Xiang Wanfeng, sent from the provincial department, was confined.
Old Bureau Chief Yan Qing came out of retirement.
Without time for pleasantries with his former subordinates, Yan Qing issued his first command: "No matter what, bring Ping'an back safely, no matter where he is! If necessary, tie him up like a pig and bring him back!"
Gao Xiaofei roared with laughter and set off to execute the order.
After arranging the operation, Yan Qing glanced at the clock, a look of worry crossing his face.
"Old Yan, you're something else! Otherwise, we'd all still be in the dark!" Vice Mayor Wang said, clasping Yan Qing's hand. "Tell me, what's the deal with this Xiang Wanfeng?"
"From the beginning, the provincial department has been constantly interfering with this case. Idiots like Huang Sha were sent to stir up trouble, trying to find fault where there was none," Yan Qing said. "Secretary Bai of the provincial department is an old comrade of mine. He told me privately that the person insisting on sending Huang Sha to stir up trouble was Xiang Wanfeng. I didn't think much of it at first. The case dragged on, and I was replaced for being incompetent. I obeyed orders back then and hoped the renowned 'White Fox' Xiang Wanfeng could crack the case. But to my surprise, as soon as he took over, he deliberately targeted Ping'an and Su Xia, using them to stall the investigation. That's when I suspected he had ulterior motives. Taking advantage of a business trip, I investigated Xiang Wanfeng. Guess what? He couldn't stand scrutiny. A foreign bank deposit slip bore his name. Bureau Chief, guess how much money it was? Enough to scare you to death, eighty million! That's concrete evidence! Where did he get that kind of money?"
It turned out that after suspecting Xiang Wanfeng, Yan Qing conducted a small-scale investigation into his finances and discovered a huge sum deposited overseas in his name, which Xiang Wanfeng had never disclosed to the organization. Later, as the investigation deepened, Yan Qing found that Xiang Wanfeng wasn't interested in the case itself but was focused on Ping'an and Su Xia. It was precisely after Xiang Wanfeng took charge of the case that Lin Dang, a close associate of Ping'an, had an accident, and Su Xia was reported again. A mere thug like Niu Daixing could even openly report Ping'an by name! Was this a joke?
"So, I now suspect Xiang Wanfeng is the mastermind behind everything! And he's planning to use Ping'an as a scapegoat. Su Xia is already dead, so Ping'an is likely next," Yan Qing said. "What's important now is to protect Ping'an, because Ping'an has Liu Juan's phone. He might have more information. That's why my first demand upon returning was to bring Ping'an back!"
Ping'an, who was out of town, naturally had no idea that Xiang Wanfeng had been apprehended. He emerged from Liu Juan's house covered in dust.
"It's late, let's find a hotel to stay at! I'll organize my intelligence!" Ping'an said, getting into the car. He took out his phone and sighed, "The signal up in these mountains is really bad, it keeps cutting in and out!"
"Ring ring!" As the car descended the mountain, the signal suddenly returned to normal. Ping'an checked his phone and saw a text message from Xiang Wanfeng. Just as he was about to open it, he noticed Xiang Wanfeng was calling him.
"Texting and calling again, is it something urgent?" Ping'an answered the phone.
"Ping'an, it's me, Old Yan!" Instead of Xiang Wanfeng's usual anxious voice, a familiar voice echoed from the other end.
"Old Yan! Director Yan! How is it you?" Ping'an, stunned for two or three seconds, quickly gestured for Mai Mang, who was driving, to stop the car.
"Ping'an, come back. The police now have sufficient evidence to prove your innocence!" Yan Qing, still prone to grand pronouncements, said on the phone. "Trust us and cooperate, and we can break this case sooner!"
"Old Yan, where is Xiang Wanfeng?" Ping'an ignored Yan Qing's words.
"You're too young, still asking about him at a time like this! Let me tell you the truth, Xiang Wanfeng is suspected of criminal activity and has been taken into custody!" Yan Qing said. "You were deceived by him. He's the real mastermind!"
"What?" Ping'an said incredulously.
