During the long conversation, I gradually understood Wang Xiaoling's intentions. She believed that obtaining evidence against Cao Jinbo through his associates was the most effective method at present. However, I had significant concerns because I had previously discussed similar ideas with An'an... but An'an had clearly rejected me. In fact, regardless of whether An'an could accept it emotionally, the matter itself was inherently risky...
Although Cao Jinbo treated An'an well, if his core interests were infringed upon, or even if his personal safety was endangered, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't commit some extreme evil against An'an. Cao Jinbo's evil is something I have never seen in my life, especially after hearing about Wang Xiaoling's misfortune. He is not only an ambitious man, but also a desperate criminal!
Perhaps sensing my concerns, Wang Xiaoling asked me again, "Is there something you're having trouble telling me?"
“It’s not that I’m making things difficult for you… You might not believe it, but before you came to me, I had already expressed a similar need to An’an… My purpose is very simple: I just want to help Ye Zhi, but she refused me. As a man, I can’t make things difficult for another woman for the sake of one woman; so, I have given up on this idea myself… I think we should respect her wishes, and I hope you can respect mine as well.”
"Do you really think we're making things difficult for you, and you're making things difficult for her?"
"yes."
Wang Xiaoling looked at me with a very serious gaze, and then said, "Article 34 of the 'People's Republic of China Police Law' stipulates that citizens and organizations should provide support and assistance to the people's police when they perform their duties in accordance with the law; the actions of citizens and organizations in assisting the people's police in performing their duties in accordance with the law are protected by law; those who have made outstanding achievements in assisting the people's police in performing their duties shall be commended and rewarded... Michael, I'm not trying to pressure you with the law, I just hope to draw your attention, especially to the last sentence... those who have made outstanding achievements in assisting the people's police in performing their duties shall be commended and rewarded... Think about it yourself, how much embezzled money has your friend taken from Cao Jinbo in the past year, and she has also used this embezzled money to make a lot of investments... We have every reason to suspect that she is assisting Cao Jinbo in illegally laundering money... These are critical times, and once it is confirmed, she will definitely be severely punished. Do you know what this severe punishment means?"
"I have no idea."
"In serious cases, a prison sentence of five to ten years may be imposed, along with a fine of five to twenty percent of the amount of money laundered... How many decades does a woman have to bear such a crime?"
I fell silent. I had thought that An'an might be implicated by Cao Jinbo, but I never expected such serious consequences... I increasingly felt that this situation, where one move affects the whole situation, was frighteningly complex.
“Michael, I really hope you can change your mind… Asking her for help isn’t about making things difficult for her.”
Instead, we're helping her… If she can give us evidence of Cao Jinbo's crimes, that would be a way of making amends. Once Cao Jinbo is caught, we'll handle her case leniently, perhaps even exempting her from legal punishment… Besides, Cao Jinbo has committed so many heinous crimes; can't we awaken a sense of justice in her?… Are people these days so cold-hearted, so disheartening?… Michael, we're not harming anyone; we're upholding justice for society… You really can't be so cold-hearted! So selfish! Otherwise, there's no justice in this society!”
When she got to the exciting part, Wang Xiaoling tapped her fingers on the table, making a "clattering" sound. Meanwhile, I was also tormented, feeling that whether I did something or not, it would be wrong.
...
Under Wang Xiaoling's intense gaze, I said in a deep voice, "I understand the stakes involved. I will talk to her and tell her about all the possible consequences."
Wang Xiaoling finally breathed a sigh of relief, then nodded to me and said, "If possible, I hope to meet her... I want to persuade her myself."
"Okay, your words will definitely be more credible than mine. I'll try my best."
"Then I'll wait for your news."
As she spoke, Wang Xiaoling extended her hand to me to express her gratitude. When I shook her hand in return, I couldn't describe the feeling in my heart. I felt like the world was about to change, and I couldn't go home anymore... At the very least, I couldn't leave this afternoon!
...
After leaving the teahouse, I found a noodle shop in the ancient city and ate lunch alone. I didn't want to go back to Cao Xiaobei's wedding. I had too many worries and didn't want to face the two newlyweds with a long face.
I was just about to ask the owner for some chili sauce when the phone next to me rang. I picked it up and saw it was Lao Mi calling. I knew what he was going to say, but since I already knew what he was going to say, I wasn't as nervous as before.
So after the call connected, before he could even speak, she smiled and said, "Dad, we're already on our way back. If we hadn't taken a detour through Dali, we probably would be home by now."
What are you going to Dali for?
"A friend got married, and I attended his wedding."
"Oh, if there's nothing else, come back soon."
"I'll definitely be home before the New Year..."
After pausing for a moment, I said in a low voice, "Dad, I haven't been home for Chinese New Year all these years, and I really feel sorry for you and Mom... I don't know how to repay you, but after thinking about it, I think the most practical thing is to give you... I'm going to get you a new house so you can live more comfortably. I'll take care of it as soon as I get home... Please don't refuse, otherwise I really don't know how I'll feel!"
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