A Newfound Respect

Officer Lan and Lu Tong had stayed up all night, yet Cuntoucao still refused to confess to assaulting and injuring someone. The two were so furious they gritted their teeth, wishing they could make him vanish from the face of the earth. Fortunately, the ironclad evidence of his drug use gave them confidence. They silently swore, "No mercy. Two years of compulsory rehabilitation." Without even stopping to rest, Officer Lan and Lu Tong immediately sent Cuntoucao to the Tangdu City Compulsory Isolation Drug Rehabilitation Center.

The police car sped along the road to the rehabilitation center.

Officer Lan turned on the radio. The morning news was reporting on the situation of teenage drug abuse in Hedong Province. An idea struck him, giving him something to say. "Cuntoucao, would you want your child to take drugs?"

Cuntoucao slumped in the seat like a boneless creature, rising and falling with the bumps of the car. He was drowsy, his face livid, snot running from his nose. Lu Tong kept ordering him to sit up straight, but Cuntoucao, whose hands were cuffed behind his back, showed no reaction.

His withdrawal had kicked in. But when he heard his daughter mentioned, Cuntoucao forced himself to perk up and glared fiercely at Officer Lan in the rearview mirror. "Would you let your own kid take drugs?" Then he yawned.

"Looks like you haven't completely lost your conscience." Lu Tong, who had been silent beside him, suddenly cut in.

They were almost at the rehabilitation center when Cuntoucao abruptly grew restless and agitated, his face turning ghastly. "I can't take it, I can't take it! My stomach hurts!"

During arrests or detention, inexperienced officers sometimes conducted incomplete searches or let suspects out of their sight. Drug users often swallowed foreign objects to injure themselves and evade punishment.

Officer Lan's expression changed drastically. Could he have swallowed a razor blade?

Cuntoucao's cries grew louder and louder, and his pain seemed to worsen by the moment. Based on past experience, Officer Lan vaguely sensed that Cuntoucao was not faking it. But where had the razor blade come from? When had he swallowed it? He replayed the entire case process in his mind and found no loopholes.

"I can't take it! I can't take it! There's a razor blade in my stomach!"

"Really?" Officer Lan was half-convinced, half-skeptical. He slowly pulled the police car over to the roadside, turned around, and glanced sideways at Cuntoucao's pained expression, a trace of panic rising within him. Lu Tong became even more vigilant, gripping Cuntoucao's cuffed hands tightly for fear that he might pull some trick.

"I swallowed a razor blade. If you don't believe me, take me for an X-ray!"

This was no small matter. At best, it could cut his intestines; at worst, it could cost him his life. Officer Lan immediately reported the matter to Director Tang Changan. Director Tang, who remained calm in any situation, had long been accustomed to drug users injuring themselves to evade punishment. He instructed them to take Cuntoucao to the hospital first, determine where the blade had come from, and contact the rehabilitation center as well. They had to put people like him in their place and make sure there would not be a second time.

Officer Lan drove like the wind to the nearest Chinese medicine hospital. After an X-ray, the doctor determined that there was a blade-like metal object in Cuntoucao's stomach. However, it was wrapped in a layer of foil, so there was no danger to his life. He could be monitored through follow-up observation.

Officer Lan and Lu Tong both let out a huge sigh of relief. As they escorted Cuntoucao out of the Chinese medicine hospital, he pressed both hands against his stomach, bent over with a pained expression, and struggled into the police car. Lu Tong angrily shoved him from behind at the door. "Who are you trying to fool?"

Knowing exactly what was going on, Officer Lan opened the driver's door, got in, started the engine, shifted gears, slammed on the gas, and switched on the siren. He suppressed the rage in his heart as he drove the car like a rocket skimming the ground. He silently swore that he would make Cuntoucao serve two years.

Cuntoucao, with his hands cuffed behind his back, still acted like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Seeing that Officer Lan would no longer pay him any attention, his heart sank. He lowered his head and fell silent.

After Cuntoucao's stunt, Lu Tong was more alert than ever. He fired questions at him like a machine gun. "Where did the razor blade come from? Where did the razor blade come from?"

Driven into a corner by Lu Tong's furious glare, Cuntoucao had no choice but to truthfully admit that when the tall officer had arrested him, he had taken the opportunity to pull the blade from his body and swallow it while the officer was not paying attention.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the rehabilitation center. Cuntoucao was drenched in sweat. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, he suddenly requested to be admitted as quickly as possible, making Officer Lan and Lu Tong laugh. An officer at the rehabilitation center said that he wanted to drink the heroin substitute inside. It was the most effective replacement medication provided to addicts during the seven-day physical detoxification period.

Old Jiang and Tong Haojing arrived at Director Tang's office together.

Director Tang had just finished taking Officer Lan's call. He was still reprimanding Old Jiang and Tong Haojing for their sloppy work, which had allowed that old drug fiend Cuntoucao to exploit a loophole and swallow a razor blade. Fortunately, the rehabilitation center now had a special method for dealing with addicts like him. Otherwise, if the matter reached Hu Yuancheng, they would be chewed out mercilessly again.

Old Jiang and Tong Haojing entered. Before either of them could speak, Tang Changan angrily said, "Cuntoucao refuses to admit anything. He's a shameless scoundrel. He's already been sent for two years of compulsory rehabilitation. Serves him right. What's the point of keeping trash like that around?"

Old Jiang relayed what Sister Feng had reported, but Director Tang was still angry and ignored him. At that moment, Director Tang received a mysterious phone call.

