Chapter 24: The King of Hell Laughs, Life and Death Are Uncertain

Chapter 24: When the King of Hell Smiles, Life and Death Are Unpredictable

The moment Jian Ruochen’s words fell, the man’s pupils contracted to pinpricks, and a look of astonishment spread across his face.

Jian Ruochen lowered his gaze, pondered for a moment, then stated with certainty, “It’s Lu Qian.”

The patrol officer from the Sham Shui Po detention center looked dazed, his lips quivering as he stammered in defense, “No, no one sent me. I came on my own…”

Guan Yingjun let out a cold laugh and snapped, “Be honest!”

The suspect flinched violently.

Jian Ruochen nudged Guan Yingjun with his elbow. “Take it easy, Detective Guan. Be nicer to suspects who turn themselves in. If you’re so harsh, you’ll scare off those who actually want to confess.”

He went to get a cup of water and handed it to the suspect. “What’s your name?”

“Ding… Ding Jiamin.”

Ding Jiamin took the paper cup, clutching it without drinking, and looked up with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Jian Ruochen allowed him to scrutinize him. “Tell me, did Lu Qian send you to confess?”

“Don’t worry. No matter who sent you, it won’t change the fact that you turned yourself in and are actively admitting your mistakes.”

Before he could finish speaking, a voice abruptly cut in from the entrance of Major Case Team A: “Why couldn’t it be Jiang Hanyu?”

Zhang Xingzong walked in carrying three takeout boxes of food. “The biggest beneficiary if Jiang Mingshan is sentenced to death would be him. Jiang Hanyu would immediately inherit all of Jiang Mingshan’s assets.”

He held an oil-paper-wrapped roast goose leg in his hand, leaning over to place the food on Guan Yingjun’s desk, blinking curiously.

Jian Ruochen’s nose was filled with the aroma of food, making his stomach rumble even more.

He was dying to eat…

He spoke faster. “Because Jiang Hanyu has already cut ties with Jiang Mingshan and single-handedly stabilized Jiangting Group’s stock prices, effectively making Jiang Mingshan a discarded pawn by the board. Jiang Hanyu has already gotten what he wanted. All he needs to do now is gradually take control. There’s no need for him to go to such lengths.”

“Lu Qian is different. Lu Qian’s Tianquandu Entertainment City was investigated by the police, and it’s been operating at a loss for days. He’s in desperate need of money right now. Lu Qian can’t wait for Jiang Hanyu to slowly take control, so…”

Zhang Xingzong slapped his thigh excitedly. “So he urged Ding Jiamin to confess, get Jiang Mingshan sentenced to death, so Jiang Hanyu can inherit the fortune as quickly as possible, and then use their marital relationship to get a cut of the money!”

He slapped his thigh several more times, as if applauding Jian Ruochen. “There’s actually this layer to it! How did I not think of it? You’re really amazing!”

Jian Ruochen glanced at the goose leg wobbling in Zhang’s hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Guan Yingjun chuckled softly.

Consultant Jian of Major Case Team A, sharp-minded and quick-thinking, was so hungry his eyes were practically falling into the food box.

He rubbed his fingers and asked unhurriedly, “Zhang Xingzong, have you eaten yet?”

“Yeah, I have.” Zhang Xingzong looked puzzled. “Ah Zheng and the others are still eating downstairs. I saw you hadn’t come down, so I brought three portions for you and Ding Gao.”

Guan Yingjun glanced toward the door. “First, take Ding Jiamin to the interrogation room and question him properly. We’ll handle the rest after we finish eating.”

Zhang Xingzong stood at attention. “Yes, sir!”

Ah, Jian Ruochen’s reasoning was so sharp and brilliant. He was so engrossed he almost forgot Detective Guan and Consultant Jian hadn’t eaten yet.

Beside him, Ding Jiamin looked dazed and baffled.

How did this happen?

