That afternoon, the Criminal Police Team held a routine investigation meeting in the conference room. Normally, such meetings were chaired by the team leader, but today the Director was present, indicating the situation was unusual. Over twenty key members of the team sat around the oval conference table, all in a state of alertness. The atmosphere was serious and tense; some were attentively listening, while others discreetly flipped through their notebooks, preparing to answer any questions the Director might ask. The moment the Director spoke, the room fell into complete silence.
Rui Xiaodan was seated far from the Director. She held a pen in her right hand, her left hand resting on her notebook, head slightly bowed, appearing deeply focused as if taking notes. However, her mind was far from the meeting, filled instead with thoughts of speakers, CD players, tube preamps, pure power amps, DACs, audio power supplies, cables, and racks—considering their brands, quality, prices, colors, and appearances, and how they all contributed to sound quality.
The Director continued, his tone growing more intense, "...these issues indicate that our work is still not up to par. Take the 9/13 bank bombing and robbery case, for instance. We've solved over 300 related cases, arrested more than 700 criminals, and dismantled 64 crime syndicates. Have we achieved results? Yes. But can we consider the case solved? Not entirely. We've identified the perpetrators, and most of the gang members have been captured, but the ringleader Huang Fuhai and main culprits Wu Jianjun and Liu Dongchang are still at large, and the 3 million yuan in stolen money is likely unrecoverable. So, our work is still incomplete."
The 9/13 bank bombing and robbery case was one in a series of violent financial institution heists by Huang Fuhai's crime syndicate. Huang Fuhai, known as the "Demon King," and his main accomplices Wu Jianjun and Liu Dongchang were notorious killers. Initially a gun-smuggling ring, they later targeted banks and armored cars for violent robberies. Between May 1994 and April 1996, the ancient city witnessed a series of high-profile robberies, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank savings office, the China Bank branch in the Guoshang Building, and the Agricultural Bank armored car heist. These cases shared many similarities in methods, suspect profiles, and targets, involving explosives and firearms, causing public outcry and relentless media criticism. Numerous satirical jokes about the police circulated in society.
After summarizing and evaluating the recent criminal investigation work, the Director shifted focus, saying, "Now, let's discuss Rui Xiaodan's issue. She spent over a week during work hours driving a police car to audio shops, even mentioning audio equipment in interrogation records. Do you still want to work here? What do you think the Criminal Police Team is? Therefore, the bureau has decided to issue a public criticism and suspend her for review. Now, let's hear from her."
Rui Xiaodan was completely lost in thoughts about audio equipment, not paying attention to the Director's words. The colleague next to her nudged her with a foot and whispered that the Director wanted her to speak. Startled, she quickly stood up, scanned the room and the Director, and said, "The Director's points are spot on. The logical reasoning is rigorous, and the analysis is thorough. I fully support the Director's work plans."
A burst of laughter erupted in the serious meeting room. Realizing her response was off-topic, Rui Xiaodan gave an apologetic look to the Director and awkwardly sat down.
The Director, visibly irritated, said, "Rui Xiaodan, stay behind. Meeting adjourned."
After everyone left, only the Director, the team leader, and Rui Xiaodan remained in the conference room.
The Director, in his fifties, of medium height, with a large bald spot and a lean build, had sharp eyes that seemed to penetrate the depths of a person's being. Watching the attendees leave, he handed a disciplinary notice to Rui Xiaodan, his keen eyes unable to comprehend his subordinate's actions today.
Rui Xiaodan took the "Notice of Suspension and Reflection for Rui Xiaodan," which detailed a public criticism, a 15-day suspension for reflection, a written deep review, withholding half a month's salary, forfeiting six months of bonuses, and disqualification from annual awards. She immediately put it away, then voluntarily placed her handgun, handcuffs, vehicle registration, and car keys on the table.
The Director picked up the handgun, inspected it, and set it down.
Rui Xiaodan asked, "Director, may I leave now?"
The Director, clearly not wanting to say anything further, waved her off. Watching her leave the office, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Unbelievable."