Old Jiang could tell from Director Tang's demeanor that he was squeezing out words like "Yes," "All right," "Mm," and "Right." He had no idea what Director Tang was saying into the phone so submissively. Yet the look of extreme reluctance and annoyance on his face left Old Jiang baffled.

Tong Haojing had come prepared. Before arriving at the office, he had reviewed the relevant anti-drug laws. The law stipulated that Cuntoucao was Xiao Yanni's sole guardian. As long as Cuntoucao truly reformed, his punishment could be changed to community rehabilitation, and Xiao Yanni would have someone to care for and rely on. Tong Haojing had made up his mind and stated his proposal and its legal basis.

Director Tang pondered for a moment, then said, "Director Gao Weimin often says at meetings that police work must put people first. As long as it complies with the law, we can do it." Director Tang's words took such a sharp turn that Tong Haojing had never expected it.

Old Jiang, who had already been left out in the cold, was even more surprised. He had no idea why Director Tang's attitude toward Tong Haojing had suddenly changed. He began shooting Tong Haojing jealous looks. Tong Haojing, you've got quite the pull. One word from you outweighs ten thousand from me. You really are something.

Just then, Officer Lan and Lu Tong returned to the station to report to Director Tang after completing Cuntoucao's compulsory rehabilitation procedures. They happened to find Tong Haojing trying to change Cuntoucao's rehabilitation arrangement to community rehabilitation so he could care for his daughter. The two immediately blew up, firmly opposed it, and began arguing with Tong Haojing.

Old Jiang hurriedly stepped in to mediate. "We're all family here. Let's talk this over properly."

Tong Haojing was like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. He argued passionately, fought his case with reason, and refused to yield.

Tang Changan did not state his position directly. Instead, he changed the subject and suddenly brought up the source of Cuntoucao's razor blade. "Gentlemen, how do you explain the razor blade?"

Old Jiang thought about it. Cuntoucao had been under arrest for nearly twenty-four hours, and something could have gone wrong at any stage. It was indeed difficult to determine whose responsibility it was. Since no consequences had resulted, there was no need to pursue the matter further.

Officer Lan and Lu Tong did not see it that way. Confidently, they produced the body camera footage, which showed that it had been impossible for Cuntoucao to swallow the blade during the later stages of the investigation. The only security lapse had occurred when Cuntoucao was arrested in his home.

Tong Haojing had no desire to watch the footage. There was no point arguing. Before several veteran officers, his lack of experience and weak safety awareness were undeniable facts.

"Swallowing the razor blade was my responsibility. It has nothing to do with any of them. But that is separate from changing Cuntoucao's compulsory rehabilitation arrangement!" Tong Haojing steered the discussion back to whether Cuntoucao should be released.

Everyone lowered their heads and said nothing. The office fell silent again.

Just as everyone guessed that Director Tang would most likely reject Tong Haojing's suggestion, he slowly lit a cigarette. Then he said with certainty, "Tong Haojing, write a self-criticism immediately. Tomorrow morning, go to the rehabilitation center and arrange for Cuntoucao to undergo community rehabilitation!"

Obeying orders and following command were a police officer's duty. Officers Lan and Lu left the office in a fury.

Late that night, Anti-drug Brigade Captain Du Ce led Wang Chongyang and four other team members to the west side of the city to arrest Agen, a drug criminal from Hedong Province who had fled to Fourth Brother's home in Hongqiao Community. The intelligence indicated that Agen might be carrying a gun.

This highly classified lead had been personally provided to Du Ce by Director Gao Weimin. Du Ce clearly remembered that just half an hour earlier, Director Gao had quietly arrived at his office alone. The sight had given Du Ce quite a scare. It could be said that such a scene had never before occurred in the history of the Tangdu City Public Security Bureau.

Director Gao's sudden appearance left even Du Ce, the usually steady Anti-drug Brigade Captain, somewhat flustered. The poor anti-drug results of late and the clutter in his office both became reasons for him to fear a reprimand. In Du Ce's mind, Director Gao's personal visit usually meant an inspection intended to find fault. Yet when Director Gao spoke, Du Ce was left somewhat stunned.

"Is there someone called Fourth Brother in the west side of the city?"

"Um... I... um... I seem to remember something!" Du Ce stammered in his moment of panic. He stood ramrod straight, his posture unnatural.

"Don't be nervous. I'm not a tiger. Sit down and talk." Director Gao patted Du Ce on the shoulder with a kindly expression and an encouraging gaze, then plopped down onto the sofa.

"Should I contact Director Tang at the west side station?" Du Ce uneasily glanced at Director Gao. He found the director's eyes filled with a strange yet resolute power, and he instinctively guessed that some specific and difficult mission must be waiting for him.

"No!" Director Gao's expression turned serious, and he spoke very quickly. Du Ce did not dare say another word.

After pondering for a moment, Director Gao said, "Little Du, there is a rather special assignment here. Confidentiality is the prerequisite. You must complete it with quality and precision. There can be no mistakes..."

"I guarantee that I'll complete the mission!" Du Ce said.

"Don't be so quick to answer. It won't be too late to state your position after I finish explaining the situation."

"All right!" Du Ce lowered his head awkwardly.

Gao Weimin continued, "...A drug criminal has frequently traveled between the southwestern border and our city. His criminal activities have long been known to the anti-drug authorities on the southwestern border. We have now received intelligence that the drug criminal Agen has fled to the home of a resident named Fourth Brother in Tangdu's western district, and that resident is also under serious suspicion..."