Then someone came up with the idea, and Qiao Zhihai's eldest son called Qiao Zhicai.
He asked him to speak to his father-in-law, urging him to get Qiao Zhihai released quickly. That was his own brother, after all, who was surely suffering inside. He also implored him to plead for a waiver of the money, considering Wu Xiucai was an influential figure and it could all be sorted with just a word from him.
But Qiao Zhicai flatly refused.
Qiao Zhicai was fuming with anger, too. It was too shameful. He couldn't bring himself to ask his father-in-law about such matters.
Yet he couldn't just watch idly as his brother remained locked up.
He sent them three thousand yuan.
But the money was given to Qiao Zhiyuan.
Qiao Zhiyuan then returned the money to Qiao Zhicai.
He could afford three thousand yuan; he just didn't want to pay it.
But unless the money was paid, they wouldn't release Qiao Zhihai. For some reason, this time they showed no consideration at all.