The prison guard unlocked the cell door with a loud clink of keys and shouted, "Lin Daxia, you have a visitor!"
Lin Xiaoqiang was stunned. In five years of incarceration, this was the first time anyone had come to see him. Puzzled, he muttered to himself, "What a strange occurrence, like a rooster laying an egg. Who could it be? Duck just left; even if he turned into a swan, he couldn't fly here this fast! Who on earth is it?" Deep in thought, he slowly got up and followed the guard out.
When Lin Xiaoqiang reached the visiting room, he saw Lin Xiaoliang, his brother, and a mix of emotions surged within him. He gave his brother a brief glance, showing no sign of joy. Lin Xiaoliang, on the other hand, was quite excited, extending his hand and calling out earnestly, "Big Brother!"
Lin Xiaoqiang did not extend his hand in return, "What are you doing here?"
Lin Xiaoliang, surprised, replied, "To see you!"
Lin Xiaoqiang looked down at his brother, "After all these years, now you remember me?" Lin Xiaoliang retracted his hand, feeling guilty for having nearly forgotten his brother while indulging in his own pleasures. He explained, "Dad asked me to come a long time ago, but..."
Lin Xiaoqiang interrupted with a wave of his hand, speaking coldly, "Now that he's gone, you finally show some humanity!"
Lin Xiaoliang, upset by his brother's harsh words, retorted, "Don't speak of him that way. He had no other choice back then."
"You don't know anything!" Lin Xiaoqiang snapped.
Lin Xiaoliang, silent, handed over some money and cigarettes. This gesture softened Lin Xiaoqiang's demeanor. He asked, "What are you doing now?"
"Still working for our second brother," Lin Xiaoliang answered casually.
"Who is your second brother?" Lin Xiaoqiang asked indifferently.
Caught between his two half-brothers, Lin Xiaoliang felt awkward and changed the subject, "I heard your sentence was reduced for good behavior?"
Lin Xiaoqiang nodded nonchalantly.
"When will you be released?" Lin Xiaoliang asked with interest.
"There are two ways out of prison," Lin Xiaoqiang said, holding up two fingers, "being released by the authorities and breaking out yourself." His odd expression made Lin Xiaoliang hesitant to continue.
"Is that Guo kid still riding high?" Lin Xiaoliang dared not tell the full truth, "He's doing alright."
"The bigger his business gets, the harder it'll be for him to let go!" Lin Xiaoqiang remarked, gathering his things. "Tell him Lin Xiaoqiang congratulates him from prison!" He turned to leave.
Lin Xiaoliang watched his brother's retreating back, lost in thought.
Lin Xiaoqiang stopped and asked, "Is that Liu woman still alive?"
Lin Xiaoliang nodded.
"She better not die!" Lin Xiaoqiang said viciously.
In the office of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Zhang Xiaohua had locked the door from the inside. Holding the receiver, he made a call on a secure line, "Liu Mei, Lin Xiaoliang, and Yang Chun are in Xinjiang, procuring raw materials for drugs. With the cooperation of our colleagues in Xinjiang, we've identified the source and transportation methods. Awaiting further instructions."
A slow, steady male voice responded, "Haizhou is confirmed to be a methamphetamine processing base, likely the largest in the country. Meth will replace heroin as the dominant drug of the 21st century."
Zhang Xiaohua's expression grew more severe.
"We've got a clear picture of the imports. The export routes are now the focus."
"We know very little about their export routes," Zhang Xiaohua admitted.
"They use multiple routes, both domestic and international." Zhang Xiaohua interjected, "Yes. Haiyan is currently exploring substantial export operations."
"The International Criminal Police Organization's China Bureau will assist. Once the export routes are clear, they must be destroyed completely," the voice commanded.
"Understood," Zhang Xiaohua replied solemnly.
"Ensure 'Haiyan' remains intact."
"Understood. Rest assured," Zhang Xiaohua affirmed.