Director Liu immediately barked with righteous indignation: "The city has clear regulations—any alteration to urban building exteriors must be approved and comply with the city's aesthetic standards before work can begin! Your unauthorized construction is illegal. I'm ordering you now to dismiss these workers immediately!"
The contractor from the renovation company, who had been watching the commotion with a few workers on the sidelines, froze in place at the sight of the official's fury.
"I'm just patching up a broken roof—it won't affect the city's appearance. Surely that doesn't require approval?"
Gu Qiqi refused to back down, though a sense of unease crept in—Damn it! How had she overlooked this? Now Director Liu had leverage over her...
"Ah, as a college student, it pains me that you haven't studied national policies!" Director Liu, having caught her slip-up, couldn't hide his smugness. "Men, confiscate all these illegal materials!"
People from the official cars behind him immediately responded, and several fully equipped men surrounded the contractor.
"No, no, no—these materials aren't for her house repairs. I'm just passing through, here to grab some soy sauce..."
The contractor waved his hands frantically, hastily directing the peasant workers to load the just-unloaded materials back onto the truck and start the tractor.
"Hey, you..." Qiqi called out in desperation.
The contractor, feeling a pang of guilt, approached and whispered to Qiqi: "Sorry, miss, we've got to pull out for now!"
Qiqi was on the verge of tears: "But I signed a contract with you and paid a deposit—how can you do this!"
The contractor scratched his head awkwardly: "We'll refund your money. I have no choice! Look at my dozen or so brothers—all from the countryside, just trying to earn a meal. Getting tangled in a lawsuit would be a huge mess! Little sister, let me give you some advice—don't fight the authorities! Stay strong!"
With that, he led the workers away swiftly in the truck.
Director Liu's face beamed with triumph as he waved behind him. The bulldozer, which had been lurking at the end of the alley, immediately rolled up to the door.
He had been tasked with demolition for months but had never found an opening. Now that a golden opportunity had presented itself, why would he let it slip?
"Tear it down! Tear it all down!" Director Liu gave the order.
After issuing the command, Director Liu stepped aside, and the bulldozer behind him rumbled forward with a deafening roar.
Gu Qiqi, furious, lunged forward and grabbed Director Liu's sleeve, arguing: "Director Liu, this is going too far!"
Director Liu brushed her hand away as if swatting a fly: "Classmate Qiqi, you need to understand national policy and be a good citizen with a spirit of sacrifice. As they say, 'Tear down one for the happiness of thousands.' The demolition of this old district starts with your house! For your contribution to the nation and the people, I'll apply for a commendation from higher-ups..."
The bulldozer quickly closed in, forcing Qiqi to step back three paces.
On top of the menacing, claw-like machine stood an even more menacing bald, muscular man, who shouted down at the crowd through a megaphone: "Listen up, all you people down there—we've told you to move, and you haven't. This is your last notice! If you don't leave, your houses will end up like this young lady's..."
His arrogant attitude sparked public outrage, and the crowd below buzzed with discussion—
"We're not moving—what are you going to do about it?"
"Go ahead and tear it down if you dare! We'll knock your dog legs out!"
"Bullying a young girl—what kind of hero is that?"
The voices of the people swelled.