Chapter 13: The Deal

Lin Hui walked over to Fang Wenxuan’s desk, watching him sit with his eyes closed, though he was actually deep in thought. Recalling the captain’s words—their future cases would require good cooperation—he said, “Hey, have you eaten yet? The results won’t be out for at least two hours. Why don’t we grab a bite?”

“I already ate,” Fang Wenxuan replied calmly, eyes still closed.

“If you’re tired, go home and sleep. It’s not your shift—no one will say anything. Why bother pretending to nap here?” Lin Hui, rebuffed, felt a little annoyed.

Fang Wenxuan opened his eyes, looking irritated. “Can’t you just be quiet for once?” His head throbbed from the noise.

“If you want to sleep, go over there to the lounge. Don’t blame me for disturbing you if you insist on staying here!” Lin Hui retorted, equally aggrieved. Couldn’t this young traffic cop see Lin Hui was trying to make peace? Yet he acted so aloof!

Fang Wenxuan actually stood up, ready to head for the lounge as Lin Hui suggested. As he rose, dizziness washed over him, leaving him a bit dazed.

Suddenly, he felt a strong hand grasp his arm, steadying him. Next, a rough palm pressed to his forehead.

“You’re burning up. Why haven’t you gone home? Are you stupid?” Lin Hui frowned, feeling Wenxuan’s feverish skin.

“I don’t need your concern,” Fang Wenxuan brushed Lin Hui’s hand away and walked toward the lounge.

Lin Hui watched his retreating figure, then left the detective hall and crossed to the pharmacy opposite. Soon, he returned with some medicine, heading for the lounge.

“Wenxuan, maybe you should come back to the hospital with me. Your injuries haven’t healed, and now you’re running a fever,” he heard a woman’s voice before he entered. Peeking inside, he saw Zheng Qiaoshan.

“Sister Qiaoshan, I’m fine. The doctors said it’s just superficial wounds. You already bought medicine for me. If I sleep and sweat it out, I’ll be okay,” Fang Wenxuan smiled at her.

“Wenxuan, aside from the captain, I’ve never seen a detective so dedicated,” Zheng Qiaoshan said, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

“This is my first time participating in a case. I want to know the results as soon as possible, especially since the nature of this crime is so heinous—it’s harmed so many people,” Fang Wenxuan replied with a gentle smile.

“That’s right, Wenxuan. Once this case is solved, you’ll have contributed a lot. I heard from Xiao Peng that it was your interrogation that made Xie Yi talk. You’re bound to have a bright future,” Zheng Qiaoshan encouraged him.

Fang Wenxuan shook his head, smiling faintly. “I used to be confident in my skills, but after ending up in such a mess this time, I realized how far I have to go. Once I’ve recovered, I need much more training.”

Lin Hui stood at the doorway, listening to the lively conversation inside. He squeezed the plastic bag in his hand and turned away, tossing the medicine into the hallway trash can as he passed.

Soon, the DNA results arrived. The report confirmed that the blood on the surgical knife belonged to Mei Yanqin, Wang Minmin, and He Beichuan.

Cheng Fei and Lin Hui had already begun interrogating Hou Changping in the interview room.

Outside, Fang Wenxuan watched the video feed, observing Hou Changping’s silence. Unlike Xie Yi, Hou Changping not only remained mute but stared at Cheng Fei and Lin Hui with mocking eyes, utterly unmoved by the ironclad evidence, showing no fear.

Because—even with Xie Yi’s testimony and the murder weapon, if Hou Changping’s fingerprints weren’t found on the weapon, it would be difficult to convict him of murder.

Fang Wenxuan paused for a moment, then pushed open the interrogation room door and entered, taking a seat beside the interview table. He studied the surgical knife, sealed in a plastic bag—the blade that had claimed three lives.

His arrival made Lin Hui glance over in surprise. Was Fang Wenxuan feeling better already?

Cheng Fei, too, looked at Wenxuan with a hint of delight.

Hou Changping regarded Wenxuan with scrutiny, and a touch of disdain.

“You recruited Xie Yi to harvest organs for you because he’d suffered similar misfortunes as you, didn’t you?” Fang Wenxuan set the murder weapon aside and looked calmly at Hou Changping, his tone conversational.

“I won’t answer anything unless you have evidence to charge me with murder!” Hou Changping sneered.

“You’re guilty of trafficking human organs—given the quantity, you could still be sentenced to death. Now’s your chance to reveal your accomplices. Maybe you’ll get a suspended sentence,” Fang Wenxuan told him.

“Early death, late death—it makes no difference. Since I brought them out, I won’t drag them down with me,” Hou Changping replied.

“What a loyal boss you are. But do you think staying silent will keep you safe?” Fang Wenxuan said coldly. “We’ll find out everything just the same.”

