Chapter 7: Xiao Gang's Reluctance

Fan Cheng chuckled lightly and said, "I do not doubt his principles; he will pursue, but he will absolutely not shoot at Xiao Gang"

Ling Li was slightly taken aback, but he quickly realized that Xiao Gang hoped he could clear his name. He nodded emphatically and gently patted Xiao Gang's arm.

Fan Cheng closed the car window: "Everyone from the criminal police team has gone to the Tea Expo Garden. It wouldn't make much sense for us to join the crowd. Houzhai Village is the only exit of Maojian Town. If Xiao Gang is not at the Tea Expo Garden but in Maojian Town, we might still have unexpected gains."

Fan Cheng bit his lip and squinted his eyes: "Xiao Gang is not so easy to catch. Ling Li will not shoot at Xiao Gang, and he won't even draw his gun. Support has not arrived, and once Xiao Gang discovers him, he will definitely escape. At most, he will just chase from behind."

Xiao Gang felt an impulse to stop, and he wanted to explain things properly to Ling Li. He still believed in the character of this police captain. However, this thought only flashed through his mind; he could not stop, he could not be caught by the police, otherwise, it would be like falling into a puddle of yellow mud—though it is not excrement, it might as well be.

"Tan Bureau!" Feng Ziqi called out. Tan Kaishan looked up and saw him, threw away the cigarette butt in his hand, and stepped down hard with his toes: "Start your car, let's go to the Tea Expo Garden"

Shen Fei was becoming a bit impatient: "Why haven't they arrived yet? Could it be that Captain Ling and the others have already captured him?"

If that woman is indeed Lu Ping, then this matter is most likely correct. Xiao Gang must also be looking for Zhang Yan, and if he finds Lu Ping, he might be able to locate Zhang Yan as well. Isn't this the same line of thought I had? It's just that I was unable to find Lu Ping, but Xiao Gang managed to do so.

Shen Fei was somewhat skeptical of Fan Cheng's judgment: "Ling is a person who values principles greatly"

I have just finished smoking another cigarette

But who exactly reported the incident? As soon as Xiao Gang found Lu Ping, he immediately exposed her whereabouts. Could it be that Lu Ping is merely a bait, used by the other party to lure Xiao Gang? The moment Xiao Gang appeared, they promptly called the police, intending to use the authorities to deal with him

Walking a few dozen meters further, they would arrive, yet a sense of inexplicable tension filled Xiao Gang's heart

Ling Li felt somewhat anxious, but he restrained himself. Xiao Gang was not just any other criminal suspect; he was a former comrade-in-arms, and Ling Li believed that Xiao Gang was innocent

"Xiao Gang, don't be impulsive. We are colleagues after all, so please don't do anything foolish." Ling Li, who was behind him, stopped less than five meters away from Xiao Gang, fearing that Xiao Gang might draw his gun; if that happened, it would truly be the end for Xiao Gang

Upon hearing Tan Kaishan's words, Feng Ziqi felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He did not expect that within just one day, Xiao Gang would be located by the police. He couldn't help but feel a chill of anxiety for Xiao Gang.

Further ahead is Xiazhai Village, and behind Xiazhai Village is Screw Mountain. As long as one ascends the mountain, one will be safe. Even if there are many police, they may not be able to find one in a short time.

Xiao Gang did not stop his pace, only occasionally glancing back at Ling Li, who was alone.

Ling Li, like himself, is a principled police officer. If he were in Ling Li's position, he would also arrest himself. As for whether he is wrongfully accused, he will strive to find a way to uncover the truth.

Fan Cheng did not respond, seemingly also contemplating this issue

Shen Fei turned his head to glance at his superior and said, "Isn't Xiao Gang's car parked at the Tea Expo Garden?"

Fan Cheng had already recognized that the two vehicles belonged to the criminal police team. He urged Shen Fei to catch up, and when they were side by side with the police car, he rolled down the window. The person in the opposite vehicle also recognized him

Fan Cheng and his companions drove onto Yundong Avenue, at this moment they saw two police cars speeding ahead, flashing their lights and sounding their sirens

However, Xiao Gang's pace slowed down as he saw a car stopped at the intersection less than 200 meters ahead, a police car. He immediately recognized it as belonging to the inspection team, realizing that someone had long since blocked his way back.

"Drive faster!" Tan Kaishan said somewhat anxiously

"Make way, clear the path!" Ling Li shouted loudly, pushing aside the crowd of extras as he chased after Xiao Gang

Shen Fei said softly: "Head, you are truly remarkable; it seems that none of them have guns in their hands"

He ran up the arch bridge, believing that if Ling Li did not shoot at him from behind, he would be even faster.

"Who reported the crime?" Feng Ziqi asked casually. Tan Kaishan shook his head, stating that they had not identified the person who made the report. However, Ling Li and the others did find the vehicle mentioned by the informant at the Tea Expo Garden. Additionally, the identity of the woman who was kidnapped by Xiao Gang has been confirmed; she is Lu Ping, the room manager of Jiangcheng Hotel.

Suddenly, he turned around to take a glance back. Behind him was the still noisy film crew, but Xiao Gang spotted a familiar figure.

Xiao Gang lowered his hands and let out a long sigh. Originally intending to prove his innocence, it now seems that there is no opportunity left.

