This realization tore his heart apart.
Wang Xiulan rushed over and helped her eldest son up, her voice trembling.
"Mingqiang, what exactly happened? What...what did Mingde do to Jinhua?"
Su Mingqiang shook his head and closed his eyes in pain.
"Mom...please don't ask...I...I can't say..."
Su Jianguo quickly got dressed and came out. He didn't even glance at his eldest son before heading straight for the door.
"Let's go, don't waste time."
Su Mingqiang staggered after him.
Su Jianguo strode out of the courtyard gate, a cold wind hitting his face. He squinted, his gaze sweeping over the shadows on both sides of the alley.
Sure enough, a blurry figure quickly shrank back behind the telephone pole diagonally opposite.
"Come out, comrade."
Su Jianguo called out in that direction in a calm voice.
"This is Su Jianguo. I have important information to report."
A young police officer in plainclothes emerged from behind the utility pole, his face showing embarrassment at being recognized.
"Comrade Su, how could you..."
"I know everything about my second child."
Su Jianguo interrupted him directly and strode up to the police officer.
"I know his exact location. He's taken a hostage; it's a pregnant woman."
The police officer's expression changed instantly, and his hand unconsciously reached for his waist.
Are you sure?
"Absolutely true."
Su Jianguo pointed to Su Mingqiang, who was standing behind him, dumbfounded.
"This is my eldest son. He just escaped from over there to report the news. You need to make arrangements quickly, but remember, the safety of the hostages must be the top priority."
The young police officer immediately took out his walkie-talkie, but found it was out of range.
He was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Old Zhang! Old Zhang!"
He called out in a low voice towards the other end of the alley.
Another plainclothes police officer ran over upon hearing the commotion and made a decision immediately after hearing the situation.
"I'll go back to the station immediately to report. Xiao Wang, you stay here to continue monitoring and keep in touch."
After the policeman ran away, the remaining policeman, Xiao Wang, looked nervously at Su Mingqiang.
"Comrade, could you describe the situation inside in detail? How many assailants are there? What weapons are they using? What is the condition of the hostages?"
Su Mingqiang suddenly realized what was happening. He rushed forward and grabbed Su Jianguo by the collar, his eyes bloodshot.
"Dad! Are you crazy? Mingde said he'll kill Jinhua if you call the police if he sees you!"
"let go!"
Su Jianguo shouted and slapped Su Mingqiang hard across the face.
The slap stunned Su Mingqiang. He staggered back two steps, covering his face and looking at his father in disbelief.
"Wake up!"
Su Jianguo spoke in a very low voice, yet every word was like a knife.
"You think you can take on Mingde by yourself? He's a fugitive now!"
"Ke Jin Hua..."
Su Mingqiang's voice was choked with sobs.
"Precisely because Jin Hua is a hostage, we need to call the police!"
Su Jianguo grabbed his son and forced him to look into his eyes.
"Leave professional tasks to professionals. Why are you trying to be a hero?"
Police officer Xiao Wang interjected at the opportune moment.
"Rest assured, comrade, we have professional plans for handling hostage situations and will definitely ensure the safety of the hostages."
Su Mingqiang trembled all over, and tears finally rolled down his cheeks.
"But...but Mingde...he really will..."
"He wouldn't dare."
Su Jianguo said firmly.
"A coward will always be a coward. Now tell the police officers the details of the situation; the more detailed the information, the more confident they will be in rescuing the person."
Su Mingqiang took a deep breath, wiped away his tears with the back of his hand, and turned to the police officer to describe the situation inside the house.
"Mingde has a kitchen knife... Liu Meijuan is also there, but she seems to be under duress... The living room is laid out like this..."
...
Less than ten minutes later, the piercing sound of police sirens grew louder as they approached.
Five police cars sped up, followed by a black van used by special police.
As soon as the car door opened, more than 20 fully armed police officers quickly got out, with the lead officer walking briskly toward Xiao Wang.
"Situation report."
The officer's voice was calm and steady, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
Xiao Wang quickly saluted.
"Reporting to Captain Zhang, fugitive Su Mingde has taken pregnant woman Li Jinhua hostage and is hiding in Su Mingde's bungalow. According to her family, the perpetrator is extremely unstable and is wielding a kitchen knife, threatening the hostage's safety."
Team Leader Zhang nodded and turned to the negotiation expert and the SWAT team leader who had just gotten out of the car.
"Old Li, what do you think?"
The negotiation expert, who wore glasses, adjusted his glasses.
"First and foremost, we must ensure the safety of the hostages. According to the description, the perpetrator is related to this Comrade Su Jianguo by blood; we can try to appeal to their familial bond."
The SWAT captain inspected the rifle in his hand.
"The house has a simple structure, but the windows are all covered by curtains, limiting the view. It's suggested to draw attention to the house from the front entrance while simultaneously entering from the backyard."
After a moment of contemplation, Captain Zhang suddenly looked at Su Jianguo.
"Comrade Su, are you willing to cooperate with us?"
Su Jianguo did not hesitate.
What do you need me to do?
"We need you as bait to distract your son and create an opportunity for the SWAT team to storm in."
Team Leader Zhang said seriously.
"But I must warn you, this is extremely dangerous."
Su Jianguo sneered.
"That wretched creature can't possibly kill me, can it? Tell me, how exactly do you want me to do it?"
Team Leader Zhang quickly unfolded the map.
"We'll have a sniper positioned at this high vantage point, overlooking the entire compound. You and your eldest son should enter through the front gate and try to buy some time. If the perpetrator becomes uncontrollable and threatens the hostages' safety..."
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