Pressure and resolve

The frustration from the interrogation room still lingered in Captain Li's heart like a damp, cold rag when the director's notification came through the walkie-talkie, ordering him to go to the office. Captain Li took a deep breath, straightened his jacket, which was wrinkled from the long interrogation, and trudged upstairs with heavy steps.

The door to the director's office was ajar, and a strong smell of smoke wafted from inside. Captain Li knocked, and Director Wang's slightly hoarse voice came from within. "Come in."

Pushing open the door, I saw Director Wang standing by the window, his back to the door, gazing at the street scene below. The ashtray on his desk was piled high with cigarette butts, and the cup of strong tea next to him had long since gone cold.

"Chief, you wanted to see me?" Captain Li closed the door and stood at attention.

Director Wang turned around, his face revealing undisguised exhaustion, but his eyes remained sharp. He gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit. How's the situation with Qin Ming?"

Captain Li sat down in the chair, his back ramrod straight, and gave a concise report on the interrogation, emphasizing that Qin Ming only admitted to a "misdiagnosis," denied all possible criminal offenses, and while his attitude seemed cooperative, he was actually slippery and extremely guarded.

"... Chief, this guy's a seasoned veteran, with excellent composure. He confines all his actions to 'medical procedures' and 'misjudgment.' Our current circumstantial evidence is unlikely to break through his defenses." Captain Li's tone carried resentment and a barely perceptible anxiety. He seemed to see Hou Xiaoya's pale, weak face again, and the scene of the Monkey family's desperate weeping. A burning sense of righteous indignation, a desire to bring the criminal to justice, was searing within him.

Director Wang listened in silence, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. He picked up his cigarette case, shook out one and handed it to Captain Li, then lit one for himself. Through the swirling smoke, he spoke slowly, his voice low and deep:

"The calls from above are coming in one after another," he said abruptly, but Captain Li understood immediately.

"Their statements are all pretty much the same: they want us to 'act according to the law,' 'be mindful of the impact,' and ideally pass the buck to the health department." Director Wang exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes slightly blurred through the smoke. "The pressure is considerable."

Captain Li's heart sank. His worst fears had come true. He stubbed out his cigarette, which he had just taken two puffs of, leaned forward, and his tone involuntarily carried a hint of excitement and doubt:

"Chief, we're still gathering evidence! But the existing diagnosis report from the provincial hospital is irrefutable proof! A healthy girl was treated as if she had cancer, and they even used anesthesia to put her in the ICU. Is this just a misdiagnosis? There must be a huge chain of interests behind this! If we back down now, how can we face that family's trust? How can we be worthy of our police uniforms?"

His voice rose higher and higher, filled with the indignation of an idealist facing real obstacles. "Monkey's sister is only twelve years old! Twelve years old! And they've ruined her like that! If we give in because of a little pressure..."

"Li Weiguo!" Director Wang abruptly interrupted him, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority. He stared at Captain Li, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "You think I'm afraid?"

The air in the office seemed to freeze instantly.

Captain Li opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but under the director's all-knowing gaze, he ultimately swallowed his words, stubbornly pursing his lips. His silence, in a way, was an answer.

Seeing his expression, Director Wang suddenly slammed his hand on the table!

With a loud "bang," the pen holder on the table jumped.

"You think I'm scared?!" The chief's voice suddenly rose, filled with long-suppressed anger. "Just five minutes before you came in, an old friend of mine, whom I've known for over twenty years, called to 'show concern' about this case! I yelled at him right into the phone! I told him that as long as I wear this uniform, I have to live up to the badge on my head! Tell him not to give me that crap!"

His chest heaved violently, clearly furious. This sudden outburst stunned Captain Li. He hadn't expected that the usually calm, collected, and tactful bureau chief would display such a thunderous rage.

Director Wang took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself, and sat back down in his chair. He pointed at Captain Li, his tone resolute:

"Li Weiguo, let me tell you, I'll take the pressure from above! If the sky falls, I, being the tallest, will hold it up first!"

His tone shifted abruptly, his expression becoming extremely serious. "However, rules are rules! Legal procedures must be followed! We cannot detain someone indefinitely without solid evidence. I haven't bought you much time—"

He extended two fingers and slammed them heavily on the table:

"24 hours! I'll give you a maximum of 24 hours!"

His gaze, almost tangible, locked onto Captain Li: "For the next 24 hours, all resources, including mine, are at your disposal! Need technical support, external investigation assistance, or any other form of aid? Just submit a report, and I'll approve it on the spot! I have only one request—"

He spoke each word slowly and deliberately, his voice deep and powerful:

"Get him to talk! Find a breakthrough! Convict him of the crimes he deserves, and condemn him to death!"

This is not a compromise, but an authorization for a do-or-die battle! It places all the pressure and expectations on Li Weiguo's shoulders!

Captain Li abruptly stood up, his bloodshot eyes, gleaming with a sharp light. All his hesitation, anxiety, and resentment ignited in that instant, transforming into a burning fighting spirit. He straightened his back, raised his right hand, and gave the bureau chief a standard, forceful military salute:

"Yes, Chief! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

His voice was loud and clear, resounding with conviction.

Director Wang looked at him, slowly nodded, and waved his hand. "Go, time is of the essence."

Without another word, Captain Li turned abruptly and strode out of the director's office with a swift and decisive stride. The door closed behind him, as if shutting out all the pressure and noise.

He stood in the corridor, taking a deep breath of the dusty air, feeling the suffocating air that had been weighing on his chest for so long finally exhale. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he clearly and swiftly issued orders to his trusted lieutenants who were already waiting outside, his voice carrying an undeniable decisiveness:

"Now! Immediately! Get all of Qin Ming's social connections, bank statements, communication records, assets under his name, including all his extended family members—everything you can find! Investigate every inch of it, don't overlook the slightest anomaly! I need results within 24 hours!"

"Yes, Captain Li!" the officers responded in unison, immediately scattering to get to work.

A race against time has officially begun.