Chapter 29: They Will Surely Be Brought to Justice

“I’m not sure, it sounded like a call from some leader, but I have a feeling Rose might be the mistress of a business tycoon,” Lin Chuan said, grabbing a bun from my plate and eating it.

I paid little mind to it, though what he said was plausible. Those magnates were wealthy and powerful, sure to be given some special consideration.

“What now? If we find evidence, do we have to let her go anyway?” I asked.

“If there’s evidence, we absolutely can’t release her. The trouble is that time is tight—we need to find evidence as soon as possible, or who knows when this case will be solved,” Lin Chuan replied.

I nodded, though there was something odd to me; if Rose was a tycoon’s woman, surely she’d just be a lover. I mused and said to Lin Chuan, “Why not investigate the tycoon too? A big shot willing to stick his neck out for a mistress—I suspect there’s more behind this!”

“You think so too?” It seemed we were on the same wavelength.

“Yeah, when something like this happens, those big shots usually sever ties if they can. Why call to get her released? Isn’t that just jumping into the fire?” I answered.

“Exactly. He probably wants her released to avoid being implicated. But it’s possible Rose had an arrangement with him—if she got caught, he’d hurry to get her out, or she’d drag him down with her.”

That sounded plausible. Otherwise, I really couldn’t fathom why a powerful figure would risk so much for a mistress. Don’t talk to me about true love—I don’t buy it.

As we discussed, He Yanran suddenly interjected, “Isn’t it possible that it’s all just business?”

I looked at her, then at Lin Chuan. “Right, maybe the mistress is just a cover—the real relationship is partnership.”

Lin Chuan nodded, taking a bite of the noodles just served to him. “I’ll have to look into him right away.”

“You probably won’t find much useful. Yesterday Fang Xiaolong told me not to expect a clean sweep. Some people are beyond our reach, and it’s nearly impossible to get evidence on them.”

Seeing me so resigned, Lin Chuan clenched his chopsticks. “So we just let them run wild? I can’t do that.”

I knew he was a righteous and fierce officer, but his approach was risky. I lowered my voice and said, “Brother Lin, you’re just a squad leader in a town bureau right now—everything you do will be suppressed. Some things have to wait until you’re back in the city. For now, let’s focus on arresting Rose and Chen Fei. Once their crimes are proven, the others will panic.”

Lin Chuan listened as he ate, reluctant but realistic. “Do you have any solid evidence on your side?”

I nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ve got Fang Xiaolong. He definitely has plenty of evidence.”

“Good, then let’s finish eating and head out,” Lin Chuan said, shoveling noodles in faster.

“Boss, bill please!” I quickly finished and called out.

“I’ve got it!” Lin Chuan beat me to it, handing over the money.

Seeing him pay, I let it go, skipping the customary polite refusals.

We loaded our luggage into the car and drove toward the county.

On the way, I told Lin Chuan about the location and time of the upcoming black market event.

He was visibly shocked when he heard it would take place at the film city, staring at me. “Why there?”

“Because everything can be passed off as filming. There’s a crowd, celebrities coming and going, and it’s inconvenient for officers to act. For them, it’s actually a perfect spot,” I explained.

“…Tomorrow’s Friday. You’ll come with me, right?” Lin Chuan said.

I told him about the need for a permit, showing him the website Fang Xiaolong had given me yesterday.

He said he understood and would have a colleague in that field check it out.

I nodded, and together we arrived in the county. Since He Yanran was still with us, I suggested we find a safer hotel.

As I was here to help Lin Chuan, he planned to cover the expenses, and he took us directly to a hotel he’d chosen.

It looked decent, so I decided to stay. But tonight, I didn’t want to share a room with He Yanran again. I handed over my ID and said, “Two rooms.”

Before the clerk could respond, He Yanran said, “Just one room—a double, please!”

Hearing her request for a single room, I felt uneasy. Was last night’s torment not enough for her?

But since she insisted, refusing would seem inappropriate. I agreed, grateful it was a double room; otherwise, I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t do something reckless tonight.

