Đinh Trường Sinh and Trương Cường were a step too late.
Not only was Vương Lão Hổ not at home, but the houses of Lưu Ma Tử and Trần Tiêu Tử were also empty. This further confirmed that Vương Lão Hổ was the one who set the fire.
"Chief, what do we do now? The election is tomorrow."
“There’s nothing we can do. The higher-ups definitely won’t agree to postpone the election.” Hoắc Lữ Mậu sounded discouraged. He had a good relationship with Lý Kiến Thiết, and this incident made him feel a deep sense of regret. Without it, Lý Kiến Thiết would surely have been elected village chief.
“Attacking the root of the problem… that’s a vicious move,” Đinh Trường Sinh muttered.
“What did you say? What do you mean?” Hoắc Lữ Mậu turned to look at him.
“Chief, what if Vương Lão Hổ wasn’t acting alone? What if someone else is behind this?”
“Why do you think that? You’re the one who said Vương Lão Hổ was the prime suspect.”
“Yes, that’s what I heard from Lý Phượng Ni. But there’s something we haven’t considered—who benefits the most from this fire? I remember that book you gave me mentioned a term called ‘motive.’ So what’s the motive behind this fire? Who stands to gain from it?”
Hoắc Lữ Mậu immediately perked up. “You think it’s related to the election?”
“Very likely. Without Lý Kiến Thiết in the race, who becomes the most likely candidate? That person would have the greatest motive, right, Chief?”
“Well then, this case just got interesting. We’ll see after the election tomorrow. Nhị Cẩu, Lý Kiến Thiết is a good man. Keep a close eye on this. We need to find out who’s behind it and give him some justice.”
“Yes, Chief, I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to visit Mr. Lý in the hospital.” Đinh Trường Sinh spoke with sincerity, but Hoắc Lữ Mậu smiled inwardly—was this kid starting to take an interest in Vương Lão Hổ’s wife?
“Alright then, I’ll ask the fire truck to give you a lift to the city. They’re probably at the city hospital by now,” Hoắc Lữ Mậu agreed readily.
Đinh Trường Sinh stood outside the door, looking into the hospital room. Inside, a woman stood with her right arm bandaged and suspended in a sling. A man lay on the bed, his condition far worse—his entire body wrapped in gauze like a mummy.
Instead of entering, he went straight to the doctor’s station. “Doctor, excuse me, I have a question.”
“Oh? Which patient are you here for?”
“My uncle was brought in tonight with burns. I want to know—can he be cured?”
“That’s hard to say. The conditions here aren’t great, as you can see. For such severe burns, the patient should be treated in a sterile room. But our hospital doesn’t have one. The risk of infection is very high.”
“Which hospital has the best burn treatment?”
“Of course, the provincial burn center in Jiangdu, the provincial capital. That’s the best hospital in Jiangsu.”
“Can my uncle be transferred there immediately?”
“If you hire a good ambulance with a doctor and nurse on board, it should be possible.”
“Great! Doctor, please help me contact the hospital and arrange an ambulance as soon as possible. I’ll pay whatever it costs, just make it fast. Money is not an issue,” Đinh Trường Sinh said urgently.
“Nhị Cẩu, why are you here? What… what are you trying to do?” Lý Phượng Ni, her arm in a sling, opened the door to find Đinh Trường Sinh and several medical staff standing behind him.
“Sister Phượng Ni, the conditions here are terrible. Let’s go to the city. This is all my fault—I caused this disaster, and I’ll take full responsibility. Don’t worry about anything.”
“What are you saying? This has nothing to do with you. Besides, we don’t have the money for treatment in the city.” Lý Phượng Ni pulled him aside and whispered.
“Sister Phượng Ni, even if we can’t be sure it was Vương Lão Hổ, I still feel responsible. Please listen to me, or I’ll regret it forever. Mr. Lý must be treated properly. Just look at this place—it’s not suitable at all. Only in the city can he be treated in a sterile environment. We need to go. Right now.”
Just then, doctors and nurses wheeled out Lý Kiến Thiết. Seeing her father wrapped tightly in bandages, Lý Phượng Ni’s heart ached. She said nothing more.
