Reconciliation call
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains. When Lan Tongtong awoke, it felt like a nightmare. The fatigue and the dull pain in her wrists and ankles reminded her that everything that had happened last night was real. But seeing Mo Zhichi, who was sitting on the living room sofa, her heart settled.
Mo Zhichi had barely slept all night, but his eyes remained sharp and clear. He prepared a light breakfast and said to Lan Tongtong calmly, "Don't be afraid. I'll accompany you to the Public Security Bureau this morning to complete the record. Just explain everything clearly."
Lan Tongtong nodded. With Mo Zhichi by her side, she felt extremely at ease.
The process of taking a statement at the Public Security Bureau was no easy task. Lan Tongtong had to recall every detail of the previous night, from being forced to drink to being tied up. Every moment left her feeling humiliated and terrified. Whenever her emotions frayed, Mo Zhichi would offer a steadying gaze, providing her with strength or, at the right moment, providing the officer with crucial information (such as Liu Feng's history of misconduct on the project and what he had witnessed upon arriving). His presence, like a mountain, supported Lan Tongtong through the arduous process.
However, just as they walked out of the Public Security Bureau and were about to get in the car, Lan Tongtong's phone rang. It was Liu Chao, the project manager.
Lan Tongtong hesitated and glanced at Mo Zhichi. Mo Zhichi motioned for her to answer the call, but pressed the hands-free button.
Liu Chao's voice on the phone was filled with embarrassment and anxiety. "Xiao Lan... have you finished taking the statement? Oh, this whole thing... I know you've been wronged! That bastard Liu Feng is such a piece of shit! But... Xiao Lan, can you... can you consider it for the sake of the overall project? Vice President Liu Tianyuan just called me and was under a lot of pressure! He said that as long as you can issue a letter of understanding, any terms are negotiable! The project still needs the support of the owner later on, look at this..."
Lan Tongtong's face turned pale as she heard these words, her fingers tightly clenching the corner of her clothes. She didn't expect that the project leader would call her immediately, not to comfort her, but to plead for the abuser.
Without waiting for Lan Tongtong to reply, Mo Zhichi took the phone directly. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable force. "Manager Liu, this is Mo Zhichi. Tongtong is very emotionally unstable right now and needs to rest. Regarding this matter, our attitude is very clear: it must be handled according to the law and will not be settled privately. The overall interests of the project cannot be built on sacrificing a girl's innocence and sense of security! If Mr. Liu feels pressured, have him come directly to me!"
After saying that, Mo Zhichi hung up the phone directly.
Not long after the car started, the project secretary □□ called again. The content of the call was similar, emphasizing Liu Tianyuan's background, the future difficulties of the project, and hoping that Lan Tongtong would "consider the overall situation."
Every time, Mo Zhichi answered the phone without hesitation and refused in a firm tone, taking all the pressure on himself and preventing Lan Tongtong from facing these chilling persuasions.
Lan Tongtong sat in the passenger seat, looking at Mo Zhichi's resolute profile, her heart filled with gratitude and sadness. She understood that Mo Ge was bearing tremendous pressure from all sides for her.
Just then, Mo Zhichi's own phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was the general manager of the supervision company. He frowned, but still picked up the phone, pressing speakerphone again.
"Hey, Lao Mo," the general manager's voice sounded gentle and concerned. "I heard something went wrong on your project? Are you okay? And that little girl, Lan Tongtong, how is she?"
"Thank you for your concern, we are all fine." Mo Zhichi said calmly.
"Alas, this has been a commotion..." The general manager sighed, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more tactful. "Old Mo, what happened with Liu Feng is truly egregious. However, I just received a call from Vice President Liu Tianyuan. He's...very sincere, and genuinely remorseful. Look, since there haven't been any irreversible consequences...is it possible...to consider mediation? After all, Liu Tianyuan has been operating within the system for many years and has complex connections. Our supervision company will be dealing with him on many projects in the future. If things get too tense...it might also have some impact on the company's business development. Of course, the final decision rests with you and that girl. The company respects your wishes, but we hope you can...carefully consider the interests of all parties involved."
These words, soft yet firm, expressed concern while pointing out the company's "difficulties" and future "interests". The intention to exert pressure was very obvious.
There was a brief silence in the car. Lan Tongtong looked at Mo Zhichi nervously.
