Chapter 7

“You’ve got a death wish, kid!” Wang Tiejun yelled furiously, rolling down his car window. If he’d hit the brakes even a second later, he would’ve crashed right into the guy.

The boy blocking his way looked skinny and dark, with thick, slightly wavy hair. From his expression and demeanor, he didn’t seem like a troublemaker.

Such recklessness naturally infuriated Wang Tiejun.

“I’m looking for Captain Wang Tiejun of the Anti-Drug Brigade!” the young man said softly.

“Looking for me?” Wang Tiejun was taken aback.

He suddenly remembered that someone had mentioned earlier that day that a young guy, about eighteen or nineteen, had come looking for him. But Wang Tiejun had been too busy worrying about an undercover officer to pay attention, so he’d told them to send the guy away.

“Could it be this kid?” A strange sense of hope, along with a pang of guilt, rose in Wang Tiejun’s heart.

“Could this boy be here to deliver a message from the undercover agent? It’s quite possible! How could I have overlooked this?”

“I’m Wang Tiejun. Get in the car and tell me what you came for!” Wang Tiejun unlocked the door.

Though the boy’s intentions were unclear, they were right in front of the police headquarters, so Wang Tiejun felt it was unnecessary to be overly cautious—no one would dare cause trouble here.

“Can I see your badge?” the young man asked, mustering his courage.

“See my badge?” Wang Tiejun felt a surge of excitement. This kid was so cautious—he might really be sent by the undercover agent!

Wang Tiejun immediately held out his police ID. The boy didn’t take it, just leaned in to get a good look.

“Captain Wang, someone asked me to give this to you,” the young man said, tossing a small piece of paper through the car window before turning and running off.

Wang Tiejun hurriedly opened the note. Three words on the paper made his eyes widen in shock.

“Sea Harrier.” It was actually “Sea Harrier!”

These three words were top secret; hardly anyone could know them. Wang Tiejun himself had only confirmed this organization’s name a little over a month ago.

Wang Tiejun quickly opened the car door to search for the boy, but he had already vanished into the distance.

Wang Tiejun returned to his car, turning the note over and over in his hands. Finally, he noticed another line of text on the back:

“Shenhai City First Prison, An Xiaohai. Confidential.”

—

An Xiaohai spent most of his time lying in the hospital bed. Although the fractures in his ribs and arm had begun to heal, he still pretended to be seriously injured, refusing to get out of bed.

This was standard practice in prison.

Staying in the infirmary was definitely more comfortable than staying in a cell, and many inmates would go to great lengths to get themselves admitted here. An Xiaohai had the chance, so why not take advantage of it?

Only a fool would go back to the cells.

Late that night, the infirmary door opened again. Watching Wang Tiejun walk in step by step, a faint smile appeared on An Xiaohai’s face.

Wang Tiejun was unshaven, looking far less impressive than on TV.

In An Xiaohai’s mind, Wang Tiejun was a tragic hero who had sacrificed almost everything to bring down “Sea Harrier”—his parents, his lover, his child, even his own life.

If there was one person in Shenhai City who could be trusted as a completely upright cop, Wang Tiejun was the right choice. Wang Tiejun was the “second line of insurance” An Xiaohai had set up for himself.

Only by catching Wang Tiejun’s attention could he have some power to counter the figure pulling the strings, because Wang Tiejun would never collude with them.

But gaining this came at a cost—it was a one-way path. Whatever Wang Tiejun faced, An Xiaohai would have to face as well, perhaps even more dangerously.

If their connection was ever discovered, all it would take was a rumor that An Xiaohai was Wang Tiejun’s informant, and he’d be dead.

But An Xiaohai had no other way out; he was ready for this. There was no other option.

Their relationship had to be handled with utmost care.

Wang Tiejun didn’t speak immediately, instead staring at An Xiaohai for a long time. Then he pulled out the note, held it in front of An Xiaohai, and lit it with a lighter.

“How did you know about them?” Wang Tiejun’s gaze was sharp as a knife.

