Chapter 45 Zhang Yuanqiang: You're a regular at Phantom Disco, aren't you?
The three people's eyes met in mid-air.
Perhaps it was truly a bond of blood, for in an instant, everyone recognized each other.
Lin Nianxiao was the first to react.
Upon seeing her sister, she was stunned for a moment, then cheered and rushed over, hugging Jiang Ling's waist tightly: "Sister? Sister! You're my sister, right?"
Lin Nianxiao held Jiang Ling tightly, laughing and calling her "sister" in a clear and melodious voice that seemed to dispel all gloom.
This is my older sister!
I have an older sister now!
At this moment, Lin Nianxiao was so happy she felt like she could fly.
From a young age, she knew that she had an older sister named Lin Xiao who died young, having only lived for three days after birth.
To commemorate that poor little life, her parents named her Lin Nianxiao.
Lin Nianxiao is an only child, and sometimes she feels really envious when she sees her classmates who have brothers and sisters.
What she wanted most was an older sister.
An older sister who can accept her flaws, play with her, complain about her parents together, and go shopping for clothes together.
Sometimes Lin Nianxiao would sigh: If only my sister hadn't died.
Now, that dream has come true.
God knows how happy Lin Nianxiao was when her father called home and told her grandmother that Lin Xiao was not dead, but had been switched at birth and sent to an orphanage, and was now grown up and a policeman who wanted to find his family.
She has an older sister!
She also has an older sister who is a police officer, just like her father.
The thought of having her older sister backing her up from now on made Lin Nianxiao wish she could fly to Jiang Ling's side immediately and experience the joy of having an older sister.
She desperately wanted to know what her older sister looked like, whether she had the same oval face and big almond eyes as her, whether she was the same height as her, whether she liked red and yellow as her, and whether she liked sweets as her.
Lin Nianxiao knew that her sister had suffered a lot over the years.
When it was abandoned, it was naked and wrapped in a blanket.
I grew up alone in an orphanage.
She was abducted by human traffickers when she was six years old.
Just hearing about it makes my heart ache. What a pitiful sister! She lives such a difficult life all by herself, yet she is so strong and outstanding. She passed the police academy entrance exam at 16, became a police officer at 20, and was promoted to third-class police superintendent at 21—she's simply amazing!
Lin Nianxiao felt that her admiration was like a surging river, never-ending.
She had to be the first to see her sister and tell her that she loved her!
They love each other terribly.
Upon seeing Jiang Ling, Lin Nianxiao rushed over immediately, hugged Jiang Ling's waist, and chattered incessantly.
"Wow, sis, you're taller than me!"
"Sister, look at me, I look a lot like you."
"I've always wanted an older sister, and now that I have one, I'm so happy!"
"Sister, you're so beautiful, incredibly beautiful! Even more beautiful than me."
...
A pair of warm hands tightened around her waist, and Jiang Ling's body stiffened.
However, she did not push away the girl in front of her whose features resembled hers.
Looking closely at Lin Nianxiao's face, Jiang Ling saw almond-shaped eyes and an oval face just like her own. Unlike her own calmness, Lin Nianxiao's eyes sparkled with vitality, and she was as frank, direct, and adorable as Liang Jiushan.
Lin Nianxiao had a pleasant scent, a faint sweet fragrance.
Surrounded by this sweet fragrance, Jiang Ling's resistance to strangers weakened, and the awkwardness from physical contact lessened considerably.
Lin Nianxiao talked too much and too frequently, and Jiang Ling never had a chance to interject.
Considering that so many people were watching, Jiang Ling raised her hand and gently patted Lin Nianxiao's shoulder: "Um, loosen your grip a bit, Grandma's here too."
Lin Nianxiao then realized that she had come with her grandmother. She let go of Jiang Ling's hand, took Jiang Ling's arm, and walked forward until they reached the silver-haired old woman.
Grandma Zheng Huishu's feelings were very complicated at this moment.
Looking at Jiang Ling, who stood tall and had a calm gaze, she felt a surge of pride. This was her granddaughter, who had grown up and become a police officer.
