Watching Xiao Liu slowly disappear down the distant street, I felt a surge of anger and immediately texted Zhang Huanan: “Are you out of your mind? Don’t contact me.”
To my surprise, there was no response from Zhang Huanan on the other end of the line.
Left with no choice, I pulled out the pack of cigarettes I had hidden earlier and lit one up.
As time ticked by, my frustration grew. Staking out someone who would never show up was a complete waste of my time.
Just as I was about to finish my cigarette, I heard the car door open. I thought it was Xiao Liu returning, but instead, someone slid into the backseat.
“Detective Li, long time no see.”
A voice I hadn’t heard in ages sent a chill down my spine.
Zhang Huanan.
“Have you lost your damn mind? Do you know what kind of car this is?”
Zhang snatched the cigarette butt from my fingers and took a deep drag.
“What kind of car? Doesn’t look like a cop car to me.”
I caught his indifferent expression in the rearview mirror and felt my anger spike. “You think I won’t drive you straight to the station right now?”
“Oh? Come on, Lao Li, we’re in this together.” He smirked at me. “Seven years ago, when you arrested me, I gave you 100,000 yuan to treat Xuanxuan’s illness. You owe me.”
“I’ve already repaid your damn ‘favor.’” I gritted my teeth, torn with regret. I should’ve never gotten involved with this scumbag. “I told you to lay low, but you kept stirring up trouble… I should’ve handed you over to the cops myself.”
“Is that how you talk to the man who saved Xuanxuan’s life?” He flicked the cigarette butt out the window. “Xuanxuan’s in elementary school now, right? Let me guess… Class 6, fourth grade?”
“You—” Hearing Xuanxuan’s name from this bastard’s lips made my blood boil. “If you lay a finger on her, I’ll tear you apart.”
“It’s mutual.” Zhang chuckled. “Help me stay ahead of the cops, and she stays safe.”
Deep down, I knew once you board a pirate ship, you never get off.
Seven years ago, when I arrested Zhang Huanan, he suddenly offered me 100,000 yuan to let him go.
I’ve always despised criminals, but my daughter Xuanxuan had a rare disease—Crigler-Najjar syndrome, the doctor called it. He explained how rare it was and the treatments, but I couldn’t understand any of it.
All I knew was Xuanxuan needed a liver transplant, and I needed money.
Zhang’s 100,000 yuan saved her life.
But from that day on, I was tied to this scumbag.
If I didn’t help him evade the police, he’d threaten to expose what happened back then.
Zhang Huanan didn’t have “exceptional counter-surveillance skills”—he just had me.
I couldn’t let anything happen to Xuanxuan. She was my late comrade’s child, had called me Dad for ten years—she was my daughter.
“Zhang Huanan, I have my limits.” I met his eyes in the rearview mirror. “If you don’t want to get caught, stay low these next few years. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Damn it…” Zhang’s expression darkened as he spat out a curse. “Li Shangwu, you’re in no position to bargain. If I get caught, my people will make sure Xuanxuan disappears.”
My heart clenched at his words.
“What do you mean?”
“It means you stay obedient like a good dog and don’t get any ideas.” He kicked the back of my seat. “Otherwise, I’ll ruin your reputation *and* your family.”
I glanced at him in the mirror, a thought flashing through my mind.
If Zhang got arrested, things would get messy. My reputation didn’t matter—I made my bed, I’d lie in it.
But what about Xuanxuan?
So Zhang couldn’t be arrested.
He had to die.
I was sick of aiding a fraudster, sick of living with a guilty conscience.
Now that Xuanxuan was cured, it was time to pay my debt.
Keeping Zhang alive meant more victims.
If I could go back, I’d have sent him to prison years ago instead of carrying this guilt.
But would Xuanxuan have forgiven me if I had?
“Zhang Huanan, have you eaten?” I asked flatly.
“Eaten?” He blinked, confused.
“You’ve been hiding for days. Let’s get some decent food. Forget what I said earlier—don’t take it to heart.”
“Now *that’s* more like it.” He stretched lazily in the backseat. “You guys staked me out for three days. I’ve been living on instant noodles.”
I nodded, started the car, and shifted into gear.
Now I needed a quiet place—somewhere Zhang’s body wouldn’t be found for days. I’d be caught eventually, but I had to make sure Xuanxuan was safe first.
As I drove slowly, I quietly flicked off the safety on my sidearm.
Zhang’s eyes were closed in the back, seemingly relaxed.
Seizing the moment, I turned into a narrow alley.
But before the car even stopped, Zhang suddenly lunged forward, looping a thin wire around my neck.
Shit. He was trying to kill me too.
“Zhang Huanan… you’re dead…” I choked, clawing at the wire, but my legs were pinned by the steering wheel.
“Clever move, Detective Li.” He tightened his grip. “Stakeouts are done in pairs, right? Yet you’re taking me out for a meal alone? Your partner’s gonna notice you’re missing and call for backup.”
Within seconds, my vision darkened.
Zhang was serious—if I died, Xuanxuan would be in danger.
Desperate, I yanked out my gun and fired three blind shots behind me. The deafening blasts rang in my ears.
“After all the money I gave you… you *dare* try to kill me?!” Zhang roared, pulling the wire tighter.
The pressure was unbearable—my veins felt like they’d burst.
In a last-ditch effort, I slammed the seat recline button. If the seat dropped, maybe I could break free.
But I forgot.
This luxury car reclined slowly, smoothly—designed for comfort, not emergencies.
As the seat inched backward, my world went black.
You get what you pay for. Luxury has its perks.
At least my back didn’t hurt.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage