First Marriage Then Love Chapter 132

132. Demolition Accidents

Xiao Xiao looked at her. She seemed to be moved, bit on her lip, and asked, “Don't you hate me?”

She looked at her, and nodded honestly, “If I said I didn't, that would be pretentious.” There isn't anyone who wouldn't have negative feelings against the person who had framed you.

Xiao Xiao nodded, and looked at her without speaking.

“Madam, dinner is ready. Do you want to eat now?” Auntie Zhang asked over the counter. She had overheard that An Ran wanted this woman to stay for dinner.

An Ran nodded, and said, “Yes. Let's eat now.” She turned back, looked at Xiao Xiao, and said, “Stay for a meal.”

Xiao Xiao looked at her, and doesn't say anything for a while. Finally she shook her head, and only gently said, “It's okay.” After that, she stood up, with an odd look on her face. She still did not forget to express her thanks, “Today, thank you!” After that, she turned around and left, limping with her injured leg.

An Ran did not persist, but still offered to walk her to the entrance. When they got to the entrance, Xiao Xiao turned to face her, and looked down on her clothes, “These clothes...”

“Return them whenever you have the time.” An Ran said.

Xiao Xiao nodded, doesn't say much more, and left.

Su Yi Cheng returned the evening after. Upon coming home An Ran was in the midst of her afternoon nap, when she was awakened by a kiss.

In her daze, she saw a handsome face, with some visible tiredness. His eye bags were dark, clearly he did not sleep well.

An Ran looked at him, with heartache she rubbed his face, and gently said, “You're back.”

“Yes.” Su Yi Cheng nodded, and grabbed her hand to kiss it.

She moved to the side, and made room on the bed. She asked, “Do you want to get some sleep?”

Su Yi Cheng shook his head, “I still have some business. There's a dinner party tonight, I'll probably be gone until late.”

An Ran frowned, “That's just exhausting.”

Su Yi Cheng smiled, and just reached out to stroke her face. His large palm stroke across her delicate skin, and he faintly said, “Don't wait for me. If you're tired just sleep early.”

She knew that this was the nature of his work, so An Ran had no choice. She sits up from the bed, and could only nod at him. She reminded him, “Don't drink too much, and come home early.”

Su Yi Cheng stroke her head, and went to the closet to take a change of clothes, then went straight the bathroom and changed. When he came out again An Ran was up. Seeing him come out, she grabbed his tie and went up to him, stood on her tippy-toes to do his tie. After she adjusted it, she smoothed out his clothes.

She went with him to the door, and Su Yi Cheng left some kisses on her face, then turned to leave.

From behind, Auntie Zhang who was cleaning had been watching, and teasingly looked at An Ran, “Mister and Missus are very affectionate.”

An Ran blushed, and excused herself to the studio.

That day, Su Yi Cheng came home really late. An Ran originally wanted to wait for him in the living room, watching television as she waited for him. But as she was watching she fell asleep, and after waking up from that nap, he still wasn't back, and it was almost midnight at that time. There weren't any programs to watch, and she waited in the living room for half an hour more. She ultimately did not persist and went back to the room. When she lied down at first she wanted to try her best to stay awake, but her lids got heavier and heavier until she fell asleep in the end.

Unknown to when he had came home, when she woke up the next day she found herself to be his arms like usual, only he seemed to be very tired, that he did not wake up by her movement. It was a rare chance for her to make breakfast while he was still asleep. She hadn't finished making breakfast yet, when he came out from the room after showering and changing, carrying a briefcase in his hand.

An Ran quickly put down the egg that had not yet been fully fried, and went around the counter running. She faced him and asked, “You're going already? Have some breakfast first.”

Su Yi Cheng raised his arm and looked at the time. He shook his head somewhat apologetically, “I have a meeting this morning, if I don't go now I'm afraid I'll be late.”

An Ran was somewhat worried about this body of his with high intensity of working without eating. She asked, “Has it been busy recently?”

Su Yi Cheng smiled, reached out to stroke her trailing long hair, and said, “Sorry, I haven't had the time to keep you company.”

An Ran lowered her head, with her left hand grasping her right, she muttered, “I'm not a child, why would I need you to keep me company every day.” She was just worried for him. Before when she was hospitalized, he came to the hospital every day, work, hospital, home, running to all three places. Now these past few days he's on business trips, dinner parties, meetings. She was really worried that his body wouldn't endure, and she can see his tiredness and exhaustion, how could she not have some heartache.