"I've been investigating Xiang Wanfeng and found he has a huge deposit in his name in an overseas bank. Do you know how much? Eighty million! Also, who else but the Deputy Director of the National Security Bureau, in charge of operations, would have the means and opportunity to contact overseas drug traffickers? He just wants to force you into becoming the mastermind and take the fall! Oh, and you might not know this, but Xiang Wanfeng was the one who persuaded your mother to testify in your father's case and ultimately sent your father to court!" Ping'an listened to Yan Qing's account, completely bewildered.
"Did he admit it?" Ping'an suddenly asked.
"Admit what? Ping'an, just now, someone reported that your phone repair friend helped you unlock your phone and was preparing to send it to you. While sending you a message, he also sent a text. Guess what it said? An order to eliminate you!" Yan Qing said. "Think about it, why does Xiang Wanfeng value you so much? Why is he so good to you? Because he wants to use you! He's already used Su Xia! Now he wants to use you!"
"Director Yan, do you have evidence for what you're saying?" Ping'an asked.
"Come back, and I'll show you the evidence! Xiaofei is already on the highway with your classmate, looking for you! Follow Xiaofei and come back obediently!" Yan Qing said.
"Director Yan, this is all too sudden. Please give me some time to think!" Ping'an's voice slowly lowered.
Could it be that Xiang Wanfeng was the hidden mastermind? Were the two people who came with him here to silence him?
"Director Yan, please give me some time. I'll head back now!" Ping'an wiped the sweat from his forehead and, without waiting for the other person to speak, hung up his phone. He then said to Mai Mang and Hei Dou, "I don't care what your jobs are! Your superior, Xiang Wanfeng, has been apprehended by the police! From this moment on, your mission can end. Are you going back to report, or do you want to stay with me?"
Mai Mang and Hei Dou exchanged glances. "If the news is confirmed, then according to relevant regulations, Advisor Ping'an, we can't continue with you," Mai Mang said to Ping'an.
Ping'an looked at Mai Mang. "That makes sense. To be honest, I can't believe what Director Yan said, but as things stand, you should go back and report."
"We'll take you to the city and then leave!" Mai Mang said.
"I'm not leaving! I'll stay with Advisor Ping'an!" Hei Dou, who had been mostly silent, suddenly said. "I follow orders and am loyal to people. I don't believe Director Xiang would do such things!"
Ping'an calmly looked at Hei Dou, noticing that he seemed sincere. However, Hei Dou's refusal to leave made Ping'an uneasy!
"He's not leaving! Could he really be acting under Xiang Wanfeng's orders to get rid of me?" Ping'an thought, his eyes darting around.
"Let's go back to the city first." Ping'an hadn't expected that just as his investigation was yielding some results, someone would intervene. Was he supposed to surrender meekly and wait for Gao Xiaofei to arrest him? Ping'an pondered.
The car headed towards the city. Sitting in the car, Ping'an finally managed to contact Mu Gua.
"Mu Gua, don't come looking for me. A police officer will find you soon. Whatever they ask, just answer truthfully," Ping'an said after thinking for a moment. "The police might try to scare you, but don't be afraid. I'm here!"
The car entered the city! It was time to part ways, but Ping'an suddenly announced he was also returning to Hechuan.
Ping'an took out his phone and called Yan Qing.
"Director Yan, have Xiaofei take Mu Gua back. Mu Gua has Liu Juan's phone, and the contents are very important. I haven't had a chance to look at them yet," Ping'an said. "I'm returning to Hechuan now! Don't send Xiaofei either!"
"Everything can wait until I get back!" Ping'an hung up the phone without waiting for Yan Qing to reply.
Whether Mu Gua had obeyed and not come, or if Yan Qing had given Ping'an time to return, is unknown. By the time Ping'an arrived back in Hechuan by car, it was already 3 AM the next day.
"You two, you can go now!" Ping'an got out of the car in front of a warehouse by the airport expressway and said to Hei Dou, who was about to get out. "Go back. Don't lose your jobs because of me!"
