34: Chapter 34 Finding the Hit-and-Run Driver

Jiang Chen had just finished helping Wang Hao take photos of his new car for social media. His fingertips were still resting on the cool leather door handle of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, the car's body reflecting the midday sun with a blinding glare.

The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated urgently, the word "Mother" flashing on the screen.

He stepped aside to avoid Wang Hao, who was still excitedly posing for photos, and walked under the shade of a tree to answer the call. His tone returned to its usual gentleness: "Mom, why are you calling at this time?"

On the other end, his mother's voice was steady and restrained, yet it hid an uncontrollable rage that made Jiang Chen's heart sink instantly.

"Xiao Chen, I have something serious to tell you. Regarding the driver who hit your father and seriously injured him at the county intersection a month ago, the police have finally identified him today. He's at the County Traffic Police Station right now, and I've just been called over by the officers for a confrontation."

Jiang Chen's knuckles tightened abruptly, his fingertips turning slightly white.

A month ago, his father was riding an electric bike to the vegetable market in their hometown county. While passing through an old intersection, he was violently struck by a speeding white sedan.

It resulted in a leg fracture and closed chest contusions on the spot. He was rushed to the hospital for several hours of emergency surgery and diagnosed with serious injuries. He is still bedridden and recovering in the county hospital.

After hitting him, the perpetrator didn't even stop. Instead, they stepped on the gas and fled, disappearing into a surveillance blind spot.

Because the surveillance equipment in their hometown county was outdated and road leads were limited, the police spent an entire month investigating. They searched multiple locations and finally found the hit-and-run driver through checkpoint big data and tire track comparisons.

Their family had lived in the county for decades, honest and law-abiding, never holding grudges against anyone. They thought finding the perpetrator would bring justice, but the reality was far worse than imagined.

His mother took a deep breath and continued, her voice steady but every word clear, each sentence piercing Jiang Chen's heart.

"Your father and I originally thought that once the person was found, we'd follow the law—pay for medical bills and compensation. We aren't trying to extort anyone, but we can't just suffer in silence either. But the result? That man is nothing but a scoundrel."

"The surveillance footage, vehicle collision marks, and witness testimony are all right there, yet he still refuses to admit it and makes all sorts of excuses. He only wants to pay a few thousand yuan to brush it off."

"He even publicly declared that we're just an ordinary family from a small county with no power or influence, and even going to court would be useless. He said if we dare to pursue this further, he'll make life difficult for our family in the county."

Through the receiver, Jiang Chen could vaguely hear the noisy sounds of an argument in the background, along with his father's suppressed coughing.

His mother looked at his father, who was enduring the pain with a grim face. A hint of reliance finally surfaced in her voice, but it was by no means weakness.

"Your father and I have lived in a small county our whole lives and know nothing about the legal processes in big cities. We won't get anywhere by bickering with a scoundrel like this."

"You're studying at university in Jiangcheng and have seen more than we have. Mom wants to ask you, how should we handle this? We absolutely will not accept a private settlement, nor can we let ourselves be bullied and threatened like this. We can't let someone like him get away with it and harm other people."

After listening, the air around Jiang Chen instantly dropped to freezing point. His originally relaxed and casual demeanor vanished, replaced by an intensely suppressed rage in his eyes.

The other party was banking on the fact that his parents were in a small county with no one to turn to, which was why they dared to be so brazen.

A hit-and-run resulting in serious injury, and now that he'd been found, he still dared to be arrogant, provocative, and threatening.

This had completely crossed his line.

Suppressing the anger in his chest, his voice was steady and powerful, providing his parents with the firmest support over the phone.

"Mom, don't waste another word on him, and don't sign any documents or agree to any verbal settlements. Just wait for me safely in the traffic police station's lounge. I'm leaving Jiangcheng right now to head back to our hometown."

"Leave this to me. He committed a hit-and-run, has a terrible attitude, and even threatened you. He's broken the criminal law. I will definitely hold him fully accountable under the law and send him away for good. I won't let this kind of social scum stay out and harm others."

"Alright, Mom understands. Drive slowly and be safe." Hearing her son's unquestionable tone, his mother's tense shoulders finally relaxed.

After hanging up, Jiang Chen's face was terrifyingly cold, and an oppressive aura radiated from him.

Wang Hao, standing not far away, had been holding his phone to find an angle. Seeing Jiang Chen's expression, he immediately tucked his phone away and ran over. "Chenzi, what's wrong? Did something big happen?"

"A month ago, my dad was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in our hometown. The police just found the guy today, but he's being extremely arrogant. He's bullying my parents because they're ordinary people from a small county and is publicly threatening them."

Jiang Chen spoke very quickly, without any hesitation. "I have to get back to the county immediately. I'll go ask the counselor for leave first."

He turned and rushed toward the office building.

In the counselor's office, the counselor, who was originally processing documents, stood up immediately upon seeing Jiang Chen's state.

After hearing Jiang Chen's concise explanation, the counselor didn't say another word and quickly wrote out a leave permit, giving serious instructions while stamping it.

"Family comes first. This kind of malicious case must be handled properly. I'll grant you the maximum leave time. You can make up for the classes when you return. If you need the school to coordinate anything, call me anytime."

With the leave permit in hand, Jiang Chen didn't linger for a second.

The legal resources and professional expertise of lawyers in his hometown county were far inferior to those in Jiangcheng. To ensure the arrogant perpetrator received the punishment he deserved...

He had to hire the top professional lawyer from Jiangcheng who specialized in hit-and-run cases to go with him, ensuring the procedures were rigorous and no leniency was shown.

He immediately dialed the emergency hotline of Jiangcheng's top-ranked law firm and clearly explained the case.

A different county, a hit-and-run resulting in serious injury, refusal to cooperate with compensation, and public threats against the victim's family. There was only one core demand.

Pursue criminal responsibility to the fullest extent of the law. No private settlements or reconciliations of any kind would be accepted. The perpetrator must be brought to justice to prevent him from harming society again.

The law firm took this heinous case very seriously. They responded immediately, stating they would assign a lead lawyer to bring the complete case files and rush to the traffic police station in Jiang Chen's hometown to meet him.

Jiang Chen walked quickly toward the parking spot. Wang Hao immediately followed, his tone firm: "Chenzi, I'm going back to the county with you. An extra person means extra help, and we can take turns resting on the road!"

Jiang Chen nodded without refusing and pressed the car key. The Panamera's lights flashed, and the low rumble of the engine carried a sense of suppressed power.

Just as the car drove out of the main gate of Jiangcheng University, Jiang Chen's phone rang again. It was a brief lawyer profile sent by the law firm.

He casually opened it, and when his eyes fell on the name, he paused slightly.

Lead Lawyer: Lin Wan.

[Jiangcheng University School of Law, intern lead lawyer at the law firm, specializing in hit-and-run criminal cases.]