Su Yi Cheng reached out to hug her, and gently patted her back. He whispered softly into her ears, “It's almost over, after this spell of business, I'll try to find the time to be with you and the baby, alright?”

“I don't want your company.” An Ran reached out and hugged him back, “If you are busy after this period, then let me stay at home and rest, I don't want to go out.” She doesn't need him to accompany them, she and her baby can both keep him company.

Su Yi Cheng chuckles and kissed her forehead. He raised his arm again and looked at the time. Releasing her, “I really have to go now.” Otherwise he really will be late.

An Ran nodded, and accompanied him out the door. She cautioned him, “Drive slowly.”

“yes.” He lovingly rubbed her head, and said, “Remember to eat breakfast.”

An Ran chuckled and answered affirmatively, then she watched him enter the elevator.

After sending Su Yi Cheng out, An Ran returned to the kitchen, she took the half-fried egg in the pan and cooked it for about 7 or 8 minutes more then placed it on the prepared plates. She grabbed the toast out of the toaster, and poured herself a cup of milk, and microwaved it for a minute, then made her way around the counter carrying her breakfast and ate. Actually it didn't taste too bad. These past two days she had learned how to cook with Auntie Zhang, and it was much better to learn from a person than from a book. When she cooked from a cookbook none of them came out tasting as they should, having Auntie Zhang beside her to show her, the steps were the same, but the result was much better.

Only, having no one to accompany you while you eat, even the tastiest food will taste bland. She stared at the plate of food beside her. An Ran had no appet.i.te at all.

Su Yi Cheng had been constantly busy these past few days. Not only is the bidding for Ke Ji City still ongoing, he had handed over the material to the provincial Party committee, so these past two days people have been coming to find him to discuss about it. Earlier in the morning while they were discussing over a new round of bidding, they received a phone call from outside, saying that there was a problem with the demolition of the old North district. The accident wasn't grave, but an elderly and two children had been sent to the hospital, and some villagers and workers had been brought to the police station. The incident soon alerted the media in Jiang City.

With regards to relocating the inhabitants and the demolition and construction of the old district, there were a few homeowners who refused to move, some because they were attached to the land, some because they were not satisfied with the consolation terms of the demolition.

In fact, the root of this accident was not complicated, today the workers carried out the compulsory demolition, but there were a few households that were not vacated. The demolition worker went to find them to discuss it peacefully first, but very soon the conflict of words turned physical. Not a few words later, the worker and the homeowner were fist to fist, and while fighting, injured an innocent elderly who tried to intervene and mediate and the children who were watching.

When the old man was pushed he fell to the ground, blood flowed out from his head, and sound of children's cries could be heard soon after. These enraged the angry villagers even more, the conflict on both side intensified, the scene could not be controlled anymore, finally some scared person called the police. At the scene the police arrested the people who started the conflict, and the injured elderly and children were rushed to the nearest hospital.

This incident was quickly known to reporters and the media, who got to the scene of the accident and the hospital before Su Yi Cheng and his team got there.

Su Yi Cheng and the staff in charge of the construction of Ke Ji City, upon getting the call, rushed to the hospital where the injured elderly and children were at.

Thus, when Su Yi Cheng reached the hospital, he hadn't entered the emergency room yet, but began to be swarmed with reporters.

“Deputy Mayor Su, you are the mayor of the construction of Ke Ji City, regarding this incident, what do you think about it?” A female journalist rushed to face Su Yi Cheng, walking while asking.

Su Yi Cheng glanced at her, and frowned. He only said, “Let me see the injured elderly and children first.”

Those reporters still wanted to say something, but was obstructed by Secretary Zheng, “Everybody, please wait and we will do an interview later.”

Since he put it that way, the journalists didn't say much more, and entered the ER with Su Yi Cheng.

The elder had to get 10 st.i.tches on his head, right now there was one person lying on the hospital bed, beside him was a 60 year old wife, the children or relatives of the elderly were not to be seen. On the bed beside them, were two children. They seemed young, the boy was perhaps 8 or 9 at the most, the girl seemed to be about 6 or 7 years old. Their eyes opened at that moment, and there was no one else who were taking care of them, no parents.

Su Yi Cheng sat in front of the bed, he reached out to hold the elderly's hand, and asked about his condition. He felt somewhat guilty, with a heavy heart he looked at him and said, “Old man*, you've suffered.” Coming across such a situation at this old age, it is something they should not have to meet.

“That house is our foundation, how could you guys tear it down!” The old man on the bed, looked at Su Yi Cheng with red eyes, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears.

