Chapter Fifty-Two: The Criminal Brought to Justice
Lu Hehuan found herself with nowhere to hide. In a flash, Ying Xi leapt forward and shoved her aside, taking the blow meant for Lu Hehuan—a dagger grazed Ying Xi’s abdomen, and she seized the moment to collapse and feign death.
The officers nearby made as if to charge, but Long Zhentian’s fierce gaze made them clutch their waists and retreat in terror.
Lu Hehuan, believing Ying Xi had truly been stabbed and lost consciousness, cried out in anguish and confronted Long Zhentian with desperate fury. As Long Zhentian’s attention shifted to Lu Hehuan, Ying Xi, who lay pretending to be dead, suddenly sprang up, delivering a kick from behind that sent Long Zhentian sprawling.
Lu Hehuan rushed forward, pinning Long Zhentian to the ground. The plainclothes officers, seeing this, surged up and restrained him firmly.
Bao Kang, still shaken, glanced at Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi. The two exchanged a look, ready to escape with Long Zhentian before Bao Kang regained his composure.
“Long Zhentian, you’re utterly depraved. Come, let’s head to the station and face justice!” Ying Xi declared, and together with Lu Hehuan began to escort Long Zhentian away.
As they passed the plainclothes officers, Ying Xi gave them repeated meaningful glances. The officers understood and silently followed her.
Bao Kang, seeing the group trailing behind, suddenly realized what had happened. “You two, come here!”
Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi started at his words, scratching their heads in resignation, handing Long Zhentian over to the officers.
Ying Xi, fearing her identity might be exposed before Long Zhentian, pointed to a distant spot and signaled to the officers, “Take her over there.”
The officers moved Long Zhentian away, and Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi approached Bao Kang with their heads lowered.
Bao Kang glared at them, his face dark with anger. “You two are audacious beyond belief, using me as bait!”
Ying Xi, ever adept at reading the room, smiled ingratiatingly. “Director Bao, you said yourself—no matter what means, we must catch Long Zhentian.”
“We honestly didn’t expect Director Bao to cooperate,” Lu Hehuan interjected with a forthright expression.
“You…” Bao Kang was left speechless, unable to voice his grievances.
“Director Bao, Inspector Ying merely mentioned the address in Xunfang Alley, and you sought it out yourself. You can hardly blame us,” Lu Hehuan laid out the facts.
Bao Kang gritted his teeth. “Remember this, you two—back at the station, keep your mouths shut about anything you shouldn’t say!”
Ying Xi nodded repeatedly. “Director Bao, we were just trying to catch Long Zhentian, we’ll keep it confidential, don’t worry.”
Bao Kang’s anger hadn’t dissipated; he shot them a glare. “Hmph, since that’s the case, you two let Long Zhentian escape before. Now that she’s caught, it’s only right you handle the aftermath. I won’t send any help—you must take her to headquarters on your own.”
Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged helpless glances.
As dusk deepened, they escorted Long Zhentian toward police headquarters. Along the way, Long Zhentian’s eyes darted about, scheming for a way to escape.
She put on the air of a fragile woman, sobbing as she recounted her tragic past.
“Brothers, Zhentian’s life is wretched… My father wanted a son, so he named me Zhentian before I was born. When my mother gave birth to a girl, he abused me from infancy. My mother died soon after, and my father, addicted to gambling, owed mountains of debt. By eight, he sold me to a brothel, where I suffered beatings from clients. At twelve, the madam made me entertain guests, enduring their abuse—they never saw me as human…” Long Zhentian wept bitterly.
Ying Xi, ever sympathetic to the plight of women, sighed, visibly moved. “I know your story is tragic, but you’ve killed too many—thirteen lives!”
Long Zhentian covered her cherry lips. “They forced me—those depraved clients, heartless and cruel, tormenting and abusing me. They drove me step by step into becoming a killer.”
Ying Xi parted his lips, wanting to respond, but Lu Hehuan cleared her throat, “Don’t forget—those who are pitiful often have their own faults.”
Ying Xi turned away, defeated, saying nothing more.
Seeing her ploy fail, Long Zhentian tried another tack. She eyed Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi. “Brothers, what are your true identities? I have no feud with you—why hunt me so relentlessly?”
Afraid Ying Xi might slip, Lu Hehuan answered quickly, “We’re small business owners. The headquarters posted a reward for you, a sizable sum. We’re after the bounty.”
Long Zhentian brightened. “If it’s money you want, I have plenty to offer you.”
Lu Hehuan shook her head, face stern. “A gentleman earns wealth by just means. We have no interest in a murderer’s money.”
Long Zhentian laughed, eyeing them playfully. “I’ve met countless people in the world of pleasure—neither of you are mere small traders.”
“How can you tell?” Lu Hehuan was puzzled.
“Merchants seek profit. If there’s a better deal, they won’t refuse, and they wouldn’t carry guns—guns breed grudges.”
Lu Hehuan was momentarily speechless.
“Do you really want to know who we are?” Ying Xi interjected.
Long Zhentian nodded resolutely. “Even if I die, I want to know.”