Seeing Ping'an's insistence, Hei Dou nodded helplessly. Mai Mang, who had seemed ready to leave Ping'an's troublesome situation long ago, stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
Watching the two leave, Ping'an felt a sense of relief for some reason. He cautiously scanned his surroundings and then returned to his "single room" within the warehouse.
Xiang Wanfeng's unexpected arrest had caught Ping'an off guard. He had believed they shared a common goal regarding Mr. Ke and could trust each other. But if Yan Qing was telling the truth, what was Xiang Wanfeng's true objective?
Who should he believe? This was a crucial question! If he couldn't resolve this, then the next step... Oh, there would be no next step!
In fact, at this point, if it were Ping'an from a month ago, he would have trusted Yan Qing unconditionally. However, based on his recent investigations, Yan Qing had become the most problematic figure. This was precisely why he had chosen to leave Gao Xiaofei and investigate independently.
His current predicament was the most difficult moment since Ping'an had become involved in this case. Should he continue to trust his own judgment and persist in finding the truth? Or should he obediently return to the police station and accept Yan Qing's arrangements? If so, all the progress he had painstakingly made would be in vain.
Sitting in the warehouse, Ping'an stared at a foreign bank deposit information sheet on his phone screen. This image had been sent by Yan Qing, showing an eighty-million-yuan deposit under Xiang Wanfeng's name.
"This old man! How can he have so much money?" Ping'an shook his head in frustration. He then flipped past the image, revealing another one. This image was also sent by Yan Qing. The content was simpler: a case file with "Xiang Wanfeng" clearly written in the investigator's column.
Just then, Ping'an's phone rang again. He took it out to see it was Yan Qing.
"Ping'an, you see? Xiang Wanfeng is not a good person at all!" Yan Qing said directly on the phone. "I don't know why you've become so stubborn this time! You're not listening at all!"
"Uncle, how is Auntie? It's been a while since I saw her!" Ping'an suddenly asked.
"Her? Playing mahjong every day, what could be wrong!" Yan Qing's stern tone softened as he spoke. "Come back. After we clear your name, come home for a meal. I'll have your aunt stew a turtle for you to recuperate."
"Uncle, you know I'm in the warehouse, right? Don't call anymore, and don't bother making arrangements. I'll go out now and follow you obediently. You're right, I need to clear my name first!" Ping'an's tone was somewhat dejected.
"Good boy! You've been through a lot with this case, and you've been wronged. I'll send everyone else away, just me and the driver. You come out, and I'll take you to the Public Security Bureau!" Yan Qing said.
After hanging up the phone, Ping'an seemed to have given up on everything. This time, he truly felt tired.
He pulled open the roll-up door, and the cold air outside rushed into the warehouse.
Winter had arrived. Ping'an tightened his thin jacket and slowly walked out of the warehouse.
On the main road outside the warehouse, a police car with flashing lights was parked silently. Yan Qing, wearing a black overcoat, stood in front of the car. Seeing Ping'an emerge from the warehouse, he quickly waved.
Time and space seemed to rewind to the past, to a familiar meeting between the Yan Qing who always protected Ping'an and the Ping'an who always caused minor trouble, meeting affectionately and happily.
Ping'an, dazed, walked over to Yan Qing's side.
A familiar face, kind eyes. At this moment, a flicker of warmth rose in Ping'an's heart. He thought, perhaps, he should just let it go...
As Ping'an opened his arms, ready to embrace Yan Qing, he suddenly saw a vicious glint flash across Yan Qing's face, and then he felt a heavy weight settle onto his hands.
"Ping'an, I am now officially notifying you: you are suspected of murdering Chen Nairong and Su Xia, and willingly serving as a pawn for the corrupt official Xiang Wanfeng. You are the most deeply hidden criminal in all these cases!" Yan Qing, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly changed his demeanor.
