"How did you get involved with hoodlums again, and even get into a fight?" Lü Liang asked as he helped him carry a cardboard box.
"I couldn't stand seeing a man bully a woman, so I couldn't help but step in," Guo Xuyang said with a smile.
"Oh? Playing hero to save the damsel?"
"Those two girls didn't seem like good people either. One had tattoos, and the other looked like she frequented nightclubs. I wouldn't have intervened if I hadn't really found it unbearable." Guo Xuyang briefly explained the situation.
"There are too many hoodlums these days, and they're so young. Some are just hitting that age, around sixteen or seventeen, where they fear nothing. The law can't do much about them. Some even boast about their last hurrahs."
"Doesn't the law apply to sixteen-year-olds now?"
"That's for serious, egregious offenses. For minor ones, they usually just get a lecture and are let go."
"How would you classify today's incident?"
"What are you thinking? Do you really want to send them to jail?"
"Not necessarily. I'm just curious to understand."
"I'm not that professional in this area. You know I'm self-taught. I can't really recite specific legal statutes. However, if you want to send them away, I'm sure there are ways."
"Doesn't this qualify as harassing innocent women in broad daylight?"
"Didn't you just say those two girls weren't exactly saints? If they aren't good people, why are you getting involved in that kind of situation? You're already struggling to manage your own affairs."
"I'm just a bit annoyed by the arrogance of those two young men."
"Birds of a feather flock together. They're all the same kind. It's too tiring to argue with them; it's not worth it."
"I saw that young man was still pestering them and was about to call for backup. If it wasn't for the risk of delaying things here, I would have liked to see what kind of people he'd call."
"Let's focus on the main task first. You go in and see what she'll reveal."
"What did she say?"
"She said she wouldn't say anything until she saw you. I'm starting to suspect you're doing this on purpose."
"Don't attribute ill motives to good intentions."
"You go in first. You'll know what she's going to say then." Guo Xuyang also wanted to know what Sarah would say upon seeing him, so he turned and went to the interrogation room.
"I'm here. Let's talk," he said.
"You answer a few questions for me first, and after that, I'll tell you everything," Sarah said.
"What questions?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"Did you bring me here?"
"Sort of. What about it?"
"How did you find me?"
"Shelisa told me."
"I didn't tell Shelisa where I was. You're lying."
"Believe it or not. Think about how I got your phone number."
"How did you get me here?"
"That's a secret. Sorry."
"Is what I saw real?"
"What?" Guo Xuyang was taken aback, not understanding what Sarah was referring to.
"Heaps of diamonds and gold."
"You must be hallucinating." Guo Xuyang certainly wouldn't admit to it.
"I understand," Sarah said.
"Since you've asked your questions, tell me about the insects you have."
"If I confess, can you guarantee my safety?"
"No. I neither have the ability nor the obligation. Moreover, whether you confess or not has little to do with me."
"If you didn't want me to confess, would you have gone to such lengths to bring me here?"
"It's not what you think. I was looking for an insect under your command. I've found it, so it doesn't matter much. Of course, if you don't want to suffer, you'd best confess truthfully. I think you know that in this society, no one wants people with ulterior motives around them."
"If I confess, Shelisa will kill me."
"Whether she can return intact is another matter. You don't need to worry about that."
"What? You brought Shelisa here too?"
"That's not something you need to concern yourself with."
"If I confess, will you guys corroborate what she says?"
"That's not my concern. Whether you confess or not is your business. You said you'd confess after seeing me. Now I'm here, and you've seen me. I've answered your questions. I won't inquire about or participate in what you choose to reveal. I'm just an ordinary civilian. It's better to know less about certain matters. You had me followed, so you should know something about me. I've always disliked meddling. Especially in matters of fighting and scheming. I just want to run a small business and live a peaceful life."
"Then I know what to do."
"Since that's the case, I'll be leaving. They'll bring you food and water later." Guo Xuyang said, then turned and walked out.
"Did she confess?" Lü Liang asked as Guo Xuyang emerged.
"What?"
"Didn't she say she'd confess after seeing you?"
"Whatever she confesses, you can ask them yourselves. I won't be involved in this matter. Besides, she has her own concerns. Arrange for someone to go in. Also, remember to bring the fried noodles and water in together."
"You're getting more cunning by the day."
"Brother Liang, please spare me. It's better for both of us if I don't know too much. You know my temperament is very mellow. I don't have the strength to carry too many burdens."
"You! If we can't get the information we need, we'll have to rely on you." Lü Liang pointed at Guo Xuyang.
"No problem," Guo Xuyang agreed very readily. He primarily didn't want the insects to ruin his appetite and didn't want to get too deeply involved in secrets. The more he knew, the greater the responsibility he would have to bear. He wasn't that keen on power. So, just as he had told President Jiang initially, he wanted a wife, children, a warm hearth, to run a small business, and to have enough to eat. He had no interest in power.
"What about Shelisa?" Lü Liang asked.
"Didn't President Jiang call you? When I called him, I could hear his goose-like honking," Guo Xuyang said, curling his lips.
"The mission was also assigned to me: to make her reveal everything she knows."
"You have your methods; just do it."
"The boss's instruction is that there should be no visible injuries."
"No visible injuries? I can't do that." Guo Xuyang quickly refused.
"Yangzi, how have I treated you along the way? Have I ever let you down?" Lü Liang started playing the emotional card.
"Brother Liang, I've already said, I don't want to be involved in too many matters. Knowing more doesn't benefit me."
"Brother, you are a national hero now. Are you really going to let this big piece of meat slip away?"
"You have other ways, you don't necessarily need my involvement, do you?"
"The boss told me. From now on, there will be no secrets for you here. Ask whatever you want to know. We will tell you everything." Lü Liang said.
"President Jiang is throwing me into the fire."
"You can't say that. The capable should do more."
"You're putting me on the spot."
"If your brother is in trouble, shouldn't his brother help?"
"Just this once. Turn off the surveillance, and I'll tell you everything I know when I get back." Guo Xuyang said helplessly.
"No problem," Lü Liang said quickly.