He hadn’t said anything, yet it felt like he’d sold out Lu Qian.

Was Jian Ruochen some kind of ghost who could read minds?

Ding Jiamin shuddered, fear and timidity flooding him all at once.

·

Once everyone left.

Jian Ruochen immediately sat down in front of the food box and dug in.

Guan Yingjun lowered his eyes and leisurely opened the lid. “The person Jiang Mingshan wanted to curry favor with has become the last straw that broke him.”

Human nature, once dominated by greed and desire, could become so ugly.

Now, Hong Kong appeared prosperous and calm.

But beneath the surface, undercurrents surged. The malignant tumors were like potatoes—dig one up, and a long string follows, covered in muddy soil.

Guan Yingjun stared at the food box, not moving his chopsticks for a long while, then scoffed lightly. “Lu Qian has done a good deed, in a way.”

“Mmhmm.” Jian Ruochen mumbled. “With this witness, Jiang Mingshan has absolutely no chance of turning things around now.”

Mmhmm?

Guan Yingjun looked up and saw Jian Ruochen already gnawing on a roast goose leg bone.

His cheeks were stuffed full, showing none of the composure and maturity he had when disarming bombs or solving cases.

The food box lid was tossed aside, with a clump of plain white rice that hadn’t been touched by the roast goose sauce, along with three blanched green vegetables he’d picked out and discarded.

Even his picky eating was done with unapologetic confidence.

He didn’t seem like a student from a poor background who had suffered.

More like someone who had been pampered growing up.

Guan Yingjun discreetly moved the discarded food into his own box. “Rich food is hard on the body. Eat more plain boiled vegetables from now on.”

Jian Ruochen replied, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

Plain boiled vegetables? How boring.

The point of living was to eat fried chicken, beer, milk tea, and skewers.

He lowered his gaze to the vegetables Guan Yingjun had taken, feeling unusually guilty.

Back at the police academy and the compound, he’d always eaten in the cafeteria. He could avoid dishes he didn’t like. This was the first time he’d ever picked at his food.

Jian Ruochen used a clean spoon to place two pieces of roast goose leg meat into Guan Yingjun’s box, announcing seriously, “Thank you, Detective Guan, for helping me finish the bland vegetables and plain rice. This piece is your salary, and this piece is your bonus.”

Guan Yingjun’s temple twitched. “Trying to butter me up?”

Jian Ruochen replied without hesitation, “This is what you’ve earned. If you think it’s too much, I can accept some change.”

This was a transaction—how could it be called buttering up?

He glanced at the goose drumstick bone in Guan Yingjun’s lunchbox.

Having defused a bomb together, they shared a bond forged in life-or-death. If there was any change due, he’d gladly take this.

Guan Yingjun: …

He picked it up with his chopsticks and passed it over. “Here.”

Jian Ruochen smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Thank you, Detective Guan~”

Guan Yingjun picked up his cup and took a sip of cold water, saying resignedly, “Hurry up and eat.”

Food cooled quickly in winter.

As the evening lights came on.

The two finished their dinner.

Guan Yingjun took the initiative to clean up the trash and took it outside to throw away. When he returned, he saw Jian Ruochen opening the office windows one by one to air out the lingering odors in the air.

The wind rustled through the case files piled on the desk and floor. Jian Ruochen then placed heavy objects on the A4 papers most likely to fly away.

Guan Yingjun’s expression paused thoughtfully, a slight smile touching his lips.

“Detective Guan? Why are you standing here? What are you looking at?” Zhang Xingzong approached, holding Ding Jiamin’s confession record form.

Before his gaze could wander over, the document in his hand was snatched away.

“He spilled everything?” Guan Yingjun leaned against the doorframe, flipping through the file.

Zhang Xingzong’s attention was immediately diverted. “He did, exactly as Jian Ruochen said! Lu Qian even gave Ding Jiamin a sum of money. Ding Jiamin was afraid of having his illegal gains confiscated, which is why he didn’t reveal Lu Qian’s name.”

