Volume 1, Chapter 8: Old Zhang, This Child Is Yours

"Liu Guobin, Ma Dali, Zhou Changzheng, and Liu Fangfang are all going to prison!"

Zhang Weimin slapped his chest with a loud thud. "It was me! I’m the one who sent them there!"

Liu Xueqin stared at Zhang Weimin, silent for a moment. "Is everything you’re saying true?"

"Of course it’s true! This is the perfect opportunity for you, Deputy Factory Director Liu, to finally drop that 'deputy' title. You don't need me to teach you how to handle that, do you?"

A glimmer of certainty, confidence, and profound detachment flickered in Zhang Weimin's eyes, leaving Liu Xueqin without the courage to question his words. "Alright, Old Zhang, I understand. I need to head to the bureau now. You go on back, and I’ll come find you another day."

After the shift ended, the workers didn't leave; the bait Zhang Weimin had cast was far too tempting.

First, there was food and drink—free booze and snacks. Anyone who left would have been a fool.

Second, the juicy gossip about Factory Director Liu Guobin, Union Chairman Zhou Changzheng, and Zhang Weimin’s own wife was even more intoxicating than the liquor.

Zhang Weimin bought several dishes from a restaurant near the factory, including pig’s head meat, roasted chicken, and spiced beef, along with a few bottles of ten-year-old Lao Bai Fen liquor.

The workers set up a table in the workshop’s breakroom, eager to enjoy the feast and the scandal. Zhang Weimin poured the drinks for everyone. "Fellow workers, in the twenty years I’ve worked at this plant, this is the first time I’ve had a drink with you all. I’ll go first!"

He downed his cup in one gulp, and the workers applauded enthusiastically. Usually, their post-shift gatherings were modest affairs where everyone chipped in for cheap food and liquor, but what Zhang Weimin had prepared was, to them, a lavish banquet.

After a few rounds of toasts, Hong Daniu brought up the main event of the evening. "Old Zhang, don't just push the drinks on us. What we really want to know is, why didn't Director Liu, Chairman Zhou, Ma Dali, and your... uh, ha-ha, why didn't any of them come to work today? Tell us."

Zhang Weimin took a sip of his drink and picked up a piece of spiced beef. Chewing slowly, he said, "Liu Guobin, Ma Dali, Zhou Changzheng, and Liu Fangfang have been arrested by the police. It was me—I sent them in."

Hong Daniu patted Zhang Weimin on the shoulder. "Old Zhang, stop bragging. You think you’ve got that kind of reach?"

Zhang Weimin replied, "Not only can I send them to prison, but I can also make Liu Xueqin the factory director! If you don't believe me, let’s make a bet!"

"What kind of bet?" the workers egged him on.

"What kind of bet? If everything I said comes true, from now on, you all listen to me. Whatever I tell you to do, you do. If I’m wrong, we’ll have a spread like tonight’s every day for a whole month!" Zhang Weimin declared with grand ambition.

"That won't work," Hong Daniu said. "If we do whatever you tell us, and you tell us to go jump off a building, are we supposed to actually do it?"

"Look at you, always splitting hairs. I’m not going to tell you to go die. I’m talking about work—when it comes to work, you listen to me."

"That, we can do. It's a deal! Cheers!"

Zhang Weimin had the workers completely won over.

Liu Xueqin went to the Industrial Bureau to inquire about the situation. Sure enough, the previous night, the police had gone to Liu Guobin’s home and taken him away, along with his brother-in-law, Ma Dali.

Liu Xueqin immediately seized the opportunity, pulling every string he had to secure the position of factory director.

A month later, Zhang Weimin’s case was divided into three separate prosecutions:
First, the attempted murder case involving Zhou Changzheng and Liu Fangfang.
Second, the case of Ma Dali driving without a license, causing serious injury, and fleeing the scene.
Third, the case of Liu Guobin instigating his driver to take the fall for Ma Dali.

Eventually, as one thing led to another, Liu Guobin’s corruption, bribery, and embezzlement of state assets were all brought to light.

The final verdicts were as follows:
Zhou Changzheng and Liu Fangfang were convicted as principals in the attempted murder. Liu Fangfang was identified as the primary executor but received a seven-year sentence due to her confession and remorse.
Zhou Changzheng, as the primary mastermind with significant malicious intent, was also identified as a principal and, lacking a confession, was sentenced to nine years.
Ma Dali was sentenced to seven years for the traffic offense and fleeing the scene.
Hou Eryong (Liu Guobin’s driver) was sentenced to one year for harboring a criminal and perjury, having acted under Liu Guobin’s orders and later confessing.
Liu Guobin was sentenced to five years for harboring a criminal, perjury/obstruction of justice, and insurance fraud, along with a fine. Other charges regarding corruption and embezzlement would be handled in a separate trial.

The outcome seemed perfectly satisfactory.

However—

Could this story continue if there wasn't a twist?

The twist came.

During her intake medical examination in prison, it was discovered that Liu Fangfang was pregnant. According to the law, pregnant female convicts are granted humanitarian treatment and may be granted temporary execution of sentence outside of prison.

Liu Fangfang was escorted back to Zhang Weimin’s home by the prison guards.

"Officers, why on earth are you bringing this murderer back to my house?" Zhang Weimin asked, agitated.

"Liu Fangfang is pregnant. According to the law, she must return home to give birth and serve the remainder of her sentence after a one-year nursing period," the guard explained.

"She’s pregnant—what does that have to do with me?" Zhang Weimin was visibly distressed.

"You are her husband. How could it not have anything to do with you?"

"I... I was planning on divorcing her! Officer, surely you know why she was sentenced?"

"We are well aware. She was convicted of attempted murder."

"And the person she tried to kill was me! Me! And you’re bringing her back to me?" Zhang Weimin’s anger was reaching a breaking point.

"Comrade Zhang Weimin, even if you want a divorce, you have to wait until she gives birth and the one-year nursing period is over. Under the Marriage Law, a husband cannot unilaterally file for divorce while the wife is pregnant or during the nursing period. You can try to file with the court, but it will be up to the judge to decide."

"Is there no justice left? She got pregnant by someone else and tried to kill me, and now I have to provide for her? I refuse!"

"Comrade Zhang Weimin, this is the law. As her legal husband, you have the obligation to provide for Liu Fangfang and the child during this period. If you have objections, you may file a lawsuit or an administrative appeal with the court."

"But the child isn't mine! It’s Zhou Changzheng’s! You should send her to his house!"

"That’s enough, Comrade Zhang Weimin. I have explained the situation clearly. You not only have the duty to provide for her but also the duty of supervision. During this period of community-based execution, you are required to assist the judicial authorities in keeping her under strict supervision; she may not leave the city without permission. Now, she is in your care. Remember, supervision is one thing, but you are not to abuse her. Sign here."

Zhang Weimin was utterly devastated. He glared at Liu Fangfang and spat, "What a curse! You tried to take my life, and now I have to raise you and someone else's child?!"