Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 621 - 238

If reporting proved useless, then sue. The rationale was that while the elderly were indeed the ringleaders, the grassroots law enforcement personnel handling this matter were also responsible. If it weren’t for their encouragement of this atmosphere, these old people wouldn’t dare to flout the law so blatantly, ramping up their encroachment on others’ melon fields.

But this method... It was truly too explosive, a direction she’d never considered before. But... upon careful consideration, this method really was the most effective.

Her best friend, as an average person, couldn’t take various actions against the elderly. Only law enforcement officers had that kind of power. But the lax enforcement by the law enforcement personnel had failed to protect the rights and interests of the victims, instead making these old people even more brazen. This was already improper law enforcement.

Actually... this matter was simple, really. The elderly were indeed not subject to detention or control, but they could be subjected to administrative fines. Steal a melon once, pay a fine of 500. After being fined several times... these old people definitely wouldn’t dare to be so indulgent anymore.

Afterward, she hastily got out of bed, had breakfast, then immediately left the house and drove to Zhaojia Village. This was also the place where her best friend cultivated pumpkins, surrounded by several other villages. Yet, it was only the elderly of Zhaojia Village who were the most arrogant, coming to steal melons whenever they felt like it.

「Two hours later.」

She found Hu Wenning guarding the pumpkin field but witnessed a scene of utmost disarray. Many of the pumpkins in the field were chopped in half. The destruction was severe.

"Sigh, it was the work of those old people last night..." Hu Wenning opened a surveillance video and passed it to her.

Qing Lan trembled with anger, unable to restrain herself from cursing, "These people... are they too reckless?"

A rough count revealed that nearly a hundred melons had been chopped, with losses amounting to several thousand.

"I really don’t know what to do now..." Hu Wenning squatted on the ground, clutching her hair as if on the verge of madness. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

At this moment, she looked nothing like someone born after 1995. In just a few days, she seemed to have aged by several years. The torture she endured was evident.

"Wenning, I... I’ve asked my friend, and he suggested a solution," Qing Lan pursed her lips and offered a comforting word.

"What solution?" Hu Wenning looked up, her expression somber. "These past few days, I’ve consulted every lawyer I could find and heard all sorts of terrible ideas. They told me to expose them online, make their deeds public, and use public opinion. They also suggested I install an electric fence, get a dog, or find their sons..."

Each method was an unorthodox approach; all were makeshift remedies. If she really installed an electric fence, and if any of these old people—with their high blood pressure, diabetes, osteophyte growth, or heart disease—were to die there, she might have to pay a fortune in compensation, or even face jail time.

As for finding their sons... she had tried before. But their sons simply ignored it, claiming they couldn’t persuade their old fathers. And after she made inquiries, she found out that in the past few days, people from Zhaojia Village had frequently been seen selling pumpkins in town. She strongly suspected that these pumpkins were the ones stolen by the old people. The old folks steal, and their sons sell. And she could only stand by helplessly, unable to prevent it.

The only truly reliable method was to record videos and post them online. This matter... she had already done that. Online, many netizens supported her, condemning the actions of these elderly people. Some even dubbed Zhaojia Village as Stealing melon village and called on passersby to take a detour.

However, not long ago, some village cadres and grassroots police had come to her, asking her to delete those videos, claiming it created a bad impression. With no other option, she had to delete all the videos and keep the peace.

"My friend said... you should report the inaction of the grassroots law enforcement officers, and if reporting is useless, then sue," Qing Lan said gravely after listening to her best friend’s complaints.

As her voice fell, Hu Wenning, squatting on the ground, was startled. It seemed this shockingly bold idea had taken her aback.

Report... grassroots law enforcement officers?! This was a path she had never considered, nor had anyone else suggested it to her.

"Yes, my friend is well-versed in the law. He said that according to standard procedure, law enforcement officers should give the elderly a verbal warning and impose administrative fines," Qing Lan nodded and spoke earnestly. "If the elderly persist in their criminal behavior, then such actions should be met with decisive measures, and preventive steps should be taken.

"Necessary restraints should be placed on elderly offenders, such as guardianship and isolation, residential restrictions, restrictions on engaging in certain activities, and participation in community service.

"Judicial practice has shown that as long as the consequences of the punishment outweigh the benefits derived from the crime, the punishment can effectively serve its preventive function. Punishing elderly offenders, even with lighter penalties, is often enough to deter them from reoffending..."

Looking at her best friend, she repeated the reporting methods Qin Mu had told her. There were several ways, including telephone reporting and real-name reporting. Telephone reports could be made by dialing 12389. Typically, anonymous reports were not accepted; real-name reports would be followed up by a dedicated person, and a response would be provided. If an unsatisfactory answer was received, one could also submit a complaint and sue in court.

Theoretically, as long as there was a dispute, any lawful citizen could sue any institution in court, including the court itself.

"But... won’t this offend people?" Hu Wenning’s gaze flickered after hearing this. She was clearly tempted, but felt even more hesitation.

If she really did this... she might end up severely offending those grassroots law enforcement officers.