Dusk settled over the detention center, and the blinding white lights flickered on once more. In the interrogation room, a special session was underway. The presence of both a prosecutor and a lawyer added an unusual weight to the proceedings. Zhang Xiaohua sat at the center of the interrogation table, flanked by the prosecutor and Han Lifang, Liu Mei's lawyer. A female officer took notes, and the atmosphere was tense and serious.
Zhang Xiaohua twirled a pencil in his fingers, staring at Liu Mei. "We've met all your demands. Speak now."
Liu Mei twisted her waist, affecting a mysterious air. "You won't believe who I'm going to tell you about."
Zhang Xiaohua frowned, sensing the foreboding in her words. This was no ordinary woman; she might reveal something shocking. He kept his gaze steady. "How do you know we won't believe you if you haven't said anything yet?"
Liu Mei scoffed, "Officials always protect each other."
Zhang Xiaohua's expression hardened. "I must remind you, you are responsible for every word you say. If you falsely accuse someone, it will only add to your crimes."
Liu Mei turned to the prosecutor, feigning pity. "Look at that, Director Zhang is already threatening me as soon as I open my mouth." She then turned back to Zhang Xiaohua, "What's another crime? It's just death at the most!"
The prosecutor, maintaining a stern face, said, "I guarantee, as a representative of the law, that if you tell the truth, you will be protected."
Liu Mei smiled sweetly at the prosecutor. "Really? You won't deceive a weak woman like me?"
The prosecutor, though disgusted by her affected manner, nodded seriously. Liu Mei raised her head, declaring, "It's Li Xinjian! The deputy captain of the criminal police squad who's always harassing women!"
Both the prosecutor and Han Lifang were momentarily stunned.
Liu Mei continued dramatically, "He said he needed to check if I had any injection marks. I'm a weak woman; how could I refuse? He had me strip off my shirt, then my undershirt, and then he acted like a wolf... Ugh! It's too shameful for a woman of my stature to speak of. You're all married; you understand the nature of men and women. I won't go into details."
Zhang Xiaohua sneered slightly and ordered the guards to take her away. He then headed to the meeting room with the prosecutor.
After they sat down, the prosecutor said, "According to the law, Liu Mei's lawyer has requested that Li Xinjian be recused from the case."
Zhang Xiaohua responded, "This is definitely a false accusation. I know Deputy Captain Li Xinjian very well."
The prosecutor nodded, "From an emotional, intuitive, and logical standpoint, I agree it's unlikely to be Deputy Captain Li. But you know, the law doesn't believe in emotions; it believes in evidence. Can you provide evidence to disprove Liu Mei's testimony?"
Lin Xiaoliang drove the Mercedes-Benz through the night, arriving in Shanghai, China's largest commercial city, at dawn. As they entered the city, Lin Xiaoliang asked the resting Guo Xiaopeng in the backseat where to go. Without opening his eyes, Guo Xiaopeng instructed, "Pudong. International Airport."
At Pudong International Airport, Lin Xiaoliang parked the car and accompanied Guo Xiaopeng into the terminal. An announcement echoed through the loudspeakers: "Attention passengers traveling to Hong Kong, your flight is now boarding." Guo Xiaopeng briskly entered the security checkpoint, handing over his ticket and passport. The security officer checked them and then smiled, "Please come with me."
Guo Xiaopeng instinctively looked around, seeing no police presence. He gestured for Lin Xiaoliang to wait in the car and calmly walked into the border control office, though sweat soaked his undershirt.
A distinguished officer greeted him politely, "I'm sorry, Mr. Guo, but you are not allowed to leave mainland China at this time."
"Why?" Guo Xiaopeng asked sternly.
The officer's face remained expressionless, "We're just following orders."
"Can I go now?" Guo Xiaopeng probed.
The officer nodded, gesturing towards the exit, "Please."
Guo Xiaopeng left the terminal swiftly, like a rabbit escaping a hunter's gun, and hurried to the parking lot. Lin Xiaoliang, eyes wide with fear, watched from the car. Guo Xiaopeng climbed into the Mercedes-Benz and urgently commanded, "Quick, to the Jinjiang Hotel!"
In the luxurious suite of the Jinjiang Hotel, Guo Xiaopeng paced on the thick wool carpet in front of the large windows, hands behind his back. Lin Xiaoliang's eyes followed his brother's every move. The phone rang suddenly, startling them both. Guo Xiaopeng signaled his brother to answer. Lin Xiaoliang grabbed the receiver, responding with repeated "uh-huhs," then covered the mouthpiece, whispering to his brother, "It's Han Lifang!" Guo Xiaopeng quickly took the phone.
"Sources say your departure to Hong Kong was blocked purely for economic reasons," Han Lifang's voice was clear.
"Economic reasons?" Guo Xiaopeng asked, bewildered.
"The banks have recently compiled a list to ensure 'financial security,' and unfortunately, your name is on it."
Guo Xiaopeng exhaled in relief, clearly more at ease, "What qualifies someone for this blacklist?"
"Anyone with bank loans exceeding one or two billion yuan, I think," Han Lifang speculated.
Detention Center. Night.
Li Xinjian and Qiang Min paced the corridor outside Cell 1 on the third floor, their footsteps echoing loudly in the silent night.