As Wang Jingfei entered the room, she glanced around the director's office: it was a fully enclosed space, divided into an inner and outer room, separated by double-layer glass.
Chen Ran remained seated at his computer, neither offering a seat nor engaging in small talk, acting as if she wasn't there.
Wang Jingfei began, "In a system, whether it's a country, a computer network, or a person, what is the most crucial element?"
Chen Ran's quick mind needed no time to think. "I don't deal with abstract questions," he replied immediately.
Wang Jingfei, unfazed, stated, "It's security."
Chen Ran lifted his gaze to meet hers for the first time, scrutinizing her seriously. "Your security is compromised," Wang Jingfei emphasized, "I mean right now!"
Chen Ran, visibly uneasy, firmly denied, "Impossible!"
"Have you been to Harbin?" Wang Jingfei turned to look out the window, her face indifferent. Chen Ran shook his head, first slowly, then more quickly.
"Have you heard of Lianchi Pharmaceutical Factory?" she asked, watching the branches sway in the breeze outside. Chen Ran's tension spiked instantly. "Ms. Wang, let's discuss this inside. The inner room is completely shielded, no electronic eavesdropping devices can penetrate."
Wang Jingfei turned to face him, "I can tell you have a severe lack of security." She glanced at her watch, "I have a meeting. Wait for my call."
Chen Ran, looking desperate, handed her a slip of paper, "This number connects to all my communication devices; you can reach me instantly..."
Outside a brick kiln at a labor camp in northwestern Xinjiang, the prisoners moved like a swarm of busy ants. Under the scorching sun, with no clouds in sight, the desert's wind whipped up sand, making it hard for anyone to keep their eyes open. Lin Xiaoqiang and Jin Tie sat in the shade, drinking tea. Lin Xiaoqiang's muscular, bare back and fair skin marked him as superior among the prisoners. Jin Tie, one hand holding a fan to cool him and the other a towel to wipe away sweat, attended to his every need.
Lin Xiaoqiang enjoyed Jin Tie's meticulous service with his eyes half-closed.
Jin Tie, searching for conversation, asked, "Lin, your influence isn't limited to just this area, right?"
Lin Xiaoqiang replied, "Five years of cultivation, of course, it's more than just this place."
Jin Tie cautiously probed, "Then why don't you find a way to get out?"
Lin Xiaoqiang pointed to the kiln, "Everyone here wants to get out immediately. Can they?"
Jin Tie fanned him a few more times, "I heard your father was a city party secretary?"
"Provincial party secretary," Lin Xiaoqiang corrected.
Jin Tie, puzzled, asked, "Then why can't you get out?"
Lin Xiaoqiang shifted his position, "The key words are 'was.' Plus, my case is airtight; the evidence is comprehensive."
Jin Tie quickly offered a cigarette.
Lin Xiaoqiang inspected the brand with a squinted eye.
Jin Tie lit it for him, "From what you said, it sounds like someone set you up?"
Lin Xiaoqiang savored the smoke, "You are quite perceptive."
Jin Tie, intrigued, asked, "Someone close to you? A great person like you must have been targeted by a schemer."
"You not only are perceptive but also good at analysis. I didn't misjudge you. This person is..." He suddenly stopped, saying lightly, "A ruthless relative."
Jin Tie wiped away his sweat, "For money?"
"Money is only part of it," Lin Xiaoqiang replied, stretching lazily as if he didn't want to discuss the matter further.
Jin Tie, not noticing his reluctance, pressed on, "What else?"
Lin Xiaoqiang interrupted him, "Knowing more won't help you!" He exhaled a thick plume of smoke, then suddenly asked, "Do you want to get out?"
"Of course!" Jin Tie responded emotionally, "I have a girlfriend. We were inseparable, swore eternal love. But shortly after I was in here, she married an old foreigner."
"How old?" Lin Xiaoqiang asked.
"Old enough to have served as a Nazi in World War II, later fleeing to Australia to become a farmer. You figure it out," Jin Tie sighed deeply.
Lin Xiaoqiang stared at him, "Let's make a deal."
Jin Tie, energized, said, "Anything to get out. You name it."
"The warden here loves money. If he agrees, you can get medical parole. I have a way to reach him."
"What do you want?" Jin Tie asked, showing his business acumen.
"Once you're out, find a way for me to get medical parole too. I'll handle the rest."
"How much?" Jin Tie's eyes lit up.
Lin Xiaoqiang held up five fingers.
Jin Tie gasped, "A million?"
"Ten thousand," Lin Xiaoqiang corrected.
Jin Tie smiled, "A piece of cake." He then asked, "What if I don't help you once I'm out?"
Lin Xiaoqiang gave a sinister smile, "That shows you're not just smart but also honest, which is reassuring. I'll eventually get out. You'll be lucky to become my second poor relative. Then, it's life for a life!"