Chen Qi was utterly dumbfounded.

The crime of illegal detention primarily involved infringing upon a person's liberty—the right to control one's bodily movements without illegal interference. Apart from relevant judicial authorities, no one was permitted to detain another person. This "detention" didn't literally mean capturing and imprisoning someone; as long as the right to liberty was infringed, it could constitute illegal detention. For instance, blocking a door to objectively prevent someone from leaving constituted illegal detention. The requirements for filing a case of illegal detention were also quite clear: if any of the corresponding conditions were met, the case would be accepted.

"Dad, Uncle Qin said the standard for filing a case is if the illegal detention lasts over twenty-four hours, or if there are multiple detentions, or if more than three people are detained at once. Their actions are enough to land them in jail," Chen Zishi said, looking at Chen Qi as he reiterated the conditions.

In another half-hour, Chen Daoguang and the others' detention of them would reach the twenty-four-hour mark.

Furthermore, criminal law stipulated that if there were instances of insult or assault, the punishment for the crime would be more severe.

"Insult? Just now, when I wanted to go out to play, they slapped me…" the twelve-year-old cousin suddenly blurted out, his face full of grievances.

The entire Chen Family lived together, and seven or eight people were currently detained in their home.

After hearing his cousin's complaint, Chen Zishi couldn't help but show a look of delight. "That slap was worth it!" he said excitedly. "They'll have to be severely punished this time!"

He then looked at Chen Qi and urged, "Dad, let's hurry and call the police."

However, Chen Qi merely lowered his head, lost in deep thought. After hearing his son's words, he didn't feel the joy he had expected.

"Zishi, you're still young," Mrs. Chen sighed, stepping forward. "If we call the police... we probably won't be able to live in Chen Family Village anymore."

She explained the potential repercussions. Chen Daoguang's family had an extensive network in Chen Family Village; rumor had it they even had a relative who was a village official. If they called the police and chose not to forgive, they would make a mortal enemy of Chen Daoguang's family, and life in Chen Family Village would become extremely difficult for them. Conversely, if they called the police and then chose to forgive, the other party probably wouldn't be jailed for long. After getting out, who knew what dirty tricks they might use against them.

"Then… then are we supposed to just swallow our anger and watch them carry a corpse to our doorstep?" Chen Zishi seemed indignant and unwilling to back down. They had finally found a solution, yet they were afraid of retaliation.

In the yard, everyone suddenly fell silent, plunging into a heavy quietude. The expressions on their faces were not good.

After a long while, Chen Qi, who was in his forties, lifted his head. Clenching his teeth, he steeled his resolve. "Report it!" he declared. "I, Chen Qi, have been honest all my life and have been bullied by others for so many years. This time, I don't want to be a coward anymore!

"Not only am I going to report this to the police, but I will also insist on not forgiving them!

"I want to see how many years they'll be sentenced!

"At worst… we'll leave Chen Family Village and find a way to make a living in the city!"

As soon as his words fell, everyone in the Chen Family yard looked at him in unison, utterly shocked. The decision to leave their homeland was far from easy to make.

"Son, you've finished high school. You speak more clearly, so you make the call," Chen Qi said, taking a deep breath as he looked at Chen Zishi.

Chen Zishi was stunned for a few seconds before he came to his senses, an excited expression appearing on his face. He dialed 110 and described the other party's illegal and criminal acts to the police.

After hanging up, the family waited patiently once again. Only this time, the atmosphere was completely different. It wasn't filled with worry and apprehension, but with a hint of anticipation. Qin Mu had already proven through his actions that when faced with such ruffian tactics, the law could protect them, and the criminal code could punish the offenders. Swallowing their anger would only make the other side's arrogance grow stronger!

...

「At the same time.」

Outside the Chen Family's main gate, a lacquered red coffin was placed three meters from the doorway. Chen Daoguang sat stiffly on a stool, his gaze fixed on the Chen Family's main gate, looking very disgruntled.

Previously, at the farmhouse, he had been taken away by Qin Mu for causing trouble. He had thought he would really go to jail. Unexpectedly, the authorities had only made a show of force, symbolically detaining him for three days and fining him some money before releasing him.

After his release, he heard more "terrible news": the killer had only been in custody for one day and had gotten out even earlier than him! Upon learning this, he nearly exploded with anger, seriously suspecting the police station had taken a bribe and bungled the job.

But he didn't dare to lead a mob to assault the police station, so he had to focus his anger on the Chen Family instead. Therefore, he gathered his relatives and went to the Chen Family's house, intending to get justice and pressure them to hand over the murderer.

Moreover, having learned from his previous lesson, his behavior this time was far more restrained. There were no violent attacks and no weapons. Instead, in a very "civilized" manner, they "chatted" outside the Chen Family's door. Whenever someone from the Chen Family attempted to come out, they would be cursed back inside through this "chatting."

"Brother Daoguang, are we… really not going to be taken in again this time? I'm feeling a bit uneasy," a middle-aged man standing behind Chen Daoguang couldn't help but ask. He was one of the thirteen people who had been taken in with Chen Daoguang during the farmhouse incident.

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