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A week later...
The Provincial Logistics Equipment Department's temporary strike team, Project 402, proudly completed its mission and began to withdraw.
Eighty-seven volumes, each with at least a hundred pages, contained detailed accounts from testimonies to photographs, and various pieces of evidence identifying the scene of this major pyramid scheme. They filled an entire table. Team Leader Fan Zhujie set down the case file he had reviewed the most, its page number frozen on the image where Lu Hongbo identified the seized evidence.
This man, deemed insane by experts, had a clearer mind than anyone else. He could remember thousands of names and numerous amounts, precise to the last digit. He was no gentleman; he had indeed spent ten years plotting revenge. His meticulous design of this pyramid scheme was ultimately aimed at sending those who had always regarded him as a madman—the leaders of the pyramid scheme who used him and Yang Menglu as instructors—straight to their doom.
Xiao Mu had guessed correctly; from the moment an undercover agent entered his sight, they became a pawn in his game. Sending the undercover agent into the pyramid scheme fulfilled his wishes. The only miscalculation was perhaps not considering Xiao Mu as a variable.
Fan Wenjie gently closed the case file, unable to smile. Even though the interrogation went smoothly, he couldn't bring himself to smile, nor could he articulate his complex feelings. He spoke to Ye Tianshu: "I never expected that the motive behind this case would ultimately rest on a woman, and it wasn't just about money... Lu the Madman is ruthless; ten years ago, he ruined these pyramid scheme leaders who had wronged Yang Yun, and in the end, he took them all down."
"Indeed ruthless. Even Captain Zhong from the inspection team didn't escape. No wonder he acted so freely; Captain Zhong had already been bought off by him. He even knew the timing of their operations. If we talk about masterminds, this one is hidden the deepest," Ye Tianshu replied. The last person caught was predictable—a fellow insider who leaked information while trying to protect Yang Yun's task force captain. Just like many places where pyramid schemes persist despite bans, there are unscrupulous enforcers who also take a cut.
Ye Tianshu felt fortunate about this outcome. He said, "Lu the Madman is no simple character; if Yang Yun hadn't foolishly returned, we would still have no way to deal with him. He would have remained free."
"Wrong. It was precisely because Yang Yun returned that Lu the Madman found closure. If roles were reversed and Yang Yun had been captured, I suspect he might have even turned himself in... Everyone has something they are most obsessed with; Yang Yun didn't act foolishly but chose her final destination. Didn't you see? Lu the Madman has become more normal than a regular person," Director Fan remarked.
"Your foresight is impressive; I didn't see this deeper layer," Ye Tianshu replied with a smile.
Old Fan chuckled, filtering out the flattery in his words. He sighed and said, "As for our internal pests, they are far from Lu the Madman... After reading through the case files, I feel that as police officers, our most direct emotional response should be hatred towards these criminals. Yet strangely enough, I don't hate him at all... His first imprisonment led to his wife divorcing him; during his second imprisonment, his second wife not only divorced him but also cleaned out his assets—no one even paid his fines... The coldness of society and the indifference of law enforcers ultimately created such a criminal genius... I wonder how much willpower it takes to fool those experts by pretending to be insane for over ten hours while speaking in illogical language?" Fan Wenjie pondered.
"Heh heh, Old Leader, do I sense some sympathy for him?" Ye Tianshu asked with a smile.
"Of course! That's because he still has redeeming qualities; otherwise, that female suspect who has already crossed borders wouldn't have returned," Fan Wenjie replied. The twists and turns of this case ended up concluding so satisfactorily that it took him by surprise. He smiled as he smoothed out a folded page of the case file and pushed it forward: "Let's do one last review and prepare for transfer. Sympathy is our personal emotion; acting according to law is our professional principle—they're not in conflict."
"Yes, we can transfer it this month," Ye Tianshu said absently. He glanced at his watch as if wanting to remind Director Fan but hesitated. Suddenly remembering something, Fan Wenjie exclaimed: "Oh! I just remembered! My mind isn't working well; I forgot everything when I saw this case... Let's go!"
"How about I go alone?"
"That won't do! I must make an appearance; I need to present this award."
"Be prepared, this little guy has a way with words and might just say something unpleasant to you."
