Chapter Seventeen: Hidden Strife

"Is that so?" Ma Wu obediently replied, "In that case, I must cooperate with the police officer."
"After all, I have always been a model citizen since childhood."
"Then please come with me to the police station," the man said, following the cue.
"Oh?" Ma Wu put on an exaggerated look of surprise. "Why do we need to go to the police station? Wouldn't it be easier to ask questions right here?"
"Officer, did I do something wrong?"
With her back turned to the officer, Ye Qing was silently tending to someone else's wounds, barely able to contain her laughter. Just moments ago, Ma Wu hadn't acted this way at all—how could this person be so cheeky?
The man's expression faltered, and he cursed inwardly: Don’t you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into? People have died! Shouldn't we investigate you?
"It's nothing much," he coughed twice. "Since you insist, let's just take your statement here."
"I'm Chen Jun," he introduced himself.
Ma Wu seemed not to hear him, turning instead to grab Ye Qing’s hand, his face suddenly solemn as he looked at her.
What is he up to now?
"Miss Ye, I'm very glad we've met," Ma Wu said with a playful grin, "but unfortunately, it seems our fate together ends here."
"I'll always remember you, such a beautiful lady. It’s best if you leave now."
So this was Ma Wu’s way of sparing Ye Qing from further involvement. He was confident he could handle the police, but with multiple deaths at stake, this was no trivial matter.
"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave," Ye Qing said, blinking several times, clearly understanding the meaning behind Ma Wu’s words. She hadn’t expected this man to be so considerate, actually looking out for her.
As Ye Qing walked farther away, Ma Wu called after her loudly,
"Don’t forget to add me on WeChat, beautiful!"
"We’re in the middle of a police statement, could you please show some respect?" Chen Jun nearly felt a cross pop out of his forehead, his irritation barely contained. But, given Ma Wu’s status as a patient, he dared not lose his temper.
"Oh, Officer Chen! Of course, I’ll cooperate fully!" Ma Wu feigned sudden realization, as if only just now noticing Chen Jun.
Stay calm. He’s a patient. You can’t hit him.
Chen Jun took a deep breath, pulled out his notebook, and, with a fierce air, prepared to interrogate.
"Can you describe, in simple terms, the scene when you were kidnapped?"
Ma Wu’s mind was running at full speed; he had already prepared every word of his account earlier. The only uncertainty was facing off against Li Mida—what if their stories didn’t match?

"After I was separated from Li Mida, I got a call from a stranger. He said he’d kidnapped Li Mida and demanded ransom at a factory on the outskirts of town."
"Before entering the factory, I called the police, just in case anything happened."
Bit by bit, Ma Wu recounted his story, while already calculating how to quietly deal with those thugs. Even though he had already given his statement at the police station, if the witnesses disappeared, who could say what was true or not? Besides, they were the ones at fault in the first place.
"After handing over the ransom, I just wanted to leave with Li Mida. But halfway out, they blocked our way."
"Panicked, I started running all over the factory, with them chasing me relentlessly. In the chaos, they even ended up attacking their own men."
With just a few words, Ma Wu had completely absolved himself of responsibility.
"So you’re saying they injured each other during the fight?" Chen Jun asked, as if seeking confirmation.
"Honestly, I can’t be sure, but when I realized what was happening, they were already hurt. So I suppose that’s what happened."
No matter what, Ma Wu refused to give a straight answer, always hedging with vague words.
A sudden murderous aura filled the air, and Chen Jun’s gaze locked onto Ma Wu, the darkness behind him seeming almost tangible.
Ma Wu acted frightened, but inwardly rolled his eyes—such weak intimidation, did they think he was a child?
Still, it was best to be conciliatory and resolve things quickly.
"But why did the thugs accuse you of killing their friends?"
Sensing his intimidation might be working, Chen Jun seized the chance to press further.
"They’re just trying to pin it on me and escape their own crimes," Ma Wu replied thoughtfully.
"Kidnapping is already a serious offense. If they were charged with murder as well, it would be even worse for them."
"Oh, really?" Chen Jun looked at him with suspicion, as if trying to read the truth from his face.
Meeting Chen Jun’s steady gaze, Ma Wu suddenly let out a sob.
"Officer, you’re not suspecting me of murder, are you?"
"I’ve always been a good citizen. Since childhood, my teachers taught us..."
Ma Wu launched into a rambling recital of socialist core values, Marxism, and all sorts of other doctrines, leaving Officer Chen’s head spinning.
"Enough, enough," Chen Jun interrupted, massaging his temples. "Please, no more lectures on socialist core values."
"If it were just the thugs, I could understand, but why did the agent also accuse you of murder?"
At this, Ma Wu froze for a moment. Was it Liu Mang? He’d spared him, and yet the man still wanted trouble.
"Officer Chen, I assure you," Ma Wu’s demeanor turned serious, "that agent Liu Mang is definitely not a good person."
"For all we know, he might be the mastermind behind the kidnapping."

"They’re conspiring to frame me," Ma Wu said.
Chen Jun frowned, scrutinizing Ma Wu. "So everyone is trying to frame you? Is it not possible you’re framing them?"
"That depends on your judgment, Officer Chen," Ma Wu replied, maintaining an air of innocence, as if gravely wronged.
This one was immune to both pressure and persuasion. Chen Jun cursed inwardly. It seemed he wouldn’t get any useful information this time.
That woman, Li Mida, still hadn’t given her statement. She claimed to have forgotten the events—who would believe that? Clearly, she was covering for someone.
Chen Jun fell silent. Seeing this, Ma Wu felt more at ease. If Li Mida had already revealed everything, he likely wouldn’t be sitting here talking so calmly. And throughout their exchange, there had been no contradictions in his story.
This could only mean Li Mida hadn’t provided any useful testimony.
"I wonder when I’ll get to see my wife again?" Ma Wu asked, flashing a disarming smile.
As if it would be that easy to let her go, Chen Jun thought privately. Li Mida was a key witness.
"The situation’s a bit complicated," Chen Jun replied kindly. "Our chief wants to keep her at the station a bit longer to understand more about the case."
"What could possibly take so long to understand?" Ma Wu asked, sounding nonchalant, though his gaze at the end turned sharp.
It was a silent warning: even if you are the police, you can’t illegally detain my wife.
With his years of experience, Chen Jun caught the underlying threat and changed his expression, choosing not to respond directly.
"Alright, that’s enough for today’s statement," Chen Jun said, beginning to pack up, his eyes lingering on Ma Wu as if to imprint his face into memory.
This man was clearly not so simple.
That was the conclusion Chen Jun reached after a long, busy day.
"Don’t worry. Your girlfriend, Li Mida, should be back in your hospital room this afternoon," Chen Jun said with a smile. "Be gentle with her—you two haven’t seen each other in a while."
Ma Wu nodded eagerly like a pecking chick.
If someone is difficult to deal with, the best tactic is to offer a sweet date before the stick, isn’t it?