Siheyuan: Hang Jia Dongxu, smash Banggeng to death!

Director Li gave Yi Zhonghai a deep look: "I will verify this matter."

He then looked at Xu Damao: "But Comrade Xu Damao, since you knew all this, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"How could I dare say that?"

Xu Damao looked aggrieved. "This old man is all-powerful in the courtyard and is also an eighth-level fitter in the steel rolling mill. If I say anything, I'll be killed."

"Look at how Sha Zhu was just now. If I were to say another word, wouldn't I get beaten to death?"

Sha Zhu was so angry that he was about to attack again, but Chief Li glared at him and stopped him.

Director Li rubbed his temples.

This case is getting more and more complicated.

It now appears that Jia Dongxu's death may involve even more grudges.

He thought for a moment and said to Yi Zhonghai, "Yi Zhonghai, you must not leave Beijing recently and cooperate with the investigation at any time. Also, He Yuzhu."

Sha Zhu, in a muffled voice, retorted defiantly, "Fine!"

Yi Zhonghai's expression turned even uglier.

This is treating him directly as a suspect.

Just as I was thinking this, another sharp pain shot through my stomach.

The pain was so intense that he almost couldn't stand up and quickly grabbed a nearby pillar for support.

What's going on today?

My stomachache just won't go away?

Could it really be that drinking urine caused his stomach upset?

"Uncle, what's wrong?" Sha Zhu quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"No...it's nothing..." Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay calm. "It's an old problem..."

Director Li glanced at Yi Zhonghai and understood the situation.

This courtyard house is quite murky.

He won't arrest people randomly without evidence, but he also won't let a bad person go unpunished.

"Alright, stop arguing."

Director Li waved his hand, "Xiao Wang, you take your men to continue investigating the scene, focusing on footprints and traces."

"Xiao Liu, go and ask the neighbors if anyone heard anything last night."

The two police officers responded and left.

Director Li then looked at everyone in the courtyard: "No one is allowed to leave Beijing until the case is thoroughly investigated."

Especially…

His gaze swept over Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu, Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui. "You gentlemen, please cooperate with the work."

Yi Zhonghai nodded quickly: "Of course, of course."

Liu Haizhong straightened his back: "Director Li, rest assured, we will definitely cooperate."

Yan Bugui nodded: "That's right, cooperating with the police is every citizen's duty."

Director Li then looked at Lin Tian: "Little friend, you also need to cooperate with the investigation, but don't be afraid, the police will protect you."

Lin Tian wiped away his tears, nodded, and whispered, "Thank you, police officer..."

They looked so pitiful.

Sitting on the ground, watching this scene, Jia Zhangshi was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth (even though she didn't have many teeth left).

She glared at Lin Tian, ​​her eyes filled with venom, muttering indistinctly, "You little beast...you're putting on quite the act...just wait...I'll make you pay..."

Qin Huairu squatted beside Jia Dongxu's body, head bowed, weeping, lost in thought.

Yi Zhonghai kept clutching his stomach, his face growing paler and paler.

I got emotional just now, and the cramping in my lower abdomen got worse.

I have diarrhea, but I don't feel the urge to go to the toilet; I just feel nauseous.

He wanted to go back to his room and lie down, but with Director Li there, he didn't dare leave.

After all, Xu Damao had been accused of a serious crime; if he left, wouldn't it make him seem guilty?

Just as things were at a stalemate, Officer Wang returned.

"Chief, we've made a discovery."

Officer Wang lowered his voice, "There are indeed a few footprints under the tree, but they are very shallow, like children's footprints, and... there are more than one person's footprints."

Director Li narrowed his eyes: "Children's footprints?"

"right."

Officer Wang nodded.

The voice wasn't loud, but the courtyard was quiet, and everyone heard it.

All eyes turned to Lin Tian.

Lin Tian's heart tightened. Did his ghostly figure leave footprints?

But his face still showed a look of "terrification".

Director Li crouched down and asked Lin Tian gently, "Little boy, you really didn't go out last night?"

