Originally, Xiang Ri thought he'd have to walk to the police station, but fortunately, after a short distance, he was shoved into a police jeep. It was then he discovered who was behind the trouble—none other than Ma Tianhao, his former high school classmate, now seated smugly in the passenger seat. This was the same scoundrel whose leg Xiang Ri had broken in a hotel suite, leaving him unconscious. Now, with a gleam of vengeful glee in his eyes, Ma Tianhao looked like a predator savoring his prey.
"Ma Tianhao?" Xiang Ri's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. Since the instigator had shown up on his own, he wouldn't have to waste time tracking him down.
"Xiang Ri!" Ma Tianhao's voice dripped with venom, seething with hatred. After all, this was the man who had humiliated him in public and left his leg in a cast to this day. How could he not harbor a grudge?
"Surprised to see me, Xiang Ri? I warned you back in high school—anyone who crosses me will meet a miserable end. Back then, I had you under my thumb, and now, your fate is sealed. Get ready to rot in prison!"
"Is that so?" Xiang Ri replied with an air of indifference, casting a glance at the plainclothes officers nearby. With deliberate nonchalance, he remarked, "This is a society governed by law. Do you really think you can block out the sun with one hand?"
Ma Tianhao burst into derisive laughter. To him, Xiang Ri was nothing more than a naive lamb, ignorant of the darker currents of society. "Oh, Xiang Ri, you're still as innocent as ever. Do you think I'd go through all this trouble to have you arrested without the means to bury you behind bars for good?"
He then slapped the burly officer beside him on the shoulder. "Do you know who this is? My cousin. With just a casual excuse, he can lock you away for a decade or more."
Xiang Ri merely shrugged, his disdain evident. He wouldn't waste words on such insignificant trash. In fact, he hoped Ma Tianhao would maintain his arrogance at the police station; it would make his fall from grace all the more satisfying.
Even without Ma Tianhao's family ties spelled out, Xiang Ri had already deduced the connection. When he saw the anti-crime captain earlier, a vague familiarity had nagged at him. Now, the resemblance between the two men—particularly their identical eyes—confirmed his suspicions. Coupled with their shared surname, there was no doubt they were related. Hearing it directly from Ma Tianhao only validated what he already knew.
Interpreting Xiang Ri's silence as fear, Ma Tianhao grew bolder. He leaned closer, his voice dripping with malevolent satisfaction. "Do you know why I didn't come after you immediately? My cousin was away on a mission, hunting down a murderer. Though the mission failed, do you know why? Because he shot the killer dead. That's right, Xiang Ri—he doesn't hesitate to pull the trigger."
Leaning back with a sinister smirk, he added, "I'd hate to see your life ruined like this."
"Oh?" A glimmer of mockery flickered in Xiang Ri's eyes. Did Ma Tianhao think a threat of murder would cow him? He decided to play along, intrigued by the unfolding farce. "What are you suggesting? Are you planning to let me go?"
"Of course, if you cooperate," Ma Tianhao replied with a conspiratorial grin.
"Let's hear it," Xiang Ri said, feigning interest. He couldn't imagine what leverage Ma Tianhao thought he had.
"That day, you had two girls with you. Hand them over to me, and I'll forget about my broken leg. We'll call it even."
Xiang Ri's gaze turned icy. Those who dared covet his women always paid dearly. Yet, he restrained himself—for now. He'd let Ma Tianhao bask in his delusions until they reached the police station. Watching his so-called backing crumble would make his despair all the sweeter. Only then would Xiang Ri exact his revenge.
"How about it? Agree, and I'll release you right here. Refuse, and we head straight to the station," Ma Tianhao taunted, confident his threat would force compliance.
"Absolutely not," Xiang Ri responded coolly, his voice firm and unyielding. Go to the police station? He welcomed the idea.
"Very well, Xiang Ri," Ma Tianhao's face darkened immediately, his composure cracking. He hadn't expected such defiance. "Think carefully about this. Even if you refuse, I have other ways to find those two women. It'll just take a little extra effort on my part. But for you, it won't be good news—you'll be spending the rest of your life behind bars. I'm giving you one last chance. Do you agree or not?"
