Huo Jingnian said, “It’s not yet clear whether he’s committed a crime. If he has, the punishment ranges from life imprisonment to execution. If you can tell me where he is now, I might be able to save his life.”
At that moment, He Gang’s father came out and was startled at the sight of Huo Jingnian. “Captain Huo, why are you at our house in the middle of the night?”
He Gang’s mother quickly repeated what Huo Jingnian had just said.
He Gang’s father felt a chill in his heart. He vaguely suspected that his son’s reckless ways hadn’t changed. If Huo Jingnian found him, there was no way he would spare him he would certainly end up in jail.
“Captain Huo, you know Xiao He is used to freedom. He never informs his parents where he goes, so we don’t know where he’s off to play.”
Huo Jingnian narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, “Is that so?”
A cold sweat ran down He Gang’s father’s back, but he still nodded. “Yes.”
Huo Jingnian emphasized again, “If you don’t tell me, when I personally find him, I will make sure he does not go to the station unnecessarily. If you provide the information to help me find him, I will handle everything according to the law.”
He added with emphasis, “And I will find him. Whatever mistakes he has made in the past, I will make him face them properly.”
Huo Jingnian’s mother hurriedly spoke up, “He said today he wanted to go to Longbei Village in the suburbs to play.”
As long as he was safe, once he reached the station, people could take care of him, just like last time.
“Thank you,” Huo Jingnian said and turned to leave.
The young man behind him followed. “This kid is smart. He’ll try to avoid conventional search methods.”
“Should we pull back the people currently searching hotels and inns?” he asked.
“No need. We still can’t be sure if Mrs. He is lying,” Huo Jingnian replied as he walked.
Yang Ze knew Huo Jingnian’s work was always meticulous and thorough, so he wasn’t surprised by the decision.
Huo Jingnian’s car started, and Yang Ze followed.
After about thirty minutes, before reaching the village, they saw a small sedan parked outside a dilapidated hut.
A small car outside a ruined hut?
Huo Jingnian immediately stopped the car and got out.
Yang Ze also stopped and followed.
Huo Jingnian hurried to the door and pushed it open forcefully. The door fell with a loud crash. Five or six big men were instantly awakened and shouted, “Who’s there?”
Yang Ze pulled out a lighter from his pocket. In the dim light, Huo Jingnian’s face radiated an overwhelming, terrifying aura. He had never seen this side of Huo Jingnian before. Yang Ze immediately shouted, “Captain Huo, He Gang isn’t here.”
Huo Jingnian stepped forward and grabbed the man lying on the ground, still shocked. “Tell me, where is He Gang?”
The man finally realized this was the same Huo Jingnian who had dominated him at the Qiao household last time.
The memory of that encounter instantly returned, his legs went weak, and he trembled as he said, “Young Master He… was hurt and taken to the hospital.”
“By whom?” Huo Jingnian asked. When the man didn’t answer, Huo Jingnian tightened his grip and hissed between his teeth, “Tell me who hurt him?”
The man felt if he didn’t answer, Huo Jingnian would strangle him. Trembling, he finally said, “Miss… Qiao…”
“Nonsense! A frail woman could never defeat so many of you!” Huo Jingnian exploded when he heard they had actually brought Qiao Zhiwei here.
The others nearby saw their companion’s expression worsen and began to stir.
Yang Ze shouted, “If you don’t confess honestly, let’s see who dares to move!”
Several of them had already experienced Huo Jingnian’s skills firsthand, and the man behind him didn’t seem easy to deal with either.
“It was Young Master He who distracted us. Miss Qiao took the opportunity to ambush him. She not only blinded his eyes but also smashed his head with her high heel. He originally left us behind to look for her, but after searching for a long time without success, we had no choice but to rest here.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the man Huo Jingnian had grabbed fell to the ground, breathing heavily.
Huo Jingnian looked at them. “Are you going to the police station with my men voluntarily, or do I need to handle it with him?”
“No… we didn’t do anything. We were just standing nearby on watch.”
There were six people in total. Huo Jingnian, worried that Yang Ze couldn’t control them alone, pointed to the man who had spoken. “You go to the police station to give your statement.”
He then glanced at the others. “As for you, drive along voluntarily. Officer Yang will give you leniency for full confession. Otherwise, you’re accomplices of He Gang, and this time he won’t escape.”
The men wanted to struggle, but having seen Huo Jingnian’s skills, they were tired and scared. They didn’t want to fight and reluctantly nodded.
Yang Ze took one of the men outside. “Captain Huo, after I take them to the station, I’ll go to the hospital to get He Gang.”
“Good.”
Yang Ze left with all the men. Huo Jingnian stepped outside. The moonlight was dim. Around him were weeds and trees, and the hut was some distance from the village.
He couldn’t imagine how such a frail body could escape this place.
He drove the car to the roadside, observed again, then headed toward a row of house shadows.
She was smart. She should know how to escape.
Soon, the car entered the village.
It was late, so it wasn’t practical to ask every household.
He drove past each house.
Finally, he stopped in front of the largest, most well-kept house in the village and got out.
She should know which doors are safest to knock on.
Wealthy villagers like this didn’t include schemers or useless brats; every family had smart, diligent people.
Smart people know what to do and what not to do, and Qiao Zhiwei was excellent at dealing with them.
With this in mind, Huo Jingnian stood at the door, thought for a moment, and knocked.
No answer after the first knock. He knocked again, and on the third knock, the door opened.
A young man of about twenty opened the door. He was surprised at Huo Jingnian but quickly regained composure. “Comrade, it’s the middle of the night. What’s the matter with knocking on someone’s door?”
Huo Jingnian asked politely, “Did a young lady pass by here tonight seeking help?”
The young man shook his head. “No.”
Huo Jingnian felt a little disappointed. “Sorry to bother you.”
When the door closed, the young man’s sister approached. “Another man?”
“Yes.”
“This is so annoying. This is the third group that’s come.” She was angry and couldn’t sleep.
The young man explained, “This one seems different. I didn’t hear him knocking elsewhere, and he was very polite. His demeanor and looks are nothing like the previous two.”
The girl hesitated. “Weiwei just fell asleep, and even asleep, she’s easily startled. Now I feel every man who comes here is dangerous. Let’s wait until morning. It’s safer and lets her sleep well.”