130 A Turtle in a Jar

The following morning, Han Bin went downstairs to his parents’ home for breakfast.

Fried eggs, braised beef, and steamed flower rolls were laid out on the table.

Han Bin took a piece of the beef. “Mom, your cooking keeps getting better.”

“If you like it, then eat more.”

Wang Huifang ladled out a bowl of corn porridge and set it on the table. “Yesterday your father told me you’d be getting off work on time, and even reminded me to make something special. I prepared a whole tableful of dishes, only for you to call and say you weren’t coming home.”

“Yes. We thought we’d be able to close the case yesterday, but then a new lead turned up, and we got busy again.” Han Bin gave a perfunctory reply. Knowing that his father had not told his mother about the shooting, he changed the subject. “Why didn’t I see any leftovers this morning?”

“When I heard you weren’t coming back, I hurriedly called in reinforcements,” Han Weidong said with a laugh.

“My uncle came over?”

“Of course he did. The two of them had another drinking session. They’ve been drinking for half their lives—what’s so good about that stuff?” Wang Huifang complained.

Han Bin smiled without answering and continued eating with his head lowered.

After breakfast, Han Bin helped his mother tidy up. Before they had finished, his father dragged him outside.

“Binzi, how are things now?”

“Captain Zheng spoke with Director Dai, so I’m guessing everything is fine. Director Dai told me to focus on my work. He also said he would recommend our Second Team for this month’s Police Team Star award, and Captain Zheng would recommend me for an individual merit award.”

“That’s good. The fact that they’re willing to commend you means they approve of your decision to fire.” Han Weidong let out a sigh of relief, then reminded him, “As long as the robber is convicted of obstructing official duties, proving that he attacked Li Hui, your use of the firearm will be considered reasonable and lawful.”

“That’s what Captain Zheng said too.”

“All right, go to work.”

Han Weidong reached out and patted his son on the shoulder. “As a police officer, you’ll face plenty of things like this in the future. It’s nothing worth making a fuss over.”

…

Yuhua District Police Substation, Second Team Office.

Once all the members of the Second Team had arrived, Zeng Ping called everyone together for a morning briefing.

“Everyone was busy all day yesterday, and both cases made major breakthroughs. I’ll summarize the progress and go over today’s assignments.”

There was plenty to do, so Zeng Ping did not waste time and got straight to the point.

“First, the robbery case. The robber who stole the bag is named Hu Jindong. The robber who was shot is named Chen Fangzhou. Chen Fangzhou is now out of danger and is still receiving treatment in the hospital.”

“Yesterday, Hu Jindong was interrogated. He admitted to robbing Wang Deli and Song Huixin, also known as Golden Flower. In order to earn a reduced sentence through meritorious cooperation, he is willing to testify against Chen Fangzhou.”

“How is the victim doing?” Li Hui asked.

“She was discharged after receiving treatment and has now been taken into custody.” At this point, Zeng Ping reminded them, “Tian Li, keep an eye on Song Huixin’s condition. That woman has been through one emotional upheaval after another, and she isn’t particularly stable.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Ming smiled. “I think it should be called four upheavals, not three. First she won money gambling and must have been overjoyed. Then, before the money had even grown warm in her hands, the robbers took it from her. After she woke up and heard that the robbers had been arrested, she must have felt incredibly relieved and happy. But the moment she walked out of the hospital, she was arrested and brought to the police station.”

“She knew gambling was illegal and expressly prohibited by the state, yet she still sneaked around and gambled. Whom else can she blame?” Tian Li snorted.

“Now, regarding the gambling case,” Zeng Ping continued. “According to Brother Biao’s statement, more than forty people took part in the game, along with six organizers. We need to arrest all of them as quickly as possible.”

“That’s nearly fifty people. How are the five of us supposed to arrest them all?” Li Hui spread his hands.

“Han Bin, Captain Zheng said you had an arrest plan. Let’s hear it.”

“My idea is simple. Have Zhang Hailong organize another gambling game and invite every gambler he can reach. That way, we can arrest a large number of them in one sweep instead of summoning them one by one.”

“That’s a great idea. Those gamblers are in for quite a surprise,” Zhao Ming said with a grin.

Zeng Ping nodded, approval showing in his eyes. “Then let’s make the arrangements and try to catch them all tonight.”

…

Ten o’clock that evening, Auspicious Cloud Bus Station.

A crowd had gathered in the station square. At its head stood a young man with dyed blond hair.

Daozai glanced down at his watch and waved his hand. “Time’s up. Get on the bus.”

Daozai sounded listless, lacking the energy he usually displayed.

The gamblers, however, had come to enjoy themselves. In groups of three or five, they chatted quietly about their luck and how they could win money, paying little attention to him.

Still, the presence of several unfamiliar faces caught the notice of some of the old gamblers. Newcomers were a good thing. If it was always the same few people, whose money were they supposed to win?

Once they boarded, Daozai began collecting their phones as usual. Everyone was accustomed to it and handed them over without objection.

But as the bus continued along the road, some of them noticed something was wrong.

Ma Gaochi stood up and shouted, “Daozai, where are we going?”

“To the casino.”

“This isn’t the right road. This isn’t the road into the mountains,” Ma Gaochi said suspiciously.

“Yeah, I was wondering about that too. Why did we turn?”

“Isn’t this the road into the city?”

“What’s going on?”

The other gamblers noticed the anomaly as well and began asking questions.

“Brother Biao has opened another casino. He wants you to play at a different venue. I guarantee it’ll be even more exciting than the last one,” Daozai explained.

“When we joined the game last time, why didn’t Brother Biao mention it?”

“For something this important, do you think Brother Biao has to report it to you? Who do you think you are?” Daozai sneered.

“Daozai, pull over for a moment. I just remembered I have something to do today. I’m not playing anymore.” Carrying his bag, Ma Gaochi started walking toward the front of the bus.

“You think you can play whenever you want and quit whenever you want? Are you making fools of us?” Daozai was hoping to earn a reduced sentence through cooperation, so there was no way he would let Ma Gaochi leave just like that. He barked, “Sit back down.”

“What do you mean? I don’t want to play today, and you’re forcing me to. Everyone, tell me—is this reasonable?” Ma Gaochi was somewhat timid facing Daozai alone, so he deliberately tried to enlist the other gamblers.

With more people on his side, he would have nothing to fear.

Smack!

A sharp crack rang through the bus.

Ma Gaochi was slapped across the face. Pointing at his nose, Daozai cursed, “Get your ass back to your seat. Say one more word and I’ll cut you down.”

Ma Gaochi covered his face, fury filling his eyes. But the slap had shattered his courage. He glanced at the other gamblers, yet not one of them stepped forward to help.

He lowered his head and slunk back to his seat.

The other gamblers were suspicious as well, but seeing Ma Gaochi’s condition, none of them dared cause trouble.

The blond-haired man was not alone. Behind him stood Brother Biao, a ruthless man with several enforcers under his command, all of them carrying machetes.

And now there were several unfamiliar faces on the bus. Who wouldn’t be afraid?

A dozen minutes later, the bus drove directly into Yuhua District Police Substation. Dozens of police officers were waiting outside, leaving the gamblers staring in shock.

They were even less willing to move.

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