He said enviously, “Detective Guan, when do you think I’ll be as smart as Jian Ruochen? This time, he got the answer without even asking. So cool!”

Guan Yingjun shot a glance at Zhang Xingzong. “Eat more protein—meat, eggs, and milk.”

Dreaming would be faster.

He finished reading the confession record and frowned. “Ding Jiamin didn’t know Lu Qian and Jiang Mingshan were accomplices?”

“Seems not…” Zhang Xingzong said dejectedly. “Should we have Jian Ruochen question him again?”

Guan Yingjun: “No need. Ding Jiamin was probably just a messenger; he doesn’t know much.”

Zhang Xingzong: “Should we delay this case then?”

Although Hong Kong’s court system follows a three-tiered judicial system, the conditions for appeal are strict.

So, the police often delay cases with insufficient evidence, waiting until they have enough to prosecute the perpetrator.

That way, they can ensure a decisive, conviction-ready strike.

Guan Yingjun flipped through the file again and shook his head. “No. Delaying it won’t help convict Lu Qian. Ding Jiamin only met Lu Qian before turning himself in. His testimony is only useful against Jiang Mingshan.”

Zhang Xingzong’s zeal ignited. “I want these scumbags dead!”

The sense of achievement from rooting out societal decay was unbeatable.

Overtime it is!

Here, Zhang Xingzong was fired up and decided to work overtime.

There, Jian Ruochen packed his things and peeked over at Guan Yingjun. “Nothing else for me, right?”

Clock-out time?

Zhang Xingzong: Huh?

Guan Yingjun chuckled. “Yeah, the rest is our work. Take these few days to rest at home. You’ve worked hard.”

Jian Ruochen gave a mock salute quite seriously. “Yes, sir. You’re even more charming when giving time off than when backing someone up.”

Guan Yingjun’s fingers twitched with amusement as he quietly watched Jian Ruochen, who dashed off right after speaking, until his figure quickly disappeared at the stairwell entrance.

·

The intense and thrilling major robbery case had drained too much energy, and the bomb disposal had been even more mentally exhausting.

As soon as Jian Ruochen got home, he collapsed into bed and slept like a log.

After three days of eating and lazing around, he still hadn’t fully recovered.

Meanwhile.

The entire Major Case Team A had been working round the clock for three days straight on Jiang Mingshan’s case, with everyone sleeping at the police station.

They first organized all the case files, then extracted partial confessions about the major robbery from the six thugs they’d rounded up.

These six were pushovers.

As soon as Guan Yingjun kicked the interrogation table, they immediately spilled their guts in terror and confessed.

The six mouths blabbered anything, each one wept and begged, “Have mercy, sir!” but none mentioned Lu Qian or any drug involvement.

When questioned, they claimed they didn’t know, had no idea.

Guan Yingjun’s temper was so fierce the entire Major Crimes Unit kept their distance, not even daring to speak loudly while brewing tea and chatting in the break room.

“What’s going on with Team A? Wasn’t the major robbery solved?”

“Not completely. The people they caught are stubbornly denying any connection to Lu Qian.”

“Ah… well, it’s fine. Seeing Team A’s performance skyrocket was making me a bit jealous. Now I feel a little better.”

“Why hasn’t that consultant come to work? His interrogation skills are so strong; let him give it a try.”

“Did they have a fallout? Guan Yingjun looks so grim. If I were on his team, I’d have had enough long ago.”

“If you knew who the criminal was but couldn’t get a conviction, you’d be furious too.”

“Let’s see how they handle this. If these people don’t admit to the previous major robbery, Team A won’t be able to wrap up the case.”

·

On the fourth morning, Guan Yingjun, worn down by days of sleepless nights and pent-up anger, finally couldn’t take it anymore. He went to the break room, made an extra-strong coffee, and placed a call to Jian Ruochen, who was on leave.