On the other hand, she was filled with guilt, a guilt that weighed on her heart like a boulder for twenty-one years. If she had been more careful that night, if she had looked at that child one more time, perhaps Jiang Ling wouldn't have been left to wander outside for so long.
As Jiang Ling drew closer, tears welled in Zheng Huishu's eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin.
Her gaze remained fixed on Jiang Ling, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if she wanted to condense all the longing and yearning she had felt over the years into that one glance.
Jiang Ling understood the look in her grandmother's eyes.
Kind people tend to blame themselves and reflect on their actions when they encounter problems.
But in fact, they were also victims in the whole incident.
As they got closer, Jiang Ling took a step forward, took her grandmother's arm, and said gently, "Hello, Grandma, I'm Jiang Ling."
Jung Hye-sook nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down her face.
Lin Nianxiao said somewhat helplessly, "Grandma, it's a good thing to see my sister. We agreed not to cry. You just had eye surgery not long ago, so you can't shed any more tears."
Operation?
Jiang Ling looked at Lin Nianxiao.
Lin Nianxiao explained, "Grandma did too much embroidery when she was young, which caused her to overuse her eyes and develop glaucoma. She had surgery at the end of last year and is fine now."
Jiang Ling nodded: "Grandma, please come in and sit down."
Reporters from the media nearby wanted to take pictures, but Wei Changfeng sent people to dissuade them. In the end, after coordination, they only took a picture of Lin Nianxiao and her grandmother's backs.
Those who came to see him off included people from the provincial department, all of whom were Lin Weidong's old friends.
Jiang Ling met them all, heard countless praises and comments, and also learned that she looked more like her father.
"Oh my, Xiao Jiang is just like your father."
"Exactly! His cold expression is exactly like Wei Dong's."
"Not bad, not bad, Wei Dong finally has a successor."
...
Dealing with so many people at once gave Jiang Ling a headache.
Fortunately, Wei Changfeng and others shared the reception duties, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
The reporter finished the interview and left satisfied.
The people from the provincial department did not stay for a meal. They took Zheng Huishu and Lin Nianxiao to the police station, talked with Chief Yao and his team for a while, and then left.
The crowd that had been watching the spectacle dispersed.
Finally, only the three of them—the grandfather, grandmother, and grandson—were left in the reception room.
Lin Nianxiao looked around the police station with curiosity: "Sis, where do you live? Can I go and see you?"
Jiang Ling thought for a moment and said, "It's in the backyard of the police station. I can show you around."
Lin Nianxiao jumped up happily: "That's great, sis! I want to see where you work. Everyone says you're amazing, I admire you so much!"
After showing her younger sister and grandmother around the backyard of the police station, Jiang Ling took them to her dormitory.
There were only two women in the police station, and the other one was married and didn't live in the police station, so Jiang Ling occupied a dormitory room all to herself.
The dormitory was simply furnished, with only a bed, a metal cabinet for clothes, a desk, and a chair.
However, Jiang Ling specially borrowed two chairs and placed them next to the desk.
Zheng Huishu said with some heartache, "Child, you have suffered."
Jiang Ling shook her head: "I think it's fine."
Lin Nianxiao glanced around the room, looked at the military green bedding on the bed, and said, "Sis, you're using things issued by your workplace? You're so frugal. I think you're just like Dad; you don't care about anything except work."
After saying that, she turned around and called out, "Grandma, quickly bring out the things we prepared!"
Zheng Huishu opened the luggage bag she had brought and took out two sets of bedding: "Xiaoling, these were hand-embroidered by Grandma, and I'm giving them to you."
Before Jiang Ling could react, she took out two dresses, two tops, a box of jewelry, and two large boxes of pastries and handed them to Jiang Ling: "I came in a hurry and didn't have time to prepare any gifts. I picked out these dresses, the jewelry is a family heirloom, and your sister picked out the pastries. I hope you like them."
A gift from an elder should not be refused.
Looking at all the clothes and food, Jiang Ling felt a warm feeling in her heart.
Back when the children lived in the welfare home, they always looked forward to seeing unfamiliar faces. Whenever someone came, whether it was an adoptive family or a visiting organization, they would bring gifts such as fruit, candy, snacks, or clothes.
