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墨書 Inktalez
The capture had failed. Lian Qiang and Ma Fenghuo, along with a group of Undercover agents, suddenly found themselves blinded by the chaos around them.
They were instantly engulfed by the crowd moving in the opposite direction. It dawned on him that this was the throng of people entering the border. Whether they were coming in or going out, in such a bustling place, one could easily vanish from sight. Moreover, if they were exiting, there was already enough time for them to slip away.
"Quickly search, quickly search... this is a major suspect."
Luo Guanquan urged the Police Force temporarily stationed by the Supervisory Department again and again. The officers were at a loss; who had ever seen so many heads bobbing around? Just moments ago, they had managed to locate Lu Hongbo thanks to an accurate description from the front line. But this one was different—a woman. Half of those exiting were women; a beautiful woman with a portrait... but that wouldn't help either. In this hot weather, many women who cared about their appearance would wear sun hats or cover their faces with light veils, making it nearly impossible for the cameras to capture anything useful.
"Notify the vehicles to prepare the Police Force; everyone needs to go inside."
"Understood."
"Have Ma Fenghuo's team of Undercover agents head directly to the Exit Point and intercept her there."
"Yes."
With two orders given in quick succession, Director Luo felt the urgency rising within him. He sent a text to Zhang Quan but felt it didn't adequately convey the situation, so he called directly instead. "Do whatever it takes to get him to talk."
After making these arrangements, he unconsciously wiped his forehead, already drenched in sweat. If Lu the Madman had nothing on him, then the missing stolen funds would most likely be with Yang Menglu. And now, at such a critical moment, this complication arose—if either of them managed to escape and the stolen money remained unfound, their only evidence could be lost.
Adding to his frustration was the fact that this madman occasionally had episodes of "mental illness," which could allow him to evade legal consequences once again.
"What’s going on? What exactly is happening?... We must not let her get away..."
Luo Guanquan couldn't afford to ponder the intricacies any longer as he urged the officers once more. Standing before the screen, he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness wash over him. The sea of heads was dense and chaotic; finding a specific target among thousands entering and exiting at the Exit Point was nearly impossible. What if she sensed something amiss and turned back to destroy evidence? Luo Guanquan dared not think further; he even began to suspect that this woman, who knew how to use reports to cover her tracks, might have already realized something was wrong and slipped away...
The issue of not being able to deploy the Police Force extensively due to confidentiality has become apparent. The coordination within the Police Force is quite disjointed, with only one passage leading in and out of the Exit Point, which extends into the Zhujiang Urban Area. There are eight entry and exit points, and more accurately, there are over four thousand shops and seven thousand employees, with daily crossings ranging from sixty to eighty thousand people, peaking at a hundred thousand during rush hours.
With just a dozen officers in such a vast area and no technical support, it feels like they are deaf and blind, merely being pushed around by the crowd.
Ma Fenghuo hurriedly led a few officers toward the Exit Point, flashing their identification and struggling to communicate in broken Mandarin with the other party. They were assigned to the inspection room at the Exit Point. He realized that it was impossible to approach the front desk. The Customs Officer, who spoke Mandarin poorly, said, "Sir, this isn't a small place where you can act recklessly as police; you must be civilized."
Indeed, they must be civilized. There are many compatriots from Hong Kong and Macau, as well as foreigners who look quite intimidating. This is not something Ma Fenghuo can handle easily, accustomed as he is to dealing with petty thugs from the north. Forget about finding suspects; just looking at the long lines of people at the inspection points is dizzying.
Lian Qiang was still being jostled in the crowd. Accompanying him was an Undercover agent sent by Director Luo. The differences between police in northern and southern cities are significant; southern officers tend to be more refined, making Lian Qiang appear rather incompetent. He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, trying to get a closer look at women of similar build. In his haste, he grabbed a woman's arm and lifted her hat, revealing a scruffy-looking Beard that made the Southern Beauty scream in fright.
The Undercover agents could no longer focus on finding suspects; they all pulled Lian Qiang back. One familiar face advised him, "Brother, don't do this! If you keep this up, customs will detain us all. Think of how many foreign guests are here!"
Even the fiercest horse is still reined in; facing an unending tide of people, Lian Qiang realized he might ruin everything again. Frustrated and angry, he sighed heavily and squatted down by the street, brooding.
Precious opportunities for capture were slipping away second by second...
Zhang Quan rushed forward, ready to open the gate and dash out when Xiao Mu shouted, "Wait!"
