Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

That evening, she drove back to the city from the tea factory. The mountain road was winding, so she drove slowly, thinking about the things she needed to deal with the next day. It was already getting dark, and there weren't many cars on the mountain road, except for the occasional large truck that drove by from the opposite direction, kicking up a cloud of dust.

She glanced at her rearview mirror and saw a gray minivan following closely behind, its high beams blinding her. She slowed down, trying to let the van pass, but it wouldn't, just kept following.

They drove on for a while longer, and then came a bend. Mao Ya turned the steering wheel, preparing to go around the bend, when suddenly she heard a screeching sound of brakes behind her—

The sound of brakes came too late.

Bang!

The impact was tremendous, slamming into her from behind. Her car lurched forward, and she nearly lost control of the steering wheel. She gripped the wheel tightly, instinctively slamming on the brakes. The car swerved a few times before finally crashing into the roadside guardrail.

The airbag deployed and hit her in the face, making her dizzy.

She lay back in the chair, catching her breath several times before she could catch her breath. Her head was buzzing, her ears were ringing, her back ached, her arms ached, and she didn't know where she had bumped into something.

The car behind her also stopped. Through the broken rearview mirror, she saw someone get out of the car and walk quickly to her car.

The car window was knocked on.

She looked up and saw a man's face. He was in his forties, dark-skinned, wearing a gray jacket, and looked like an ordinary long-distance truck driver. The man looked at her with normal panic and tension on his face.

"Ma'am! Ma'am, are you alright? I'm so sorry, I've been driving all day, I was so sleepy, I couldn't stop in time..."

Mao Ya closed her eyes, her mind still buzzing, and couldn't speak for a moment.

The man continued, "I've already called the police and an ambulance. Don't move, wait for the doctor to arrive..."

Mao Ya listened to his words, opened her eyes and saw the anxious expression on his face, as if she felt that something was wrong.

But she couldn't explain it.

Soon, the traffic police arrived, and the ambulance followed. When Mao Ya was lifted onto the stretcher, the driver was still standing by the roadside, cooperating with the traffic police to give a statement. He was sincere and eager to admit his mistake, which was a normal reaction from an honest and law-abiding driver who had been in an accident.

Mao Ya was taken to the hospital. The examination results showed several soft tissue contusions and a mild concussion, but nothing serious. The doctor recommended that she stay in the hospital for observation overnight.

When Yi Xuexi arrived at the hospital, Mao Ya was already lying in bed. He rushed into the room, grabbed her hand, and his body trembled slightly.

"As long as it's okay, it'll be okay..."

Mao Ya nestled into his arms and gently patted his back.

"Old Yi, I'm fine, I was just startled."

Yi Xuexi let go of her, sat on the edge of the bed, held her hand, and his face remained very pale.

After a while, the director of the Luzhou Public Security Bureau, along with the deputy director in charge of traffic and two middle-aged traffic police officers, knocked on the door and came in, holding an accident report.

"Mayor Yi, the accident has been dealt with. The driver who caused the accident was a long-distance driver who was driving while fatigued and rear-ended another vehicle. He took full responsibility, filed an insurance claim, and was very cooperative. Here is the accident report; please take a look."

Yi Xuexi took it, glanced at it, and said nothing.

Mao Ya suddenly spoke up: "I was half asleep at the time, but I heard him say the three words 'Young Master Zhao'."

Yi Xuexi's pupils suddenly contracted.

"you sure?"

"I was pressed against the seat by the airbag, and my ears were ringing, so I couldn't hear very clearly," Mao Ya said. "But I don't think I misheard those words."

Yi Xuexi yelled at the police chief next to him, "Is there no law anymore? What kind of situation is this? Arrest Zhao Ruilong!"

Before the deputy director could say anything more, the director grabbed him and respectfully said, "Yes, Mayor Yi, we will dispatch the police immediately."

Once outside the ward, the deputy director asked, "Director, is it really appropriate to arrest Young Master Zhao, who is that person's son?"

The police chief rubbed his temples: "Let's respectfully invite him back to assist in the investigation first. We can't offend Mayor Yi right now. After that, we'll see how the gods fight each other."

Inside the ward, Yi Xuexi paced back and forth, angrily muttering, "This is outrageous! This is outrageous! Is there no law anymore?!"

Mao Ya's head ached from being turned around. She closed her eyes and hissed, "Stop, it's giving me a headache."

Yi Xuexi stopped, walked to the bedside, and whispered, "Don't worry, I will make this young master Zhao pay the price."

Mao Ya opened her eyes: "The driver didn't mention 'Young Master Zhao'."

Yi Xuexi immediately realized what was going on: "What are you doing...?"

Mao Ya said, "Whether it's true or not, this accusation will be pinned on Zhao's head. Besides, what a coincidence..."

“If that driver really has connections with the Zhao family, he would never admit it, even if you beat him to death. If he doesn’t, he’ll admit it even less. In the end, it’ll just be a mess. But no matter who instigated it, this debt will be held against Zhao Ruilong.”

Yi Xuexi held her hand tightly: "I know what to do."

