Chapter 263: What is public opinion?

Teahouse.

Yu Kai Lang walked in.

Wu An stood up and waved.

Yu Kai Lang walked over, pulled out a chair and sat down.

After this period, the two had become friends; Wu An asked what he wanted to drink, Yu Kai Lang said anything, and Wu An ordered him a cup of tea.

After exchanging greetings, Wu An explained the situation.

"That's the situation—failing to rescue someone in danger… a bit tricky." After listening, Yu Kai Lang said: "First is administrative penalty, namely fines and demerit points, etc.; I'm not exactly familiar with the specifics."

"The other is criminal liability pursuit; given the current situation, it's probably hard to achieve."

If an accident occurs at sea, pursuing it is much harder than pursuing a traffic accident.

Wu An nodded while listening.

That's just… so what.

Wu An never thought he could do anything to the Chen family; just one word: crush them completely!

Give the Chen family a bit of intensity!

Can't catch you.

Then we'll drown you in saliva.

Let these people experience in advance what "public opinion pressure" means.

In the future, in the era of self-media, a random essay posted online can ignite the public opinion field, ultimately forming terrifying "online violence".

In the future, in the era of self-media, a casually posted short essay online can ignite public opinion, ultimately forming terrifying "online violence".

Does anyone care?

Maybe.

But it's not important.

People mainly watch for fun, just joining the clamor.

Now there's a saying: explanation is cover-up, cover-up is fact, fact is indeed true.

Wu An said: "We don't intend to bring the Chen family to justice."

Wu An said: "We don't intend to bring the Chen Family to justice."

Just hoping to vent anger.

Then what do you want me to do?

"Whatever needs to be done, let him file a report and you investigate." Wu An laughed and said: "I wanted to keep you in the loop to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding."

"Just do whatever needs to be done; he goes to file a report, you investigate." Wu An smiled and said: "I just wanted to keep you in the loop to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding."

Wu An said: "If we handle this well, we'll get exposure."

Yu Kai Lang's brows slightly furrowed: "How can this be handled? I'll say something unpleasant: in the end, it'll probably amount to nothing."

Wu An said: "You should think this way: solving trouble makes you a good comrade; helping leaders solve trouble makes you an excellent good comrade."

Yu Kai Lang's eyes lit up, his tone more urgent: "A An, speak plainly; I know you came to see me not just for a casual heads‑up."

"Actually, there's not much." Wu An also didn't beat around the bush, saying: "Old Fu Tou first goes to you to file a report; if you can't resolve it, the problem lies with you."

"But if Old Fu Tou first goes to the leader, and the leader gets tied up unable to cope, then you step in, letting the leader disengage—wouldn't the leader think highly of you?"

"Regardless of how things end, as long as Old Fu Tou doesn't cause trouble, shouldn't the leader thank you?"

"Ah!" Yu Kai Lang couldn't help rubbing his hands, saying: "A An, you really have something!"

"Saying that gets me excited."

"With this matter settled, how will I end up taking a big advantage? … that …"

Wu An laughed and said: "You are indeed taking a big advantage; if it blows up, Old Fu can vent anger and also get back the money withheld from the Chen family, which is also a real gain."

"As for me, seeing the Chen family suffer makes me happy."

In short, he's just using the conflict between Old Fu Tou and the Chen family to stir things up.

So he must clarify the causal relationship and the stakes, lest anyone overthink or feel uncomfortable being used by him.

Yu Kai Lang gulped down the tea, wiped his mouth, and said: "Alright, when do we do it?"

Yu Kai Lang gulped down the tea in one go, wiped his mouth, and said: "Alright, when do we do it?"

Four thirty in the afternoon.

On our side, most people eat at five or six; if things go smoothly, when the ten‑li eight‑village finishes eating, we can discuss this over dinner.

On their side, most people eat dinner around five or six; if things go smoothly, by the time the surrounding villages have finished their meals, we can discuss this over dinner.

