Chapter 353

Be brave, be brave, my friend~

In the night, Wan Xinpeng was running with all his might.

The last time he had run like this was over two months ago.

Back then, he had been getting his hair washed at a massage parlor when the anti-vice squad arrived. Fortunately, he was sharp; hearing the commotion and sensing something was wrong, he reacted in advance, climbed out the window, and fled.

Damn it.

Spending his own money to kiss and do that, wasn't that just import-export trade? The state clearly said they supported it, so why did it turn into a crackdown when it came to practice?

They say love without material substance is just a pile of loose sand.

Then why arrest him for love he exchanged for material substance?

But later on, Wan Xinpeng figured this question out himself.

That saying was correct; it was simply that his material substance wasn't enough. If he had more, he wouldn't be exchanging for one minute of love, but a year of love—turning it into being a kept man, which wasn't illegal.

As for how Wan Xinpeng discovered Yan Aosong was a cop.

Damn it, because the guy in charge of raiding his shop that day was this very fellow!

Even if he turned to ash, he would still recognize him.

Bro, did you think taking off your uniform and saying a few dirty things would count as blending into our circle of perverts?

Once a cop, always a cop!

That is a stain on your resume that can never be erased, heh.

Wan Xinpeng turned left and right, not wasting time looking back, but his stamina was draining fast with the running. His breathing grew heavy, and he couldn't run much further.

But he should have shaken them off.

After all, last time, he had run barefoot and still outran Yan Aosong, who was wearing shoes.

Heh, small fry.

Wan Xinpeng stopped to catch his breath and looked back.

Lin Li: qaq.

Lin Li, who was right in front of him, waved his hand: "Hello, I am Venom qaq."

Wan Xinpeng: "?"

Then Lin Li displayed the classic move of a "Licentiate"—pretending to have just noticed Wan Xinpeng, clenching his fist to cover his mouth, smiling shyly, and then touching his hair.

Looking at the stunned Wan Xinpeng, Lin Li felt a little proud.

Little guy, you're smitten, aren't you?

"Holy crap!"

Wan Xinpeng came to his senses and lunged forward to run again.

How could this person run so fast without making a sound?

"Didn't you eat? Why are you running so slowly? You might as well stop; it's meaningless. Take a break."

Lin Li caught up effortlessly, walked alongside him, patted Wan Xinpeng on the shoulder, and advised him.

Speaking of which, you need to eat to have the strength to run, so perhaps the essence of humanity is a starch-powered vehicle?

Watching Lin Li, who looked like he was 'strolling in a courtyard,' Wan Xinpeng widened his eyes, then looked panicked and gritted his teeth to accelerate.

Seeing that Wan Xinpeng refused to be decent, Lin Li sighed. He didn't want to keep playing or torturing him; he had things to do, so he directly tackled him to the ground.

"Hiss—ha—" It hurt a bit. Wan Xinpeng gasped, contributing to global warming, which added to his crimes; he recommended the death penalty.

Lin Li squatted to the side, smiling as he sized up Wan Xinpeng.

Not in a hurry to escort him back, he took out his phone, replied to the message Yan Aosong had just sent, and then asked Wan Xinpeng with a smile:

"Buddy, are you well-informed? Do you have any intention of making a deal?"

"Hm?"

Wan Xinpeng, who had already been depressed and resigned to his fate, opened the eyes he had instinctively closed due to pain upon hearing this, and looked at Lin Li in confusion: "Little brother... a deal? You, you aren't a cop?"

Because Wan Xinpeng believed a cop would never say such things.

"Of course I'm not. I'm just a little hero driven by interest." Lin Li smiled.

"Then what kind of deal?"

Wan Xinpeng, having found a glimmer of hope, immediately asked.

"How do you know those two? Since you know them, you must know quite a few quasi-criminals, right? Can you introduce me to some?" Lin Li got straight to the point. "If you can introduce them, everything is negotiable; there's room for maneuver.

I'm a person with both connections and energy."

Although they would still die if cut.

The reason Lin Li asked this was that although he had caught three people today, the system task would definitely only count as one, and there were four more to complete.

"Ah?" Hearing the request, Wan Xinpeng was stunned again, but then he shook his head: "This, this isn't it..."

"Not even one?" Lin Li frowned slightly. "Don't your friends have plans to pull a few jobs soon?"

"Little brother, really, there aren't any." Wan Xinpeng shook his head. "Thievery is my side job; I have other things to do usually. I don't know many people in the industry, and most of them have entered a periodic 'washing their hands of the business' phase after doing time. They refuse to do it no matter what. I've already asked before..."

"Then..."

"..."

