Currently dealing with the hotpot restaurant incident, Shen Nian is one of the involved parties, hence her presence here. Liang Jinghe...
Shen Nian withdrew the surprise in her eyes, politely nodded at Liang Jinghe, and asked, "Miss Liang."
Then she inquired, "Why are you here, Miss Liang?"
Liang Jinghe smiled in response, "I co-own the hotpot restaurant with a friend. Since there was an incident, and my friend is away on a business trip, I came to understand the situation."
After explaining, Liang Jinghe looked at Shen Nian, expressing concern, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Shen Nian shook her head, not showing any closeness to Liang Jinghe, "Thanks for your concern, Miss Liang."
Having met Shen Nian a few times, Liang Jinghe noticed Shen Nian's reserved nature. She was a diligent assistant in Ling Chuan's presence, always maintaining a strict and serious demeanor. In front of others, she appeared distant, giving off a cool and indifferent vibe.
Thinking of something, Liang Jinghe asked again, "I heard a bit about the situation. Those people even tried to attack with bottles."
As she finished speaking, the office door next door opened, revealing her supportive older brother and sister-in-law, Jiang Lingling.
"Sister Nian." Jiang Lingling walked over, noticing Liang Jinghe, looking surprised.
"Miss Liang?"
Then she turned to Shen Nian, silently asking, "How come Miss Liang is here?"
"Miss Liang is the co-owner of the hotpot restaurant. She came to handle the situation," Shen Nian explained, then turned to Liang Jinghe, saying, "If there's nothing else, Miss Liang, we'll leave."
"Oh, okay."
Leaving the police station with her older brother and sister-in-law, Shen Nian thanked them.
Despite her older brother being a muscular and shy guy, upon hearing the girl's gratitude, he awkwardly blushed and just smiled.
His wife, unimpressed, remarked, "He's like this. Can't stand seeing someone bullied, rushes forward without thinking."
"I may not care about other things, but when it comes to humiliating and using foul language against girls, I step in every time I see it."
He put on a serious face, looking at his wife, "Being handsome isn't a reason to attack women. A grown man who can't even respect women won't amount to anything. If he continues to insult, I'll step in every time! Plus, I'm accumulating good karma. If you ever get bullied out there, I hope someone stands up to protect you like I do."
His assertive words carried a strong sense of dogged determination.
His wife couldn't stop laughing after hearing it all.
After bidding farewell to Shen Nian and Jiang Lingling, the couple left.
With everyone gone, Jiang Lingling held Shen Nian's hand and asked softly, "Sister Nian, who was the person you dealt with earlier?"
Judging by Sister Nian's expression at the time, they seemed to know each other.
He was quite handsome, tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, exuding a warm and polished charm as if basking in sunlight all year round.
The contrast between Mr. Lu and Shen Nian couldn't be more striking. Mr. Lu usually maintains a cold and aloof demeanor, exuding an air of authority. However, the young man from earlier, even without speaking or smiling, emanated a gentle vibe, akin to a friendly neighborhood brother.
Shen Nian was concerned about Xiao Mubai's injury, simply replying "friend" and then turning to Jiang Lingling, saying, "Lingling, you go back first. I need to go to the hospital."
"Okay," Jiang Lingling nodded understandingly. She knew Shen Nian was going to the hospital to visit someone. "Take care, Shen Nian. I'll head back now."
"Thanks."
Watching Jiang Lingling drive away, Shen Nian hailed a taxi to the hospital.
After leaving the police station, Liang Jinghe returned home by car. Everything was settled at the police station, and she had the surveillance footage as clear evidence.
Regarding the incident at the hot pot restaurant, she had the manager handle the situation, apologizing to the affected customers and offering free meals, along with discount cards as a gesture of goodwill.
While sitting in the car, Liang Jinghe's phone rang, and she answered.
After a brief conversation, her expression shifted slightly. "Is that so?" she asked.
After a few seconds of silence, she continued, "Get in touch with the platform and reduce the visibility of the incident as soon as possible. Also, control the distribution of the videos. Any footage showing the victim or the good Samaritans should be taken down to avoid causing them trouble."
Ending the call, she opened a social media platform.
Sure enough—
#SouthStreetHotPotRestaurantAssault# was trending at the top.
No good deed goes unpunished. In this era of advanced networking, news travels fast. What just happened could easily be broadcasted online, reaching far and wide.
Liang Jinghe scrolled through the top videos, all capturing different angles of the altercation, filmed by bystanders.
The faces of the main aggressor and a few accomplices were visible in the videos. Fortunately, Shen Nian and Jiang Lingling were positioned in a way that their faces were mostly obscured.
There were explanations from those who posted the videos as well.
The man, reeking of alcohol, tried to hit on a pretty lady, insisting she drink with him. When she refused, he became belligerent, hurling insults and assuming she was involved in certain professions due to her beauty. The gentleman nearby intervened, and the man, enraged, attacked him and was promptly subdued.
The truth was more or less as described, thankfully not twisted or fabricated.
Many comments condemned the man's repulsive and disrespectful behavior towards women, likening him to a toad lusting after a swan's flesh.
Of course, there were absurd comments from misguided individuals, suggesting that a normal girl wouldn't go out for dinner so late and dressed like that unless she was intentionally enticing...
Such comments were promptly shut down with a barrage of criticism.
Scanning through the comments, Liang Jinghe breathed a sigh of relief.
Encountering situations like these, many netizens tend to blame the victim rather than the wrongdoer, criticizing their attire, timing of going out, and other factors. Fortunately, the online atmosphere has improved somewhat, and with Shen Nian and Jiang Lingling not revealing their faces, their protection is maximized.
"Buzz—"
As she continued scrolling through videos, the other phone in her pocket rang, displaying a call from Lu Lingchuan. She immediately answered, apologizing, "Sorry, sorry, I just finished dealing with some issues at the hotpot restaurant my friend and I run."
She had just been discussing work with Lu Lingchuan on the phone and had received an urgent notice to come over.
"Mm." Lu Lingchuan didn't seem particularly interested in anything.
Just as they were about to continue discussing work, Liang Jinghe's voice came through on the other end, puzzled, "Is this handsome guy Shen Nian's boyfriend?"
Liang Jinghe happened to come across the video of the guy smashing a bottle at Shen Nian, with Xiao Mubai shielding her.
At these words, Lu Lingchuan responded, "..."
