Chapter Sixty-One: Fleeing Far and High
Officer Li’s specially devised “reverse method” had begun to yield further results, and the moment of reckoning for Ye Dong and the others drew ever closer.
The following morning, Li Zimu and Xu Si went to the bank to withdraw a vast sum of money.
“Keep a close eye on them. They’re carrying thirty million in cash,” Officer Li instructed Xiao Wang. “We’re responsible for their safety, and we must ensure Wei never finds them first.”
“Understood,” the officers replied in unison.
“Boss, thirty million in cash is really heavy!” Xu Si exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. “Being able to follow you—this life is worth it!”
Li Zimu was equally thrilled. “Si, if we pull this off, we’ll be masters ourselves! Tonight, at eleven thirty, we’ll make our escape—become real gentlemen!”
The ferocious faces of Wei and his men flashed through Li Zimu’s mind, but greed quickly overshadowed any fear. “To hell with them—no turning back now. If I get out of the country tonight, let’s see how he can touch me!”
The pair had barely stepped out of the car when two patrolling officers happened to pass by. Those with guilty intentions are rarely at ease. Xu Si, still inexperienced, couldn’t help but glance nervously at the officers, unwittingly drawing their attention.
“Chief, two patrol officers are approaching Li Zimu and his companion,” Xiao Wang reported tensely, monitoring the situation.
Officer Li pondered for a moment. “Don’t panic. Keep their radio channels open at all times.”
Xu Si hardly dared to breathe. He whispered to Li Zimu, “Boss, what should we do?”
Li Zimu swallowed hard. “Don’t be afraid. We haven’t stolen or robbed anything—this money came straight from the bank, and we’ve got the receipts.”
“Good morning, gentlemen. Please show your identification,” said the officer politely.
Despite the courteous approach, Xu Si remained tense. “Uh, sir, we’re just out shopping—why do you need to check our IDs?”
Officer One replied, “It’s just a routine inspection. Please cooperate.”
Li Zimu smiled nervously. “Of course, we’ll cooperate.” He pulled out his ID and handed it over, sneaking a glance at the officers.
Officer One reported the ID details to headquarters, but his vigilance did not waver. He then asked Xu Si, “What’s in that big bag you’re carrying? Open it up for us.”
Li Zimu was about to answer, but Officer Two interrupted him. “I wasn’t asking you.” The officer’s alertness heightened, and he turned to Xu Si. “You answer.”
Xu Si felt a chill down his spine. He looked at Li Zimu, then at Officer Two, unable to utter a word.
Seeing Xu Si’s panic, Officer One instinctively stepped back, hand tightly gripping his holstered gun. He barked, “Sir, answer the question—what’s in the bag?!”
“C-clothes,” Xu Si finally stammered.
Officer Two narrowed his eyes. “If it’s just clothes, why not open it for us?”
Li Zimu felt a surge of frustration. “If they drag us back to the station now, my plan to leave the country will be ruined! If the plan fails, I’m done for!”
Noticing Li Zimu’s hesitation, Officer Two grew wary and shouted, “You! Raise your hands above your head and squat down slowly!”
From a distance, Xiao Wang anxiously monitored their movements. “Chief, something seems off here!”
The roar of an engine came from the street—a sports car, unmistakable even without seeing it.
“Xu Si, what are you doing?!” A sleek sports car pulled up, its windows rolling down smoothly. A punk-styled young man stepped out, lips curled in a smirk. “Hey, got the police on your tail? Need a hand?”
Xu Si and Li Zimu, hands raised, were startled. The man removed his sunglasses, revealing his arrogant demeanor.
Both were shocked and relieved. “It’s He Wentian! We’re saved!”
The two officers eyed Ye Dong warily. “Sir, we are conducting official business. Please do not interfere—step back!”
Ye Dong laughed coldly. “The street is full of people—why single me out? Are you looking down on me? Do you know your captain calls me Brother Tian with respect? You two junior officers dare order me to step back?”
Officer One glanced at the luxury car behind Ye Dong and, seeing his swagger, grew irritated. “When we tell you to step back, you step back! Don’t argue.”
