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Chapter 7: Taking Notes
Municipal Public Security Bureau, Criminal Police Brigade!
After more than an hour of interrogation, Li Yi and the others finally finished giving their statements.
Because they had bravely saved six young children and helped the police solve several cases, the officers at the station were very polite to them. They knew that not only did they steal a car from the factory to save people, but they also hadn't eaten until now.
Li Wenshan, the captain of the Criminal Police Brigade, not only arranged for them to have hot noodles, but also had someone prepare the official statements, which would be stamped and sent to the meat processing factory the next day.
After everything was explained and they had been well-fed, Li Yi and the others were allowed to leave.
Just as Li Yi was about to walk out, Captain Li hurried over and called out, "Wait a minute!"
"Comrade, is there something else?" Li Yi asked.
"I have good news for you. It's just been confirmed that one of the traffickers you captured today is a Class A wanted criminal, and his identity has been confirmed!"
"A Class A wanted criminal?!" Li Yi was surprised.
"Yes, he is suspected of robbery and murder. You did an incredible job!"
"In addition, according to regulations, since you directly apprehended a criminal suspect, you'll receive a bonus of one thousand yuan. And because you rescued six kidnapped children, your actions will earn you a reward at my discretion. I'll apply for the bonus right away and ensure it reaches you as soon as possible."
"Captain Li, I want to ask about the trafficker who escaped," Li Yi inquired.
"Don't worry about him. That guy is also a Class A wanted criminal! We've dispatched a large number of officers to search the city. We've set up surveillance at railway stations, highways, and other traffic points. We will not let that bastard escape."
"If you hear anything, please notify us immediately!"
"Okay!" Li Yi responded.
By the time they returned to the meat processing factory, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening. The streetlights in the factory area were on.
At this time, Wei Sanpao and the others were still in a daze!
What had happened today was too thrilling, almost surreal. Before this, they were just a group of street urchins whom people avoided, but in the blink of an eye, they had transformed into heroes who bravely fought for justice. The speed with which their status had changed was astonishing.
Then there was the bonus of one thousand yuan—this was an amount equivalent to their salary for most of half a year. Even if it was split among them, it would be more than one hundred yuan each, which was more than their monthly wages.
What shocked them even more was Li Yi's ability to strategize, from planning the arrests to interrogating the traffickers and even stealing a car to rescue the children. His clear and detailed account at the police station had completely changed their perception of him.
When they were interrogating the trafficker in the slaughterhouse, Li Yi's cold demeanor truly scared them.
As they approached the factory, Wei Sanpao suddenly asked, "Brother Yi, is there really a reward of 1,000 yuan? They aren't deceiving us, right?"
Li Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry. Rewards for wanted criminals like him are funded by the state. Once they announce it, they won't lie."
"1,000 yuan—wow, we're rich!" Wei Sanpao exclaimed.
Li Yi slapped Wei Sanpao on the back of the head and said, "A thousand yuan makes you this excited? Can't you aim a little higher?"
"Brother Yi, you know that our factory hasn't paid us in three months, we're poorer than our faces!" Wei Sanpao replied.
"Yeah, that's true. Stick with me, and I'll make sure you earn a lot of money."
Then Li Yi added, "This success today is thanks to you guys. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to handle those traffickers alone. You all can share the bonus when it arrives, I don't need it!"
"How can we take it all for ourselves? We worked together for this, we should share the bonus," Wei Sanpao objected immediately.
"The objection is invalid," Li Yi said firmly. "Weiwei wasn't abducted by those traffickers today, and that's enough for me. As for the money, I don't care."
"We still can't take it all," Wei Sanpao argued.
"Alright, stop arguing. I have to go back now. Your sister-in-law must be worried."
"Brother Yi."
Just then, they arrived at the duty room in the factory area. As soon as the car stopped, Li Yi noticed Xiaowu standing at the door, looking worried—but Weiwei was nowhere to be seen.
Li Yi's heart suddenly sank.
Could something have happened to his daughter again?
Without wasting another moment, he slammed the brakes on the car. Wei Sanpao, who was sitting in the passenger seat, didn't react in time and crashed into the front window.
"Brother Yi! Slow down."
Li Yi hurried over to Xiaowu and asked in a low voice, "Xiaowu, where's Weiwei?"
Xiaowu, seeing Li Yi's anxious face, quickly explained, "Brother Yi, don't worry, my sister-in-law took Weiwei away."
Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief. At least his daughter was safe. If anything had happened to her, he might have broken down completely.
However, Xiaowu continued, "Brother Yi, I think my sister-in-law's face looked off. You should go back and check on her."
Li Yi's face immediately changed again.
His wife, Xu Qingnan, had no idea that their daughter had been targeted by traffickers! She must have thought he had gone out drinking or gambling again. With his past history, this misunderstanding could be serious.
Without another thought, Li Yi quickly got back in the car, threw the keys to Wei Sanpao, and ran home.
Wei Sanpao called out after him, "Brother Yi! After all, we've just been heroes today. Why don't we stay and celebrate?"
Li Yi couldn't wait to get back to his wife. His past and present lives spanned decades and two different timelines. Li Yi often woke up in the middle of the night, haunted by past memories.
He couldn't care less about drinking or celebrating now.
"No, you celebrate!" he called back.
"Remember to share the 1,000 yuan bonus with the brothers later. I don't want it!"
With that, Li Yi hurried off down the street.
Wei Sanpao and the others watched him leave, touched.
That was 1,000 yuan, and he just refused it. What a righteous man!
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