Chapter 309: See You in the Next Life

Zhao Jianlong was stunned for a moment, his entire spirit seemingly drained away, becoming very listless, a completely different person from his previous state.

"Clatter!"

"Clatter!"

Zhao Jianlong dragged his heavy shackles, moving step by step to the door. Outside stood four people: two correctional officers, a familiar interrogation officer from the detention center, and a judicial police officer with a very serious face, holding a document in his hand.

Zhao Jianlong's face turned noticeably paler. The two correctional officers came over and supported his arms.

When the judicial police officer saw Zhao Jianlong, he read from the document in his hand:

"Original defendant Zhao Jianlong, male, Han ethnicity... This court has lawfully formed a collegiate bench to review this case, and the review is now concluded."

"Confirmed after review: Defendant Zhao Jianlong, manufacturing and selling counterfeit goods, organized crime, involvement in prostitution, gambling, ***, forced humiliation of women, intentional injury, provoking trouble..."

"The criminal means were extremely cruel, the criminal circumstances were extremely vile, the criminal consequences were extremely serious, the subjective malice was extremely deep, and the personal danger was extremely great. Considering Zhao Jianlong's various crimes, the nature of the crimes, the circumstances, and the degree of harm to society, he should be severely punished according to the law."

"The Jiangzhou Ye Zhongyuan's verdict determined the facts clearly, the evidence was solid and sufficient, the conviction was accurate, the sentencing was appropriate, the trial procedure was lawful, and the penalty imposed was not improper."

"This court, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Law, rules as follows:"

"Approves the Jiangzhou Ye Zhongyuan's first-instance criminal verdict on the original defendant Zhao Jianlong, sentencing him to death for multiple crimes, depriving him of political rights for life, and confiscating all his personal property."

Zhao Jianlong's legs were trembling slightly, but that last bit of dignity made him try hard to control it and stand straight.

The interrogation officer said: "Zhao Jianlong, your wife is here. Go see her."

Zhao Jianlong took a deep breath and said to the two correctional officers beside him: "I can walk by myself."

The two correctional officers let go of Zhao Jianlong and took a step back.

Zhao Jianlong took a deep breath, dragged his shackles, and walked forward with a "clatter, clatter" sound.

Listening to the sound of the shackles dragging on the ground gradually disappear, Lao Wan said: "Zhao Jianlong won't hit the road until around 2:00 PM. Lao Sun, I leave it to you; handle it according to the old rules."

"Yes!" Lao Sun agreed and said to the other prisoners: "Everyone hurry up and clean the cell as fast as you can. No one knows what reactions a person will have in their final moments, so don't leave anything that can hurt people, including toothbrushes."

Lao Sun, while helping to clean, gave instructions: "Zhao Jianlong will still be in the cell with us for a few hours. There will be a farewell meal at noon, then he will shave, get a haircut, and take a shower. Everyone must not be slack; keep a close eye on him, and don't take your eyes off him for a second."

Then Lao Sun began to assign tasks in an orderly manner, which he was clearly very familiar with; it was obviously not the first time he had done this kind of work.

In the meeting room, Si Wei was dressed very, very beautifully. She had been wearing makeup, but it had already been washed away by tears.

"Don't cry!"

Zhao Jianlong raised his hand and wiped the tears from Si Wei's face.

"In this life, I've lived enough, but I've let down our mother, you, and the children."

Si Wei stroked Zhao Jianlong's face: "Don't worry, I will take good care of our mother and raise our son to adulthood."

Zhao Jianlong nodded and said seriously: "Absolutely, absolutely do not think about taking revenge for me. After you leave here, take the children and our mother away from Jiangzhou, as far as possible, and never come back. As for me, leave the remaining ashes for them to handle; you don't need to worry about it."

Si Wei said very excitedly: "Why?"

Recalling what Zhou Andong said when he came to see him that day, Zhao Jianlong shuddered: "Zhou Andong is more ruthless than you and I imagine. He won't let you and the children go. Therefore, you must leave Jiangzhou as soon as possible, and I can die in peace."

Si Wei shook her head violently, tears streaming down: "No, I won't go. I must take revenge for you."

Zhao Jianlong immediately became anxious: "Listen to me, absolutely do not have this thought. You are no match for him."

Si Wei bit her lip and looked at Zhao Jianlong stubbornly.

"If something happens to you, the children certainly won't survive." Zhao Jianlong grabbed Si Wei's wrist and said sincerely: "I deserve to die, you don't need to sacrifice yourself and the children for me. I only hope you can live safely and raise the children. Do you understand?"

Si Wei cried out in a suppressed, sobbing voice, nodding continuously: "Understood, understood, I will take our mother and children away from Jiangzhou and never come back."

Zhao Jianlong smiled, cupped Si Wei's face, and kissed her.

The two correctional officers turned their heads away, pretending not to see. After all, Zhao Jianlong was a figure, and he was about to hit the road, so this bit of face had to be given.

It was also because management was relatively loose in this era; if it were a later generation, this situation would be impossible.

"Time is almost up!" A correctional officer interrupted the two's intimacy.

Zhao Jianlong pushed Si Wei away and said with a smile: "Wife, see you in the next life."

Si Wei also smiled: "Jianlong, I heard that when you drink Meng Po soup, if you silently recite someone's name in your heart, you won't forget that person. Remember, you must silently recite my name, don't forget me, or you won't be able to find me."

"Okay!" Zhao Jianlong agreed.

"Let's go!" the correctional officer said.

Zhao Jianlong looked at Si Wei deeply for the last time, as if he wanted to carve her image into his soul.

Back in the cell, Zhao Jianlong saw a small table on the ground with four dishes and one soup. He understood in his heart that this was his final meal before execution, also called the "severed head meal."

At this time, Lao Wan also came in: "How are the dishes? Do you like them?"

Zhao Jianlong said: "The dishes are okay, but there's no liquor."

Lao Wan hesitated: "What kind of liquor do you want?"

Zhao Jianlong said: "Jiangzhou Imperial Tribute. When I was poor, I liked drinking big sorghum liquor. Now that I'm about to leave, I'll have one last sip of my hometown's liquor."

Lao Wan nodded and turned to leave the cell. Drinking liquor was absolutely forbidden, but it depended on the person. Zhao Jianlong's small request could still be satisfied.

Soon the liquor was brought, and Lao Wan poured half a cup for Zhao Jianlong.

Zhao Jianlong picked up the glass, drank the half cup in one gulp, smacked his lips, and smiled.

"To be honest, the taste is much better than big sorghum liquor. Zhou Andong really has some skills."

After speaking, he didn't drink any more liquor, only ate one bite of each dish, and finally drank two sips of egg soup before putting down his chopsticks.

"I'm full!"

Lao Sun said: "Come, give Brother Long a haircut and a shave."

Zhao Jianlong didn't refuse. After the haircut and shave, he took a shower and changed into the new clothes Si Wei had brought.

Lao Wan asked: "Do you want to write a last will?"

Zhao Jianlong shook his head: "Everything that needed to be said has been said; there's no need to write a last will."

"Brother Long, have a cigarette." Lao Sun handed Zhao Jianlong a cigarette and lit it for him.

Lao Wan, including the people in the cell, began to chat with Zhao Jianlong, distracting him so he wouldn't let his mind wander.

This effect was indeed very good, making Zhao Jianlong forget the time and the fear of facing death. He talked about his glorious past, and from time to time, he would even laugh heartily.

Time passed in such a harmonious and happy atmosphere until 2:00 PM, when a majestic shout suddenly came from outside.

"Zhao Jianlong, come out!" ===== CHAPTER 310 =====