Chapter 22: Regretful Father, Crying Bitterly

Chapter 22: The Repentant Father Weeps Bitterly

The airwaves were saturated with Jiang Mingshan's despicable deeds.

The Hong Kong media, stunned by the bombshell news, were thrilled and eager to rush back to their offices for overtime.

Jiang Mingshan, the Hong Kong businessman, a notorious wrongdoer—what a hot topic!

Anyone who capitalized on this story was bound to make a fortune.

Almost all newspapers rushed to print extra editions.

Reporters scrambled across the city, tracking down more victims and uncovering more of the Jiang family’s secrets, wearing down their shoe leather in the process.

Two offset printers in Hong Kong’s printing factories broke down from the sheer volume of newspapers being printed.

The outcry against Jiang Mingshan escalated, pushing the Jiang family into the eye of the storm.

Jiang Hanyu was losing his mind.

He couldn’t understand why things had suddenly turned out this way.

In the past, the Jiang family’s companies had faced investigations, but each time, the matter was quietly swept under the rug.

Even when the police disclosed details, it never caused much public stir.

But this time…

Jiang Hanyu glared contemptuously at the gate of Jiangting Manor.

A large crowd of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, had gathered there, almost breaching the security barriers. The cacophony from the entrance could even be heard inside the house!

Enraged, he slammed the crystal glass on the table.

The glass hit the bookshelf by the wall and shattered into pieces.

Jiang Hanyu lowered his head, gasping, lips parted, closing his eyes to calm himself.

The top priority was to stabilize the media and escape this mess.

Otherwise, the group’s stock price would completely tank on the HKEX!

What he wanted was the Jiangting Group at its peak, not a ruin!

His face pale, Jiang Hanyu took a few steps toward the landline phone before his vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

Just before blacking out completely, he remembered what the family doctor had said: "Myelofibrosis affects the hematopoietic system. If a suitable blood source isn’t found soon, your anemia will gradually worsen, and you may even faint."

Jian Ruochen, blood...

·

"Haa-choo!" Jian Ruochen sneezed.

It was so loud it made Guan Yingjun, who was about to assign tasks, stop short. "Are you getting sick?"

Jian Ruochen pinched the bridge of his nose. "No."

Perhaps someone was cursing him. "Go on."

Guan Yingjun withdrew his gaze and issued commands decisively, swiftly, and methodically: "Bi Wanwan, communicate with the ship staff, change into a waitress outfit, push the meal cart, search the five first-class cabins for Jiang Mingshan’s cabin, and find an opportunity to plant the listening device."

Bi Wanwan: "Yes, sir."

Guan Yingjun looked at Zhang Xingzong: "You talk to the captain, give the communicator to the helmsman, and have them coordinate with us at all times. To prevent the ship’s crew from being involved in the major heist and becoming alert upon seeing the police, tell them we’re here to bust drug dealers."

Zhang Xingzong: "Understood."

Guan Yingjun: "Everyone synchronize your watches. It’s 3:30 PM now. I’m giving you fifteen minutes. Return to the cabin in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir!"

Guan Yingjun: "I’ve been on television, so I can’t be seen. The rest of you, spread out and check through the cabins for any suspicious individuals."

"Fifteen minutes. Go."

Jian Ruochen stood up, intending to follow Sizheng Liu. After taking a few steps, his wrist was grabbed.

Guan Yingjun said, "You’re too conspicuous. Don’t follow. It’s easy to expose us."

True enough.

Jian Ruochen let himself be pulled back down and watched as Guan Yingjun pulled a pure black fisherman’s hat from his pocket, shook it out, and put it on his head. The brim drooped down, covering the bridge of his nose and revealing only his defined nose and thin lips.

He looked even more like a mob boss now—no acting required.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock at the cabin door.

Jian Ruochen looked at Bi Wanwan’s silhouette against the frosted glass and said, "Come in."

The sliding door opened, and Bi Wanwan stood outside pushing a meal cart. The first tier held candies and snacks, the second tier contained insulated food containers, and a cloth bag on the side held contraceptives and card games.

