Chapter 36.2
Released from Prison
Song Yuhang responded reluctantly with a mumbled Hmm.
Did you resort to violence for her sake too?
I didnt expect that guy to be so fragile, he passed out so easily As Song Yuhang spoke, her voice grew quieter, and she eventually nodded.
I suppose so.
Ji Jingxing asked one final question, Do you regret it?
After contemplating for a while, Song Yuhang shook her head firmly and said, I dont regret it.
Ji Jingxing forced a smile, didnt say anything more, and a hint of melancholy crossed her face where Song Yuhang couldnt see.
Sis, Im sorry this time I acted impulsively. Tell Mom that my health is almost back to normal, and Ill be coming home in a few days. Dont mention the fact that I was put in confinement, so she doesnt get worried.
This time, it was Song Yuhang who climbed up to the iron bars to look at her.
Ji Jingxing gazed at the face that bore a strong resemblance to Song Yichens, her smile appearing somewhat strained. Alright, I understand. Its getting late, I should go.
Song Yuhang knew that her ability to enter was likely permitted as an exception by Zhao Junfeng.
She swallowed nervously, glanced around discreetly, confirmed that there was no one nearby, and gestured to Ji Jingxing. When Ji Jingxing approached, she discreetly slipped a small piece of paper into her hand.
Make this call; he knows what to do.
Song Yuhangs cryptic actions left Ji Jingxing feeling uneasy. What what is this?
Song Yuhang had already pushed her away. Sis, take care.
She mouthed to her, Look at it when youre outside.
Ji Jingxing turned back with skepticism, only unfolding the piece of paper once she had walked out of the prison gate.
The scrap of paper, the size of a fingernail, had become damp and crumpled from being concealed on her person for who knows how long.
She struggled to make out a string of numbers, and when she flipped the paper over, three words were scrawled crookedly: Find Lin Yan.
Ji Jingxing pressed her lips together, crumpling the paper into her palm. She continued walking, and as she passed a trash bin, the paper accidentally fell from her hand.
Who would notice such a small piece of paper? She reached out, hailed a taxi, and got in.
Driver, to the train station.
* * *
To say it was medical parole was, in fact, an acquittal.
Lin Yan had secured herself an escape with ruthless determination.
During her time of recuperation, Operation Aurora, along with the death of the Bald Vulture, had officially reached its conclusion.
A sweeping anti-vice campaign swept through the streets and alleys of the coastal province, from the provincial capital to the prefectural-level cities, including various towns and townships. The police mobilized over ten thousand officers and more than five hundred police dogs, along with thousands of personnel from various other departments. They conducted comprehensive investigations into various entertainment venues, KTVs, massage parlors, bars, private residences, and more across the province. They arrested sixty-one individuals related to the 6.1 case, including two government officials who had provided cover for the Bald Vulture.
Even He Miaos uncle was among those arrested.
With this, the 6.1 case was officially declared solved.
As for the crackdown on other vice establishments, closures, and arrests, they were all handled separately, effectively dismantling an industry chain primarily exploiting female victims.
The Peoples Daily prominently featured the story on its front page, but it blurred the names and details of the two police officers who had made outstanding contributions.
Lin Yan turned the newspapers page in her hand, casually tugged at the corner of her lips, and took off her glasses as she prepared to sleep. However, she glanced back at the legal section.
Her brows furrowed, and she put her glasses back on.
The headline in bold Song-style font read: 6.1 Case Ringleader Bald Vulture Drowns While Attempting to Flee Due to Fear of Capture.
This entire page was in black, and the images were pixelated, making them completely indistinguishable.
Lin Yan extended her hand and said, Magnifying glass.
The butler who was standing nearby handed it to her, and Lin Yan spread the newspaper flat on her lap. She removed her glasses and, with the magnifying glass in hand, moved it inch by inch.
She was examining the body.
His clothing was intact, but one of his shoes was reported to have been lost while he was fleeing. As for his face, it was pixelated, making it impossible to discern specific facial features.
Details such as his fingernails were even more unclear, and Lin Yan stared at his body, mentally calculating the proportions between the image and reality.
Long limbs, a streamlined body, broad shoulders, and a towering staturehe was very likely a strong swimmer!
She jolted up from the bed with a start. Get me a change of clothes; I need to go out!
