The faint shouts of a crowd outside the window made him restless.

"Ring ring—"

The ringing of the telephone pierced the oppressive atmosphere.

Factory Director Liu grabbed the microphone, his voice still carrying a hint of the factory director's authority.

"Hello, this is Liu Zhiguo from the textile factory."

"Liu Zhiguo! You fucking don't want to work here anymore?"

The roar of Deputy Director Zhang from the Industry Bureau on the other end of the phone made the receiver buzz.

"What a mess it is at the factory gate! Old Li from the Municipal Party Committee's Publicity Department just called me and said there's a whole bunch of reporters there!"

Factory Director Liu's back bent unconsciously.

"Director Zhang, I'm already handling this matter. It's just a few troublemakers causing trouble..."

"A troublemaker?"

Deputy Director Zhang sneered.

"Do you even know who that old man is? A veteran with the Medal of Independence and Freedom on his chest! Your men dare to hit that kind of guy's grandson? Liu Zhiguo, have you lost your mind?"

Factory Director Liu's hands began to tremble, and the microphone was covered in sweat.

"Director Zhang, I really didn't know about this..."

"have no idea?"

Deputy Director Zhang's voice suddenly rose.

"I'm giving you half an hour to resolve this immediately! Otherwise, you can forget about being the factory manager!"

"Slap"

With a snap, the phone was abruptly hung up.

Factory Director Liu slumped in his leather chair, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead onto his desk.

Before he could catch his breath, the phone rang again.

This time it was the number from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

"Comrade Liu Zhiguo."

Director Wang of the Discipline Inspection Commission spoke in a voice as cold as ice.

"We received reports from the public alleging that your factory leaders condoned their children assaulting members of the public. Is this true?"

Factory Director Liu jumped up, his knee slamming into the corner of the table, making him wince in pain.

"Director Wang, this is completely a misunderstanding! Our factory has always abided by the law..."

"Misunderstand?"

Director Wang interrupted him.

"Four people are lying in the hospital, and the media has taken a bunch of photos. You're telling me it's a misunderstanding? Liu Zhiguo, I'm reminding you, handle this properly immediately, otherwise it won't be a simple work error anymore!"

The call was disconnected again.

Factory Director Liu's hands were shaking so badly he could barely hold the microphone. He shakily pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, only to find it was already soaked through.

Outside the window, the chants of the crowd grew clearer and clearer.

"Severely punish the murderer! Give me justice!"

"Fuck him!"

Factory Director Liu slammed the teacup to the ground, sending shards of porcelain flying everywhere.

With red eyes, he grabbed the phone and dialed Wang Defa's number.

The phone rang seven or eight times before being answered, and Wang Defa's lazy voice came through.

"Hello, who is it?"

"Wang Defa! You still have the nerve to take a nap?"

Director Liu's roar made the microphone vibrate.

"The factory gate is practically ripped up! Get your ass over here right now!"

A flurry of rustling sounds came from the other end of the phone, as if Wang Defa had rolled off the bed.

"Director Liu? What happened?"

"What's up?"

Factory Director Liu gritted his teeth.

"The Su Mingde your son beat up—his grandfather is a veteran of the War of Resistance Against Japan! Now he's leading the entire village to block the factory gate, and reporters have come to over a dozen houses! Just now, the Industry Bureau, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department all took turns calling me! Wang Defa, let me tell you, if this isn't handled properly, we're all finished!"

Wang Defa's voice suddenly became high-pitched.

"No, that can't be... that kid's just a low-level clerk in the neighborhood office..."

"A junior clerk?"

Factory Director Liu sneered.

"Those badges his grandfather wears around his neck are worth more than all the money you've embezzled over the years! I'm giving you twenty minutes to get to the factory, and bring your son with you! Otherwise..."

Director Liu's words were interrupted by another phone call, this time from the mayor's office.

He frantically switched lines, his voice immediately becoming obsequious.

"Hello, is this the mayor's office? This is Liu Zhiguo from the textile factory..."

"Director Liu."

The mayor's secretary's voice was devoid of any emotion.

"The mayor asked me to tell you that this matter has alarmed higher-ups. If a proper resolution report isn't delivered within half an hour, all relevant personnel will be immediately suspended pending investigation."

Factory Director Liu's legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the ground.

"Please, please tell the mayor that I will take care of it right away..."

After hanging up the phone, Director Liu paced around his office like a trapped beast.

He dialed Wang Defa's number again, but found the line was busy.

"Hold!"

Factory Director Liu kicked the desk hard, then jumped up clutching his foot in pain.

Five minutes later, the phone rang again.

Factory Director Liu practically lunged forward to answer the phone.

"Director Liu."

This time it was the panicked voice of the factory office director.

"Oh no! The TV station has arrived in a Jeep with an antenna! And that old man is talking right into their camera..."

Factory Director Liu's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"Stop them! No, wait... don't stop them yet... I'm coming down right away..."

He hung up the phone and dialed the last number with trembling hands.

After the call was connected, Director Liu's voice suddenly became unusually calm.

"good.