His gaze had been fixed on Lu Hongbo's face, catching a subtle hint of smugness that he had detected. Stopping Zhang Quan in his tracks, Xiao Mu said, "Baldy, are you stupid? He's just a con artist who's already scammed countless people. If you trust him, he'll surely lead you to your doom... Right now, he can't wait to get caught and taken away so that someone else can leave calmly. You must have some special means of communication."
"Guess again," Lu Hongbo chuckled mockingly, just like when they first met.
"Do you really think I'm a rookie? It's just a simple sleight of hand. Yang Menglu—also known as Yang Yun—has swaggered from Tongguan to Zhangzhou and then from Zhangzhou to Guangzhou and now here. It’s merely testing whether she’s on the suspect list; at that time, money was definitely on you. And now at this crucial step of exiting customs? You're leading the charge; that money must be on her... With two handoffs like this, no matter when the police catch someone, they’ll end up with nothing, right?" Xiao Mu asked.
Zhang Quan suddenly became alert. It should be like this; if Yang Menglu had been detained earlier, and the stolen money was with Lu Hongbo, nothing could be found. Now that the positions have changed, capturing Lu Hongbo would yield no results if the other person wasn't caught. It was like a double lock; unless both were captured simultaneously, the outcome would remain the same: nothing gained.
Just like Lu Hongbo's smugness at that moment, he chuckled and said, "Yes, I will appeal. I will recant my statement. Do I look like someone who cares about this worthless life? Heh heh, Baldy, why don't you just make it quick and kill me?"
"Get lost, you bastard." Zhang Quan was so frustrated that he squatted down in despair.
Lu Hongbo didn't even glance at him; he wasn't a formidable opponent. Perhaps what made him most wary was Xiao Mu. He looked at Xiao Mu with a complicated expression and asked, "Lin Zi, we have no grudges against each other and I haven't cheated you out of a dime. Why are you forcing me into a corner?"
"The grudge is quite significant, Professor... From the moment you laid eyes on me, you probably had ill intentions. You brought me into your den, introduced me to He Yuguo, forced me to do Chief Lecturer's work, and then handed me over to Tu Shenhao, step by step placing me in the position of mastermind... I think you suspected Baldy from the start, but you didn't mind using him. If he had problems and the police raided the den, you'd conveniently discard him and escape; if he succeeded under Tu Shenhao, you'd still benefit from behind the scenes... You win either way; everyone is your pawn. I've never seen someone more treacherous than myself. When things go south, it seems I'm the only one left to take the blame," Xiao Mu said.
Lu Hongbo suddenly laughed so hard that his features twisted together; it was probably the proudest moment of his life.
"You're laughing now, but you'll be crying later," Zhang Quan said gloomily.
"Heh heh, the problem is I'm still laughing while you should already be crying," Lu Hongbo sneered.
"But you're not going to be the last one laughing," Xiao Mu retorted sarcastically.
"Is that so? Do you think you will?" Lu Hongbo's expression darkened.
"I don't care, but you've overlooked my greatest advantage. Although you're a fake madman, I'm a true scoundrel. If someone betrays me, I'll stop at nothing to take revenge," Xiao Mu began to laugh.
"Damn it all, I've admitted defeat. Do whatever you want; just hand over this hundred or so pounds to the state," Old Lu sighed and slumped down. This variable had ultimately been underestimated and deviated from his expectations.
"I think it's right for you to betray them. Yang Menglu was your crush, wasn't she? That should have been your second time in prison—over three years—and when you got out everything had changed? Don't be angry; I don't mean to belittle her. On the contrary, when I heard about this kind of thing, I nearly exploded with rage myself," Xiao Mu said.
He was referring to Yang Yun being trapped in a Pyramid Scheme den, used as cannon fodder and passed around as a "cultivation prize." Lu the Madman’s face suddenly turned ghastly; he gritted his teeth and spat out a mouthful of bloodied saliva as he spoke: "Yes, they deserve to die... The ones in the Pyramid Scheme aren't even human; are others human? Are police always good people? They once broke four of my ribs while interrogating me about the stolen money—I didn’t care... But do you know how they treated her? When they saw she couldn't even pay a thousand-dollar fine, they just kicked her out onto the street. What else could she do but sell herself? Even that little money from selling herself was extorted by the police... When I found her, she was already skin and bones, standing at the alley entrance trying to attract clients. When she saw me, she ran away and refused to see me... It’s my sin, but why does heaven have to punish her?"
