Chapter 267

In the interrogation command room of the High-Tech Zone Public Security Bureau, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

Translation: "High-tech Zone Public Security Bureau, interrogation command room, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme." Need to keep punctuation? We'll produce natural English: "High-tech Zone Public Security Bureau, interrogation command room, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme." Ensure we keep the commas as in Chinese? Chinese uses commas to separate phrases. We'll translate as: "High-tech Zone Public Security Bureau, interrogation command room, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme." That's one line.

Actually, from the moment Zhao Lianyue confessed and gave his statement, regardless of whether Li Chunyan admitted guilt, the situation was already irreversible, but Gao Peng failed to realize this.

Translation: "Actually, from the moment Zhao Lianyue confessed, regardless of whether Li Chunyan admitted guilt, the situation was already irreversible, but Gao Peng failed to realize this." Need to keep meaning. Use "actually". We'll produce: "Actually, from the moment Zhao Lianyue confessed, regardless of whether Li Chunyan admitted guilt, the situation was already irreversible, but Gao Peng failed to realize this."

I couldn't have imagined Lin Dongfan interrogating Zhao Lianyue in White Family Ditch.

I couldn't have imagined Lin Dongfan interrogating Zhao Lianyue in White Family Ditch.

Even more unimaginable, Zhao Lianyue was also involved in a murder case; in that desperate environment, his wishful thinking would be easily shattered by Lin Dongfan.

Even more unimaginable, Zhao Lianyue was also involved in a murder case; in that desperate environment, his wishful thinking would be easily shattered by Lin Dongfan.

For now, Gao Peng still hopes to get Li Chunyan to confess, thereby turning the situation around.

Translation: "For now, Gao Peng still hoped to make Li Chunyan confess, thereby turning the situation around." We'll produce: "For now, Gao Peng still hoped to make Li Chunyan confess, thereby turning the situation around."

Secretary General Jiang Huai-liang suddenly handed over a phone call: "High Secretary, the provincial office is calling." The name displayed on the phone screen was Kuang Chaosheng, the provincial party committee's chief secretary.

Translation: "Secretary General Jiang Huailiang suddenly handed over a phone: 'Secretary Gao, a call from the province.' The name displayed on the phone screen was Kuang Chaosheng, the Provincial Committee Secretary." Need to keep quotes. We'll produce: "Secretary General Jiang Huailiang suddenly handed over a phone: 'Secretary Gao, a call from the province.' The name displayed on the phone screen was Kuang Chaosheng, the Provincial Committee Secretary."

After Gao Peng picked up the phone, he simply greeted: "Chaosheng, what's up?"

After Gao Peng picked up the phone, he simply greeted: "Chaosheng, what's up?"

Soon after, his entire face grew much more solemn.

Translation: "Soon after, his entire face grew much more solemn." We'll produce: "Soon after, his entire face grew much more solemn."

"I understand."

Translation: '"I understand."' We'll produce: '"I understand."'

That call seemed to push the overconfident Gao Peng into a pitch-black abyss where you can't see your hand in front of your face, and even after hanging up he remained looking worried.

That call seemed to push the overconfident Gao Peng into a pitch-black abyss where you can't see your hand in front of your face, and even after hanging up he remained looking worried.

Jiang Huai-liang wondered aloud: "High Secretary, has something happened?"

Translation: "Jiang Huailiang asked puzzledly: 'Secretary Gao, did something happen?'" We'll produce: "Jiang Huailiang asked puzzledly: 'Secretary Gao, did something happen?'"

"The provincial department's special task force is on the way."

Translation: '"The Provincial Department Special Task Force is on the way."' We'll produce: '"The Provincial Department Special Task Force is on the way."'

When this news was spoken, not only did Jiang Huai-liang's face show slight surprise, but Qian Muye beside him also turned his head over, tension evident on his face.