* * *
During her month-long confinement, Song Yuhang wasnt idle. She engaged in rehabilitation exercises while also starting to work on repairing Lin Yans mechanical rod.
After all, she wasnt in prison but under house arrest, which granted her certain privileges. She had two hours of daily activity time. She spent much of her time in the library, and she managed to contact an old classmate of hers who had become a nationally renowned firearms expert.
After sending him the images, he quickly responded: Cant be repaired, needs to be melted down and recast.
Song Yuhang sat in front of the old desktop computer in the detention center and typed: How to melt?
Her friend sent a long series of detailed diagrams and text instructions.
Song Yuhang downloaded it and just as a prison guard came over, calling out, Its time for outdoor time, time to go!
Song Yuhang shut down the computer, turned around every three steps, still thinking about those diagrams.
Once back in her confinement cell, she turned on the desk lamp and began sketching from memory.
This was her daily routine.
Zhao Junfeng took a sip of tea and set it back down. What has Song Yuhang been up to lately?
Drawing.
Oh? He glanced up briefly.
It seems like shes sketching some kind of diagrams.
Zhao Junfeng lowered his head again to read the newspaper. Look at how shes spending her days; it seems even more leisurely than my role as the director.
Feng Jianguo, who had finally come to report work at the provincial office, was exasperated. Im telling you, Director Zhao, youre enjoying quite the leisure here. Our grassroots units are running themselves ragged.
The implied message was clear: Hurry up and return the person to me.
Of course, he couldnt say it like that explicitly, but it was evident in his words and undertones.
Zhao Junfeng, of course, understood that the closer they were to wrapping things up, the busier it became.
Without someone as competent as Song Yuhang, the Jiangcheng City Bureau would be in chaos.
He had been waiting for Feng Jianguo to come and ask him for Song Yuhang, feeling proud inside but showing no hint of it on the surface.
Go on, tell that damn guy to get out here and work. How can leaders run around tirelessly all day while she just sits there drawing, avoiding work!
Back when the incident with Song Yuhang had occurred, Feng Jianguo had been furious, but he had always felt that there were extenuating circumstances. Setting aside that they were old colleagues, even if a prisoner had committed suicide in the prison, he would have been angry. Besides, the prison guards hadnt suffered much harm, and Song Yuhang had ended up with injuries after being swarmed by the armed police.
His initial intention had been to issue an internal party warning and perhaps a temporary suspension without pay. But who would have thought that Director Zhao was even more ruthless and had directly sent her to the confinement room, completely unyielding.
Song Yuhangs merits and demerits balanced out, and she ended up with a disciplinary action.
What was she thinking!
Feng Jianguo thought about it for a while but couldnt quite figure it out. He waved it off and then moved on to discuss the finalization of Operation Aurora and the progress of the anti-vice work. He had been busy for over a month before finally finding the time to request personnel from the provincial office.
Hearing Zhao Junfengs somewhat relaxed tone now, Feng Jianguo quickly expressed his gratitude, saying, Thank you, old friend. Youve really done me a huge favor.
When Zhao Junfeng served as the director of the Jiangcheng City Bureau, Feng Jianguo had been one of his subordinate officers. Using the term old friend felt appropriate.
However, as Feng Jianguo addressed him this way, it reminded the former director of their past experiences during the vigorous years, and wrinkles appeared to soften on his face. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Dont thank me too quickly. You still need to nurture and temper her, teach her to be humble and patient! Look at how impulsive she became under pressure this time; shes far from being someone capable of achieving great things. Dont let her father and brothers down, thats what truly matters.
Feng Jianguos heart skipped a beat; Director Zhao seemed to have high expectations for Song Yuhang.
Well, she had been in her position as the deputy head of the Criminal Investigation Support Team for quite a few years, and there was no room for advancement unless
Feng Jianguos expression also turned serious. Director Zhao, rest assured, Ill make sure to discipline her properly when I get back this time.
* * *
Captain Song, youve been through a lot this time. Its been tough, really tough.
A prison guard came to escort her out, returning her belongings, including her phone and backpack.
Song Yuhang accepted them and checked her backpack. The mechanical rod was still inside, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the guard and said, Last time, when things got physical, it was my fault
As she spoke, she raised her right hand to salute him, saying, Im sorry, and I apologize sincerely.
