After obtaining firsthand information, Cheng Ran was determined to investigate the truth wholeheartedly and without distraction. Therefore, the day after Jiang Wanqing was taken away, he applied to his superiors for a suspension from his duties.
In Wang Duo's office, he stood ramrod straight, staring directly at the old fox who could barely suppress the smirk of his lips.
She clearly wanted him to leave, but she still pretended to care and try to persuade him to stay.
"Comrade Cheng, your work ability and attitude have been evident to all since you came to our institute. Although you and Jiang Wanqing are husband and wife, aren't you family? You don't need to be so extreme. Besides, your family doesn't know that you applied for a suspension, right? Your father definitely won't agree. You should go back and think it over carefully before coming back to me about this. I can give you a day off so you can rest, but only one day. The investigation into Jiang Wanqing still needs your assistance as the deputy director. I believe you will stand on the side of justice, right?"
Wang Duo tried to reach out and pat his shoulder, but Cheng Ran dodged without hesitation.
"Of course I will stand on the side of justice, but I know exactly which side I'm on. I've put the suspension application here, and the director should take a look. Also, let me remind you, heaven is watching what people do. What you do will come back to haunt you sooner or later, so just wait and see."
"you……"
"I have nothing else to say. You'd better take care of yourself."
Without giving him any chance to refute or manipulate him, Cheng Ran left after finishing his sentence. Wang Duo followed behind him, his eyes bloodshot with anger. The moment the door closed, the old man cursed loudly.
"Stop pretending to be high and mighty! Every pot has its lid! Whether it's Cheng Ran or Jiang Wanqing, if you fall into my hands, you'll be lucky to escape with your lives! In a while, the institute will completely expel you! You asked for this!"
Cheng Ran went back to his office, quickly packed some things in his bag, and took them out. Just as he reached the door, he ran into Xiao Wei, Hu Yu, and Zhao Qing.
He stopped and realized they were coming for him, so he smiled and waved as a greeting.
"Comrade Cheng, are you really leaving?" Xiao Wei asked.
"For now, I need to... take care of the family."
He doesn't trust anyone in the institute now, so he hasn't revealed his true purpose.
“That’s true. You and Comrade Jiang have a daughter who does need care at this time. But... don’t be too impulsive, or you’ll fall right into Wang Duo’s hands. He’d love for you to go far away.”
"Yes, I understand, thank you."
Although Xiao Wei didn't explicitly side with them, her concern was genuine each time, and Cheng Ran readily accepted it and expressed his gratitude.
He took a step to continue walking, but Hu Yu and Zhao Qing exchanged a glance, took a step forward, and blocked his way.
"Comrade Cheng, um... if you can see Comrade Jiang, please tell her that we all believe in her. She would never do something like leaking exam questions. We hope she can be exonerated soon, and we'll wait for her to come back."
"Okay, if I see Wanqing, I will pass on your message to her."
"Thank you, Comrade Cheng, and I wish you all the best."
"Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Xiao Wei and the others waved to him, and he strode away from the research institute.
"Sigh, it's finally come to this. I warned them beforehand not to go head-to-head with the Wang family. Their network of connections and capabilities can't be broken in just a month or two." Xiao Wei shook her head, feeling regretful.
"Director Xiao, you are right, but the existence of people like Comrade Jiang and Comrade Cheng is what helps some people obtain fairness to the greatest extent possible. Shouldn't we not be sarcastic and cynical?"
"You misunderstood. I wasn't being sarcastic. I was just lamenting that after they left, certain people in the institute were once again running rampant."
"Director Xiao, can't we really help Sister Wanqing and Comrade Cheng?" Hu Yu asked hesitantly.
All that could be heard was Xiao Wei sighing, making a shushing gesture, and waving her hand.
"This is not the place to talk. Come to my house after get off work."
...
After leaving the research institute, Cheng Ran could neither go home immediately nor wander aimlessly. He thought of a place he absolutely had to go to and a person he absolutely had to see—Old Lin.
He believed it couldn't have been Jiang Wanqing who leaked the exam questions. From retrieving the questions to delivering them to the exam hall, he knew the situation best. If the problem wasn't on their side, then could it be related to Old Lin...?
He dared not think too deeply, nor did he dare not think about it. It wasn't that he doubted Old Lin's character, but he felt that the old man must have fallen into someone's trap.
After all, when you're in the hospital, you might not be fully conscious at times, and if no one is around, you could easily be fooled.
With that thought in mind, Cheng Ran discreetly went to the hospital, arrived at Old Lin's ward, pushed open the door, and locked it from the inside.
Upon hearing the voice, Old Lin looked up, his eyes wary. When he saw that it was Cheng Ran, his expression softened slightly.
"You...you're here. Where's Wanqing?"
As expected, he was still unaware that Jiang Wanqing had taken him to the north. Cheng Ran walked over and sat down by the hospital bed.
"Mr. Lin, I'm sorry to bother you at this time. How are you feeling?"
If the elderly person is easily agitated, then they should consider whether or not they should tell the full truth.
"Has something happened? Just tell me. I'm still breathing and can hold on. If you don't tell me, I won't be able to die in peace."
Old Lin himself felt uneasy these past few days, especially after discovering that his attending physician had the motive to harm him.
“Alright, then I’ll get straight to the point. Wanqing has been taken away by law enforcement. The Wang family claims she leaked the exam questions to students at Huada University to help them cheat and get into the top three, but we both know her character very well. Professor Lin, I want to ask, about the exam questions…”
Upon hearing this news, Old Lin was shocked and heartbroken. He knew Jiang Wanqing's character well; leaking exam questions was not something she would do.
"Cough cough... cough cough... just as expected..."
"What do you know?" Cheng Ran asked, becoming somewhat agitated upon hearing this.
"There's something in the drawer. Take it out."
Cheng Ran immediately opened the drawer, inside was a book, and he frowned.
"This is it..."
Old Lin had only spoken halfway when there was a knock on the door and the doctor's voice.
"Who's inside? Old Lin, did you get out of bed yourself? Open the door!"
"I'll get to the point quickly, cough cough... Consider this my last words: investigate... investigate my attending physician... rescue Wanqing, no matter what, please, you must pull out... pull out this parasitic tumor... go quickly!"
The old man was struggling to breathe, yet he mustered his remaining strength to say so much to him. Cheng Ran squeezed his hand and nodded earnestly.
"Okay, I will remember what you said."
The knocking grew more and more intense. Cheng Ran immediately ran to the window, observing the skills and abilities of the soldiers, and jumped out of the window...
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