Ye Dong, fearless, advanced instead of retreating, stepping toward the officers. “What, just because you have guns you think you’re tough? Hah!”
Seeing Ye Dong unimpressed by the officers’ authority, Xu Si found his own courage. “Yeah, so what if you have guns? Don’t I have any rights?”
Ye Dong sneered. “Did you hear that? Put your toys away.”
“We’ve started video recording. Sir, please show some respect or risk being charged with insulting the police.”
Ye Dong laughed wildly, waving his phone. “You think you can record us and we can’t record you? Sirs, don’t get yourselves charged with insulting citizens!” His audacious arrogance was as infuriating as Liang Lingzhi’s showboating.
What about Liang Lingzhi?
Officer Li shook his head with a wry smile and quietly pressed the button to connect to the officers. “Headquarters, numbers 2087 and 2088, return to base immediately for special operations.”
Officer One and Officer Two exchanged glances, reluctantly pressing their radios. “2087 and 2088, acknowledged, returning now.”
Officer One handed the IDs back to Li Zimu and Xu Si. “If you’re just shopping, don’t act so suspicious in the future.”
He turned to Ye Dong. “And you—show proper respect to law enforcement.”
Ye Dong snorted, then gave the officer a precise salute. “Serving the people!”
The author thinks these two officers have definitely watched too many crime films.
Once the officers were gone, Xu Si and Li Zimu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Ye Dong glanced at them. “What are you carrying—money, isn’t it?”
Li Zimu was startled. “No, we don’t have that kind of money.”
Ye Dong looked at Li Zimu with disdain. “True enough—you both look like paupers.”
He turned to Xu Si. “Xu Si, tonight don’t forget to bring Liang Lingzhi and that thing, and dress properly—otherwise security won’t let you in. Remember, I don’t like waiting.”
Without waiting for a reply, he got back in his sports car and sped off.
Staring after the gleaming taillights, Li Zimu cursed resentfully, “Damn, you think you’re so great just because you have money? Always showing off! And calling me poor!”
Xu Si sighed. “Well, at least he got us out of trouble. He’s got guts—daring to confront the police directly! Let’s not waste time, let’s go!”
Though Li Zimu felt annoyed, he couldn’t help but admire Ye Dong’s fearless words to the officers. “That lunatic is truly bold—even when the officers drew their guns, he didn’t back down at all.”
Time quickly passed to eleven thirty that night. By a grassy spot near a small dock, two figures moved furtively, holding a flashlight and flicking the switch back and forth, its beam flashing toward the sea.
A nearby boat, its lights off, slowly approached. Its own intermittent flashes signaled a reply.
As it turned out, Li Zimu and Xu Si were fans of crime films too.
“Si, our boat is here,” Li Zimu said, face alight with excitement. “Take this—let’s go!”
Xu Si was alarmed. “Boss, why do you have a gun?!”
Li Zimu whispered, “When you’re smuggling, you never know who you’ll meet. You need something to rely on. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
The boatman switched off his flashlight and steered closer, whispering, “Tonight, no going home.”
Li Zimu responded quietly, “Pink Lady.”
“Pay up and get aboard,” the boatman said after exchanging passwords.
Li Zimu handed over a stack of cash. “The usual—ten thousand as a deposit.”
“The usual—no weapons visible,” the boatman replied, taking the money and signaling his crew to set off.
With every meter the smuggling boat left the shore, Li Zimu and Xu Si’s joy grew. When the shore was out of sight, Xu Si clutched his pistol tightly. “Boss, we’re really escaping now!”
Li Zimu nodded fervently. “Si, we’re true brothers in adversity!”
Tears welled in Xu Si’s eyes. “Boss, thank you!”
Suddenly, the boatman rushed in, panicked. “Bad news, customs are here!”
“Whoo! Whoo whoo!” The customs speedboat raced toward them, its loudspeaker blaring warnings. “Attention, vessel ahead! Stop immediately, all personnel onboard drop everything and prepare for inspection!”
“Damn! Why did customs show up now? We were just one step away!” Li Zimu gritted his teeth, glaring at the armed customs officers and cursing under his breath...