Chapter 51: Confronting Xia Lan

"Because I don't think my love is more important than the countless people destroyed by drugs. Don't they have their own love? Don't they have their own families and loved ones?"

Nie Huaishang shouted the question at Ma Shichang, then shifted his tone:

"And I don't think your love for your daughter is true love. If you truly loved her, you shouldn't have taken this path in the first place—so much so that today, at such a young age, she has to experience the pain of losing her father."

"And all the money you made from dealing drugs over the years—not a single cent of it will Ma Qitong ever be able to spend for the rest of her life."

These words struck Ma Shichang's heart like a heavy hammer. His face changed drastically; he knew Nie Huaishang was right.

His daughter would be under strict police surveillance for the rest of her life. After a lifetime of toil and living in fear, what had he gained?

If he had never taken the path of drug dealing back then, with Ma Shichang's ability and resourcefulness, couldn't he have carved out a place for himself anywhere?

Although the money wouldn't be as much as from drugs, at least it was safe and stable—earning money you can spend with peace of mind, isn't that right?

But now it was too late for regrets. In his youth, unable to resist the lure of money and excitement, he had taken this path—one wrong step, and every step after followed wrong.

But Nie Huaishang had no mood to care about Ma Shichang's feelings. He waved at Li Erniu and Wang Yanbing, signaling them to take Ma Shichang away quickly.

The current time and place were hardly the best choice for sentimental reflection. If Ma Shichang really wanted to reminisce, the military's interrogation room had plenty of time.

The drug cartel leader Ma Shichang was successfully arrested by their special forces, and most of the remaining underlings were swept up by the large follow-up force that arrived later.

In short, this operation to eradicate the drug tumor on the southwestern border was a great success.

The several special forces teams that returned were welcomed by almost everyone in the military district—after all, they were heroes.

Of course, not everyone was fond of them—for instance, Xia Lan.

When she went to interrogate Ma Yunfei hoping to get more information, she was told that Ma Yunfei was being rescued.

After learning the reason—that Ma Yunfei's four limbs had been crippled by Zhang Xiaofan—she flew into a rage and stormed off to confront Zhang Xiaofan.

"Zhang Xiaofan, you had already taken away his ability to fight back then. Why did you keep firing? How am I supposed to conduct my interrogation now?"

Xia Lan shouted the question at Zhang Xiaofan, who was in the middle of combat simulation training.

Hearing Xia Lan's questioning, Zhang Xiaofan looked up at the woman and scoffed:

"He raised his gun at my comrade and I'm not allowed to fire back? If we hadn't dragged him back, how would you interrogate him? On what grounds are you questioning me?"

Zhang Xiaofan found this woman irritating just by looking at her. He knew that in the original plot, Han Xiaoying died and Xiao Zhuang left the army—this woman had to bear the main responsibility.

He felt this woman was unfit to stay in the army or the police force, because plenty of officers and soldiers would pay with their lives because of her saintly foolishness.

After being choked by Zhang Xiaofan's retort, Xia Lan flushed with humiliation and anger: "I'm asking you why you kept firing after he had lost his ability to fight. You've affected our follow-up work, understand?"

Zhang Xiaofan was amused by this idiot woman's words. Your work? Letting Ma Yunfei take hostages and then giving him a chance to escape?

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan's mocking smile, Xia Lan flew into a rage:

"Zhang Xiaofan, I'm asking you a question. Please show me some respect, understand?"

Zhang Xiaofan, fed up with this woman's unreasonable pestering, said angrily:

"Fine, you want me to give you an answer? Alright. Do you know how cunning Ma Yunfei is? Back then, just because his hand was injured and he wasn't handcuffed, he nearly got my comrade killed."

"If we don't cripple his four limbs, and someone else dies because of him, what then? Will you put on a show of crying over the dead and let it pass? Is that it?"

"He's already been arrested by us. How could he possibly hurt anyone again?"

Xia Lan stubbornly insisted.

Zhang Xiaofan heard her out and asked: "Fine, then let me ask you—if Ma Yunfei harms himself during interrogation, will you treat him?"

"Yes."

Xia Lan answered without hesitation.

"During the treatment of Ma Yunfei, will you have special forces personnel monitor him the entire time?"

Zhang Xiaofan continued asking.

"No."

Xia Lan continued.

"Once Ma Yunfei suddenly seizes that nurse, how could that nurse, with her combat ability, possibly be a match for Ma Yunfei?"

Zhang Xiaofan questioned Xia Lan.

Xia Lan was momentarily speechless, but Zhang Xiaofan didn't let up and continued:

"A woman like you, who only cares about her own merit and ignores the lives of comrades—how do you deserve to be a soldier?"

"On what grounds should other people's lives pay for your stupidity? Why don't you go die?"

Listening to Zhang Xiaofan's scolding, Xia Lan wanted to retort but couldn't find a reason to.

"Now please get out of the Red Cell Group's training grounds. We don't welcome someone like you here—compassionate toward enemies, cruel toward comrades."

Zhang Xiaofan said, pointing toward the door. Xia Lan heard him and stormed off in a fury, muttering as she walked:

"Fine, I'm leaving. As if I actually liked coming to your shabby little place."

Watching Xia Lan leave, Zhang Xiaofan sat back comfortably in his chair. With that idiot woman gone, even the air felt much fresher.

Not long after, he and Nie Huaishang received a notice that the military district was going to commend them, especially Nie Huaishang.

The great success of this operation was owed first and foremost to Nie Huaishang.

But throughout the entire commendation ceremony, Nie Huaishang was forcing a smile, his mind weighed down the whole time.

Captain He Zhijun clearly noticed, and after the commendation ended, he took the initiative to talk with Nie Huaishang.

"Since the operation ended, you've been in low spirits. What's wrong? Have you fallen for Ma Qitong?"

He Zhijun got straight to the point as soon as he started.

"Indeed, a girl whose eyes are full of you—few men could resist, let alone someone like me who has never been liked by a girl since childhood."

Saying this, Nie Huaishang gave a self-mocking laugh.

Hearing this, He Zhijun nodded affirmatively and said:

"Indeed. But since you've made the decision to go undercover, you have to say goodbye to your relationship with her. And people have to look forward."

"And a fine young man like you—plenty of girls will fall for you in the future. Want me to introduce you to a few?"

"Captain, please stop teasing me."

Nie Huaishang refused with a helpless expression; he truly never expected the always serious and earnest He Zhijun to one day play matchmaker, and for himself at that.

"By the way, how is Ma Qitong?"

Nie Huaishang asked He Zhijun.

"Ever since that day's operation, she has been weeping day and night, but since she is completely innocent, she will be released soon; however, once out, her life as a Young Lady accustomed to fine clothes and rich food will likely be difficult."

He Zhijun reported the truth.