Now that Jiang Ling has family, she receives so many gifts that she can't carry them all.
I feel incredibly happy.
Jiang Ling also gave the red rope bracelet that Liang Qiqiao had prepared to her grandmother.
Lin Nianxiao was the most enthusiastic. She immediately put it on her wrist, looked at it from left to right, and said happily, "My sister is so good to me. The bracelet she made is so beautiful."
Jiang Ling smiled but remained silent.
She didn't actually make the bracelet herself, but she'll let her sister misunderstand, so everyone's happy.
The three of them sat together and talked for a long time.
Lin Nianxiao talked the most, recounting her upbringing and university life, and also venting a little about her parents.
"Sis, you don't know, Mom looks gentle, but she's actually very strict. If I don't study hard, her stern face is terrifying."
“My dad is usually busy and goes on business trips every few days. Last year, right after I took the college entrance exam, he applied to join Interpol. My mom was in poor health, so she took the opportunity to retire early and went to the United States with me. I think they just find me annoying and want to stay far away from me.”
"Luckily, I still have my grandma to love me, right?"
Zheng Huishu glared at her: "You little rascal, you're naughty all day long. Your mother worries about you and works hard. She finally gets a break, and you still have the nerve to complain."
Lin Nianxiao clung to Jiang Ling's arm like she had no bones, rested her head on her shoulder, and said in a coquettish tone, "Sister, I'll follow you from now on, okay?"
Jiang Ling replied very seriously, "No, you studied business administration, which has nothing to do with my work."
Lin Nianxiao pouted: "You need to rest, right? When you're resting, let's eat, go shopping, and sleep together, okay?"
Jiang Ling remained unmoved: "You still have to go to school, let's talk about it during the holidays."
Lin Nianxiao looked to her grandmother for help: "Grandma, please let my sister go back to Kyoto. The family should be together, right?"
Zheng Huishu looked at her eldest granddaughter and asked gently, "Xiaoling, your parents want to transfer you to Kyoto. Firstly, it would allow the family to reunite, and secondly, your father could look after you. What do you think?"
Jiang Ling had already thought about these things, and immediately answered without hesitation: "No, my roots are in Yancheng, I don't want to go to the capital."
Lin Nianxiao and Zheng Huishu were somewhat frustrated.
Lin Nianxiao looked at Jiang Ling pitifully: "Sister, don't you want to be with us?"
Jung Hye-sook also asked, "We've finally found you, and we all want to make up for what we've owed you over the past twenty-one years. Don't you want to live with your grandma, sister, dad, and mom?"
Jiang Ling explained, "I've thought this through very clearly. I'm already content knowing that you haven't abandoned me and have always remembered me. I grew up in an orphanage and am used to being independent; I wouldn't feel comfortable being with too many people."
"Child, we respect your decision."
Zheng Huishu did not insist any further; she was old and had long since gained a profound understanding of life.
She could tell that Jiang Ling, like her father, was a person with her own ideas. Once she made a decision, no one could change it.
When Lin Nianxiao heard her sister mention the orphanage, her eyes were filled with heartache: "Sister, you've suffered. Don't be afraid, I'll protect you from now on! If anyone bullies you, I'll beat them up for you! I've been fighting with the kids in the compound since we were little, and I'm really good at fighting."
Jiang Ling smiled.
My own little sister is indeed very cute.
For the next two days, Jiang Ling stayed with her grandmother and younger sister.
The first person Grandma thanked was Jiang Shouxin.
"Officer Jiang, thank you so much. You are Xiaoling's savior and her guiding light. You gave her family love and set a good example for her, guiding her to become a police officer. We are truly very grateful."
Jiang Shouxin didn't take credit, but smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Jiang Ling's own hard work. Now that she's found her family, I'm happy for her too. This child has had a tough time, so please take good care of her."
Hearing Jiang Shouxin recount the suffering Jiang Ling endured at the age of six, Lin Nianxiao touched the scar on Jiang Ling's forehead and wept uncontrollably.
Waaaaah... My sister was so pitiful when she was little. I must treat her well in the future. After I graduate, I'll start a company and sell Grandma's embroidery overseas, earning lots of money for my sister to spend.
