Chapter Fifty-Six: Calamity Approaches

Even though it was broad daylight, the cells of the Central Police Headquarters remained shrouded in gloom. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi were shoved roughly inside by two officers. Ying Xi almost stumbled to the ground, but Lu Hehuan hurriedly caught her. Humiliated and seething, Ying Xi glared daggers at the escorting officers.

One of the officers caught her look and snapped back, “What are you staring at?”

Ying Xi was about to retort, but Lu Hehuan pulled her back.

The other officer looked at them with disdain. “Who would have thought you two, hiding behind the mask of heroic detectives, were actually devils? Using Long Zhentian, a helpless woman, for murder and profit.”

Ying Xi, furious, retorted stiffly, “We’re the devils? Long Zhentian is a helpless woman? What kind of police officer are you? Can’t you tell right from wrong?”

The officer who had spoken first snorted coldly, pointing at them. “It’s a good thing we caught you in time, or you would have fooled us all. You two rotten apples have shamed the entire headquarters today.”

“Calling them rotten apples is too generous. I say they’re nothing but filthy rats, scurrying through the streets, hated by all,” the other officer sneered.

“Say that again!” Ying Xi tried to lunge at him.

Lu Hehuan held her back. “Inspector Ying, don’t make things worse.”

Ying Xi gave up, slumping to the ground. Lu Hehuan sighed and crouched in a corner, lost in thought.

The two officers threw them a look of contempt, locked the cell door, and left.

Now only Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi remained, neither willing to speak, a stalemate settling between them.

After a while, Lu Hehuan turned and moved her lips. “I told you to be honest from the start, but you wouldn’t listen. And now, not only have they turned the tables on us, but they’ve done it severely.”

Ying Xi, recognizing her own fault, sighed resolutely. “If Long Zhentian hadn’t shown up today, none of this would have happened.”

Lu Hehuan frowned, seeing that Ying Xi still refused to admit her mistake. “Don’t you realize where you went wrong? This wasn’t about Long Zhentian at all. You made a mistake and were too cowardly to own up to it, not to mention your greed.”

“If I didn’t know, then I can’t be blamed. I saved that woman not knowing she was Long Zhentian. It wasn’t intentional,” Ying Xi insisted stubbornly.

Lu Hehuan could no longer tolerate it. “That’s all the more reason to admit it, to come clean to our superiors! Now look, not only did you fail to gain, but you’ve ended up in a prison cell yourself.”

“Enough, what’s the use regretting now? Instead of blaming me, think about how to get out of here,” Ying Xi snapped, turning away.

Lu Hehuan could only sigh. “We reported the mistaken rescue of Long Zhentian to Superintendent Bao. He knows we’re innocent and can testify for us.”

Ying Xi shook her head. “If he really intended to testify for us, he wouldn’t have left today.”

“But why wouldn’t he help us?” Lu Hehuan, upright by nature, couldn’t understand Bao Kang’s narrow-mindedness.

Ying Xi smiled bitterly. “Didn’t you say we’re all in the same boat? If he testifies, that means he knew about our mistake and didn’t report it, which is also his negligence. And don’t forget how we caught Long Zhentian.”

“We used the Superintendent as bait,” Lu Hehuan replied, straightforward as ever.

Ying Xi sighed, defeated. “If it were just bait, it’d be fine. The problem is, your father found out about him going to Xin Fang Alley. Your father and Superintendent Bao have always been at odds, sometimes they don’t even bother to pretend. Now that your father has caught him out, he’ll be furious and definitely blame us.”

“Superintendent Bao can’t be that petty, can he?” Lu Hehuan found it hard to believe.

“Superintendent Bao is famous for holding grudges,” Ying Xi, with years of experience in the Old Zha police station, knew Bao Kang all too well.

The weather was fine, the streets bustling with pedestrians. Bao Kang dragged Bao Rong along the road, though she was clearly reluctant.

Zhu Wolong followed behind in his car. Earlier, he and Bao Kang had taken no heed and pulled Bao Rong away, which had hurt her deeply. Bao Kang was her brother, and she wouldn’t truly resent him, but Zhu Wolong worried she’d only come to dislike him more. Thinking this, Zhu Wolong watched her closely as he drove.

Bao Rong frowned. “Brother, please help Inspector Ying and Hehuan.”

“It’s not that I won’t help, but they broke the law. As Superintendent, I can’t bend the rules for them,” Bao Kang replied, feigning grievance.

“I don’t believe Long Zhentian. Inspector Ying and Hehuan couldn’t have colluded with her,” Bao Rong insisted.

