Scapegoat
“No, didn’t you see that man?” Shen Yin pointed in the direction in which the man had fled. “He’s a thief. Go after him!”
“We’ll send the police to investigate. Come back with us so we can find out what’s going on.” The officer gestured at her and led Shen Yin towards the exit.
More and more people were gathering ahead of them. The policeman frowned and was about to pick up his walkie-talkie to question his colleague when he heard the emergency announcement that was being broadcast throughout the airport.
“Dear passengers and friends, please do not gather at International Airport’s Gate B2. The airport’s medical team is currently heading to Gate B2 for emergency resuscitation. Please make way.”
“There’s an old man in Gate 2 who is suffering from a heart attack. Hurry to the scene to maintain order.” An urgent order came over the walkie-talkie. The police officer looked at Shen Yin helplessly. “I still have to ask you to come with me. You can only leave after you’ve made your statement.”
“No problem.” Shen Yin gestured indifferently. “Let’s hurry. A life is at stake.”
Grateful for her cooperation, the policeman dispersed the crowd as they hurried over. With great effort, they managed to squeeze through the crowd to reach the scene of the incident.
An old man, who looked to be in his seventies, was lying motionless on the ground with his eyes closed. He was surrounded by a few bodyguards in suits, who were anxiously urging the medical team to hurry while shooing away the onlookers.
Shen Yin frowned at the old man’s pale face. In her opinion, he might have suffered from a sudden heart attack, but these people only knew how to wait around in a daze. None of them knew first aid.
“I know first aid. Let me help.” Shen Yin strode over to the old man. The bodyguards immediately looked warily at this woman who had suddenly spoken up.
“So you’re the one who stole the Old Master’s bag!” One eagle-eyed bodyguard quickly grabbed her wrist. “How dare you show up!”
Another bodyguard forcefully snatched the bag away, hurriedly unzipped it, and pulled out a small pill bottle. With trembling hands, he tipped out a pill and placed it in the old man’s mouth.
“You’re a thief?” The policeman’s expression changed. He took the handcuffs from his belt. “Looks like you’re going to have to come back with me now for an investigation.”
“I snatched this bag from a thief. Haven’t your men caught the thief yet? I’m a police officer too!” Shen Yin explained. She had not expected to be so unlucky as to be caught by the owner of the bag in such a manner.
The cop looked at her. “Do you have an ID?”
Shen Yin choked. She had just gotten off the plane and had not had time to report to the station. Of course she did not have an ID.
Seeing that the police were about to proceed with arresting her, the bodyguard raised his hand to stop them. “Wait, I’ve already contacted President Lian. President Lian will handle this matter himself. Don’t worry, we wouldn’t do anything illegal.”
Shen Yin knew that she had become the scapegoat. But she was not overly worried because the airport was filled with surveillance cameras, so it would not be difficult to clarify matters. She looked past the bodyguard in front of her and her gaze rested on the old man lying on the ground.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to perform first aid before discussing who will deal with me?” Shen Yin crossed her arms. She judged the old man’s general condition based on his complexion and weak breathing.
The bodyguard pointed at Shen Yin rudely and said warningly, “You thief, if you hadn’t taken Old Master’s bag, he would not have panicked and had a heart attack. And he would not have to wait until now to take his fast-acting cardiac pill.”
Another bodyguard carefully checked the documents in the bag. When he heard Shen Yin’s words, he scolded her angrily, “Stop pretending. Don’t think that you can redeem yourself by saving Old Master now. You’ll be in trouble when President Lian arrives!”
“Alright, alright.” Shen Yin looked away indifferently. She had already done her best, but since the other party did not appreciate it, there was nothing she could do.
The old man on the ground grew paler as the minutes ticked by. His condition was deteriorating, but there was still no sign of the airport medical team.
“What’s wrong with your airport? Are you able to bear the responsibility of the Old Master’s treatment being delayed?” The bodyguard looked at his watch and cursed the airport medical staff through his mobile phone.