My online dating circle has millions of followers, why would she put a collar on me?

Sun Miaomiao's words were like a bucket of cold water, clearing her chaotic mind.

She gripped her phone, her knuckles turning white. The murderous intent in her heart hadn't completely dissipated, but her rationality was beginning to creep back in little by little.

"Miaomiao...you're right." Her voice was hoarse. "Killing him won't solve anything. He'll only hate me more."

"Yeah, yeah!"

Sun Miaomiao nodded frantically, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Boss, you've finally figured it out! Go find that Director Zhao now and make him hand over that idiot bureau chief, then have that idiot bureau chief explain things to your brother-in-law face-to-face!"

"Just explain things clearly, it's not a big deal!"

Xia Anmian was silent for two seconds, then took a deep breath: "Okay."

She hung up on Sun Miaomiao, scrolled to Zhao Zhiguo's number in her contacts, and pressed the dial button.

beep--

beep--

beep--

It rang twice before the other end answered.

Zhao Zhiguo's voice was deliberately low and steady.

"Anmian? What do you want?"

"Uncle Zhao, I want Zhao Jianmin."

Xia Anmian's voice was crisp and clear, without any pleasantries or preamble, getting straight to the point.

"I want him to admit in front of Jiang Yi that he abused his power, used torture to extract a confession, and that the confession was fake."

Zhao Zhiguo did not answer immediately.

He tensed up for a moment, then relaxed a little.

Just as she had predicted, Xia Anmian started to go crazy.

Moreover, he read through the case file, which also involved another person.

Transfers are almost nonexistent, so most people simply ignore them.

But he noticed the girl.

Although Xia Anmian was somewhat obsessive, that person...

I've been watching this since I was a child.

I even felt that the person was a bit crazy.

That's right, he strongly suspects that person has a violent temper!

Xia Anmian is already outrageous enough. If that woman comes back in three days, who knows what kind of trouble will ensue!

He was incredibly grateful that he had submitted his overseas assignment application half an hour earlier. The transfer order hadn't been issued yet, but it was highly likely to be successful.

Even if the transfer order doesn't come through, I can just go on a business trip myself.

"Peace of mind."

Zhao Zhiguo deliberately spoke with a serious tone.

"I'm already handling Zhao Jianmin's matter. He abused his power and violated procedures, and the bureau has already suspended him from his duties. You need him to admit his mistakes in person..."

"Uncle Zhao,"

Xia Anmian interrupted him, her voice not loud, but every word carried an undeniable certainty.

"If you don't give me the person, I'll go find him myself. Then it won't be as simple as just apologizing in person."

Zhao Zhiguo smiled involuntarily, but he still didn't give in.

"Anmian, it's not that Uncle Zhao doesn't want to help you."

"Zhao Jianmin has been suspended from his duties and is currently detained at the bureau. I can arrange for you to see him. But if you want me to personally explain to Jiang Yi—"

He paused for a moment, a hint of tentative reluctance in his voice:

"Uncle Zhao really can't leave. He has a major case to coordinate recently, and he simply can't be in two places at once."

"How about this, I'll have my son Zhao Hanting go in my place. Although that kid is a bit of a hothead, Jiang Yi should be able to believe what he says."

Xia Anmian frowned slightly; Zhao Hanting's persuasiveness was definitely not as good as Zhao Zhiguo's.

But on second thought, Zhao Hanting did indeed participate in the entire process from beginning to end, and his testimony would be more convincing than if an outsider like myself were to speak.

"Okay," she said. "Have him come to see me at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

Zhao Zhiguo immediately replied, "No problem, I'll call him in a bit."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Zhiguo leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

He placed his phone on the table, looked out at the deep night, and a faint smile of relief spread across his face.

He found Zhao Hanting's number and dialed it.

On the other side, Zhao Hanting was scrolling through his phone in the duty room when he saw his father's call. He paused for a moment, then answered:

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Hanting,"

Zhao Zhiguo's voice regained its usual businesslike calm.

"Tomorrow morning, come to the bureau with Zhao Jianmin and take him to Xia Anmian. She wants you to testify and prove what really happened with Zhao Jianmin."

Zhao Hanting blinked, his mind racing, then his lips twitched: "Dad, what's going on now? How does this have anything to do with Zhao Jianmin?"

"Also, can I not go? This summer..."

"Don't ask too many questions," Zhao Zhiguo interrupted him. "Just go and say everything you know that you should say, and don't say a single word that you shouldn't say."

Zhao Hanting said "Oh," while inwardly screaming:

"Damn it, Dad, you're really sabotaging your son like this!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Zhiguo leaned back in his chair and stared at the chandelier on the ceiling for a while.

"Son, I'm sorry, but your old man is running away. Good luck to you!"

……

As dusk fell, Su Xiaoyue's villa was illuminated by warm yellow lights, like a giant lantern lit from within, keeping the chill outside the windows at bay.

The housekeeper had been notified in advance and was waiting at the door with two nannies. When they saw Su Xiaoyue's car drive in, they immediately ran to greet her.

When the car door opened, the butler paused for a moment upon seeing the situation in the back seat.

But he quickly resumed his professional smile and gave a slight bow:

"Miss, the guest rooms are ready. There are two rooms, both on the second floor, east side, with excellent natural light."

Su Xiaoyue got out of the car first, then turned around to help Zhao Xiujuan.

Zhao Xiujuan seemed a little lost. When she stepped onto the polished stone floor at the entrance of the villa, she instinctively flinched, as if afraid of getting something dirty.

"Yueyue, this...this is too kind. Auntie can stay in a hotel, no need to trouble you..."

"Auntie, what are you saying?"

Su Xiaoyue took her arm, her voice soft yet carrying an irresistible certainty.

"No hotel is as comfortable as home. You and your uncle have come all the way to Kyoto, how can we let you stay in a hotel? Besides—"

She turned her head to look at Jiang Yi behind her, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"Your husband won't feel at ease if you don't stay."

Zhao Xiujuan followed her gaze and glanced at her son.

Jiang Yi stood beside the car, head down, hands in his pockets.

He looked like a plant that had been drenched in rain, listless and hadn't said a word since leaving the restaurant.

Zhao Xiujuan's heart clenched.

She grasped Su Xiaoyue's hand in return, her rough fingertips stroking the girl's smooth hand, her voice slightly choked:

"Okay, okay, Auntie will listen to you. Yueyue, thank you for your trouble."

Su Xiaoyue smiled, said nothing more, and led the two into the house.