“Even if you don’t believe Long Zhentian, what about Inspector Yuan? He saw Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan rescue Long Zhentian with his own eyes.”

“It must be a misunderstanding,” Bao Rong’s voice was firm.

Bao Kang, seeing her defend Lu Hehuan at every turn, tried to be patient. “Don’t be so one-sided, Rong.”

Bao Rong’s face darkened. “Brother, you’re the one being one-sided. Inspector Ying and Hehuan are your subordinates—you know their character.”

“Who can truly know another’s heart? Maybe they’ve just been putting on an act,” Bao Kang replied, feigning sternness.

“Even if Inspector Ying could fake it, what about Hehuan? He’s my neighbor and classmate. I know his character well—upright and honorable, he’d never break the law.”

Bao Kang grew annoyed, gritting his teeth. “Lu Hehuan seems straightforward, but he’s crafty—he even used me as bait…” Realizing he’d said too much, he stopped abruptly.

“Bait? What do you mean?” Bao Rong asked, puzzled.

Bao Kang waved her off. “Don’t ask. Just stay out of this.”

“Well, if you won’t help them, don’t interfere with me. I’ll find a way to clear Inspector Ying and Hehuan’s names myself.” Bao Rong pulled free of his grip in defiance.

“You—!” Bao Kang was speechless.

A rickshaw passed by. Bao Rong waved it down and climbed in. “To the Old Zha Police Station, please.”

“Hold tight, miss,” the rickshaw driver called as they set off.

Bao Kang stood there, helpless. Zhu Wolong leaned out his window. “Superintendent, get in.”

Bao Kang got into the car, forcing a laugh. “Boss Zhu, I’ve spoiled my sister. She’s so willful—always throwing tantrums.”

Zhu Wolong frowned. “Superintendent, does your sister have feelings for Lu Hehuan?”

Bao Kang shook his head vigorously. “No, no—she and Lu Hehuan were just classmates, that’s all. She’d never fall for that blockhead. Don’t worry, Boss Zhu, she’s just being impulsive. I’ll talk to her.”

Zhu Wolong nodded, then his eyes brightened as if recalling something. “Now that Lu Hehuan’s been arrested for murder and might be executed, it doesn’t matter even if she does like him.”

Bao Kang was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile and said nothing more.

The Lu household was eerily quiet. The couple, who had gone out to celebrate their son’s commendation, found themselves witnessing his arrest. Lin Zhi sat on the couch, clutching a wad of tissues, crying and blowing her nose, the floor already littered with used paper.

Lu Xiang paced back and forth, hands behind his back, growing more agitated at the sight of his wife’s tears.

“For heaven’s sake, stop crying! How am I supposed to think of a way to save our son when my head’s a mess from your wailing?”

Lin Zhi choked back her sobs, nodding meekly. “Alright, I’ll stop. You think.”

Lu Xiang paused, then resumed his anxious pacing.

“Hurry up and think!” Lin Zhi’s eyes followed him, finally prompting impatiently.

Lu Xiang stopped, frowning. “Don’t rush me.”

“Can you think of anything at all?” Lin Zhi sniffled.

“Hehuan’s been accused by Long Zhentian, and we have witnesses from Headquarters. How can we possibly get him out?” Lu Xiang’s brow was furrowed with worry.

Lin Zhi erupted into fresh sobs. “I don’t care—get our son out, or I’ll die! If you can’t save him, I won’t live, and neither will you—we’ll die together!”

Lu Xiang, exasperated, covered his ears.

As soon as Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan were thrown into the cell at Headquarters, Liu Rushuang pulled Bai Yulou to the entrance, trying everything to visit them.

“Please, officer, I beg you, just let me say a word to them,” Liu Rushuang pleaded with the guard.

The guard’s face was cold. “Not a chance. The Chief Inspector ordered that no one is allowed to visit Ying Xi or Lu Hehuan. If you keep pestering, I’ll charge you with obstructing official duties.”

Liu Rushuang rolled her eyes and whispered to Bai Yulou, “Did you bring any money?”

Bai Yulou shook her head. “No.”

“How could you come out without money!” Liu Rushuang had hoped to bribe the guard and couldn’t help but complain.

Bai Yulou pouted. “I spent it all on flower baskets.”

With no money and growing anxious, Liu Rushuang suddenly got an idea and began to take off her jade bracelet.

“Shuang, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to bribe the guard. I have to see Brother Xi.”

“But that bracelet is priceless—it was your mother’s dowry!”

