Chapter 129: The Police’s Limits

Seven days later, Lin Dongxue was worriedly chopping vegetables when she accidentally cut her finger. She frowned and put her finger in her mouth to suck on it.

Chen Shi had been missing for seven days. She couldn’t help but imagine the worst possible scenarios, even though rationally and everyone around her assured her that Chen Shi was clever and would be okay. These fears still invaded her nightmares every night.

The task force was completely stalled, though everyone was still busy with other cases.

But everyone was worried about Chen Shi. Only Peng Siyue seemed calmer than anyone else. When someone wanted to go find Chen Shi, Peng Siyue would rationally dissuade them, saying that searching now would not only waste previous efforts but might also put Chen Shi in danger.

“Bastard, why can’t you call?” Lin Dongxue muttered, her eyes welling up.

The modest dinner was ready, and she brought it to the living room where Tao Yueyue was reading. Lin Dongxue didn’t restrict her much; Tao Yueyue could read while eating here. Tao Yueyue looked up and asked, “Where’s Uncle Chen?”

“He’s not back yet,” Lin Dongxue replied with a smile.

“Someone at school was asking about him today.”

“Asked you?”

“No, asked my classmate about him. They wanted to know what he does. My classmate told me later.”

“What did your classmate say?”

“He’s a driver, everyone knows that… I never mention that he helps the police with cases. He told me not to.”

“Did your classmate say who was asking?”

“She said they didn’t seem like good people.” Tao Yueyue looked at Lin Dongxue. “Sister, is Uncle Chen in trouble?”

“He’s fine, don’t worry! We’re here for him!” Lin Dongxue patted her head. “Sister has to go out for a bit. Be good at home, okay?”

“I’m going to take a bath soon.”

“Be careful, don’t burn yourself.”

Lin Dongxue quickly got dressed and headed out, calling on her way. A few people were still at the station. She said, “Don’t leave yet, I’m coming over. It’s about the insurance fraud case!”

Everyone anxiously waited for her. When Lin Dongxue arrived, they couldn’t help but ask, “Any news about Chen?”

“No, but Tao Yueyue said someone suspicious was asking about him at her school.”

“They’re investigating Chen. That means he’s still alive…”

“Don’t say that. He’s definitely alive!”

“Chen Shi’s identity is solid, right?”

“It should be. Even we thought he wasn’t a good person the first time we saw him.”

Peng Siyue, who arrived late, said, “They probably don’t trust him yet. My guess is he’s being held.”

Old Zhang said, “Look on the bright side. At least they’re considering bringing him in.”

Lin Dongxue was more concerned about another matter. “But what’s his situation now? Is he imprisoned? Kidnapped? Have they beaten him or forced him to do something?”

“Everything is unknown…” Peng Siyue frowned. “If only we could do something to make the gang trust Chen faster.”

At this point, everyone thought of the mole they had detained—Ah Meng!

If they could use him… but how?

Xu Xiaodong suddenly rushed in, followed by Xiao Li. They had both finished work earlier. Xu Xiaodong said, “Sorry, I just got a call and rushed over. Any progress?”

Lin Dongxue said, “Can you talk to your informant?”

Twenty minutes later, Xu Xiaodong sat across from Ah Meng in the detention room. Xu Xiaodong sat up straight with a worried look, while Ah Meng lounged with a cigarette, sneering, “You’re asking for my help? Show some sincerity!”

Xu Xiaodong said, “If you agree, I’ll overlook everything from before. I’ll do anything for you!”

“Kneel down for me?”

“I will!”

“Call me dad!”

“I will!”

“Lick my ass?”

Xu Xiaodong’s face twitched, and he slowly said, “I’d rather die!”

“Then kill yourself now, shoot yourself and die in front of me!”

“Don’t push it!” Lin Dongxue said, “If this gang goes down, you won’t have a good time either. We’re giving you a chance to atone!”

“Sleep with me for one night, and I’ll agree.”

Lin Dongxue gritted her teeth. Peng Siyue said, “Waste of time. Even if we convince him, he’ll betray us as soon as he gets a chance. Sending him to trick the gang leader is like handing Chen Shi’s life over to them.”

A silence fell as everyone pondered other options.

Peng Siyue said, “I have an idea.”

Everyone looked at him. Peng Siyue said, “But I have one condition. No one stops me from what I’m about to do.”

“As long as you don’t cross the police’s limits…” Lin Dongxue began.

Peng Siyue raised his voice, “I will cross the police’s limits. I hope none of you will stop me. I’ll take full responsibility!”

Lin Dongxue frowned, weighing the options. Nothing was more important than Chen Shi’s safety. She said, “I approve. As team leader, I’ll take responsibility!”

Peng Siyue nodded slowly. “Bring him to the interrogation room and cuff him.”

After a while, Peng Siyue entered the interrogation room holding an opaque metal syringe. Ah Meng sneered, “Trying to inject me with poison? If I don’t obey, no antidote? It’s just saline! Cops don’t kill. You’re all cowards!”

Peng Siyue flicked the syringe. “This is an unknown virus. It shows up in tests after seven days but spreads through the body in 48 hours, causing symptoms. If you don’t get the serum within 48 hours, you’ll have a month to live—if you can endure the pain.”

“Sure, I’m so scared! Give me the shot… Oh, that feels good!” Peng Siyue had already injected him.

Everyone thought it was saline, believing Peng Siyue wouldn’t risk his job and freedom.

Peng Siyue, expressionless, said, “Bring it in!”

His subordinate brought in a cage with a white mouse. Peng Siyue injected the remaining solution into the mouse and placed it in front of Ah Meng. Under Ah Meng’s gaze, the mouse convulsed, flipped over, and died.

Ah Meng turned pale. “You’re serious!”

Colleagues shouted, “Captain Peng, this is illegal!”, “Give him the serum, we can pretend it didn’t happen!”, “Don’t be foolish, Captain Peng, it’s not worth it!”

Peng Siyue turned around, his face grim. “I said from the beginning, I would cross the police’s limits. I’m not joking!”