Chapter Eighty-Four: Mother and Son

Chapter 84: Mother and Son

Lu Tiankang entered, glanced at the unconscious Ye Weitian, and shook his head lightly before moving to Liu Xiaobing’s side. “No progress, I suppose?”

“None at all. This fellow is truly stubborn. His body’s already at its limit, he’s betrayed his cause, yet his will remains unbroken,” Liu Xiaobing replied, sounding discouraged.

“That’s to be expected. You haven’t been in the field long and haven’t seen many Reds. They may have a few weaklings among them, but ninety-nine percent are hardliners. For their beliefs, they’re willing to abandon everything,” Lu Tiankang said with a trace of admiration.

“So what now? If we keep torturing him, I doubt he’ll survive the night,” Liu Xiaobing said, frowning, clearly troubled.

“That’s precisely why I’m here,” Lu Tiankang replied, a mysterious smile on his lips. He leaned in and murmured a few words into Liu Xiaobing’s ear.

After listening, Liu Xiaobing hesitated, his expression conflicted. “Isn’t that a bit too vicious?”

“Hmph. A man without ruthlessness achieves nothing. For the sake of our cause, it’s best to abandon any misplaced kindness,” Lu Tiankang advised, his tone half cajoling.

“Alright,” Liu Xiaobing finally agreed after a brief struggle with his conscience.

This was the first case he’d handled independently since joining the Special Operations Department. Although Lu Tiankang was assisting, Liu Xiaobing was the one in charge, and he couldn’t allow himself to fail. Catching Ye Weitian might be a great achievement, but a Red who revealed nothing was only so valuable. For success, he was willing to use any means necessary.

Especially when Bai Zeshao, who’d joined the department at the same time, was already the leader of Action Team Three—a higher rank—while Liu Xiaobing remained an ordinary member. He couldn’t and wouldn’t accept this. Ever since military academy, he’d always been overshadowed by Bai Zeshao, from enrollment to graduation. Wherever Bai Zeshao was, he was perpetually second.

Sometimes, Liu Xiaobing wondered if Bai Zeshao was his nemesis. There was a period when he’d even considered giving up the rivalry. But whenever he thought of how others compared the two of them, a hidden flame in his heart refused to be extinguished.

Capturing Ye Weitian was his chance. If he could use this to unravel more Reds, with his merits and his uncle’s influence, his future would be bright.

Perhaps it was jealousy, or perhaps a burning desire for achievement, but now Liu Xiaobing seemed dangerously obsessed.

Three days later.

As Bai Zeshao entered the Special Operations Department as usual, he saw a mother and her young son, bewildered, scanning their surroundings in the lobby. No one was around to receive or assist them.

Instinctively, Bai Zeshao approached. “Who are you looking for?”

At the sight of the young man, the woman’s expression softened slightly. She pulled her eight- or nine-year-old son closer, and asked timidly, “I’m here to see my husband.”

“Your husband?” Bai Zeshao looked her over, surprised. “Do you know what this place is? Who is your husband? What does he do?”

“I don’t know. Three days ago, a group came to our home in Nanning, saying my husband sent them to fetch me. They brought a letter from him, so I came. But after bringing me here, they left,” she replied, clearly anxious.

“They left? When did they go?” Bai Zeshao frowned, glancing around, puzzled.

“Just now, right before you came in,” she answered.

With her words, Bai Zeshao suddenly felt as if he’d stepped into a carefully laid trap. This was the Special Operations Department—how could a woman and child simply walk in?

Just then, footsteps echoed from upstairs. Bai Zeshao looked up to see Liu Xiaobing descending with milk and bread. He approached the woman and said, “Eat something. You must be tired from your journey. You’ll see your husband soon.”

“Thank you,” the woman said gratefully.

“What’s going on? Is her husband really with the department?” Bai Zeshao pulled Liu Xiaobing aside and whispered.

“No, but he is inside,” Liu Xiaobing replied cryptically.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Liu Xiaobing said, then turned to the mother and son with a smile. “Eat as much as you like—there’s more if you need it.”

“Thank you, sir!” the child exclaimed, delighted by the food.

A short while later, after the mother and son had finished eating, Liu Xiaobing said to Bai Zeshao, “Let’s go. You should come too.”

“Go where?”

“To see her husband—his father. By the way, you’re being temporarily transferred to the Intelligence Section today. My uncle already spoke with Captain Wu. Since I ran into you here, it saves me a trip,” Liu Xiaobing explained.

“Alright, but what could I possibly do in Intelligence?” Bai Zeshao asked thoughtfully.

“You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go.” With that, Liu Xiaobing led the way, the mother and son following, and Bai Zeshao bringing up the rear.

As they drew closer to the interrogation rooms, Bai Zeshao’s mind raced. He began to understand what was about to happen. His face darkened, and as he looked at Liu Xiaobing’s back, he felt a sudden chill and unfamiliarity. Glancing at the expectant faces of the mother and child, he was overcome with sadness and pity.

The door to the interrogation room creaked open. The stench of blood filled the air, causing the woman to blanch. But when she saw the battered, bound figure inside, she was stunned.

“Husband, what happened to you?” she cried, rushing to Ye Weitian’s side, her trembling hands lifting his chin.

But Ye Weitian was unconscious, oblivious to her presence.

At this, Liu Xiaobing signaled to the others, and two men quickly dragged the woman away.

“Who is he?” Bai Zeshao asked, though he knew Ye Weitian had suffered, he hadn’t expected such brutality. Now, powerless to help, all he could do was feign ignorance as he questioned Liu Xiaobing.