At that moment, Lu the Madman’s expression was filled with sorrow; his eyes trembled as two streams of murky old tears flowed down his face.
Zhang Quan turned his head away, unable to bear the sight. Behind most heinous crimes lie equally heinous backgrounds; it is the indifference of the environment and the distortion of human emotions that can transform an ordinary person into a pure, resolute, and stubborn Criminal. The ultimate purpose of their lives often boils down to one thing: revenge, to repay the suffering they once endured.
"A small flaw in a good person can lead to their downfall; yet a bad person's act of conscience can lead them to eternal damnation..." Xiao Mu murmured, pulling out his phone from his pocket and concluded, "You cherish her too much; you wouldn't let her take any more risks. Honestly, I like her too. Engaging in these actions isn't her true nature. She has warned me many times not to get too deep, and even cautioned me before leaving... she isn’t as heartless as you."
"Heh, she has always been like this," Lu Hongbo muttered, speaking in a way that seemed mad, leaving others unable to comprehend the tenderness hidden within.
"Then you must have arranged this; tell her that if anything feels off, she should take the money and leave... Your appearance here is just a precaution, intending to block her at the last Exit Point?"
"Thank you. I never expected to find a confidant at the end of my rope. We're even now; I’ve put you in a bind, and you’ve done the same to me," Lu Hongbo said with a bitter smile.
Xiao Mu slowly stood up, holding his phone and said, "You must know how to contact her. The Signal is gone, but she’s still here. I think she’s waiting for your call to leave together."
Lu Hongbo looked surprised, and Zhang Quan timely remarked, "Old Lu, let her surrender. You've played the madman for a lifetime; take a break for a few days."
"Call her and tell her to surrender?" Lu Hongbo laughed heartily, ignoring Zhang Quan, and asked Xiao Mu, "Do you think I would do that?"
"You wouldn’t; otherwise, I would look down on you," Xiao Mu replied while pacing back and forth in the closed shop. At that moment, Zhang Quan was filled with mixed emotions and stopped urging him. Watching the grimacing Lu the Madman, compassion welled up within him. He now hoped that this ill-fated couple could find a different ending instead of being shackled together.
Suddenly, Lu Hongbo coughed violently several times and spat out blood-tinged saliva. Despairing, he leaned against the shelf and slowly said, "She’s already gone; don’t bother anymore... Baldy, Linzi, it’s my fault for putting you all in this situation. Come at me; I confess."
As the two turned back to look at the pitiful sight of Lu Hongbo, their hearts sank further. Forcing this unyielding madman into confession felt far from satisfying, even though they still held onto their sense of justice.
The same words made Xiao Mu pause. He suddenly said, "How about we take a gamble? I bet she hasn’t left."
Old Lu was taken aback and dared not respond.
"A woman's unwavering loyalty is far greater than a man's loyalty for money. I bet she hasn’t left. Professor Lu, don’t you want to take that bet? If she has left, perhaps she can escape legal punishment; then you could find solace in that. If she hasn’t left, it means she chose to share your fate; then you could also find comfort... Shall we gamble?" Xiao Mu asked with a sickly madness on his face as if he had been deeply stimulated.
Both men had choices that could bring them solace but were also laden with regrets. Lu the Madman was stunned and found himself unable to choose for a moment.
The sorrowful expression on Xiao Mu's face confirmed his judgment. He blurted out, "Baldy, let her come out on her own."
Huh? Zhang Quan was taken aback.
Huh? Lu the Madman looked tense; for the first time, fear was visible on his face.
Undercover agents were summoned, collectively restraining the handcuffed Lu Feng. He struggled, kicking wildly and banging his head against the restraints. Despite the futility of his efforts, he fought with all his might, like a cornered beast making one last desperate attempt to escape...
...
...
"No? Absolutely not."
"It's too late, Team Leader Ye. The longer we wait, the easier it is for her to escape."
"Then notify the Zhujiang City Bureau and request reinforcements."
"There are tens of thousands of people here during peak hours; no amount of Police Force will be enough."
"But..."
"It’s impossible now. They've already captured Lu Hongbo up ahead. Your informant provided accurate descriptions; I think it's reliable..."
"Well... thank you for your hard work. We're on our way to the airport and can't help anymore..."
Luo Guanquan hurriedly hung up the phone and returned to the command center, quickly adjusting the deployment. They sealed off the customs inspection area, and in front of each customs officer's booth, computer screens displayed information about individuals undergoing thorough checks. The outer Police Force retreated to guard eight Exit Points, while police cars sped toward those points. Meanwhile, several Undercover agents were escorting Lu Hongbo directly to the Exit Point for a search of prohibited items.
