Courtyard House: Jia Zhangshi! How dare you hit my sister?

Inside the room, Qin Huai'an was sitting in a chair with his eyes closed, resting. Hearing the door open, he opened his eyes.

When he saw Duan Peng at the door with a frosty expression but concerned eyes, the fully armed soldiers behind Duan Peng, and Zhang Jianguo with a shocked and excited expression, he was stunned for a moment, and then stood up.

"Minister Duan? Section Chief? What are you doing here...?"

Qin Huai'an was indeed somewhat surprised.

He knew Wu Jianguo might try to find a solution, but he didn't expect Duan Peng to come in person, and in this manner.

Duan Peng looked him up and down, and seeing that he was in relatively good spirits and didn't have any major injuries, his expression softened slightly, but his tone remained stern:

"You little rascal! You can't even stay put now that you're here! It's only your first day at work!"

Qin Huai'an gave a wry smile: "Minister Duan, I don't want to cause trouble either, but that beast..."

"Alright! I know the details!"

Duan Peng interrupted him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, but he said aloud:

"Well done! But next time, watch your temper! Don't give me this much trouble!"

These words sound like a reprimand, but everyone can hear the protective intent within them.

Duan Peng waved his hand: "Can you still walk? If you can, come with me! This isn't a place for you!"

"Yes!" Qin Huai'an replied immediately.

"Let's go!" Duan Peng turned around and acted swiftly.

And so, under the complex gazes of the police officers at the police station, Qin Huai'an was "picked up" by Duan Peng, all within a few minutes.

Arriving at the police station entrance, Qin Huai'an felt a slight tremor in his heart upon seeing the military vehicles and the soldiers standing at attention.

This is quite a big operation...

Duan Peng patted him on the shoulder:

"Get in the car! We're going to the textile factory right now! Let's get everything sorted out!"

"I want to see if that Li Youcai can still be so arrogant!"

Qin Huai'an looked at Zhang Jianguo, who nodded vigorously at him, his eyes filled with encouragement and a sense of amazement that said, "You're something else, kid."

He then looked at Wu Jianguo, who gave him a wink and whispered:

"Don't worry, I'll continue to follow up on this as well, following Minister Duan's lead."

Qin Huai'an felt a warmth in his heart and nodded emphatically: "Thank you, Company Commander! Thank you, Minister Duan! Thank you, Section Chief!"

"Enough talk, get in the car!" Duan Peng had already gotten into the jeep.

Qin Huai'an said no more, opened the car door and got in.

Zhang Jianguo quickly got into the back seat as well.

The convoy started again, this time heading towards the Red Star Textile Factory.

The Jeep roared to life, carrying an undeniable momentum, and sped toward the place where the conflict and humiliation had recently taken place.

In the car, Duan Peng glanced at Qin Huai'an, his tone softening slightly:

"At the police station, they didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

"No, Director Wu... took very good care of her," Qin Huai'an replied.

"Hmm." Duan Peng nodded, his gaze fixed on the street rushing past the car window, his voice deepening.

"Huai'an, remember this: we don't cause trouble, but we're absolutely not afraid of trouble either!"

"You came from the military, so you represent more than just yourself."

"When you encounter something like this, you should take action when necessary, but you should also learn to use smarter methods."

"Don't worry about today's matter. With me here and the old commander here, no one will be able to distort the truth or bully our people!"

Looking at Duan Peng's resolute profile, Qin Huai'an felt the resentment he had felt because of his sister's humiliation and his own false accusation finally begin to dissipate, replaced by a sense of peace and warmth.

"I understand, Minister Duan. Thank you," he said earnestly.

"..."

The convoy surged into the gates of the Red Star Textile Factory like a steel torrent, without slowing down.

The security guard on duty at the gate was about to go forward to ask questions when he saw Section Chief Zhang Jianguo sitting in the lead jeep waving. Then he saw the heavily armed and serious-looking soldiers in the military vehicles behind him, and he was so frightened that he quickly opened the gate to let them through.

"My God... what a spectacle..."

The duty officer muttered to himself, watching the dust kicked up by the convoy.

Several military vehicles drove straight toward the location of Workshop 1, the roar of their engines breaking the afternoon's dullness in the factory area.

Many workers along the way stopped in their tracks, staring in astonishment at the sudden appearance of the armed force, whispering and discussing among themselves.

"Screech—" The ear-piercing sound of brakes rang out at the entrance of the workshop.

Duan Peng was the first to push open the door and get out of the car; his military boots stomped on the ground with a steady, powerful sound.

He straightened his military cap and his gaze swept across the workshop door with lightning speed.

Behind him, a dozen soldiers quickly disembarked and lined up in perfect unison, their weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Qin Huai'an and Zhang Jianguo also got out of the car.

"Let's go." Duan Peng said only one word, then strode towards the workshop.

The soldiers lined up on both sides, following closely behind, their chilling aura making the air seem to freeze.

The machines in the workshop were still running, but the noise was noticeably lower—many female workers had stopped what they were doing and were looking at the door with surprise and uncertainty.

When they saw the fully armed soldiers and Qin Huai'an surrounded in the middle, the entire workshop fell into a deathly silence.

Zhang Guifang stood in front of machine number three, her face turning deathly pale in an instant, and the yarn spindle in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.

Duan Peng walked to the center of the workshop and stopped.

He didn't speak immediately, but instead slowly scanned each of the female workers' faces with his sharp eyes.

That gaze was penetrating, as if it could see into a person's heart.

Many female workers subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Fellow workers," Duan Peng began, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying to every corner of the workshop:

"I am Duan Peng, the head of the armed forces department of Dongcheng District."

Minister of Armed Forces!

This title sent a chill down the spines of many female workers.

Although they didn't understand the specific ranks, the word "minister" and the fully armed formation were enough to tell the story—a real high-ranking leader had arrived!

"I'm here today to investigate a serious incident that occurred in this workshop this morning."

Duan Peng's voice was steady and powerful:

"Comrade Qin Huai'an, a veteran and security officer, clashed with workshop director Wang Defa in an attempt to protect his sister, Comrade Qin Huairu, a new employee, from harm."

"Now, some people are accusing Comrade Qin Huai'an of assaulting leading cadres without cause, but the truth is being deliberately covered up and distorted by certain individuals!"

His voice suddenly rose:

"On behalf of the Armed Forces Department, and on behalf of all the leaders and comrades who are concerned about this matter."

"I solemnly promise here: Today, we must find out the facts! No one who should be held responsible will escape!"

"Those comrades who deserve protection will never be wronged!"

The workshop was completely silent, save for the low hum of the machines.

Duan Peng continued, "I know that many comrades present may have seen or heard something, but because of various concerns, they dare not speak out."

His gaze swept over those evasive eyes:

"Now, I stand here as the Minister of the Armed Forces Department to assure you: as long as you tell the truth, I, Duan Peng, guarantee with this uniform that no one will be punished or retaliated against for speaking the truth!"

"On the contrary, concealing the truth and protecting criminals is the real mistake!"

He paused, his tone becoming even more stern:

"You know better than I do who Wang Defa is!"

"You've all seen with your own eyes what kind of person Li Youcai is!"

"If such a black sheep isn't rooted out, today it's Comrade Qin Huairu who's suffering, but tomorrow it could be any one of you!"

"Are you willing to continue to endure this humiliation and live in fear?"