Chapter 50: You’re Still Too Green

  Qianshui Subdistrict Police Station — Zhang Yang sat facing the dark walls around him, anger boiling silently inside. He never expected that over such a matter, he’d end up locked in an interrogation room like a criminal.

  Other than the clothes on his body, everything else had been confiscated — his wallet and his shabby phone. When that young officer Liu Dong took his phone, he even shot him a look full of contempt.

  But Zhang Yang didn’t care about any of that. He knew he was fine for now — but what about Qiao Xier? That’s what really worried him. Before coming in, he’d already noticed Liu Dong’s lecherous looks toward her. If that bastard took advantage of her, it wouldn’t be impossible.

  If he’d known this would happen, he should’ve ignored that old officer’s advice and never come quietly to the station.

  While he was still frustrated, the tightly shut iron door creaked open. Liu Dong entered with two auxiliary officers, almost fully armed.

  Seeing Zhang Yang sitting calmly at the table, Liu Dong smirked, glanced at his watch, and walked up. “So? Anything you’d like to say to us?”

  “What do you mean?” Zhang Yang asked, feigning confusion.

  “What do I mean?” Liu Dong pulled a pair of handcuffs from his waist, pointed at Zhang Yang’s forehead, then at the cuffs. “You know what this is?”

  “What do you want?” Zhang Yang couldn’t tell why this guy was so intent on targeting him, but there had to be a reason.

  “What do I want? Isn’t it obvious?” Liu Dong rattled the cuffs. “According to regulations, criminal suspects must be handcuffed.”

  “Criminal suspect? That’s a pretty lame trick.” Zhang Yang looked at the two auxiliary officers holding electric batons behind him, sighed, and asked, “Why do this?”

  “Do what? I’m just following the law.”

  “Following the law? More like doing someone else’s bidding.”

  Liu Dong flinched under Zhang Yang’s sudden sharp gaze, his voice faltering. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He motioned with his chin at the two auxiliaries. “Cuff him.”

  Zhang Yang gave him one last look, then dropped the idea of taking the three of them down. Clearly, Liu Dong had probably stationed others outside — if he made a move, they’d have every excuse to retaliate.

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  The two auxiliaries shackled Zhang Yang in the corner of the interrogation room. Seeing he was restrained, Liu Dong grinned and waved them out.

  Then he walked slowly over, keeping a safe distance, and said with a sneer, “Zhang Yang, don’t you really want to know why I’m doing this?”

  Before Liu Dong could speak further, Zhang Yang glanced at him and cut in, “Bai Liangfeng?”

  “Uh…” Liu Dong froze for a moment, then nodded. “That’s right. Since you already know, I won’t waste my breath. And if you’re not afraid of offending people, a little pain shouldn’t bother you, right?”

  Zhang Yang frowned, seeing the malicious grin on Liu Dong’s face. He regretted cooperating so easily earlier. “Whatever you’re planning, I’ll tell you this — whatever you do to me, I’ll return it twice over.”

  “Hah, quite the attitude. Still got that temper, huh? Fine, then I’ll tell you.” Liu Dong glanced back at the surveillance camera, then looked at Zhang Yang again. “Ever heard of something called Nightmare?”

  Without waiting for a reply, he grinned. “It’s a hallucinogen, like opium. Once it’s injected, you’ll start floating — won’t even know what you’re doing. How will we deal with you? Let’s see…”

  He studied Zhang Yang’s face, disappointed to see no trace of fear, and ended up blurting out his entire plan. “First, we’ll inject you with enough Nightmare to make you crave it for life. Then, for at least half an hour, you’ll lose all sense of self. When you wake up, you’ll find your fingerprints and signature all over a confession — robbery, drug trafficking, rioting, organized crime.”

  “After that… well, no need to say more. A university graduate turned drug dealer, robber…”

  Zhang Yang’s eyes met his, catching that flash of cruelty in Liu Dong’s gaze. Rage built up in his chest, slowly seething.

  Seeing that, Liu Dong unconsciously stepped back.

  *****

  On the second floor of the station, lights were still on. Senior Inspector Han Nianqing leaned against the windowsill, writing today’s report. Sixteen years ago, he’d transferred from the army and slowly worked his way up. His rank hadn’t changed much, but his experience made him the most seasoned man in the station.

  Even though it was long past quitting time, he had no intention of leaving. Typing clumsily with one finger, he entered data into the computer.

  “Old Han, still here?”

  Deep in focus, Han Nianqing turned when he heard a familiar voice. It was Deputy Director Zhang Leitian, smiling warmly, holding a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. He pulled one out and offered it to him.

  Han Nianqing waved it off politely, smiling faintly. “Deputy Director Zhang, you’re still here too?”

  “Heh, lots of work today, no choice.” Zhang Leitian casually glanced at Han Nianqing’s computer screen, frowning slightly. “Old Han, looks like you’re doing a report?”

  Han Nianqing followed his gaze and smiled. “Not exactly. I just like keeping a record of everything that happens each day. When I’m old, I’ll have something to look back on.”

  “Heh… that’s not a bad idea.” Zhang Leitian forced a laugh. “But even trivial stuff like today’s incident?”

  He noticed that Han Nianqing had recorded every detail of today’s callout, and his heart skipped a beat. He and Liu Dong were about to move against Zhang Yang — if this old man’s notes ever got out, they’d be finished.

  Han Nianqing gave him a puzzled look. “How can it be trivial? Officer Liu violated firearm regulations and had his gun taken — that’s serious. And that Zhang Yang, his combat skills are extraordinary. I suspect his background isn’t simple. Plus, there’s another key issue — according to witnesses, Zhang Yang was actually helping an old man being assaulted. But where is that old man now? This case is looking complicated.”

  Seeing Zhang Leitian’s expression freeze like wet noodles, Han shrugged. “By the way, isn’t Officer Liu taking the statement? How’s that going?”

  “Ahem… Old Han.” Zhang Leitian awkwardly put the cigarette back, glancing at him. “That’s not really your business, is it?”

  “What do you mean not my business? I was part of the response too. Of course I can ask.”

  “Heh, fine. I’ll have Liu send you a copy of the statement later, okay?” Zhang Leitian lit up a smoke, pocketed the pack, and waved his hand. “Alright, that’s that. If you’re free, maybe go give Chief Gao a hand.”

  With that, he shuffled toward the door. He’d only come to chat since Han Nianqing was a senior officer — even higher in rank — and to check what he was doing this late. He hadn’t expected him to be documenting everything.

  Looks like tomorrow, he’d have to make sure someone tampered with that computer before it caused trouble.

  “Hold up.”

  Just as he was about to step out, Han Nianqing’s calm voice came from behind. “Deputy Director Zhang, I just saw Officer Liu head to the armory to get three doses of Nightmare. Any idea what that’s for?”

  At that, Zhang Leitian froze mid-step, nearly pissing himself, his eyes flashing dangerously.