After spending a few minutes talking to Wan Xinpeng, Lin Li gained nothing.

There was indeed no effective information.

It seemed he still had to pin his hopes on Deng Zi and Li Cheng. He guessed Li Cheng was one of the friends Wan Xinpeng mentioned.

"Fine, then there's nothing more to say. Let's go."

However, he hadn't had high expectations for Wan Xinpeng anyway, so he wasn't disappointed. Lin Li dragged him up and escorted him toward Building 4 of the residential complex.

"Little brother, can you let me go?" But Wan Xinpeng's mind became active again.

Since Lin Li wasn't a policeman and had even taken the initiative to propose a deal with him just now.

That meant this person's bottom line was very flexible.

That made things easy; there was a chance for everything.

"Brother, as long as you let me go, I can give you money—not stolen loot, but clean money. Three thousand, three thousand, how does that number sound? I can even have my friend transfer it to you right now..."

"Anyway, only you caught up to me right now, brother. It's just the two of us. If you let me go, that cop won't know. How great is that..."

"If the money isn't enough, I can add more. Five thousand, is five thousand okay?"

As for why Wan Xinpeng was so persistent about escaping.

It wasn't that Wan Xinpeng planned to be a fugitive for the rest of his life. To be honest, in modern society, unless you have eyes and hands that reach the heavens, you might be able to endure being a fugitive for a short time, but over a long period, it would be quite torturous and depressing.

What Wan Xinpeng wanted to do wasn't to be a fugitive, but to surrender after escaping.

This seemed like taking off one's pants to fart—an unnecessary act (Wang Ze never uses this allegorical saying).

But friends who have often committed crimes, been caught, and gone to jail know that surrendering is a major factor for sentence reduction in sentencing.

And Wan Xinpeng was very clear about the scale of his theft case. Although the amount was relatively large, no one was hurt, and the items weren't truly stolen. These prerequisites would further lower the priority of this case at the station.

Of course, ignoring him was impossible, but it would just mean sending a few people to search and arrest him after obtaining his real information from his accomplices; they wouldn't use a large amount of manpower and resources.

Under these conditions, Wan Xinpeng was confident he could hide for a while by finding a few trusted friends.

After a period of searching without results, the Demon Suppression Division would notify his relatives and friends, asking them to persuade him to surrender.

Using both kindness and force, you see.

And as long as he surrendered at an appropriate time and showed strong remorse, his sentence wouldn't be reduced by half a year, but at least by three months.

Through such an operation, he could even manage to "go in later than his two teammates, but come out earlier than them."

This was the significance of surrendering after escaping.

But Lin Li wasn't short on money, only task progress, so he refused with particular decisiveness and disdain: "No, not interested."

Hearing the finality in Lin Li's voice, Wan Xinpeng lowered his head and followed behind.

So he had misjudged the person; this young man's heart was still upright.

Thinking about it, his deal just now might have been for justice as well.

Subsequently, Lin Li paused his steps and raised an eyebrow.

—On the screen that only he could see, the progress of "Gold" had increased again, and by a large margin.

This time Lin Li wasn't too surprised. After being stunned, he felt a bit of realization—so refusing a bribe also counted as an abstract trial for "Gold"?

Reasonable. Lin Li, who had already been shaped by the system, approved.

Then...

"..."

Sensing a gaze, Wan Xinpeng looked up and realized that Lin Li, who was escorting him, had actually been watching him the whole time.

"Brother, wh-what's wrong?" Wan Xinpeng felt uncomfortable being watched, so he asked sheepishly.

Lin Li: "Add a little more..."

Wan Xinpeng: "(；o_o)?"

He really liked one of Wan Xinpeng's lines: "Ah?"

Seeing Wan Xinpeng still standing there blankly, Lin Li sighed in his heart.

Foolish!

The two were currently walking past a cake shop at the base of a residential building.

The shop was naturally closed, and only the moonlight illuminated it.

But Lin Li stopped with Wan Xinpeng, then pointed at the cake in the display cabinet behind the glass wall, saying nothing.

Wan Xinpeng stared blankly at the direction Lin Li was pointing, then looked at Lin Li, gradually understood everything, and his eyes lit up.

What Lin Li's hand was pointing at now was the cake's price tag...

It was adding money!

Holy crap! So he hadn't misjudged the person!

Great, this person's heart wasn't upright, he was saved!

"Understood, little brother, I understand everything!" Wan Xinpeng nodded fiercely, then lowered his voice: "Seven thousand, how does the number seven thousand sound?"

However, Lin Li frowned fiercely upon hearing this, his voice filled with the anger of being insulted:

"Buddy, enough! I said enough! Don't use money to insult me again. I have my own pride and integrity; I will never bow for five pecks of rice! No matter what the number is, I will not accept it!"

