He Chuan Zhou considered the matter closed. Even though Zhou Tuoxing said there would be a satisfactory outcome, she didn't have much hope. Ending the doubts of netizens was enough to make her happy.
It's common for police to be scolded. Whether they do well or not, as law enforcement officers, they naturally face stricter standards. Netizens tend to side with the underdog subconsciously.
People have a default impression of the police: they should be strong, tough, and tolerant. They are expected to solve various difficulties for the public, maintain social order, confront dangers bravely, remain absolutely calm and objective, and always be open-minded and composed.
This impression brings honor and glory to the police, neither entirely good nor bad.
As a result, people are unwilling to listen to police complaints and find it hard to empathize with their anxiety and irritability over trivial matters. To ordinary people, this lacks relatability and damages the police's dignified image.
He Chuan Zhou had gotten used to it.
Public opinion is like a cold wind with frost and snow. An individual's emotions cannot influence the wind's comings and goings. This gust of wind, which could cause seasonal colds, wouldn't stay in one place for long. Once it passed, taking its disturbances with it, she would gather her feelings and continue forward.
However, He Xu facing unjust criticism again made her feel a lump in her throat. She could disregard netizens' accusations against her but felt it was undeserved for He Xu.
In the evening, after an overcast afternoon, light rain began to fall.
Spring in City A always alternates between sunshine and rain. Most of the rain is gentle, with fine, transparent raindrops falling on the newly sprouted leaves, making a barely audible soft sound.
The city, shrouded in misty rain, exuded a serene and elegant beauty.
Shao Zhixin opened the window for fresh air, letting the cool breeze sweep away some of the stuffy heat.
Brother Huang took a few colleagues out to stake out a suspect in the afternoon, leaving many empty seats in the office, making it feel a bit desolate.
In the quiet, Xu Yu suddenly shouted, "Captain He!"
Shao Zhixin, about to sit down, was startled by her loud call.
At such a time, if it were him, someone would definitely scold him for making a fuss. Xu Yu's treatment was indeed much better than his. He Chuan Zhou just asked calmly, "What's up?"
Xu Yu said, "Check the news! I sent you a link!"
Xu Yu directly sent it to the work group, and Shao Zhixin also clicked in.
The link led to a video from a local TV station known for reporting on people's livelihood. This program was nationally famous, having produced several viral news stories.
Judging by the title, they had done a special investigation on He Xu.
Background sounds of the video playing came from different directions in the office.
The reporter, holding a microphone, said that someone had contacted their program team and had something to say about the hotly discussed incident involving Officer He. They were there to reveal the truth.
The camera turned to the open space opposite the reporter, showing over twenty people standing there, ranging from young adults to elderly people in their seventies and eighties.
An old man in the center stepped forward quickly. After the reporter finished the introduction, he waved his hand, indicating he wanted to speak.
Reporter: "Go ahead."
"I'm a resident of Ziyang Street. I used to live in the alley up front but have since moved. When He Xu was a police officer, my home was less than five hundred meters from their station. I can prove it with my ID—" The old man took a deep breath, his face twitching, the forceful words turning low and trembling at the end, "He is a good man!"
People around him surged forward, many trying to get closer. The reporter and cameraman motioned for them to calm down and not push.
The old man's cloudy, yellowing eyes, with heavy eyelids, showed a bit of red, unclear if from anger or regret.
"My son read to me that someone online accused He Xu of violent law enforcement. Who are you people? Where do you live? Come out and argue with me if you have the guts! I've known him for so many years, watching him handle all sorts of petty issues near the park every day, and I've rarely seen him angry! Back then, I knew most of the people in Ziyang Street, and they all spoke well of him! Are you a wife-beater, or one of those scoundrels cheating others out of medical fees? Speak up!"
The reporter moved closer, nodding and soothing him, "Don't be angry, sir. You know He Xu?"
The old man said, "Of course I know him! There was a child near He Xu's home whose father was in prison, and no other relatives wanted to take care of him. He Xu often brought him food, took him to the hospital, and helped with paperwork. The whole community knew. How could someone like that be a bad person?"
A young man in his mid-twenties grabbed the reporter's wrist, turning the microphone towards himself, and shouted, worried that the audience wouldn't hear him clearly, "I know He Xu. I remember him well. When I was in middle school, he used to bother me a lot. He was really annoying! My teacher didn't care about me, but he always did. He'd catch me in internet cafes and on the street. I was so mad at him back then, thinking he was a busybody..."
He spoke words of accusation, his tone aggressive, but it choked with emotion by the end.
Someone patted his back to comfort him. The familiar touch made him suddenly overwhelmed with sadness. He knew that crying now would make him look weak, but he couldn't control his emotions in this environment, so he buried his face in his hands and let it out.
"I was annoyed by him, but I knew he was a good man, doing it for my good. I once cheated him out of ten yuan to play games. He wasn't mad when he found out. He just said, 'You're so smart, why not go to school?' He was the first to seriously find my strengths and praise me. My parents had no patience for me, my dad just wanted to beat me. Only He was willing to talk to me. I even felt unworthy. He's a really good person. Please, stop attacking him. You don't know anything!"
The reporter handed him tissues, and the young man avoided the camera, wiping his face hastily before retreating to the back of the crowd.
A middle-aged man with a non-local accent leaned over.
"I want to thank He Xu and the police back then. I almost took the wrong path. I was cheated in business, felt too ashamed to go home, and was in a bad place, went to their station asking for food. They gave me noodles without questioning. After eating, I walked out intending to jump off the bridge. He Xu sensed something was wrong, followed me, and pulled me back at the last moment, then talked with me half the night and helped me call my family. He even lent me a thousand yuan for a ticket home. His wife had just passed away, you know? Why would he care about me? He didn't have to."
The reporter, out of tissues, patted his shoulder. About to ask about his current situation, a middle-aged woman impatiently declared, "I'm the neighborhood representative! Let me speak!"
The reporter found her in the crowd, handing her the microphone.
The woman pulled out a red paper from her pocket, spreading it for everyone to see, "These are signatures from our community. Some have moved, and new residents might not know him, but the elders can vouch for him. He has a good temper, never caused trouble, always helped with difficulties! He’s not like what the internet says! Just because he's gone, you can't just slander him! He served the people, and we must stand up for him!"
The scene was somewhat chaotic. Passersby turned their heads to look, and the crowd spoke loudly and simultaneously, drowning out even the reporter's voice.
The cameraman panned the camera, slowly capturing everyone's expressions.
In this multitude, most faces showed the same emotions: anger, remembrance, and respect.
"And some are saying there's a problem with He Xu's daughter too. Are you stupid? He Xu's daughter doesn't even work in the Ziyang Street area, her station is in a completely different district! Why don't you check a map before you start spreading rumors?"
"We don't know much about that Tao whatever incident, but the police investigated it and didn't convict him! Do you think you know better than the police? Are you omniscient, claiming they covered it up?"
"We're here today because we can't let good people lose heart. Officer He truly did many good deeds. He dedicated his entire life to being a police officer, so why are a bunch of netizens treating him like a criminal? And even after his tragic death, his daughter still wants to be a police officer. Do you know why?"
"He Xu died saving someone. He died saving someone!! Doesn't it make you feel ashamed to insult him?"
"If you don't believe us, you can ask people in each community. We can stand by our words. Can those online?"
"Chuan Zhou, don't be afraid. All the uncles and aunts are here. Don't think the people of Ziyang Street are easy to bully!"