"After completing the military training, he was assigned to the Naval Military Region of Wuhai City in the First Battalion, serving on a missile speedboat. Just one month into his deployment, he participated in a naval artillery competition, securing the first place and receiving a third-class merit award." Wu Min read this, with a sour note in her voice, showing her disbelief.
"Three months into his deployment, he enlisted for the selection process within the Navy to become a member of the Naval Marine Corps. After passing political integrity, physical fitness, and all subject assessments, he was recruited to become a member of the Reserve Team of the Naval Marine Corps. Then, after enduring half a year of strict and brutal training at Zhengda, he emerged as one of the best, becoming a regular member of the Naval Marine Corps three months ahead of schedule and one of the members of the Rapid Assault Squad of the Naval Marine Corps."
Wu Min suddenly felt uncomfortable. She had been reading for so long, yet all she had come across was praise. She began to doubt if she had the wrong file. The documents submitted in the morning had clearly labeled him as a major offender, serious enough to be sentenced.
Wu Min glanced at Little Flat Head, inquiringly. He smiled bitterly and shrugged, confirming that there was no mistake with the file. Little Flat Head glanced at Zhang Ziwen, admiration in his eyes. Having a military background himself, serving in the Army Reconnaissance Company before becoming a police officer, he knew the hardships of special forces training. It was no small feat for anyone to join the top-notch Naval Marine Corps three months ahead of schedule.
Wu Min was dissatisfied with Little Flat Head's admiration. She continued reading, "In the assault team, the member's training skills were outstanding, performance exceptional. Three months into the Naval Marine Corps, he was assigned to carry out a special task and successfully completed the mission assigned by his superiors. He received a collective second-class merit once, a personal third-class merit once. During the two years in the Naval Marine Corps, he was assigned to carry out a total of 76 various military tasks, 12 of which were overseas, all of which he completed excellently. He has been repeatedly praised and recommended by the military. In June 2004, he was recommended for the Naval Military Academy, but in July 2004, he clashed with local civilians.... clashed....."
At this point, Wu Min's voice became excited. Finally, a blemish in Zhang Ziwen's record had appeared. She looked at Zhang Ziwen triumphantly, "What are you thinking about, Zhang Ziwen? We've reached the main point."
"Hmm....." Zhang Ziwen lifted his eyelids, saw Wu Min staring at him triumphantly, frowned and asked, "Where were you?"
"Getting to your offense. You better listen carefully, so you can't accuse me of falsely blaming you," Wu Min said, angry that Zhang Ziwen hadn't been listening.
"Alright, you continue, I'm listening."
"You better listen carefully; I won't repeat myself."
"...Nagging." Zhang Ziwen muttered under his breath.
Wu Min, who had sharp ears, asked angrily, "What did you say?" Her pretty face reddened; she was angered by Zhang Ziwen again.
Zhang Ziwen rolled his eyes and ignored her, he was too lazy to explain.
Wu Min took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Why was it that ever she interrogated Zhang Ziwen in the morning and found out that he indeed wasn't a member of the Black Dragon Club, then had to reluctantly let him go, she felt upset. She couldn't do anything about having been put down by Zhang Ziwen. This resulted in her being touchy and easily provoked at work, nobody could understand why. Everyone was on pins and needles, avoiding her for fear of provoking her anger.
Fortunately, this annoying scoundrel wound up in her hands again. She resolved he wouldn't escape easily this time. Feeling more and more annoyed as she examined him, the face-off in the interrogation room had left her blushing in anger and embarrassment. Wu Min felt unheard of resentment towards Zhang Ziwen.
Wu Min glared at Zhang Ziwen, "You know very well what happened at the military camp in July of the year before last." Wu Min scornfully looked at Zhang Ziwen with files in hand, "So all you learned from the military was how to fight and brawl? Even after leaving the military, you couldn't stop picking fights."
Zhang Ziwen's lips twitched slightly. Lifting his eyelids, he asked, "So what? I enjoy it. Up to now, I don't regret what I did. There's already a verdict on that case. What can you do about it?"
Wu Min looked at him scornfully, "I may not be able to do anything to you, but you certainly have a previous criminal record. I suspect you won't be able to talk your way out of the police station that easily tonight."
"Heh." Zhang Ziwen scoffed, "That so-called criminal record of mine and the situation tonight are pretty much the same." His voice was filled with disdain.