The prison guard was momentarily taken aback. Her rank was probably many times higher than his, and he found himself a bit disoriented. Stammering, he returned her salute, saying, Uh its its not not a problem.
The person sent by the Jiangcheng City Bureau to pick her up was Duan Cheng. With fewer recent homicide cases and not much work to do, he had been waiting at the prison gate and immediately honked the horn when he saw her.
Captain Song, over here.
Song Yuhang ran over, having not seen sunlight or spoken to anyone for nearly half a month; she felt warm towards everyone she encountered.
Why is it you, and wheres Dr. Lin? Has she gone back to work?
Duan Cheng made a wry smile. Ah, I feel sad on behalf of all the police officers in our Jiangcheng City Bureau. While our hearts were filled with concern for you, Captain Song, there was only Forensic Doctor Lin on your mind.
Song Yuhang chuckled and scolded, Oh, come on, Im not around, so you guys should be having a pretty relaxed time.
Duan Cheng opened the car door to let her in and replied with a lack of enthusiasm, Relaxed? Too relaxed. Even the kitchen staff almost went out to participate in the anti-vice campaign. How could it not be relaxed?
Song Yuhang wanted to laugh, but her smile eventually faded, and she remained silent.
As Duan Cheng drove, he glanced at her as if he knew what was on her mind. He said softly, Forensic Doctor Lin took an extended leave. I heard I heard her injuries were quite severe. The official document from higher-ups states that its a balance of merits and demerits, not pursuing her criminal liability, but she has to bear the corresponding civil compensation. Shes also facing internal party criticism, with a record of a major demerit, suspension without pay.
Song Yuhang clenched her lips and the hand on her knee formed a tight fist. After a while, she opened her eyes and let out a sigh, asking, Do you know which hospital shes staying at?
Duan Cheng shook his head, I dont know, nobody knows. Forensic Doctor Lin has been very effective at keeping things confidential.
As the car pulled into a gas station for refueling, Duan Cheng hopped out and headed to a nearby supermarket. Captain Song, Im going to buy some snacks. Itll be a few more hours until we get back.
Song Yuhang also got out of the car. Sure, go ahead. Ill take a look around nearby.
There was a small newsstand next to the supermarket. She walked over and casually picked up a newspaper, flipping to the legal section. Her brows furrowed, and she made a call to the Criminal Investigation Division office at the Provincial Public Security Department to verify some information.
Im Song Yuhang, badge number is She efficiently provided her name and position, then covered the receiver and walked a bit away.
Have you performed an autopsy on the body of Bald Vulture? What was the cause of death? How could a ruthless criminal like him make such a basic mistake as falling into the water?
The telephone operators who were responsible for answering such questions lately were almost tired of repeating themselves. Absolutely, the Provincial Office organized a forensic examination involving dozens of forensic experts, including social scientists. The result, as strange as it may sound, is that he indeed died from drowning, and there is no evidence of foul play whatsoever.
Okay, thank you. Song Yuhang hung up the phone but still felt somewhat uneasy.
She took out her phone, intending to call Director Zhao and request a reopening of the investigation. However, halfway through dialing, she pressed the hang-up button.
No, she couldnt make that call. Without evidence, Director Zhao wouldnt believe her, and the whole situation seemed too coincidental no matter how she looked at it.
Her decision to go to the provincial capital with Lin Yan was impromptu, and she hadnt informed anyone.
On the way, they both experienced consecutive car troublesLin Yans car broke down, and her own car suddenly stalled. These two incidents might be coincidences, but she considered them as such for now.
However, the question remained: How did Scarface recognize Lin Yan?
At that time, she had disguised herself, wearing sunglasses, a mask, and even carrying a shopping basket. She had walked the entire way without anyone recognizing her. So why was Lin Yan singled out by Scarface?
It all seemed a bit too convenient and coincidental.
As Song Yuhang thought about this, she couldnt help but feel a bit frustrated.
Was it possible that Scarface had seen Lin Yan before, maybe even looked at her photos extensively, to recognize her in a crowd at a glance? Or
She considered another possibility, and a chill ran through her from the soles of her feet.
Song Yuhang threw the newspaper aside and hurried away. Fortunately, a bus heading back to the city was passing by. She waved her hand and managed to get on the bus. By the time Duan Cheng finished his shopping at the supermarket and came out, the gas station was empty, with no one in sight.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