Ji Shuyu held his hand tightly.
She could feel the struggle within He Yuan’s heart and the pain of his attempt to understand and even empathize.
“The system and the rules themselves aren’t wrong. The fault lies with those who exploit or break them,” Ji Shuyu said softly.
“Lin Fang chose the worst possible way to respond. But you’re right—perhaps he truly felt he had reached a dead end back then.”
“But that doesn’t change the fact that he was wrong, nor does it lessen the responsibility he must bear.”
He Yuan nodded silently, gripping her hand even tighter in return.
Yes, understanding did not mean forgiveness, much less approval.
He Yuan nodded, holding Ji Shuyu’s hand.
Understanding Lin Fang’s predicament didn’t bring He Yuan any relief. Instead, it made him more vigilant and resentful toward the mastermind behind it all.
This sentiment reached its peak the next day during an unexpected conflict.
To lighten the mood, Ji Shuyu took He Yuan to the county supply and marketing cooperative to buy some local specialty dried goods to bring home.
Her parents had rarely left the island their whole lives, her second brother and his wife were busy with work, and the children at home were also tied up. There were also He Yuan and Ji Shuyu’s friends to consider.
So, Ji Shuyu wanted to buy them something.
The supply and marketing cooperative was crowded, and most of the salesclerks behind the counters were indifferent—which was fairly normal.
However, one middle-aged male clerk with glasses and slicked-down parted hair stood out for his particularly arrogant demeanor.
He paid little attention to ordinary folks but was all smiles and nods to a man dressed in a four-pocket cadres’ uniform—clearly someone with a bit of authority.
He Yuan and Ji Shuyu happened to be in line right behind that cadre.
The cadre wanted to buy some high-demand candies and malted milk powder. The slick-haired clerk eagerly brought out the best stock and carefully wrapped everything in brown paper.
When it was He Yuan and Ji Shuyu’s turn, she asked to weigh some local dried mushrooms and shrimp.
The slick-haired clerk lifted his eyelids to glance at them. Seeing their plain, travel-worn clothes, he snorted dismissively.
He slowly turned around, grabbed a handful of the mushrooms she pointed to, and tossed them roughly onto the scale. Several mushroom fragments scattered outside the counter.
“Comrade, could you please be a bit gentler and wrap them for us?” Ji Shuyu negotiated politely.
But the clerk acted as if he’d been offended, his face souring. “This is how we sell! Take it or leave it! There are people waiting behind you!”
His attitude was extremely hostile.
He Yuan’s expression darkened.
He wasn’t there to throw his weight around, but this kind of blatant discrimination and bullying of ordinary people ignited his anger.
Especially after the recent incident with the old soldier, he was particularly sensitive to such entitled, power-abusing behavior.
“What kind of service attitude is this?” He Yuan’s voice was quiet but carried a cold, pressing authority.
“Is this how you ‘serve the people’—by dividing them into different classes?”
The clerk was momentarily intimidated by He Yuan’s presence.
But then, remembering that the other party was just an ordinary person, he immediately straightened up again, even adding a touch of mockery.
“Oh ho, where’s this great leader coming from? Bossing everyone around, even how I sell things? Are you buying or not? If not, step aside! Don’t waste my time!”
“You—!”
He Yuan’s brows furrowed, and he was about to lose his temper.
Ji Shuyu gently tugged his sleeve, signaling him to stay calm.
She took a step forward, maintaining her composure, and said to the clerk, “Comrade, we’re here to make a normal purchase. Is it too much to ask for basic service and respect? What’s your employee ID number? Or shall we speak to your manager?”
At the mention of his employee ID and the manager, the slick-haired clerk’s expression shifted slightly. He was clearly nervous but still put up a defiant front. “Don’t try to intimidate me with the manager! The manager is my cousin! What can you do about it?”
Just then, an older clerk who had been quietly organizing shelves nearby could no longer stand by and watch.
He quietly approached and whispered to He Yuan and Ji Shuyu, “Comrades, just let it go. His brother-in-law is Director Wang from the county—he’s not someone to cross… Hurry up, buy what you need and leave. Arguing with him won’t do you any good.”
He Yuan and Ji Shuyu exchanged a glance, both feeling a sudden realization.
When Lin Fang had confessed, he vaguely mentioned that the person who coerced him seemed to be connected to someone influential in the local area.
However, due to the single-line contact method, he didn’t know the specific name, only that the person had significant power.
Could it be this Director Wang?
The anger in He Yuan’s heart was instantly replaced by vigilance.
He shot a deep, meaningful look at the still-smug slick-haired clerk but didn’t press the issue further. Instead, he said to Ji Shuyu, “Shuyu, let’s go.”
Understanding his intent, Ji Shuyu nodded. Without buying anything, the two turned and left the supply and marketing cooperative.
Back in their small hotel room, He Yuan closed the door, his expression grave. “Shuyu, did you hear that?”
“I heard,” Ji Shuyu nodded, her eyes sharpening. “What a coincidence. It matches the clue Lin Fang mentioned. If it’s this person, he certainly has the power to coerce a military officer’s family and influence certain matters to some extent.”
He Yuan paced around the room a couple of times. “The key that Old Qian took, Lin Fang being coerced—the mastermind might be right here in this county, possibly this Director Wang or someone closely connected to him.”
“We initially thought the focus was on the island, but it seems this small county is where a major threat is hidden!”
He stopped abruptly and looked at Ji Shuyu, his eyes regaining their usual decisiveness. “Shuyu, we can’t just go back for rest and recovery now.”
“What do you plan to do?” Ji Shuyu immediately understood what he was thinking.
“I need to contact my superiors immediately and report the situation here,” He Yuan said firmly. “I’ll request an extension of my leave, using rest and recovery as the pretext, and stay undercover in this county. That clerk is a breakthrough, and his brother-in-law, Director Wang, is the key.”
“We must uncover their background, find evidence of their coercion of Lin Fang and their intelligence theft—especially the true purpose and target of that key!”
His eyes burned with determination: “This threat must be eliminated! Otherwise, more people will be dragged into this, and more intelligence will be leaked!”
Without hesitation, Ji Shuyu gripped his hand tightly. “Alright! I’ll stay with you. As a technical cadre, my identity is less sensitive. It might be easier for me to gather some information.”
“Together, as husband and wife, we’ll stir up the waters here and get to the bottom of this.”
Seeing her unwavering support, He Yuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
His comrade’s betrayal had left him disheartened, but his wife’s solidarity and support made him fearless.
His superiors quickly approved He Yuan’s request and even asked if he needed additional personnel.
However, He Yuan declined. More people would mean a larger target. Only he and Ji Shuyu were the best option.
He and Ji Shuyu would split up. She could gather information, while he could use the pretext of wanting to build connections to make contact with that clerk first.
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