"Old Yan! That's not right, didn't you say you were going to clear my name?" Ping'an struggled against the handcuffs, but Yan Qing, without a word, pulled him into the car. Once in the car, Yan Qing took Ping'an's phone from his pocket, then retrieved a micro-recorder from a small pocket in his sleeve. After searching Ping'an's entire body and considering that Ping'an wasn't the type to hide things in his "back door," he placed all the confiscated items back into Ping'an's backpack, opened the window, and casually tossed it to a waiting armed police officer.
"Pick that up and take it back to my office!" Yan Qing roared and closed the car window. It was at this moment that Ping'an realized the entire warehouse exterior was crowded with more than a dozen police cars, and a team of fully armed SWAT officers was standing by with their weapons.
"Old Yan, you've gone too far!" Ping'an glanced at Gu Dashan, who was driving, and said to Yan Qing, "I always thought Gu Dashan was from the provincial department. Today I learned he's your man, Director Yan!"
"Accept your fate! I will recommend to the procuratorate and the court that you be sentenced to life imprisonment at most. You can stay there and think things over." Yan Qing said coldly. "There are more than ten pounds of drugs in that dilapidated warehouse of yours. Think about how you'll be sentenced!"
"Old Yan, it's come to this, I have nothing more to say! But I've always wanted to ask you, was Ren Liu's death your doing by tipping them off? After all, you went out for a bit... at the wet market... was it you? After all, Fei Keqing met you?" Ping'an asked.
"If you put it that way, I might as well tell you, you know too much. If I let you go unchecked, you'd eventually find me, wouldn't you?" Yan Qing said. "Don't blame me, you're too annoying. If you had followed my instructions, this case would have been over long ago, and we'd all be happy. You insisted on digging deeper!"
"Old Yan, you've been hiding your secrets very well!" Ping'an said with a bitter smile. "I watched you grow old!"
"Mmm-hmm! You're too smart. I didn't want you involved in this case from the beginning. You almost died several times! If I hadn't intervened, you wouldn't be alive today. Go to prison obediently! Better to live a dog's life than die a noble death!" Yan Qing said. "But even if you want to live, you have to tell me what you know first. Tell me, how did I slip up? Did you leave any evidence?"
"As early as when Ren Liu was murdered, I suspected someone was tipping them off at the bar. After checking the surveillance, I found that only you made a phone call midway. For someone at Xiang Wanfeng's level to come to the municipal bureau to supervise a case, and in terms of rank, only you could be replaced. This indicates that your superiors, at least the provincial department, were already suspicious of you. As for the investigation at the wet market, besides Fei Keqing encountering you, I really can't figure out how Gao Min could have been so prepared! Also, I went to Gao Min's hometown and learned that Gao Min worked under you as a police officer for a year!"
"Get to the point! No speculation! Is there any evidence?" Yan Qing, like a mad dog, grabbed Ping'an's collar and asked.
"If I had ironclad evidence, do you think I would have gotten into your car?" Ping'an said, enraged, tears close to falling.
The hand gripping Ping'an's collar loosened. Yan Qing seemed to have aged ten years, leaning heavily back in his seat.
"Wouldn't it have been better to live your quiet life? Like your father, meddling in other people's business!" Yan Qing closed his eyes and said slowly. "Calling you a pig's brain, and you really are a pig's brain! Xiang Wanfeng has already become the mastermind, so wouldn't you, who everyone sees as working for him, be considered an accomplice? As for evidence, it ultimately depends on how the prosecutor and judge see it! Don't worry, for your father's sake, and for our years of friendship, I'll pull some strings. It won't cost you your life, life imprisonment should be about right. Then, depending on your performance, I'll gradually work on reducing your sentence, striving to get you out within 15 years. By then, you'll only be in your forties, and it won't be too late to get married and have children. If you're willing to work with me, that's an option too!"
"So, I should thank you then!" Ping'an said mockingly.
"You can also consider what I'm saying as a transaction. You're a smart person. Once you get to the Public Security Bureau and the court, as long as you say the right things, I'll arrange things for you properly." Yan Qing said. "Pidan, don't think about fighting Mr. Ke. You're not on his level. Sending you in is for your protection, and also to protect Anjing. Think about it, how will Anjing manage in the future? As long as I'm here, she'll smoothly marry Mei Qian. When you get out, your nephew will probably be in junior high school! How nice would that be?"