The area was transparent, separated by a large glass panel that allowed an unobstructed view of Lu Hongbo sitting handcuffed in a chair inside.
They had caught him, but it was not the joyful outcome they had hoped for. Luo Guanquan's heart sank as he handed over the hastily prepared report to the Checkpoint Officer, a young man who seemed puzzled by the situation. Every day, countless smugglers, gamblers, and suspects passed through here; was there really someone willing to turn themselves in?
"Right now, it's a net closing in. Not turning yourself in is a dead end. Read it," Luo Guanquan commanded with a facade of strength.
Thus began the announcement at the customs checkpoint, continuing until it reached the station exit. The surveillance screens flickered, the broadcast adjusted its volume, and all the advertisement screens and public televisions synchronized to display the image of the controlled suspect. The clear voice of a police officer echoed:
"…We are releasing a significant police announcement. The major suspect in the recent Illegal Pyramid Scheme case in Shaanxi Province, Lu Hongbo, has just been arrested. His accomplice is still at large… The suspect's name is Yang Yun, who has also used the alias Yang Menglu. She stands at 1.69 meters tall with an oval face… We urge any travelers who see her to report to the customs police immediately and hope that Yang Yun will voluntarily come forward to seek leniency…"
The message repeated several times, and soon more information came in. Luo Guanquan was overwhelmed with tasks and instructed them to find a song. To his surprise, the broadcasting officer complied and played "Can I Hug You?" This felt absurd.
Director Luo stood at a political height and reprimanded the Young Officer before quickly downloading the audio online. Before long, this strange announcement accompanied by an incongruous song echoed from Exit Point down the street. Many travelers paused to listen, only to comment in Cantonese: "Crazy."
It did seem a bit insane. Zhang Quan sat despondently in the inner lounge of the inspection room, peering through a crack in the door. He saw armed guards standing watch and noticed Lu Hongbo, who appeared lifeless with his head drooping. Outside this scene were throngs of travelers who occasionally cast curious glances.
What was supposed to be a subtle investigation had turned into a full-blown alarm. Zhang Quan slumped back in his seat, listening to the familiar melody that inexplicably reminded him of his time at the Mental Hospital when Lu the Madman had led everyone in song. At that time, he thought it pointless; sending a soldier like him to interact with a mental patient felt like a waste.
Now, however, that song seemed to touch something deep within him. He pondered how many people had been driven to desperation by Pyramid Schemes, their fates playing out like a dramatic cycle where ultimately even the organizers met their downfall amid such melodies.
"…Can I hug you? My love… Let me cry on your shoulder if we must part today; let me cry out loud," Xiao Mu leaned against the wall with closed eyes humming along when Zhang Quan irritably muttered, "Shut up; it's awful."
"Your annoyance isn't because of this song but because of that person outside, right?" Xiao Mu suddenly asked.
Caught off guard by this insight into his thoughts, Zhang Quan hesitated but remained silent.
"In fact, you do sympathize with him. Whether hero or villain, they are all pushed to their limits before revealing their true potential. Before that moment, they were just ordinary people with ordinary emotions," Xiao Mu said.
"But Yang Yun?" Zhang Quan hesitated; such a woman left him questioning everything.
"Are you implying that actors lack feelings and women lack loyalty? From another perspective, those who say such things are often just as cold-hearted themselves. Emotions are not an equitable exchange; what you give may not yield any return—especially if you never intended to give anything at all. How can you know if someone is heartless if you haven't given anything?" Xiao Mu sighed and continued, "Lu the Madman would be criticized wherever he went; Yang Yun's experiences aren't much better either—it's fortunate she hasn't succumbed to drugs or disease on the streets… Lu the Madman fights for her while she risks herself to help him. Don't you think their bond has become one of life and death?"
"But I have seen more betrayal; in criminal gangs, relationships are based on interests," Zhang Quan said.
"That's true, but it doesn't exclude exceptions. Exceptions can happen to anyone when their emotions outweigh the drive for profit. They may make choices different from before. This is the difference between humans and animals. No matter what kind of suspect they are, they are ultimately human," Xiao Mu replied.
"Then do you think she will come?" Zhang Quan asked uncertainly.