Ying Xi was about to speak when Lu Hehuan shot him a warning look.
Ying Xi got the message and laughed awkwardly. “Actually, we’re… members of the Green Gang.”
“The Green Gang?” Long Zhentian was stunned.
Ying Xi nodded solemnly, while Lu Hehuan struggled to keep from laughing.
The Green Gang was a famed Shanghai syndicate, and Long Zhentian, having wandered Jiangnan for years, had heard much of them.
She believed them, looking at them with respect. “I have no quarrel with the Green Gang. If I’ve offended in any way, I beg your forgiveness.”
“You tried to kill us the first time we met—how can we forgive that?” Ying Xi said angrily.
Long Zhentian, at a loss, forced a smile. “I didn’t know your identities then.”
Ying Xi waved her off. “Too late. The Green Gang has its rules—anyone who tries to kill a brother faces death.”
“Brothers, I know I was wrong. I’ll plead for mercy, and give all my money to the Green Gang,” Long Zhentian pleaded.
“No use—rules are rules. They don’t change,” Ying Xi pressed.
Long Zhentian bit her lip in frustration. “Taking me to headquarters does you no good—I won’t confess to anything, and you’ll get no reward.”
“Suit yourself,” Ying Xi said, stroking his beard indifferently.
They were nearly at headquarters. Long Zhentian, anxious, tugged at her clothes, revealing her shoulder, and sidled up to the silent Lu Hehuan. “Brother, don’t treat me so coldly. Let’s go somewhere quiet—let me serve you both.”
She licked her lips seductively, trying to tempt Lu Hehuan. He, repulsed, could not help but gag.
Ying Xi burst out laughing. “You picked the wrong target—he’s a germaphobe.”
Long Zhentian, embarrassed, hurriedly straightened her clothes.
“You’d best come quietly to headquarters,” Ying Xi warned sternly, seeing through her tricks.
After a while, Long Zhentian’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly clutched her stomach, crouching. “Ow, my stomach hurts—I need to relieve myself.”
“What should we do?” Lu Hehuan panicked.
“What do you mean, what?” Ying Xi replied nonchalantly. “If you don’t mind, just do it here—we won’t care.”
“But you’re men,” Long Zhentian protested, mortified.
Ying Xi shrugged. “Just don’t think of us as men.”
“You…” Long Zhentian was speechless.
“Want me to help you with your pants?” Ying Xi grinned wickedly.
“Scoundrel!” Long Zhentian snapped.
Ying Xi only grew more pleased. “You’re right—the Green Gang are scoundrels.”
Long Zhentian, teeth clenched, had no choice but to follow Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi onward.
Bao Kang and Lu Xiang each now sported a bald patch—both oblivious, they pointed at each other’s heads and laughed.
“You look ridiculous, like an old bald mule!” Bao Kang mocked as he laughed.
Lu Xiang retorted, pointing at Bao Kang. “You think you look any better? Like a bald mule’s son—a little bald mule!”
The plainclothes officers lined up nearby, struggling not to laugh.
Suddenly, both realized something, stopped laughing, and touched their heads, then spoke in unison.
“It’s all your fault, you old bald mule!”
“It’s all your fault, little bald mule!”
After their exchange, they covered their heads in dismay.
The officers, seeing their dignified director and deputy director reduced to such antics, bit their lips, barely suppressing their laughter.
Lu Xiang, sensing his subordinates’ silent amusement, grew furious. “Why are you all just standing there? Go buy me a hat!”
The officers looked at each other, none eager to get involved.
“Who’s going to buy it?” Lu Xiang pressed angrily.
The others all stepped back, leaving a new recruit standing alone.
The young officer, handsome and innocent, scratched his head, casting an annoyed glance at his colleagues who’d set him up.
Lu Xiang snapped, “Go on then.”
“Yes, sir,” the young officer replied.
“Get one for me too—a black one,” Bao Kang called after him, shooting Lu Xiang a wicked smile. “For Deputy Director Lu, buy a green one!”
Lu Xiang, furious, jabbed his finger and cursed. “Bao Kang, don’t push your luck!”
The young officer hesitated, looking between them.
“Go on!” Bao Kang urged.
The young officer didn’t move, cautiously asking Lu Xiang, “What color would you like, Deputy Director?”
“You idiot—anything but green!” Lu Xiang replied impatiently.
“Yes, sir,” the young officer hurried off.
Lu Xiang and Bao Kang exchanged cold glances, then turned away.
Smoke curled from distant chimneys, and crows circled the woods. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi led Long Zhentian toward headquarters, the latter still plotting escape.
At that moment, a burly man approached. Long Zhentian seized the opportunity, calling out sweetly, “Brother, save me! These two scoundrels are bullying me!”
Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, seeing his size, swallowed nervously, fearing trouble.
The burly man stepped closer, blocking their path like a beast. They grew more anxious, worried he might intervene.
“Brother, if you rescue me, I’ll give you everything,” Long Zhentian said, batting her lashes and hinting suggestively.
Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi gripped her tightly, warily watching the man.
Ying Xi touched his gun, warning, “Mind your own business!”