This statement clearly satisfied the system, and the progress of "Gold" moved forward by another notch.

Like "Fire," verbal stubbornness would accelerate it, and the same applied to "Gold."

But this time, although he clearly refused seven thousand, the progress was only half of what it was for five thousand.

It seemed the system only calculated the increment. So, Lin Li had an idea.

Coincidentally, Wan Xinpeng also had an idea.

He naturally understood Lin Li's words; the money still wasn't enough.

However, wasn't this kid's appetite a bit too big? Was even seven thousand not enough?

But in order to avoid a few months or even half a year in jail, Wan Xinpeng gritted his teeth:

"Ten thousand, ten thousand yuan! Buddy, as long as you let me go and don't tell them where I went, this money will be transferred to you within three days!"

But Lin Li straightened his back, his eyes like torches; the youth's integrity and pride were embodied perfectly in him.

In a word, so handsome!

The handsome Lin Li heard this and said sternly:

"How can money shake the foundation of the rule of law? Although I am not a Demon Suppression enforcer, I know that the righteous path of the world cannot be violated! Buddy, if you still have a conscience, you should face your mistakes instead of living in petty schemes!"

After speaking, Lin Li dragged Wan Xinpeng forward with firm steps.

The light of the righteous path! Shines upon the earth! Illuminating every dark place! Lighting it all up~

Wan Xinpeng: "?"

Damn it, ten thousand yuan still isn't enough?

And buddy, who are you performing for right now? Don't pretend at a time like this!!

"Little brother, is this still not enough? Wouldn't it be... a bit too greedy? You have to think, I've already stolen things, I must be at my wit's end, I really can't take out too much money..."

Wan Xinpeng said helplessly, trying to bargain.

Lin Li ignored him, just looked at the residential building next to him again, and sighed softly:

"Fengsheng Residential Area looks pretty good, but it's too far from my house, a full twenty-three thousand meters away. Otherwise, I could come often."

Wan Xinpeng: "..."

Xiling is just a town, and the location of Fengsheng Residential Area isn't on the edge. Not to mention that twenty-three thousand meters is already outside the scope of Xiling, what kind of good person talks about distance in meters instead of kilometers?

How could Wan Xinpeng not hear that this kid was hinting at him.

But Wan Xinpeng's eyes were a bit gloomy.

He dared to ask for twenty-three thousand?

Does this little brother think his time is some very precious thing?

Twenty-three thousand, how many times would he have to steal in his daily life to earn that?

But this look vanished in an instant, and Wan Xinpeng put on a fawning smile.

No problem, if he wanted that number, he would just report it to him.

Anyway, it was just a matter of saying a few words.

—If Wan Xinpeng had really intended to give the money he mentioned to Lin Li just now, now, he had completely blackened.

Anyway, this money was dishonorable and improper, and he would surrender eventually anyway.

If Lin Li dared to ask him for money after he didn't give it to him, he would just expose him when he surrendered.

Not only would he not have to give this money at all, but he could also teach this greedy person a lesson.

"Okay, no problem! Twenty-three thousand, right! Can do! I'll give it to you! As long as you let me go now! I will definitely give it to you!" So, Wan Xinpeng immediately smiled firmly.

However, Lin Li just smiled faintly and looked at Wan Xinpeng:

"How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? Numbers can never measure the weight of conscience. Thousands of mundane fireworks crushed by you are burning behind me; they tell me I cannot agree."

【Comprehend the mysteries of the Five Elements, seek to temper yourself with the power of the Five Elements (3/5)】

Seeing this message, the faint smile on Lin Li's face was no longer faint.

The number twenty-three thousand was naturally not reported blindly.

It was the task value Lin Li had just calculated based on the task progress bar ratio that could be completed, and he had specifically reported a bit more for error tolerance.

Now, it was directly full!

Lin Li was happy, but Wan Xinpeng was red-hot.

—Isn't this the number you reported to me? And you still won't agree?

Why are you raising the price temporarily?

Changing orders in the morning and evening is a big taboo, you bastard!

"Buddy! Then just tell me the price in your heart directly. Let's not beat around the bush and pretend to be a big-tailed wolf. It's meaningless. The numbers are all negotiable, tens of thousands is no problem! Just say it directly!"

Therefore, Wan Xinpeng said irritably.

Anyway, he didn't intend to give it, so he could report whatever he wanted.

He didn't want to accompany this person in acting anymore.

But Lin Li's task was already completed.

So, he looked confused and innocent at this moment, looking at Wan Xinpeng in doubt: "Buddy, what are you saying? What price? What pretending? Let's go, time to go to jail."