The driver's interrogation took place at the Luzhou City Public Security Bureau. The interrogation was conducted personally by Zhou, the head of the Criminal Investigation Detachment.

"You hit a car on the mountain road that night, didn't you?"

The driver lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, "Yes, I've been driving all day. I'm so tired, and my head is spinning."

"After you hit someone, did you get out of the car to check on them?"

"Looked."

What did you say?

The driver looked up, his eyes somewhat blank: "What did I say? I don't remember. I was too nervous at the time, and I forgot what I said."

"Some people say you said 'Young Master Zhao is in trouble.' Did you say that?"

The driver's eyes widened slightly, then he quickly regained his composure: "Young Master Zhao? What Young Master Zhao? I don't know any Young Master Zhao. I'm just a driver, how would I know any Young Master Zhao?"

Zhou, the detachment leader, stared at him without saying a word.

The driver looked at him, his eyes full of doubt.

"Think about it again," said Captain Zhou. "Someone heard what you said."

The driver was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Officer, I really don't remember. I was so nervous at the time, I can't remember what I said. I might have mumbled something, but I really don't know anything about this Young Master Zhao."

After asking around for a long time, Zhou, the detachment leader, still couldn't get anything out of them.

After the interrogation, he made a phone call to Yi Xuexi.

“Mayor Yi, the driver denies it. He says he doesn’t remember mentioning any Young Master Zhao, nor does he know anyone named Young Master Zhao.”

Yi Xuexi was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Do you believe it?"

Zhou, the detachment leader, also fell silent.

“Mayor Yi,” he said cautiously, “without direct evidence, we cannot…”

“I know,” Yi Xuexi interrupted him. “You should follow the procedures.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Ruilong was having tea at a private club in Luzhou.

The phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—Xiao Kou—and answered it.

"what happened?"

It was Xiao Gangyu's voice on the other end of the phone.

"Mr. Zhao, something has happened in Luzhou."

Zhao Ruilong frowned slightly: "What is it?"

"Yi Xuexi's wife was in a car accident. The driver was arrested; it's said he mentioned some things he shouldn't have during the accident."

Zhao Ruilong was taken aback: "What did you mention?"

"Young Master Zhao."

Xiao Gangyu lowered his voice, "They're already investigating in Luzhou. Captain Zhou interrogated him personally. The driver didn't confess, but Yi Xuexi's side is relentless."

Zhao Ruilong frowned even more and asked again, "How did you handle this? The person you found is so loose-lipped?"

“It’s not our fault,” Xiao Gangyu said. “They’re all experienced drivers, they would never make such a mistake. Besides, the driver doesn’t even know Xiao Gangyu and Zhao Ruilong’s names, they’re several layers away from us! Right now, we only have Yi Xuexi’s wife’s version of events.”

Zhao Ruilong thought for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.

"Damn, they're coming for me."

"Let him talk then. He says I ordered it, but where's the evidence? I'm not some easy target without connections. Does he think he can force a confession out of me?"

Xiao Gangyu paused for a moment, then said, "President Zhao, the problem is, they don't need evidence."

"What do you mean?"

“They just need to link this to you,” Xiao Gangyu said. “You two are on opposing sides, and once you’re connected, you’ll be the prime suspect. Even if they don’t find anything in the end, your reputation will be ruined. Besides…”

Xiao Gangyu said, "They came prepared. They marked you as the target before they shot the arrow. You had no choice but to accept it."

Zhao Ruilong remained silent for a long time.

"I understand." He hung up the phone.

At this moment, police officers from the Luzhou Public Security Bureau arrived, and with a very respectful attitude, asked Zhao Ruilong to assist in the investigation.

Half an hour later, Xiao Gangyu called the director of the Luzhou Public Security Bureau: Given that the case involves the family members of provincial-level officials, in order to be cautious, it is recommended that the case be upgraded and handled directly by the Criminal Investigation Corps of the Provincial Public Security Department.

The director of the Luzhou Public Security Bureau was worrying about how to deal with this hot potato when the phone rang.

It was a call from the Municipal Party Committee Office.

"Secretary Dong's instructions: This case occurred in Lüzhou and should be handled by the Lüzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau. The Municipal Bureau will cooperate with the Provincial Department, but the jurisdiction over the case remains unchanged. Please strictly implement this instruction."

The police chief was stunned for a moment, hung up the phone, and didn't come back to his senses for a long time.

Why did Dong Dingfang step forward at this time?

The police chief thought for a moment, then called the provincial department back to convey the municipal party committee's message.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then the call ended.

Xiao Gangyu's face was grim when he received the report.

Dong Dingfang has publicly taken sides.

He thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and called Zhao Lichun's secretary.

In a heavily guarded building in Shuntian, Zhao Lichun was in a meeting. His secretary quietly entered and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhao Lichun nodded expressionlessly and continued the meeting.

After the meeting, he returned to his office, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

"Comrade Yuliang, it's me."

Gao Yuliang was reading in his study. Hearing the sound, he put down his book and sat up straight.