"Really? You think you can get away with assaulting a police officer after your previous brawl? Do you still think you're in the military?" Wu Min became more furious as she spoke. She banged on the table and raised her voice, "You need to get this straight – this is civilian life; you can't just hurt people as you please and not expect any repercussions."
Looking at Wu Min's agitated state, Zhang Ziwen found the situation absurd. This female police officer seemed to have a deep-rooted hatred against him and was determined to prove him guilty. Was it really necessary?
Zhang Ziwen had an idea and decided to tease his nemesis.
"Alright." Masks his impatience, Zhang Ziwen cut in, "What's your point? Spit it out. Do you want me to confess? Assault? Inciting a riot? Attacking officers? Do you want me to admit to all of it?"
"Humph, at least you acknowledge your offenses. It wouldn't have been that hard to say earlier, we could have saved so much time," Wu Min said, surprisingly calm. She was confident that since Zhang Ziwen was showing impatience, he would confess sooner. This gave her a sense of satisfaction.
"Hey, what if I wanted to confess? You must be dreaming," Zhang Ziwen suddenly laughed, "I insist I am innocent, that's my response to you."
Finding it amusing, he thought, "Youngster, you think these little tricks can convict me? You're too naive." Zhang Ziwen leisurely watched Wu Min, wondering how her expression would change.
"You... Zhang Ziwen..!" Wu Min's face turned red with anger. Grinding her teeth, she said, "Even in the police station, you are still so arrogant... Daring to mock the police, hmph - I don't believe... I can't deal with you..." Wu Min's chest was heaving. Her words incoherent, she was clearly infuriated by Zhang Ziwen.
"Calm down, don't lose your composure." Seeing her huffing and puffing, Zhang Ziwen almost burst out laughing, he continued to taunt, "The safety of the public still needs you, the heroic and invincible policewoman to protect them. If something happened to you, I would be devastated."
"Zhang Ziwen... You've gone too far!" Wu Min was both angry and embarrassed, she picked up the files in her hands, ready to throw them towards him.
Little Flat Head saw Wu Min losing her cool, he quickly stood up to stop her and said, "Inspector Wu, don't play into his hands - the angrier you get, the happier he is... Maybe I should take over, take a break."
"No, I'll do it." Wu Min firmly refused. She couldn't take any of Little Flat Head's advice at the moment.
Little Flat Head sighed quietly and sat down. He had been observing them for a while and noticed how her boss, the beautiful woman, was not behaving as usual. She never lost her temper like this before. He had a feeling that there was something going on between her and Zhang Ziwen. Continuing like this, they might not get anywhere by the end of the night.
At that moment, there was a knocking sound from outside. A uniformed police officer poked his head in, "Inspector Wu, there's a lawyer outside who wants to see you."
"I'm busy, get out."
Wu Min's harsh tone stunned the police officer. Seeing Wu Min's icy expression, he dared not to say another word. He quickly withdrew his head and closed the iron door.
After a few seconds, the police officer pushed the iron door open again to peek in, he awkwardly smiled, "Inspector Wu, the lawyer said he wants to see his client."
"Then let him see his client. What are you waiting for? I'm busy, don't disturb."
"The lawyer's client is in here, his name is Zhang Ziwen."
"What? Zhang Ziwen?"
"Yes..." Seeing Wu Min's disgruntled face, the police officer barely managed to utter the word "yes".
"You... let him in."
Now that the lawyer had explicitly stated his intention to see Zhang Ziwen, Wu Min, although unwilling, as a senior inspector, she knew the consequences of preventing such a meeting. So she begrudgingly let the lawyer in.
Seeing Inspector Wu agreeing to let the lawyer in, the policeman sighed in relief. His boss was particularly moody today, his heart pounded in fear in case he was to be scolded again.
Zhang Ziwen found it strange to hear about a lawyer wanting to see him. He didn't know any lawyers, nor could he afford to hire one. Why would a lawyer come to see him?
Before he could figure out the reason, the policeman had already brought the lawyer in.
Wu Min sized up the lawyer: a well-dressed man in his forties with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He looked refined yet sharp. But it was hard to associate him with the loathsome Zhang Ziwen. Zhang Ziwen didn't look wealthy enough to afford a lawyer. Wu Min was suspicious.
"I am Lawyer Han from Jin Zhong Lawyer's Firm, here is my card." The self-proclaimed Lawyer Han took out a business card and handed it to Wu Min.
"Oh... Lawyer Han, your client is Zhang Ziwen?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When a woman has reasons to hate a man, you can sit back and enjoy. I always believe being hated by a woman is better than being loved by one.