The distinction between agreement and refusal mattered greatly to Ma Tianhao. If Xiang Ri complied, his plans would be far easier to execute. A little drug, and he could have his way, later spinning the story to accuse Xiang Ri of greed and betrayal. In his twisted imagination, the two women would eventually yield to him.
Of course, this was all a delusion of Ma Tianhao's, an elaborate fantasy unencumbered by the question of whether it could succeed. His singular focus was obtaining the women, nothing more.
"I do not agree," Xiang Ri repeated, barely restraining the urge to strike.
Enraged, Ma Tianhao spun around and raised his fist, ready to lash out, only to be stopped by the burly officer beside him. "Calm down, Tianhao. If you hit him now and the injuries are visible later, it'll complicate things. Wait until we're at the station. Then we can beat him however we want, and no one will be able to trace it back to us."
Xiang Ri cast a frosty glance at the so-called anti-crime captain. It was clear that corruption ran deep in this man. Only someone accustomed to such malfeasance could utter such brazen words with casual ease.
The jeep picked up speed, a clear sign of their eagerness to put Xiang Ri through their version of justice. He observed the situation calmly, his mind sharp and unflinching. Let them come—he hoped they'd still have the strength to cry when the tables turned.
Ma Tianhao and the burly officer, overconfident in their perceived dominance, failed to notice the unflinching resolve in Xiang Ri's gaze. If they had paid closer attention, they might have reconsidered their reckless arrogance.
Soon, the jeep arrived at the police station. Xiang Ri was hauled out by the plainclothes officers. Coincidentally, as he entered the station, Officer Xiao Wu hurried past, visibly preoccupied. Upon seeing Xiang Ri, Xiao Wu froze in shock. "Xiang—"
Before he could finish, his eyes landed on the gleaming handcuffs adorning Xiang Ri's wrists. His face contorted in disbelief as he turned to the officers escorting him. "What's going on here?"
"You know him?" The burly officer, now addressed as Captain Ma, picked up on the connection.
To him, however, Xiao Wu's recognition was inconsequential. What did it matter if a low-ranking officer knew the detainee? This was about avenging his cousin, an act he deemed both necessary and justified. Besides, his cousin had shown his gratitude handsomely, leaving no reason to hesitate.
"Captain Ma, there must be some mistake!" Xiao Wu knew Xiang Ri's true identity—someone whose mere presence could shake the entire precinct. Ignoring protocol, he moved to uncuff Xiang Ri.
But Captain Ma intercepted him, his expression a mask of self-righteousness. "Xiao Wu, what do you think you're doing? Shielding a criminal? Let me remind you—police officers must remain impartial. If you can't distinguish between public duty and personal connections, perhaps you should quit and go farm instead!"
Without waiting for a response, Captain Ma signaled his men. "Take him away!"
"Captain Ma, listen to me—" Xiao Wu tried again, but his protests were ignored. Helpless, he watched as Xiang Ri was led into the interrogation room.
Panic set in. Xiao Wu knew all too well that Ma Tianhao and his cousin were not to be trusted. Should anything happen to Xiang Ri, the repercussions would ripple through the entire precinct, sparing no one.
But with the precinct's senior officials absent, Xiao Wu couldn't reveal Xiang Ri's identity—it was a directive straight from Chief Tie. Desperate, he rushed back to his office and grabbed the phone, dialing a familiar number.
"Chief Tie, it's Xiao Wu. You need to return to the station immediately."
The voice on the other end was curt, tinged with irritation. "What's the matter?"
"Captain Ma has brought someone in, and—"
"Is it the suspect he was after?"
"No, Chief Tie. The person he's detained is Mr. Xiang. He won't even let me—"
Before Xiao Wu could finish, the line went dead.
Realizing he couldn't simply wait, Xiao Wu set the phone down and made his way toward the interrogation room. His only hope was to stall until Chief Tie arrived.