Too Bad I Take Things Seriously

"Response?"

Qin Mu's mouth twitched. The other side had gathered more than ten people, their presence overwhelming, and it was clear they were prepared for a war of words with him.

Even if I were that good... one person couldn't possibly out-argue a group. Unless the system gave me an invincible trash-talking skill.

"We can't just let this go unchecked, right?"

The security captain smiled bitterly, clearly helpless. He had organized the security guards and tried multiple times to dissuade the group, but to no avail. In broad daylight, he dared not use force.

"Hello? Is this 110? There's a crowd causing a disturbance here, blocking the entrance to our nursing home and causing congestion. Even the fire lane is occupied..."

Qin Mu silently took out his phone and dialed the familiar number.

Seeing this, the security captain's eyes widened in disbelief. Such an approach—calling the cops without a second thought... It's the first time I've seen it.

On the other hand, Zhang Qingyuan was quite calm, casting a glance at the inexperienced security captain. Regarding this, he had long since become accustomed to it. If Qin Mu dared to call the police, it surely meant he had a way to get the group arrested. It was just a question of what charges to use.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

"WEE-OO WEE-OO WEE-OO—"

The siren wailed from the distance, drawing nearer, cutting through the crowd, and carving out a pathway.

Shen Dao personally led the team, looking toward Yuan Cui Lian, Xia Qingqing, and the others who had gathered.

He spoke in a stern voice, "We've received reports from the public that there's a disturbance here, preventing the nursing home from operating and obstructing traffic. Please leave as soon as possible."

Once I learned that the report came from this nursing home, I immediately decided to personally lead the team here. The case of death by pursuit... I was the one who initially took over that investigation. I'm also quite familiar with Yuan Cui Lian and her daughter. When they were informed of their release, the two of them made a scene at the police station as well.

However, after his warning, Xia Qingqing held her head high, showing no sign of backing down. "On what grounds?!" she demanded.

"We're just exercising our rights legally and haven't done anything illegal! They're the ones blocking the way here; what's that got to do with us? The constitution even guarantees our right to demonstrate and parade. What's wrong with holding a banner in protest?!"

Xia Qingqing's voice grew louder as she spoke, determined not to leave.

Shen Dao furrowed his brow and then asked, "You say you're protesting. Do you have a permit for that?"

Xia Qingqing was taken aback. "What permit?"

"Protests and parades are allowed, but they require authorization from the competent authorities. If you don't have a permit, please disperse quickly!" Shen Dao took a deep breath, advising them again.

In fact, Qin Mu's police report had directly cited the crime of illegal assembly.

To establish this charge, there are three constituent elements:

First, gathering without permission and propagating slogans illegally.

Second, refusing to obey an order to disperse.

Third, causing disruption or damage to social order and the operations of public service establishments.

At present, Xia Qingqing and her group had already met two of the conditions. If they did not disperse, they would indeed be committing the crime of illegal assembly.

"We're exercising our rights legally. Why should we leave?"

Xia Qingqing stood her ground, refusing to yield an inch.

"You should know, if you don't disperse now and continue to attract an increasing crowd and block traffic, you'll be committing the crime of illegal assembly!" Shen Dao patiently warned them for the third time.

Xia Qingqing's face turned pale at his words, her expression somewhat disbelieving.

"Don't try to scare me!"

I went to college. I'm very clear about what 'crime' means! Once convicted, regardless of the penalty, I'd end up with an indelible criminal record on my personal file.

Shen Dao looked at her intensely, saying in a serious tone, "Illegal assembly, if suspected as criminal activity, is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, detention, control, or deprivation of political rights."

"Qingqing... maybe we should just leave," Yuan Cui Lian said, equally frightened, quickly pulling her daughter.

Xia Qingqing bit her lower lip hard; although unwilling, she did not resist further. If I end up imprisoned because of this... it would truly be a loss not worth the gain.

"Who orchestrated this event? Who's directly responsible?"

Then, in front of the law enforcement recorder, Shen Dao asked the two of them a routine question.

"What do you mean?"

Xia Qingqing's eyes widened as she swallowed hard. "Aren't we all about to disperse? Why are you still asking this?"

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

Shen Dao looked at her, saying earnestly, "Illegally assembling, occupying public places, and disrupting the order of public places—even if it doesn't constitute a crime, it is still a violation of the law."

"What happens if you violate the law?" she asked, growing even more anxious.

"Your illegal gathering has violated Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. You are subject to administrative detention and a fine."

Shen Dao took a deep breath, revealing the nature of their illegal actions.

Lawbreaking and criminality are often inseparable. When Qin Mu reported the incident, he cited both their illegal and potentially criminal behavior. Illegal assemblies, if serious enough, can constitute a crime. Even if they don't reach the level of a crime, behavior that causes congestion and affects public business establishments also breaches public security administration laws. According to regulations, such behavior usually results in administrative detention and a fine. Typically, if no one reports it, most law enforcement agencies just issue a simple warning and impose a fine.