Translation: "As soon as this news came out, not only did Jiang Huailiang's face show slight surprise, but Qian Muye beside him also turned his head over, tension evident on his face." We'll produce: "As soon as this news came out, not only did Jiang Huailiang's face show slight surprise, but Qian Muye beside him also turned his head over, tension evident on his face."

Gao Peng again reassured everyone: "Don't be nervous; the online uproar is huge, the provincial department also feels pressure, so sending down a special task force is quite normal."

Translation: "Gao Peng again comforted everyone: 'Don't be nervous, the online public opinion has blown up so much, the Provincial Department also feels pressure, sending down a special task force is quite normal.'" We'll produce: "Gao Peng again comforted everyone: 'Don't be nervous, the online public opinion has blown up so much, the Provincial Department also feels pressure, sending down a special task force is quite normal.'"

"He said."

"He said."

Gao Peng then instructed Qian Muye: "The provincial department's special task force will arrive soon; I need to go greet them. I'm leaving this matter to you. Before dawn, you must get Li Chunyan to confess and give the provincial task force an answer."

Translation: "Gao Peng then instructed Qian Muye: 'The Provincial Department Special Task Force will arrive soon; I need to go greet them. I'll leave this matter to you. Before dawn, we must get Li Chunyan to confess, to give the Provincial Department Special Task Force an answer.'" We'll produce: "Gao Peng then instructed Qian Muye: 'The Provincial Department Special Task Force will arrive soon; I need to go greet them. I'll leave this matter to you. Before dawn, we must get Li Chunyan to confess, to give the Provincial Department Special Task Force an answer.'"

"Please rest assured, leader; I guarantee to complete the task before dawn!"

Translation: '"Please rest assured, Leader, I guarantee to complete the task before dawn!"' We'll produce: '"Please rest assured, Leader, I guarantee to complete the task before dawn!"'

As a junior leader of the bureau, Qian Muye cherished this rare opportunity; excited, he stood at attention and saluted Gao Peng, seeing him off respectfully.

Translation: "As a junior leader of the bureau, Qian Muye cherished this rare opportunity; excited, he stood at attention and saluted Gao Peng, seeing him off respectfully." We'll produce: "As a junior leader of the bureau, Qian Muye cherished this rare opportunity; excited, he stood at attention and saluted Gao Peng, seeing him off respectfully."

Today, Gao Peng bypassed Xu Liangyuan of the municipal bureau and came directly to the district bureau to give orders!

Translation: "Today Gao Peng bypassed Xu Liangyuan of the City Bureau and came directly to the bureau to give orders!" We'll produce: "Today Gao Peng bypassed Xu Liangyuan of the City Bureau and came directly to the bureau to give orders!"

In Qian Muye's view, this is Gao Peng's trust in him; if he seizes this opportunity, a smooth rise to prominence is imminent.

Translation: "In Qian Muye's view, this is Gao Peng's trust in him; if he seizes this opportunity, a smooth rise to high office is imminent." We'll produce: "In Qian Muye's view, this is Gao Peng's trust in him; if he seizes this opportunity, a smooth rise to high office is imminent."

After Gao Peng and Jiang Huai-liang left.

Translation: "After Gao Peng and Jiang Huailiang left," We'll produce: "After Gao Peng and Jiang Huailiang left,"

Qian Muye stared intently at the monitor, instructing the interrogation room officers: "Bring out all the remaining tactics; tonight we must get Li Chunyan to confess!"

Translation: "Qian Muye stared intently at the monitor, instructing the interrogators in the interrogation room: 'Bring out all the remaining methods; tonight we must make Li Chunyan confess!'" We'll produce: "Qian Muye stared intently at the monitor, instructing the interrogators in the interrogation room: 'Bring out all the remaining methods; tonight we must make Li Chunyan confess!'"

The two interrogators in the interrogation room were both wearing wireless earpieces.

Translation: "The two interrogators in the interrogation room both wore wireless earpieces." We'll produce: "The two interrogators in the interrogation room both wore wireless earpieces."

