Seeing Xu Kuo's "stubbornness," Old Wu's sneer grew louder. He crossed his arms, squinted at Xu Kuo, and looked him up and down as if he were a fool.
"Alright, kid, since you're determined to cause trouble, I'll play along! But there has to be some stake in a bet, right? What's in it for me if you bet this with me?"
“Simple.” Xu Kuo held up one finger. “If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me—beat me, scold me, it’s all up to you. But if you lose…”
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "You must go to our village and, in front of all the villagers, offer a sincere apology to me, my family, and my friends! And clarify everything that happened today, clearing my name!"
He not only wanted to get out, but also wanted Lao Wu to testify that he was not a murderer.
Old Wu's heart skipped a beat. Xu Kuo's words didn't sound like he was just joking. Could there really be some situation that would lead to his release?
However, when Lao Wu thought of Xu Kuo's bet, he was immediately tempted.
"Do whatever you want with me?" These four words instantly ignited the anger and desire for revenge in his heart!
He desperately wanted to teach this arrogant brat a lesson, both for Captain Sheng and for himself. This was practically an opportunity delivered to his doorstep!
This idiot asked for it, so he can't blame me!
"Fine! I'll take your bet!"
Old Wu slapped his hand hard, spitting everywhere.
"You little brat, you just wait! If I personally let you out today, I'll take your surname and call you grandpa! Now, you better stay put and prepare to die!"
In his view, Xu Kuo had no chance of leaving.
Time ticked by, and the only sound in the small dark room was the anxious breathing of the group.
Old Wu leaned against the door, looking at Xu Kuo with a smug expression. After a while, he finally couldn't help but speak again, his words full of sarcasm.
"Hey! Kid! Stop waiting! Hurry up and keep your promise! Look how long it's been! Who's coming to let you out? Huh? Hahaha! I told you, you're dead! No one's going to let you out!"
Xu Kuo kept his eyes closed, a faint smile playing on his lips, and uttered three words softly: "Wait a little longer."
"Wait? Still waiting?! I think you're just trying to renege on the bet, aren't you?!" Old Wu was completely enraged. He stepped forward, almost pointing his finger at Xu Kuo's face.
Xu Kuo's expression clearly showed that he wanted to play a trick on him.
"Bang--!!"
Just then, the tightly closed iron gate was suddenly smashed open from the outside!
The force was so great that the entire door frame shook!
Yuan Guoyao's anxious and solemn face was the first to appear at the door. Behind him was his wife, Sheng, whose tears were still wet but whose face held a hint of eager hope!
Behind them were several other police officers who looked equally nervous; they were the same people from the hospital earlier!
"Oh! Director Yuan!" Upon seeing the newcomer, Old Wu's fierce expression vanished instantly, replaced by a fawning smile as he bowed and scraped as he greeted him.
"Why did you come in person? Is it...is it from the hospital...?"
Yuan Guoyao completely ignored his greeting, his gaze sweeping across the room before he spoke urgently and seriously: "Old Wu! Where's Xu Kuo?! How is he?!"
Yuan Guoyao did not see Xu Kuo in the dark room; he only knew that Xu Kuo had been imprisoned by Lao Wu.
Old Wu was stunned. Looking at Yuan Guoyao's stern expression and then at the grief-stricken look of Sheng's wife following behind, his heart skipped a beat, and he instantly imagined a dramatic scene!
It's over, Captain Sheng definitely couldn't be saved!
Director Yuan has brought his family to settle scores with this kid!
Great! That kid's dead meat!
He was overjoyed, and his gaze toward Xu Kuo was filled with gloating and venomous resentment.
He immediately turned around, pointed to Xu Kuo who was still resting with his eyes closed inside, and shouted as if to claim credit.
"Director Yuan, don't worry! He's right here! I'm keeping a close eye on him myself. This kid is very honest; he wouldn't dare cause the slightest trouble!"
After saying that, he walked a few steps to Xu Kuo, looked down at him, and said in a low voice with a fierce tone.
"Kid! Did you hear me?! Get out! Director Yuan has personally brought people to 'invite' you! Your good days are over!"
Now that Yuan Guoyao is here, Xu Kuo will have no choice but to fulfill the bet, and he can also avenge Sheng Xu.
"Master!" Jiang Xiuying and the others turned pale with fright, their bodies trembling, looking at Xu Kuo in despair.
Xu Kuo slowly opened his eyes, gave the worried crowd a reassuring smile, and spoke in a low voice that clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Don't be afraid, they're not here to punish me."
He paused, then turned his gaze to the anxious Yuan Guoyao at the door, his expression calm and composed. "They've come... to beg me to leave."
"Please?!" Jiang Xiuying and the others looked bewildered and incredulous.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Old Wu burst into another earth-shattering laugh, pointing at Xu Kuo, laughing so hard he couldn't straighten his back.
"Please?! Kid! I think you've really gone mad! You're about to die and you're still talking nonsense! Director Yuan and the others are clearly here to deal with you! You just wait!"
Xu Kuo is a hopeless idiot; he still thinks he can get out of here.
Xu Kuo ignored him, smiled slightly, and calmly stood up, meeting the complicated and anxious gazes of the crowd at the door, and walked out first.
As Xu Kuo stepped out of that suffocating little dark room, all eyes at the door immediately focused on him!
The anxiety on Yuan Guoyao's face was almost tangible, and his eyes were filled with regret, urgency, and a hint of pleading that was barely perceptible.
Sheng's wife was even more pale, her face covered in tears, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Xu Kuo as if he were her last lifeline, her lips trembling with excitement.
Even the officers who had been so aggressive earlier now had complicated expressions, a mix of embarrassment and indescribable tension.
Seeing the "excited" expressions on everyone's faces, especially the heartbroken look on Sheng's wife's face, Old Wu's last bit of doubt vanished, and he became even more certain of his judgment.
These people are definitely here to settle scores with Xu Kuo!
"Hmph!" Old Wu let out a cold sneer, stepped forward, blocked Xu Kuo's way, raised his chin high, and looked down at him with the air of a victor.
"Kid! Did you hear that? Director Yuan and the others are here to 'beg' you... to go and kowtow to Captain Sheng and admit your mistakes! Now, fulfill your bet! I won't make things difficult for you, but after Captain Sheng's funeral is over, you go to his grave and kowtow three times obediently! In front of everyone, admit your crimes!"
Xu Kuo looked at Old Wu, who was still lost in his fantasy and had a vicious look on his face, and his eyes were full of mockery.
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