The three stood up.

Wu An went to settle the bill.

After leaving, Wu An accompanied Old Fu Tou to Zhendayuan.

Along the way, Wu An still worriedly taught Old Fu Tou what to say; Old Fu Tou waved his hand: "A An, you don't need to say."

"I dare not say anything else, but causing a scene? I'm good at that."

"You don't know—I, a five‑guarantee household in Shangwancun, am a major headache for many officials."

After saying that, he laughed loudly himself.

Arrived at Zhendayuan.

Old Fu Tou strode in head high, chest out.

Lao Fu Tou walked in with his head held high and chest out.

Wu An also wasn't idle.

Wu An also wasn't idle.

After a short while, he went to the guard booth at the gate, handed a cigarette to the old man, and asked: "Old uncle, I'd like to ask, is the Seeing Justice and Courage commendation being handled here?"

The old man took the cigarette, stared blankly; "What Seeing Justice and Courage?"

Wu An said: "Oh, earlier I did a few good deeds, they said they'd apply for a Seeing Justice and Courage commendation for me, and asked me to come collect the award."

The old man laughed and said: "Pretty impressive, kid. This commendation isn't something just anyone can get; you have to check the notice, come when they tell you to."

Wu An put on an apologetic expression: "I don't understand either; I just got a phone call, I was afraid of delaying the leaders' business, so I came to ask."

He and the old man were chatting, and soon saw people hurrying about in the courtyard, a bit noisy; the old man also poked his head out to look at the building.

"Looks like something happened."

"Right?"

"Old uncle, aren't you going to have a look?"

"We have to go."

The old man grabbed his gear and headed for the building; Wu An handed him another cigarette and followed inside.

Seeing Lao Fu Tou's performance, Wu An felt relieved.

Not long after.

Yu Kai Lang and Liu Long arrived, said they could handle this, told Lao Fu Tou not to cause a scene in the courtyard; after a long back-and-forth, Yu Kai Lang appealed to emotion and reason, and Lao Fu Tou was successfully persuaded.

As they left, Liu Long wiped sweat from his forehead, glanced over, and saw Wu An standing together with the guard old man; his eyes widened.

This matter… it's definitely this kid who caused it!

"How does this kid show up everywhere?"

……

Those watching the spectacle at Zhendayuan were hardly passersby.

Everyone soon dispersed.

Several leaders stood together, making phone calls to inquire about the situation.

Lao Fu Tou said, if they didn't settle it for him, being a five-guarantees household with no prospects, he'd just bring gasoline over to burn a fire for everyone.

That's too frightening.

If they cause this kind of trouble, none of them will end well.

Call Shangwancun.

Call the Police Station and have the chief personally oversee it.

Also call Director Yi, who's in charge of the rescue operation, to get the situation.

A certain leader noticed Wu An and the guard old man, wiped sweat from his face, and shouted: "Third uncle, you're a guard—are you just standing watch outside?"

Wu An looked at the old man.

Indeed.

Sure enough, the old man is indeed an old man!

Being able to watch the gate at the entrance, that old man is no ordinary person.

Either he's a relative or he has connections.

"Hey, I'm just a gate watcher—what else could I do if I wasn't watching?" the old man grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "The public has difficulties; I'd like to help, but I can't exert any strength."

The leader, left speechless by the retort, waved his hand and went upstairs.

Wu An asked: "I see everyone seems unfazed……

The old man, cigarette in mouth, hands behind his back, walked out: "That's right, there are always all kinds of disputes; those with connections come to cause trouble."

"Those without connections… are rather rare."

"I doubt they'll stir up anything."

Wu An smiled.

No reply.

In his mind he reviewed the whole plan; now only the final step remains.

It's also the most crucial step!

He went to the gate, patted the cigarette box in his hand—there were still about five or six left—and placed it directly on the old man's desk, saying: "Old uncle, thanks for letting me watch the excitement."

"No need to send off, just go."