Chapter Sixty-Four: Trapped in a Cage

Sister Tian rushed into Bao Kang’s office and dropped to her knees before him. “Director, please stand up for me!”

“What’s going on?” Bao Kang, who had been dozing in his chair, was startled awake.

A police officer from outside the door ran in to explain. “Director Bao, this person says her employer beat and abused her. She wants to file a complaint.”

Sister Tian rolled up her sleeves, revealing bruises. “Director, look at these wounds. She whipped me for a worm in the fruit! How could I know there was a worm inside? You can’t wash the inside of fruit!”

In the corridor, Lu Hehuan and Bao Rong stood at the doorway, watching Bao Kang.

“This is outrageous! Which household is so cruel? Don’t be afraid, I’ll help you!” Bao Kang was furious.

“It’s the Su Shoushan family. The one who beat me is his daughter, Mary.”

Bao Kang’s expression changed. Mary was the niece of Chief Inspector Gordon. If he accepted this case, he’d offend Gordon. With that thought, his face hardened and he signaled the officer. “Get this crazy woman out of here.”

“Huh?” The officer hesitated.

Bao Kang urged impatiently, “What are you waiting for? Throw her out!”

Sister Tian couldn’t believe how quickly Bao Kang turned on her. “Director, weren’t you going to help me?”

Bao Kang avoided her gaze and coughed theatrically. “You took your employer’s money but failed to serve her, and now you’re causing trouble here. Throwing you out is already lenient. Keep stirring things up and you’ll end up in jail.”

“Director…” Sister Tian protested.

The officer moved to take Sister Tian away.

Lu Hehuan stepped forward to block him, then looked at Bao Kang. “Director Bao, a report should be processed. Why are you expelling the complainant?”

“Do you know who she’s accusing?” Bao Kang squinted at him.

“It doesn’t matter who it is. The case should be handled according to procedure.” Lu Hehuan’s voice was full of righteous resolve. He helped Sister Tian up. “Madam, please come with me to the interrogation room. I need to take your statement.”

Sister Tian nodded and left with his support.

“That blockhead!” Bao Kang fumed.

Lu Hehuan quickly gathered the facts and then hurried, with Ying Xi, to Mary’s home.

They strode to the gates of the Su residence. Ying Xi followed reluctantly. “Lu Hehuan, I think this is a thankless job.”

“What do you mean?” Lu Hehuan asked, puzzled.

“Even if we arrest someone, she won’t be convicted. Instead, we’ll end up punished.”

Lu Hehuan set his jaw stubbornly. “I don’t believe they can twist the truth.”

Ying Xi sighed with resignation. “As your brother, I’ll go with you and see just how they distort things.” He finished and knocked on the door.

A moment later, a servant opened the door, looking curiously at them. “Who are you looking for?”

Ying Xi produced his badge. “I’m Detective Ying Xi from Old Gate Police Station. This is Officer Lu Hehuan…” He hadn’t finished when Mary, hearing Lu Hehuan’s name, rushed over.

“Hehuan, it’s really you!” Mary exclaimed in delight at the sight of him.

Lu Hehuan’s face was cold. “Miss Mary, you’re accused of abuse. Please come with us to the station for investigation.”

“The station?” Mary was confused. “Investigation for what?”

“You know what you did to Sister Tian. There’s no need to pretend.” Lu Hehuan’s voice was icy.

Mary faltered, remembering her own violence.

That morning, Sister Tian was diligently scrubbing the floor. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She hurried to open the door.

Mary entered, dragging a suitcase, and cast a disdainful glance at Sister Tian before shoving the suitcase at her.

Sister Tian respectfully took it. “Miss, you’re back?”

“Do I need to report my return to you?” Mary snapped.

Sister Tian lowered her head meekly. “Yes, miss.”

“Why are you just standing there? Take my suitcase to my room!” Mary’s temper flared for no reason.

“Yes, miss.”

Sister Tian ran upstairs with the suitcase. Mary glared after her and sat on the sofa in irritation.

After a moment, Sister Tian hurried downstairs and brought over a fruit tray. Mary picked up an apple, bit into it, and let out a piercing scream.

Sister Tian panicked. “What’s wrong, miss?”