Suddenly, the man’s expression changed. He raised his wrist in an exaggerated gesture, brushed his face with delicate fingers, and gave Long Zhentian a disdainful glance. “Spare me. I can tell you’re not a proper woman, hmph.”
Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stared, mouths agape, as the burly man spoke with a feminine lilt.
He winked at them. “Brothers, she’s trouble—be careful.”
They nodded numbly. The man glared at the startled Long Zhentian and left.
After a moment, Ying Xi recovered, shoving Long Zhentian. “Behave yourself! Try anything else, and I won’t be so gentle!”
Long Zhentian watched the man’s retreating figure, deeply frustrated.
Night approached. Flocks of weary birds flew over Xunfang Alley, while Bao Kang and Lu Xiang waited for the young officer to return with hats.
Soon, the officer ran back, bringing a red formal hat and a black woman’s hat, out of breath. “Director Bao, Deputy Director Lu, here are your hats.”
They brightened for a moment, then scowled as they saw the hats.
The young officer, under their fiery gaze, looked aggrieved. “There’s only one hat shop nearby. The only men’s hat left was this red one; all the others were women’s hats. Director Bao wanted black, Deputy Director Lu anything but green, so…”
“So you bought these mismatched hats?” Lu Xiang cut him off coldly.
“It was hard enough to find these…” The officer lowered his head, holding the hats as if they burned his hands.
“Useless!” Bao Kang snapped, reaching for the red hat.
Lu Xiang darted forward, snatching the red hat and placing it triumphantly on his head. “Director Bao wanted black, didn’t he?”
Bao Kang glared, grabbed the black hat, tore off its decorations, and wore it with satisfaction.
Seeing that Bao Kang’s hat looked much like a man’s after the adornments were removed, Lu Xiang burned with envy, gave a cold snort, and strode ahead.
Bao Kang, looking disdainful, signaled to the officers, “Let’s go, back to the station.”
The officers nodded, following him.
They had just walked a few steps when a woman approached. She appeared to be about thirty, wearing a bright red jacket, a silk scarf tucked under her arm, her hair styled in a bun, and her well-maintained face covered in thick powder.
Bao Kang, seeing her come straight toward them, felt his phobia of women flare up, turning pale. Fortunately, she headed for Lu Xiang, and Bao Kang breathed a sigh of relief.
She went directly to Lu Xiang, who hurriedly lowered his hat brim to avoid her.
He tried to shield his face, but she moved his hand aside, delighted. “Deputy Director Lu, it’s really you! Fancy meeting here—it must be fate.”
Lu Xiang cleared his throat, stiffly. “I’m on official business.”
Bao Kang, sensing a story, paused with interest, watching them.
The woman placed a hand on Lu Xiang’s shoulder. “Deputy Director Lu, why haven’t you come to my place for tea lately? Didn’t you say I was pitiable after my husband died, and you’d keep me company?”
Lu Xiang, embarrassed, glanced at Bao Kang, who looked amused. The officers all lowered their heads, suppressing laughter.
Lu Xiang blushed, awkwardly removing her hand. “It’s late, you should head home.”
She, oblivious, clung to him. “Deputy Director Lu, you know my home has been lonely since my husband died. I’d just be alone there; better to chat with you.”
“I have official duties—must go,” Lu Xiang replied, annoyed, and hurried away.
Bao Kang caught up, laughing. “Looks like your habit of visiting widows for tea hasn’t changed!”
Lu Xiang, irritated, shot back, “Bao Kang, mind your own business—you’ve got your own mess to clean up!”
Bao Kang froze, then quickly recovered. “What mess? I was just passing Fourth Avenue.”
“Passing?” Lu Xiang sneered, suddenly pulling out an erotic picture from Bao Kang’s coat pocket. “Care to explain this? Not married yet and already looking at such things—shameless!”
Bao Kang, mortified, cursed, “Lu Xiang, you have a wife and still visit widows, flirting shamelessly!”
“When did you ever see me flirting with widows?” Lu Xiang retorted angrily.
“You’re so depraved, I could guess with my toes…” Bao Kang snorted. “I bet you’ve flirted with every widow in the Old District—shameless!”
Lu Xiang, furious at being slandered before the officers, snapped, “You pervert! Caught with prostitutes and then blame others—despicable!”
“You’re shameless!” Bao Kang raged.
“You’re incorrigible!” Lu Xiang was livid.
The officers stood by in silence, afraid to intervene.
Unable to bear it, Bao Kang grabbed Lu Xiang’s collar, and Lu Xiang seized Bao Kang’s arm. They cursed and wrestled.
“You immoral, tasteless, bottomless old degenerate!” Bao Kang shouted.
“You despicable, shameless, lecherous pervert!” Lu Xiang retorted.
The young officer glanced around, lowering his voice, “Let’s separate them.”
The others nodded. Together, they rushed in, calling, “Director Bao, Deputy Director Lu, please talk it out—no fighting.”
The sky grew darker. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi neared the headquarters gates with Long Zhentian. Suddenly, Ying Xi took advantage of her inattention and knocked her out with a punch.