An hour earlier.
Deputy Department Director Zhou was at home, discussing intimate matters over the phone with his lawyer girlfriend far away in Liaoyang, when an urgent ringing of the doorbell interrupted him.
He looked through the peephole, then opened the door in surprise.
Deputy Corps Commander Yan Li stood outside, his thick brows framing large, bloodshot eyes fixed on Zhou Yi. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Director Zhou, there's something I need to ask your help with!"
Calling Zhou Yi "Director Zhou" rather than "Deputy Department Director Zhou" was no slip of the tongue. To some people, those two words had transcended their literal meaning, becoming a symbol of punishing evil, championing good, and upholding justice.
Help? Help with what?
Zhou Yi couldn't help frowning.
Although there was not yet enough evidence to prove that Yan Li had stood by and watched Song Tianlin rape two girls to set a trap, his suspicions had left him with a very poor impression of Yan Li.
"Come in." After a moment's consideration, Zhou Yi stepped aside.
Once Yan Li entered the living room, he said in a trembling voice, "Deputy Department Director Zhou, I'm a former military officer who transferred to civilian service. An old comrade of mine, Zhou Huayan, died during disaster relief efforts in 1995. His wife died of illness soon afterward, leaving two daughters, Zhou Bing and Zhou Xue, who went to live with his younger brother..."
Zhou Yi pointed to the sofa, motioning for him to sit.
Soon, he understood the whole story.
In May of the previous year, Song Tianlin had happened to pass Riversea University and spotted Zhou Bing just as she came out through the gates. He approached her, but when she rejected his advances, his embarrassment turned to rage. He ordered his