Xie Sui watched them leave, then turned and ran as fast as he could, wishing his parents had given him two more legs.
That was a thrill. He almost couldn't get away.
He had a dagger tucked into his waist, stolen while shopping. He didn't want to fight these people unless it was absolutely necessary.
He found a bathhouse, checked his duffel bag, and no one knew that the inconspicuous bag contained ten thousand yuan in cash.
These bathhouses could be used for overnight stays. He entrusted his key for safekeeping, considering it the safest place he could think of.
He took off his suit and watch, locked them up, and took a thorough bath. He had paid for it, so he had to use it.
He found a piece of wire and picked the lock of the cabinet next to his. The skills he had learned from petty theft in the past indeed proved useful. Without caring about the plight of the person whose bath he was interrupting, he put on the clothes and left.
However, Xie Sui was considerate. He didn't wear the underwear. He kept his own, so that unlucky fellow wouldn't have to go around naked.
He walked out of the bathhouse and headed straight to the Public Security Bureau to report. He was a good citizen. He had been coerced into committing crimes and wanted to turn himself in and clear his name.
He also wanted to expose that scoundrel Wang Fugui. Being greedy for money was one thing, but ruining an entire family was too much.
The Public Security Bureau was noisy, filled with trivial cases. Xie Sui tapped on the desk and said, "I want to report someone. Who should I see?"
"Who do you want to report?"
The young officer glanced at him. The young man looked quite upright, so he became more serious. "Hu Yaohui, the ruthless killer who wiped out an entire family."
"What did you say?"
The young officer immediately became flustered. "Follow me."
He led him directly to the Serious Crimes Unit office and found Captain Meng Shuguo. "Captain Meng, this person claims to have information about Hu Yaohui."
Captain Meng had stubble on his face and bloodshot eyes, a result of staying up all night. "You know Hu Yaohui?"
"I saw him in the newspaper. He has a scar on his face and is very fierce. Captain Meng, I was almost killed by him. You are investigating the case, and I am one of the victims."
Xie Sui held his hand tightly, as if he had met a loved one.
"Tell me slowly, what happened?"
Xie Sui sat down and, like an old woman chatting, recounted how he had fought with Gao Feng, how he had helped them commit fraud, and Wang Fugui's crimes. He told it like a storyteller, and the young officer listened in astonishment, looking at him as if he were a divine being.
"It's truly not easy for you to come back alive."
"You can say that again. I was ready to perish with them. Fortunately, Hu Yaohui didn't kill me to silence me. I used up all my luck for this moment."
Captain Meng scrutinized him. "Why did he let you go?"
"Perhaps because I'm handsome!"
Captain Meng: "..."
"Be serious, this is very important."
Xie Sui spread his hands. "You should ask Hu Yaohui that question. I'm not him, how would I know? Perhaps there were too many people around, and killing me would have alerted the public. Perhaps he had a change of heart, and once he was done with me, he discarded me.
Or perhaps he knew you couldn't catch him and was just looking down on you!"
The last sentence was a provocation. "You're not catching him quickly and keeping me here asking me questions. Do you think I, a common citizen, am easy to bully?"
Captain Meng ordered, "Make arrangements for him. Don't let him leave."
"Hey, are you treating me like a criminal?"
"Cooperate with the investigation. If you have nothing to hide, what are you afraid of?"
Xie Sui added, "Okay, can I call home? My wife went home to get reinforcements, and I'm afraid she'll worry about me."
He calculated the time. Lin Wanyuan was still at the town's Public Security Bureau looking for Officer Huang, hoping it wouldn't be too late.
"Let him make a call."
Captain Meng went to arrange for people to make arrests. The young officer watched him. Xie Sui asked for the number of the town's Public Security Bureau and, after some effort, managed to find it. He hoped it would go through.
He was lucky. Officer Huang had not yet departed. When he received the call, he found it unbelievable. "Xie Sui, is that really you? Where are you calling from?"
"The city's Public Security Bureau. I escaped. Tell Wanwan not to worry about me."
Officer Huang chuckled. "Good kid, you're a talent. You managed to escape. Your wife is right here, let her speak to you."
Lin Wanyuan's tearful voice came through. Xie Sui's eyes also felt moist. A day and a night felt like two lifetimes. "Wanwan, don't cry. I'm completely intact and doing well!"
The young officer, seeing the tenderness that involuntarily appeared in Xie Sui's eyes, softened. Someone who treated his wife so well couldn't be a bad person.
After comforting Lin Wanyuan, Xie Sui fell asleep on the bench in the office, like nothing had happened. This level of composure made the young officer admire him.
Even innocent people would be nervous in this place and struggle to speak clearly. Very few could sleep soundly like him.
Xie Sui slept soundly, but the bench was hard, and his whole body ached. He got up to stretch and said, "I'm hungry. Can you get me something to eat?"
"The cafeteria will serve dinner soon. I'll get you a portion."
"Thank you. Is there meat? I love meat. Braised pork with rice. Don't treat me like a prisoner; I won't eat cabbage and tofu."
The young officer chuckled, "Do you think this is a restaurant, ordering dishes?"
"I'm reporting a crime, I have merit. I'll report you if you have this attitude."
The young officer ignored him. Dinner was not bad; there were lion's heads, which counted as a meat dish. There was no rice, but there was millet porridge and steamed buns. Xie Sui ate his fill, making do.
Captain Meng had not returned. He would likely have to spend the night here. Xie Sui wasn't worried about his duffel bag. He had bought a full-day ticket, so it wouldn't be too late to pick up his clothes tomorrow afternoon.
By then, there should be clues. At least Wang Fugui's case would be easy to investigate, which would prove his innocence.
Xie Sui went over everything in his mind to ensure there were no loopholes. He said to the young officer, "Where will I sleep tonight? I can't sleep on the bench anymore; my back can't take it."
"You can go to the rest room. There's a bed there. It'll have to do for the night."
"Thank you, young comrade. You don't need to stand guard. I definitely won't run. I'm safest here. I'm really afraid that Hu Yaohui will find out I reported him and retaliate."
"Understood. We will definitely catch him."
Xie Sui pursed his lips. In his past life, it took two full years for them to catch him. This time, there would likely be no outcome. If Hu Yaohui was lucky, he might be able to go abroad and wreak havoc on those in Hong Kong.
That place was the domain of triad gangs. If he could carve out a niche there, he might have a friend when he went to Hong Kong in the future.
As for reporting the crime, now that he was safe, why would he care about that?
He thought it all out, but Xie Sui did not sleep soundly that night. He had nightmares of being stabbed to death by Hu Yaohui, and Lin Wanyuan remarrying with their child. He woke up in a cold sweat.
"Wake up, it's morning."