“Old man, the demolition is for development, so that our future generations will have a better living environment, building a more convenient life and condition for them. I know that you have attachment to that place, we also have some attachment for that place too, but attachment cannot fight everything, the nation demands development and growth, cities want construction, only with development, will our livelihood be better, don't you think so as well?” Su Yi Cheng held his hands, spoke earnestly.

The old man looked at him. After a while, he said, “But to tear down our house, where will we live?”

“We have given out consolation money, if you don't want to accept it that is fine, in the future when the residences are finished with its construction, the government will allocate the houses according to every household's condition, until that time if the house is in the same place, then it can be considered that we replaced the old house with a new house, if you cannot find a suitable residence, then we can find you a suitable place, as close to this area as possible.” Su Yi Cheng promised him.

“Really?” The old man was reluctant to believe in him.

Su Yi Cheng solemnly said, “I a.s.sure you.” His expression was conscientious and earnest.

He stared at him for a while, then the old man seriously said, “Then I believe in you!”

Su Yi Cheng nodded, told him that he needed to rest well, then told the old man's wife that she needs to take good care of the old man.

Then he turned around to the other hospital beds, where the two children laid. With their eyes wide open, black and white, they looked especially clear. Medicine was applied on the wound on their forehead, their hands and feet were bounded with gauze, looking at it one can't help but feel heartache.

He reached out to stroke their head, Su Yi Cheng softly asked, “Little child, tell uncle, what are your names?”

The two children stared at Su Yi Cheng, as if they were reading him. After a while the boy slowly started to speak in a low voice, “I am Mu Tou, the older brother.”

The girl beside him also replied in a soft voice, “My name is Deng Zi, the younger sister.”

Su Yi Cheng smiled at them, and with a gentle voice he softly asked, “Why didn't you guys go to school today?”

“Dad said that someone was coming to smash the house.” Mu Tou said.

“Mom said to stay at home to protect the house.” Deng Zi replied. “Mom said those people won't hit children, if someone is smashing, we have to hold onto their thighs and not let them in.”

Having heard that, Su Yi Cheng frowned. He could not understand these childrens' parents, why put your children in the middle of these matters. Children should be happy, carefree and without worries, shouldn't they?

He reached out and once again lovingly stroke their head, then silently got up, turned around to face Secretary Zheng, “Go buy some nourishments for the elderly and the children, put it on my bill.”

Secretary Zheng nodded, and turned to leave the emergency room.

Su Yi Cheng reminded the doctor and nurses, that they must treat the injuries of the elderly man and the children well, specially instructing the nurse to feed the children. He helped them wipe their faces, then left the emergency room. The media surrounded him, and Su Yi Cheng frowned. He lowered his voice and said, “Let's go out and speak, let's not make noise while the patients are resting.”

Everyone silently withdrew, but were also moved by the attentiveness of this young deputy mayor.

They walked towards the hospital's lounge, Su Yi Cheng then accepted their interview.

“Deputy Mayor Su, what are your thoughts regarding this accident?”

“I am very saddened by this, especially knowing that an elderly and children were injured. The obstructions and tribulations that come along with demolitions and constructions we were prepared for them, we paid attention to the general situation, so it is expected that not everyone will be pleased. However, in this circ.u.mstance where an old man and children were pushed to the front, I myself feel that is unacceptable!” Su Yi Cheng said.

“What about this accident, Deputy Mayor Su, how are you intending to deal with this, will the construction continue to advance? If the villagers are still against the demolition, does that mean that you will have to revert to coercive means?” Another reporter asked pointedly.

Su Yi Cheng turned to look at him, fixedly looked at his mouth and said, “The demolition of the old district is for the purpose of Jiang City's development, this is beneficial for the common people, thus the demolition and construction will proceed. Regarding your question about using coercive means, I will affirm first, our government is not a violent organization, in fact, these are things that we and the villagers are lacking in communication and understanding. I believe that after we communicate the common people will realize that our demolition is used for the better development of the future, this problem will be settled very well.” With that, he took a step forward intending to go, “That is all I want to say, I welcome you to follow up on this matter.”

“Deputy Mayor Su, I heard that some time ago you were called in by the disciplinary committee to talk, according to our information, they said you received gifts nearly worth millions, from a company's executive, is that true?”

When he saw that he was leaving, one of the reporters rushed up to him and asked, looking at him pointedly.

He paused his step. Su Yi Cheng turned to look at him and took note of him. He faintly smiled and said, “Your information is very well-informed ah.”

He was somewhat shaken up by his look, squeezed his hand around the mic, and asked again, “Can you please answer my question just now Deputy Mayor Su.”