Jung Hye-sook was also furious.
Despicable human traffickers!
Fortunately, my granddaughter is strong and kind. She became a police officer and caught so many human traffickers. She is truly outstanding.
Next, Grandma asked Jiang Ling to take her to the welfare home.
Grandma held Dean Jiang's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face: "Thank you to the government, thank you all. If it weren't for kind people like you, my Xiaoling would have died long ago."
Dean Jiang smiled and said, "Jiang Ling is very promising. She is smart, studious, and hardworking, which is why she was able to get into the police academy. I was just doing my job."
After thanking everyone who had helped Jiang Ling, Zheng Huishu and Lin Nianxiao completely gave up the idea of transferring Jiang Ling back to Kyoto.
Jiang Ling is right. Yan City is her root. This land made her who she is. Now she wants to settle down here and give back to this land. Such sentiments are admirable and touching.
With their approval and affection for Jiang Ling, Zheng Huishu and Lin Nianxiao reluctantly left Yan City.
After seeing them off, Jiang Ling immediately returned to the case team office, picked up the phone and called Yuan Yi: "Is Chen Mu still there? I need to see him."
Yuan Yi agreed without hesitation: "No problem, I'll send someone to bring him back from the drug rehabilitation center right away. You can come over this afternoon."
Jiang Ling looked at Li Zhenliang, Liu Haoran, and Zhou Wei: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and prepare for the interrogation of Chen Mu. You do the handwriting analysis, and Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei prepare the questions."
Li Zhenliang exclaimed, "Huh?" "Can't Chen Mu talk? Why do we need to use handwriting analysis?"
What he really wanted to say was: "After spending time with Grandma and your sister, aren't you going to take a break? Jumping back into work so quickly, we weren't prepared at all." Oh my god, my partner is a workaholic, what am I going to do?
Jiang Ling shook her head: "He's too stubborn and won't say anything. His ability to control his facial expressions is too good, and his language skills are too strong. We might as well abandon traditional interrogation methods and go straight to test questions."
Although the municipal bureau has not yet introduced a lie detector, with handwriting analysis, it might be possible to get some real information through test questions.
Jiang Ling hadn't forgotten that in his previous life, Chen Mu repeatedly used drugs, and his father personally manufactured the drugs, which led to the formation of the drug trade market in Yan City.
We must now expose the gang behind Chen Mu!
As for Ying Yuhua, Ying Songmao should be able to win her back if he lets go of his familial attachment and relies on his professional abilities.
Li Zhenliang and the other two had been idle for two or three days. Seeing Jiang Ling quickly get into work mode, they all stood up excitedly: "Yes!"
The blackboard was brought out, paper and pens were taken out, and everyone began a lively discussion.
Liu Haoran asked, "Xiao Jiang, is the question still divided into three parts?"
Jiang Ling hummed in agreement. "The usual."
Liu Haoran began writing on the small blackboard.
1. Establish a relationship of trust;
2. Inquire about drug use history;
3. Understand the psychological reasons why it is difficult to quit drugs.
Jiang Ling gave him an "OK" sign: "Great."
Practice makes perfect, and Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei are now finding it much easier to come up with topics than the first time.
Everyone offered suggestions, and one problem after another was written down on paper.
After a busy morning, everything is finally ready.
After lunch, the four of them set off for the Municipal Public Security Bureau.
In the interrogation room, Jiang Ling met Chen Mu.
After being forced into drug rehabilitation, Chen Mu's face grew increasingly pale, his face thin and gaunt, but his captivating peach blossom eyes remained mesmerizing.
He was somewhat restless, and his body would twitch from time to time.
This is a normal withdrawal reaction.
The interrogation begins.
Li Zhenliang had Chen Mu write down the words "yes" and "no" three times.
Chen Mu was somewhat confused, but he did not resist and wrote it down as instructed.
Jiang Ling stared into his eyes.
Chen Mu felt a little uneasy under Jiang Ling's gaze. He looked up to meet her eyes, his gaze carrying a hint of provocation.