"You're threatening me with Anjing?" Ping'an was furious.
"I don't mind holding a posthumous wedding for Anjing and Mei Qian! Don't worry, it will be a grand affair!" Yan Qing narrowed his eyes, looking at Ping'an as if he were a leashed dog. "Don't think I'm just saying it!"
"Old Yan! How did you become like this..." Ping'an said blankly.
"Back then, I was riding my motorcycle home with your auntie. She was eight months pregnant, and everyone said it was definitely a boy!" Yan Qing's demeanor changed as he spoke of his wife. "Halfway there, I saw a thief. In my pursuit of the thief, I fell. I didn't catch the thief, and your aunt lost the baby. The doctor said she would never be able to have children again. Ping'an, do you know that my family has only had one son for three generations? By my generation, the family was desperately poor. My father coughed up blood while building houses for others, all so I could go to college. Villagers needed a job to enter the city, and only in the city could they find a pretty woman to marry!"
"..." Ping'an.
"My aunt feels she let me down, and I've let her down too. Do you know, we've had no feelings for each other for a long time? We've been separated for almost fifteen years!" Yan Qing said. "Since your aunt can't have children, she hasn't paid much attention to me in that regard. I, well, your aunt's indulgence has allowed me to keep other women outside, all under the banner of having a son. Later, as my career advanced, the women changed more frequently, and the children grew in number. Do you know how many children I have now? Thirteen! Ten boys and three girls. The eldest, Feifei, is only a year younger than you. The youngest is only two..."
Hearing this, Ping'an looked at Yan Qing with disbelief. On the surface, Yan Qing, who had been mocked for being childless his entire life, seemed to have found some psychological satisfaction at this moment.
"Raising children is expensive. Although my career has been smooth, I've always been short of money. I remember when I had my first child with an outside woman, I wanted to stop completely. I brought the child home for your aunt to raise, and I would still be a good policeman!" Yan Qing said. "But! Women! They're addictive! I like young ones, uneducated ones from villages, the more simple-minded the better, because they see you as their god! They wouldn't dare to ruin your affairs! Do you know how exhausting it is to support all of them? Is a little money enough?"
"I've done many things over the years. I secretly ran businesses and factories. Did I make money? Yes! But not enough! Have I sold official positions? Yes! But not enough! I even considered forming a team of assassins to kill people for money! But still not enough money!" Yan Qing said. "During the crackdown on organized crime, I was in charge of anti-narcotics. In one operation, drug traffickers rented a train car. What were they transporting? Money! A whole train car of money! There was RMB, USD, and EUR! The amount was impossible to calculate. That time, I secretly took 500,000 Euros, which exchanged for nearly 6 million RMB! That was money I couldn't have earned in years!"
"Nothing is more profitable than drug trafficking! Those who get caught are the ones without connections! After the crackdown in Hechuan, the mountains were without a king! A vacuum market, who would dare to enter? Who would dare! I would! You don't know, do you? Chen Nairong was my aide! Otherwise, how would I dare to use him!" Yan Qing said. "In just three years, I made 200 million! My adult sons, although they couldn't enjoy the political benefits of having a department-level official father, it's nothing to give them more money, right?"
"Ping'an! Are you scared now? Are you scared! I control all the police in Hechuan, and I'm the king of the underworld! I have a hundred ways to kill your Anjing!" Yan Qing said, like a devil.
"Yan Qing! Let my sister go, let the people around me go, I promise you, I know what to say!" Ping'an said, closing his eyes as if he had resigned himself.
"Gagaga! Hahaha! Dashan! Dashan! Look, he's scared! He's scared too! I told you, everyone has weaknesses, everyone gets scared!" Yan Qing said, patting Ping'an's bowed head forcefully. "You can't even handle me, and you want to compete with Mr. Ke? Hahaha!"
Outside the car, the night was as dark as ink, and one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.