Yi Zhonghai stood frozen in place, his mouth hanging open. The speech he had rehearsed over and over in his mind, intended to exonerate Mrs. Jia, was now caught in his throat as if gripped by an invisible hand. His face flushed between pale and red, his eyes filled with frustration and rage. By now, any sympathy or desire to protect Mrs. Jia had evaporated, replaced only by resentment toward this "fool." Her greed for a mere bite of food had spiraled into an uncontrollable catastrophe. In Yi Zhonghai's view, her behavior was utter stupidity; she deserved to suffer and learn a hard lesson.
However, his primary concern was not Mrs. Jia’s fate, but what would happen to him once the Neighborhood Office found out. He knew well that he had maintained his so-called order in the courtyard over the years through various underhanded tactics—secrets that absolutely must not reach the authorities. Now that the matter had escalated to the Police Station and alerted the Neighborhood Office, his position as the committee head was in jeopardy.
"No, I must get back and discuss this with the Deaf Old Lady. This cannot affect my position as committee head; it is too important to lose!" Yi Zhonghai shouted in his mind, a flash of determination in his eyes. He didn't even glance at Shazhu and Jia Dongxu, turning abruptly and hurrying toward the exit of the Police Station.
Chapter 25