Jiang Ling said slowly and deliberately, "Next, I will ask you some questions. You only need to answer yes or no and write your answers on a piece of paper. Please remember, just answer what I ask you and write down yes or no on the paper. No need for anything else."
This was Chen Mu's first time undergoing such an interrogation, and his originally lazy and indifferent expression turned serious.
Jiang Ling asked, "You heard me clearly, and you will do as I ask, right?"
Chen Mu subconsciously answered, "Yes."
Li Zhenliang pushed the paper and pen on the table toward him.
"What a hassle!" Chen Mu muttered, reluctantly picking up a pen and writing "Yes" on it.
Jiang Ling asked, "Ying Yuhua really likes flowers, doesn't she?"
Chen Mu was surprised that she asked about Ying Yuhua's situation right away. He frowned and wrote "yes" on the paper.
Jiang Ling asked, "You know that Ying Yuhua's brother is a policeman, right?"
--yes.
Jiang Ling asked, "Are you afraid of the police, so you don't dare to go public with your relationship?"
--No.
The character "不" (not) carries a hint of defiance, with the last stroke slanting upwards and ending casually.
lie.
Jiang Ling asked, "You feel very guilty about Ying Yuhua's suicide, don't you?"
--yes.
Jiang Ling asked, "You'll quit drugs for Ying Yuhua, right?"
--yes.
This character “是” is clearly different from the others; the font is crooked and the strokes are weak.
lie.
Jiang Ling and Li Zhenliang exchanged a glance: as expected, Chen Mu didn't have a strong desire to quit drugs. There was no way he could successfully quit.
Jiang Ling narrowed her eyes, her gaze icy: "You deliberately approached Ying Yuhua, didn't you?"
--No.
lie.
Jiang Ling's questioning speed increased: "You love Ying Yuhua very much, don't you?"
--yes.
Hesitant to put pen to paper, even with love, there isn't much.
Jiang Ling asked, "You approached Ying Yuhua because her family owns a shop and is relatively wealthy, is that right?"
--No.
The truth.
Jiang Ling asked again, "You approached Ying Yuhua because she has a policeman brother, right?"
--No.
lie.
Chen Mu looked up at Jiang Ling, his eyes filled with caution.
He became wary.
The policewoman in front of him had only met him once before ordering him to be arrested for a urine test. Now she was searching his heart like a searchlight. What was she up to?
Jiang Ling met his gaze.
Chen Mu approached Ying Yuhua with ulterior motives; he might like her, but it was definitely not true love!
Did Chen Mu approach Ying Yuhua because of Ying Songmao?
Why contact the police officer's family?
What exactly is his purpose?
To avoid alerting him, Jiang Ling didn't press the matter further, but instead began asking him about the details of his drug use.
"You started using drugs in February of this year, right?"
Chen Mu held the pen for a long time without putting it down.
Jiang Ling raised her voice and asked again.
Chen Mu wrote down a word
--No.
The truth.
Jiang Ling frowned slightly. In Ying Yuhua's diary, the white bellflower appeared in February. Why did Chen Mu answer "no"?
Jiang Ling asked again, "Earlier than February, is that right?"
Chen Mu looked up at Jiang Ling, a smile playing on his lips: "Did she tell you all this? Actually, it started at the end of last year, but we kept it from her until now."
Li Zhenliang yelled at him, "Just answer whatever I ask! Don't say anything more."
Chen Mu shrugged indifferently: "I thought you were more interested in these things."
Jiang Ling was unaffected by him and continued to ask questions: "Your first time using drugs was in a public place, right?"
Chen Mu wrote a word on the paper.
--No.
Li Zhenliang looked at Jiang Ling and gently shook his head.
He's lying.
Jiang Ling had investigated Chen Mu's life beforehand. He was skilled in electrical appliance repair and, in addition to taking on private jobs in the residential area, he also frequently repaired and maintained the circuits for shops around the chemical plant.
It's worth investigating where he came into contact with drugs.
His first experience with drugs was in a public place.
What kind of public place allowed him to be so bold and unrestrained?
Jiang Ling continued, "Is it at the shop where you usually repair electrical circuits?"
Chen Mu, a mocking smile playing on his lips, wrote down a single character.
--yes.