Jian Ruochen was jolted awake by the ringtone. He answered and sat up in bed, checking the time.

5:30 a.m.…

“The sun isn’t even up yet!”

He half-squinted, sat in a daze for a moment before lying back down, asking drowsily, “Isn’t the case over? What’s the matter? Is there a new case?”

The voice of someone not fully awake was muddled, carrying a hint of slight reluctance.

Guan Yingjun’s annoyance instantly faded, and his ears felt slightly warm.

He switched the phone to his other ear, lowering his voice, “Did I wake you? Monkey and the others refuse to implicate Lu Qian, only admitting they were ordered by Jiang Mingshan. This way, we can’t wrap up the ferry robbery case. For the same case, it’s hard for the prosecution to accept the police adding new suspects after the first trial has concluded.”

Guan Yingjun took a sip of coffee, catching sight of someone snooping around the breakroom out of the corner of his eye, seemingly eavesdropping.

“Oh, oh, it’s fine,” Jian Ruochen mumbled sleepily, like he was half-asleep, “Just file the case as two separate reports. Separate the first heist from the second. The first was Lu Qian, the second was Jiang Mingshan.”

“File the second report first. The prosecution can’t be certain the two heists are definitely connected, right… The court won’t make a big deal about that.”

Guan Yingjun: ?

That makes sense.

The cops eavesdropping outside the breakroom: ?

It can be done like that?

What were they even feeling conflicted about before?

Jian Ruochen just turned one success into two with a single sentence!

How does he know how to work the system so well?

Their already somewhat conflicted hearts suddenly felt even more conflicted, growing even more frustrated.

Everyone was stunned by this completely new approach, falling into complete silence for a full ten seconds.

Just as Guan Yingjun opened his mouth to offer praise, he heard Jian Ruochen’s breathing become shallow, his voice fading lower: “Don’t call me so early, Inspector Guan…”

The word “Inspector” couldn’t quite be enunciated, lost in the receiver with a hint of complaint.

Because the voice was extremely soft, it carried a slight static buzz through the receiver, making the complaint sound almost like whining.

Guan Yingjun chuckled, a smile forming on his lips, then suddenly remembered Jian Ruochen had meant to say “Inspector Guan.”

Guan Yingjun: …

Didn’t we agree not to call me that? Is he angry?

He really couldn’t stand those three words.

As Uncle Li would say, it’s probably PTSD.

Guan Yingjun hung up the phone, ignoring his colleagues sulking by the doorframe by the breakroom entrance. He quickly walked to the interrogation room, “Ding Gao, wrap up the questioning. Press charges against Jiang Mingshan now! We’re closing the case!”

He then turned to the man with a limp sitting in the interrogation chair and offered a friendly smile.

A godsend who can get us credit for two cases for free is rare in this world.

He didn’t mind offering an extra smile.

Now, the police had enough evidence to charge Jiang Mingshan with multiple crimes, that could carry the death penalty.

Jiang Mingshan was facing his end.

Noon, 12 o’clock.

After waking up, Jian Ruochen didn’t want to get up, burrowed under the covers and listening to Starnet Entertainment’s noon news.

A dignified, elegant, and intelligent female voice narrated calmly: “On January 4th, at 8 a.m., the police formally charged Jiang Mingshan. At noon, 12 p.m., the police transferred Jiang Mingshan to the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court detention center to await trial.”

“According to reports, Jiang Mingshan is charged with rape, statutory rape, organized murder, the explosives offense under endangering public security, illegal possession of firearms and other dangerous items, excessive damage to transportation facilities, robbery under infringement of property rights, disrupting public order, undermining national defense, tax evasion and smuggling with a significant amount involved…”

The hostess read for a full three minutes.

Jian Ruochen smiled softly, slowly closing his eyes.

Evil-doers are dealt with by the court. He was lulled to sleep by the listing and decided to nap a little longer.