Chapter 52: Captured

Meanwhile, Li Jian was still frantically seeking connections to rescue Li Ming, but all his efforts were met with rejection.

First, he visited a somewhat hidden private residence, where he was supposed to meet a middle-aged man who claimed to have “connections” in the police department. The lighting in the room was dim, and the music played softly in the background. Li Jian anxiously waited, and upon seeing the man arrive, he hurriedly approached him, extending the prepared money with a face full of an ingratiating smile. “Big Brother, you must help me! My son Li Ming has been wronged, and you surely have a way in the police department to get him out early.”

The middle-aged man took the money and weighed it in his hand, a momentary hesitation crossing his face. But soon, he pushed the money back, sighing, “Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but this situation is too tricky. I heard the victims are from a military family, and their commanders have already put pressure on the police to conduct a thorough investigation. Besides, Chief Xia has also made arrangements; who would dare to wade into this muddy water right now? If I take your money and can’t make anything happen, I’d just be asking for trouble.”

Li Jian fell silent, as if struck by lightning, his smile vanishing instantly. He wanted to plead further, but the middle-aged man waved him off and quickly left.

Not willing to give up, Li Jian sought out a retired police high-ranking official. He arrived at the official’s residence, carrying an assortment of expensive gifts and adorned with a sincere expression. But the official’s face darkened when he heard the purpose of Li Jian’s visit. “I’ve heard about this incident. Li Ming has gotten himself into serious trouble. The authorities are watching closely, and everyone is afraid of getting into trouble. You’d be better off letting him stay in there to reflect; stop seeking other avenues.”

After being rejected repeatedly, Li Jian wandered the streets in a daze. The cold wind howled around him, chilling him to the bone. He gazed at the dark night sky, filled with resentment and anger.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating every corner of the city, yet it seemed unable to penetrate the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the Bai family. On the other hand, the atmosphere in the police station was especially tense and solemn.

After a lengthy application process, permission to use the hallucinogenic drug had finally been granted. Police officers, with solemn yet expectant expressions, carefully prepared the small package of truth-revealing drugs and slowly headed into the interrogation room where Li Ming was held.

When Li Ming was brought in, he still retained traces of his past arrogance. However, as the effects of the hallucinogenic drug began to take hold, confusion clouded his eyes, and his consciousness slipped from his control.

Under the drug’s influence, Li Ming began to babble, his words falling like heavy bombs in the interrogation room.

“It was planned with my aunt Li Fen. Li Fen was responsible for stalling Mu Nanhe, while I was in charge of kidnapping Yang Qingyan…”

Though his voice was muddled, the shocking truth spilled forth clearly.

The interrogating police exchanged glances, each reflecting a “we knew it” expression before hastily recording this critical testimony.

However, when asked if Bai Yiling was involved, Li Ming shook his head, mumbling, “I don’t know. It was just a plan between Li Fen and me.”

Meanwhile, back at the Bai residence, Li Fen was anxiously awaiting news. She couldn’t fathom that the plan she thought would succeed in deceiving everyone was being slowly uncovered piece by piece.

When Bai Pingzhang learned of this situation, his face turned ashen with rage. He never imagined that his wife would indeed participate in such a heinous act. Furious, he hurried home.

A series of urgent knocks thundered on the door, striking Li Fen’s heart like a heavy hammer. She trembled, slowly rising from her seat, dragging her seemingly leaden legs toward the door. Before she could reach for the handle, the door was forcefully pushed open by several stern-faced police officers.

“Li Fen, you are required to come with us for questioning regarding your involvement in a kidnapping case.” The lead officer displayed his badge, his voice cold and authoritative, leaving no room for negotiation.

Li Fen’s face turned pale as paper, her legs buckling beneath her as she nearly collapsed. “No, this is impossible… You must have made a mistake!” Her voice trembled as she fought against the inevitable.

The police officers ignored her protests, moving in to take her away. At that moment, Bai Yiling rushed out from another room, her eyes wide with disbelief as she took in the scene before her.

“Mom!” Bai Yiling cried, her voice laced with fear as she looked at Li Fen.

Seeing her daughter appear, panic gripped Li Fen, and she shouted, “Yiling, don’t get involved with this! Just go back inside…”

Before her words could finish, the police interrupted, “Please remain calm, we are performing our duties.”

Bai Yiling showed no signs of compliance, rushing forward in a desperate attempt to stop the officers, tears streaming down her face. “You can’t take my mom! It must be a misunderstanding!”

The officers patiently explained, “We have irrefutable evidence that your mother was involved in the crime of kidnapping others.”

Bai Yiling felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her eyes filled with confusion and despair. “Mom… don’t go with them!”

Li Fen avoided her daughter’s gaze, biting her lip, choosing silence. The last shred of hope in Bai Yiling’s heart shattered completely, and she collapsed to the ground.

Just then, Bai Pingzhang rushed into the house, and upon seeing the chaotic scene in the living room, his face darkened ominously.

“Dad, you have to save Mom!” Bai Yiling, as if seizing one last lifeline, crawled to Bai Pingzhang’s feet, crying uncontrollably. “It’s definitely a misunderstanding! You have to think of something!”

A flicker of pain flashed in Bai Pingzhang’s eyes, quickly replaced by steely determination. He gently lifted Bai Yiling, his voice low but firm, “Yiling, the law is just. Anyone who breaks the law must face consequences. Your mother did something wrong, and she has to accept the repercussions.”

“No! Dad, you can’t just ignore Mom!” Bai Yiling cried in despair. “She did it for me!”

Bai Pingzhang interrupted her sharply, “Doing it for you doesn’t justify committing a crime! As a soldier, I must set an example and uphold the dignity of the law.”

Bai Yiling looked at Bai Pingzhang with disbelief, as though she no longer recognized him. “Dad, how can you be so cruel?”

Bai Pingzhang turned his head away, suppressing the inner turmoil, and addressed the police officers, “You may take her.”

With Bai Yiling’s cries echoing in the background, Li Fen was taken away by the police officers from the Bai household.