It's clearly a lie.
Jiang Ling changed her approach and pressed further: "It was in an entertainment venue, right?"
--No.
lie.
Since it was an entertainment venue, Jiang Ling continued to press for answers.
"At the ice rink, is that right?"
"In a karaoke room, is that right?"
"In a disco, is that right?"
Jiang Ling kept staring into Chen Mu's eyes as she asked a series of questions.
What beautiful eyes, large and deep, with clearly visible pupils.
As Jiang Ling's questions escalated, Chen Mu's pupils remained unchanged until the words "disco" appeared, at which point Chen Mu's pupils contracted slightly.
—Yes!
That's a disco.
In the 1990s, disco clubs were primarily for energetic dancing, but also served as places to drink alcohol. They were a mixed bag and quite chaotic. The municipal police made several efforts to crack down on them, and the anti-prostitution squad was dispatched a few times, but prostitution, gambling, and drugs remained rampant.
Jiang Ling searched her mind for the disco near the chemical plant.
"At the Starlight Disco, is that right?"
"Dancing legends, is that right?"
"In the Phantom, is that right?"
When the last name was mentioned, Chen Mu couldn't sit still any longer and slammed his pen heavily on the table: "What do you mean? Asking so quickly, I didn't even have time to write down the answers."
Jiang Ling was unaffected by him, staring coldly at him: "You're a regular at Phantom Disco, aren't you?"
Her gaze held a terrifying power, and Chen Mu's previously drowsy mind suddenly cleared up considerably, his eyes filled with a hint of fear.
—Is this policewoman crazy? How does she know everything?
Jiang Ling slowly stood up, looking down at Chen Mu: "The owner of Phantom is surnamed Zhang, Zhang Yuanqiang, 30 years old, an only child. You and he have a good relationship, right?"
"Please! Give it to me..."
Chen Mu suddenly clutched his head, his whole body began to convulse violently, tears and snot streamed down his face, and he looked like a demon crawling out of hell.
Li Zhenliang sighed and looked at Jiang Ling: "He's having a withdrawal attack."
How can we continue the interrogation when Chen Mu is in such a terrible state?
Jiang Ling sneered: "Investigate Zhang Yuanqiang thoroughly. Chen Mu has a close relationship with this man, and his drugs were also supplied by him."
Chen Mu suddenly raised his head, making a "hoarse" sound in his throat, his eyes bloodshot, completely unrecognizable from his previous handsome appearance.
He tried to make a sound, but his body was in so much pain that it was suffocating.
Jiang Ling remained standing upright, staring at him with sharp eyes, like an eagle soaring in the sky spotting its prey.
Chen Mu endured the pain and struggled again.
His face was completely contorted, his entire upper body slumped on the table as if boneless, and his right hand desperately reached forward, trying to grab Jiang Ling's clothes.
Jiang Ling, separated from him by a table, took a half-step back: "What do you want to say?"
Chen Mu finally found his voice: "I didn't..."
Jiang Ling's lips curled into a mocking smile: "You didn't give Zhang Yuanqiang away to the police, did you?"
Chen Mu nodded frantically.
Jiang Ling shook her head: "No, you've explained it very clearly. You've been openly using drugs at the Phantom Disco since last year, and the drugs were provided by Zhang Yuanqiang. It was also Zhang Yuanqiang who instructed you to approach Ying Yuhua because he wanted to learn about the police's movements through Ying Yuhua, right?"
After a pause, Jiang Ling continued, "Oh, right, he also told you to go home and persuade your father that you could use your technology and the raw materials from the chemical plant to develop new types of drugs, so you could make a lot of money, right?"
The terror in Chen Mu's eyes intensified, and he screamed, "No, no, no—"
No?
Based on Chen Mu's physical reaction, Jiang Ling saw the answer as "yes".
In an instant, Jiang Ling sorted out the connection between the two criminal files she had seen in her previous life.
Jiang Ling glanced at Chen Mu as if he were trash: "A person like you doesn't deserve to live in this world. Ying Yuhua's idea of making you turn back through suicide is simply wishful thinking."
After saying that, Jiang Ling turned and left the interrogation room.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com