"Haha, with how I feel right now, everything anyone says sounds pleasant... especially you, Comrade Xiao Mu."
Old Fan laughed heartily, not at all offended. He inquired about recent events, mentioning that he had taken a few days off—half of which was spent taking statements and the other half accompanying him around Chang'an in the Provincial Capital. One was an informant, the other an undercover agent; both were not suited for the limelight and preferred to stay hidden. As for their activities, they were no different from before—just wandering around looking for good food. That little playboy's nature probably wouldn't change so easily.
Old Fan remarked that it was fortunate to have this playboy around. As a police officer, one needed to supplement their knowledge in this area. For instance, could you judge someone's wealth based on their attire, accessories, or perfume? Could you uncover clues about an affair from old cases? Could you find key points amidst chaotic appearances? Xiao Mu possessed a high level of these qualities; his extravagant lifestyle overlapped significantly with the vices favored by criminals.
Whether it was praise or criticism was hard to discern; Ye Tianshu simply smiled and did not interrupt Director Fan's enthusiasm. No matter how many hardships they had faced, the thrill of solving a major case would likely linger for a long time.
They resided at the Provincial Armed Police Guesthouse. By the time they arrived, the others were already geared up and ready to go. Team Leader Ye personally drove the police car, leading two vehicles straight to the airport.
The atmosphere in the backseat felt somewhat melancholic. Baldy remained unchanged, still as bald as ever. Xiao Mu glanced over several times, wondering why they had to part ways; he felt a bit reluctant.
Xiao Mu was still the same Xiao Mu, his eyes darting around mischievously. You couldn't tell what he was thinking, which could be quite annoying; yet it made the others feel a bit sentimental about parting.
"Xiao Mu."
"Baldy."
The two spoke almost simultaneously. Then Xiao Mu quickly responded, "You go first; it's your turn to express your feelings about wanting me to stay."
"Bah, get lost," Zhang Quan retorted with a laugh.
"Such strong words indicate deep feelings. What about you, Brother Qiang?" Xiao Mu turned to Lian Qiang on the other side. This rough guy struggled to express himself but said somewhat regretfully, "Ah, what a pity! I really wanted to learn a few tricks from you."
"Well, you won't be able to learn them; your skills in eating, drinking, and gambling aren't up to par yet," Xiao Mu replied with a smile. At that moment, he remembered something and turned to Lian Qiang asking, "Brother Qiang, what about that Police Flower you promised? You can't just finish your business and pretend to be Police Flowers for me while treating me to some good food; you guys eat more than I do."
The driver burst into laughter and smugly said, "I told you! If Xiao Mu wore a police uniform, he'd definitely be Squad Leader material."
Ma Fenghuo slapped him on the back of the head, causing the driver to shrink his neck defensively. Old Horse, being slightly older, handed Xiao Mu some water and said, "The old feelings aren't over yet; you're trying to rekindle them... Here’s a gift for you: suspect Jia Fangfei. Want to know her outcome?"
"Come on, just say it," Xiao Mu urged.
"It has been confirmed that she was only responsible for handling the accounts for Tu Shenhao. After being arrested, she showed a good attitude and actively confessed to the issues... Therefore, the special investigation team did not classify her as a key member of the illegal organization, Pyramid Scheme," Ma Fenghuo explained.
"Isn't she still considered a member then?" Xiao Mu was displeased.
"That's already an improvement. As long as she isn't categorized in that framework, there's a possibility she might avoid prosecution in the future. At most, she would face fines or detention, and she'd be out in a few months," Ma Fenghuo said. The crime of being involved in Pyramid Scheme wasn't severe, so naturally, the penalties for participants were lighter.
Xiao Mu let out a sigh of relief; this was the best outcome possible. At that moment, Zhang Quan had a lingering doubt and leaned closer to ask Xiao Mu, "Were you also plotting something against Yang Yun? In the record, before the operation started, Yang Yun invited you to leave with her. Why didn't you go? Instead, you chose to protect Jia Fangfei?"
"Are you stupid? She had no good intentions. Even if she felt sorry for me falling into a trap, she would still follow Lu the Madman's plan... Think about it; I was already pushed into Lin's position. If I disappeared at a critical moment, I'd be the prime suspect when something went wrong... I've tried it; you can tell if a woman is interested in you or not with just one test. My result was that she didn't have that intention—at most, there was a bit of pity for me," Xiao Mu replied.