The cover was thorough.

Bi Wanwan’s hair was wrapped in a scarf like a real waitress, her voice polite and sweet. "What would you like, sir?"

Jian Ruochen played along: "Get me two decks of cards, and can you make change, miss?"

Bi Wanwan nearly broke character, pausing for a second before taking the bill and handing over the cards and change. "Enjoy your journey."

She pushed the cart away.

Jian Ruochen listened to the sound of the next cabin door being knocked and walked back to unwrap the cards.

Guan Yingjun asked casually, "Why did you buy these?"

"To buy time." Jian Ruochen began shuffling the cards. At first, his movements were slightly stiff, but soon the cards slid together smoothly.

"There are five first-class cabins in total. Bi Wanwan started knocking from our Cabin 3 and didn’t knock on Cabins 4 and 5. If she reaches Cabin 1 too quickly, it might arouse Jiang Mingshan’s suspicion."

Guan Yingjun fell silent for a few seconds before praising, "When it comes to meticulousness and reading people, no one in West Kowloon can match you."

As the last word fell, Jian Ruochen was stunned, so startled that he fumbled, dropping a card.

Since when did Guan Yingjun start giving compliments?

Five minutes later.

Bi Wanwan changed back into civilian clothes and returned with the others who had received their assignments.

Guan Yingjun asked, "All done?"

"Done, sir."

Guan Yingjun: "How many suspects did you find?"

"Only three are confirmed so far: Pockmark, Blondie, and the newspaper seller. Their features are quite distinct... It's tough, sir. There's too little information from the ferry robbery—they wore masks during the crime, and the victims' testimony is mostly useless."

Sizheng Liu sighed, "At this rate, are we only going to catch three?"

"Don’t rush. The ship won’t dock for another hour and forty-five minutes." Guan Yingjun opened the monitoring case, connected the device to the listening device, and turned on the speaker.

The speaker crackled, and Jiang Mingshan’s voice came through.

"Eat shit, you idiot!" Jiang Mingshan slammed the table. "How could you mess up such a simple task?"

"Sorry. After I installed it, I must’ve touched something, and it suddenly lit up."

The '90s equipment was of mediocre quality, buzzing and crackling. Everyone leaned in closer to listen.

Jian Ruochen listened intently, stretching his neck forward with focused eyes.

His pale neck swayed in front of Guan Yingjun, who pressed his lips together, looked away, leaned back in his chair, and continued listening with downcast eyes.

Jiang Mingshan cursed, "Idiot!"

After a pause, he said, "In for a penny, in for a pound. Go gather the crew. Find a way to strip the ship clean. Don’t worry about the consequences!"

Jian Ruochen whispered, "If he calls everyone over, we’ll know how many there are."

Zhang Xingzong was puzzled. "How would we know? Send Bi Wanwan in again as a waitress to count? Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?"

"Count footsteps," Jian Ruochen said, a bit surprised. "Didn't they teach you that at the Police Academy?"

Zhang Xingzong: ...

The Police Academy only lasted 27 weeks, barely half a year. When would they teach such skills?

Only those selected for CIB and trained as undercover officers would learn this in detail.

"Do you have some misunderstanding about the Police Academy? We’re not that amazing."

Jian Ruochen: ...

But his school taught it.

He sighed. "Never mind, I'll do it."

Guan Yingjun’s gaze fell on Jian Ruochen’s head. He lowered his eyes and said, "Everyone quiet, let him listen."

Soon, multiple footsteps echoed outside the cabin.

Jian Ruochen closed his eyes, listened for a moment, and said, "Six people, no women. One has a limp—he has a large set of keys hanging from his waist, making an uneven jingling sound... Another has a lighter build."

"It’s Skinny Monkey!" Sizheng Liu whispered excitedly. "That matches."

The ferry robbery victim reports had been compiled earlier.

By the time Jian Ruochen joined the investigation, the compilation was nearly finished, so he hadn’t seen any victim reports or the nicknames A-Squad had given the suspects.

