Chapter 17: Captain Li

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Xiao Ziguang was organizing case files when he heard Zhu Gang’s shouting. He stepped out and immediately noticed a stranger’s face. Zhu Gang seemed to have the upper hand and began yelling at Xiao Ziguang, “You’re finished now! Why did you have to overstep your bounds when things were fine?”

“Captain Li from the Public Security Team is coming to confront you. If I were you, I’d quickly admit your mistake…”

Xiao Ziguang furrowed his brow and looked at Li Bing. “You’re from the Public Security Team?”

“I’m Li Bing, in charge of anti-prostitution and anti-pornography enforcement. I heard you arrested Zhang Xiao. Why didn’t you hand him over to us? And you even shackled him in plain sight at the Criminal Investigation Division’s window! Do you realize you’re humiliating the Public Security Team by doing that?” Li Bing’s anger grew with each word.

The name Li Bing sounded familiar, but the face was unknown to Xiao Ziguang. After searching his memory carefully, he finally recalled who this person was: Zhang Xiao’s brother-in-law by marriage. The two had once shared the same mistress.

Even more bizarrely, they followed an alternating schedule: Zhang Xiao worked the odd days—Monday, Wednesday, Friday—while Li Bing took the even days—Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday—with Sundays off. It was like a license plate restriction in a big city. With such a connection, the two were close enough to wear the same pair of pants!

And by “the same pair of pants,” it wasn’t just a figure of speech—they truly had worn each other’s trousers by mistake.

So now Li Bing’s visit, under the guise of accusing the Criminal Investigation Division of overreach, was actually an attempt to exonerate Zhang Xiao.

No wonder Zhang Xiao was so confident he would walk away unscathed; he had Li Bing, his brother-in-law, backing him up.

Facing Li Bing’s accusations, Xiao Ziguang scoffed, “What do you mean humiliating the Public Security Team? Don’t spread baseless rumors and sow discord here with your wild accusations!”

Li Bing frowned and shot a hostile glance at Xiao Ziguang, “If it’s baseless, then hand over Zhang Xiao to us now. Prostitution is a Public Security case and should be handled by our team. The Criminal Investigation Division has no right to interfere.”

Zhu Gang immediately chimed in, “Exactly! Every specialty has its sphere. Anti-prostitution and anti-pornography matters belong to the Public Security Team, under Captain Li’s command.”

“I just can’t understand why you ignore all those serious criminal cases, all those murderers, but you fixate on prostitution cases. Do you think overstepping your bounds makes you look capable? Different? Indiscriminate? Or disrespectful to your seniors?”

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Zhu Gang’s hatred for Xiao Ziguang had crystallized into something tangible; he wished nothing more than to nail Xiao Ziguang to the pillar of shame and send him to the deepest pits of hell, never to recover.

Jealousy truly can warp a person beyond recognition.

Looking at the distorted face of Zhu Gang, Xiao Ziguang smiled calmly, “Are you done? You’ve barely got a drop of knowledge inside you, yet you use parallelism to pretend you’re learned and clever?”

“Some people, lacking the ability to solve cases, always blame the heavens and resent others’ success. At the first chance, they start slandering and slapping labels on others.”

“Tell me, can a person who lives in such darkness and meanness still be called a human being?”

Hearing this, Zhu Gang puffed up like a blowfish, his chest swelling as if he might burst any second.

Xiao Ziguang ignored him and turned to Li Bing. “Captain Li, I’m glad you came to the Criminal Investigation Division. But your baseless accusations upset me.”

“Regardless of all the nonsense and groundless claims, since we arrested and are interrogating the suspect, and now you suddenly show up and want to take him away on mere words—what about the dignity of the Criminal Investigation Division?”

This question wasn’t merely sharp—it was piercingly so. If not attacking with their own spear against their own shield, at least it was turning their own method back on them!

Xiao Ziguang handed the same tough question back to Li Bing. Not only could Li Bing label others, but Xiao Ziguang was also a master at waving the tiger’s skin as a banner.

Moreover, Xiao Ziguang knew that if the matter escalated, there would be no gray areas left to exploit. He was unafraid of tearing open the facade or making a scene.

Faced with this thorny dilemma, Li Bing was indeed troubled. This was a heavy burden for anyone.

Fortunately, Li Bing was smart and knew how to seize the initiative. “Since the suspect was arrested and is being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Division, let’s treat this as a joint operation. When the case concludes, the credit will be shared equally between the Public Security Team and the Criminal Investigation Division.”

“Captain Li, that’s generous of you. On behalf of all the brothers in the Criminal Investigation Division, I thank you,” Zhu Gang interjected smoothly, flattering before turning to Xiao Ziguang, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and hand over the suspect to Captain Li!”

Xiao Ziguang remained unmoved and extended his hand toward Li Bing.

Before Li Bing could speak, Zhu Gang foolishly blurted out, “What are you doing, Xiao Ziguang? You’re a criminal investigator. Openly soliciting bribes is illegal!”

Xiao Ziguang looked at Zhu Gang with the eyes of someone staring at a fool, then turned back to Li Bing. “Captain Li, since you’re here to take the suspect and propose a joint operation, you must have the proper paperwork, right?”

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“Let’s keep this official: you show me the documents, and I’ll hand over Zhang Xiao.”

Cross-departmental cases must be led by a primary department, usually coordinated by a higher authority. If coordination fails, the higher authority will designate leadership.

Therefore, for Li Bing to take Zhang Xiao away, he needed official documents from the bureau. If Xiao Ziguang were strict, he would even demand the signature of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission to ensure no procedural flaws.

In truth, Xiao Ziguang’s purpose was to buy time and draw the attention of Zhang Xiao’s associates. Once the evening news aired, everyone in Tianhai City would see Zhang Xiao’s disgrace.

Then anyone considering defending Zhang Xiao would have to weigh costs against benefits—whether it was worth the risk of being dragged down by association.

Li Bing was annoyed and glared at Xiao Ziguang, “Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?”

Xiao Ziguang shook his head and retorted, “You’re the one making things difficult! The case was going smoothly and about to close, and you had to barge in.”

“Now I agree to the handover, but you just want to take the suspect away on empty words? Doesn’t the Criminal Investigation Division deserve any respect?”

“Our dignity is dignity, not a shoe insole to be trampled underfoot.”

As he spoke, Xiao Ziguang cast a meaningful glance at Zhu Gang. “Of course, except for those who voluntarily act shamelessly and throw themselves at cold shoulders.”

Zhu Gang’s chest heaved with rage, itching to argue with Xiao Ziguang. But sensing the disapproving eyes of his colleagues, he restrained himself, fearing collective wrath.

Li Bing trembled with anger and stared at Xiao Ziguang, “Fine! You’re something else. You just want handover paperwork? I’ll get it for you now!”

In a huff, Li Bing stormed off.

Yet everyone felt a brewing storm, as if tempestuous winds were about to break loose—not a calm before the storm, but the storm itself gathering strength.