Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Trying to Steal a Chicken, but Losing the Rice

Su Tang’s words were pointed. Even though she didn’t spell it out, everyone understood.

If that fire had spread elsewhere, people could have died.

Reminded of this by Su Tang, no one said anything more.

This was a matter of life and death; no one wanted to get a bad name over it.

Hu Lili snapped her head up, a flash of panic and venom crossing her face. She reflexively retorted, “You… you’re spouting baseless accusations!”

Su Tang ignored her rebuttal and continued, “Your actions have gone far beyond the scope of a neighborly dispute.”

“Destroying someone else’s property—a significant amount, at that—is a malicious act.”

“Getting out on bail and paying compensation is your responsibility, but that doesn’t mean the matter is settled. It certainly doesn’t mean I have to forgive you. As for whether you get to stay or go…”

Su Tang paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd of onlookers before finally landing on Hu Lili’s face. Her tone was firm and decisive.

“That’s not for me to decide, nor is it something you can change by crying and kneeling here.”

“Nothing can be accomplished without rules. Your behavior has seriously jeopardized the order and safety of the family compound. It’s up to the organization to decide if you’re still fit to live here.”

At these words, not only was Hu Lili stunned, but even the onlookers were taken aback.

’That’s right. Su Tang isn’t in charge of the family compound. Whether she accepts the apology and whether Hu Lili gets to stay are two completely different things.’

Hu Lili was putting on this whole show purely to use moral blackmail against Su Tang, hoping the pressure would make her give in and thus influence the decision from above.

Su Tang had directly passed the buck, both clearing her own name and highlighting how unreasonable Hu Lili’s tantrum was.

’It pays to be educated. She’s so logical and speaks with such composure.’

“You… you…”

Hu Lili pointed at Su Tang, trembling with rage. The pitiful facade she had so carefully constructed was about to shatter.

Just then, a stern voice came from the edge of the crowd. “What’s going on? Why is everyone gathered here?”

Everyone turned to see Director Li from the family compound’s management office, along with two staff members from the sub-district office. They had clearly rushed over after hearing the news.

Director Li’s face was grim. His gaze swept over the chaotic scene, finally settling on the disheveled Hu Lili and the calm Su Tang.

“Director Li.”

Hu Lili, as if grasping a lifeline, looked ready to rush over and start wailing again.

Director Li’s brow furrowed, and he held up a hand to stop her. “Comrade Hu Lili, you again? Haven’t you learned your lesson from last time? Instead of reflecting on your actions while out on bail, you’re causing another public disturbance?”

Zhang Cui immediately stepped forward and quickly recounted what had happened.

She made sure to emphasize how Hu Lili had kneeled in public, attempting to morally blackmail Su Tang.

’If you have the guts to do it, you should have the guts to face the consequences. Today, I’m going to make sure Hu Lili learns a thing or two.’

The more Director Li and the comrades from the sub-district office listened, the darker their expressions became.

In their eyes, Hu Lili’s behavior showed she was completely unrepentant. She was still trying to disrupt public order and use public opinion to apply pressure.

She was nothing but an opportunist, a real troublemaker.

“Comrade Hu Lili!”

One of the women from the sub-district office spoke sternly, her face etched with displeasure.

“Your actions have seriously violated the family compound’s management regulations and public morals. You’ve shown no remorse during your bail period and have even tried to use these methods to harass others and force a decision from the leadership. This is utter nonsense.”

After the woman finished speaking, Director Li shot Hu Lili a look of profound disappointment.

“Regarding the issue of you staying or leaving, we were still in the process of discussing it.”

“But given your performance today, we believe you have completely failed to recognize your mistakes. You do not possess the basic character required to continue living in the family compound.”

“The comrades from the sub-district office are here now. We will immediately report your situation and today’s behavior truthfully, and let the sub-district office and the security department make the final ruling!”

Hu Lili looked as if she’d been struck by lightning, her face instantly turning pale as a sheet.

She had never imagined that her carefully orchestrated sob story would not only fail to achieve its goal but would also become the final straw that broke her.

“No! Don’t! Director Li, I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! I’m begging you, please give me one more chance…”

Hu Lili was utterly panicked now, her cries turning into genuine howls of despair.

“Please come back to the management office with us for now.”

Director Li waved his hand impatiently, signaling to the two young officers who had come with him.

The two men immediately stepped forward and hauled up the limp, wailing Hu Lili.

The crowd was dead silent. Those who had spoken up for Hu Lili just moments before were now quiet as mice, looking rather sheepish.

Su Tang’s earlier words and Director Li’s handling of the situation made it clear that Hu Lili had brought all of this on herself.

Su Tang was the one in the right, the one being harassed.

Director Li looked at Su Tang, his tone softening slightly. “Comrade Su Tang, I apologize for this disturbance. We will deal with Hu Lili’s case seriously.”

“You did the right thing. We must not tolerate such unreasonable behavior and these attempts to achieve goals through underhanded means.”

Su Tang nodded slightly. “Thank you, Director Li. I appreciate you handling this.”

Director Li then addressed the crowd of onlookers. “Alright, everyone disperse! If you encounter something like this in the future, you need to distinguish right from wrong. Don’t be fooled by appearances, and certainly don’t join in to heckle and apply pressure! Everyone go home!”

The crowd finally dispersed in twos and threes. Many of them now looked at Su Tang with a newfound sense of admiration and awe.

This young lady from Shanghai looked gentle and soft-spoken, but when faced with trouble, she was so clear-headed and principled.

She had deftly defused the crisis with such finesse and completely shaken off the trouble.

’Incredible! Truly incredible.’

Zhang Cui let out a breath of relief and patted Su Tang’s shoulder. “You scared me to death! You’re really something else. You stunned her with just a few words and even got Director Li and the others to come over!”

“This is great. Hu Lili definitely won’t be able to stay now. Hmph, serves her right!”

Su Tang shook her head, a trace of weariness showing. “I just didn’t want to get entangled with her. People like that are nothing but trouble.”

She glanced at the sky, a little frustrated. ’I’ve been held up for so long.’

“I need to get to the hospital.”

“Right, right, you should hurry. Important business comes first.”

Zhang Cui said hurriedly, as if afraid Su Tang might be delayed any further.

Su Tang went back inside, quickly tidied up, and grabbed her bag before walking briskly out of the courtyard.

She hadn’t gone far from the courtyard gate when she bumped into a solid chest.

Su Tang let out a small cry and looked up to see none other than Lu Xiao.

He was in his daily clothes and had obviously just returned, his brow slightly furrowed.

His sharp eyes swept over Su Tang’s slightly messy hair at her temples and her somewhat rushed expression.

“I heard Hu Lili came to cause trouble again. Where is she?”

Lu Xiao’s voice was deep and tinged with tension. His eyes scanned Su Tang up and down, checking to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

“It’s fine. Director Li and the others already took her away.”

Remembering yesterday’s awkwardness, Su Tang spoke quickly and tried to walk around him as soon as she finished.

But Lu Xiao grabbed her by the wrist.

His palm was warm and strong, with faint calluses. Su Tang’s heart skipped a beat for no reason.

“Wait.”

The man’s hawk-like gaze was locked on her, but then he noticed the tips of her ears had quietly turned red.

“Are you really okay? She didn’t touch you?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep