Only moments before, his elder brother had called and dressed him down—his brother, a member of the Municipal Standing Committee, was significantly more powerful than he was.

His brother had also disclosed some very unwelcome news.

What Yu Yong had done this time was seriously problematic. The city council had moved swiftly to reach a resolution: forget about keeping his job. Smashing cars while wearing a police uniform in league with gangsters—the nature of the offense was simply too egregious. It would be a miracle if he wasn't arrested and sentenced.

Yu Yong was being dismissed from public office, and Yu Wenwu would also bear some collateral responsibility. Exactly what that would entail was still up to higher authorities.

Although the current climate dictated that the disaster shouldn't extend to the immediate family, if one's son acted so recklessly, the father must shoulder some accountability—is a son’s misconduct not a father’s failing?

However, this responsibility wouldn't be catastrophic. After all, the previous reports focused solely on Yu Yong’s actions, having nothing directly to do with him. They wouldn't wipe out everyone just because the son made a mistake.

Furthermore, the city administration was none too pleased with the direct criticism leveled by the newspapers; their local officials did not need outsiders dictating terms to them.

This, in a way, was Yu Wenwu’s stroke of luck.

The thought brought an unwelcome surge of heat to Yu Wenwu’s chest.

His brother had just mentioned that this incident had nearly derailed his career prospects, but fortunately, the city leadership had been quite understanding.

And then there was his position as County Magistrate—it was practically his for the taking. Normally, it would certainly be his; but since Xu Guangrong hadn't stepped down, and before Zhou Guocheng officially took over as Secretary, he dared not act like the County Magistrate. Now, with this sudden exposure, it was inevitable that Zhou Guocheng might harbor second thoughts.

Moreover, the County Magistrate position required an election by the People's Congress. To speak as if it were already his own was to treat the Congress as his private domain; even with his influence, he dared not overstep so flagrantly.

"Knock, knock, Secretary Yu!"

A knock sounded from outside the door. Judging by the sound, it was his secretary. Yu Wenwu hurriedly rubbed his temples and bid the secretary to enter.

The reason the previous reports had barely affected him was entirely because they concerned Yu Yong’s actions, not his own. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the luxury of sitting here idly.

But this time was different. In a fit of impulse, he had actually resorted to violence, and inside the Public Security Bureau no less. While the matter might seem minor, if pursued thoroughly, the consequences were ones he could not bear.

"How did it go?"

Yu Wenwu asked in a low voice, trying his best to maintain a calm demeanor so the secretary wouldn't notice his tension.

"Many of them refused it. Only about a dozen people left after taking red envelopes!"

The secretary’s face was drawn with grief. He wasn't actually Yu Wenwu’s secretary; he was merely a clerk at the County Committee Office. Yu Wenwu’s rank was insufficient to warrant a full-time secretary.

But rules were rules, and people found ways around them. Deputy Secretaries and Deputy County Magistrates rarely lacked secretarial support, even if the title wasn't explicitly "Secretary."

"Refused? How is that possible!"

Yu Wenwu was stunned. The reporters refusing his bribes caused his heart to sink instantly.

In the past, similar incidents had occurred. Sometimes reporters would show up for certain events; generally, a batch of red envelopes was distributed, and the reporters would leave. Reporters worked hard, running around all day, and many simply sought a bit of extra income.

This time, he had relied on past experience, thinking he could simply buy off these journalists.

"No, they must leave. They cannot be allowed to publish this. Go—go again! Increase the offer! Ask them what their conditions are, and meet any condition they name!"

Yu Wenwu commanded again, realizing his panic was already evident to the secretary.

His son, Yu Yong, had been dismissed from public service precisely because the media exposed him. Yu Yong was currently receiving medical treatment, and the Municipal Public Security Bureau’s Discipline Inspection team had already arrived. If Yu Yong hadn't been in such poor condition, they would have already served him the formal disciplinary notice.

Considering his son's fate, if today’s incident were to be exposed, the resulting consequences were easy to imagine.

At this moment, Yu Wenwu harbored an intense resentment toward Zhang Yang, believing that all this misfortune was entirely Zhang Yang’s doing.

He extended that hatred to Mi Zhiguo as well, thinking that if he ever got the chance, he would certainly take revenge on that man.

It was Mi Zhiguo’s daughter who brought this harbinger of disaster, and it was because of his daughter that his son had flown into a rage and committed such a foolish act.

Secretary Yu was stuck in a cycle of hating this one and that one, yet he never stopped to consider that if his own son hadn't acted out of jealousy to smash the car, none of this would have ever happened... Upon returning from the hospital, Zhang Yang was immediately taken to a hotel by Su Zhantao.

The moment he stepped into the room, Zhang Yang, who had been listless and sickly earlier, instantly became lively and energetic. The light injury assessment certificate was already secured, and the lawyer Su Zhantao had found was already reviewing it, formally beginning his work.

This lawyer was surnamed Hu and had been specially invited from Changjing by Su Zhantao.

His purpose was to handle everything related to Zhang Yang and to help Zhang Yang sue the Public Security Bureau. Yu Yong was wearing his police uniform when he smashed the car, and it was during working hours, meaning the leaders of the Public Security Bureau could certainly be held responsible.

That car was not cheap; this lawsuit would be a protracted affair.

