The police interrogated me again in the middle of the night. They were convinced I was the one hoarding national treasures. But they lacked sufficient evidence to indict me. So I still refused to confess, repeatedly retelling the story my grandfather left me.
Just then, Director Lu entered. The two officers who had been interrogating me all night stood up upon seeing their superior. The director's presence made them a bit nervous, but Director Lu was not polite. He directly said, "You two go out. I have something to discuss with Tang Nan alone."
"Yes, Director Lu." The two officers were confused but dared not defy Director Lu's instructions.
After the two left, Director Lu turned off the recorder. It seemed he had something to tell me.
"Director Lu, it's so late, and you're still awake," I began with a smile. Although we had revealed our identities to each other, there was no need for hysterics.
"You've disturbed my peace," Director Lu replied amicably.
I smiled and looked at the recorder. "Is this the only device? Don't you have those interrogation rooms like on TV, where you can watch me from the other side of the wall without me seeing you?"
"You mean the ones with one-way mirrors and full surveillance? Our police station is putting out tenders. We'll have them next year. But by then, I'll be retired."
"Will you be able to retire?"
Director Lu chuckled, "Tang Nan, are you still trying to threaten me at this point? You have poor judgment in people, associating with someone like Lu Yao. I've spoken with him extensively. At the very least, I'll let him handle my business."
I knew what Director Lu's business was: money laundering. Zhao Zhichao was currently handling it. If Director Lu were to hand over this money laundering operation to Lu Yao, it would mean he no longer trusted Zhao Zhichao. From the current situation, this was not a good sign for me.
Seeing my silence, Director Lu sneered and pulled out a plastic bag labeled 'Evidence 24' from his pocket. Inside was a Dragon Banknote.
"Did your people release this into the market?"
"How did it end up in your hands?"
Director Lu chuckled, "I'm aware of Zhao Zhichao's little schemes. This girl came to me after graduation. Ostensibly to help her get revenge, but in reality, she knew I used her father as a scapegoat. At the time, I was indeed in need of someone to help me launder money, as Zhao Shicheng was no longer willing to cooperate with me. So, I agreed to help the girl. And this girl, she's truly dedicated. She relentlessly persecuted her uncle, Zhao Shicheng, for me. I helped her, and seeing her heart bleed brought me joy."
Hearing this, I clenched my fists. This Director Lu was truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"You killed Zhao Shuirui and are still manipulating Zhao Zhichao and Zhao Shicheng?"
"Originally, with Zhao Shuirui dead, the matter would have ended there. Zhao Shicheng would have continued working with me, and I could have even brought him back into the antiques circle. Perhaps he could have 'atoned for his sins' and become the director of some museum. Unfortunately, he's not very bright and kept thinking about his deceased brother. He had no interest in making money. I spared his life out of consideration for him being an old neighbor, but he ended up telling the truth to my son! He caused me to lose my son. How could I let him off easy?"
I looked at Director Lu silently. It seemed Lu Fan had already severed ties with him. No wonder Lu Fan had been living in Beijing for so many years without even buying a house. With Director Lu's wealth, this was unthinkable. It appeared Lu Fan had long since cut off contact with his greedy father.
"Since you hate them, why are you letting Zhao Zhichao plot against you?"
"I know she's plotting, but can she harm me? Using public opinion, relying on a few whispers in the collecting circles, and these few altered Dragon Banknotes."
"That was the company helping you launder money?"
"Do you have proof?"
"If Zhao Zhichao had no proof, would she resort to such tactics?"
Hearing me say this, Director Lu laughed heartily. "You're too naive. Let's start with your identity. You were once an informant, calling yourself The Schemer. In the business world, intelligent people like you always swim with the current. But in official circles, your methods won't work. Yes, you might say that a certain important figure in Beijing fell because of you. But that wasn't your doing. He was under the Emperor's nose. Someone wanted him dead, and you became the Dragon Slaying Sword. But here, it's a different environment. China has an old saying: 'A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake; a tiger fallen to plain ground is bullied by dogs.' Whoever comes to my territory has to obey me."