“Then go ahead and investigate. I intend to get a good bit of sleep,” Hou Changping murmured, closing his eyes and leaning back as if he truly meant to nap.

“Hey, show some respect! We’re questioning you—how dare you sleep?” Lin Hui’s temper flared; he strode over and snapped at Hou Changping.

“I’m not talking. What can you do? Trying to force a confession?” Hou Changping taunted Lin Hui.

“You—” Lin Hui grabbed Hou Changping’s shirt collar in anger.

“Hui!” Cheng Fei quickly intervened.

“Let’s make a deal,” Fang Wenxuan spoke slowly. “I’ll help clear your name regarding the accusation that you exploited your student years ago. In return, you tell us the location and contacts of the rest of your group.”

“You believe me?” Hou Changping’s eyes opened, a trace of hope in them.

Fang Wenxuan stood and faced Hou Changping directly. “Given your current situation, I believe you might resort to such things. But back then, your family was harmonious, your wife beautiful, and you were on track to become hospital director. You wouldn’t have been foolish enough to do what you were accused of.”

“Yes—such simple logic, such obvious reason. But at the time, no one believed me, not a soul.” Hou Changping stood up, his face twisted with emotion.

“Sit down and speak properly,” Lin Hui pressed him back into his chair.

“So, do you think it’s worth it? You were right—everyone dies eventually. But people always have things they can’t let go of. Your wife left you with your child over those accusations. You might not care if anyone else believes you, but don’t you care if your wife and child do?” Fang Wenxuan pressed him again.

At once, Hou Changping fell silent. The fierce look in his eyes softened; tears glimmered.

After a long pause, Hou Changping finally spoke. “Fine. If you can help me—at least let my wife believe me, bring my child to visit me—I’ll tell you everything.”

Fang Wenxuan looked at Cheng Fei.

Cheng Fei nodded. “Alright, Hou Changping, we promise to help you.”

The three left the interrogation room.

“Captain, this is wasting our time,” Lin Hui complained as soon as they stepped out.

“Do you have a better way to make Hou Changping talk? He’s already facing the death penalty—it’s no easy task to get him to open up,” Cheng Fei replied.

“I just can’t believe there’s no other way. We need to find that student of his. How could she possibly admit to anything? That would ruin her future,” Lin Hui argued.

Fang Wenxuan glanced at Lin Hui, his look slightly contemptuous, then returned to his desk and began reviewing information on his computer.

Lin Hui fumed—what was that look from the young traffic cop?

“Hui, as police officers, our duty isn’t just to bring criminals to justice and make them confess. We also have to help them resolve the knot that led them to crime,” Cheng Fei said seriously.

Lin Hui nodded, understanding. “I get it, Captain.”

“Work closely with Wenxuan on this case,” Cheng Fei patted his shoulder.

“Yes, Captain. I’ll get started,” Lin Hui replied, returning to his workspace.

Seeing Fang Wenxuan across from him, absorbed in the computer screen, Lin Hui approached out of curiosity. He soon realized Wenxuan was examining the profile of a female doctor. Instantly, he understood: “Is this Hou Changping’s student?”

Fang Wenxuan kept his eyes on the screen but nodded, answering Lin Hui’s question.

Lin Hui leaned over Wenxuan’s desk and chair, studying the profile intently.

Finishing his review, Fang Wenxuan prepared to stand, not expecting Lin Hui to be so close. He bumped into him, already dizzy, and began to collapse.

Lin Hui, seeing Wenxuan stumble, reflexively caught him. The two ended up practically in each other’s arms, faces mere inches apart. Lin Hui thought: Damn, this kid’s skin is so pale, and his eyes are really striking.

Fang Wenxuan, suddenly held by Lin Hui, felt dazed. He remembered how Lin Hui had caught him after he fell from the container, covered in blood. Aside from his sharp tongue, Lin Hui was surprisingly quick to react.

“Senior, thank you,” Fang Wenxuan said as his dizziness eased, pushing Lin Hui away as he spoke.

“Hey, no need for thanks. Are you still dizzy?” Lin Hui stepped back to let Wenxuan through.

Fang Wenxuan took a cup from his drawer. “I’m fine,” he said, heading to the break room.

Watching Wenxuan’s retreating figure, Lin Hui muttered, “Why does he insist on toughing it out?” He followed him to the break room.

“We’ll go to the hospital soon to see Hou Changping’s female student. You should get checked by a doctor—I can handle the questioning,” Lin Hui said, watching Wenxuan drink.

“How do you plan to question her?” Fang Wenxuan asked, somewhat skeptical. He didn’t fully trust Lin Hui’s interrogation techniques.

“I have my methods,” Lin Hui replied, glaring at Wenxuan. How dare this traffic cop doubt him?

Fang Wenxuan glanced at Lin Hui. “Forget it, I’ll handle the questioning. I know more about her background than you do.”