Hu Liangzhe made a call to the director of a provincial department in Sichuan, who was in charge of all police forces.
He wouldn't call his father about such a disgraceful matter. Calling Director Gong was already involving the highest-ranking official he could.
"What happened to Liangzhe? Who hit you?" Director Gong frowned upon hearing the news.
"Secretary Hu's son was beaten?"
"This is too lawless."
"First of all, regardless of who is right or wrong, hitting someone is wrong."
"A driver, I don't know him. I was with Qu Jun, and several of us were beaten," Hu Liangzhe said.
Director Gong's scalp went numb. This was suicidal; beating the son of Vice Governor Qu as well was like poking a hornet's nest.
"Where are you? I'll send people over immediately." Director Gong didn't ask further, intending to dispatch personnel first.
"Yalong Bay Clubhouse," Hu Liangzhe stated his location.
"Don't act rashly. Avoid further harm. I'll send people over right away," Director Gong advised.
"Okay," Hu Liangzhe responded.
After they hung up, Director Gong immediately called the director of the nearest local police station, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The station director was terrified. The sons of Secretary Hu and Vice Governor Qu had been beaten in his jurisdiction, and he was responsible no matter what.
The director dared not delay, rushing to Yalong Bay Clubhouse with his men.
Qu Jun watched Hu Liangzhe make the call and decided not to make one himself, waiting for people to arrive before saying anything.
Since they couldn't fight back and threats were useless, they could only endure and wait.
After being helped out by Zhou Lu, Peng Gaojie saw that Zhou Gangyi, Xia Lin, and Liu Jingru were still there, sitting on sofas in the lobby.
Their indifferent expressions puzzled Peng Gaojie.
Coupled with his uncle's respect for Liu Jingru earlier that day, he felt something was amiss and decided he had to inform his uncle.
Peng Gaojie asked Zhou Lu to bring over a chair, sat far away, and took out his phone to dial his uncle Peng Gui.
When the call connected, Peng Gaojie directly said, "Uncle, something might have happened."
"What is it?" Peng Gui asked.
"Today, Zhou Lu invited her cousin Liu Jingru over for dinner. Liu Jingru also brought a girl and a man. That man seemed to be her driver. This person had a conflict with Hu Liangzhe and Qu Jun, and then that driver beat them all."
Peng Gaojie recounted the situation simply, not even daring to mention that he himself had been beaten.
Peng Gaojie's brief description, however, terrified Peng Gui.
"It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?"
"Then this is a really big problem."
"What's the girl's name?" Peng Gui's voice became hoarse, agitated by fear.
Peng Gaojie didn't notice Peng Gui's tone. "I don't know her name. I didn't get a chance to ask. They had a conflict as soon as they entered the private room."
"Then tell me what she looks like," Peng Gui urged.
"They are in the lobby now. I'll take a photo and send it to you," Peng Gaojie said.
"Quickly," Peng Gui said and hung up.
Peng Gaojie didn't dare to delay. He quickly opened his phone camera, zoomed in a bit. The photo captured the backs of Xia Lin and Liu Jingru, but Zhou Gangyi's full face, sitting opposite Xia Lin, was visible.
After taking the photo, Peng Gaojie immediately sent it to Peng Gui.
Peng Gui, on the other end, quickly opened the photo sent by Peng Gaojie. Upon seeing the familiar faces, he almost threw his phone.
"Isn't that Old Zhou's grandson?"
As for the backs of the two girls in the photo, one was Liu Jingru, as Peng Gaojie had mentioned. The other, without a doubt, must be that girl with an intimidating background.
If Zhou Gangyi was willing to be a driver, it had to be her.
"My goodness, this is a huge mess."
"A colossal mess."
Peng Gui fumbled and immediately called Peng Gaojie. As soon as the call was answered, Peng Gui questioned him in a trembling voice, "You didn't do anything wrong, did you?"
"I didn't say anything, didn't do anything," Peng Gaojie truthfully replied.
He really hadn't done anything, except stand up with everyone else. He had even been kicked and hadn't recovered yet.
"If you had done something, you'd be dead. Don't do anything now. Wait for Vice Governor Qu to come personally," Peng Gui said and hung up.
"Wait for Vice Governor Qu to come personally?"
"What does that mean?"
"Is he coming to show support or to apologize?"
Peng Gui didn't clarify, leaving Peng Gaojie extremely anxious. However, he understood his uncle's intention: do nothing for now and wait to see how things unfolded.
Peng Gui anxiously dialed Qu Mingwei's number. This was a monumental matter; Qu Mingwei might even lose his position because of it.
"Vice Governor Qu, I have a very important matter to report," Peng Gui's tone was very urgent, making Qu Mingwei pause.
Peng Gui had always been a relatively easygoing person. The change in his tone gave Qu Mingwei a bad feeling.
"Speak quickly," Qu Mingwei urged, too busy to elaborate.
"Hu Liangzhe and Qu Jun offended Lin'er. Old Zhou's grandson personally beat them. I don't know how the situation has escalated, but I'm reporting this immediately upon receiving the news."
Peng Gui didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the cause of the incident.
Qu Mingwei almost jumped up and cursed upon hearing this. His own son was involved?
"I'm trying my best to appease Lin'er, and you, you good-for-nothing, went and offended her, and even got beaten by Old Zhou's grandson."
"Good! Serves them right! Ignorant fools!"
Qu Mingwei cursed inwardly several times, then calmed himself and said in a deep voice, "You go there immediately and see if you can stabilize the situation. I'll be there shortly."
"Okay," Peng Gui responded and sent Qu Mingwei the specific location after confirming it.
Qu Mingwei took a moment to compose himself and made his first call to his unfilial son, Qu Jun.
The previously quiet private room was suddenly filled with a ringing tone, jarringly loud.
"Why is my dad calling?" Qu Jun said in surprise, taking out his phone.
"What do you think? Peng Gaojie must have told his uncle, and then your dad found out. We're the ones who were beaten, what are you afraid of?" Hu Liangzhe said.
"That's true," Qu Jun nodded, answered the phone, and called out in a wronged tone, "Dad."
"You are my son!" As soon as Qu Jun answered, he heard Qu Mingwei's roar.
Before Qu Jun could react, Qu Mingwei continued his tirade, "You beast, you've caused a catastrophe. Even I can't save you. Don't ask anything now. Go apologize immediately. If you can gain forgiveness, maybe you can still be saved."
Qu Jun was utterly bewildered.
"I've caused a catastrophe?"