"No…"

Lin Tian shook his head, tears welling up again. Pointing at Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangtian, he said, "My head hurts so much... The injuries they gave me yesterday haven't healed yet... I'm afraid to go out..."

Director Li looked at the wound on his head.

The child was beaten quite badly.

"Can I show this to my uncle?" Director Li asked again.

Lin Tian nodded, thankfully He Lingquan hadn't picked at the scab after using the spring water.

Director Li stood up, his brow furrowed as he looked at Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangtian: "Fine, which of you hit the child yesterday?"

Yan Jiecheng was startled and quickly took a step back: "I...I...I acted impulsively, I know I was wrong..."

He stammered and looked to his father, Yan Bugui, for help.

Yan Bugui immediately stepped forward, a fawning smile plastered on his face: "Director Li, let me explain. The kids were young and hot-blooded and had a little argument."

I acted on impulse, but look, it's all fine now.

He pointed at Lin Tian: "Lin is a lively kid. His injuries look scary, but they're just superficial. Kids fighting often happens like that."

Liu Haizhong then chimed in, "Yes, Director Li, these are minor matters. We have already dealt with them seriously and given them a reprimand."

The most important thing now is to find out the cause of Jia Dongxu's death; that's the real issue.

As he spoke, he gave his son, Liu Guangtian, a meaningful look.

Liu Guangtian reacted quickly, immediately unbuttoning his clothes and pulling his collar open a little to reveal the whip marks on his chest and back.

Those were red, swollen marks, which looked quite frightening. His father had used Seven Wolves cigarettes to beat him the night before last when he had nothing better to do.

"Director Li, I already know I was wrong."

Liu Guangtian lowered his head and said sincerely, "My dad beat me with a belt yesterday and said I shouldn't have bullied the younger generation. I've realized my mistake."

I promise, it will never happen again, Lin Tian. I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me.

Director Li examined the whip marks carefully; they were indeed fresh wounds, indicating the whipping was quite severe.

"Hitting someone is wrong, especially when several grown men bully an eight-year-old child. This is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Bugui quickly interjected, "Director Li, you're right. Hitting people is indeed wrong, and we have already severely criticized them."

He turned to Lin Tian, ​​his tone becoming particularly gentle: "Lin Tian, ​​yesterday's events were misinterpreted. So, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"

I'll have your aunt send you some cornbread later, so you can have some to eat and replenish your strength."

Liu Haizhong chimed in, "Yes, have your second aunt take two eggs over too. You two siblings are growing, you need to eat well."

The two of them sang in unison, adopting a very humble attitude.

Lin Tian lowered his head and remained silent for a while before whispering, "Thank you, Second Uncle, Third Uncle..."

He raised his head, his eyes reddening again, and looked at Chief Li: "Uncle Policeman... I... I forgive them."

The voice was soft and gentle, carrying the timidity typical of a child.

Director Li's heart softened.

This child is so sensible; even after being beaten like this, he is still willing to forgive others.

But there's nothing we can do. The child is still young, and there are no adults around. If we keep pressing the issue, it will be difficult for him to stay in the yard in the future.

Even if he helps the child arrest the person who hit him, he will release him soon, which will only make them resent him more.

Director Li sighed and looked at Lin Tian again: "Child, have you really forgiven them?"

Lin Tian nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his face: "Yes... I forgive them... I don't blame them..."

But inwardly, he sneered: Forgive?

How could I possibly forgive?

Should Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangtian be imprisoned?

That's too lenient on them.

Prisons will only protect their lives.

What he wanted was for these people to live in fear, unable to sleep at night, and unable to eat.

He wanted them to watch helplessly as everything they cared about most crumbled and disappeared, bit by bit.

He wanted them to die without a proper burial, with no one to even collect their bodies.

Seeing Lin Tian's resolute attitude, Director Li stopped insisting.

He turned to Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong: "Since the child has forgiven you, let it go this time, but you must remember, this is the last time."

"Definitely! Definitely!"

The two nodded repeatedly.

"but……"

……