Today's major events become minor issues tomorrow, and mere stories in the coming years.
Time is magical; it lends gravitas to history and makes current events easily forgotten. This is especially true in the internet age.
A few days later, as the police department and Jiangnan Province jointly issued statements to rigorously investigate the cases of Nie Xiaoqian and Su Shirong, and took Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao, father and son, away for questioning, the online fervor surrounding the matter significantly subsided.
On one hand, many who were invested in the case had already vented their emotions and subsequently lost interest.
On the other hand, the investigation into Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao led many concerned individuals to believe they had achieved victory—their voices had led to the punishment of wrongdoers, exonerated the victims, and upheld justice!
Only a small fraction of people were awaiting the final outcome, expecting Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao to face legal repercussions! Furthermore, this number would dwindle with time, until the final verdict was delivered without creating even a ripple on the attention-grabbing internet, ultimately fading into silence.
Among this fraction were the victim's friends and family, the most concerned about the case's progression.
In a secluded rental apartment on the outskirts of Jinling.
A middle-aged couple, gnawing on steamed buns and eating pickled vegetables, stared at their mobile screens with bloodshot eyes, scrolling through the latest updates on the Nie Xiaoqian case. They were Nie Xiaoqian's parents. Though only fifty years old, their hair had turned gray, and their faces were etched with wrinkles, making them appear like septuagenarians. All this was due to enduring six years of agonizing torment.
Six years ago, their daughter Nie Xiaoqian was victimized. They tirelessly approached relevant departments to clear their daughter's name and seek justice, but their efforts failed to alter the case's outcome—their daughter had been buried for years, while the perpetrators lived freely and happily!
Furthermore, in their pursuit of justice for their daughter, they lost their jobs and sold their assets, now confined to this dilapidated rental. Not long ago, they had lost all hope and were preparing to find a time to join their daughter in the afterlife. Then, they witnessed their daughter's case gaining traction online!
This offered a glimmer of hope to them, who were lost in despair. That glimmer of hope prompted them to abandon their decision to join their daughter, resolving instead to wait until their daughter's name was cleared. From that day on, they slept only two to three hours a day, dedicating the rest of their time to monitoring their phones for the latest developments.
"Qian's father, do you think those beasts will be brought to justice?" Nie Xiaoqian's mother asked, her voice small and mournful, as she put down her cold steamed bun, tears blurring her vision.
"The police department and Jiangnan jointly issued a statement, and they've taken away the brutes who abused Xiaoqian back then. They will definitely be brought to justice," Nie Xiaoqian's father replied, his cheeks puffed out, not yet swallowing his chewed bun. His voice was subdued, and his tone lacked conviction.
For the past six years, their pleas had gone unanswered, and their cries had fallen on deaf ears. They no longer believed in the fairness of the law or the existence of justice in the world. Otherwise, they wouldn't have despaired to the point of choosing to join their daughter in the underworld!
...
On the very day Nie Xiaoqian's parents saw hope amidst despair, only to have their confidence waver, the police department had concluded its thorough investigation into the cases of Nie Xiaoqian and Su Shirong. They were prepared to transfer the case to other departments the following day, then publicize the proceedings, and finally await the court's judgment.
It was also on this day that Qin Xiaozhi, having learned of the police department's internal findings in advance, specially traveled to Sujiang to find Jiang Wuming.
However—
Before he could even speak upon meeting Jiang Wuming, Jiang Wuming said first, "Xiaozhi, you came to see me because the investigation results are out, but they are not the results we wanted."
"Mhm."
Qin Xiaozhi clenched his fists, nodding in suppressed indignation and anger. He was not surprised that Jiang Wuming could guess this. Jiang Wuming understood him. If the final outcome had been what he and Jiang Wuming desired, he would have simply called Jiang Wuming, not gone to the trouble of coming to Sujiang.
"Let's go, let's talk outside."