Wan Xinpeng: "(；゜o゜)?"

"What do you mean what am I saying?! Of course, how much money it takes for you to let me go!?" Wan Xinpeng's voice was close to a roar.

Why are you shouting so loudly? Lin Li was immediately unhappy too: "Didn't I say it from the beginning! 'No matter what the number is, I will not accept it.' I'm even annoyed that you keep saying these things; it's so noisy!"

Wan Xinpeng stopped his steps.

Wrong.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

"Then what did you say 'add a little more' to me just now?" Wan Xinpeng questioned sternly.

"Did I say that? Oh, oh, I remember now. What I said just now was that after I send you back, I want to 'order takeout at home.' I guess the words 'takeout' were too quiet, and you didn't hear them."

Lin Li recalled carefully, then realized, and explained gently.

Wan Xinpeng: "?"

"Then you pointing at the cake shop price tag just now... didn't mean adding money?" Wan Xinpeng's voice was already a bit unconfident.

Lin Li: "I plan to order cake for takeout later."

Wan Xinpeng: "?"

"Then the distance you mentioned just now from your home to here—" Wan Xinpeng's voice was already starting to collapse.

Lin Li: "The shop I plan to order from is here in Fengsheng Residential Area. I was just calculating the delivery fee."

Wan Xinpeng: "【⊙_⊙】"

"..."

"..."

In the night.

Looking at each other, only disappointment remained.

Watching the smile on Lin Li's face, the corners of Wan Xinpeng's mouth began to twitch uncontrollably—

"Haha! Haha!"

"Daoist master, Daoist master, I've succeeded!!"

Beside the van, because they had already received Lin Li's WeChat message, Yang Liang and Yan Aosong didn't go to find Lin Li, but waited for him on the spot.

Subsequently, before the person was heard, the sound was heard first.

"Hahaha—"

"Hahaha—"

Huang Wei was a bit surprised. This voice sounded familiar. Why was Wan Xinpeng the one laughing at the end?

Did he win?

Holy crap, could it be that he was going to use that Lin Li to threaten them and make the two cops release him and his other partner?

Is Brother Wan that handsome?

Not seen for a few minutes, and he's become a fierce bandit?

But Yang Liang and Yan Aosong looked at each other, their hearts skipping a beat.

Oh no! Is the thief okay!

Finally, the figures of Lin Li and Wan Xinpeng appeared at the corner.

The moment he saw Yang Liang and Yan Aosong, although he was laughing, Wan Xinpeng's eyes were dim and dead, but finally had light.

And a bit of moisture.

He broke free from Lin Li's no-longer-forceful restraint and rushed excitedly toward the two. Before Yang Liang and Yan Aosong could strike a vigilant pose, he stretched his hands forward, his smile bright and relieved:

"Arrest me! Hurry and arrest me!"

"I want to go to jail! I want to go to jail!"

What sincere remorse and smile.

If Red had this performance back then, he wouldn't have wasted half his life in Shawshank without parole.

Yang Liang and Yan Aosong: "..."

Looking at Lin Li not far away, who had an expression of "It has nothing to do with me," "I don't know," "Don't look at me," "Holy crap, these little flowers, little grasses, and little buildings are really beautiful," the two closed their eyes with complex expressions and sighed deeply.

Why can this child be so stable?

Yang Liang let Wan Xinpeng get his wish and put on handcuffs, and signaled him to squat where his accomplices were.

Wan Xinpeng nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and happily squatted beside Huang Wei.

"Going to jail~"

And Huang Wei, looking at Wan Xinpeng, who seemed to have some mental abnormality, swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"Pengzi, what's wrong with you? Why are you happy about going to jail?"

Wan Xinpeng looked at Huang Wei upon hearing this and smiled:

"When you're in jail, you can't order takeout, you can't eat cake, and you don't need to calculate delivery fees. Huang Wei, listen to this, isn't this worth being happy about?"

Huang Wei: "(；o_o)?"

Where the hell is the happiness in this?

Wait.

Huang Wei could clearly hear the sound of himself swallowing saliva.

—He remembered the exclamation Yang Liang and Yan Aosong made when they heard Lin Li had run off.

【Then I hope the thief who ran away is okay】

At this moment, it had actually become a prophecy!

Thinking of this, Huang Wei looked up at Lin Li.

And at this moment, Lin Li was also walking toward him.

Oh no! Huang Wei scrambled backward: "Don't come over—"

Damn it, who was blocking his path backward?

Huang Wei looked back: it was Wan Xinpeng. It turned out he was scrambling even faster.

Oh, then it's fine.

(End of chapter)