Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

"I've thought about it, but I don't dare."

"Xiao Lei's father is the vice mayor. Xiao Lei just made some harsh remarks to me. If I dare to say anything and drag him into it, he will use his connections to deal with Meng'er."

Su Wenzong's eyes reddened, and his voice carried a hint of sorrow: "In this life, I have failed to fulfill my responsibilities as a father, committed a grave mistake, and cannot escape the law."

"I don't care what happens to me, but I can't drag my daughter down with me. I can't let Meng'er suffer revenge because of me."

"dad!"

Su Meng hurriedly grabbed the receiver, tears streaming down her face, and urgently urged, "Don't be afraid of him! The case is now being handled by the city's special task force. Tell the whole truth, and the task force will naturally protect me!"

"We can't let Xiao Lei hide behind the scenes, making others scapegoats and continuing to harm people!"

"Meng'er, things in officialdom aren't as simple as you think. Officials protect each other; it's always been like this since ancient times." Su Wenzong shook his head with a bitter smile, his inner fear already deeply rooted.

Chen Ping took the receiver and patiently advised, "Dean Su, your initiative to report and expose wrongdoing is considered meritorious service, and we can strive for a lighter sentence."

"As long as the evidence is true, the law enforcement authorities have an obligation to protect Meng'er's personal safety. Xiao Lei's threats will not succeed easily."

Upon hearing Chen Ping's words, Su Meng turned to look at him, her eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.

Chen Ping simply couldn't look Su Meng in the eye. He could protect Su Meng, but he could no longer make any promises to her.

"Chen Ping, your divorce from Meng'er is all because of me, it's all my fault."

"If you still love Meng'er and still have feelings for her, then you should remarry. That way, I can feel more at ease."

Su Wenzong thought Chen Ping meant he wanted to remarry Su Meng.

"Dean Su, let's talk about your matter first. As long as you report Xiao Lei, I'll use my connections to get him imprisoned."

Chen Ping didn't want to talk about remarriage, so he changed the subject.

Su Wenzong shook his head. "I...I'll think about it some more."

It's clear that Xiao Lei's threat has completely intimidated him. The thought of his daughter being retaliated against makes him lack the courage to break the ice.

He dared not gamble; he couldn't afford to gamble with his daughter's safety.

The notification bell on the wall rang with a "ding," and a cold broadcast voice sounded: "Visiting time is about to end. Visitors, please prepare to end your conversation."

Upon hearing the notification tone, Su Meng wanted to continue persuading him, but a guard on the other end stood up and signaled Su Wenzong to end the meeting.

"Meng'er, take good care of yourself."

Su Wenzong took one last deep look at his daughter before being led away from the visiting window by the police. His hunched back and lonely figure quickly disappeared behind the iron gate.

The area opposite the tempered glass is now completely empty.

Su Meng held the receiver tightly, unable to put it down for a long time, tears falling silently, feeling utterly helpless.

The truth is right in front of us, but the key witness, after being threatened and intimidated, dares not speak up to testify against the real culprit.

Chen Ping gently patted her shoulder and didn't say anything more.

The two men put down their receivers and, guided by the police officers, walked out of the detention visitation room step by step.

The heavy iron gate slammed shut behind them, shutting out the dark and oppressive atmosphere, but the invisible pressure emanating from Xiao Lei still weighed heavily on their hearts.

Stepping out of the detention center, Su Meng looked up at the sky, letting out a long sigh of relief, her voice hoarse: "Is there really no way to deal with Xiao Lei?"

"There will always be a way. Don't worry too much. Take care of yourself," Chen Ping comforted Su Meng.

The two of them slowly walked towards the road.

Su Meng looked at Chen Ping, opened her mouth, then closed it again, without saying a word.

At this moment, her mind was filled with the words her father had just spoken in the visiting room about remarrying.

She was the one who insisted on filing for divorce, and she was also the one who believed the rumors, misunderstood Chen Ping, and cruelly pushed him away.

The Su family has fallen into its current predicament, with the father imprisoned and the family fortunes collapsing. The root of it all lies in the stubbornness and arrogance of the father and daughter.

In contrast, Chen Ping never held a grudge against the past. When she was desperate and had no one to rely on, he was still willing to lend a helping hand, run errands for her, and protect her.

Feeling helpless, desperate, and guilty, Su Meng saw her own feelings more clearly.

She had long regretted it in her heart and wanted to reconcile with Chen Ping and remarry him more than anyone else.

But pride and guilt trapped her tightly.

She was the one who pushed him away, and now he's turning back in a sorry state, begging for reconciliation. She has absolutely no face to say a word.

Su Meng lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her eyes hiding a thousand thoughts, hesitant to speak.

Several times she secretly glanced at Chen Ping, who was calm and composed beside her, but the words she was about to say were swallowed back, leaving only a heart full of bitterness and unease.

Chen Ping took in Su Meng's conflicted, timid, and preoccupied appearance, and had already guessed seven or eight parts of what was going on in his mind.

He knew Su Meng's personality and understood her concerns at the moment, so he didn't expose her little thoughts.

Chen Ping skillfully deflected the tense and ambiguous atmosphere, asking softly, "Where are you planning to go next?"

Hearing this, Su Meng snapped out of her reverie and suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, saying, "I'm going back to school. I still have work to do there."

After speaking, she looked up at Chen Ping, a hint of cautious expectation in her eyes, and asked softly with a touch of probing, "Are you... are you busy with something else next?"

Chen Ping shook his head slightly. "I'll be staying in Tianhai for the next few days. I don't have any other plans for now. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime."

"Then could you... come back to school with me?" Su Meng asked, mustering her courage.

She is now all alone, filled with fear and anxiety. Only when she is by Chen Ping's side can she feel a rare sense of security and peace.

Looking at the timidity and expectation in her eyes, Chen Ping hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded gently: "Okay, I'll go with you."

Seeing that Chen Ping agreed, Su Meng's tense lips finally curved into a slight smile, the gloom in her eyes dissipated, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

The two took a taxi to Tianhai Health School.

The health school is located in a quiet part of the city. The campus is clean and tidy, with shady trees, and you can see energetic young students everywhere.

The sound of students reading aloud filled the air, a stark contrast to the oppressive and cold detention center, exuding a vibrant and warm atmosphere.

As they entered the campus, Su Meng's emotions completely calmed down, and she led Chen Ping to the principal's office with practiced ease.

"Please have a seat. Is my room alright?"

Su Meng took off her coat, poured Chen Ping a glass of water, and asked.

Chen Ping took the water glass, looked around, and nodded. "Not bad, much more impressive than your office at the Health Bureau."