Chapter 314: Backing

Chapter 314: Having Someone's Back

Ye Xiaoxiao had already realized that Li Deshu’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence.

If she had offended anyone in the capital who was also from Baishi Village, it could only be Hao Yanyan.

Moreover, Hao Yanyan had close connections with Li Deshu.

The thought crossed her mind.

Hearing Yun Chengxiu’s reminder, Ye Xiaoxiao just nodded.

She still asked Zhang Kaining, "What did you want to tell me earlier?"

Zhang Kaining: "Nothing serious, just wanted to discuss the new product development with you."

Zhang Kaining was stunned. Though Xiao Xiao was unharmed, the series of actions taken by Ms. Yun earlier had left him amazed and impressed.

That drunkard had better not be sent by someone else—otherwise, they’d have hell to pay.

The driver, Xiao Li, came back right away.

Then Yun Chengxiu left with Xiao Xiao.

Manager Ma was helping the cops investigate in front of Rende Pharmacy.

However, Manager Ma also had no idea the tractor had intended to hit Ye Xiaoxiao and just answered their questions.

Before leaving, Ye Xiaoxiao got more of her health tonic and reminded Zhang Kaining, "Don’t tell Master about today’s incident. If it slips out, it’s your fault."

Zhang Kaining: "But such a big matter… Shouldn’t we inform Mr. Song?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "We can tell him after the investigation is complete."

Zhang Kaining: "Then I’ll keep tabs on the police investigation. Is there anything I can help look into?"

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. Having Zhang Kaining involved might tip them off.

"Then be careful on your way back."

Zhang Kaining walked them out.

Recalling the state of the tractor, it was clearly a deliberate hit. Whether the driver was genuinely drunk was questionable.

...

Yun Chengxiu took Ye Xiaoxiao home, stuck to happy topics at the dinner table, and kept the accident from the elderly couple.

The grandparents were thrilled to see Xiao Xiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao told them about her place and invited them to visit when they had time.

"I’ll definitely go take a look," Grandma Lu chimed in excitedly.

After dinner, Yun Chengxiu said to her parents-in-law, "Mom, Dad, let Xiao Xiao turn in early tonight. You can catch up more tomorrow."

Grandma Lu: "Xiao Xiao’s spending the night? Wonderful! I’ll show you to your room upstairs."

Old Mrs. Lu took Ye Xiaoxiao upstairs after nodding at Yun Chengxiu.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao and the old lady leave, Grandpa Lu stayed in the tea room drinking tea. Yun Chengxiu put away her smile, picked up the living room phone, and dialed a number.

Old Mrs. Lu directly led Ye Xiaoxiao to Hanchuan’s room.

"This is Hanchuan’s room. He usually doesn’t let anyone in and cleans it himself. A few days ago, after hearing that you two registered your marriage, I had it cleaned again. From now on, you’ll sleep here when you come home."

Old Mrs. Lu’s tone carried a mix of mock annoyance and doting when mentioning her grandson.

Ye Xiaoxiao noticed many model cars/planes on Lu Hanchuan’s desk, likely toys from his childhood.

"Got it, Grandma. I understand. You should rest early too."

Old Mrs. Lu: "You get some rest now, Xiao Xiao. What would you like for breakfast tomorrow?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Just a normal breakfast is fine for me. I’m not picky."

Old Mrs. Lu: "Good. You must try the housekeeper’s homemade youtiao—they’re delicious."

After walking Grandma Lu out, Ye Xiaoxiao casually picked up a book from Lu Hanchuan’s desk to read, waiting until her usual bedtime before going to sleep.

City Police Headquarters, 10 p.m.

Li Deshu was sober now, but he remained in a daze, barely responsive during questioning.

The police had already investigated and found that Li Deshu had a history of mental illness. He had been receiving treatment at Crescent Mountain Psychiatric Hospital and had escaped just a few days prior.

"Don’t tell me Li Deshu escaped from the psychiatric hospital on his own," Lu Hanchuan said, sitting in the bureau chief’s office and leisurely reviewing Li Deshu’s confession.

After receiving the news, he didn’t go home but came straight to the police station.

It was Yun Chengxiu who had notified Lu Hanchuan.

She understood her son’s temperament well—it was better to inform him early while things were still under control. If he found out later, there was no telling what might happen.

Chief Wang was under immense pressure. Before Lu Hanchuan arrived, Yun Chengxiu had already pressured him.

Even if Lu Hanchuan hadn’t come, this matter would have required utmost attention.

The person nearly hit was the daughter-in-law of the Yun and Lu families, as well as the newlywed wife of this young lieutenant colonel sitting before him.

If this wasn’t handled properly, his job as chief would be on the line.

Ignoring the sarcasm in the other’s tone, Chief Wang continued, "Li Deshu was admitted to Crescent Mountain Psychiatric Hospital three years ago. During his treatment, no one visited him until a few days ago when two men in a car came to pick him up."

"Men or women?" Lu Hanchuan asked directly.

"Two men."

With no surveillance footage available, they could only rely on descriptions from the psychiatric hospital nurses to create suspect sketches and proceed with arrests.

Lu Hanchuan found this answer lacking.

He knew Li Deshu—from Baishi Village. In the past, Li had had a thing for Xiaoxiao and caused trouble for Ye Changsheng. But these minor grudges shouldn’t have escalated into hatred.

Li Deshu was mentally unstable, so there was no use questioning him.

Lu Hanchuan: "Investigate how this person got to the capital. Everyone who had contact with him must be considered as potential suspects, including that tractor of unknown origin..."

Lu Hanchuan's appearance at the police station was merely to make his position clear—he had already sent his own people to investigate Li Deshu.

Someone had been covering his expenses at the mental hospital all these years.

His sudden escape from the institution, coupled with driving a tractor of unknown origin, clearly indicated someone was calling the shots behind the scenes.

The director now understood this case couldn’t simply be written off as a DUI.

"That tractor belonged to an old farmer from the rural area. Li Deshu drove it away while the owner was buying seeds at a store."

"Comrade Lu, don't worry, we’ll see this through."

Lu Hanchuan finally gave Director Wang a curt nod before standing up to leave, ready to head home.

Meanwhile, Director Wang, glad to see him leave, had no choice but to return to the investigation.

"Whoever is behind this mess better pray I don’t find out. Once caught, they’ll get the book thrown at them."

...

Lu Hanchuan got into the car, and the man in the driver’s seat immediately reported, "Brother Lu, the two men who picked up Li Deshu from the mental hospital have been caught. They’re hired muscle, working for a third party."

Lu Hanchuan replied coldly, "Break their legs and turn them in."

The man didn’t hesitate. "Understood."

By the time Lu Hanchuan arrived home, it was past eleven. The house was dark, so he let himself in quietly.

He eased the bedroom door open.

But the moment he entered, Ye Xiaoxiao woke up and clicked on the bedside lamp.

"You’re back?"