Chapter 71: This is a Reenactment

Zhou Ming's fist, as big as a clay pot, smashed into Marin's face. With a cry of pain, Marin fell to the ground, clutching his face and clearly in agony.

Zhou Ming, however, ignored him and turned to Director Yang, saying, "Director Yang, this is how I hit him earlier. He was still insulting me, so I kicked him as well, just like this."

Zhou Ming stepped forward and kicked Marin in the face again. With a loud crack, a tooth fell from Marin's mouth.

Everyone stood stunned, as if their brains had been emptied. They gaped in shock at the scene. Director Yang was right there, yet Zhou Ming was openly assaulting Marin in his presence. What was happening?

Ma Jianjun was the first to react. He pointed at Zhou Ming and exclaimed, "You... Zhou Ming, you are truly outrageous. You dare to hit Marin again? Are you completely lawless?"

Ma Jianjun then turned to the equally shocked Director Yang and said, "Director Yang, did you see? Zhou Ming is completely lawless. You need to arrest him immediately!"

Director Yang, faced with the emotionally charged Ma Jianjun, moved his lips but didn't know what to say. He had been sent to assist Zhou Ming, but he was unsure how to address Ma Jianjun's demands.

At this moment, Zhou Ming said to Director Yang, "Director Yang, I believe Factory Director Ma is overly agitated. I was merely performing a reenactment for you. How does this make me lawless? Factory Director Ma is clearly framing me."

"Reenactment?" Ma Jianjun screamed, as if his tail had been stepped on. "What reenactment? This is intentional injury and assault! Look at Marin's bleeding mouth and nose, and his lost tooth! Look at how much force you used. You're still trying to deny it? Director Yang, are you really a police officer? Why haven't you arrested him yet?"

In contrast to Ma Jianjun's hysteria, Zhou Ming remained calm. He said, "Director Yang, I need to report that Factory Director Ma is defaming me, insulting my character, and attacking me personally."

"Character? Pff! You little bastard, what right do you have to talk about this? Do you think you deserve to say that? Personal attack? What personal attack? You just assaulted Marin in front of so many people. Do you think everyone is blind? If you want to talk about personal attacks, I'll show you one!"

Ma Jianjun said, and then, with outstretched arms, charged at Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming, anticipating this, kicked him away and then turned to Director Yang, saying, "Director Yang, you saw it, I was just defending myself."

"Defending yourself? What I see is intentional harm! Director Yang, are you going to let this slide?" Ma Jianjun said, holding his stomach with one hand and pointing at Zhou Ming with the other.

Director Yang's face was grim as he finally said through gritted teeth, "Enough. I am the station chief here. It is clear that Mr. Zhou was reenacting the scene for me, and Factory Director Ma's actions were clearly threatening towards Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou's reaction was self-defense and does not constitute illegal behavior."

"What?" Ma Jianjun stared wide-eyed at Director Yang. "Are you serious? What kind of reenactment is this? What self-defense? This is outright assault. Director Yang, you're not only failing to arrest him, you're even supporting him. Which side are you on?"

Seeing Ma Jianjun yelling like a shrew, Zhou Ming felt a pang of frustration for his intelligence. It was obvious Director Yang was on his side, and Ma Jianjun's outbursts were futile.

Sure enough, Director Yang shouted, "Be quiet! I am a police officer, and as one, I must ensure everyone's rights are protected. I have seen Mr. Zhou's actions, and they are legitimate. On the other hand, if you continue to cause trouble here, I will arrest you!"

If it were any other time, Ma Jianjun would have seen reason, but after the series of events, his capacity for rational thought was completely gone.

So he yelled, "Fine, arrest me then! I see now that you and Zhou Ming are in cahoots. I will report you to higher authorities!"

"Damn it, you'll only realize your mistake when it's too late."

Director Yang snapped, moving to grab Ma Jianjun. At this point, Huang Zheng realized what was happening and quickly stepped in to explain to Director Yang, "Director Yang, please don't be angry. Factory Director Ma is just venting his frustrations because he saw a child being bullied."

