MGASC -Chapter 230 A Soft Whisper of Comfort — Let’s Go Home

The small office was instantly taken over by several burly men in uniform.

Squad Leader Feng An arrived with a few subordinates, sizing up Zhang Qiao and Su Yin arrogantly. “So you’re Zhang Qiao? We were just looking for you, and you dare to come here and cause trouble? Quite bold, aren’t you? Move it—take them both back to the Industry and Commerce Bureau!”

Seeing her “reinforcements,” Li Yu jumped up angrily. “Yes, Captain Feng! Arrest these two lawless women! Producing unlicensed, substandard products and still acting so arrogant! I’ve never seen anyone so outrageous!”

Feng An had been hoping Zhang Qiao would make a scene—the bigger the fuss, the easier it would be to charge her.

With a sharp command, he ordered, “Take them away!”

The four sturdy men behind him stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Qiao and Su Yin, dragging them toward the door.

Both were young women; they knew resisting would only make things worse.

Pulling Su Yin back a step, Zhang Qiao said warily, “You don’t need to drag us. The police are on their way. Once we’re at the Public Security Bureau, I’ll tell them everything.”

Feng An froze. “The police? Why did you call the police?”

“What else should we do? Our shop was sealed for no reason, our factory shut down. Who are we supposed to turn to?”

After a brief moment of surprise, Feng An grew even angrier. He sneered, “Fine. When we get to the police, your shop will still be sealed!”

His words were tough, but sweat had already formed on his forehead.

It hadn’t been a big issue to begin with—how had it become so complicated? They even called the police.

Still, Feng An had acquaintances at the Public Security Bureau. He refused to believe that two young women could overturn the sky.

Zhang Qiao and Su Yin were dragged away anyway. But just as they reached downstairs, two police cars drove into the courtyard.

“Oh, Little Sun! Long time no see. So that woman really called the police? Hah, I’ve never seen someone walk straight into a trap. Don’t worry—this case will be easy. It’s ironclad. Don’t you trust your Brother Feng?”

As soon as Officer Sun Jun stepped out of the car, Feng An rushed forward, greeting him warmly and trying to act familiar.

Watching the scene, Su Yin whispered to Zhang Qiao, “Qiao Qiao… could they be in it together?”

Zhang Qiao’s brows knitted tightly. She had her doubts too.

But at this point, all they could do was trust the police—trust the authorities.

If that failed, she would go to reporters, to the television station. She refused to believe there wasn’t a place where reason prevailed.

Sun Jun, dressed in his green police uniform, stepped forward. “Zhang Qiao? You’re the one who reported the case?”

She nodded.

“Alright. Since it’s complicated, we’ll go to the Public Security Bureau and clarify everything there.”

As they were being escorted into the car, Zhang Qiao called out to Officer Sun, “Comrade, the employees at my restaurant are still being detained by the Industry and Commerce Bureau… And Li Yu from the Quality Inspection Department—she handled our paperwork back then. Shouldn’t she also be brought in for questioning?”

“Don’t worry. Everyone will be questioned. Everything will be investigated. Once it’s clear, those who should be released will be released.”

Hearing this, Zhang Qiao could only place her hopes in the authorities.

Night had fallen by the time they finished giving their statements at the police station, recounting everything in detail.

Outside, Feng An was still swaggering around, striking up conversations with officers, calling them “brother” and acting chummy. Occasionally, he would glance through the glass at Zhang Qiao and sneer, as if she were a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Meanwhile, Zhou Junlin had already brought Lin Tianyue to the Industry and Commerce Bureau. Accompanying them were the bureau director and Vice Mayor Wang, who was in charge of economic affairs.

Vice Mayor Wang’s face was tense, his tone sharp. “The country is vigorously developing the economy. Your bureau’s job is to support national policy—to back businesses, not undermine them! Sealing someone’s shop at the slightest disagreement—where’s your brain? Even if there was a problem somewhere, shouldn’t you investigate privately first before taking such drastic action?”

The director being reprimanded nodded repeatedly, apologizing, reflecting, sweating nervously.

As soon as they arrived at the bureau, he barked at the clerk who hurried over, “Where’s Feng An?”

“He… he went to arrest the owner of Kemanlou.”

The director nearly had a heart attack.

“He really arrested her? Who gave him that authority? When did you take action? Who else was detained?”

The clerk recognized the Vice Mayor standing beside him and stammered, “The restaurant’s chef, manager… several servers…”

“Outrageous! Release them all immediately—right now!”

Sweat trickled down the director’s temples. When the city’s top leaders showed up at your door late at night, it was never good news. All along, he had held onto a sliver of hope that his subordinate hadn’t gone too far, that it was all a misunderstanding.

Who knew Feng An had truly dug his own grave—and dragged him along with him.

Vice Mayor Wang, still visibly angry in front of Zhou Junlin and Lin Tianyue, said, “Look at what your people have done! Xiao Zhang and Xiao Lin are Director Zhou’s students. Their factory and company are key enterprises supported by the city. If you won’t support them, fine—but to sabotage them? Do you want to chill the hearts of all Jiangcheng’s business owners just before the New Year?”

An hour earlier, Zhou Junlin had personally called him, introducing Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao as his students and demanding to know why their restaurant and factory had been shut down without warning. Was there some issue with him personally?

Vice Mayor Wang had nearly exploded upon hearing that.

Zhou Junlin’s identity was special—someone even a city mayor had to treat with great respect.

Though he had just finished a full day of meetings and was ready to rest, Wang had immediately dressed and rushed out to resolve the issue.

Within five minutes, Zhang Ling, Ren Hong, and Li Enhua were politely escorted out.

Zhang Ling didn’t see Zhang Qiao. She only saw her brother-in-law, Lin Tianyue, and behind him, Jin Quan standing like a bodyguard.

Cold and shaken, she finally broke down, eyes red as she rushed forward. “Brother-in-law, where’s Qiao Qiao? Go save her! That Captain Feng kept threatening us, telling us to sign the statements. None of us signed. He said even if we didn’t, we’d still be sentenced. Brother-in-law… she hasn’t already been taken away, has she? We’re innocent! Director Zhou, brother-in-law, please think of something!”

Her lips were cracked from anxiety, her bright eyes red as she clutched Lin Tianyue’s sleeve desperately.

At that moment, Jin Quan stepped forward and gently pulled her aside.

“Don’t panic. The Vice Mayor himself is here—didn’t you see? Relax. Your sister and everyone else will be fine,” he said softly, loosely supporting her unsteady frame as he murmured reassurance in her ear.

Lin Tianyue, Zhou Junlin, and Vice Mayor Wang all heard Zhang Ling’s words, and their anger toward the bureau deepened.

“Old Jin, take them home first,” Lin Tianyue said.

“Don’t worry, Sister. Qiao Qiao will be home soon.”

Zhang Ling felt as if all her strength had drained away. If Jin Quan hadn’t been holding her up, she might have collapsed on the spot.

She nodded weakly and let him lead her outside.

She had never seen such a scene before. The chaos of the afternoon had already terrified her.

She didn’t even know how she got into Jin Quan’s car. It wasn’t until his rough hand waved in front of her face that she slowly came back to herself.

“Sit tight,” he said softly. “We’re going home.”