Chapter Forty-Six: A Traitor Within

“We’re even more doomed now,” Hu Ming said, a little dejected.

“By the way, what exactly do you guys do?” Liu Jingye asked, his mouth greasy as he ate his fried egg.

The group exchanged awkward glances, none willing to speak. Only Stone, eager to curry favor with Liu Jingye and hoping to learn a thing or two, spoke up: “We do a bit of everything—selling discs in alleys, collecting debts, helping students get revenge, parking cars for clients... Basically, we take any job we can get. But times are tough, not easy to make a living. If we were in East Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay, we’d have made a name for ourselves by now.”

Liu Jingye chuckled. “In Causeway Bay, you’d be called triad boys; here, you’re just small-time punks. All small people with big dreams.”

Everyone’s starting point is different, just as their eventual achievements are. Liu Jingye gave a faint smile, calm and understated.

Suddenly, the television switched to coverage of the ongoing operation: “According to our reporter on the scene, the provincial police headquarters has formed a special leadership group, which has now arrived in the city. With unified command from the provincial police, Deputy Director Liang Hong of the municipal bureau is leading the action team. Here’s our exclusive interview with Deputy Director Liang…”

The screen shifted to a man with a sallow, fierce face, brows furrowed, eyes sharp—his imposing demeanor in uniform unmistakable. Without the uniform, he could frighten small children.

Out of nowhere, Er Niu shouted, “That’s him, it’s him! He’s the guy who detained me last time just with a single glance!”

Er Niu’s sudden outburst left everyone stunned.

He was pointing at the man on TV—the leader of this thunderous anti-drug campaign, Deputy Director Liang Hong of the police bureau.

Er Niu complained bitterly, “Remember when I got detained for ten days half a year ago? It was all because of that bastard. I was in the underground parking lot of some nightclub. That bastard arrived in a Bentley, driven by an incredibly seductive woman. When she got out, I said, ‘There’s a ditch, mind the ditch.’ She clutched her chest, called me a pervert for staring at her low-cut top, and then promptly fell into the uncovered drainage ditch…”

Liu Jingye burst out laughing. “You could’ve just told her there was a ditch ahead.”

Er Niu scratched his head sheepishly. “I was in a hurry, that’s all.”

Liu Jingye merely smiled, saying nothing. He could see each person’s character: the Niu brothers were lecherous, Stone was straightforward but timid, Hu Ming steady but overly cautious, and the big sister had not only a commanding presence but an enviable figure.

“Anyway, the woman was all disheveled, and immediately clung to Liang, sobbing and whining. To save her face, that bastard took his anger out on me, called the police, and had me detained. The charge was something like—let me think—oh yes, ‘acting out of unhealthy motives such as amusement or seeking excitement, causing trouble in public, disturbing public order.’ Ten days! I warned her about the ditch but ended up accused of creating trouble. If I hadn’t warned her, wouldn’t that be intentional homicide?”

Er Niu fumed, and Liu Jingye’s brows knitted tightly. This scoundrel wielded the power granted by the people as his own privilege.

Liu Jingye shook his head in resignation. Lin Shengnan and the others could only grit their teeth, powerless to resist.

At that moment, Liu Jingye’s phone rang. It was Yuan Xiaoying. He stepped outside to answer.

The caller didn’t speak, only wept softly. Liu Jingye asked gently, “What’s that sound? Are you drooling, or…”

“Get lost, you jerk!” Yuan Xiaoying sniffled and scolded, “I’m obviously crying.”

“Men conquer the world with strength and power; women with tears and smiles,” Liu Jingye said. “Big sister, are you developing a new skill?”

“Can’t you be serious?” Yuan Xiaoying snapped. “I’m heartbroken and wanted some comfort, but you joke around. Forget it, I won’t talk to you.”

“Don’t!” Liu Jingye hurriedly replied. “If you’ve got something to say, I’m listening.”

“My… my colleague was just killed,” Yuan Xiaoying burst into tears.

“What? What happened?” Liu Jingye asked in shock.

Yuan Xiaoying sobbed, choking out her words. “It happened just after midnight. The boss said he’d received a tip—some addict had taken a massive dose of drugs. He sent me and my colleague to arrest him. But unexpectedly, the suspect had a gun, and without hesitation, fired at me. My colleague pushed me aside at the last moment and took the bullet himself. He just died in the hospital. I’m useless—I couldn’t even avenge him. Fired several shots but the killer still escaped…”

Her grief was overwhelming, the feeling of being saved at the cost of another’s life. Liu Jingye felt it keenly, wishing he could trade places, wracked with pain.