Zhang Yang didn't truly care about winning or losing the lawsuit; the goal was simply to ensure that as long as the legal process continued, certain people would have a difficult time.

Now, Lawyer Hu had an additional task: helping Zhang Yang sue Yu Wenwu for assaulting him inside the Public Security Bureau. With the forensic report and the photographs taken, this case would be very easy to win.

"Zhang Yang, I’m realizing now, you are quite wicked!"

In the room, Mi Xue was peeling an orange for Zhang Yang, smiling as she worked.

"How am I wicked?"

Zhang Yang took the orange she offered and stuffed the entire segment into his mouth, chewing vigorously.

"You were clearly fine, but you pretended to be injured and deliberately obtained a light injury assessment—isn't that wicked?"

Mi Xue kept peeling oranges. By now, Zhang Yang had already eaten four that she had peeled.

"Mi Xue, that’s different. I merely used some tactics. If anyone is wicked, it's them. If these reporters hadn't shown up, you know perfectly well what kind of state I’d be in after being taken into their Public Security Bureau today," Zhang Yang said softly, taking Mi Xue's hand.

"I know, which is why I told you to leave there first. I didn't expect you already had a countermeasure. That piece you wrote yesterday was incredible—how did you even think of that idea?"

Mi Xue nodded, but her tone turned slightly excited toward the end.

She felt like everything was proceeding exactly as Zhang Yang intended. Such a troublesome matter had been resolved so smoothly; she could hardly imagine it.

"Hehe, that’s because I'm clever. You'll find I'm even smarter in the future!"

Zhang Yang smiled triumphantly. Naturally, he couldn't tell Mi Xue that he was drawing upon the power of public opinion from his previous life.

A luxury car being smashed was already a news lead that commanded attention. By adding other elements, especially Yu Yong’s status as a police officer, it was easier to focus public scrutiny on the incident.

Even now, if this news had hit the internet in later years, it would have undoubtedly caused a massive sensation, drawing widespread discussion.

"Zhang Yang, I have to go home today. My dad is looking for me, and my mom is very worried too!"

Mi Xue added, her voice laced with apprehension.

After such an incident, she feared her parents would develop negative opinions of Zhang Yang. Although she was determined to stay with Zhang Yang, she didn't want her parents to view him unfavorably; ideally, the whole family could live together in harmony.

"Silly girl, you don't need to worry about a thing. Just go home. Your father won't blame you, and regarding your situation, he probably won't force you anymore. Talk to him properly, and he won't oppose us being together from now on!"

Zhang Yang laughed heartily. Mi Xue was still too naive; her expressions and thoughts gave her away completely.

Zhang Yang dismissed Mi Xue’s worry as unfounded. Yu Yong's current transgression was too severe. As long as Mi Zhiguo had any shred of concern for his daughter, he could never agree to Mi Xue being with that young brute.

Based on Zhang Yang’s observations, Mi Zhiguo deeply cherished his daughter.

Moreover, there was another crucial point: his relationship with Mi Xue was now the talk of the entire Lieshan area. If Mi Zhiguo tried to keep them apart now, he would essentially be sacrificing his own reputation.

"I hope so. Zhang Yang, I'll head home first. You must be careful!"

Mi Xue wasn't as optimistic as Zhang Yang. She cared too much; being caught up in the moment prevented her from seeing clearly. Once she calmed down, she could understand all the implications.

"Don't worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll have Zhan Tao drive you back!"

Zhang Yang said cheerfully. It wasn't convenient for him to rush about right now, nor was it suitable for him to visit Mi Zhiguo’s house, so he had to rely on Su Zhantao to escort her first.

At five in the afternoon, Lawyer Hu arranged meetings with numerous reporters.

He displayed the latest forensic assessment report to them and specifically showed several photographs taken of Zhang Yang during his examination.

Lawyer Hu was very effective, masterfully evoking emotion. He displayed the photos mournfully; some of the bruises Zhang Yang had deliberately accentuated looked particularly severe, as if he had suffered mistreatment.

Some of the more empathetic female reporters couldn't help but shed tears.

Afterward, Lawyer Hu stated that all the blame lay with the other party and that he would formally sue on Zhang Yang’s behalf. In addition to the smashed luxury car case, they would also charge Yu Wenwu with intentional injury, and sue the County Public Security Bureau for dereliction of duty and abusive interrogation.

Zhang Yang’s absence was a slight disappointment to the reporters.

However, they had obtained what they needed from Lawyer Hu, and many reporters returned to their lodgings, busily preparing their articles.

As soon as they were back, people began visiting them constantly. The red envelopes offered increased from three thousand to five thousand, some even reaching ten thousand. All they asked for in return for such generosity was that they go back the way they came, pretending today had never happened.

This time, Yu Wenwu was truly throwing caution to the wind. Even if it wasn't ten thousand per person, fifty thousand for a hundred reporters would still cost over half a million—money he couldn't accumulate in a hundred lifetimes on his salary alone.

The enormous bribes did attract some people; some took the money and left. However, a significant number of reporters remained; not every journalist could be swayed by cash.

Zhang Yang remained unaware of all this; even if he knew, he wouldn't have cared.

If the Provincial Newspaper chose to report it, that was enough. As long as the Provincial Newspaper covered the story, it wouldn't matter if the rest of the media outlets fell silent... Third update, continuing to write. More to follow... RQ