Mary, enraged, threw the apple at Sister Tian’s head. “Damn it! What do you do here? There’s a worm inside the apple you gave me!”

“Miss, how could I know there was a worm inside?” Sister Tian protested, aggrieved.

Mary stood up, furious. “Oh, so you dare talk back? Time for a lesson!” She grabbed a riding whip from the wall and lashed Sister Tian brutally.

Sister Tian cried out in pain, pleading as she wept. “Miss, please, don’t hit me.”

Mary ignored her, whipping her mercilessly until Sister Tian was curled on the floor, sobbing.

Remembering this, Mary hastily tried to explain to Lu Hehuan. “Hehuan, let me explain. That servant was so unruly, I only gave her a symbolic punishment…”

Before she could finish, Lu Hehuan’s face hardened. He brought out the handcuffs and snapped them on her. “Save your words for the station.”

“Hey, Hehuan, what are you doing? My uncle is Chief Inspector…” Mary was stunned that Lu Hehuan would actually take her in. “Hehuan, you’re hurting me…”

Lu Hehuan was unmoved, escorting Mary away. Ying Xi sighed helplessly and followed.

It was still early; the streets bustled with traffic and crowds. Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan led Mary toward the station.

Lu Hehuan’s hand was cuffed to Mary’s. She edged closer to him. “Hehuan, it’s been so long.”

“Didn’t expect to meet like this,” Lu Hehuan replied coldly.

“It’s all a misunderstanding. My uncle is Chief Inspector. Once we get to the station, the truth will come out.”

Lu Hehuan glanced at her. “I believe the law is just.”

Mary smiled shamelessly. “The law is certainly just.”

Lu Hehuan suddenly remembered something and looked at Mary seriously. “Mary, I hope you’ll answer me honestly.”

“What is it?”

He paused. “How did Liu Sixue’s mother die?”

Mary stiffened, her smile vanishing. She lowered her head in panic. “It was Ling Yan who killed her.”

“How?” Lu Hehuan’s gaze was sharp.

“She… Ling Yan brought a venomous snake to kill us, but ended up killing the wrong person…” Mary stammered.

Lu Hehuan didn’t believe her. “How could Ling Yan want to kill you? What really happened that day?”

Ying Xi, curious, stared silently at Mary as they spoke.

Mary turned her head away. “It’s been so long, how could I remember…”

“Think carefully.” Lu Hehuan pressed.

“I really can’t remember.” Mary grew agitated.

Lu Hehuan grabbed her, excited. “Try harder…”

Mary shook him off. “I really can’t remember!”

Lu Hehuan wanted to say more, but Ying Xi pulled him back.

Ying Xi patted his shoulder. “Let it go. It’s been too long.”

Lu Hehuan sighed, unwilling.

Mary, seeing he had stopped, let out a silent breath.

The sun set, casting Old Gate Police Station in dusky shadow.

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood before Bao Kang, reporting the case earnestly.

“Director Bao, the facts of Sister Tian’s abuse are clear and the evidence is solid. The suspect, Mary, has been apprehended…”

Bao Kang raised his hand to interrupt. “Release her.”

Lu Hehuan didn’t react at first. “Sister Tian has already left.”

Bao Kang gritted his teeth, barely controlling his anger. “Did you not understand? I’m telling you to release Miss Mary immediately, without charge.”

“Director, the facts are clear, the evidence is solid, and Mary has admitted to beating Sister Tian…” Lu Hehuan protested.

Bao Kang cut him off with a fierce glare. “Mary is Chief Inspector Gordon’s niece. The Chief Inspector himself is here to bail her out. What more do you want?”

Ying Xi glanced at Bao Kang’s expression and quietly tugged Lu Hehuan’s arm. “Hehuan, let it go.”

Lu Hehuan couldn’t stand it. He raised his voice. “Why should I let it go? If a prince breaks the law, he is punished as a commoner. Mary is only the Chief Inspector’s niece!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Gordon burst in with two guards.

Gordon glared at Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi, signaling his guards. “Arrest these two officers for abuse of power!”

Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan were at a loss.

Though night had fallen, the Lu household’s lights were still blazing. Lu Xiang paced the living room, while Lin Zhi sat on the sofa, wiping her tears.

Lu Xiang stopped and complained impatiently. “A mother’s kindness spoils her child. What good is crying now?”