Director Lu spoke very calmly, with a slight accent, and was still refined, but his presence was intimidating. Just as he said, in his domain, no one could defy his will.
"Director Lu, you mean Zhao Zhichao's evidence poses no threat to you."
"Evidence requires someone to see it. Zhao Zhichao might possess a lot of evidence, but she needs a reason to bring it out, right? Someone to look at it? She lacks these conditions. That girl actually understands this very well, which is why she hasn't dared to make a move against me. Now it's good, you people have pushed her out, and I've also grown impatient."
"What do you plan to do to her?"
"It's like this: Lu Yao has already tipped off the police, helping them crack the case of the bronze short blade. The general figurine head was a high imitation, but this imitation came from your collection. Simultaneously, your lawyer, Ye Qingcheng, exposed the Dragon Banknote, proving that Zhao Zhichao's commemorative collection company is suspected of counterfeiting. The police investigated and found illegal sale of national treasures accounts between Lin's Group and the commemorative company. Zhao Zhichao's company accounts show large outflows each month, while your account receives large sums of money. All of this will establish your guilt in theft and sale of national treasures. Your lawyer will try to get you the best outcome, but even if it's not a death sentence, you likely won't escape prison."
"Director Lu, do you think all this will go smoothly? Will Zhao Zhichao's evidence not be leaked at all?"
"No, because all the accounts and transaction records come from Zhao Zhichao's company, not from Zhao Zhichao herself. And that girl won't object to what I say."
"Why wouldn't she object?"
"Dead people have no right to speak."
"You intend to silence her."
"No, this is called 'reaching the same destination by different routes.' Zhao Zhichao's fate will be the same as her father, Zhao Shuirui; she will become a qualified scapegoat."
Director Lu said with a chuckle. Seeing my grim expression, he added, "Tang Nan, the saying 'the common people do not fight with officials' has been around since ancient times. You think The Schemer can cover the sky with one hand? Hmph! Wake up from your dream. You must remember, because of your wrong choices, all that awaits you in the real world is the cold bars of a jail cell."
After speaking, Director Lu stood up and left without another word. That night, the police officers in charge of the case did not continue their interrogation. I had become a prime suspect, and even my lawyer, Ye Qingcheng, could not see me. Director Lu's ruthlessness exceeded my imagination. This man was connected in both the underworld and official circles, playing with judicial justice and murdering without a trace.
No wonder Zhao Zhichao, someone with the identity of The Schemer, was trapped in this situation for so long. Director Lu truly had his extraordinary capabilities. In this situation, if I were outside, I might have had a better chance, but Director Lu had me confined to the detention center the entire time. Moreover, every plan I made here was within Director Lu's expectations.
From the beginning, Director Lu gave me a choice. He wanted me to get rich with him. I refused, and he wanted to ruin me. This time, Senior Sister's plan was truly elaborate. It wasn't just killing with a borrowed knife; she had borrowed a bomb.
At this point, I have to admit I am helpless.
But it's not necessarily me who loses. When I chose to trust Lu Yao, all the signs pointed to this outcome. This is probably Lu Yao's state of mind: total negation, everything heading in the worst possible direction. For Lu Yao, he will face the most dangerous situation. For me, trust, waiting, and the psychological burden of all these effects.
Will Zhao Zhichao die?
What arrangements has Lu Yao made? Can he turn the tide and defeat Director Lu, the local snake?
What is Ye Qingcheng doing? Has she sensed the plan's sudden change, or has she devised a new one?
What about Lin Han? Will she foolishly go shopping with her mother, happily expecting me to return victorious? My wife is capable of such things.
Will the national treasures return to the embrace of the country? This is the critical moment. I want to sleep, but I can't. My mind is racing. Dawn is approaching. I can't see the sunrise, but I believe today is the day the winner is decided.
In the morning, I was summoned to the interrogation room again. The police officer in charge of the case informed me that the public security organs would formally indict me on the charge of hoarding national treasures.