Desperate people, accept the seed of my soul!

Zhao Jianguo stopped three meters in front of him, his gaze sharp as a knife, devoid of any pity.

He took out a piece of paper with a bright red seal from his pocket, unfolded it, and held it up in front of Wei Zi'ang.

"Wei Zi'ang".

"It has now been determined that you are suspected of eleven serious crimes, including organizing and leading a criminal organization, bribery, intentional injury, illegal business operations, and money laundering. You are hereby arrested in accordance with the law."

Wei Ziang looked at the paper, his lips twitching as if he wanted to reveal a mocking smile, but in the end, he only stiffly twitched for a moment.

"So fast... When someone's down on their luck, everyone kicks them while they're down, and even the procedures are being followed so smoothly."

Lei Zhen didn't give him a chance to waste any more words. He strode forward, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it behind his back.

"Click."

The cold handcuffs tightened around those hands that once held the power to decide the fate of countless people with just a few signatures.

"Take him away!" Lei Zhen shouted in a low voice.

Two detectives immediately stepped forward, grabbed Wei Ziang from both sides, and dragged him away like a dead dog.

As Wei Ziang passed by Zhao Jianguo, he suddenly raised his head.

His cloudy eyes were fixed on the veteran detective: "Chief Zhao, did you win? Do you really think... you won?"

Zhao Jianguo looked at him expressionlessly: "At least, the cancer in Chenxi City has been removed today."

Wei Zi'ang let out a strange low laugh, and was then forcibly pushed out by the criminal police.

……

The lobby on the first floor of the building.

When Wei Ziang was escorted out of the elevator, he saw a large, dark crowd gathered in the lobby.

Reporters and cameras from several mainstream media outlets were already waiting in the area designated by the police.

Wei Ziang's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively tried to lower his head to avoid the impending storm of flashing lights.

But the two detectives beside him seemed to have anticipated this, firmly controlling him in the center of the path where the camera could clearly capture the scene.

"Let him see for himself," Lei Zhen said coldly from behind, "and let the citizens of Dawn City see for themselves too."

As the revolving door turned, a cool night breeze swept over us.

Almost simultaneously—

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

Countless flashes of light suddenly lit up, forming a sea of ​​light as bright as day.

The rapid clicking of camera shutters captured Wei Ziang's pale, dejected face in the lens without reservation.

This was a "public execution" deliberately arranged by the authorities.

In the blinding white light, Wei Ziang felt as if he had been stripped naked and thrown into the street.

His family honor, financial barriers, and network of connections, which he once took pride in, all vanished in an instant.

Zhao Jianguo straightened his police uniform and strode to the makeshift podium.

Facing countless microphones and cameras, his expression was serious and solemn.

"Dear friends from the media."

"Tonight, after meticulous investigation and swift action, our city's police force successfully dismantled a major organized crime syndicate headed by suspect Wei Zi'ang!"

"This organization has been entrenched in our city for many years, and has long been engaged in a series of criminal activities such as violent crimes, bribery, illegal business operations, and money laundering. Its nature is extremely heinous, and it has seriously disrupted the economic order and social stability of our city, and infringed upon the lives and property of our citizens."

Zhao Jianguo paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the camera, as if warning certain people hiding in the shadows through the screen.

"This operation demonstrates the majesty of the law and the municipal government's firm resolve to crack down on organized crime! No matter how secretive a criminal organization is, how complex its background, or how powerful its protective umbrella, the police force is determined and capable of resolutely eradicating it, restoring a bright and clear world to Chenxi City!"

There was thunderous applause.

In this impassioned speech, Zhao Jianguo made no mention of the giant pit in Nanshan, nor of Han Xiao and Xu Suyuan's revenge, nor of that terrifying "giant pit".

All the "abnormalities" were carefully concealed under the grand narrative of "sweeping away organized crime and eliminating evil forces".

This is a performance, a performance that must be carried out to maintain social order and to appease public panic.

Upon hearing these words, Wei Zi'ang's eyes completely glazed over.

He was put into a police car.

As the sirens blared, the building that symbolized the Wei family's glory grew farther and farther away from his sight, eventually disappearing into the thick fog of the night.

……

three days later.

Special monitoring cell at Chenxi City No. 1 Detention Center.

This is the deepest part of the detention center. There are no windows, only a 24-hour incandescent light overhead, emitting a pale glow.

Wei Zi'ang huddled on the narrow plank bed, wearing a uniform numbered "097".

During those three days, he went through countless rounds of interrogation, but he was not implicated in anything.

Because he knew that his current silence was the only protection his son, who was far away overseas, could have.

The news brought by the lawyers grew more and more despairing: the chain of evidence was complete, and those officials who used to be on friendly terms with him were now scrambling to kick him while he was down in order to protect themselves.

As for that "Young Master Wang," he vanished completely, as if he had never existed.

"Have a meal."

The food delivery slot on the iron gate was opened, and a bowl of watery cabbage soup and a hard, dry steamed bun were stuffed in.

Wei Zi'ang did not move.

He stared blankly at the light on the ceiling.

Sudden.

"Sizzle—"

The light overhead, which had never been turned off, flickered twice without warning, and then—

It was completely extinguished.

The cell was plunged into complete darkness.

This darkness did not last long.

A few seconds later, the overhead lights came back on, still stark white.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Wei Zi'ang slowly sat up and opened his palms.

In the palm of my hand, a white pill lay quietly.

The pills are small, but exquisitely crafted, with the word "Quiet" engraved on them.

Looking at the pill, Wei Ziang suddenly laughed.

"Hehe...hehehe..."

He remembered Zhao Qiang, the driver who had "died of illness" in prison for taking the blame for his elder brother Wei Zixuan.

At that time, he was still standing on high, mocking Zhao Qiang's stupidity and worthless life.

Wei Zi'ang murmured to himself, a tear sliding down his cheek: "So this is what it feels like to be thrown away like a pawn."

The promise from that young master Wang echoed in his ears—"The more obedient you are, the more secure your son's and your mother's future will be."

This is the final act of "compliance".

This was the dignity that organization gave him—allowing him to choose a time and set off with dignity.

Wei Zi'ang picked up the pill, his fingers trembling slightly.

He didn't ask for water, and didn't even hesitate for long.

For the sake of that child who hasn't grown up yet, and to prevent the last remaining bloodline of the Wei family from being wiped out.

He tilted his head back, threw the pill into his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbed, and swallowed it dry.

A bitter taste spread through his mouth, but he no longer cared.

Wei Ziang lay back down on the plank bed, clasped his hands over his chest, and closed his eyes.

black.

The world has finally gone dark.