Upon hearing the order,

Translation: "Upon hearing the order," We'll produce: "Upon hearing the order,"

One tall officer turned, went out, and brought back a mineral water bottle, but inside was not water—it was a buzzing swarm of live green-headed flies.

Translation: "One tall interrogator turned and left to fetch a mineral water bottle, but the bottle did not contain water; instead, it held buzzing, flying green-headed flies, all alive." We'll produce: "One tall interrogator turned and left to fetch a mineral water bottle, but the bottle did not contain water; instead, it held buzzing, flying green-headed flies, all alive."

The tall officer slammed the bottle of green-headed flies onto Li Chunyan's table, warning coldly: "You're a grown man in your forties, still behaving like a child! Do you really want us to force-feed you?"

Translation: "The tall officer slammed the bottle of green-headed flies down in front of Li Chunyan and warned sternly: 'You're a grown man in your forties, still acting like a child! Do you really want us to feed you?'" We'll produce: "The tall officer slammed the bottle of green-headed flies down in front of Li Chunyan and warned sternly: 'You're a grown man in your forties, still acting like a child! Do you really want us to feed you?'"

「！！！」

Translation: '"!!!"' We'll produce: '"!!!"'

Li Chunyan, head bowed and listless, had his hands cuffed behind the chair, his spirit utterly broken.

Translation: "Li Chunyan, head bowed and spiritless, had his hands cuffed behind the chair, his spirit utterly depleted." We'll produce: "Li Chunyan, head bowed and spiritless, had his hands cuffed behind the chair, his spirit utterly depleted."

On the very day he was arrested, he had been interrogated for eight straight hours.

Translation: "On the first day after his arrest, he had been interrogated continuously for eight hours." We'll produce: "On the first day after his arrest, he had been interrogated continuously for eight hours."

That day he clenched his teeth and said nothing, so Qian Muye had someone stick strong adhesive to his upper eyelid, preventing him from closing his eye, then shone a bright light on his eyes.

That day he clenched his teeth and said nothing, so Qian Muye had someone stick strong adhesive to his upper eyelid, preventing him from closing his eye, then shone a bright light on his eyes.

He was kept under that light all night.

Translation: "He was kept under the light all night." We'll produce: "He was kept under the light all night."

By the next morning, his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, his vision blurred.

Translation: "By the next morning, his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, his vision blurred." We'll produce: "By the next morning, his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, his vision blurred."

Later, during continued interrogation, he still gritted his teeth and refused to confess; that night he was again blasted with strong light, and now his eyes are completely unable to see anything.

Translation: "Later, during continued interrogation, he still gritted his teeth and refused to confess; as a result, that night he was again subjected to bright light, and now his eyes are completely unable to see anything." We'll produce: "Later, during continued interrogation, he still gritted his teeth and refused to confess; as a result, that night he was again subjected to bright light, and now his eyes are completely unable to see anything."

He feels only an indescribable swelling pain.

Translation: "He only felt an indescribable swelling pain." We'll produce: "He only felt an indescribable swelling pain."

Over the past three days and nights.

Translation: "Over the past three days and three nights," We'll produce: "Over the past three days and three nights,"

Qian Muye never let him sleep or eat, only occasionally giving him a sip of water; he would splash an entire basin of water onto his face, and Li Chunyan had to seize the moment while the water ran down his face to lick it up with his tongue.

Translation: "Qian Muye neither let him sleep nor eat, only occasionally giving him some water; a whole basin of water was splashed on his face, and he had to seize the moment while the water ran down his face to lick it with his tongue." We'll produce: "Qian Muye neither let him sleep nor eat, only occasionally giving him some water; a whole basin of water was splashed on his face, and he had to seize the moment while the water ran down his face to lick it with his tongue."

Because his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, he could see nothing.

Translation: "Because his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, he could see nothing." We'll produce: "Because his eyes were bloodshot and swollen, he could see nothing."

