Right then, a patrol car happened to arrive. Its headlights flooded the pitch-dark villa with glare. People shielded their eyes as six officers climbed out. Seeing Zhang Fuqiang foaming at the mouth, they asked, "What happened to him?"
Before long, Zhang Fuqiang collapsed to the ground. Niu Mou immediately supported Zhang Fuqiang, wearing a look of deep concern.
"This looks like either heatstroke or an epileptic seizure. We should get him to the hospital first."
Niu Mou pinched the philtrum, slapped the cheeks, then performed textbook CPR.
If not for the fact that he slapped Zhang Fuqiang's face bright red, Jing Shu would have thought Niu Mou was Zhang Fuqiang's son, he was that attentive.
The new arrivals hesitated. "But the orders from above…"
"Is your superior's life more important, or the task?"
"Fine, we will take him to the hospital first. Move!" Xiao Zhang gritted his teeth. He feared Zhang Fuqiang might die en route and he would take the blame, but if they did not send him, the consequences would be worse.
They carried Zhang Fuqiang into the car and left. Su Guosheng stood there, stunned. After a while, a sense of wrongness crept up on him. How could things be this coincidental?
Yesterday, Su Meimei had been stung by bees for no reason and was still in the hospital. It had taken great effort to acquire a little disinfectant. Today, how did the old classmate end up like this?
Once the crowd dispersed, Niu Mou smiled at Su Guosheng. "Do you have any further instructions?"
Su Guosheng jabbed a finger at Su Lanzhi, as if hating iron for not becoming steel. "Your father raised trash like you. Disgrace!" He turned, got in the car, and drove off. He regretted not pressing harder against Su Lanzhi while people were still here.
People always think of better comebacks after an argument, vowing that next time they will perform perfectly.
Jing Shu narrowed her eyes and quietly slipped a dozen non-poisonous bees into the car, hoping to give him a surprise close to home. It was not that Jing Shu refused to send the old man to the afterlife, but if both men were poisoned and it was discovered, the risk would be too great. These were not nobodies. They were important figures. If the symptoms differed, the villa would not be implicated.
Of course, Jing Shu also hid a few bees soaked in nux-vomica on Zhang Fuqiang's clothes. Sending him off at the villa gate would not look good. Dying on the road would make everyone happy. Xiao Zhang had shown up at just the right time, practically coming to carry the blame.
As for the bees that had stung people, Jing Shu gave them solemn burials… as if. Xiao Dou ate every last one, which restored Xiao Dou's appetite.
Right. In a hive there is a queen, drones, and workers. Only the workers and the queen have stingers, but a worker's stinger is connected to its internal organs. Once the stinger comes out, the organs tear free and the worker dies quickly.
Jing Shu's bees were consumables. Fortunately, their reproduction rate was high, and the bees inside the Cube Space did not die, so supply kept up with demand.
That afternoon, word came from Niu Mou that Zhang Fuqiang had died in the car. The cause was listed as heatstroke during official duties in a community. Before further examination, Xiao Zhang, the subordinate in Zhang Fuqiang's own report, had already taken over and handled the matter.
The news of Zhang Fuqiang's death spread quickly. The announcement warned everyone to stay indoors in the heat and not to imitate Zhang Fuqiang's hands-on style that led to heatstroke. It said he had sacrificed himself for Wu City. A small memorial service was held, and the family received a batch of grain. Red-and-white affairs, a bittersweet ending.
The next day there were even interviews. Facing the camera, Jing Shu had to say a few words. "Director Zhang kindly asked about our situation and set a good example for us. He made us believe in the authorities, believe the artificial sun will succeed, and that all difficulties will pass. He was a good man…"
Jing Shu's clip appeared in Wu City's major news on June 22, 2023. Wang Qiqi even posted it in the group.
But the chat felt eerie.
On the day Zhang Fuqiang passed, Su Meimei, as the community's Consolation and Counseling Specialist, had sent a slurred voice message: "Director Zhang will bring people today to bring that villa family that is lining their pockets to justice. Then you will know whether the one who harmed five residents of the community was her.
Before 18:00, everyone must report to me by voice and describe what you did today. Late reports will not be accepted."
Forced by the situation, many began reporting honestly to the specialist.
Some thought the villa was doomed.
Others were gloating.
And the result?
People did not know whether Jing Shu had harmed the five residents, but when the report came out the next day, everyone's jaws dropped. It was nothing like they imagined.
"Wasn't Zhang Fuqiang going to make arrests? How did it become heatstroke? Even with heatstroke, you can save someone. How did he suddenly die? What happened here?"
Then they remembered how Jing Shu had praised Zhang Fuqiang so effusively. Everyone shivered.
The man who went to arrest people died, while the family to be arrested was untouched and even praised him. If there were no tricks behind this, no one would believe it.
The villa family had a background. Do not provoke them. Do not provoke them.
Most crucially, the next day Su Meimei said nothing at all in the group.
Wang Cuihua sent a voice message. "Well, are we reporting today or what? Why so quiet?"
Su Meimei still did not respond.
A few days later, Wang Qiqi removed Su Meimei from the group. Many asked what happened. Hadn't she been strutting around before? Why go silent the moment the leader died?
[Wang Qiqi]: "@Everyone, introducing our community's new Consolation and Counseling Specialist. From now on, she will handle all community affairs. @Wu You'ai, Building No. 25."
"Wait, she is from our community too? She never talks. Who chose the specialist?"
"Yeah, can just anyone be appointed? Do we not need to agree?"
[Wang Qiqi]:"She was appointed from above. I am sending the new rules now. The Consolation and Counseling Specialist has the authority to record directly. Once recorded, you will be blacklisted by major supermarkets and unable to buy water or food."
Those asking about consent fell silent at once.
[Wu You'ai, Building No. 25]:"Hello everyone. @Xiao Shu, Villa Area is my sister. I heard some of you think the culprit is her. I am here to clarify. She is not the killer. She was there to save people. She assisted the relevant personnel in making arrests and helped capture several criminals. She was awarded 300 virtual coins. The official document has been issued."
A picture was posted in the group.
"Previously, Su Meimei maliciously speculated and spread rumors. Su Meimei has now been dismissed and will never again be employed by the authorities. Please approach issues rationally."