Chapter 337: A Reason That Cannot Be Refused

Seven years ago, handoffs were done using fixed locations… Yu Dazhang felt that while this method was safe, it wasn't as simple and effective as the later handoff method.

Using a warehouse as a transit point eliminated even the step of the "couriers" from both sides meeting face to face.

But over time, that warehouse would inevitably arouse suspicion from others.

So the warehouse itself was the biggest hidden danger.

By that logic, randomly choosing locations was still safer.

There's a saying that fits well: hit one spot, then move.

"Can you still get in touch with your middle school classmate?"

The interrogating officer was very professional and knew what took priority.

If they could catch that middle school classmate of his, it would be a major breakthrough in the case.

But they had to move fast.

Once the other side learned that the industrial district had been raided, everyone on that line would cut ties with Yancheng.

"We haven't been in touch for over a year," the man replied:

"But I have his contact information."

Hearing him say that, the officer across from him fell silent instead.

Even Yu Dazhang furrowed his brow.

What kind of reason should they use to contact the other party?

That was the most headache-inducing problem for them right now.

They only had one chance.

If the other party sensed anything off, they would very likely be spooked.

And what they were most short on right now was time.

The moment the other party hesitated and stalled for a few days, they'd learn about the situation in Yancheng.

Best to get that person to show up… Yu Dazhang's mind spun rapidly, various reasons flashing through his brain.

The officer in the interrogation room was also deep in thought, apparently unable to find a suitable reason either.

After a moment, Yu Dazhang slapped his own head.

Damn it, why am I even thinking about this? Isn't there a ready-made person right here… He looked at the man sitting in the interrogation chair on the surveillance feed.

His own middle school classmate—of course he knew him best.

And when it came to making excuses and cooking up reasons, probably only he knew the other's temperament and disposition.

Thinking of this, Yu Dazhang picked up the microphone and said quickly:

"Ask him what reason could be used to lure the other party out—ideally something that gets us face-to-face with the person, and something they can't refuse."

Just make the request directly, no need to rack his own brain here.

Yu Dazhang shifted his angle of thinking.

If it were someone he knew well, it would be much simpler—he had plenty of ways to lure that person out.

No other reason than knowing them well enough, understanding their personality.

The interrogating officer immediately relayed Yu Dazhang's words to the man.

He specifically emphasized the phrase "the other party can't refuse."

Clearly he, too, knew there was only this one chance.

Hearing this, the man's face immediately grew complicated, and his expression turned heavy and solemn.

After a moment, he said in a low voice:

"Can I have a cigarette?"

"Go ahead." The officer across from him nodded, then fished a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

"I want to smoke my own," the man requested:

"When you guys dragged me into the car, all my personal belongings were confiscated—cigarettes included. I'm not used to any other brand."

Quite the wishful thinking… Yu Dazhang watched the man on the video feed and curled his lip in disdain.

A suspect like this couldn't be allowed to keep any personal items on them—even metal buttons had to be confiscated.

Some suspects with extreme temperaments were prone to doing drastic things the moment they were caught.

In his previous life, Yu Dazhang had personally witnessed a suspect use a razor blade hidden in his belt buckle to slit his own carotid artery.

There were also ones who hid sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide—swallowing it the instant they were caught, beyond any hope of rescue.

Who knew whether that man's cigarettes were deliberately kept as poison smokes for himself.

Even though the odds were low, no one would take that risk—and it wasn't by the book anyway.

"If you're going to smoke, smoke mine."

The provincial bureau officer naturally wouldn't let that happen. He stared at the man with a stern face:

"You need to understand where you are. From now on, you're saying a complete goodbye to your old habits."

The man was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting his request to be refused.

But he quickly caught himself:

"Then I'll try yours."

Being allowed to smoke at all in this situation was already preferential treatment—how would he dare be picky.

Once the cigarette was lit, he took two puffs, then fell back into deep thought.

With the cigarette's aid, his thinking this time was noticeably smoother. Not a single furrow of his brow—instead, he seemed to be savoring something.

Just as one cigarette was about to be finished, the man suddenly spoke:

"There actually is one way to meet him—and he wouldn't be able to refuse."

After a pause, the man took another drag on his cigarette, tossed the butt aside, and then continued:

"I told him I was done, that I was going to take the other two and start some legitimate business, and to have him send someone over to take over."

"He'll definitely believe it, because I've told him more than once before that once I'd made enough money, I'd go into business for myself and live a few quiet days."

The reason was indeed solid enough, perfectly reasonable… Yu Dazhang, hearing it, also saw no problem with it.

But this time the officer from the provincial bureau felt it wasn't quite appropriate.

"If your classmate really sends someone over to take over, what are you going to do?"

His concern was not without reason.

If someone really was sent over to take over, then all the police would catch was still a "foot soldier," which wouldn't help the case at all.

"Relax, it won't happen. He'll definitely come to Yancheng to find me himself."

The man's gaze was steady, and as he said this, his face was full of confidence, making it hard not to want to believe him.

"Why are you so sure?" the officer sitting across from him still looked not entirely at ease.

The stakes were too high; he had to know the specific reason.

"I know him too well," the man replied:

"He's not only suspicious but also conceited. For something this big, he'll definitely come in person to handle the handover."

"There's also one more thing that requires him to come in person — he'll try to persuade me to stay, and offer more pay."

Hearing this, the officer's face clearly showed some emotion.

Yu Dazhang also understood the key point.

What they were doing now was no proper job.

Not the kind you could quit and then publicly recruit replacements for.

These three people had only been assembled through mutual introductions over several years, so if all three left together, the line would be cut.

Calling it a handover was really just an excuse; the other side wouldn't let these three people leave so easily.

As long as the man stubbornly insisted on leaving, his classmate would definitely come in person to try to keep him.

The interrogation room fell silent.

The interrogating officer glanced at the camera, his meaning clear: let Yu Dazhang make the call.

"We'll use this reason," Yu Dazhang picked up the microphone and said:

"Have him make the call."

The officer gave a slight nod, indicating he'd heard.

Then the suspect's phone was brought into the interrogation room.

"Use speakerphone?" the man asked, holding the phone.

"No need," the officer replied:

"Just call like you normally would."

When using speakerphone, the sound is transmitted through the phone's speaker, and if you listen carefully, the other party will hear their own echo.

If the other party is a meticulous person, it's easy to notice something off.

The man nodded, then dialed out.

It rang only twice before the other party picked up:

"Hello?"

"It's me," the man's voice was very steady, sounding just like a normal chat:

"Got something to tell you — I'm not planning to keep doing this. Xiao Kong and the other guy also feel there's no point going on. We're thinking of pooling money to set up a factory."

"Set up a factory?" The person on the other end of the line scoffed upon hearing it:

"The three of you want to copy others and open a factory? Are you out of your mind?"

(End of chapter)