In the interrogation room of the Criminal Police Brigade, Haizhou's notorious gang leader Yuan Longping sat handcuffed, his head lowered, behind the iron bars. Deputy Captain Li Xinjian smirked at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yuan, it's been over a year since we last saw you here. You've certainly grown bolder."
Yuan Longping nodded humbly. "I wouldn't dare, Officer Li."
Li Xinjian shifted the cigarette in his mouth from left to right with practiced ease. "You used to lead a few petty thieves and prostitutes. Now you've upgraded to the murder business. That must be quite lucrative." Yuan Longping hurriedly protested, "With my guts, I wouldn't dare commit murder. Officer Li, you must be joking."
Li Xinjian spat the cigarette butt onto the floor. "Bullshit! Does it look like I'm joking? Look up!" Yuan quickly lifted his head, looking aggrieved.
Li Xinjian raised his voice, "Don't act like a coward! I'm telling you, if you talk now, maybe I can still help you. Wait any longer, and it might be too late."
Sweat started to bead on Yuan Longping's forehead. "Yes, yes!" His eyes darted around nervously. Li Xinjian closed his notebook and stood as if to leave. Yuan panicked, "I'll talk! I'll talk..." Li Xinjian sat back down, and Yuan hesitated again. Frustrated, Li Xinjian slammed the table and started towards the door. Yuan threw himself against the bars, pleading pitifully, "Officer Li, don't go! I'll tell you everything, I swear!"
Li Xinjian sat back down, irritated. "I've seen people walk dogs and horses, but I've never seen anyone walk a cop!" Yuan Longping slumped back in his chair, defeated. "Lu An asked me to find him two hitmen. He said he didn't care about the cost, just that they were the best."
"Who was the target?"
"You know our line of work's rules. He didn't say, and I didn't ask."
"Your rules are bigger than the law? How much did you get?"
"Twenty thousand."
"Not bad!" Li Xinjian's tone suddenly quickened. "Who's Lu An's boss? A man? A woman?"
Yuan Longping's face contorted with uncertainty. "I really don't know. Lu An said he had a grudge against that person..."
At that moment, Qiang Min burst into the room, giving Li Xinjian a significant look before leaving. Li Xinjian turned back to Yuan Longping. "Write down everything that happened. You can go now."
Li Xinjian opened the office door to find Qiang Min sitting there, wiping sweat from his brow. He teased, "You look like a startled bird. Did your lover's husband catch you?"
Qiang Min took a big gulp of cold water. "You're joking! I saw Yang Qiu..."
Li Xinjian stared at him incredulously. "I'm an atheist. Stop messing with me."
"I'm serious!" Qiang Min was desperate.
Li Xinjian became serious. "Where did you see him?"
Qiang Min grabbed Li Xinjian's cigarettes. "At the airport. I was tailing Liu Mei, and there he was, Yang Qiu, looking like he stepped out of a movie, coming off an international flight!"
Li Xinjian pondered. "Could it be his twin brother, Yang Chun?"
"Yes!" Qiang Min slapped his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"That's why you're only a team leader and not the deputy captain," Li Xinjian said, patting Qiang Min's shoulder. "Don't look so resentful. What happened next?"
Qiang Min took a drag on the cigarette. "So, it's definitely Yang Chun. This guy is no joke, former actor, expert in disguise and surveillance. He saw Liu Mei and the chairman getting into a car and followed in a taxi. I didn't have time, so I grabbed a motorcycle from a traffic cop at the airport and followed."
Li Xinjian's expression darkened. "Yang Chun—looks like he's back from abroad to avenge his brother."