More than forty people laughed lightly. Lian Qiang asked how he figured it out. Zhang Quan explained that it involved touching legs, pinching waists, and kissing cheeks—wasn't it just those few actions? It seemed ridiculous; he thought it was quite perverse. You could smell the scent and guess that Lu the Madman had an affair with her; even the police dogs in their team were no better.
The topic shifted awkwardly, and Xiao Mu angrily pinched Baldy. Baldy, with his tough skin and muscle, didn't mind at all; instead, he enjoyed playing this game with Xiao Mu, who was much younger than him. It felt like brotherly bonding—if they didn't push it too far, it wouldn't count as deep affection.
They arrived at the airport easily and got off directly at the Civil Aviation Building's courtyard—a relatively concealed space where the atmosphere suddenly became solemn. The few police officers knew what was happening and pulled Xiao Mu to stand before two leaders to salute them. The leaders returned the salute. Old Fan looked at Xiao Mu appreciatively and announced, "I now declare a commendation from the Shaanxi Provincial Public Security Department... In recognition of Comrade Mulin Shen's outstanding performance during the June 22 operation, we hereby award Comrade Mulin Shen the 'Heroic Act' medal as encouragement... Salute!"
A circle of police officers saluted Xiao Mu. He felt embarrassed and shy as Director Fan personally handed him the medal and certificate along with a card for a new account. He said, "Due to confidentiality reasons, this matter cannot be made public... Let's just hold a simple farewell party. When we land in Binhai, our brother unit will pick you up... Once again, on behalf of the special investigation team and the Provincial Department, I express my gratitude to you."
"Uncle Ye, please don't be so polite... If you're polite like this, I won't know what to say... I've never received an award in my life... Wow, there's also a cash prize..." Xiao Mu was so nervous he didn't know what to do with his hands while holding the bright red certificate as if it were hot.
"It's a big prize—thirty thousand yuan," Director Fan said.
Several police officers gasped in surprise; that's quite a sum—reporting an A-level fugitive usually earned about that much. However, this amount didn't mean much to Xiao Mu; instead, he found the certificate and medal fascinating. He happily flipped them over repeatedly while Ye Tianshu chuckled and said, "Director Fan and I will take you here... Next up, you young people can send him off; heh heh! With us around, you surely wouldn't feel comfortable whispering sweet nothings."
The two leaders held such a simple ceremony amidst everyone's respect before getting into their vehicle. Just as Fan Wenjie politely remarked to Xiao Mu about whether he would be interested in joining the police force, Xiao Mu was taken aback and replied emphatically that it was absolutely impossible—such a profession would be too beneath him!
In the end, Old Fan found himself speechless by Xiao Mu's firm stance; looking at him seriously made it clear he wasn't joking but rather overflowing with confidence. He chuckled helplessly and said, "But being a good person or an ordinary person is even more beneath your talents? Think about it carefully; there might be opportunities in the future."
As Director Fan's face disappeared behind the car window shade, Xiao Mu didn't take it seriously until he noticed several people were watching him. After a while, Ma Fenghuo spoke up: "Xiao Mu, don't underestimate yourself—do you know what position Provincial Political Department Director holds?"
"Exactly, I've been doing this for years, yet I'm still just a Temporary Worker. The highest-ranking official I've ever met is the team leader," the driver said in astonishment, not expecting Xiao Mu to receive such favor. His words carried a hint of envy.
Lian Qiang added, "He has never recognized any flattery. Talking to him is like talking to a wall."
"Right? It's all so formal here, and the atmosphere isn't even as good as in a Pyramid Scheme," Xiao Mu said, proudly holding up his certificate.
Zhang Quan chuckled and gave him a playful nudge. Checking the time, he noted they still had nearly an hour left. "What should we do now?" Xiao Mu suggested, "Let's go get some cold drinks and check out some beautiful women in the air-conditioned lounge."
