Xintai Entertainment City parking lot. Two patrol officers from the local police station got out of their police car and were stopped by security at the main entrance.
"Officers, our company is open for business. Your uniforms might scare our guests. Is there something we can help you with?"
The security guard's attitude was arrogant, showing no regard for the local police station. On this street, their word carried more weight than the patrol officers, and even taxi drivers in Dongjiang would detour around this area.
"I am officer Liu Zhao. We received a report that a wanted criminal is working at your company, and we need to verify."
One of the patrol officers showed his badge.
"Officer, you can't just say things like that. Our company operates legally. How could we possibly harbor a wanted criminal? Is someone trying to frame us?"
"We need to verify whether you are harboring a wanted criminal. Please call your supervisor."
The patrol officer was patient, clearly aware of the company's powerful background, which was beyond the influence of a small patrol officer like him.
"Please wait."
The security guard turned and took out his walkie-talkie.
After a full ten minutes, A Bao came out from the lobby. He greeted the two patrol officers and led them into the security duty room on the first floor.
"What is the name and appearance of the wanted criminal you mentioned?"
A Bao politely poured two cups of tea for them before starting to ask questions.
Liu Zhao handed him a paper wanted poster: "This man is Yang Jian, a major fugitive wanted by Hancheng police. Someone reported seeing him working on the third floor of your company about two hours ago, apparently as a high-level manager."
A Bao took the wanted poster and saw that it was indeed Yang Jian. However, he remained calm. "I haven't seen this person. Of course, we have hundreds of employees, and I don't know all of them. Please wait a moment, I'll check with the human resources department."
"Can we go to the third floor to take a look? After all, he's a wanted criminal, and we're worried about alerting him and scaring him away."
A Bao flatly refused, "No. The third floor receives foreign guests. Your uniforms would cause panic."
"Then we'll go with you to the human resources department. It would speed up the investigation."
"I apologize, but HR records are confidential. Please wait, we will get back to you shortly."
After speaking, A Bao left, leaving the two patrol officers in the office.
In an office on the second floor, A Bao placed the wanted poster on Bai Zheng's desk.
"What is this?"
Bai Zheng picked up the wanted poster and his expression changed slightly. "Xiao Yang's wanted poster. What's wrong? Has he been discovered?"
"Two cops from downstairs came. They received a report that someone saw Yang Jian working on the third floor and want to search. I stopped them."
"How could Xiao Yang be so careless? Has he been found?"
"It's unavoidable. More and more people are coming from Xinhe in Hancheng to gamble, and Yang Jian is a well-known figure in Xinhe. Many people recognize him, so it's normal for him to be discovered."
Bai Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "Tell the cops that we don't have anyone named Yang Jian here, and then call Xiao Yang down."
"Okay. Should I inform their station chief and tell him to keep his men from coming here casually? It affects our image."
"No need. I'll talk to Xiao Yang first."
A Bao nodded and turned to leave.
Upon receiving the notification, Yang Jian immediately rushed to Bai Zheng's office.
"Brother Zheng, what's the urgent matter?"
"Xiao Yang, your whereabouts have been discovered and reported. There are two cops downstairs looking for you."
Yang Jian was shocked. "How could that be? I haven't even gone out."
"It's likely that a gambler from Xinhe recognized you and even said you were a high-level manager at the casino."
"What should we do? I've been very careful. I usually don't go to the lobby unless it's important. How could I have been discovered?"
Bai Zheng smiled. "You don't need to be so scared. I told you long ago, as long as you are in the company, no one can take you away."
"I know it's fine inside the company, but I can't stay here all the time. I have to go home every day, and I need to check on the building materials market regularly. If the cops have targeted me, even if they can't arrest me here, they could act outside, and I still wouldn't be able to escape."
"That is a problem. The police know you are in Dongjiang and will surely conduct a comprehensive investigation. Your building materials business will inevitably come into their sight, and your movements in Dongjiang will be restricted from now on."
Yang Jian appeared very panicked. "Brother Zheng, if I get caught, can you bail me out?"
Bai Zheng shook his head. "If the crime was committed in Dongjiang, I can help you resolve it. But your case is being handled by the Hancheng police. Once you are caught, the Hancheng police will immediately come and take you back."
Yang Jian took out his phone. "It seems I have to ask Brother Hao for help."
"Can Lu Hao help you?"
"He should be able to. He has some connections with the Hancheng police."
Yang Jian dialed Lu Hao's number in front of Bai Zheng and turned on the speakerphone.
"Brother Hao, my whereabouts in Dongjiang have been discovered and reported. I don't think I can stay here anymore. Do you have any good solutions?"
"Discovered? Are the cops looking for you?"
"Yes, two cops came to the company just now."
"Then you've really been targeted by the cops. You can't stay in Dongjiang anymore. There are only two options now: either move to another city and continue to live in hiding, or surrender.
The risk of moving to another city is also very high, as a population census is about to be conducted, and the police are implementing more standardized population management. City surveillance is also being widely installed. It's becoming increasingly difficult to truly hide. With the advancement of technology, the space for fugitives to survive is shrinking. It seems that hiding for a long time is not a good option."
"Then what should I do? I don't want to go to jail. I've been in before, and it was too unbearable."
"Xiao Yang, I consider you a brother. Listen to my advice and surrender. Only then can you return to a normal life. You are still young. Even if you go to jail for a few years, you'll be around thirty when you get out. You have businesses making money for you outside, so you'll still be a winner in life when you get out."
Lu Hao's earnest persuasion was met with constant nods from Bai Zheng, who also believed that Yang Jian surrendering was the best option at the moment.
"Brother Hao, if I surrender, how long will it take for you to get me out?"
"That's hard to say, but don't worry, I'll handle things with the police and hire the best lawyer to defend you. Li Jin didn't identify you, so you might not be sentenced. Even if you are, it won't be more than three years."
"Then I'll think about it. Oh, Brother Hao, A Feng and the other two also have criminal records. Especially A Feng, he was also a manager at the casino back then. Should the three of them surrender together? You can settle all the cases at once, so we don't have to live in hiding forever."
If I'm leaving, I'm leaving with them. Yang Jian wouldn't abandon his brothers. He wanted to use this opportunity to completely sever ties with Bai Zheng, to avoid any future complications.