Mo Zhichi took a deep breath and spoke clearly and firmly into the phone, "I understand what you mean. However, there is no room for compromise on this matter. If my adherence to principles affects the company's business, I, Mo Zhichi, will bear the responsibility alone! If necessary, I can resign. But asking Tongtong to issue a letter of understanding is absolutely impossible!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable determination and courage.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before the general manager chuckled. "Haha, Lao Mo, you're being polite! Of course the company is on your side! I'm just updating you on the situation. Since you're so resolute, the company will definitely support you! Just appease Lan Gong. If there's anything we need the company to do, just let me know!"
After hanging up the phone, Mo Zhichi let out a long sigh, a trace of fatigue on his face. He turned to look at Lan Tongtong, his eyes gentle but firm: "Tongtong, don't be afraid. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up. We must seek justice for this matter!"
Mo Zhichi's car slowly drove back to the residential complex. The car was unusually quiet along the way. Lan Tongtong leaned back in the passenger seat, gazing out the window at the passing streets. She felt as if everything from last night had been an unreal nightmare. Only the faint tingling in her wrist reminded her of the harsh reality.
When she got home, Mo Xiaochi was already waiting anxiously at the door. She had obviously already heard what had happened from her father. When she saw Lan Tongtong, she immediately rushed over and carefully supported her. Her eyes were red and her voice was choked with sobs, "Sister Tongtong! Are you okay? I was scared to death! That bastard Liu Feng, he deserves death!"
Seeing Mo Xiaochi's genuine concern and indignation, Lan Tongtong's cold heart felt a hint of warmth. She shook her head gently and forced a smile: "I'm fine, Xiaochi, don't worry."
"I have already asked for leave from the company and will stay at home with you for the next few days!" Mo Xiaochi took Lan Tongtong's arm and helped her sit on the sofa. He then hurried to pour hot water and get a blanket, like a busy little bee.
Mo Zhichi placed his car keys in the hallway, his expression still grave. He took off his coat and said to Mo Xiaochi, "Xiaochi, take good care of your sister Tongtong. I'm going to take a call." With that, he walked into the study, his phone still vibrating, and gently closed the door.
The living room was temporarily quiet. Mo Xiaochi accompanied Lan Tongtong, deliberately talking about some light and interesting topics to try to distract her. Lan Tongtong appreciated her kindness and tried to respond, but her ears could not help but catch the faint sounds coming from the study.
The soundproofing in the study wasn't very good. She could intermittently hear Mo Zhichi answering the phone, his tone sometimes calm and restrained, sometimes decisive:
"...Mr. Li, I appreciate your kindness, but this matter is not negotiable..."
"...Director Wang, it's not that I don't give you face, but this is a matter of principle and we can't compromise..."
"... Secretary Zhang, I understand your difficulties, but the victim is my sister, and I must be responsible for her to the end..."
"...No need to say more! If you feel that I, Mo Zhichi, am blocking someone's way, I can resign!"
Each call was like a stone dropped into Lan Tongtong's heart, sending ripples through it. Although she couldn't hear the entire message, she could clearly sense the immense pressure Mo Zhichi was under, mounting from all sides. There was the "concern" of her superiors, the "persuasion" of her colleagues, the "hints" of her superiors... All of this pressure was aimed at one goal: to force her to compromise and let Liu Feng go.
Mo Zhichi, like an unshakable reef, blocked all the turbulent waves. Without any hesitation or wavering, he rejected all lobbying and pressure with the most resolute attitude.
Lan Tongtong's heart was filled with an indescribable emotion: guilt for having put Brother Mo in such a predicament; a feeling of gratitude for his unconditional protection and responsibility; and a deep sense of security, as if as long as he was around, no storm, no matter how big, needed to be feared.
Mo Xiaochi also heard the noise in the study. She held Lan Tongtong's hand tightly and whispered, "Sister Tongtong, don't feel pressured! My dad has made up his mind, and no one can change it! Since he said he would see to it, he will definitely see to it! Those who called are just trying to smooth things over. Don't pay any attention to them!"
Lan Tongtong nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again. How could she have met such a father and daughter who gave her the most solid support and warm shelter when she was most helpless?
The study door opened, and Mo Zhichi walked out, his face a little tired, but his eyes still clear and resolute. He saw Lan Tongtong looking at him with red eyes, and he slowed down his tone and said gently, "It's okay, it's all resolved. Just rest and don't overthink it. The sky won't fall."
Simple words, but with the power of a stabilizing force.
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