Su Yi Cheng nodded, and said, “I have indeed been asked by the committee to cooperate with the investigation, but if the things you said were valid, do you think I would still be standing here taking your interview?”

“Uh.” The reporter froze, then immediately responded with, “In other words you are saying that you did not accept gifts from some company's executive?”

Su Yi Cheng looked him in the eye and said, “I have never accepted anyone's gifts.” With that, he did not want to talk to them any longer, and headed straight to the hospital's entrance. He still had to go to the police station to take a look at these rioting villagers and staff members.

By the Su Yi Cheng had arrived at the police station Tong Wen Hai had beat him to the punch and got there first. When they entered the station they found out something else, the other unexpected thing was that, Zhou Han was also there with a group of demolition workers to get an understanding of the situation. However, thinking about it, Zhou Han's company was the developer of this project, seeing him here, is reasonable and nothing to be surprised about.

In the interrogation room, several villagers were yelling and quarreling about, even the policewoman could not control the scene.

Su Yi Cheng let the policewoman withdraw, and stood in between the worked-up villagers. He wasn't in a rush to bring up the issue of the demolition and construction, and first asked, “Are the elderly's children and Mu Tou and Deng Zi's parents here?”

A middle-aged woman was the first to speak out, “I, I am Mu Tou and Deng Zi's mother.”

Another middle-aged man came forward, “I am Liu Da Cheng's son.”

Su Yi Cheng frowned, and looked at them for a while, then said, “You guys should go to the hospital first, the elderly and the children will need someone to take care of them.”

“The issue with the demolition and construction hasn't been settled yet, we are not going anywhere.” The man insisted.

The woman hesitated, but ultimately agreed, “Right, you need to give everyone an explanation, why are you guys tearing down our homes.”

Su Yi Cheng frowned even more, and strictly said, “Your father and children are in the hospital, don't tell me a house is more important than them?”

The man and woman both froze, they were both speechless.

Su Yi Cheng took a quick glance at everyone. This time he slowed down his speech and said, “You guys first go to the hospital, speaking with them here or them going back to tell you guys, what is the difference.” Hearing him put it like that, the old man's son and the children's mother, then nodded their heads and left for the hospital first. 

Su Yi Cheng looked at the group of villagers, still with anger, and said, “For the urban construction, the demolitions, all of this is for the purpose of the city's growth, it is a good thing, why must you guys resist the demolition and relocation, do you not want to live in a better and more comfortable environment. Moreover, having a city develop is good, the city's reputation for living environment will be better, is it not like that?”

“What growth and what construction, we don't understand. These are all things that you officials say, you guys don't care about the common people's interest, right now you say that you want to tear down the houses, and give us this little money, nowadays the housing prices are higher than the sky, with this small amount, where do you guys want us to live? Without a house, do you guys want us to sleep on the streets!” A voice amongst crowd said.

“Exactly, you guys say it is for us common people, in what world are you guys thinking of the common people?” Another person agreed.

“Right, with such a small amount, our houses will not be torn down, if you guys really want to tear it down, you will have to do it over our bodies!”

“Yes, yes, you don't tear down!” Everyone seemed to be worked up, looking at the mood they seemed as if they would eat people.

Su Yi Cheng frowned even more. According to his knowledge, the compensation money was not little. He asked, “How much did you guys receive?”

“700 000 per household.” A person replied. “Nowadays the housing prices are so high, what kind of house will 700 000 buy! You guys are forcing us, driving us away!”

“Indeed, indeed…” The crowd echoed.

Su Yi Cheng's heart sank. According to his knowledge the compensation money absolutely cannot be lower than a million... However they said that they only received 700 000, then clearly someone had long been carrying out the plan. He raised his hand to calm the crowd, Su Yi Cheng spoke, “There must be some misunderstanding. Regarding this matter, I will definitely give you guys an explanation.”

“Do your words matter?” Someone asked.

“Yes, I am the person in charge of Ke Ji City's construction. If I said I would give everyone an explanation I will definitely give everyone an explanation!” Su Yi Cheng promised.

The villagers looked at each other, after a while a representative spoke out, “Everyone here only wants shelter, if the development is truly for our benefit how could we not cooperate. Only, this situation is forcing us into a dead end, we also have no choice. We can believe in you this one time, but if it is still like this afterwards, we will definitely not move.”

Su Yi Cheng nodded, and ensured them, “I will be responsible for everyone.”

*polite term for old man or woman

---END OF CHAPTER---

Woot woot, Su Yi Cheng is here to carry out justice.