"Do you hope she comes, or do you hope she runs away?" Xiao Mu countered. The question left Zhang Quan momentarily speechless; the simple answer was on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn't articulate it. Xiao Mu scolded him, "This is the contradiction of being human. Police are also human, not just cold regulations and laws... A woman who has fallen into depravity, desperately trying to find a way out for a better future, deserves both sympathy and disdain in equal measure... Just like you police officers, there are aspects of you that deserve respect and aspects that are detestable; it's the same principle."
Zhang Quan glared at Xiao Mu with a dark expression and then bluntly stated, "Get lost."
Half an hour passed, the song played several times, but no one arrived.
At that moment, those stationed at the second checkpoint at the Exit Point were scanning passes and passports, comparing faces, sweating profusely yet yielding nothing. Based on the flow of people, nearly twenty thousand had entered and exited in about an hour.
They might have already crossed the border. Luo Guanquan was analyzing with customs officers and began to review surveillance footage. Each unfamiliar face appeared slowly on the computer screen, and the anxiety was almost unbearable.
But there were no leads, no stolen goods found; the investigation had to continue. The Zhujiang City Bureau had been commissioned by the Shaanxi Provincial Public Security Department to send reinforcements from the Police Force...
……………………………………
……………………………………
At this moment, outside the Exit Point in a capitalist world, close-up views of rockeries loomed like forests while skyscrapers stood tall in the distance. Luxurious buses heading to casinos awaited as crowds discussed strange occurrences—someone had been caught for being part of an Illegal Pyramid Scheme and was detained in a glass room for checking prohibited items... Such conversations would soon be forgotten as they boarded buses to casinos or took taxis.
A woman who had been waiting outside the Exit Point for an hour without any response heard these idle chatter. Several times she considered turning back but hesitated. Almost unconsciously, she retraced her steps slowly.
As she drew closer… she heard a familiar song—the melody that had accompanied her for over a decade. She could no longer recall how many kind-hearted people she had deceived with it, but she remembered standing at the mouth of a dark alley during her years of despair when that song was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. Then she turned around and saw Lu Hongbo emerging from prison.
Two people with nothing began to have each other from that moment on.
It was getting closer... closer... She recalled how they had supported each other through thick and thin, remembering that notorious con artist who would empty his pockets to give her money, allowing her to take care of herself, to seek treatment, and to live the happy life a woman should have.
Back then, they often hummed this song together, embracing and dreaming of a comfortable future.
It was getting closer... closer... From a distance, she saw the frail, familiar figure inside the heavily surrounded glass room. He could no longer lift his head, just like all those times he had been caught and beaten, always keeping his head down, gritting his teeth, bleeding, enduring countless humiliations without ever showing it on his face. Seeing him again, he had always seemed so full of life.
But now, that was no longer visible; she would never see it again.
She wiped her tears and turned away quickly, sobbing uncontrollably as the pain surged within her.
At that moment, an announcement echoed faintly:
“... We are issuing a major police announcement. The key suspect in the recent illegal pyramid scheme case in Shaanxi Province, Lu Hongbo, has just been arrested. The criminal is still at large... The suspect's name is Yang Yun, who has also used the alias Yang Menglu. She is 1.69 meters tall with an oval face... We urge any travelers who see her to report to the customs police immediately. We also hope that suspect Yang Yun will voluntarily surrender for leniency…”
She cried; she sobbed; she suppressed the urge to wail loudly. Before her lay a world where she could start anew, while behind her was an abyss from which there would be no return.
It was not a difficult choice. She wiped her tears and walked toward the path ahead, but her steps grew slower and slower until she came to a standstill...
Two hours passed without any significant findings from customs surveillance—only a few suspicious images were detected. They had operated for years and surely had impeccable false identities; they must have already paved their way for escape abroad. The hope of capturing them was slowly fading away. Luo Guanquan had begun notifying the officers at the checkpoints to take shifts and rest.
He hurried toward the inspection area.
Despair loomed over Zhang Quan's heart as well. If she were caught, there might be sympathy or pity; if she escaped, only resentment would remain. As another round of singing began, he bitterly remarked, “Their agreement must be with overseas contacts; money would change hands inside while they should have slipped out when Lu the Madman was apprehended.”
“Why do I feel like she shouldn’t leave?” Xiao Mu pondered aloud. “Her family is broken; she fell into a pyramid scheme; she was cheated out of money and deceived as a person. Her fate seemed to hit rock bottom before bouncing back. You can tell from their collaboration that they were almost telepathic... If she takes the money and leaves, what difference does it make? Her soul will still be lost here.”
