Chapter 70: Conspiracy

Zhao Fanglin was thoroughly satisfied with his daughter. From a young age, she had been independent and strong-willed. Since joining the police force, she had never used his connections to resolve any matters. Though she could be a bit willful and headstrong at times, he thought that was not a bad thing for a girl—being tough meant she wouldn't be easily bullied by men.

“I attended an auction, so I’m back a little late,” Zhao Ying said as she changed into slippers, trying her best to appear relaxed as she sat beside Zhao Fanglin.

Zhao Fanglin gave Zhao Ying a surprised look. “What’s gotten into you today? You never used to have such hobbies.”

Zhao Ying didn’t respond to her father’s comment and instead got straight to the point. “Dad, can you do me a favor?”

“Oh? So even our heroic Officer Zhao needs help sometimes? Go ahead, let’s hear it,” Zhao Fanglin put down his newspaper, teasing her with a smile. For his daughter to actually ask for a favor, Zhao Fanglin knew this couldn't be anything simple.

“Dad, just tell me, will you help or not?” Zhao Ying shook his arm, calling out in a rare show of coquettishness. She had never behaved like this before, but now she had no choice. Besides her father, she really had no one else to turn to for Lin Fan. She was using every trick she could think of.

“All right, all right, I promise, okay?” Even at nearly fifty, Zhao Fanglin was a bit dazed from her wheedling, thinking to himself, What's gotten into this girl today? She hasn't acted spoiled like this in years.

Seeing her father relent, Zhao Ying briefly explained Lin Fan’s situation, pinning all responsibility for Cai Liren’s death on Yan Dong. She didn’t mention Jin Baiwan at all, nor did she say that Lin Fan was her boyfriend.

But Zhao Fanglin could easily tell, from how hard his daughter was working to exonerate this Lin Fan, that something more was going on. Lin Fan, Lin Fan... The name rang a bell. Suddenly he remembered: Wasn’t the person Old Master Tang had called about last time—the one he was asked to get released from the station—also named Lin Fan? Could they be the same person?

“Dad, Dad... what are you thinking? Are you going to help or not?” Zhao Ying asked anxiously, seeing her father lost in thought.

Zhao Fanglin chuckled, “First tell me, what’s your relationship with this Lin Fan?”

Seeing the ambiguous smile on her father’s face, Zhao Ying’s eyes darted away. “Dad, we’re discussing a case right now, don’t ask about other things. He really didn’t kill anyone, just got into a fight.” She was doing her best to clear Lin Fan of any involvement in the case.

“Discussing a case, discussing a case, ha!” Zhao Fanglin laughed. From her expression, he could tell there was nothing simple about their relationship. If this Lin Fan was the same as the one from before, then he clearly had connections to the Tang family. Even if he didn’t help, Old Master Tang would probably step in.

“You’ve had a long day. Go upstairs and rest. I’ll make a call and inquire about it for you. As long as what you say is true, I’ll do what I can to help that boy,” Zhao Fanglin said after a moment’s thought.

“Dad, I’m going to take a shower,” Zhao Ying replied with a happy smile, then headed upstairs.

To Zhao Ying, since her father had agreed, Lin Fan would certainly not be charged with murder. As for other offenses, finding a good lawyer would take care of it. She knew all too well how slippery lawyers could be. Without realizing it, Zhao Ying had already been drawn by Lin Fan into that gray area between black and white.

Compared to Zhao Ying, Lin Fan was having a much easier time. No one bothered him in the interrogation room, and he had nothing to worry about. He slept soundly.

Outside the holding cell, Yan Dong was driving a police car, bringing back some members of the Green Gang and Cai Liren’s corpse. These would serve as evidence in the future, and Yan Dong was counting on these things to take Lin Fan down.

As soon as he entered the building, someone told Yan Dong that Lin Fan was currently in the interrogation room. Yan Dong paused, surprised that Zhao Ying had actually brought Lin Fan back to the station. After giving a few instructions, he dialed another number...

