Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

The car quickly got onto the highway, and Chen Ping stepped on the gas, the Mercedes' engine roaring to life.

The speed increased instantly, and Lin Xiaoran leaned back and quickly grabbed the handle above her head.

"Slow down, slow down..."

Lin Xiaoran had a frightened expression on her face.

Chen Ping glanced at Lin Xiaoran and smiled, "Don't worry, my driving skills will be fine."

We drove at high speed for more than three hours before finally arriving in the provincial capital.

However, once we entered the city, the roads became heavily congested, with traffic moving in fits and starts.

Chen Ping gripped the steering wheel, staring at the endless line of cars ahead, feeling extremely anxious.

He didn't know how Wang Tao was doing at the police station, or whether he would get beaten up.

Lin Xiaoran sat in the passenger seat, talking on her phone with her colleagues in the provincial capital.

Although Lin Xiaoran is a lawyer, in a place like the provincial capital, many things require consideration of personal relationships.

Having laws doesn't guarantee success, but having connections guarantees success.

Even if you do meet with them, even if it's a lawyer, don't expect to see them casually unless you have connections.

"Yes, it's a public order case, a fight, the injuries aren't too serious... Hmm, I understand, we'll be there soon... Okay, thanks, I'll treat you to dinner later."

Lin Xiaoran hung up the phone with her colleague and turned to Chen Ping, saying, "I just asked my colleague to help me get some connections at the police station, so we can see Wang Tao when we get there."

"In these kinds of cases, as long as the injury assessment doesn't reach the level of minor injury, it's considered a public security case, and detention and fines are negotiable."

"The worst thing is if the assessment result leans towards minor injury, then the nature of the injury changes."

"Your head was broken and you needed stitches. Is that considered a minor injury?" Chen Ping asked.

"uncertain."

Lin Xiaoran shook her head. "For head injuries, we need to consider the length and depth of the wound, as well as whether there is a skull fracture or brain damage."

"A simple scalp laceration, requiring a few stitches, is mostly a minor injury, but it depends on the forensic examination. It's too early to say anything now."

Chen Ping hummed in response and didn't say anything more, moving forward little by little in line with the flow of traffic.

After a hurried rush, the car finally stopped in front of the East Suburb Police Station around 10 a.m.

The police station's courtyard wasn't large, but there were quite a few people coming and going. Some came to register their household registration, some came to get certificates, and there were two people who had been brought in for causing trouble while drunk, and they were squatting against the wall to sober up.

Chen Ping and Lin Xiaoran entered the duty room.

Lin Xiaoran stepped forward, explained her purpose, and handed over her ID card and lawyer's license.

Compared to how they treat ordinary people, police stations are much more cautious when receiving lawyers, at least they won't make things difficult for them without reason.

"Hello comrade, we are from Wang Tao's work unit."

"This is Chen Ping, the head of Siping Township Health Center, and Wang Tao's mentor."

"I am the legal counsel for the health center. I received a call from your office this morning and came over to assist in handling the matter."

Lin Xiaoran spoke formally to the police officer on duty.

The police officer on duty checked the identification and muttered with some surprise, "Now even health centers have legal advisors?"

After muttering to himself, he picked up the phone on the table and made a call.

Soon a policeman in his forties came out. He had a square face and slightly swollen eyes, clearly having stayed up all night.

"My surname is Gao, and I'll handle this case."

Officer Gao looked the two of them up and down. "You came from Siping Township? You were quick enough."

"I set off as soon as I received the call."

Chen Ping quickly offered him a cigarette. "Officer Gao, how is my apprentice...?"

"He's inside, he's fine, he has everything he needs."

Officer Gao waved his hand, refusing the cigarette, and pointed to the bench next to him for the two to sit down. "Let's talk about the case first."

"Around 11 p.m. last night, Wang Tao got into a fight with Cao Yu from the Provincial People's Hospital."

"Cao Yu had a cut on the back of his head that required six stitches, and he is still under observation in the hospital."

"Cao Yu's family called the police, and we brought him back. Wang Tao admitted to the fight, but when asked why he fought, he wouldn't say a word."

"Who struck first?" Chen Ping pressed. "Is there CCTV footage of the entire incident?"

"The surveillance footage hasn't been checked yet, and all the surrounding stores were closed last night."

Officer Gao shook his head. "Cao Yu said that Wang Tao started it, but Wang Tao himself refuses to tell the details, so many facts are still unclear."

"If he continues to be uncooperative, he will be the one who suffers."

Chen Ping's heart sank, and he quickly asked, "Officer Gao, is this... serious?"

Whether it's serious or not depends on the assessment.

Officer Gao stated bluntly, "The assessment indicates it's a minor injury. It will result in administrative detention and a fine. If mediation is possible, there's still room for negotiation."

"If it constitutes minor injury, then it's intentional assault, a criminal case, and no one can help him."

"Also, the other party's family is very firm in their stance. They called early this morning, saying they would pursue the matter to the end."

Hearing this, Chen Ping's throat tightened, and his brows furrowed: "Then can I see him?"

Officer Gao glanced at Chen Ping, then at Lin Xiaoran's lawyer's license, and stood up, saying, "Come with me. According to regulations, the questioning and investigation are not yet over, so we are not allowed to see her."

"You've come all this way, you have ten minutes."

It's clear that Lin Xiaoran's colleague played a role.

If it's just Chen Ping and Lin Xiaoran, they most likely won't get to see Wang Tao.

The interrogation room was small, with a table, three chairs, and the words "Enforcing the Law for the People" posted on the wall.

When the door opened, Wang Tao was sitting in a chair with his head down.

Hearing the noise, he looked up, and Chen Ping's heart clenched.

It's only been one night, but this kid seems like a completely different person.

His hair was messy, his eyes were sunken and bloodshot, his lips were dry and chapped, and there was a layer of stubble on his chin.

His clothes were wrinkled, there was a bloodstain on his cuff, and his right hand was cut and covered with a dark red scab.

"Master..."

When Wang Tao opened his mouth, his voice was terribly hoarse, and his eyes immediately reddened.

Chen Ping walked over, sat down in front of him, and asked in a low voice, "What happened? Why did you hit him?"

Wang Tao's lips moved, but he didn't make a sound and lowered his head.

"Raise your head."

Chen Ping's voice became sterner, "I'm asking you a question, why did you hit someone?"

"Master, I was wrong. I hit the person, and I admit it. I accept being detained or punished as appropriate."

Wang Tao lowered his head, not daring to look at Chen Ping.

"I asked why!"

Chen Ping slammed his hand on the table, making the pens on it jump. "I brought you here for further education, not to fight."

"Besides, I know what kind of person you are. You wouldn't hit someone for no reason."

"Tell me, what happened? Did someone bully you?"

Chen Ping guessed that perhaps the doctors at the provincial hospital looked down on Wang Tao because he came from a mountain village, and then bullied him.

Wang Tao shrank back at Chen Ping's shout. "I drank a little last night and acted impulsively. Master, I'm sorry to you and to the hospital. Go back and don't worry about me."