84: Chapter 84 Interrogation overnight

The interrogation room's lights were pale and blinding. Xiang Jinlong sat in the iron chair with his legs crossed, the handcuffs on his wrists rattling.

The tattoos on his body appeared exceptionally hideous under the harsh light, like writhing venomous snakes.

"I say, Director Zhao," Xiang Jinlong tilted his head, a sneer hanging on the corner of his mouth.

"This chair is too hard. Can you get me a soft cushion? In the VIP room at the Jinlong Club, I only have leather sofas."

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang slammed the table and stood up: "Xiang Jinlong! What kind of place do you think this is?"

"What kind of place?"

Xiang Jinlong looked around exaggeratedly.

"Isn't it just a place for you police to play house?"

After saying that, he suddenly looked at the one-way glass, as if he could see the people behind it.

"Standing Committee Member Xiao, don't hide anymore. I know you're there. Let's lay our cards on the table."

At this moment, the door of the interrogation room was pushed open. Xiao Bei walked in slowly, his gaze calm as water, yet it lingered on Xiang Jinlong's face for a moment.

"Standing Committee Member Xiao is finally willing to show his face?"

Xiang Jinlong whistled, "I thought you were going to keep hiding behind the glass like a coward."

Xiao Bei sat down unhurriedly, looking at this crime boss who was the first in history to be interrogated wearing only his underwear, and placed the file folder in his hand on the table.

"Xiang Jinlong, we have already grasped most of the evidence of your crimes. Now we are giving you a chance to confess voluntarily and strive for lenient treatment."

"Lenient treatment?"

Xiang Jinlong looked as if he had heard a joke, threw his head back and laughed, the gold chain on his neck jingling.

"Xiao Bei, do you think you can do anything just by catching me? I've been in Beijiang County for over a dozen years; what kind of storms haven't I seen?" He leaned forward abruptly, the handcuffs pulling taut. "I have someone above me! You can't touch me!"

Xiao Bei raised his eyebrows slightly: "Oh? Who is above you?"

Xiang Jinlong leaned back into the chair, smug: "It'll scare you to death if I say it. Municipal Party Committee Office Director Mou Zhengping, ever heard of him? We are best buddies."

Xiang Jinlong licked his lips and continued, "Do you want me to call him and have him tell you himself?"

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's expression changed, and he looked at Xiao Bei. Xiao Bei just nodded slightly: "Sure, go ahead."

Xiang Jinlong was stunned, clearly not expecting Xiao Bei to be so straightforward. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously: "Are you sure?"

Xiao Bei made a "please" gesture. Xiang Jinlong snorted and turned to Director Zhao: "Director Zhao, where is my phone?"

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang looked at Xiao Bei, and after receiving tacit approval, signaled for an officer to bring Xiang Jinlong's phone. Xiang Jinlong unlocked it skillfully, dialed a number, and specifically turned on the speakerphone.

The phone rang three times before being picked up, and a low, authoritative male voice came through: "How dare you call me!"

"Director Mou..."

Xiang Jinlong's tone suddenly became respectful. "I'm at a dead end. I'm at the County Public Security Bureau right now, and Standing Committee Member Xiao, Xiao Bei, has arrested me! You... you can't ignore me."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, then the voice rose sharply: "Xiao Bei? On what grounds did he arrest you?"

Xiang Jinlong glanced smugly at Xiao Bei: "He says I'm involved in organized crime, Director Mou. You know, I'm a legitimate businessman, a major taxpayer in Canglan City."

"Give the phone to Xiao Bei." Mou Zhengping ordered.

Xiang Jinlong pushed the phone toward Xiao Bei, his eyes full of provocation. Xiao Bei calmly took the phone: "Director Mou, this is Xiao Bei."

"Comrade Xiao Bei,"

Mou Zhengping's voice was filled with suppressed anger, "Xiang Jinlong is an entrepreneur keyly supported by the city, paying tens of millions in taxes annually and providing employment for thousands. Have you considered the consequences of making such a rash arrest?"

Xiao Bei's voice was neither humble nor arrogant: "Director Mou, Xiang Jinlong is suspected of organizing and leading mafia-style organizations, intentional injury, illegal detention, and many other criminal offenses. The evidence is conclusive. As Party cadres, we must act according to the law."

"According to the law?"

Mou Zhengping sneered, "Xiao Bei, you are still young; some things are not just black and white. Xiang Jinlong's enterprise is crucial to the economic development of Canglan City. I order you to release him immediately! Otherwise, you know the severity of the consequences!"

It seemed Mou Zhengping was no longer hiding anything and had directly torn off the mask.

The interrogation room was silent; everyone was holding their breath. Fine beads of sweat seeped from Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's forehead, and his fingers tapped the table unconsciously.

Xiao Bei stood up slowly, his tone firm: "I'm sorry, Director Mou. Everyone is equal before the law. I cannot show leniency just because Xiang Jinlong is a 'major taxpayer.' I will investigate this case to the end."

A loud crash came from the other end of the phone, as if Mou Zhengping had thrown something: "Xiao Bei! Don't be ungrateful! Do you think you can do whatever you want just because Mayor Qin is backing you? I'm telling you, in Canglan City, it's not your turn to call the shots!"

Xiao Bei's expression remained unchanged: "Director Mou, if you think there are problems with my work, you can report it to the organization. But for now, I must handle the case according to the law."

After saying this, Xiao Bei decisively hung up the phone.

The smile on Xiang Jinlong's face froze, and he stared at Xiao Bei in disbelief: "You... you actually dared to hang up on Director Mou?"

Xiao Bei sat back down, opened the file folder, took out a stack of photos, and pushed them over: "Xiang Jinlong, do you think you can be lawless just because Mou Zhengping is protecting you? Take a look at these."

The photos clearly recorded secret meetings between Xiang Jinlong and Mou Zhengping at private clubs, and some even showed scenes of cash transactions. Xiang Jinlong's face turned pale instantly, his lips trembling: "This... this is impossible... how could you have these..."

"There's more."

Xiao Bei took out a USB drive: "We also have recordings of you ordering your subordinates to use violent debt collection and injuring migrant workers. There is also evidence of your company cooking the books and evading taxes."

Xiao Bei paused and added, "As well as the bank statements of you and Mou Zhengping splitting the spoils."

Xiang Jinlong looked as if his spine had been pulled out; he slumped in the chair, cold sweat soaking his shirt.

He suddenly lunged forward, trying to grab the photos, but was pulled back by the handcuffs: "Xiao Bei! You motherfucker, you set me up! These photos are fake! They must be fake!"

Xiao Bei looked at him coldly: "The truth cannot be hidden, and a lie cannot become the truth. Xiang Jinlong, your good days are over."

Just then, Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression became extremely ugly: "Standing Committee Member Xiao, it's... it's Director Mou."

Xiao Bei took the phone and pressed speakerphone directly: "Director Mou, what other advice do you have?"

Mou Zhengping's voice had returned to calm, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness: "Xiao Bei, I just spoke with several Standing Committee members. Everyone agrees that Xiang Jinlong's case should be taken over by the city. Stop the interrogation immediately and transfer him to the Municipal Police Bureau."

Xiao Bei exchanged a look with Police Chief Zhao Zhigang and said slowly: "Director Mou, according to the regulations on criminal case jurisdiction, Xiang Jinlong's criminal acts mainly occurred in Beijiang County, so it should rightfully be investigated by our County Public Security Bureau."

"Xiao Bei!"

Mou Zhengping finally tore off the mask completely, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! This is my last warning to you: release him immediately, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?"