When Xiao Shi arrived at the scene, his teammates had already taken their positions as planned. Deputy Chief Niu Ming, sweating profusely, was shouting through a megaphone in his characteristic hoarse voice: 'Zhang Jun, listen up, you're surrounded. Resistance is futile. Surrender your weapons, come out, and turn yourself in to seek leniency from the government. That's your only way out...'
'Go to hell! All of you, get lost! Keep shouting and I'll kill her!'
Xiao Shi frowned slightly, casting a glance of disdain at Niu Ming before parking his car and heading off to report to Qin Jianfeng.
Criminal Police Captain Qin Jianfeng was leaning against a police car, making a phone call: 'Yes, yes, I understand. Please rest assured, Chief Xiao... How could that be? If others don't know what kind of person I am, you should... Yes, yes, I will comply and cooperate fully... Okay, got it!'
'Report!' Seeing Qin Jianfeng hang up, Xiao Shi stood at attention and saluted. In formal situations, Xiao Shi always adhered strictly to protocol, a trait that endeared him to his superior in ways words couldn't express.
'Oh, Xiao Xiao, is the case wrapped up?'
'Yes, the report has been submitted to the prosecutor's office,' Xiao Shi replied excitedly.
Qin Jianfeng smiled at the young man before him and said, 'Then go join the second team!'
'Yes, sir!' Xiao Shi took a couple of steps before suddenly turning back to ask, 'Captain Qin, we're not letting him get away this time, are we?'
Qin Jianfeng sighed inwardly, frowned, and said, 'Less talk, more action. Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Go carry out your orders!'
'Okay!' Xiao Shi found Qin Jianfeng's attitude somewhat odd, a bit unnatural, but he wasn't one to pry. He turned and headed to his position with the second team. Watching Xiao Shi's retreating figure, Qin Jianfeng sighed and unconsciously glanced over at Niu Ming, who was still shouting.
Qin Jianfeng was the veteran captain of the criminal police team, having risen from a household registration officer at a local police station to his current position through sheer ability and dedication. At the end of last year, he had a chance to be promoted to deputy chief in charge of criminal investigation, but at the last moment, Niu Ming, then head of the public security section, beat him to it. There was nothing to be done; Qin Jianfeng lacked connections. Chief Xiao Yuanshan had tried to help, but to no avail.
Qin Jianfeng didn't care about the promotion, but the problem was that the perpetrator, who had raped and murdered seven young girls, might escape justice again, and who knew how many more innocent girls would fall victim.
The second team was positioned slightly to the left front, with teammates aiming their weapons at the suspect Zhang Jun from behind police cars. Xiao Shi rushed straight to team leader Li Shuan's side and asked, 'Shuanzi, why haven't we moved yet?'
"Xiao Shi, what brings you here?" Li Shuan answered irrelevantly.
"I came right after the case was over! Dealing with a guy like Zhang Jun, how could I not be involved!"
Li Shuan glanced at Xiao Shi and teased, "I say, Xiao Shi, why don't you take a break? Don't push yourself too hard. How much bonus have you gotten already? Still not satisfied?"
"Nonsense! Who doesn't love money! Besides, you know how poor I am!" Xiao Shi laughed and then asked, "You still haven't told me. Why hasn't the operation started yet? Didn't Chief Xiao come to the team meeting last time and everything was decided?"
"Who knows! Maybe they're waiting for the armed police!"
Xiao Shi responded casually and didn't speak anymore. The criminal Zhang Jun across from them was a psychopath who had already raped and killed seven young girls. When he raped the fourth girl, the criminal police team had successfully surrounded him. However, due to some upper-level interference, the sniping operation was not carried out, resulting in the criminal escaping with a hostage, who was ultimately killed. Qin Jianfeng was also unjustly punished as a result. In Xiao Shi's view, that operation was a disgrace that the criminal police team could never erase. Chief Xiao Yuanshan personally attended the team meeting and clearly instructed that in similar situations, they must eliminate external interference and kill the criminal at any cost to prevent more innocent victims.
The armed police finally arrived, with a large number of heavily armed officers quickly taking up advantageous positions. From restaurants and shops to rooftops, the armed police aimed their guns at Zhang Jun from various angles.
The swift footsteps of the armed police officers scraping against the ground made Xiao Shi's blood boil and immediately tensed up.
"It's time for action. This heinous guy is finally going to get what he deserves!" Xiao Shi excitedly said to Li Shuan beside him.
"Hopefully!" Li Shuan didn't show the expected excitement, just responded indifferently, then turned to order the team members nearby, "It's time for action, everyone, stay sharp!"
Li Shuan's abnormal behavior reminded Xiao Shi of Qin Jianfeng's recent uneasiness. His heart sank. Could it be that this time... The heavy feeling in his heart made Xiao Shi unconsciously aim his Type 64 pistol at the criminal Zhang Jun ahead.
Niu Ming was still tirelessly making announcements. Zhang Jun was a psychopath who didn't care at all about such announcements. He grinned hideously, pressing a shiny knife against the girl's throat. The girl, terrified, was crying with her head down, her long hair hanging in front, covering her face.
"I want a car, damn it, hurry up!"
"We are preparing it, don't get agitated, please don't harm the hostages!"
Xiao Shi couldn't help but glance at Niu Ming, finding it strange. The snipers were already in position, so why hadn't Niu Ming given the order to act yet? Why was he endlessly engaging in nonsense with the criminal?
