Bing: "Gong Xu's case will definitely have a special investigation team formed by the province.

This is not a good thing for me. Because the boss of the Provincial Police Department, Du Jincun, is a member of the Tong family, and Lin Guosheng and Tong Huaiyu have always wanted to kill me. They won't miss this opportunity.

Therefore, Tong Huaiyu will definitely use public opinion again to nail me to the pillar of shame. When that time comes, you go find Cheng Zhanjun, and the video can be brought out.

Lin Guosheng and Pang Yong have a chain of interests, so Du Jincun can't be very clean either. As long as Lin Guosheng and Pang Yong are arrested, Du Jincun won't be able to run, and my crisis will naturally be resolved."

"What about Gong Jimin?" Gu Bing said: "With such heavy rain last night, there are no clues left. As long as the culprit isn't caught, you remain the prime suspect. Gong Jimin definitely won't let you off easily."

Zhou Andong smiled: "Evidence, you say? With Du Jincun there, they won't talk about evidence; they will definitely try every means to make me plead guilty. But once Du Jincun is arrested, plus Lin Guowei, Tong Huaiyu will definitely retract his claws. At that time, who will still have the guts to ignore the evidence?" ===== CHAPTER 386 =====