Shen Xiang felt a chill run through her body from his words; she had never seen Zhang Weiguo like this before.
He was like a ghost who had walked through hell, gained profound enlightenment, and then crawled back.
He saw through everything, and he also denied everything.
"Brother Weiguo, what... what exactly do you mean?"
Zhang Weiguo took a step forward, his tall figure almost completely enveloping Shen Xiang.
"I want to say that all of this will soon be over."
Shen Xiang's pupils suddenly contracted: "End...end?"
"Yes, that's the end."
Zhang Weiguo said slowly, "All the pain, all the struggle, all the despair... will come to an end."
He looked at Shen Xiang's deathly pale face, and for the first time, his tone carried a strange, almost tender quality.
"Shen Xiang, just bear with it a little longer, it will be soon."
“I have found a way, a way that can free everyone.”
"I can't think of any other way out except this one."
"A road... that will free everyone from suffering."
After Zhang Weiguo finished speaking, he gave Shen Xiang a deep look.
The look in his eyes was so complex that Shen Xiang couldn't decipher it.
It contains liberation, madness, pity, and even a hint of... farewell.
Then, he straightened up, didn't say another word, turned around and walked out of the room.
Shen Xiang was left alone, frozen in place, feeling as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
The path to liberation for all?
What kind of road would that be?
A terrifying thought uncontrollably surfaced in Shen Xiang's mind, chilling her to the bone from head to toe.
A few days later, the weather in Haicheng was exceptionally sunny.
In the office of the Criminal Investigation Brigade Captain of Haicheng Public Security Bureau, Jiang Tiancai personally poured Ye Nian'an a cup of hot tea.
"Comrade Ye, after our round-the-clock interrogation, the chain of evidence is complete, the case has been transferred to the court, and the verdict was just delivered this morning!"
He picked up a document from the table, cleared his throat, and said: "The main culprit, Li Fugui, nicknamed Old Li, is Li Dahong's lover. He colluded with others to organize and use feudal superstition to undermine the implementation of the law, and committed fraud... He is sentenced to fifteen years in prison and sent to the most remote labor reform farm in the Northwest for reform through labor!"
"Accomplice Gu Tao actively participated in criminal activities, causing a negative social impact. He was sentenced to three years in prison and also sent to a labor camp!"
"As for Li Dahong..."
Jiang Tiancai glanced at Ye Nian'an, and seeing her calm expression, continued, "As an accomplice, although she did not directly participate in the core crime, she knew about it but failed to report it and actively acted as an accomplice, intending to use feudal superstition to murder the children of military personnel. Her crime is aggravated! She is sentenced to two years in prison, to be executed immediately!"
This verdict is undeniably severe!
Especially in this era, sending these people to a labor camp was basically a death sentence for their lives.
In the harsh, cold Northwest, not to mention all these years, there's a criminal record that will haunt you for the rest of your life, making it difficult to do anything you want.
After listening, Ye Nian'an simply nodded calmly, took a sip of hot tea, and moved with elegance and composure.
"Captain Jiang, as long as it is a fair judgment that complies with national laws, I will naturally have no objection."
"I knew you'd say that!"
Jiang Tiancai looked at her approvingly: "Comrade Ye, we're practically acquaintances now. Let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. In all my years as a police officer, I've seen many families who, when faced with trouble, always try to make a scene."
"But what about you? From beginning to end, you handed over the evidence to us and never asked another question, giving us your complete trust. This magnanimity and respect for the national law are truly admirable to us veteran police officers!"
"Captain Jiang, you flatter me."
Ye Nian'an smiled faintly: "My husband is a soldier, so naturally I have to believe in the country and the law that he protects with his life. I believe that the law will give all the victims justice and all the criminals the punishment they deserve."
These words were so well-spoken that they earned Jiang Tiancai's sincere admiration.
He hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell him about the other matter as well.
"By the way, Comrade Ye, there's something else I feel I need to tell you. It's about... the Zhang family."
"oh?"
Ye Nian'an raised an eyebrow slightly: "What kind of trouble have they gotten themselves into this time?"
Jiang Tiancai sighed, "That really proves the old saying, 'Birds of a feather flock together.' Ever since Li Dahong was arrested, the Zhang family has been in complete chaos. It's been a complete mess!"
“A couple of days ago, we received a report that a fight had broken out at the Zhang family’s house, and it almost resulted in a death! When we got there, good heavens! Zhang Weimin’s wife, Shi Fangfang, had beaten up Shen Xiang and Zhang Weiguo, leaving them with bruises and swelling on their faces!”
Jiang Tiancai shook his head and sighed, "Zhang Weiguo had an accident at the factory and broke his arm. In addition, Li Dahong went to jail and Zhang Qingqing went crazy. After she woke up, she was completely ruined. She locked herself in her room all day, neither eating nor drinking, just like a living dead person."
"His paralyzed father and mentally ill sister are all cared for by his older brother and sister-in-law. I think his sister-in-law is also being driven crazy."
"I told you this because you two were engaged before, so you'd be aware of the situation. But seeing how well you're doing now, I'm relieved."
"Thank you for your concern, Captain Jiang."
Ye Nian'an put down her teacup, stood up, and said calmly, "It's all in the past. Whatever happens to the Zhang family in the future has nothing to do with me or our Ye family."
...
Stepping out of the police station and basking in the warm afternoon sun, Ye Nian'an felt indescribably relaxed.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