The group felt relaxed as they followed Xiao Mu straight into the airport. They drank several large cups of cold beverages, feeling both happy and slightly disappointed as they occasionally glanced at Xiao Mu. Unconsciously, he was touched by their genuine feelings; thinking back to how intense things had been here before, he now felt a sense of reluctance to leave. Life truly felt like a drama.
"Hey, Baldy, what about you?" Xiao Mu asked Zhang Quan.
"Well, there's no banquet that doesn't end. 3326... I'll have to send you off this afternoon. You think we can handle sending off two brothers in one day? Our little hearts can't take it," Ma Fenghuo replied.
Zhang Quan laughed and said, "Old Horse, you make it sound like a farewell. Is it really that serious?"
"It is serious! I consulted Team Leader Ye; this afternoon, our brothers will drive you personally," Lian Qiang said to the driver.
Feeling unable to refuse their warm invitation, Zhang Quan had no choice but to agree. It was clear that there was an unspoken trust among these people that touched a certain part of Xiao Mu's heart, making him envious and longing for it. He thought about his past friends who only indulged in eating and drinking during the day and gambling at night; they were simply incomparable.
As they chatted, time flew by quickly. When everyone stood up to send Xiao Mu off, he asked a strange question: "Baldy, have you passed by the mental hospital? The one we stayed at."
"I have passed by it, but it's about ten kilometers out of the way," Zhang Quan replied.
Then Xiao Mu did something unexpected; he slapped the bonus card he had just received into Zhang Quan's hand and said, "Well then, help me with something. That Sister Gu—can you help her out? You still owe her an apology... And Old Bu—sell him some history books... You figure out the rest; let the others spend it however they want."
Xiao Mu had always been generous with his money, but Zhang Quan felt embarrassed. He said, "Isn't this inappropriate? This is your informant bonus; you want me to handle it for you?"
"Don't you know me well enough? I'm lacking in morals... not in money," Xiao Mu laughed as he reached into his pocket again and pulled out another card, slapping it into Old Horse's hand. Old Horse was stunned: "You still have money? Where did that come from?"
"I earned it as Chief Lecturer in the Pyramid Scheme gang. They didn't confiscate it, and I didn't have a chance to spend it anyway; so I'm giving it to you guys," Xiao Mu chuckled. Old Marco felt the weight of the card in his hand while the driver looked on in admiration, giving a thumbs-up in surprise. "Wow! No wonder the leader took a liking to you; this is Commander-level generosity!"
"Get lost. I'll deal with you later," Old Horse cursed. As he turned to leave, Zhang Quan blocked his way and exchanged a glance with Xiao Mu, who pointed at Zhang Quan and said, "Look at that, still acting like an undercover agent... Brother Qiang, Ma Ge, Baldy, and you, Temporary Worker... goodbye..."
The others watched as Xiao Mu walked away, but after a few steps, he ran back. All of Zhang Quan's earlier concern vanished as he impatiently asked, "What now? Can you just say it all at once?"
"One last thing? Is Zhang Quan also a pseudonym? Where can I find you to hang out?" Xiao Mu asked curiously.
Regarding his identity being a secret, Zhang Quan smiled and replied, "I don't have time to hang out with you. I'm in Anhui Province, Chuzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau... If you get into trouble in the future, make sure to let me know first."
"Sure... but who should I look for?" Xiao Mu inquired.
That was a taboo subject; for someone in a special position like Comrade, names were sensitive. Xiao Mu foolishly asked, and Zhang Quan chuckled before revealing, "Orphanage Kid. Just one surname: Party. The name is quite rustic, so don’t laugh."
"How rustic is it?" Xiao Mu pressed.
" Aeming," Zhang Quan said.
" Aeming," Xiao Mu repeated quietly before shuddering with laughter. He looked at Zhang Quan, who was laughing so hard he could barely breathe, and said, "It's worse than being named Egg. That's just too rustic."
"Shut up before I kill you," Zhang Quan snapped back, slightly embarrassed.
"I see now that you're actually shy. Haha," Xiao Mu teased as he quickened his pace to leave.
Once he joined the security check line, he occasionally glanced back and waved at his friends until he disappeared into the security passage. The others remained still; the card in Zhang Quan's hand felt heavy while Old Horse's was warm. Zhang Quan took it and said, "I'll handle this."
