At Jinsha Pool, the construction site was now lit up.

They had figured out how Luo Yaozong and the petty thieves got in.

Three people had entered the site with Luo Yaozong, all now detained at the police station. According to their testimony, they often drank with Luo Yaozong, who frequently complained about his workplace. Tonight when they met again and discussed being short on money, Luo Yaozong suggested stealing steel bars from the site to sell.

He’d said the site owner was greedy, making huge profits, and shouldn’t be the only one living well.

The police had extracted all this information.

The police officer was considerate of Xia Xiaolan’s dignity and didn’t repeat all the thieves’ vulgar statements. Their crude words were particularly offensive, and the young Manager Xia was strikingly beautiful, her delicate face glowing in the light making it hard to maintain eye contact… Speaking with Xia Xiaolan required mental preparation.

“Officer, the situation is like this—”

Just as Xia Xiaolan began speaking, a commotion erupted at Jinsha Pool’s entrance. Ge Jian rushed over with a troubled expression:

“It’s the Ganquan Village people. They’re gathering to storm the site, demanding we hand over Luo Yaozong.”

This made sense.

She knew it wasn’t that simple – here was the proof!

“Officer, Luo Yaozong was a security guard here, but let’s set aside how he fell for now. He wasn’t even scheduled for duty tonight, and Jinsha Pool launches tomorrow. If Ganquan Village people cause trouble, it will be very difficult for us.”

Walking and talking, Xia Xiaolan noticed the police seemed to have instructions to cooperate with “Manager Xia” when necessary.

The police station already knew Luo Yaozong wasn’t scheduled for night duty – the roster was posted on the wall. This wasn’t a work injury from chasing thieves; he was with the thieves.

So why were the Ganquan Village people causing trouble, demanding Qihang hand him over?

He was still in emergency surgery, with Qihang Company paying the medical bills. The young Manager Xia was truly unfortunate.

Liu Yong told Xia Xiaolan to stay back and let him handle it, but she shook her head:

“Uncle, your intervention alone isn’t enough. This isn’t just about theft and an accident.”

At Jinsha Pool’s entrance, Ganquan Village people wielded flashlights and torches, emotions running high, demanding Xia Xiaolan hand over Luo Yaozong.

Someone shouted that Jinsha Pool had killed Luo Yaozong, agitating the Luo family most.

After several daughters, Luo Yaozong was their only precious son. Unmarried and childless, if anything happened to him, the Luo family line would end – a blow they couldn’t bear.

Old Luo’s clouded eyes blazed with anger and grief. Seeing Xia Xiaolan appear, he rushed forward with his cane.

“You shameless little whore, I’ll fight you to the death—”

“Stop! What are you doing!”

Before Ge Jian could act, the police restrained him.

“They have power and influence, the police are biased!”

“Capitalists bullying common people, and the police are on their side!”

“Let’s charge together! They can’t stop us all… They ruined Yaozong, we want to see him alive or see his body!”

The scene was chaotic. The police couldn’t maintain order and Futian Street Office officials who rushed over nearly fainted.

“Luo Degui, do you still want to be village chief!”

Luo Degui stepped out from the crowd, his face contorted with pain, speaking frankly: “My son is gone, whoever wants to be village chief can have it, I don’t care anymore.”

The street office officials were left speechless by his defiance.

Xia Xiaolan took the megaphone from Ge Jian:

“Do you want to know Luo Yaozong’s condition? If so, be quiet and let the Luo family speak.”

Old Luo and Luo Yaozong were stunned – what condition? They’d heard Yaozong had fallen to his death. Luo Yaozong’s grandmother had fainted at the news, plunging the family into despair.

Old Luo was filled with regret.

He thought his grandson had been too aggressive, their plan to claim both people and land had been exposed, and Xia Xiaolan had ordered him thrown off the building.

Of course, his self-reproach and regret lasted only briefly before transforming into pure hatred directed at Xia Xiaolan.

But from her tone… was he not dead?

“Yaozong is alive?”

Xia Xiaolan spoke through the megaphone, “Yes, he’s alive, and not dying anytime soon! If you don’t want to see him and just want to cause trouble, then keep at it!”

Old Luo and Luo Degui were skeptical.

They would certainly make trouble, but if Luo Yaozong was alive, that was best – who else would inherit the benefits they’d fought for?

Xia Xiaolan’s words reassured the Luo family while strengthening their resolve to cause trouble.

They wanted to see him alive! Just saying he was alive without showing him was deception!

“How did Yaozong fall?”

“Did you order someone to push him? You vicious woman—”

“Chief, don’t let this woman fool you! She must have killed Yaozong, she’s just guilty and trying to trick you into private talks!”

While Xia Xiaolan kept them talking, she was giving Ge Jian and others time to find out who was inciting the villagers. Ge Jian and his colleagues coordinated to grab a bald man and drag him from the crowd.

The police handcuffed him and took the megaphone from Xia Xiaolan:

“Ganquan Village people, listen! Luo Yaozong isn’t dead – he’s in emergency surgery! Someone maliciously spread false news of his death to incite you to riot! Luo Yaozong was injured falling from the roof while attempting to steal steel with accomplices. Anyone who continues to riot will be considered his accomplice – a thief!”

Old Luo’s grief-stricken eyes flashed:

“Nonsense! How could Yaozong steal steel? You’re lying—”

Surprisingly, Xia Xiaolan nodded in agreement, “Luo Yaozong has worked at Jinsha Pool for a while. Though not outstanding, he was never late or absent. After the Jinsha Pool land transfer, the Luo family will receive substantial compensation. I don’t understand why Luo Yaozong would sneak in at night to steal steel… Old Village Chief Luo, as a longtime village official, don’t you find this strange? If you cooperate with me, we’ll investigate properly. If not, whatever happens to Luo Yaozong is deserved. Even if he doesn’t survive, he’ll die bearing the shame of theft. Is that worth it?”

“You’re lying! Yaozong is already dead from the fall, you’re still trying to deceive us!”

The handcuffed man remained defiant, struggling and shouting. Xia Xiaolan gave him a cold smile: “Did you watch him die? How do you know he’s dead?”

Under Xia Xiaolan’s intense questioning, the man’s eyes darted around, speechless.

Old Luo and Luo Degui exchanged glances.

Something was indeed strange – they’d panicked at the news without thinking it through.

They’d brought people to cause trouble, fearing Xia Xiaolan would use her money and influence to cover up Luo Yaozong’s incident. The Luo family naturally hoped Luo Yaozong wasn’t dead. Old Luo was shrewd – Jinsha Pool’s properties would launch tomorrow, and Xia Xiaolan must fear them making a scene. Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to pressure her?

Before he could speak, Xia Xiaolan seemed to read his thoughts and said quietly:

“I can ensure he gets full emergency treatment, or I can be negligent. Your grandson’s life depends on your choice, Old Village Chief Luo. If this escalates, I’ll lose some money, but the Luo family will lose their only son… I don’t believe Luo Yaozong would steal steel. Someone is behind this. Old Village Chief Luo, if you calm the villagers and keep them quiet, I’m willing to work with you to uncover the truth!”