Chapter 13: Locked In

This was a couple’s room. Under the soft pink lighting, yoga straps hung from the beams, a yoga ball rested on the floor, and some other indescribable items were placed right on the bedside table.

Even though Xiao Zigang was a reincarnated soul, he still considered himself a country bumpkin who hadn’t seen much of the world. Secretly, he thought to himself: city folks really know how to have fun!

The person on the bed was wrapped in a blanket, but it didn’t take long before Zhang Xiao’s entire face, including his forehead, flushed with blood and turned red.

“Who are you? Get out, leave quickly. Or else…”

Looking at the fierce yet timid Zhang Xiao, Xiao Zigang was not fooled. He reached out, pulled the blanket off the bed, then raised his camera and snapped photos of Zhang Xiao and the foreign teacher.

Click, click, click! The flash kept going off. Zhang Xiao, already flushed, was now nearly bursting with rage. He roared, “What are you doing? I’m Zhang Xiao from Tianhai Court, and my uncle is Director Zhang from the Finance Bureau!”

“Go out, hurry up! I’m just teaching foreign languages with the foreign teacher, please leave…”

Hearing such a ridiculous excuse, Xiao Zigang didn’t even believe the punctuation. He extended the rubber baton in his hand and jabbed it straight into Zhang Xiao’s throat!

Luan Jin’an was very pleased with Xiao Zigang’s approach. When it was possible to use force, it was better than arguing. Especially with someone like Zhang Xiao who was irrational—if one strike couldn’t calm him down, Luan Jin’an wouldn’t mind striking several more times.

Only when the person calmed down could the work proceed smoothly. After all, the police were cats and criminals were mice; justice must overpower evil!

Back in 2000, the local customs were rough and tough. Many police officers were veterans transferred from the military. When dealing with tough adversaries, the police generally showed more strength than the criminals.

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s mouth now gagged, Xiao Zigang deliberately said, “No matter who you are or who your uncle is, let go of her now. Then put your hands on your head and squat down.”

Under pressure, Zhang Xiao had no choice but to lower his head. He glared resentfully at Xiao Zigang, took a step back, then suddenly changed his expression and patted the foreign teacher’s thigh.

“What are you doing? Don’t try any tricks!” Xiao Zigang was inwardly amused but kept a straight face, retracting the rubber baton.

Zhang Xiao cleared his throat twice, then tried again, his expression slightly changed: “Let go. Quickly let go!”

The foreign teacher, covering her face, muttered a few words in a foreign language. Zhang Xiao’s stunned expression deepened into shock.

Xiao Zigang asked deliberately, “What language is she speaking?”

“British English.”

“A real foreign teacher, huh? So you two are really studying a foreign language? Without clothes on?”

“This way, it’s faster and more memorable…” Zhang Xiao was too embarrassed to continue. After all, the excuse was too absurd; even he didn’t believe it.

Xiao Zigang pressed on, “What exactly did she say?”

Zhang Xiao looked troubled but had to translate truthfully: “She said it’s locked…”

“Locked? You’re messing with us!” Although Xiao Zigang knew Zhang Xiao was telling the truth, he pretended not to believe it. He swung the rubber baton and struck Zhang Xiao’s bare chest.

“I said it’s locked! Caught red-handed and still denying it, how dare you provoke us…”

Bam! Bam! Bam! Each blow was delivered with full force, hitting Zhang Xiao’s chest and stomach solidly.

The rubber baton was a solid half-meter-long rod, one end a handle, the other end rounded with protrusions like a mace. It hurt terribly when it struck flesh, leaving bruises that were blue and purple.

Now hitting Zhang Xiao’s stomach, the pain spread through his whole body. Every pore sweated, every hair stood on end. His insides churned as if his intestines were breaking.

Zhang Xiao let out a miserable howl, “Stop hitting me! Stop! I’m not lying—I really was locked…”

Suddenly, with the pain uncontrollable, a series of embarrassing sounds escaped him, and he lost control, soiling the bed.

Luan Jin’an pulled Xiao Zigang aside: “Stop. He doesn’t look like he’s faking.”

Xiao Zigang ceased immediately. He knew Zhang Xiao wasn’t pretending and understood his current humiliation—after all, Xiao Zigang was falsely accusing him.

Still, Xiao Zigang feigned ignorance: “So what now? Shall we call an ambulance?”

Luan Jin’an glanced at Zhang Xiao, noticing the bruises all over his body. He was also wary of causing a fatal incident: “Call an ambulance.”

Xiao Zigang leaned close to Luan Jin’an and whispered, “Just calling an ambulance might not be enough—after all, he’s related to Director Zhang. If this doesn’t become a solid case, we’ll face endless trouble.”

Luan Jin’an looked at Xiao Zigang and lowered his voice, “What’s your plan?”

“Bring the camera. We record the statements right now. With solid evidence, no one can overturn the case. Also, I heard your spouse works at the TV station. Can they arrange a field report?”

Without leveraging the Xue family’s influence, Xiao Zigang’s idea was to escalate the matter, drawing higher authorities’ attention to this ridiculous event.

Once higher-ups are watching closely, even those acting like kings below dare not cover it up. After all, if the misconduct is too severe, it could cost them their positions and reputations.

Luan Jin’an nodded: “Makes sense. I’ll arrange it now.”

Since they had already offended someone, to prevent backlash, they needed to completely suppress this person.

Luan Jin’an left to make calls, leaving Xiao Zigang, Zhang Xiao, and the foreign teacher—who was so ashamed she nearly fainted—in the room.

Zhang Xiao felt he had lost every ounce of dignity in his life but still wanted to salvage something: “Comrade, we’re actually in the same system. The police, prosecution, and courts are united. Besides, my uncle really is Director ZhangI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.