With a calm expression, Jiang Wuming led Qin Xiaozhi away from the Su family's ancestral home, heading to a relatively quiet corner of the ancient city of Sujiang.
"Boss, based on the information we have now, Yuan Zeping will be sentenced to ten years, and Yuan Hao to eight. As for Yuan Hao's accomplices who abused Xiaoqian, the beast who ultimately caused Xiaoqian's death has been sentenced to death, while the others received sentences of around ten years," Qin Xiaozhi said, lighting a cigarette and taking the initiative to explain the situation to Jiang Wuming. His eyes were slightly red, not from the smoke, but from a feeling of injustice!
"One who twice orchestrated the murder of a martial artist and was only sentenced to ten years; one who, as the mastermind, colluded with accomplices to commit acts worse than beasts, leading to Xiaoqian's death, and was only sentenced to eight years, why?" Jiang Wuming asked.
"Because, according to the evidence investigated by the police department, Yuan Zeping had instructed Liu Qingfeng to kill Uncle Su back then. He canceled the commission midway, but Liu Qingfeng refused to terminate the cooperation, went ahead with the murder himself, and then failed to receive his payment from Yuan Zeping. As for Yuan Zeping's recent commission to Liu Qingfeng to kill you, which was ultimately not carried out—you are still alive. This clearly indicates collusion between the Yuan and Liu families, but it aligns with the video call content!" Qin Xiaozhi stated, extinguishing his cigarette, his fists clenching tightly. He, usually calm and collected, showed uncharacteristic agitation at this outcome!
In contrast, Jiang Wuming remained composed. He offered no opinion and continued to inquire, "And Yuan Hao?"
"Yuan Hao was not designated as a participant in that incident, nor was he the killer who ultimately caused Xiaoqian's death, hence he was only sentenced to eight years," Qin Xiaozhi replied.
"The outcome is confirmed?" Jiang Wuming confirmed.
"Their internal consensus has been reached, and barring any surprises, the final verdict will be as such." Qin Xiaozhi spoke, his knuckles cracking as he clenched them, gritting his teeth, "This investigation result appears reasonable, and with someone sentenced to death as a scapegoat, it's enough to appease the emotions of the public focused on this matter. Once the sentencing is complete, no one will pay attention to it anymore. By then, they will undoubtedly ensure Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao are released early within the bounds of the law and regulations!"
"My grandfather and my father are both furious about this outcome, but they are powerless to overturn it. This is because Xiaoqian's case does not involve the Military Department, while Uncle Su's case does. However, Liu Qingfeng is dead, so there is no evidence to prove it!" Qin Xiaozhi said with a troubled expression, "In such circumstances, even if they escalate it to the Military Department's headquarters, it will be futile—the Military Department has no reason to intervene!"
"That's not the crux of the matter. The key is that the Yuan family is backed by the Gu family. The head of the Gu family is an Elder of Longguo, the future successor of the Gu family, Gu Lü, is the helmsman of the Police Department, and the eldest young master of the Gu family, Gu Tianlong, is the strongest successor of the Longmen!" Jiang Wuming narrowed his eyes, pinpointing the critical issue.
"Mhm."
Qin Xiaozhi did not deny it, then added, "However, my grandfather said that if the Military Department intervenes in this matter and is determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to Uncle Su, even the Gu family won't be able to protect Yuan Zeping and Yuan Hao, and those other members of the Yuan family involved will face severe punishment!"
"Military Department?" Jiang Wuming's pupils slightly widened.
"To be precise, it's the Ye family of the Military Department. As long as the Ye family states their intent to investigate thoroughly, that would suffice. But we have no way to contact the Ye family. Moreover, even if we could contact the Ye family, they would likely not get involved in this matter," Qin Xiaozhi supplemented, unaware of Jiang Wuming's true identity or his relationship with the Ye family.
"Ye family."
Jiang Wuming murmured softly, a heroic and graceful figure appearing in his mind. Ye Jinmei. The eldest daughter of the Ye family, and his biological mother!
...