A Divine Farmer

Chapter 160

Chapter 160 - This Is Very Troublesome!

Without a second thought, Zhang Xiaolong fired up his Land Rover and headed straight for Yishui.

As Liu Juan had mentioned, he too found it hard to believe that Wang Zongming could be a murderer. Wang Zongming wasn't impulsive. Even when he knew Wang Changyu was setting him up, he kept his cool, looking for ways to rectify his past mistakes rather than resorting to any drastic measures. It didn't make sense for someone like him to commit murder.

Moreover, considering his successful ventures in Qingyang City, it was clear that Wang Zongming wasn't lacking in funds. What could possibly drive such a financially secure and level-headed man to kill?

These were questions Zhang Xiaolong couldn't answer on his own; he would have to wait until he met Liu Juan for a detailed discussion.

The Land Rover sped along, giving Zhang Xiaolong the sensation of flying. Though not as powerful as Wang Zongming's custom ride, in Zhang Xiaolong's hands, the SUV seemed to soar. He wondered just how many speeding tickets he might rack up along the way.

By the time he reached Yishui, it was well past four in the afternoon. Following the directions provided by Liu Juan, he quickly located a woman who was visibly distressed.

After a brief phone call, she picked up immediately.

Approaching her, Zhang Xiaolong introduced himself, “I'm Zhang Xiaolong. You must be Liu Juan?”

The woman, in her twenties with delicate features, looked worn out, likely from lack of sleep.

“Yes, that's me,” Liu Juan responded with palpable relief upon seeing Zhang Xiaolong. “I'm so glad you're here. No one from the Wang family is willing to lend a hand, and they've even frozen both Zongming's and my bank accounts. I'm at a loss for what to do. I've called his old friends, and not one is willing to help. I found your number on a note he had saved…”

Her voice trailed off as she fought back tears.

Marrying into wealth, she had been accustomed to a life of opulence at Fugui's house. Yet, she never imagined that when her husband needed help, she would find herself utterly alone.

Had Wang Zongming not spoken of Zhang Xiaolong, she would have been completely without recourse.

“Don't rush. This isn't the place for such discussions. Let's find somewhere quiet to talk,” Zhang Xiaolong suggested, noticing that Liu Juan was visibly exhausted. It was clear she hadn't slept well, and probably hadn't had a proper meal either.

They settled into a nearby restaurant and ordered some food. True to Zhang Xiaolong's observation, Liu Juan was famished. She ate quickly, and only then did she begin to recount the events.

The story was straightforward, yet it left Zhang Xiaolong realizing they were facing a monumental problem.

The crime itself was captured clearly on camera: Wang Zongming was seen holding a gun and then collapsing. His fingerprints were the only ones on the weapon. At the same intersection, a young woman, later identified as Su Mei, was struck in the head by a bullet from that gun and lay in a pool of blood.

Although there was no footage of Wang Zongming actually firing the gun, the sequence of events strongly implicated him. Without new evidence, the murder charge would undoubtedly stick.

But the complications didn't stop there. The victim, Su Mei, was no ordinary person. Despite Wang Zongming's grandfather being the wealthiest man in Yishui, the Su family wielded even greater influence.

Su Mei, the sole heir to the Su family, had always been cherished as their most precious jewel. Now that she had been shot, it was unthinkable that the Su family would let the matter rest.

Perhaps it was this overwhelming pressure that led the Wang family to adopt a hands-off approach, offering no assistance and instead cutting off all of Liu Juan's options.

“Hold on, are you saying that Su Mei might still be alive?” Zhang Xiaolong interjected, picking up on a crucial detail in Liu Juan's narrative.

Liu Juan shook her head in despair, “It's hopeless. I've found out that the bullet hit Su Mei in a very critical area. There's no one capable of performing the necessary surgery. The doctors have said she won't survive the night, and there's little to be done in the meantime.”

“Do you know which hospital and ward Su Mei is in?” Zhang Xiaolong asked urgently, seizing on the slim hope that she was still alive.

“I'm not quite sure what to do. What are you suggesting?” Liu Juan inquired with a hint of curiosity.

“Given our belief that Mr. Wang is innocent, once Liu Juan regains consciousness, she can clarify the entire situation. Moreover, this could lead to the real culprit being brought to justice,” explained Zhang Xiaolong.

“But how could that happen? You've already said that Su Mei's condition is beyond treatment. If there were even a slim chance of recovery, the Su family wouldn't just stand by and let the hospital do nothing. Their inaction suggests they're simply waiting for the inevitable, which means Su Mei is beyond help and certainly won't wake up to exonerate Zongming,” Liu Juan responded, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Truth be told, Liu Juan wasn't well-acquainted with Zhang Xiaolong; she had only heard about him from her husband recently. Desperate for assistance, she had turned to Zhang Xiaolong as a last resort.

Out of all her friends, Zhang Xiaolong was the only one who had immediately come to her aid. She was thankful, yet upon meeting him, she realized he wasn't a person of great influence and doubted how much he could actually help.

Zhang Xiaolong perceived her skepticism but chose not to elaborate. Instead, he simply requested the hospital's address.

“We should divide and conquer,” he suggested after a moment's thought. “You go find a lawyer. Money is no object, as long as they're willing to defend Mr. Wang. My concern is that with the Wang family's reluctance to get involved and the Su family as our adversary, it might be difficult to find a lawyer brave enough to take the case.”

Liu Juan recognized the gravity of the situation but knew they had to try, or else all hope would be lost. “And what will you do? You mustn't go to the hospital. Besides, the Su family is surely guarding Su Mei, and they won't let anyone near her.”

“Okay, I'll come up with another plan. For now, let's not panic. Things haven't reached their worst point,” Zhang Xiaolong reassured her.

The issue would indeed be grave if Su Mei had already passed away. However, her being alive meant there was still a glimmer of hope.

Upon hearing that Zhang Xiaolong wouldn't act rashly, Liu Juan's worries subsided. He had come to assist her husband, contributing both financially and physically. She knew that if any further issues arose, her anxiety would only deepen.

While Liu Juan sought legal counsel, Zhang Xiaolong made his way to the hospital where Su Mei was receiving care. Upon arrival, he noticed police officers coming and going, and it dawned on him that Su Mei's protection extended beyond her family members. Given that she was a gunshot victim, it made sense that the police were also there to ensure her safety.

Unsure of Su Mei's exact room, Zhang Xiaolong couldn't head directly to her, so he approached the nurse's station instead.

“Good day, Nurse,” greeted Zhang Xiaolong with a friendly smile. “A friend of mine has been injured and is in the intensive care unit. Could you please tell me where to find it?”

The young nurse looked up and was momentarily taken aback by the charming man before her, his presence as comforting as the sun's warm rays, causing her to blush.

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