Now he doesn't even know there's a bottle of green-headed flies placed before him—this is what passes for "food".

Translation: "Now he doesn't even know there is a bottle of green-headed flies placed before him; this is what they call 'food'." We'll produce: "Now he doesn't even know there is a bottle of green-headed flies placed before him; this is what they call 'food'."

He drooped his head, parted his dry, cracked lips, and uttered a weak voice: "Don't waste your effort; I didn't blow up the warehouse—I'd rather starve to death than confess."

Translation: "He drooped his head, parted his dry, cracked lips, and uttered a weak voice: 'Don't waste your effort; I didn't blow up the warehouse, and even if I starve to death I won't confess.'" We'll produce: "He drooped his head, parted his dry, cracked lips, and uttered a weak voice: 'Don't waste your effort; I didn't blow up the warehouse, and even if I starve to death I won't confess.'"

"Do you know what's inside this bottle?"

Translation: '"Do you know what's inside this bottle?'" We'll produce: '"Do you know what's inside this bottle?"'

The tall officer picked up the bottle of green-headed flies and waved it near Li Chunyan's ear.

Translation: "The tall officer picked up the bottle of green-headed flies and shook it near Li Chunyan's ear." We'll produce: "The tall officer picked up the bottle of green-headed flies and shook it near Li Chunyan's ear."

The flies inside immediately began buzzing and flying about wildly.

Translation: "The flies inside the bottle immediately buzzed and flew about wildly." We'll produce: "The flies inside the bottle immediately buzzed and flew about wildly."

Upon hearing that familiar buzzing, Li Chunyan instantly understood what these creatures were meant to do: "Is this what Qian Muye had you do? Tell him I curse his ancestors."

Translation: "Upon hearing that familiar fly buzz, Li Chunyan instantly understood what these beasts intended: 'Is it Qian Muye who had you do this? Tell him, I curse his ancestors.'" We'll produce: "Upon hearing that familiar fly buzz, Li Chunyan instantly understood what these beasts intended: 'Is it Qian Muye who had you do this? Tell him, I curse his ancestors.'"

"He's stubborn—pinch his mouth shut!"

Translation: '"Stubborn mouth, pinch his mouth shut!"' We'll produce: '"Stubborn mouth, pinch his mouth shut!"'

At the tall officer's command, the other interrogator stepped forward, grabbed Li Chunyan's head, and forced his mouth open.

Translation: "At the tall officer's command, the other interrogator immediately stepped forward, held Li Chunyan's head, and forced his mouth open." We'll produce: "At the tall officer's command, the other interrogator immediately stepped forward, held Li Chunyan's head, and forced his mouth open."

This sort of forced "feeding" operation seemed not to be the tall officer's first time.

Translation: "This sort of forced 'feeding' operation was apparently not the first time for the tall officer." We'll produce: "This sort of forced 'feeding' operation was apparently not the first time for the tall officer."

He was practically a veteran at it.

Translation: "He could do it with his eyes closed." We'll produce: "He could do it with his eyes closed."

He unscrewed the bottle, and without waiting for the flies to fly out, he shoved the mouth of the bottle into Li Chunyan's mouth, then kept striking the bottom to drive the flies into his mouth.

Translation: "He unscrewed the bottle cap, and without waiting for the flies to fly out, he immediately shoved the bottle opening into Li Chunyan's mouth, continuously striking the bottom to drive the flies into his mouth." We'll produce: "He unscrewed the bottle cap, and without waiting for the flies to fly out, he immediately shoved the bottle opening into Li Chunyan's mouth, continuously striking the bottom to drive the flies into his mouth."

Eating flies won't kill a person.

Translation: "Eating flies won't kill a person." We'll produce: "Eating flies won't kill a person."

But this kind of terrifying mental destruction is truly beyond what an ordinary person can endure.

Translation: "But this kind of terrifying mental destruction is truly beyond what an ordinary person can endure." We'll produce: "But this kind of terrifying mental destruction is truly beyond what an ordinary person can endure."