"We can't turn it in; we don't want anyone digging into us again—that would be a whole heap of trouble," Ma Fenghuo remarked. In the police force, there were no small matters; only someone like Xiao Mu would dare bring out such Black Money.
"If we turn it in to the state, they'll look down on us... Let's use the excess funds to give everyone a little something extra; the rest can go to the mental hospital—I owe someone there a favor," Zhang Quan said as he recalled that absurd time. There were always people who persisted no matter where they were—like Sister Gu who desperately tried to stop them and those security guards who almost ruined the 402 task force's escape plan.
Fortunately, it all ended well. Zhang Quan gathered everyone and said, "Let's go; there are extraordinary people out there who taught us a valuable lesson. I need to recharge when we get back; I can't keep letting him insult my intelligence."
"Heh, when I first met him I wanted to smack him one; now I kind of like him," Lian Qiang commented.
"Indeed, this kid is really something. Lu the Madman and Yang Yun, whether it's splitting the spoils on the spot or making a quick getaway afterward, or even going into hiding, they are hard to track down... Heh, who would have thought they would choose to leave together? It really aligns with Xiao Mu's judgment; catching one means catching both. Heh, a pair of old con artists, and they ended up falling for a little trickster," Ma Fenghuo remarked.
"No, Lu the Madman fell for his own tricks. Just like Xiao Mu said, everyone has their own shining points that deserve respect, but the shining points of bad people become their greatest weakness..." Zhang Quan replied.
As the group walked out of the hall, an aircraft soared into the sky with a roar. They couldn't help but look up, feeling a bit nostalgic for their departed companion. However, all they could see was the blazing sun and the clear blue sky...
Hours later, another officer, numbered 3326, quietly left Chang'an City, just as he always did after completing a mission—silently departing while Team Leader Ye and Director Fan at the intersection saluted him for a long time.
A few hours later, Weinan Mental Hospital received a generous donation. Dr. Bai, who had returned to his post, accepted it. The donor from Car Brands didn't stay long; after a few hurried words, he left behind a large bag of items and a sum of cash.
Among the cash was ten thousand yuan specifically designated for caregiver Sister Gu. Holding the money, Sister Gu, who had some understanding of the situation, seemed unable to accept this kindness. With her dirty apron wiping away tears, she stepped aside and began to cry in gratitude.
Madman Old Bu was thrilled; he carried a large stack of party history books into his room and started shouting from upstairs: "Workers of the World, Unite!"
The remaining funds were all handed over by Dr. Bai Shuangxi to the hospital office, specifically earmarked for treating patients admitted due to Pyramid Scheme-related issues. When filling out the donation section, Dr. Bai paused for a moment before writing down Lin Musheng's name.
The hospital office found it strange; donations to mental hospitals were rare. Curious about who this person was so they could promote it well, Dr. Bai Shuangxi felt no joy in this at all and retorted angrily, "Promote what? He's just another mental patient."
Involving Case Situation secrets made him feel frustrated and unable to express himself fully. As he left in irritation, he turned back to add, "If donating money here doesn't make you a mental patient, then what does?"
He thought to himself that this mental patient had caused him quite a bit of trouble...
Far away in Binhai, another individual also couldn't escape his fate; however, his situation was slightly better. That day he merely accompanied several police officers to find Mu Qingchen. Dr. Feng Changxiang felt anxious and uncertain inside as the police remained vague about their intentions. They only told him that they needed him to lead them because they feared being too abrupt. As for that individual?
"Oh, it's nothing. He just received a 'Heroic Act' award and has already come back."
"'Heroic Act'? What on earth is going on?" Feng Changxiang thought, feeling as if a thousand alpacas were running through his mind.
But he had no choice but to believe it; the visitors were not the same two young officers from before, but rather a Political Commissar and a Deputy Director from the Binhai City Bureau. They hurriedly arrived at the Qingchen Grand Hotel. To be honest, even these two police officers found it hard to believe that someone from such a background would fight against crime and keep it highly confidential. They had been specially dispatched from the Provincial Department just to ensure the informant's safe return home.
Mu Qingchen had already received the news. Upon seeing the police car arrive and Dr. Feng bringing the officers with him, Old Mu's initially joyful expression quickly turned cloudy. He felt dizzy and nearly collapsed. Dr. Feng rushed forward to support him, "Boss Mu, what's wrong? What happened?"