“Sister Phượng Ni, don’t worry. Money isn’t a problem. I have money. Trust me,” Đinh Trường Sinh said, standing tall and patting his chest.
Seeing his determined expression, a strange feeling welled up in Lý Phượng Ni’s heart. In her darkest hour, she never expected it would be this young man who stood by her side. She recalled that morning when he pinned her down and kissed her—her face flushed.
As expected, money can even command the devil. The ambulance rental, with a doctor on board, cost 3,000 yuan for less than 100 kilometers—a hefty sum for most, but nothing to Đinh Trường Sinh. He paid immediately and brought both Lý Kiến Thiết and Lý Phượng Ni to the affiliated hospital of Jiangdu University, home to the province’s best burn treatment center.
Upon arrival, he had to deposit 20,000 yuan upfront before they transferred Lý Kiến Thiết to a sterile room with 24-hour nurse care—far better than a noisy shared ward.
“How much did all this cost?” After everything was arranged, Đinh Trường Sinh handed Lý Phượng Ni a glass of water, and she finally asked.
“Sister Phượng Ni, I told you—money is no issue. I have it. Just focus on recovering. Mr. Lý is in good hands, no need to worry.”
“Look at you, your hair’s soaked with sweat. It’s so late—go get some rest. I need to rest too. I’m exhausted.” She reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and his heart warmed.
What could he say—Điền Ngạc Như was like a wild animal, always hungry for intimacy, never satisfied, as if he were a bottomless well she needed to drain. There was no concept of restraint in her world.
But Lý Phượng Ni was different. She reminded him more of his mother—capable, grounded, and practical. Every time he saw her, she made him feel warm inside. He thought, maybe one day he’d want a wife like her. But besides Lý Phượng Ni, he hadn’t met anyone else suitable.
“No need, Sister Phượng Ni. Get some rest. I’ll go check on Mr. Lý.” He gently helped her lie down, pulled up the blanket, dimmed the light, and stepped outside.
Outside the ward, his nose tingled. When helping her lie down, he had accidentally caught a glimpse of her bra. With most women, he might have reacted—after all, he was a young, healthy man. But what surprised him was that her bra was old and torn. The daughter of a village chief, and yet she was this poor? It was hard to believe.
He stood outside the sterile room and looked through the glass. Inside, medical staff were tending to Lý Kiến Thiết. Only then did he feel at ease and left the hospital. By now, the sky was already lightening. It was his first time in the city, and everything felt new.
On the wide road, cars zoomed by. Occasionally, a screech of brakes was followed by a driver’s curse. But he just smiled. This wasn’t his world. Here, he had to be humble.
Looking up, he saw Walmart—the place he had seen on TV. He knew things there were cheap, so he stood outside waiting for it to open. A group of elderly people had already gathered outside, and he wondered why so many seniors came so early.
He lit a cigarette, savoring the smoke.
“Young man, don’t smoke here—you’ll get fined. Look, there’s a security camera. You won’t get away,” an old man beside him warned.
“Oh, really?” Đinh Trường Sinh quickly put out the cigarette and tossed it in the trash.
Seeing how obedient he was, the old man brightened.
“Young man, you’re not from around here, are you?”
“Yes, sir. How did you know?”
“Smoking has been banned here for a long time. If you were local, you’d know. From your accent, I’d guess you’re from Hải Dương, right?”
“Wow, you’re good! I’m from Lâm Sơn Town. Have you been there?”
“What? Did you say Lâm Sơn factory area? Then you must know Lô Gia Lĩnh village?”
“Of course! I was on night duty there just last night.”
“Oh, then you must be a police officer?”
“Sort of—I’m a temporary contract worker with the police unit.”
“I knew it! You sound familiar. I did my military service in Lô Gia Lĩnh, spent six years there. Still have a lot of fond memories. Feels like it was just yesterday.”
“You should go back sometime, sir. It’s changed a lot.”
“Yes, yes…”
“Hurry! They’ve opened the doors!” someone suddenly shouted, and the elderly crowd surged forward.
“What’s everyone rushing for?” Đinh Trường Sinh asked.
“Eggs! They’re cheaper in the morning. Gotta hurry or they’ll run out!” the old man said, hurrying inside.