Once our things were in the room, I told He Yanran, “Officer Lin and I have work to do. Wait here, or go out if you’re bored.”

She nodded obediently, then asked, “Will you come back for lunch with me?”

I thought for a moment. “If you’re hungry, eat first. Don’t wait for me.”

“Alright!” She didn’t insist on waiting this time, probably realizing it would be troublesome for me to make a special trip back.

Seeing her so well-behaved, I took a thousand from my bag and placed it on the table. “Go out if you’re bored. Don’t stay cooped up in the room.”

“No need, I have money!” He Yanran quickly said, seeing me offer cash.

“It’s fine, take it. I haven’t been able to spend much time with you since we came out,” I said, patting her head before grabbing my things and heading out.

Lin Chuan was waiting in the hotel lobby, and we hurried to the police bureau.

“Captain Lin, you’re finally here. The higher-ups want us to find evidence quickly, or we really will have to let them go,” a police officer said as soon as Lin Chuan arrived.

“I know,” Lin Chuan replied, handing the website from my phone to the officer specializing in such matters. “Get on this site, contact whoever makes the permits.”

“Understood.”

Watching him issue orders like a leader, I suddenly suspected Lin Chuan’s status was more complicated than I’d realized.

Otherwise, how could a town bureau captain be instructing county officers?

He was probably carrying out some covert assignment—no need to tell me, of course.

“Xiao Bei, I’ll arrange a private place for you. Call Fang Xiaolong over and question him—I need evidence now,” Lin Chuan said seriously.

I nodded, and he took me to the reception room, which was currently empty.

“Thanks for this,” he said, patting my shoulder.

I smiled. “It’s nothing. I may not be at your level, but I’m a temporary officer now—this is what I should do.”

“Serving the people!” He smiled too.

Once he left, I called Tan Xiao and asked her to bring Fang Xiaolong in.

“Master Yang, what now? I barely woke up and you’re calling me in,” Fang Xiaolong said drowsily, his wrists locked in shackles.

Tan Xiao tugged at the chain. “Watch your mouth—answer whatever you’re asked.”

“Alright, ask then,” Fang Xiaolong said, resigned, sitting across from me.

“Why did Chen Fei want to kill you?” I asked.

“Didn’t I say yesterday? He didn’t like me.”

“…So he killed you for that? Fang Xiaolong, do you want your murderer to go free?” I pressed.

“Of course not, but I know you don’t have what it takes!” he scoffed.

Clearly, he knew how formidable Mr. Liao behind Rose was. I said, “Don’t worry. As long as you talk, the police will bring them to justice.”

“Fine. Actually, Chen Fei and I fell out because he broke our own rules. We agreed that each person could bring at most two children a month for safety. But that month, Chen Fei brought four children and three girls. I didn’t know at first, but when I counted, I found out and argued with him,” Fang Xiaolong explained.

Hearing those numbers, I realized that at least forty children a year had fallen into their hands—no wonder they disposed of bodies so carelessly. Furious, I let him continue.

“He said I was cowardly, that if we were in, we should go big. ‘If we’re doomed anyway, make it as tragic as possible,’ he said. I didn’t agree, and he stopped following the rules. I didn’t want to work with him anymore—he’d lost all boundaries. I knew he acted that way because of Rose, so I planned to quit.”

“So that’s his motive?” I asked.

“Yes, nothing else comes to mind. He probably feared I’d betray him if I stopped, so when I went to the Ming’an Town hotel for a deal with a trafficker, they were waiting. Somehow, Chen Fei learned about my plan, thought I’d been exposed, and didn’t want me to implicate them—so he killed me.”

“So that’s how it happened. But he probably didn’t expect you’d run into me!” I looked at Fang Xiaolong, gritting my teeth. He died for a reason, and if not for needing his testimony against Chen Fei and his gang, I wouldn’t want to see him again.

“Exactly. They never expected I’d meet the great Master Yang, and even less that you’d stand up for me!” he said, mocking and sly.

I kicked him. “Keep talking. No more nonsense.”

“Alright, but honestly, without you, the police might never have caught them,” Fang Xiaolong said, his expression turning serious.