"She's just a liar. Do you really think a guilty conscience can change her? If that were the case, we police could all resign," Zhang Quan said angrily.
"Guilty conscience... she has no heart. Her heart must belong to Lu the Madman," Xiao Mu replied with a smile, though he too began to feel uncertain. He murmured, "To meet someone, especially at the worst time, who treats her like a princess... I really don't see any reason to let go. If it were just for money, those two could have easily split the loot and gone their separate ways. Why go through such a long detour just to escape together?"
Xiao Mu recalled the times he had flirted with her in vain. He knew that Yang Yun's heart was likely filled by another person—the one who had been pulling her into scams and running a Pyramid Scheme, Lu the Madman. Only that kind of cold-hearted older man could truly be her love.
"You guessed it right, but damn it, where is she?" Zhang Quan exploded.
"Don't blame me. With tens of thousands of travelers at the Exit Point, didn't you check? Did you find anything?" Xiao Mu rolled his eyes.
"Hey, why the hell did I even think about killing you?" Zhang Quan vented his anger on Xiao Mu, lunging at him to grab his neck.
Just as he subdued Xiao Mu, a commotion erupted outside. Zhang Quan was startled and released Xiao Mu, peering through the crack in the door. When he saw what was happening, his expression froze.
A police officer was blocking a woman running towards them. The woman had dyed blonde hair and fair skin; at first glance, he couldn't recognize her. Calmly, she brushed her long hair back and began rubbing her face—on her forehead and cheeks—removing several pieces of makeup that matched her skin tone. The officer's face changed dramatically in an instant.
Suspect: Yang Yun... guns were quickly aimed at her.
Yet she remained oblivious to the danger. Standing there, her eyes fixated on the glass window, tears streamed down her face as she forgot about the peril in front of her. She dropped a suitcase she was holding and moved toward the glass house. The surrounding officers were confused and formed a human wall to block her. As they prepared to put on Handcuffs, Yang Yun became desperate, crying out loudly while scratching and clawing.
"Step aside! Let her in..." Luo Guanquan rushed over, looking anxious. As the officers stepped back, Yang Yun dashed inside in tears while others formed a barrier outside.
Yang Yun collapsed in tears at Lu Hongbo's knees, losing control completely. The dejected and weary Lu Hongbo slowly raised his head and smiled through his tears as he murmured, "Lulu, you're so foolish. Why did you come back after everything?"
"Hong... Bo..." Yang Yun stammered, unable to speak clearly as she sobbed uncontrollably. She threw herself at Lu Hongbo, whose hands were cuffed, trembling as she caressed his face while resting on his knees. Tears flowed like pearls from a broken string as she lamented through painful sobs, "I won't leave; I can't walk away alone... I can't abandon you... Hongbo, I'll sit in prison with you; we don't need money... We don't want anything else; we just want to be together... I'll listen to you about everything else, but this time I can't leave you behind... I can't walk away..."
The painful turmoil within her transformed into tears of release in that moment of reunion.
"Don't cry, don't cry... Lulu, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for ruining your life in the end; I'm so sorry..." Lu Hongbo comforted Yang Yun while tears streamed down his own face. Yang Yun rested on his knees, using her pure white sleeve to wipe away his tears and the blood from his lips while whispering softly, "I’m willing... being with you is the happiest time of my life... Hongbo, don't cry; we still have our later years together; we still have our next life... In the next life, I'll come find you again..."
In a room filled with quiet sobs, two tearful figures, Xiao Mu and Zhang Quan, hid in the lounge, too afraid to show themselves. Director Luo stood awkwardly at the door, the joy of completing the mission quickly fading as he quietly turned his face away to wipe a tear.
There was no other reason; their actions deserved punishment, yet they evoked pity.
On this day, over seventeen million from the June 22 operation was successfully recovered, and the mastermind, Lu Hongbo, was captured. Another major suspect, Yang Yun, turned himself in. When the news reached the task force, cheers erupted.
That night, the two suspects were escorted back to Shaanxi Province. The flight landed at Provincial Capital Airport at four o'clock in the morning. Facing a police vehicle, the pair handcuffed together showed no signs of despair. Instead, they walked down the steps arm in arm. Just before getting into the prisoner transport van, Lu Hongbo unexpectedly turned back and smiled at the group of officers escorting them.
Was it gratitude for his release?
Or was it thanks for giving him a chance to realize that there were still things worth cherishing in this world?
The human heart is the most complex of all; even Xiao Mu couldn't decipher it this time...
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