“I heard it somewhere.”

“Heard it from who?”

“Who could I hear it from in prison?”

“Specifically who? I need a name.”

“Sorry, I can’t tell you.”

“You think you have a choice?”

“If I give you the name, you might not get anything, but I will definitely be dead. Even you wouldn’t be able to protect me, Captain Wang. You know that.”

Wang Tiejun fell silent because An Xiaohai was right.

Wang Tiejun had captured members of “Sea Harrier” before, but no matter what, he couldn’t get them to talk. They’d rather face the death penalty than reveal anything because they knew the stakes.

If An Xiaohai did give him a name, it was doubtful he’d get much from it, but An Xiaohai’s life would surely be in immediate danger.

Wang Tiejun couldn’t even protect his undercover officers; how could he guarantee An Xiaohai’s safety?

A feeling of helplessness welled up in Wang Tiejun’s heart.

“So, what’s your purpose in contacting me?”

“There’s a powerful figure trying to kill me. I want your protection.”

“Just because you know the name ‘Sea Harrier’?”

“No, because you’re a People’s Police officer. Protecting the people is your duty!”

Wang Tiejun froze, not expecting this to be An Xiaohai’s reason for seeking protection.

Right—Wang Tiejun was a People’s Police officer. It was his duty to protect the lives and property of the people.

“I can’t make promises,” Wang Tiejun shook his head. “I’m the head of the Anti-Drug Brigade. Prisons aren’t under my jurisdiction. Even if I wanted to help, I don’t have that power.”

“Your willingness to help is enough! I don’t ask for much. Just if, someday, I mysteriously die in this prison, it must be foul play. I hope you’ll clear my name.”

“But I’m a narcotics officer.”

“In return, I’ll be your informant and help you take down ‘Sea Harrier.'”

“You?”

“Yes, me.”

“Convince me.”

“Easy!” An Xiaohai smirked. “I heard that ‘Number 2’ is rampant in Haifeng Town, and you’ve been struggling to trace their route, haven’t you?”

Wang Tiejun’s brow furrowed, and he stared at An Xiaohai for a while before finally nodding slightly.

“Stop focusing on those hidden trails. Sometimes, the most obvious routes are the ones most easily overlooked.”

“You’re suggesting…” Wang Tiejun immediately stood up, a spark of hope finally glinting in his eyes.

“Shh!” An Xiaohai made a shushing gesture.

“It’s just a hunch. You’ll need to confirm it yourself. But if they’re using an open route, it means someone is helping them within the system.”

“Understood!” Wang Tiejun turned to leave, pausing to look back. “If your information proves accurate, I’ll consider making you my informant.

But I’d rather you trust the government. I can help you earn merit in a confidential way, which could help reduce your sentence.”

An Xiaohai chuckled softly. “I trust the government. I just don’t trust those few rotten apples hiding within it.”

“Fine,” Wang Tiejun nodded.

“Captain Wang, one more thing—keep this matter quiet to prevent leaks. Also, it’s best if no one knows about our meetings.”

“You don’t need to remind me. I know what to do. I’m off.”

Wang Tiejun left abruptly, clearly eager to investigate that ‘Number 2’ route.

Six months later, Wang Tiejun would lead a raid on the very ‘Number 2’ route An Xiaohai hinted at, involving a local post office worker. The ensuing gunfight made headlines.

Prisoners had daily study sessions, watching news and learning policies.

Though An Xiaohai had once lived like the walking dead, his hyperthymesia helped him recall every word from those broadcasts.

If he wanted, An Xiaohai could expose nearly all the drug dealers in Haidong Province to Wang Tiejun. But he couldn’t do that—it would raise suspicion.

Moderation was key! Drawing Wang Tiejun’s suspicion would only make things worse.

An Xiaohai exhaled, thinking, I really could save more people, but first, I have to save myself!

Although Wang Tiejun hadn’t given him any guarantees, he felt far more reliable than Yang Yuanbing.

Now, he could only wait.