Another officer emerged from the bathroom, holding a syringe and a belt, and reported to Li Xinjian, "Found these in the toilet tank." He handed the items to him.
Wang Jingfei, now composed, addressed Li Xinjian, "This is a setup. Someone is framing me." Li Xinjian didn't look at her, instead ordering the officers, "Search every inch!" Wang Jingfei's face turned pale as she shouted, "You will be held accountable for your actions!" In truth, Li Xinjian hadn't expected this outcome. He was filled with anger and resentment, mixed with love. However, in front of his subordinates, he couldn't show any of this. "You can explain yourself in the interrogation room!" he said, pushing Wang Jingfei aside as he walked out.
An officer took out handcuffs, ready to restrain Wang Jingfei.
Li Xinjian's lips trembled slightly as he turned and exited.
In the lobby, Qiang Min commanded the officers to guard every exit. The employees of the building watched in silence, with the sound of phones and walkie-talkies constantly in the background.
Guo Xiaopeng sat alone in a corner of the café, waiting anxiously. A waitress brought him a steaming cup of coffee. He smiled gratefully at her, a rare departure from his usual reserved demeanor. Stirring the coffee, the cup clinked softly. Just then, he saw the police escorting Wang Jingfei downstairs. She was wearing a trench coat, so he couldn't tell if she was handcuffed.
Wang Jingfei walked out of the lobby, flanked by officers.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, Guo Xiaopeng watched as she was put into a police car, which sped away. He didn't turn away...
The night was dark and vast. A mixed freight train rumbled through the desolate Gobi Desert. Through the bars of the transport car, resembling a prison cell, a full moon could be seen bouncing on the horizon. Dr. Zhang, the prison doctor, sat on a wicker recliner, his flushed face illuminated by dim lights, resembling a freshly baked yam. Lin Xiaoqiang sat on a wooden stool opposite him, wrapped in a tattered coat. Between them on a small table were two cups, a bottle of liquor, and three opened cans.
Already somewhat drunk, Dr. Zhang motioned for Lin Xiaoqiang to pour more liquor.
Lin Xiaoqiang, pretending to be concerned, said carefully, "You've had quite a bit already." Dr. Zhang, who looked like a frail intellectual in his thirties, but spoke coarsely, retorted, "I told you to pour, so you pour!"
Lin Xiaoqiang obediently poured him a full bowl, "I'm just worried about your health." Dr. Zhang snorted disdainfully, "In this hellhole, what's the use of good health? We get to see our wives only once a quarter."
Lin Xiaoqiang pushed the cans of vegetables towards him, "You should eat more greens." "These vegetables are garbage, no flavor," Dr. Zhang scoffed. "Better than nothing," Lin Xiaoqiang sighed in agreement.
Dr. Zhang, his eyes not quite focused, stared at Lin Xiaoqiang, "I still appreciate you." Lin Xiaoqiang quickly responded, "Of course! Of course!"
"Whoever I like gets the best meals," Dr. Zhang said proudly. Lin Xiaoqiang eagerly chimed in, "And many other benefits!"
"You really understand me," Dr. Zhang said, feeling pleased. "I'll talk to the warden about reducing your sentence by two years."
Lin Xiaoqiang flattered, "Your word is gold, Dr. Zhang. When we get to the city, we'll have a good time."
Dr. Zhang's face lit up, "You got the money for it?"
Lin Xiaoqiang pretended to be annoyed, "With your favor, how could money be an issue?" He glanced at the guard sleeping nearby with a rifle, then lowered his voice, "If I could get a hospital checkup for my stomach, money would be the least of our concerns."
Dr. Zhang, eyes bleary with drink, said, "As long as you're good, I'm good."
In the interrogation room of the police unit, the atmosphere was heavy. Li Xinjian and Qiang Min sat stiffly behind the table, with a female officer taking notes.
Wang Jingfei, wearing a yellow trench coat, sat opposite, her handcuffs removed. She folded her arms across her chest, looking composed, occasionally glancing at Qiang Min but ignoring Li Xinjian. "I never thought we'd meet like this," Li Xinjian said slowly, his tone deliberate.
Wang Jingfei smiled without emotion, "You must feel quite proud of yourself."
Li Xinjian's face twitched, and he slammed the table, standing up, "Do you know what crime you've committed?"
"That's your concern," Wang Jingfei replied swiftly.
"According to Article 347 of the Criminal Law, smuggling, trafficking, transporting, or manufacturing drugs, regardless of the quantity, must be prosecuted," Li Xinjian began, only to be interrupted by Wang Jingfei, who recited, "For opium exceeding one kilogram or heroin and methamphetamine over fifty grams, the sentence is fifteen years or more, life imprisonment, or death." Li Xinjian was momentarily at a loss for words.
Qiang Min filled the gap, "Breaking the law knowingly makes the crime worse!"
Wang Jingfei raised her voice, "I repeat: first, I did not traffic or use drugs; second, you have a duty to find out who is framing me."
Li Xinjian ignored her, "I never imagined you'd turn out like this."
"What do you mean?" Wang Jingfei asked coldly.
"Money truly corrupts people!" Li Xinjian lamented.
Wang Jingfei remained unmoved, her tone flat, "Assuming all wealthy people are bad is an outdated notion. No, to be precise, it's a shallow or even jealous prejudice. Many of Hong Kong's great philanthropists are billionaires." She glanced at Li Xinjian, who was seething, and decided to taunt him further, "Besides, you've never had money, so you don't understand its taste or power. You're not qualified to discuss how money affects people!" Li Xinjian, now furious, retorted, "I've never used drugs, but I know they are a scourge, a cancer to humanity!"
Seeing his contorted face, Wang Jingfei felt a pang of regret, realizing her words had been too harsh. But unable to explain or reveal her true feelings, she decided to end the pointless exchange, "If you don't know what drugs feel like, I'll tell you. It makes you feel like you're floating in heaven. Imagine you want to be a chief, after using it, you are; you want endless money, after using it, you have it. Enough, I don't want to talk to someone as ignorant as you. Take me to your superior!"
Li Xinjian, unable to bear her mocking confession, leapt to his feet, trembling with rage, his eyes bulging. Wang Jingfei, scared, thought, "Oh no, I went too far. This fool might lose it!" Just as she feared, Li Xinjian jumped off the table and lunged at her.
Stunned, Wang Jingfei instinctively shrank back.
Li Xinjian tore off her trench coat, "What...what are you doing?" she exclaimed. He ignored her, quickly rolling up her sleeves. Realizing his intent, she tensed up, fearing he might search other parts of her body. She shouted, "I protest!"
At that moment, Zhang Xiaohua entered. He had been monitoring the situation and decided to intervene.
Seeing him as a savior, Wang Jingfei quickly said, "Director Zhang, Li Xinjian has a personal vendetta against me as the general manager of Haizhou Tower. I request his recusal."
Li Xinjian shouted, "Who has a personal vendetta? If anything, it's between the police and a criminal!" Zhang Xiaohua sternly ordered, "Comrade Xinjian, go find Commissioner Liu." Li Xinjian stomped his foot, "I refuse to step down!"
"Follow orders!" Zhang Xiaohua demanded.
Li Xinjian stormed out, slamming the door behind him.