The autumn wind surged in fits and starts, shaking loose the yellowed leaves from the bushes, their slender branches twisting and dancing in the breeze. The sky stretched clear and high, occasionally interrupted by birds gracefully cutting through the blue expanse, leaving behind songs of delicate allure. This scene unfolded outside a dilapidated small inn on the outskirts of the city.
Upstairs in one of the guest rooms, Yang Chun, lying low and hidden, shared the space with two strangers who had crossed paths by chance. Known as Lao Lang, the man appeared robust and shrewd, his demeanor hinting at a deep reservoir of experience. His companion, Lao Liu, was as thin as his name suggested, skeletal and weary-eyed, giving off an impression of excessive indulgence or substance abuse.
Li Xinjian briskly entered the Municipal Telecommunications Office. He presented his police badge to the office manager and said, "I'm from the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Public Security Bureau. I'm investigating a case and need your cooperation."
The office manager, a straightforward young man, nodded, "Sure. Please proceed." Li Xinjian handed him a note and cautioned, "Please keep this absolutely confidential."
Exiting the office, Li Xinjian crossed the service hall. His phone rang from his bag. It was Qiangmin's voice, sounding like he was arguing with someone, "Report to the chief, I've found a lead on the ephedrine factory!" Li Xinjian took a few steps down the stairs, jumping into his Mitsubishi Jeep. "Don't joke around now, I'm not in the best mood!" Qiangmin shouted back, "Who's joking? Through a guy named Fan Ming, I've located Lu Hui. This Lu Hui is likely the subcontractor doing the rough processing of drug materials. We're meeting outside the city..."
Alongside the highway outside the city, a burly man leaned against the front of a worn-out Jeep. Fan Ming brought Qiangmin, with his rolled-up bedding on his back, to him and introduced, "Boss Lu, I've brought you the person. His name is Ma Tiezhu." Lu Hui scrutinized Qiangmin up and down, "Hmm, you're quite big. Where are you from?"
Qiangmin replied bluntly, "Shandong."
"Where did you work before?" Lu Hui inquired further.
Counting on his fingers, Qiangmin answered, "Road construction, sewer maintenance, coal mine work, port loading, I've done all sorts of heavy labor."
Lu Hui suddenly reached out, "ID card!"
Qiangmin obediently handed over the makeshift fake ID he had hurriedly obtained.
Lu Hui compared it briefly before tucking the ID into his own pocket, stating, "According to company regulations, I'll hold onto your ID."
Qiangmin nodded repeatedly, "Sure, sure. I trust you with it!"
Lu Hui adopted a more official tone, "My factory maintains strict confidentiality. You'll not only work hard and sweat buckets, but also endure corrosion and high temperatures."
Qiangmin assured him, "Fan Lao Ban has briefed me on all this. I'm not afraid."
"Good to know," Lu Hui tossed him a cigarette, "I have my rules here, make sure you understand."
Qiangmin picked up the cigarette from the ground, treating it like a treasure. He dusted off the ash, tucked it behind his ear, and obediently replied, "As long as I can earn money, I'm fine with any rules."