"It's over; he's finally going in," Mu Qingchen said, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at Feng Changxiang and asked, "Xiao Feng, what did he do? Is it serious? How many years will he get?"
The two senior officers were taken aback; how did this look like the family of a troublemaker?
Dr. Feng quickly interjected, "Boss Mu, it's not what you think."
"Huh? Is it worse than I imagined?" Mu Qingchen trembled in fear.
"Oh no, really, it's a good thing," Feng Changxiang emphasized.
"Don't try to comfort me; when the police come knocking, how can it be anything good?" Old Mu lamented, his sorrow turning into anger as he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "That ungrateful child! If I had known, I would have given him some money to stay abroad and avoid embarrassing us at home."
"What... what exactly is going on?" The Political Commissar was puzzled and stepped forward. Feng Changxiang whispered something in his ear, causing the Political Commissar to smile and quickly approach Old Mu to shake his hand, reassuring him, "Boss Mu, please don't misunderstand. We are here specifically to thank you... You raised a wonderful son who has done great things for our police force."
"Huh?" Old Mu was stunned, speechless.
The other officer dismissed Dr. Feng and handed Old Mu a photocopy of an internal publication. "Heroic Act award? For encouragement? Mulin Shen?" Old Mu was utterly confused as he stared at the document and asked the Political Commissar, "Wait, I mean... this can't be a mistake, right?"
"How could it possibly be wrong? Dr. Feng has been providing you with recent photos of Comrade Mulin Shen all this time; we arranged that because we were worried you might be concerned," the Political Commissar explained with a smile.
"Huh? You all conspired to trick me and let my son engage in such dangerous activities?" Old Mu's sadness turned into anger upon hearing this. Dr. Feng quickly stepped in to explain that this was indeed a good thing. However, Old Mu was not having any of it; he puffed out his beard and shouted angrily, "What good is it? My son just lacks discipline; you've turned him into someone reckless! What if something happens to him? How am I supposed to handle that as his father?"
Feeling displeased about how much money had been spent on this situation, Dr. Feng—being a psychologist—was able to pinpoint Old Mu's concerns directly: "Boss Mu, this is precisely the result of your chosen method of education. Think about it; he is no longer self-centered but is starting to consider others from a higher perspective. Working alongside police officers who serve the people is certainly better than... being arrested by them."
Old Mu lowered his voice, thinking for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"And you know, your son is quite talented, almost a genius... That diploma from that mediocre university was just to provoke you. According to the police investigation, he is studying psychology at Tulsa University in Oklahoma. Otherwise, they wouldn't have hired him," Dr. Feng revealed this significant news.
Old Mu's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Really?"
"Would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, ask Officer Comrade... And let me introduce you, this is Commissioner Zhang from the City Bureau, who came specifically to pick you up and go to the airport to meet Xiao Mu," Dr. Feng said, as the two police officers nodded in unison, clearly not faking it.
At this moment, Old Mu finally felt a sense of pride as a father. It had been many years since he had experienced such a feeling. He thought for a moment and said with excitement, "If the child isn't mischievous or unaccomplished... I always said my son Mu Qingchen couldn't possibly be useless."
"Please, let me accompany you," Feng Changxiang offered, while one of the old cops gestured for him to go ahead and the other opened the car door.
Old Mu, being a businessman, could already envision a bright future. He leaned close to Commissioner Zhang and smoothly introduced his son as if he were listing dishes on a menu:
"Commissioner, my son studied at a high school in Singapore and learned art in the Netherlands. He studied economics in America... Oh right, he also studied psychology... I tell you, my son has been smart since he was little, truly exceptional... I'm not bragging; he could memorize over two hundred dish names from our restaurant by the time he was ten... Oh yes, Commissioner."
The sudden change of expression on Old Mu's face amused everyone; they were curious about what this boss would say next.
Gathering all his courage, Old Mu condensed countless words into one question: "Are you hiring? Do you think my son would be suitable?"
No one dared to answer that question. The two police officers quickly changed the subject, avoiding the topic as they listened to Old Mu's chatter all the way to the airport...
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