Feng Ziqi did not ask further and opened the car door

Two police cars turned off their sirens and lights, and Fan Cheng's car immediately overtook them

"Go directly to Houzhai Village," Fan Cheng said

"Xiao Feng, hurry down, I am waiting for you downstairs." It was the voice of Tan Kaishan

Xiao Gang turned his head to look at Ling Li behind him, then glanced at Fan Cheng and Shen Fei not far away, his face showing reluctance as his hand moved towards his waist

Upon descending the stairs, I saw Tan Kaishan standing beside his car, smoking, with a furrowed brow

What are you waiting for at the red light? Just go through it, it's already this late. Tan Kaishan hurriedly said to Feng Ziqi as he noticed the red light ahead and the car's speed decreasing.

Feng Ziqi hung up the phone, thinking that it was almost time to get off work. What act is Tan Kaishan performing now

"Ka, emotions, emotions, I have told you, the emotions in this scene are very important. You originally admired each other, but suddenly became siblings. What kind of emotions should such a bolt from the blue evoke? Feel it well!" The director put down the speaker in his hand and walked towards the male and female actors in the center of the stage.

It is important to note that all the current evidence is unfavorable to Xiao Gang. If Xiao Gang cannot prove that he has been framed, he will be confirmed as guilty of murder

"Xiao Gang, stop! Don't run!" Ling Li shouted while chasing. As he passed by Lu Ping, he glanced at her to confirm that the woman was fine, and said, "Stay here and don't move!"

The other members of the crew took this opportunity to hide aside and rest, while the director earnestly spoke to the actors, appearing to be quite sincere and heartfelt.

As the car drove out of the bridge city, Tan Kaishan finally spoke up: "Someone reported that Xiao Gang has appeared in Yundong and has taken a hostage. He should be at the Tea Expo Park now. Lao Ling and Lao Fan have already taken people there, so we should go and take a look."

Lu Ping walked past the film crew with Xiao Gang and Xiao Gang quietly asked, "How much further is it?"

"Turn off the siren. Are you trying to tip off the suspect?" Fan Cheng said with a hint of anger

Fan Cheng, however, drew his gun, though his hand holding the gun hung loosely: "You can shoot if Xiao Gang draws his gun." This was said to Shen Fei, who hesitated for a moment before also drawing his gun.

"Really can run!" Ling Li thought to himself, already feeling a bit out of breath

Come on! Xiao Gang brought his hands together, signaling Ling Li to handcuff him. Ling Li hesitated for a moment; he was unsure whether Xiao Gang had truly given up resisting. If he stepped forward and was seized by Xiao Gang to serve as a hostage, he would be in a passive position. He was not concerned about his own safety; he simply did not want Xiao Gang to drift further away.

Xiao Gang indeed saw the sign of Mingxiang Pavilion, as this is a street from the Republic of China era, and the decoration of the tea house is also in the style of that period

What are they doing, making a fuss

"Director Tan, I feel as if we are being led by the nose by someone," said Feng Ziqi while driving and speaking to Tan Kaishan, who was sitting beside him.

Ling Li felt a surge of joy as he noticed Xiao Gang slowing down, but he quickly spotted the police car parked not far away.

It would be good if things could be clarified; if not, then there will be no chance for redemption.

Feng Ziqi understood that Tan Kaishan was also reminding him that in the matter concerning Xiao Gang, he could not act impulsively out of loyalty; otherwise, he would not be helping Xiao Gang but rather harming him

Lu Ping pointed her finger ahead, not far away: "Right in front, the Mingxiang Pavilion."

Ling Li did not draw his gun, as he did not want to cause panic among the group, and he was confident that Xiao Gang would not draw his weapon against him

"Xiao Gang, stop!" Ling Li was still chasing from behind, calling out and urging him, but Xiao Gang paid no attention and continued to run for his life

"Xiao Gang, I would like to talk to you. Don't worry, it's just me." Ling Li called out

Feng Ziqi glanced at the clock; it was nearly six o'clock. He tidied up the desk in preparation to leave when the phone on the desk rang

Tan Kaishan nodded slightly: "All of this is a tactic aimed at Xiao Gang, but what can we do? From our standpoint, we can only act according to the law. However, do not be disheartened; I believe we will find a way to prove Xiao Gang's innocence. The prerequisite is that he must not continue to act on his own whims, otherwise, even if we want to help him, we will be unable to do so."

Lu Ping nodded vigorously, and Ling Li no longer paid attention to her, continuing to run ahead

His meaning is quite clear. If Xiao Gang is in Maojian Town, then Ling Li and the others conducting a search for him in the Tea Expo Park and Maojian Town would likely allow Xiao Gang to escape from the back village. By staying here, they would be able to catch him red-handed as soon as he appears.

If Feng Ziqi had been driving a police car, he would have sounded the siren and rushed through. However, he was driving his own private car, and he still had some reservations. Now, upon hearing Tan Kaishan say this, he no longer hesitated and pressed the accelerator, driving through the red light.

Feng Ziqi forced a smile; he was already driving very fast, after all, he couldn't run a red light, could he

Xiao Gang's face remained calm, yet his heart was filled with helplessness: "It's up to you."

Ling Li shouted, "Xiao Gang, do you really want to shoot at your own comrades?"

"What about us?" Shen Fei asked, as he contemplated what he would do if Xiao Gang truly arrived. Deep down, he was also reluctant to have his gun pointed at Xiao Gang.

At this moment, Fan Cheng and Shen Fei in the car got out, and they naturally saw Xiao Gang.

Xiao Gang suddenly pushed Lu Ping aside and ran desperately forward, leaving Lu Ping in a state of shock