36: Chapter 36 The Dust Settles

Jiang Chen's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an all-crushing sense of pressure. Every word he spoke was as cold as ice tempered in the depths of winter.

"You bullied my parents because they are common folk from a small county town with no power or influence, thinking they'd be easy targets, didn't you?"

Seeing this, the two police officers on the case immediately stepped forward and shouted sternly, "Zhang Biao! This is the Traffic Police Department, don't you dare act out!"

The two officers had long harbored deep resentment toward Zhang Biao's usual arrogance and overbearing behavior.

Previously, they lacked a professional lawyer to push the process forward and had insufficient evidence. Now that Jiang Chen held complete and irrefutable proof, they no longer tolerated him and enforced the law impartially.

Zhang Biao's body trembled from the pain of the grip, his arrogance instantly vanishing. He finally lost his composure completely, collapsing and desperately begging for mercy.

"I was wrong! I'll pay! I'll pay double, even triple! Please, don't file a case! Don't let me go to jail!"

"You're not afraid; you just know you're finished!"

Jiang Chen let go, and Zhang Biao slumped to the ground like a puddle of mud, looking utterly pathetic, with not a hint of his former overbearing manner left.

Jiang Chen looked down at him from above, his dark eyes showing no ripple of emotion, cold to the point of being heartless.

"When you hit someone and fled, you weren't afraid. When my father was lying in the hospital being resuscitated, you weren't afraid. When you threatened and insulted my parents, you weren't afraid either."

He paused, his voice cold and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

"It's too late."

Jiang Chen turned to look at the two officers, his tone firm, clear, and powerful.

"Officers, we do not accept any mediation or private settlement. We request that a criminal case for the crime of causing a traffic accident be filed immediately, and that Zhang Biao's full criminal liability be pursued strictly according to the law."

Lin Wan immediately handed over the neatly organized evidence and audio backups with efficient and capable movements.

This was her second meeting with Jiang Chen.

Every time they met, Jiang Chen gave her a completely different feeling, much like opening a blind box.

She had seen too many clients who weighed pros and cons or made compromises, but she had never seen anyone like Jiang Chen—so powerful that he wouldn't tolerate a single concession, yet extremely gentle and incredibly firm.

Without waiting for Jiang Chen to speak, Lin Wan took out her phone and gently presented her QR code to him, her voice steady and soft.

"Mr. Jiang, there will be frequent communication regarding the case follow-up. Let me add you on WeChat so I can sync the progress with you at any time."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, took out his phone, and scanned the code to add her.

Lin Wan looked at the simple profile picture newly added to her contact list, and a small ripple stirred in the lake of her heart.

Beneath her calm and rational exterior, a trace of imperceptible admiration and attraction was quietly spreading.

"Officers, this is the complete chain of evidence, including recordings of the other party threatening and intimidating the family. It has already been backed up and archived."

The officer took the materials, flipped through them carefully, and nodded solemnly. "The evidence is sufficient and fully meets the criteria for filing a case. We will initiate the criminal case procedure immediately."

Only then did Zhang Biao's face turn ashen as he collapsed completely on the floor, no longer able to act arrogant.

He never would have dreamed that the elderly county couple he thought were easy to manipulate and powerless would have a son who was so ruthless, decisive, held irrefutable evidence, and wouldn't yield an inch.

Jiang Chen turned back to his parents and gently took his mother's slightly trembling hand.

He then gave his father's shoulder a steady pat, his voice instantly shedding all its coldness to become warm and supportive.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry. The law will give him the most just punishment. From now on, no one will dare to bully you again."

Looking at her son's tall and reliable back, the grievances and anxieties Liu Mei had accumulated for days finally burst forth. Tears couldn't help but roll down, but this time, they were tears of relief and a heart full of peace.

In this small city, she had been honest and dutiful her whole life. Now that her son had grown up, there was finally someone to firmly stand up for her.

Wang Hao stood to the side, his blood boiling with excitement. His gaze swept back and forth between Jiang Chen and Lin Wan, and a playful smile couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth.

He thought to himself: Chenzi, your luck with women is impossible to hide. These two really seem to have a connection; there's definitely something there!

Lin Wan slowly closed her briefcase, her gaze falling on the side of Jiang Chen's face as he tenderly protected his parents. The touch of emotion in her heart became increasingly clear.

The police quickly finished the filing process. An assistant officer led the soulless, ashen-faced Zhang Biao out of the processing room, and the tense atmosphere in the traffic police station finally began to dissipate.

The subsequent judicial procedures moved quickly. Because Zhang Biao had caused serious injury in a traffic accident and there were aggravating circumstances such as fleeing the scene and intimidating the victim's family,

the evidence was conclusive and his attitude toward admitting guilt was extremely poor. The court ultimately sentenced him to three years and six months in prison according to the law.

He was also ordered to bear all medical, nursing, lost wages, and mental anguish compensation for Jiang Chen's father.

The vehicles under his name were seized and liquidated to cover the compensation, and his employer fired him directly due to his criminal conviction.

His life was completely ruined, and he paid a heavy price for his arrogance.

After confirming his parents were fine, Jiang Chen looked at Lin Wan and spoke with a sincere expression, "Lawyer Lin, thank you for your hard work today. I've booked a restaurant for tonight; let's have a simple meal together to settle our nerves."

Lin Wan smiled slightly and nodded gently. "Alright, thank you for the invitation, Mr. Jiang."

As the group walked out of the traffic police station, Jiang Chen's car was parked quietly at the entrance. Its lines were steady and grand, low-key yet unable to hide its luxurious quality. Even just sitting there, it exuded immense value.

Liu Mei was stunned on the spot. She grabbed Father Jiang's hand and whispered in shock, "Old Jiang, look at Chenzi's car... this is too magnificent. It must cost two or three hundred thousand, right?"

Wang Hao burst out laughing upon hearing this and immediately spilled the beans. "Auntie Liu, you're looking down on Chenzi too much! This car cost a full three million to get on the road! You'd be hard-pressed to find a second one in all of Jiangcheng!"

"He even bought a luxury flat in a prime location in Jiangcheng. He has both the car and the house now; he's truly a successful young man! You and Uncle can just look forward to enjoying life now."

"Three... three million?!"

Liu Mei's legs went slightly weak, and Father Jiang's eyes widened. The two looked at each other, both rendered speechless by this astronomical figure.

They had worked diligently in their small county town their whole lives. The most expensive car they had ever seen was only two or three hundred thousand. A three-million-dollar car was simply beyond their imagination.

"Xiao... Xiao Chen, did you really buy this?"

Liu Mei grabbed her son's hand, her voice trembling.

"Yes, I just bought it not long ago."

Jiang Chen's tone was flat, as if he were talking about a perfectly ordinary trifle.

The old couple was dazed for a good while before recovering from the massive shock. Immediately after, their faces were filled with uncontrollable joy and pride, their smiles so wide they couldn't close their mouths.

Not only was their son capable of standing up for them, but he had also done so well for himself. Their lifelong wish for hard work to pay off could be considered fulfilled.

The group got into the car and arrived at a local traditional private kitchen. The private room was warm and elegant, with soft yellow light spilling over the space.

Jiang Chen had specially ordered a table of authentic county specialties in advance—all flavors of home that were hard to find while working away.

Firewood-stewed native chicken, fresh river seafood, handmade rice cakes, traditional steamed cured meats, and stir-fried local wild vegetables.

Every dish had the unique flavor of the county town, something large city restaurants simply couldn't replicate.

The aroma of the food was mouth-watering, full of the warmth of home and everyday life.