Jian Ruochen actually could tell!

Zhang Xingzong was amazed. "Aren’t you a psychologist? How do you even know CIB skills? Detective Guan doesn’t know this."

Jian Ruochen glanced at Guan Yingjun, whose expression was unreadable, and whispered, "I thought everyone knew. Isn’t this how it’s always shown on TV? So I learned it."

Guan Yingjun curled his lip but didn’t question him as he usually would. "Keep monitoring."

Jiang Mingshan was calling roll on the other end. "I don’t care how you do it, but ransack the ship in 30 minutes, then gather at the lifeboat deployment area."

"That idiot Skinny Monkey accidentally triggered the countdown switch while installing the bomb!"

Guan Yingjun sat up straight immediately.

The listening device picked up the group’s frantic voices.

"I knew we shouldn’t have brought bombs!"

"Jiang Mingshan said to go for a big score—it’s not my fault!"

"He said go big, so you did? If he told you to eat shit, would you do that too?"

Jiang Mingshan bellowed, "Stop arguing!"

His voice turned grim. "So what if it’s activated? Only we know. Take the valuables and get out. Once the ship sinks, no one will ever know."

"Are you all working for Lu Qian too scared to pull off a big job?"

Everyone gritted their teeth, exchanged glances, and realized they had no other choice.

"Let’s do it!"

"Start searching from first class!"

"There might be competition on board this time. Should we avoid them?"

"Check them out first! They’re all dead men anyway. If they’re too tough, we’ll just ask them to give us a cut, then sink them all into the sea. Hehehe."

Jian Ruochen’s expression changed.

The sound of Cabin 1’s door being slid open came through the listening device.

Guan Yingjun quickly shut the suitcase. "Sizheng Liu, Bi Wanwan, Zhang Xingzong—exit through the porthole. The rest of you stay: two by the door, two scattered near me. Hurry!"

Jian Ruochen watched as the relatively frail Zhang Xingzong opened the porthole, used his belt for support, and slid out and hung there.

The footsteps grew closer. Sounds of pleading and sobbing came from Cabin 2—they were being robbed.

Once the three were safely positioned outside, Guan Yingjun closed the porthole with one hand and pulled Jian Ruochen closer with the other. "Sorry about this."

"It's fine." Jian Ruochen’s voice tightened, his back drenched in sweat. After all, he wasn't even graduated yet—this was his first real assignment.

Bi Wanwan watched for a moment and said, "You two don't seem very familiar with each other, not like you're together."

Jian Ruochen made up his mind, took off his sky-blue down jacket, threw it on the floor, and tugged his sweater upward.

Guan Yingjun grabbed the sweater that was riding up, covering Jian Ruochen’s nearly exposed navel. "No need."

He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and shook his leg. "Sit here, facing away from the door."

Guan Yingjun shrugged off his overcoat and set it aside.

The pleading sounds from Cabin 2 faded, replaced by low sobbing, followed by the sound of a cabin door opening.

The footsteps were getting closer.

Jian Ruochen grew anxious, grabbing Guan Yingjun’s collar and sitting on his lap.

Guan Yingjun held the cigarette between his lips.

They counted the footsteps.

Click, click.

The sound of leather shoes stopped at the door.

The visitor knocked politely twice, then without waiting for a response, yanked the sliding door open!

In that instant, Guan Yingjun pulled the overcoat up, wrapping it around Jian Ruochen's head and shoulders.

The person at the door froze, catching only a flash of pale skin.

As his eyes searched under the coat, he heard the sound of a gun being cocked before he could see anything.

Guan Yingjun held the person with one arm, his service weapon in the other hand, cigarette in his mouth, his words slightly muffled. "What are you looking at?"

"Misunderstanding, brother, misunderstanding." The man’s eyes darted around, noticing the four people standing in the room. He chuckled, "Brother, you brought muscle for this? We’re in the same line of work. Just trying to make some extra cash on this trip. You enjoy yourself here, don’t compete with me, alright?"

