The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Calling for Backup

Han Xiaorui didn’t plan on reporting this to the police in the county. The other party was likely very powerful.

If she reported it, not only would she fail to get a fair investigation—after all, officials protect their own—but her greedy parents might also harm her, Han Xiaoqing, and the two children.

Long-distance calls were expensive, but Han Xiaorui wasn’t short on cash.

Han Xiaorui dialed Ye Feng’s number.

But Ye Feng was out in the field today and wasn’t in the office.

Zhou Yang answered the phone. ”Comrade Xiao Han, Director Ye isn’t in the office. Is there something you need?”

Han Xiaorui’s brow furrowed when she heard this. ”Comrade Zhou, when will Mr. Ye be back?”

Zhou Yang replied, ”He probably won’t be back until tonight. If it’s urgent, you can tell me, and I’ll pass on the message.”

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. ”This is something I need to discuss with Mr. Ye in person.”

”Comrade Zhou, once Mr. Ye is back, please have him contact Lawyer Chen Nanyang of Nanyang Law Firm as soon as possible!”

Zhou Yang agreed. ”Alright!”

After Zhou Yang hung up, Wang Liang sidled over. He had recently heard a lot about Han Xiaorui from his family, which only made him more curious.

”Zhou Yang, if Comrade Xiao Han needs something, you and I are free. We can help.”

Zhou Yang shook his head. ”Comrade Xiao Han didn’t say what it was about. She just asked me to relay a message.”

”What message?” Wang Liang asked. He’d heard Han Xiaorui was very wealthy. ’Maybe she’s trying to get money from Yang Zhigang. I have to help my cousin, Zhang Lili.’

Zhou Yang was about to say something, but then he remembered Wang Liang’s poor attitude toward Comrade Xiao Han. Besides, Wang Liang’s cousin had married Comrade Xiao Han’s ex-husband.

’There’s no guarantee Wang Liang doesn’t have an ulterior motive!’

With that thought, Zhou Yang kept quiet. He grabbed a file and said, ”Wang Liang, I’ve got work to do. See you later.”

Wang Liang’s face flushed red with anger. He now held a grudge against Zhou Yang. ’I’ll get you back for this when I have the chance,’ he thought.

Meanwhile, after Han Xiaorui hung up the phone, she flipped open the small notebook she carried with her and found Chen Nanyang’s number.

”Lawyer Chen?” Han Xiaorui’s voice was laced with urgency.

Chen Nanyang had hit a slow period at work and was in his office reading English law books.

When he received Han Xiaorui’s call, Chen Nanyang’s spirits lifted. ’A big client is sending more business my way!’ ”Ms. Han,” he said, ”what can I do for you?”

Han Xiaorui got straight to the point. ”Lawyer Chen, my sister and I have returned to our hometown. I’ve discovered that my sister was accepted into East China Normal University, but someone stole her spot.”

”I’m afraid if we report it to the police here, my sister and I will be in danger. Can I commission you to file a police report on my behalf in Shencheng?”

Chen Nanyang’s expression turned serious. ”You’ll need to write a letter of authorization, stamp it with your personal seal, and fax it to me. Or, find a way to have it delivered to me as soon as possible. By the way, do you have any other evidence?”

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment before replying, ”I don’t dare check the household registration records or go to the education bureau to pull her student file right now. After all, the person who stole my sister’s spot—the top student’s spot—is very likely powerful and influential locally.”

”However, I did take pictures of my sister’s photo and her bio from the outstanding graduates’ honor roll at her high school. The photos are being developed on a rush order. I’ll pull some strings to have them delivered to you in Shencheng within two days.”

Chen Nanyang considered this, then said in a low voice, ”From now on, you and your sister must pretend you know nothing. I will gather information on the imposter from my end and file a police report for Han Xiaoqing here.”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Alright! Thank you for your trouble, Lawyer Chen. I’ll make it worth your while once this is resolved.”

”Ms. Han, don’t you worry. We have connections. My uncle is the deputy director of the Shencheng Education Bureau.” Chen Nanyang mentioned his connections, worried that Han Xiaorui was anxious, to put her mind at ease.

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui breathed a sigh of relief. ”Thank you, Lawyer Chen.”

Now, she could only hope that Ye Feng and Chen Nanyang would help resolve the matter.

After hanging up, Han Xiaorui called Wang Qiang.

Wang Qiang was shocked when he heard the gist of the story and immediately offered his help.

He said he would take time off work right away, drive over, and personally hand the photos to a friend on the train, who would then pass them on to Captain Ye.

Having made the calls, some of the suffocating anger pent up in her chest finally dissipated.

Han Xiaorui bought some stationery and wrote the letter of authorization. She had her sister, Han Xiaoqing, sign it, then signed it herself and stamped it with their personal seals.

The technician at the photo studio was also incredibly efficient, developing four copies of each photo.

Han Xiaorui placed the photos, the letter of authorization, and a letter for Ye Feng into a manila envelope, then stood at the entrance to the post office to wait for Wang Qiang.

Wang Qiang took the package. ”Comrade Xiao Han, if you feel you’re in danger, I can drive you out of here right now.”

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment, then shook her head. ”Leaving now would make my family suspicious. I’ll wait for Ye Feng to start the investigation in Shanghai, and for my lawyer to arrive.”

”Alright, then. You two take care.” Wang Qiang agreed, got into his car, and drove off immediately.

To placate Han Xiaoyuan, Han Xiaorui went and bought a radio.

As for a television, that was too expensive.

Even if she could afford it, she had no intention of buying one for Han Xiaoyuan!

When Han Xiaorui returned to the People’s Department Store, she heard Han Xiaoqing arguing with Han Xiaoyuan.

”Han Xiaoyuan, who can afford all this stuff?” Han Xiaoqing had originally thought that Han Xiaoyuan and Wang Hongyu would just be buying a couple of outfits each.

But now, not only had the two of them bought clothes for themselves, but they’d also picked out clothes and shoes for Wang Hongyu’s parents, her three older brothers, their wives, and all their children.

And that was to say nothing of the pile of thermoses and jars of vanishing cream for the wedding...

Wang Hongyu said in a soft, wheedling voice, ”Xiao Yuan, didn’t you say your sisters were very rich? They’re getting stingy over just a few little things? And you said they were going to help you get on your feet? Is this what you call helping?”

Goaded by Wang Hongyu’s barbed words, Han Xiaoyuan flew into a rage out of sheer embarrassment. ”You may not have money, but my eldest sister does! Stay out of it!”

Han Xiaoqing was already emotional after learning her university admission had been stolen. Now, seeing Han Xiaoyuan acting so entitled as he tried to exploit her and her sister, her heart grew even colder.

Han Xiaorui pulled her sister back and looked at her, then pointed to the pile of goods. ”I bought you a radio, and here’s 160 yuan. See what you can get with that.”

Han Xiaoyuan grew anxious. ”Eldest Sister, this all costs 430 yuan! 160 isn’t enough. You have to give us more.”

”I’m out of money. I’ve already used what little I had left to ask someone to buy our train tickets. Never mind the money I usually send home, but for your wedding, I bought you two watches, a tape recorder, and now this 160 yuan. That’s 400 yuan in total. My personal savings are completely gone.”

With that, Han Xiaorui placed the money on the counter.

Then she took her two daughters and Han Xiaoqing and went out to get some rice noodles.

Wang Hongyu pinched Han Xiaoyuan hard, but he knew he couldn’t squeeze any more money out of his eldest sister. ”Alright, alright! Figure out what we can put back. If we really piss her off, we’ll never get another cent from her again.”