Lin Zhi frowned. “This is clearly the Chief Inspector abusing his authority. Our son was just doing his duty. Why charge him with abuse of power?”

Lu Xiang jabbed his finger at Lin Zhi. “You, it’s your thinking that ruined him. In this society, there’s no absolute right or wrong. It’s all about power and status. Hehuan doesn’t know how to adapt! Does stubbornness conquer the world? It only causes trouble!”

“What kind of world is this? It’s so unfair!” Lin Zhi sobbed harder.

“Enough, stop crying.”

“Then find a way to get him out!”

Lu Xiang sighed helplessly. “I’ll have to swallow my pride and beg the Chief Inspector tomorrow.”

Sunlight poured through the vents into the cramped cell. Several burly inmates sat on their bunks, waiting for exercise time. Outside, footsteps sounded; a police officer opened the cell door. The inmates all looked up with hostile faces.

“Detective Ying, Officer Hehuan, sorry, but you’ll have to go in,” the officer apologized.

Moments later, Ying Xi and Lu Hehuan appeared at the cell door, carrying washbasins, dressed in prison uniforms, their faces devoid of expression.

The officer locked the cell door behind them and left.

The lead inmate edged closer to his bunk, grinning maliciously at his fellows. “It’s two police officers. Let’s give them a warm welcome.”

The other inmates chuckled knowingly.

Ying Xi found his bunk and was about to sit when a scar-faced inmate tossed Ying Xi’s blanket onto the floor.

Ying Xi glared at him angrily. The scarred inmate sneered, “What’s wrong? Think you’re still a detective in here?”

Ying Xi suppressed his anger. “Pick up my blanket.”

“Well, the detective’s angry… ha ha ha…” The inmates laughed.

Ying Xi clenched his fists.

Lu Hehuan came over, picked up the blanket, and tried to comfort him. “Let it go, I’ll do it.” As he reached for the blanket, a one-eyed inmate stepped over and planted his foot on it.

“Move your foot,” Ying Xi growled.

The one-eyed inmate smirked. “You don’t know the rules here, do you?”

Ying Xi was ready to fight, but Lu Hehuan quickly grabbed his arm and whispered, “Let’s not cause trouble. Let’s go over there.”

Ying Xi gritted his teeth and followed him to the corner. Suddenly, a bald inmate stuck out his leg and tripped Ying Xi. He stumbled, nearly fell, but Lu Hehuan caught him.

Ying Xi could no longer hold back. “Enough! You think I’m easy to bully?”

The lead inmate, seeing Ying Xi defiant, shot him a vicious look and signaled his friends. “Looks like we need to show this cop who’s boss. Hit them!”

With that, the scarred inmate swung a punch at Ying Xi.

Lu Hehuan moved swiftly, blocking the blow and seizing the attacker’s wrist. “Don’t push it.”

The inmates burst out laughing, cracking their knuckles and closing in. Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi stood back-to-back, ready to fight.

The inmates rushed them, and the brawl erupted. The scarred inmate grabbed Lu Hehuan’s collar; Ying Xi took the chance to land a hard punch to his gut, forcing him to release Lu Hehuan. The bald inmate kicked at Ying Xi, but Lu Hehuan swept his leg out from under him, sending him crashing down.

The lead inmate, surprised at their fighting skills, quickly grabbed several iron rods from under the bed and snarled at his companions, “Grab weapons!”

Lu Hehuan’s eyes widened at the sight. “Weapons in a cell? What kind of detective are you?”

Ying Xi gaped in disbelief. “When I get out, I’ll clean this place up.”

Lu Hehuan gritted his teeth. “If we ever get out!”

As they spoke, the inmates armed themselves and attacked with iron rods, raining blows on the two officers.

Despite helping each other, Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi were overwhelmed and eventually subdued.

Held down by the inmates, the lead prisoner approached, looking them over with malicious interest. “Lift your heads.”

When they refused, the inmates grabbed their hair, forcing them to look up.

“Well, aren’t you both handsome? It’s been a while since we’ve had such good-looking guests.” The lead inmate gave them a wicked smile and turned to his companions. “This time, we’re in for a treat.”

Lu Hehuan and Ying Xi exchanged shocked glances.