Jian Ruochen leaned against Guan Yingjun, feeling Guan's heart pounding faster and faster.

Was the guy outside trying to see who was under the coat?

His appearance was too distinctive; he couldn’t let them lift the coat and check.

They couldn’t blow their cover—there was still a bomb on the ship.

Jian Ruochen pushed up his sleeve, reached out from under the coat, and touched Guan Yingjun’s lips. He took the cigarette, inhaled, and exhaled, lowering his voice, "So annoying. Is money more important than me?"

Only a few fingers were visible, but the person at the door was staring intently.

Guan Yingjun clicked off the safety on his gun. "Still looking?"

"Alright, alright, won’t look, sorry, sister-in-law." The man nodded apologetically and closed the door as he left.

Jian Ruochen was about to sigh in relief but didn’t hear the sound of departing footsteps.

This person was wearing leather shoes—how could there be no sound of heels clicking on the floor?

"He didn’t leave." Jian Ruochen stopped Guan Yingjun from moving. "He’s still outside."

Ding Gao clenched his fist, and Huo Mingxuan beside him was just as nervous, his forehead covered in sweat.

These people were quite cautious.

What now?

Guan Yingjun also looked at Jian Ruochen.

What to do?

Jian Ruochen was silent for a few seconds. "Sorry for the offense, Detective Guan."

Guan Yingjun didn’t quite understand.

Wasn’t he the one at a disadvantage here?

Jian Ruochen cleared his throat, slapped Guan Yingjun’s shoulder loudly, and said, "You freeze up every time someone comes in. You got no energy?!"

Guan Yingjun: "..."

The person outside: "..."

So arrogant, but apparently not up to the task.

No longer suspicious, he led his men to open Cabin 3’s door.

Jian Ruochen finally let out a long sigh of relief, scrambling off Guan Yingjun’s lap. "Just part of the job, Detective Guan. Don’t be mad. I’ll treat you to a meal later."

Guan Yingjun didn’t respond, putting on his overcoat and opening the porthole.

Huo Mingxuan’s eyes were staring blankly.

Detective Guan had never been in a relationship, and there were some rumors in the precinct, but everyone just gossiped privately. Who would dare say something like that to his face?

Jian Ruochen had guts.

Zhang Xingzong and the others slipped in through the porthole with a whoosh.

No one focused on what had just happened—this was the most efficient solution, least likely to raise suspicion.

Guan Yingjun spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. "Spread out and find the bomb."

He took Jian Ruochen’s watch off and handed it back. "Hold onto this."

A luxury watch could save a life in a critical moment. Jian Ruochen couldn’t fight, so he needed this as a precaution.

Jian Ruochen said, "Their bomb is on a countdown. How will you manage without a watch?"

"Pagers have stopwatches."

Hearing this, Jian Ruochen took the suede watch and put it back on his wrist.

The back of the metal dial was still warm.

Guan Yingjun said, "I’ll go apprehend Jiang Mingshan. Your task is to find the bomb. Don’t go easy on any suspects—if they resist, break their legs first. I’ll take responsibility if higher-ups ask."

The officers filed out.

Guan Yingjun left, and soon a loud noise came from Cabin 1.

Then Jiang Mingshan was dragged back to Cabin 3 like a dog.

Guan Yingjun wasn't content with just handcuffing Jiang Mingshan; he took out plastic restraints to secure his arms and legs.

Jian Ruochen: "..."

Is this what "no escape even if you had wings" means?

Guan Yingjun asked, "Can I kick him?"

After all, this was also Jian Ruochen's biological father.

Jian Ruochen said, "Suit yourself."

Jiang Mingshan cursed, "You damn—ahh!"

His calf twisted unnaturally to the side—Guan Yingjun had kicked his leg so hard his thigh dislocated.

Jian Ruochen: "..."

Call that a kick?

Guan Yingjun raised his gun and aimed it at the wailing Jiang Mingshan on the ground. "Talk! Where did you plant the bomb?"

The times had changed. Jiang Mingshan didn’t dare to keep screaming.

He pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

Guan Yingjun asked, "Do you even know what’s happening ashore? Still playing tough here?"

Jian Ruochen cooperatively turned on the radio on the table, letting Jiang Mingshan hear how far the Jiang family had fallen.

"The Jiang family committed tax evasion and is expected to pay 800 million in compensation."

"HKEX reports: Jiangting Group's stocks have plummeted."

"Police report: KTV hostesses who were lured and assaulted by Jiang Mingshan have jointly submitted evidence to the police and are filing a collective lawsuit against him."

"Police report: Jiang Mingshan’s technology group is suspected of smuggling; illegal proceeds will be confiscated."

"Tabloids report: Jiang Mingshan’s only son, Jiang Hanyu, collapsed at home today."

"When he came to, Jiang Hanyu faced questioning from police and media, stating that those who do wrong should admit it, accept the consequences, and face legal judgment. He expressed hope that his father would wake up and surrender."

Jian Ruochen raised an eyebrow. Jiang Hanyu was even more ruthless than he’d imagined—directly abandoning Jiang Mingshan and seizing the chance to take control of Jiangting Group!

But the net of justice may be wide, but it lets nothing through.

Jian Ruochen smiled at the stunned Jiang Mingshan. "Mr. Jiang, where did you plant the bomb?"

Guan Yingjun pressed the gun to Jiang Mingshan’s forehead and asked more bluntly, "Do you want to die on this ship, leaving your life’s work to the adopted son you used as a pawn? Or do you want to live in prison? As long as you’re alive, your son won’t inherit your assets."

Jiang Mingshan wanted neither option.

He looked at Jian Ruochen and, for the first time, felt true regret.

How could he have been so foolish!

Jian Ruochen was his only biological son.

His son was now accomplished, but no longer obeyed him unquestioningly.

What had he done?

Jiang Mingshan crawled to Jian Ruochen’s feet, tears streaming down his face. "Xiao Chen, help me, save me. I was wrong, I truly was."

The Jian Ruochen of the past would bring him a thermos of hot soup when he was sick.

But he’d found the thermos unclean and never drank it.

The Jian Ruochen of the past would knit him gloves in winter.

But he’d never worn those poorly made, clumsy things, and now he couldn’t even remember what they looked like.

The Jian Ruochen of the past had longed for paternal affection so desperately, so obedient and understanding.

But he’d never appreciated his own son.

If he hadn’t acted that way back then, would things be completely different now?

Jiang Mingshan broke down, weeping bitterly, his face streaked with tears.

His fingers clutched at Jian Ruochen’s pants. "I was wrong, think of something! The company can’t fall into outsiders’ hands!"

He seemed dazed, as if long ago, Jian Ruochen had also wept and begged like this.

What had he done back then?

He’d slapped Jian Ruochen...

It’s over. Everything is over.

·

Jian Ruochen didn’t answer directly. "Where is the bomb? If we die, how can we help you?"

For once, Jiang Mingshan was shrewd: "You’re lying to me."

His face was filthy, his expression both ridiculous and twisted.

"You even sent Jiang Yongyan to prison!"

Jiang Mingshan squirmed like a maggot, thrashing like a fish.

Jian Ruochen heard a faint beep.

Jiang Mingshan let out a crazed laugh.

Guan Yingjun stomped on his stomach and retrieved a remote control the size of a phone from his pocket.

The red numbers on it originally read 00:30:00, but the moment he took it out, they changed to—"00:09:59".

A ten-minute countdown!

Jiang Mingshan laughed maniacally, "Hahaha, the bomb is on the hull framework beneath the deck! Go on, try to defuse it! Try it!"

He gasped breathlessly. "Or you can escape on a lifeboat and leave everyone else on the ship. Police? Hah, will the police let a whole shipload of people die? Choose!"

Jian Ruochen glanced down at Jiang Mingshan with a sneer, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you live to stand trial. I’ll make you watch your family fall apart, bit by bit."

What a coincidence.

He happens to know a little about defusing bombs.