“He’d just arrived from the provincial capital today, was supposed to be part of the leadership team, but insisted on accompanying me to the scene. Who knew it would cost him his life.” Yuan Xiaoying said haltingly. “I just arranged for him at the city hospital morgue. His family doesn’t know yet. How am I supposed to face them?”

Liu Jingye was stunned, thinking, “How could such a coincidence occur? The tip supposedly said the addict had consumed a massive dose—he should’ve been weak, disoriented. And in a country with strict gun controls, how could any random person be armed?”

“This can’t be simple. Could it be another attempt on Yuan Xiaoying’s life? As for the officer from the provincial capital, he was likely assigned by Yuan Xiaoying’s high-ranking father, to look after her. Otherwise, why would he go to the scene with her? Clearly, it was for her protection.”

If that’s true, then the leader is unforgivable—on the battlefield, he’s a traitor, a mole, guilty beyond measure.

Fury burned within Liu Jingye and he asked coldly, “Who assigned you this task?”

“Deputy Director Liang Hong,” Yuan Xiaoying replied through her tears. She paused, incredulous. “Are you suspecting him…?”

Liu Jingye snorted, saying nothing. Yuan Xiaoying drifted into memories—first, sent to arrest suspects and assaulted by thugs; then, ambushed by armed robbers on her way to Huang Xing; today, sent to apprehend an addict who turned out to be armed…

Connecting these incidents, even someone as naive as Yuan Xiaoying sensed the danger.

“But if he does this again and again, isn’t it too obvious? He couldn’t be that stupid, could he?” she asked, betraying her own naivety.

“He’s not a god,” Liu Jingye retorted. “He couldn’t foresee you’d survive every time—first you fought off the attackers, second time you had me… or someone mysterious save you, third time your colleague sacrificed himself. Without these, you’d be dead or captured already.”

Yuan Xiaoying broke out in cold sweat, realizing Liu Jingye was right. The culprit wasn’t foolish enough to expose himself, just didn’t expect her luck would keep saving her, forcing him to act repeatedly.

“No, this is serious. I have to tell my father immediately,” Yuan Xiaoying said, flustered at the thought of her powerful father.

“No need. I’ll handle this for you,” Liu Jingye replied, his anger surging. Such traitors and moles must be eliminated. If handled through official channels, Liang Hong’s connections would ensure it was buried.

“You?” Yuan Xiaoying questioned. “How will you handle it?”

Before Liu Jingye could answer, she shifted her tone. “Are you going to be the good citizen again?”

“Yes…” Liu Jingye blurted out, then realized he’d fallen for her trick. He hadn’t intended to admit he was her rescuer, but in an era where everyone wants to broadcast their good deeds, how could a nameless hero exist?

Yuan Xiaoying had suspected him all along, but he’d stubbornly refused to admit it. Now, with his slip, she was certain but didn’t press further. She only said, “Take care of yourself.”

Liu Jingye didn’t respond and hung up.

On her end, Yuan Xiaoying hung up, opened her phone’s video—a clip of her using her feminine wiles to trick Liu Jingye into kissing her in the morning sun. Her lovely face blushed as she murmured,

“This world is full of injustice and things beyond the reach of law. Too many people stand above it all. A hero hidden in the shadows is needed, someone to uphold justice, reward the good and punish the wicked. I hope you’re that person—my hero.”

Liu Jingye returned to the room. Lin Shengnan and her group were still watching TV, where Liang Hong appeared dignified and stern, the image of an incorruptible police officer.

His fierce features added to his intimidating presence.

Liu Jingye sneered, eyes narrowing like a hawk locking onto its prey.

Turning to Lin Shengnan, he smiled and said, “Got a good job for you. Interested?”

Lin Shengnan froze, then asked, “What kind of job?”

A wicked grin spread across Liu Jingye’s face. Lin Shengnan startled, glanced around the shabby country inn, and wondered, “Is this scoundrel planning to have me work as room service in his inn?”

If Liu Jingye knew her thoughts, he’d be the first to request her service. But he replied seriously, “Ever played ‘black eats black’? Want to make a fortune?”

Hu Ming and the others’ eyes lit up instantly. Lin Shengnan had no fondness for him and snapped, “What is it? Stop playing games and spit it out.”

Why was the big sister so fiery? The group watched her curiously, making her blush.

Liu Jingye didn’t bother arguing. He pointed at Liang Hong on TV and said bluntly, “Look at that guy, fat and greasy, detaining Er Niu for his own ego. Clearly, he’s a dirty official, a corrupt one. If you had a chance to fleece him, would you do it?”