“Isn’t it worth using my dowry to save the man I want to marry?” Liu Rushuang said, unconcerned.

“But—” Bai Yulou wanted to protest, but knowing Liu Rushuang wouldn’t listen, she swallowed her words.

Ignoring Bai Yulou, Liu Rushuang took off the bracelet and approached the guard. “Officer, please accept this little token and let me see Ying Xi, just for a moment.”

The guard eyed her coldly. “This is bribery, you know that?”

“Oh, it’s not so serious—it’s just a meeting gift,” Liu Rushuang replied breezily.

The officer paid her no mind, instead signaling sharply to his colleague. “Arrest her and report to the Chief Inspector—say this woman attempted bribery!”

At his words, the other officer came forward to restrain Liu Rushuang, who struggled in panic.

“Hey, what are you doing—”

Bai Yulou hurried to shield Liu Rushuang, smiling ingratiatingly at the officers. “We’re sorry, officers, we won’t do it again. We’re leaving, we’re leaving!”

She quickly dragged Liu Rushuang away.

The sun blazed down on the busy, lively street. Liu Rushuang stomped along the sidewalk, hands behind her back, with Bai Yulou following closely, worried she might do something reckless again.

“Money can make the devil turn the mill—I refuse to believe I can’t buy my way into that cell!” Liu Rushuang muttered, recalling the guard’s cold refusal.

“Didn’t you just try to buy your way in with a priceless bracelet? You nearly lost both your money and your freedom,” Bai Yulou mumbled.

Liu Rushuang stopped in anger, glaring at her.

Bai Yulou blinked nervously. “I was just joking, Shuang.”

Liu Rushuang’s face hardened. “Send our informants to find out how to see Brother Xi—whatever it takes, we must get him out.”

“Shuang, it’s not that I want to discourage you, but this isn’t a small matter. Saving Ying Xi won’t be easy,” Bai Yulou said anxiously.

Liu Rushuang spat, “Easy or not, we have to try. Go!”

“Alright,” Bai Yulou muttered, running off.

Bao Rong returned to the Old Zha Police Station and went straight to the records room, only to be stopped by Sister Nan.

“Sorry, Rong, without Superintendent Bao’s permission, I can’t give you their files,” Sister Nan apologized.

Bao Rong, desperate to help, spoke earnestly. “Sister Nan, everyone knows how much Inspector Ying and Hehuan have done for our station. Now that they’re in trouble, I don’t know how else to help. I only want the files to show Inspector Yuan at Headquarters that they’re good officers who could never break the law. Can’t you do this small favor?”

“Rong, you know the Superintendent’s temper…” Sister Nan hesitated, at a loss.

“Don’t worry, Sister Nan. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Please, I beg you,” Bao Rong pleaded, grabbing her hand.

Sister Nan looked at her and sighed. “Wait here.”

She returned with the files on Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan, including detailed case records.

“Here are their personnel files, and all the case materials,” she said, handing them over.

Bao Rong accepted them gratefully. “Thank you, Sister Nan.”

Though it was the height of summer, Bao Rong felt cold to the bone as she waited nervously outside Headquarters with the documents.

Shortly, Inspector Yuan emerged. Bao Rong hurried to him. “Inspector Yuan, I’m the forensic doctor from the Old Zha Station—my name is Bao Rong.”

Inspector Yuan looked at her curiously. “Is there something you need?”

She handed him the files, speaking earnestly. “Inspector Yuan, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan are truly outstanding officers. These are their dossiers and case records.”

Inspector Yuan hesitated, flipping through the files, looking troubled. “I’ve heard of their achievements, and I respect their abilities…but—”

Bao Rong stepped closer. “Inspector Yuan, I grew up with Lu Hehuan as a classmate and neighbor. I know his character—he would never consort with a murderer.”

Inspector Yuan stroked the files. “Miss Bao, I’m just stating the facts. On that day, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan did indeed rescue Long Zhentian from us.”

“There must be some mistake, or you’ve misidentified them. Please, speak to the Chief Inspector on their behalf,” Bao Rong pleaded.

“I’m sorry, Miss Bao. There’s little I can do. You must know how angry the Chief Inspector is about this. Right now, only evidence matters—nothing else can help.”

“Inspector Yuan…”

He cut her off. “I understand how you feel, but there’s nothing I can do. You should focus on finding evidence to prove Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan had no connection to Long Zhentian.”

Bao Rong thought for a moment. “Then could you let me see Long Zhentian?”

Inspector Yuan looked at her and nodded.