Chapter 83: Suspicion

Chapter Eighty-Three: Suspicion

On the road.

Lu Tiankang glanced at Ye Weitian in the back of the car, then turned to Liu Xiaobing beside him and asked, “What do you make of what happened earlier?”

“What happened earlier?” Liu Xiaobing looked at Lu Tiankang with some confusion.

“That Red Party member who appeared out of nowhere,” Lu Tiankang said thoughtfully. “Don’t you think it’s strange?”

“There’s nothing strange about it. It was just an ordinary Red Party member who happened to see our operation and intervened to help. What’s so odd about that?” Liu Xiaobing replied indifferently.

“But if you were in that Red Party member’s shoes, would you have stepped in under those circumstances?” Lu Tiankang asked from another angle.

“No, because the chances of success were far too slim.”

“Yet he did, and nearly succeeded. Whether it was his marksmanship, his skill, or his courage, he was exceptional. I’m certain that the people we sent to follow him won’t turn up anything in the end.”

“So what exactly are you trying to say?” Liu Xiaobing, unable to grasp Lu Tiankang’s convoluted thoughts, asked directly.

“It’s nothing. I’m just starting to suspect that our operation was leaked,” Lu Tiankang said with a light laugh, as if it didn’t matter.

“How could that be? We went straight here from my uncle’s office. There was no chance for a leak,” Liu Xiaobing said firmly. “Besides, if there really had been a leak, how would this operation have succeeded at all?”

“We only barely succeeded, and even then, are you certain no one knew about our mission?” Lu Tiankang gave Liu Xiaobing a half-smile.

“Of course I’m sure. We didn’t run into a single person along the way, except…” As he spoke, Liu Xiaobing suddenly paused, doubt filling his eyes. He shook his head.

“Except whom?” Lu Tiankang pressed, pretending not to know.

“It’s impossible. How could Bai Zeshou have leaked anything? Besides, he didn’t even know where we were going,” Liu Xiaobing shook his head repeatedly.

“But who else could it have been? As you said, we left Chief Liu’s office and came straight here. We didn’t see anyone else,” Lu Tiankang countered.

Liu Xiaobing was stunned for a moment, then regained his composure. “That’s just your speculation. We can’t start doubting our own people just because someone tried to save that Red Party member.”

“You’re right, perhaps that Red Party member just happened to be at the photo studio and stumbled upon our operation,” Lu Tiankang nodded unconsciously.

After that, the two fell silent. The car soon arrived at the Bureau of Special Operations.

But as they pulled up to the entrance, Liu Xiaobing noticed Bai Zeshou hurrying toward the building. On impulse, he stopped the car, rolled down the window, and called out, “Xiao Bai, where are you rushing off to?”

“I just went out for a bowl of noodles. Captain Wu sent someone to fetch me, so…” Bai Zeshou replied helplessly, glancing toward the back of the car. “Were you out on a mission?”

“Mm,” Liu Xiaobing nodded lightly.

“All right, you two go about your business. I’ll head in first,” Bai Zeshou said, and left.

Lu Tiankang and Liu Xiaobing got out of the car. Lu Tiankang glanced at the silent Liu Xiaobing and said, “It seems you don’t fully trust your old classmate either.”

“In a place like this, is there anyone you can truly trust?” Liu Xiaobing replied with a self-deprecating smile, gesturing at the imposing building before them.

“If you have doubts, we’ll find out soon enough when we interrogate Ye Weitian. Don’t forget, he’s the Red Party’s second-in-command,” Lu Tiankang said with a cold edge to his voice as he watched Ye Weitian being escorted inside.

Liu Xiaobing didn’t respond to Lu Tiankang’s suggestion, nor did he reject it, tacitly agreeing.

No one knew what was on Liu Xiaobing’s mind as he stood there, smoking incessantly and staring at the ground beneath his feet.

In that moment, countless memories rushed through his mind: the joyful days of school, the frustration of always falling short of Bai Zeshou, and the death of their classmate Wang Gang.

It was a long time before Liu Xiaobing came to his senses and realized that Lu Tiankang had already left. Composing himself, Liu Xiaobing strode into the office building.

That night.

Bai Zeshou met with Mr. Li. The two discussed Ye Weitian’s capture, and Mr. Li’s face was filled with regret, a hint of murderous intent slowly spreading.

“I never imagined Lu Tiankang would know that Hongxi Photo Studio was a contact point. If we don’t eliminate this traitor soon, our situation will only become more dangerous.”

“What should we do now? A rescue by force is nearly impossible. After your last escape, security has become terrifyingly tight—nothing gets in or out,” Bai Zeshou said, his face clouded with worry as he recalled the news he’d received that afternoon.

Mr. Li sighed. “To be safe, I’ve already quietly relocated some of our people and supplies.”

“Mr. Li, why don’t you ask that comrade who infiltrated the Bureau itself? He’s so resourceful—maybe he’ll have some information,” Bai Zeshou suggested carefully.

Mr. Li gave Bai Zeshou a long, measuring look. “I will. You be careful too.”

“Mm.”

…

Meanwhile.

Inside the interrogation room at the Bureau, Liu Xiaobing, exhausted, tossed aside his torture instruments. He looked at Ye Weitian, who had lost consciousness several times but still refused to reveal a single secret, and felt a wave of conflicting emotions.

Regardless of whether their beliefs aligned, such iron-willed determination deserved to be respected, even admired. In their line of work, a foe like this was a worthy example.

But admiration aside, their allegiances and convictions were irreconcilable. Without hesitation, Liu Xiaobing ordered someone to bring in a bucket of water and doused Liu Feng’s head.

Coughing violently, Ye Weitian awoke in a battered, miserable state, his body covered in wounds. Yet he remained indifferent, looking at Liu Xiaobing and saying in a hoarse but unwavering voice, “Don’t waste your energy. We won’t say a word.”

Though Ye Weitian’s voice was weak and raspy, his spirit was unbroken. To Liu Xiaobing, his words were grating. He ordered coldly, “Keep going. Unless I say stop, do not stop for any reason.”

“Yes, sir.”

Soon, the interrogation room was filled with agonized screams.

Ye Weitian lost consciousness again. Just then, the door opened and Lu Tiankang walked in.