"Frustration over a child being bullied? He's a vice factory director; he shouldn't be so childish!" Director Yang said coldly. "Besides, Director Guo from the county will be arriving shortly. You should leave now while you still have time!"

"What? Director Guo is coming too?"

Huang Zheng was surprised. While Director Yang's assistance to Zhou Ming was understandable, he didn't expect the county police chief to come personally. What kind of lie had Zhou Ming told? However, this was good. The more elaborate the lie, the worse the consequences. And as long as they were at the factory, he would find a way to deal with them. We'll see about that!

Thinking this, Huang Zheng nodded and persuaded Ma Jianjun. Zhou Ming didn't hear what they said, but Ma Jianjun, initially as shocked as Huang Zheng, eventually calmed down. He glared at Zhou Ming with hostility before leaving with Marin.

Zhou Ming let them leave without comment. From Director Yang's behavior, it was clear he had concerns and was possibly connected to Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun. His support might be due to higher orders, but he likely had reservations.

Thus, Zhou Ming thought, it was best not to push Director Yang further. If he were pressured too much and lost his composure, it could backfire. After all, a local official's authority is not as strong as a current official's.

As for Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun, Zhou Ming didn't know what they discussed, but he suspected it was about how they would retaliate against him in the future. However, whether they would get that opportunity remained to be seen.

Zhou Ming thought about this and then approached his parents. Seeing their dazed expressions, he said, "Mom and Dad, what's wrong? Don't you recognize me?"

His mother, Wang Fengqin, quickly looked Zhou Ming up and down and asked anxiously, "Are you hurt? Is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable?"

His father, Zhou Guoping, asked, "Zhou Ming, what's going on? Why did Director Yang say you are a businessman from Hong Kong? And is it true that Director Guo from the county is coming?"

In front of his parents, Zhou Ming had nothing to hide. He nodded and said, "Yes, I earned some money through business in Hong Kong before and used my connections in the county to come back and buy this Factory 760. Naturally, I am considered a businessman from Hong Kong investing in the mainland. With the nationwide reforms, the county must follow the policy and treat me, the investor, well."

"You're talking nonsense again!" Wang Fengqin said. "Let's wait for Director Guo to come, and then we'll go back to our hometown tonight, okay?"

Hearing his mother's words, Zhou Ming knew she, like Huang Zheng, probably didn't believe he was a businessman from Hong Kong. But unlike Huang Zheng, his mother wouldn't be malicious. She likely thought Zhou Ming earned some money in Hong Kong, and to avoid retaliation from people like Huang Zheng, he falsely claimed to be a businessman to get more attention from the county.

But this was still deception!

If it were just ordinary deception, it would be one thing, but Zhou Ming was deceiving the government now! This was a serious offense. Plus, with the factory's restructuring underway, today's events might make Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun even more determined to retaliate after taking over the factory.

Realizing this, his mother suggested returning to their hometown to avoid trouble.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming said to his mother, "Mom, it's fine. I'm not the same person I was two months ago."

Wang Fengqin smiled and said, "Of course, you've seen the world after going to Hong Kong!"

Zhou Ming felt a bit helpless. From his mother's tone, it seemed she still didn't fully believe him. But this was understandable. His parents had a limited education and had spent their lives in the isolated Factory 760. To them, a big businessman from Hong Kong must be extremely wealthy. Moreover, buying Factory 760 would require a huge sum of money. Zhou Ming had only been away for a little over two months and had only a few tens of thousands of yuan when he left. It was hard for them to believe he could earn so much in such a short time. So, they likely thought he was just comforting them.

But it was better if they didn't know the truth. After all, having too much money can be a burden, especially for his honest parents. If they knew he had suddenly become wealthy, they might start speculating and worrying about whether he had done something illegal. If it made them anxious and sleepless, it would turn a good thing into a bad one.