A car quickly arrived at the scene, and a middle-aged woman rushed out towards the scene as soon as she got out of the car: 'Xiao Qiu, Xiao Qiu, my child!' The middle-aged man who got out after her hurriedly held her back, saying, 'Xiaoqing, calm down, the comrades from the Public Security Bureau will save her.'
Seeing this, Niu Ming quickly put down the loudspeaker and ran over: 'Secretary Zhang...'
Xiao Shi's heart sank to the bottom at this moment. He finally understood why Qin Jianfeng was uncomfortable and why Li Shuan wasn't excited. The arrivals were Zhang Yuzhou, the deputy municipal party secretary and secretary of the political and legal affairs committee, and his wife Yu Xiaoqing, the deputy chairman of the city's Taiwan compatriots association. The kidnapped girl was their daughter. He also understood why Niu Ming was personally making the announcements—Niu Ming's position as deputy bureau chief was secured by Zhang Yuzhou.
"Mom! Mom! Save me!"
The girl suddenly raised her head and shouted at the top of her lungs, her hair that had been covering her cheeks scattered to the sides, revealing a face streaked with tears. Xiao Shi's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously whispered, 'Ling'er!'
Of course, Xiao Shi knew the girl before him wasn't the Ling'er in his heart, but her face was so similar, even though more than ten years had passed. Xiao Shi still couldn't forget Ling'er's bright black eyes and innocent face.
Xiao Shi clearly remembered the first time he met Ling'er. It happened to be lunchtime at the orphanage. Ling'er was wearing a small floral jacket, holding a bowl with both hands, standing timidly at the cafeteria door, her big eyes looking around helplessly. All the children were eating with their heads down, and the teacher was dozing off at the front.
Xiao Shi stood up and walked over, extending his hand, 'Are you new here? Let me help you get some food.'
The little girl took a step back abruptly, looking at Xiao Shi with slight fear. Xiao Shi smiled and extended his hand a bit further. The little girl looked at Xiao Shi, then smiled shyly, straightening her arms to hand the bowl to Xiao Shi.
"What's your name?" Xiao Shi asked during the meal.
"Xiao Ling," the little girl hesitated for a moment before answering softly.
"You're also surnamed Xiao! I'm Xiao Shi, everyone calls me Little Stone!"
The little girl found Xiao Shi quite interesting and amiable, and she smiled sweetly.
"I'll call you Ling'er from now on!" Xiao Shi was a warm-hearted person, even in his youth.
"...Mmm, then I'll call you Brother Stone."
Thus, the two innocent youngsters became acquainted. That year, Xiao Shi was eleven, and Xiao Ling was nine.
"Secretary Zhang, please give us your instructions!" Niu Ming wiped his sweat and bowed obsequiously to his superior. Xiao Shi snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look. He was worried that today's operation might not proceed smoothly.
"Don't mind my position, you're in charge here. Right now, I'm just a father whose child has been kidnapped!" Zhang Yuzhou maintained his usual leadership demeanor despite his daughter's abduction.
"Yes, yes, rest assured, Secretary Zhang. We will spare no effort to rescue your daughter!" Niu Ming kept assuring.
"Mmm, then it's all up to you!" Zhang Yuzhou nodded slightly.
Xiao Shi was getting a bit anxious. It seemed Niu Ming would agree to the criminal's demands, which completely contradicted the meeting's spirit last time. Just because the hostage was the child of a high-ranking official, could they repeatedly violate the established policies?
"Damn it, hurry up! If I don't see a car in five minutes, I'll kill her!" Zhang Jun roared.
"Ah! Dad, Mom! Save me!" Zhang Jun increased the pressure of the dagger.
"Xiao Qiu!"
"Don't be agitated, don't be agitated! Everything can be negotiated, the car is being prepared immediately!" Niu Ming panicked and shouted again, "Xiao Chen, drive your car over!"
Xiao Shi's anger gradually rose; Niu Ming actually gave the police car to the criminal.
"Cut the crap! I don't want a police car, I want a taxi!"
"Okay, okay! Don't harm the hostage! We'll arrange it immediately!" Niu Ming kept wiping his sweat and added, "Xiao Chen, quickly stop a taxi! Hurry!" Niu Ming had completely become the criminal's mouthpiece.
All the police officers on the scene showed signs of discontent. Qin Jianfeng finally couldn't hold back and walked over, saying, "Old Niu, this won't do. You should order the operation!"
"Old Qin, what are you joking about!" Niu Ming quickly glanced at Zhang Yuzhou and his wife and whispered, "This is Secretary Zhang's daughter. If the operation fails, neither of us can bear the responsibility!"
"The problem is, even if you give him the car, he'll still kill the hostage. Wasn't the last lesson enough? Besides, you attended the team meeting where Director Xiao was present. Weren't the operation policies all decided?" Qin Jianfeng might be a good police officer, but he was still a bit green in officialdom experience. How could he mention Xiao Yuanshan at such a time!
Niu Ming frowned and said in a deep voice, "Old Qin, I remind you, my position as deputy bureau chief was appointed by the municipal party committee, and now I am the one commanding on the scene. I hope you won't let your personal opinions about me interfere with our work. You should carry out my orders unconditionally!" It was clear that Niu Ming was displeased.
"You..." The honest Qin Jianfeng was so angry that he couldn't speak.