Chapter 25

Closing his eyes to think deeply had always been a habit of An Xiaohai. In the darkness, he would construct an intricate web of light and shadow in his mind, vibrant and brilliant.

In that recent brawl, he had roughly deduced who might have slipped him the knife.

Jian Long and his crew seemed the most likely suspects.

Jian Long was from Xiayong, a village near Apojiao Village, where Xiaohai’s troubles began. The coastline in this region is a mix of rocky shores, cliffs, and various bays. Typically, fishing villages are built near the bays, where the scenic and calm waters provide both beauty and shelter from storms. In these bays, the areas that curve inward are often called “yong” or “chong,” while the outwardly jutting points are referred to as “jiao.” Apojiao and Sha Tau Kok Village represent two of these promontories on the same bay, with Xiayong being the recessed area in between and the largest of the three fishing villages.

Jian Long, a well-known figure in Xiayong, was around 30 and was often called “Brother Long” by the locals. He had connections across the three villages and frequently led a group of friends through the area. On the day Xiaohai was attacked, he had been playing mahjong with Jian Long and his friends. Later, when Xiaohai confronted Zhou Tie and his group at the fish market, Jian Long’s group was present at the scene. But when the knife appeared in Xiaohai’s hand and Zhou Tie was knocked down, Jian Long’s crew had already vanished from sight, leaving them as potential suspects for slipping him the weapon.

Of course, Xiaohai wasn’t going to suspect them just because they vanished from view at that critical moment. The real oddity was that they appeared at the scene at all. Xiaohai had rushed to the fish market upon hearing that Lin Xuan’er was being harassed, and Jian Long and his group appeared not long after. Why had they been so quick to join in? Were they really there just to see the commotion?

Furthermore, Xiaohai knew Jian Long wasn’t an ordinary man. In a later life, Xiaohai had heard from Apojiao villagers that Jian Long had died in 2002, resisting arrest and being killed by police in the streets. Although Xiaohai didn’t know the exact details and wasn’t inclined to investigate, dying while resisting arrest implied that Jian Long had likely been involved in serious trouble.

Another potential suspect was Jia Lao’er, the second eldest in the Jia family in Apojiao. In his fifties and notorious for his unruly ways, Jia Lao’er had harassed Xiaohai’s mother for some time, hoping to marry her. At the time of the incident, Jia Lao’er had also been at the scene, and he was missing from Xiaohai’s view when the knife appeared.

Jia Lao’er had clear motives to harm Xiaohai, as his mother had rejected Jia Lao’er, citing her son’s disapproval of her remarrying. This was only an excuse; Xiaohai didn’t mind if his mother remarried but couldn’t stand the idea of her being with a gambler like Jia Lao’er, who would only drag the family into ruin.

“Why would they want to harm me?” Xiaohai furrowed his brows, trying to discern the motive. Though Jia Lao’er had stronger reasons, Xiaohai still leaned towards suspecting Jian Long and his group. But what motive did they have? Could it be that they just wanted to cause a stir?

The more he thought, the more questions arose. The shadows around him seemed to deepen, as though an even darker conspiracy loomed nearby…

—

Another day passed, and Yang Yuanbing arrived, bringing a report for Xiaohai to sign. The investigation into Xiaohai’s assault had concluded. The attacker, Liu Dacheng, had been imprisoned four years ago for injuring someone in a crime of passion. He claimed he attacked Xiaohai because Xiaohai had discovered his hidden weapon.

Clearly, this was nonsense. But Xiaohai promptly signed the report. As an inmate, it was best not to complicate things for the authorities.

Under this report was another, regarding Xu Tianyou’s attack on Xiaohai. Although Xu Tianyou seemed well-read, his elegant signature impressed Xiaohai, looking far more refined than his own.

Yang Yuanbing appeared to be in a good mood, quietly humming as he shuffled the papers.

Xiaohai smirked, guessing why Yang was so pleased. Since Yang had given him a subtle hint, Xiaohai had done his part. When Xu Tianyou came by for his treatment, Xiaohai discreetly provided him with information on Wan Shuxing’s contacts. Judging by Yang’s demeanor, Xu’s move had probably been generous.

After Yang reviewed Xiaohai’s signature, he returned the papers to his folder.

“An Xiaohai, be mindful of your family’s finances. A small token is fine,” Yang advised, perhaps recognizing his earnings from Xu Tianyou.

Xiaohai smiled slightly, figuring Yang must have made a hefty sum this time and was perhaps implying a kind of “finder’s fee.”

“Thank you, Director Yang, but we each have to follow the rules, and family finances are our responsibility alone. It wouldn’t be right to make my friends bear that burden,” Xiaohai replied thoughtfully.

Yang seemed surprised and took a moment before nodding approvingly.

“Xu Tianyou mentioned that you both keep slipping and injuring yourselves in the communal showers. Since the weather’s not too cold, why not take a bucket and rinse off in your cell instead? Just say I approved it if anyone asks,” Yang offered.

“Thank you, Director Yang!” Xiaohai replied gratefully.

“By the way,” Yang added, “Officer Tian mentioned he might transfer you to help him out. Any objections?”

“No objections! I’d prefer helping in the reading room over soldering circuits all day,” Xiaohai replied with a smile.

“Alright then.” Yang waved his folder and headed out.

Xiaohai breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like Officer Tian had fast-tracked the transfer request. Now, things were beginning to fall into place. He only had to figure out how to get Xu Tianyou out and obtain intel on those two corrupt cops.

Outside, Yang Yuanbing touched his chin, looking thoughtful.

“An Xiaohai is becoming increasingly complex… there must be someone advising him,” he mused. A mere 19-year-old couldn’t be pulling this off alone. Whoever it was had to be nearby, with direct access to Xiaohai.

The more he watched, the stranger it seemed. But Yang Yuanbing knew that the stronger Xiaohai’s support, the more it could work to his own benefit. A surge of excitement filled him—there was nothing he loved more than having influence and rewards in the shadows.

“If I could uncover who’s backing An Xiaohai, it’d be perfect!” he thought.