Li Chunyan choked on the green-headed flies, coughing incessantly, struggling desperately to no avail—his head was held firmly, completely under control.

Translation: "Li Chunyan choked on the flies, coughing incessantly, struggling desperately, but to no avail—his head was held firmly, controlled tightly." We'll produce: "Li Chunyan choked on the flies, coughing incessantly, struggling desperately, but to no avail—his head was held firmly, controlled tightly."

His eyes were already bloodshot and swollen, with red veins covering the irises.

Translation: "His eyes were already bloodshot and swollen, with red veins covering the irises." We'll produce: "His eyes were already bloodshot and swollen, with red veins covering the irises."

At this moment, his tears flowed uncontrollably.

Translation: "At this moment, his tears flowed uncontrollably." We'll produce: "At this moment, his tears flowed uncontrollably."

Only after he had swallowed the entire bottle of live flies did the tall officer pull the mineral water bottle from his mouth, giving him a brief breath of air.

Translation: "Only after he swallowed the whole bottle of flies alive did the tall officer pull the mineral water bottle from his mouth, giving him a slight breath of relief." We'll produce: "Only after he swallowed the whole bottle of flies alive did the tall officer pull the mineral water bottle from his mouth, giving him a slight breath of relief."

The tall officer crouched down.

Translation: "The tall officer squatted down." We'll produce: "The tall officer squatted down."

Then, half-joking, he slapped Li Chunyan's cheek: "I gave you such a nice supplement—are you full? Have you figured it out yet? Will you cooperate or not?"

Translation: "Then, jokingly, he slapped Li Chunyan's cheek and said: 'You've been given such a nice supplement—are you full? Have you figured it out yet? Will you cooperate or not?'" We'll produce: "Then, jokingly, he slapped Li Chunyan's cheek and said: 'You've been given such a nice supplement—are you full? Have you figured it out yet? Will you cooperate or not?'"

"Pah!"

Translation: '"Pah!"' We'll produce: '"Pah!"'

Li Chunyan, mouth full of chewed-up green-headed flies, located the source by sound and spat straight at the tall officer's face.

Translation: "Li Chunyan, mouth full of chewed-up green-headed flies, located the source by sound and spat straight at the tall officer's face." We'll produce: "Li Chunyan, mouth full of chewed-up green-headed flies, located the source by sound and spat straight at the tall officer's face."

The unsuspecting tall officer got a faceful of spit.

Translation: "The tall officer, caught off guard, got a faceful of spit." We'll produce: "The tall officer, caught off guard, got a faceful of spit."

Damn!

The tall police officer wiped his hand across his face, then lowered his head to look at the disgusting substance on his hand.

He was so angry he nearly broke his teeth.

He yanked Li Chunyan's hair, forcing her head up at a 45‑degree angle: "Are you fucking sick of living? If you are, give a squeak—I don't mind helping you write a confession before suicide."

"If you've got the guts, kill me."

Li Chunyan had long been prepared to die.

The tall officer sneered: "Your daughter Li Meng just graduated from college, in the prime of her youth. Today she ran to our police bureau's entrance, unfurled a banner and caused a scene; she's already been sent to a mental hospital. Do you want to consider her fate? Whether she ends up honored or disgraced, sane or insane, the decision is now in your hands…"

"You beasts!!!"

Li Chunyan struggled fiercely, but could not break free of the tall officer's grip; her hands were cuffed behind the chair, her hair held tight, and her head kept at a 45‑degree angle.

Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes.

Li Chunyan roared in anger: "You beasts! Come at me if you have a problem! If you lay a hand on my daughter, I won't let you off even as a ghost!"

This was undoubtedly the most desperate moment of Li Chunyan's life.

He never dreamed that, though heaven leaves no one without a path, there is still light in the world! The one who could truly change his life—Lin Dongfan—was now rushing to his side.