When Zhang Huihui rushed home with all her might, she could see from afar that the place on fire was her own home.
In the short time it took to go back and forth, the fire had already engulfed her entire yard.
Many neighbors took various containers filled with water and kept pouring water onto the flames.
However, the fire had already gained momentum and was beyond the ability of ordinary people to extinguish; it was merely a drop in the ocean.
Zhang Huihui remembered that there were still many valuable items in her home and was anxious to rush inside, but was held back tightly by her neighbors who saw her.
With a fire this intense, her chances of surviving if she went in are extremely slim.
In those days, fire-fighting facilities were not yet complete, and there was no permanent fire brigade in the town. The bottles and cans in the hands of these people were of no use at all. It was already a blessing that the fire did not spread and affect other people's homes.
Zhang Huihui fell to the ground, letting the flowing water stain her floral dress.
Her eyes were glazed over, and she watched like a puppet as the fire slowly turned her home to ashes.
Her father is still in the police station, and their home has been destroyed by fire. Zhang Huihui's mind is blank; she's completely numb. She can't even cry anymore.
At the police station, the interrogation was still ongoing, and faced with irrefutable evidence, Zhang Jinliang had no way to deny it.
He was filled with hatred now, but not for accepting 100,000 yuan from Xiao Weiguo. Instead, he hated himself for being ignorant of the law and for Xiao Weiguo, who was so young yet so cunning. At the time, he never imagined that such a thing would be so serious.
If he had known this would happen, he would never have written that note to Xiao Weiguo, leaving such a long trail in their hands.
Xiao Weiguo, as a witness, has not left yet. He is currently sitting in the director's office with Hu Hai, drinking tea, accompanied by the director.
Just then, a young police officer knocked on the door and came in.
"Chief, Zhang Jinliang's house is on fire. It's almost completely burned down. Should we go take a look?"
Back then, no matter what happened, the first thing everyone thought of was to contact the police.
However, by the time some villagers remembered and rushed over to report the fire, it was too late. The fire had spread too quickly, and within a few tens of minutes, it was already beyond saving.
Upon hearing this, the director was taken aback, as was Xiao Weiguo.
What a coincidence!
Just then, his house caught fire. Was this Zhang Jinliang's retribution?
The station chief, a veteran police officer with many years of experience, reacted immediately after a brief moment of distraction.
"Let them continue the interrogation. You immediately organize all the police forces, and we'll go see if there's any chance of salvaging the situation."
"yes."
The young police officer agreed and quickly went to gather manpower as instructed by the station chief.
The director put on his peaked cap, said "Excuse me" to Xiao Weiguo and Hu Haidong, and hurriedly left.
Xiao Weiguo and Hu Haidong exchanged a glance.
Xiao Weiguo stood up and caught up with the director.
"Director Liu, shall we go along and take a look? Is that alright?"
Jiao Bai drove his car, following behind the director's jeep, all the way back to Zhang Jinliang's house.
By the time they arrived, the fire had already subsided, and almost everything that could be burned had been consumed.
However, since they had arrived at the scene, Director Liu still directed everyone, including himself, to join the firefighting team.
With the addition of these dozen or so fresh troops, and the fire already subsiding, the fire was finally extinguished thanks to everyone's efforts.
The air was thick with the smell of burning, and in many places, embers were still smoldering. This once most beautiful little courtyard in the neighborhood had been turned blackened by a fire.
Except for a few red brick walls that still stand, the roofs of all the houses have collapsed from the fire.
The furniture, clothes... everything inside turned to ashes.
Xiao Weiguo did not go up to help.
From the moment he arrived and saw it, he knew that there was no difference between saving it and not saving it now.
The police officers went up there; it was their responsibility. Faced with such a situation, they could not remain inactive.
Xiao Weiguo noticed that not far away, a little girl in a floral dress was sitting in the mud, looking blank.
Xiao Weiguo recognized the girl; wasn't she Zhang Jinliang's daughter, Zhang Huihui?
When I went to negotiate with Zhang Jinliang last time, it was she who led the way.
Xiao Weiguo had heard from Xiao Jian and Gao Hu that this little girl named Zhang Huihui was completely different from her father and was a kind and good girl.
Before he came, he had promised his younger brother Xiao Jian that he would try his best not to involve her when dealing with Zhang Jinliang.
But man proposes, God disposes. Who would have thought that no sooner had Zhang Jinliang been imprisoned than his house was engulfed in flames?
What will Zhang Huihui do now? There are only the father and son in her family. If the charges are upheld, the extortion charge alone will be enough to keep him in jail for half his life.
Xiao Weiguo watched Zhang Huihui sitting there like a wooden sculpture from afar, and felt a little uneasy.
It wasn't that Xiao Weiguo was too soft-hearted; he simply couldn't bring himself to act when it involved his younger siblings.
When the group returned to the station, everyone felt a bit heavy-hearted, not just because of the fire.
It was mostly for that poor little girl. She was the most innocent person caught in the crossfire.
At this moment, the two police officers in charge of interrogating Zhang Jinliang came to report.
Zhang Jinliang has said everything he needed to say, and has confessed to all his crimes. Faced with irrefutable evidence, he has no room for denial.
His crimes have been established, and he will soon be sent to the judicial authorities for trial. His textile factory has already been seized. These assets will be used as collateral for the victim's 100,000 yuan.
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