Chapter 85: High-End Goods

Watching Xiao Liu slowly disappear down the distant street, I felt a surge of anger and immediately sent a message back to Zhang Hua Nan: “Are you out of your mind? Don’t contact me.”

What surprised me was that Zhang Hua Nan on the other end of the line didn’t respond at all after receiving the message.

I had no choice but to pull out the cigarette I had hidden in my pocket and light another one.

As time ticked by, my impatience grew. Staking out someone who might never show up was just a waste of my time.

Just as I was about to finish the cigarette in my hand, I heard the car door open. I thought it was Xiao Liu returning, but the person sat directly in the back seat.

“Officer Li, long time no see.”

A voice I hadn’t heard in years echoed from behind me, making me shudder.

Zhang Hua Nan.

“You’re insane! Do you know what kind of car this is?”

Zhang Hua Nan took the cigarette butt from my hand and inhaled deeply.

“What kind of car? It doesn’t look like a police car.”

From the rearview mirror, I saw his casual expression, which only fueled my anger. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll drive you straight to the police station right now?”

“Oh? Old Li, we’re in this together, like grasshoppers on a string.” Zhang Hua Nan sneered at me. “Seven years ago, when you arrested me, I gave you 100,000 yuan for Xuan Xuan’s medical treatment. Are you forgetting that favor?”

“I’ve already repaid that favor a long time ago.” I gritted my teeth, my mind in turmoil. I never should have gotten involved with this scum in the first place. “I told you to lay low, but you keep getting mixed up in cases… I should have sent you to the police station myself.”

“Is that how you talk to the person who saved Xuan Xuan’s life?” Zhang Hua Nan tossed the finished cigarette butt out the window. “Xuan Xuan’s in elementary school now, right? I think it’s fourth grade, class six?”

“You…” Hearing Xuan Xuan’s name come from this scum’s mouth made me furious beyond words. “If you dare lay a finger on Xuan Xuan, I’ll tear you apart.”

“It’s mutual.” Zhang Hua Nan smiled. “Help me evade the police, and I won’t touch her.”

Deep down, I knew that once I boarded this pirate ship, I’d never get off.

Seven years ago, when I arrested Zhang Hua Nan, he suddenly offered me 100,000 yuan to buy his freedom.

Though I’ve always hated evil, my daughter Xuan Xuan had a rare disease called Ke Li Ge Le Na Jia Er Zong He Zheng. The doctor explained how rare it was and described various treatments, but I didn’t understand a word of it.

All I knew was that Xuan Xuan needed a liver transplant, and I needed money.

Zhang Hua Nan’s 100,000 yuan did save Xuan Xuan’s life.

But from that day on, I was entangled with this scum.

If I didn’t help him escape the police time and again, he’d threaten to expose what happened back then.

Zhang Hua Nan didn’t have “exceptional anti-surveillance skills”—he just had my help.

I couldn’t let anything happen to Xuan Xuan. She’s the daughter of my late comrade, and she’s called me “dad” for ten years, so she’s my daughter.

“Zhang Hua Nan, I have my limits.” I looked at the scum in the rearview mirror and said, “If you don’t want to get caught, you’d better stay clean from now on. Otherwise, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Damn…” Zhang Hua Nan’s expression turned cold and vicious. “Li Shang Wu, are you trying to negotiate with me? If I get caught, my brothers on the streets won’t let Xuan Xuan off easy.”

Those words hit me hard.

“What do you mean?”

“It means you’d better be a good dog for me and stop getting any ideas.” Zhang Hua Nan kicked the back of the front seat. “Otherwise, I’ll not only ruin your reputation but also destroy your family.”

I glanced at him in the rearview mirror, a thought flashing through my mind.

If Zhang Hua Nan were arrested, things would get complicated. Ruining my own reputation wouldn’t matter—I deserve the consequences for my mistakes.

But what about Xuan Xuan?

So, Zhang Hua Nan couldn’t be arrested.

He had to die.

I was tired of helping this fraudster every day and living with a guilty conscience.

Now that Xuan Xuan’s illness was cured, it was time for me to settle my debts.

Leaving Zhang Hua Nan alive would only let him harm more people.

If I could go back in time, I’d choose to send him to prison back then, instead of carrying this burden of guilt for so many years.

But I wonder, if I had done that… would Xuan Xuan forgive me?

“Zhang Hua Nan, have you eaten yet?” I asked casually.

“Eaten?” He seemed puzzled, not understanding my point.

“I’ve been staking you out for days. Let me take you out for a good meal. Forget what I said earlier—just ignore it.”

“Now that’s more like it.” Zhang Hua Nan leaned back in the seat and stretched lazily. “You guys staked me out for three days straight, and I’ve been eating instant noodles the whole time.”

I nodded, started the car, and put it in gear.

Now, I needed to find a secluded spot where Zhang Hua Nan’s body wouldn’t be discovered for a while. I’d definitely get caught, but I had to arrange things for Xuan Xuan first.

As I drove slowly, I quietly released the safety on my gun at my waist.

Zhang Hua Nan was in the back seat with his eyes half-closed, resting.

Seeing this, I steered the car into a nearby alley.

But before I could fully stop, Zhang Hua Nan suddenly attacked. He looped a hard wire around my neck from behind.

I realized immediately that this guy was trying to kill me.

“Zhang Hua Nan… you’re asking for it…” I gritted my teeth and struggled to pull the wire from my neck, but my legs were pinned by the steering wheel.

“You’re quite the schemer, Officer Li…” Zhang Hua Nan tightened the wire as he spoke. “You were staking me out with someone else, right? And now you’re taking me out for a meal… Doesn’t that seem off? Won’t the other person report you missing to the team?”

In just ten seconds, my vision started to darken.

Zhang Hua Nan was really going for the kill. I knew that if I died, Xuan Xuan would be in grave danger.

Thinking of that, I quickly drew my gun from my waist and fired three shots backward without aiming.

In the enclosed car, the gunshots were deafening, ringing in my ears.

“I gave you money to spend… and you still try to kill me?!” Zhang Hua Nan yelled angrily, pulling even harder.

The pressure was intense—I felt like my veins were about to burst.

In desperation, I pressed the button on the seat to recline it. If I could lay the seat back, I might still escape.

But I forgot.

This luxury car reclines slowly and smoothly, probably for comfort or to protect the back—maybe so people can rest easy when they’re tired.

At this slow pace, my vision went completely black.

You get what you pay for—luxury has its reasons.

At least my back doesn’t hurt.