Not long after, a few officers on duty came to wake Lin Fan. Seeing their respectful attitude, Lin Fan didn’t make things difficult and followed them straight to the holding cell.

Coincidentally, Lin Fan was put back into the same cell as last time. Most of the inmates were the same, though there were a few new faces.

As the door closed, Lin Fan caught, out of the corner of his eye, Yan Dong pulling a duty officer aside, looking secretive. Lin Fan stood still and listened intently.

“Remember, once I’m gone, find a way to lure him outside the door and shoot him dead. Got it?” Yan Dong whispered, as if afraid of being overheard, looking every bit the guilty conspirator.

“Brother Yan, you really want to do this in the police station? This isn’t a joke. If I shoot him, I’ll probably spend the rest of my life in prison,” the officer said worriedly. He’d never killed anyone before, even as a cop.

“What are you afraid of? I’ll take responsibility if anything happens. Don’t worry, higher-ups will take care of it. Nothing can go wrong. All you have to do is kill that kid. Once it’s done, not only will we be fine, but promotions and wealth will be just around the corner,” Yan Dong said confidently. “Once he’s dead, make the scene look like he was trying to escape and you had to shoot. Besides, the kid’s already a murderer. Killing him would be doing the public a favor. I checked—he’s got no connections. No one will care if he dies. Even if Officer Zhao tries to help, what can a woman do when he’s already dead?”

“What about the other inmates?” the officer asked.

“Getting them to keep quiet is the easiest thing in the world. Don’t worry about that. Just kill him. He’s a murderer anyway. The higher-ups will handle the rest,” Yan Dong replied with confidence.

Hearing this, Lin Fan finally understood—they were planning to kill him directly. But then he thought twice. The way Yan Dong and the officer acted, even though they disguised it well, it was almost as if they wanted him to overhear. And why discuss something like this right outside the cell, in front of him, in a police station of all places, instead of somewhere private?

If things were really as he suspected, the only explanation was that they were deliberately creating an opportunity for him to escape. That way, he’d be guilty of murder and attempting to escape—two major charges. Yan Dong kept referring to people “above”; who were these people? It made Lin Fan feel like he was being set up.

No matter what he did now, it seemed things would not go well for him. But Lin Fan was not one to surrender easily. His reason for coming to the station was to facilitate the next move of whoever was hiding in the shadows and to find out who was stabbing him in the back.

There were no such coincidences in this world! Lin Fan didn’t believe Yan Dong had just happened to show up in the suburbs, especially not right after he had dealt with the Green Gang.

To get to the bottom of this, he had to get out. Lin Fan had no intention of staying put like a fool. As long as he followed along with their scheme, he was sure they’d make another move, giving him a better chance to find the mastermind. Of course, he wouldn’t give them any excuse to take him down. As for what to do once he left the station, Lin Fan had already made up his mind.

After Yan Dong and the duty officer left, Lin Fan’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Long time no see, everyone.”

Those who knew Lin Fan couldn’t help but shudder. They’d already experienced his strength—one man had taken down all of them with ease, even someone as tough as Hu Zifeng had acknowledged him as the boss.

When Lin Fan left before, they’d all been relieved. In his presence, they felt an unexplainable pressure, so heavy they could barely breathe. They’d rather be shot than endure that again. Who could have guessed he’d be back so soon—and not just back, but in the same cell!

But of course, there were some who didn’t know Lin Fan. One of them walked right up and shoved his shoulder. Lin Fan didn’t even move, his eyes flashing coldly as he glared at the man. Some people were just born asking for a beating.

Seeing the dark look on Lin Fan’s face, the former ringleader quickly plastered on a flattering smile. “Sir, there’s no need for you to get your hands dirty. Please, have a seat over here.” With a glance at the others, several men hurried over and immediately surrounded the guy who’d pushed Lin Fan.

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