Chapter 455: The Last Gun

Chen Shi glanced at Wang Xindong in the rearview mirror and said, “I understand making choices to survive.”

“Hmph, do you?” Wang Xindong scoffed.

“Of course, I understand because I’m in the same situation now. If I want to live, I have to help you, but I’ll pay a price. Life is all about choices and the consequences that follow. If you look at just one moment, it may seem someone’s life is tragic, but it’s just the price of their choices, something we can’t avoid…” Chen Shi’s eyes showed a hint of sadness. He hesitated before continuing, “I’ll tell you a secret. I used to be someone else. Because of some mistakes, I’ve been paying my debts. I don’t fear death; I just have unfinished business.”

“What mistakes?” Wang Xindong’s interest was piqued.

“Can it be kept a secret?”

“Sure, if someone is willing to confide in me at this moment, I’ll keep their secret.”

“I killed two police officers.”

The atmosphere in the car grew tense. Wang Xindong said, “You… you’re Song Lang! The officer who disappeared three years ago and has been on the wanted list!”

“Fame isn’t always a good thing,” Chen Shi smiled wryly.

“Hah, it’s fate. Two cops who drew the short straw end up in the same car.” Wang Xindong lowered his gun. “Was that story true?”

“In everyone’s eyes, it was.”

“So, you were framed?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore… Those two words can kill me. As long as you don’t say them, I’ll be ruined. Now do you believe I’ll help you?”

“Brother, let’s go get some skewers!”

“Sure.”

Chen Shi parked at a still-open barbecue stand. The police also got out of their cars. Wang Xindong quietly apologized, using his gun to push Chen Shi forward. The patrons at the stand were terrified.

Lin Qiupu shouted, “Everyone, there’s an emergency. Please leave. We’ll cover the bill.”

The patrons quickly got up and left. The owner, trembling, was about to leave too when Wang Xindong said, “You stay. Five lamb kidneys, twenty lamb skewers, and some veggies. Two beers.”

The owner looked at Lin Qiupu for guidance, who nodded. “Do as he says.”

The owner, looking miserable, started grilling. Wang Xindong and Chen Shi sat at a table. Wang Xindong kept his hand under the table. Chen Shi warned, “Don’t get too close; he’s got a gun pointed at me.”

The police stood at a distance, tense and alert.

The owner brought out some edamame and beer first. Wang Xindong motioned for Chen Shi to open the bottles. Each took one. Wang Xindong said, “You were famous. When that incident happened, it shook the entire police force. What happened after that?”

Chen Shi replied, “I changed my face and lived incognito, always searching for the person who framed me… Those years were painful. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my dead comrades. I thought about suicide. The only thing that kept me alive was my hatred.”

Wang Xindong shook his head with a bitter smile. “You’re lucky. I don’t even have someone to hate. I don’t know who to blame.”

Chen Shi glanced at the police and lowered his voice. “I’ll tell them to stop following. I’ll help you escape the city. After that, you’re on your own.”

“Do you think I still have a chance?”

“Having a chance isn’t about the past; it’s about now. Besides, this is just a deal. I want to live, and so do you. The choices we make to survive are justified.”

Wang Xindong looked back. “If I escape, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m not a cop. A regular citizen, forced to let a criminal go to save his life. Is that a crime?”

“Alright, I trust you.”

Wang Xindong raised his beer bottle, and Chen Shi clinked his against it. Soon, the skewers arrived. They ate and chatted like old friends. The police watched nervously from a distance, unable to hear their conversation.

Suddenly, Wang Xindong grabbed his head in pain. “Damn it, it’s happening again!”

“What? Withdrawal?”

“Yes, nothing tastes right, and it feels like ants are crawling all over me.”

“Hang in there, brother. Once we’re out of the city, you can get what you need.”

“Out of the city…” Wang Xindong’s eyes looked vacant. Then he stared at Chen Shi. “Thank you for talking to me. Look at those cops; they see me as a ticking time bomb. But you treat me like a person.” Tears fell from his eyes. “Officer Song, live well. I believe you can clear your name someday.”

Chen Shi sensed something wrong. “What are you planning? Don’t do anything rash!”

Wang Xindong smiled bitterly. “Even if I escape, the withdrawal will drive me to steal and rob, becoming a criminal. I’m a cop, even if I’m not in uniform. Deep inside, I’m still a cop. I want to go out with some dignity.”

With that, Wang Xindong suddenly put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. His head exploded in a spray of blood, and he collapsed onto the table.

Chen Shi sat there in shock, not even noticing the police rushing over. Lin Dongxue hugged him, saying, “You scared us to death!”

“It’s over…” Chen Shi gently patted her, feeling a bit empty inside.

“What did you say to him? Why did he suddenly kill himself?”

“I…” Chen Shi didn’t know how to answer.

No matter how much Lin Qiupu and the others asked later, Chen Shi kept what he and Wang Xindong discussed a secret. Lin Qiupu eventually stopped probing. The lost gun had been recovered, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Qiupu told him, “Go home and rest. Don’t do anything this dangerous again. You scared us all.”

Chen Shi smiled wryly. “There won’t be a next time.”

He couldn’t sleep that night, his mind racing. Being a cop meant facing the bloody truths of others, often leaving one exhausted and helpless. Sometimes, all you could do was sigh.

As he had told Wang Xindong, the price for choosing this life was enduring these experiences.

The next morning, he went to Zhou Tiannan’s neighborhood. Zhou Tiannan was eating breakfast as usual at the gate. He was calm as Chen Shi sat across from him. “Morning, Mr. Chen. What brings you here again?”

“Where’s the last gun?” Chen Shi, sleep-deprived and looking haggard, asked grimly.

Zhou Tiannan paused, then said, “What gun? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Cut the crap! Where’s the last gun?” Chen Shi slammed the table. “Do I have to beat it out of you, you bastard?”

Zhou Tiannan smiled fearlessly. “If you can bear the consequences, go ahead!”

“You think you’re some god controlling everything?”

“I am. I see through this world and toy with it…” He briefly showed a sinister look before calming down. “You look tired, Mr. Chen. Busy lately? Life’s like this. After one hustle, there’s always another. No rest.”

Chen Shi leaned in. “One day, you and your people will pay the price!”

He stood to leave. Zhou Tiannan called after him, “I guess the gun you’re asking about is with someone worthy of it. They’re a ghost, full of hate, hidden behind a happy facade. Good luck, Mr. Chen!”