C13 The Crime Is Even More Severe!!

Tan Lili was taken aback, a sense of injustice brewing within her.

"He might not have such a powerful background," Tan Lili shifted the conversation, probing further. "Old Zuo, aren't you well-acquainted with Chee Jun from the city bureau? He's a close confidant of the bureau chief, well-connected, and has access to special resources. Perhaps he could help us dig up Chu Yun's history."

She paused briefly before scoffing, "Part of a secret agency? To me, this guy seems more like a desperado on the run!"

Old Zuo shook his head, his instincts telling him that Chu Yun was no ordinary individual. Everything from his initial assault to his self-surrender to the police, including his demeanor during interrogation, corroborated Old Zuo's suspicions.

Yet Tan Lili was not ready to concede. As a seasoned detective, he had a duty to pursue the case. As an officer of the law, he couldn't base his conclusions on mere conjecture. Before he could reach out to Chee Jun, however, a call came in.

It was their superior, Bureau Chief Liao.

"Old Zuo, how's the violent case coming along?" Chief Liao inquired sternly on the other end.

"We're still investigating," Old Zuo replied, standing tall and responding with utmost respect.

"There's been an incident of violence in the school district. We need to act swiftly and decisively, dealing a heavy blow to the perpetrator to prevent public panic," Chief Liao stated gravely. "If there's sufficient evidence, prosecute. Hand him over for severe punishment by our sister agencies."

With a click, the line went dead.

Old Zuo stood still, his expression complex.

"What's the matter?" Tan Lili asked, her curiosity piqued.

"We're in a bind," Old Zuo said, massaging his temples with a hint of bitterness. "Chief Liao has called for severe measures."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Tan Lili's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "With Chief Liao backing us, I refuse to believe we can't handle this arrogant troublemaker!"

Old Zuo glanced at Tan Lili and chided, "Naive girl, you need to be more cautious."

Tan Lili pouted, "Old Zuo, your overly cautious approach to case work isn't effective. You need more boldness."

With a flick, Old Zuo lit a cigarette, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Think about it. Would Bureau Chief Liao pay attention to such a minor case if no one had put in a word for it? He even made a personal call to push things along."

Tan Lili defended her point, "But didn't Bureau Chief Liao mention that we need to handle violence on college campuses swiftly and severely to prevent things from getting out of hand?"

Old Zuo shook his head. "My take is that Chu Yun has crossed some powerful figure, and they're seizing this chance to crush him."

"Old Zuo, you've become cynical. Always suspecting the worst. We're law enforcement officers; as long as we act within the law, what's there to fear?" Tan Lili asserted confidently.

"The world isn't as black and white as you think," Old Zuo shot back, giving Tan Lili a stern look. "If things go south, Bureau Chief Liao might slip away unscathed, but what about us?"

"I haven't violated any laws or done anything to feel guilty about!" Tan Lili proclaimed with conviction. "What could anyone possibly do to me?"

Before Old Zuo could continue his lecture, his phone rang. It was Chee Jun, the very person he had been hoping to speak with. He gestured for Tan Lili to be quiet and answered, "Captain Chee, I was just looking to consult with you on a matter."

"Did you arrest Chu Yun?" Chee Jun cut to the chase, skipping any pleasantries.

Caught off guard, Old Zuo didn't conceal the truth. "Yes. He's caused serious injury and broken the law. We've detained him."

"Release him immediately," Chee Jun commanded with authority. "This isn't a request; it's an order."

Old Zuo bristled at the tone. Chee Jun might outrank him, but he wasn't in his chain of command, nor did he have the authority to issue orders to him.

"Captain Chee, the evidence against the kid is solid, and he has a motive. How can we just let him go?" Old Zuo pressed, his voice grave.

"This comes straight from Chief Fang," Chee Jun replied, not interested in further debate and invoking his superior's name.

Hearing this, Old Zuo felt a pang of concern. Could this small incident really have reached Chief Fang's ears?

"Chief Liao just called me, insisting on a serious response to the situation," Old Zuo hinted indirectly. "Captain Qi, doesn't this whole thing seem a bit off to you?"

Chee Jun caught on to something. Laughing, he teased, "Old man, are you trying to fish for information?"

Old Zuo hastily denied any such intention.

Chee Jun shared what he could and gave a rough analysis of the situation, then said with a tight-lipped seriousness, "You've probably checked Chu Yun's file on the internal network. There are things I can't disclose, and you're not cleared to know them either. But let me put it this way: releasing him might get us a scolding from Chief Liao at worst. The consequences of not doing so are something you can't handle."

After ending the call, Old Zuo exhaled a heavy sigh and turned to Tan Lili. "Release her."

Tan Lili was dumbfounded, her thoughts in disarray.

"Are we really letting her go?" Tan Lili asked through clenched teeth, her reluctance palpable.

Old Zuo let out a weary sigh. "If you want to fight evil and uphold justice, you first need to secure your own position."

"I need a reason," Tan Lili demanded, fixing her gaze on Old Zuo.

Old Zuo hesitated. Before hanging up, Chee Jun had sternly warned him against revealing any information. If Chief Liao inquired, he was to refer him to Bureau Chief Fang. Yet, in this moment, he didn't want to dishearten Tan Lili or shatter the faith of such an outstanding officer.

"He was once part of a covert military unit and has received numerous first-class merits," Old Zuo enunciated carefully. "Just last night, he put Han Jin, the heir of the Han Group, in the ICU because Han Jin harassed Chu Yun's wife, attempting to sabotage their marriage."

Releasing another breath, Old Zuo's eyes sparkled with intensity. "Han Jin's actions were vile, bordering on blackmail. To put it bluntly, he could be charged with rape."

Tan Lili was profoundly shaken.

"Those with exceptional achievements or significant contributions can be awarded first-class merits," Old Zuo continued deliberately. "In times of peace, it's incredibly rare for soldiers to receive such honors, yet he has been decorated multiple times."

Old Zuo gave Tan Lili a penetrating gaze. "To target the family of a hero of this caliber is a crime in itself, and it's a crime of a higher degree!"

Tan Lili inhaled sharply, accepting Old Zuo's command to release the prisoner.

With a clang, the interrogation room door swung open, and Tan Lili entered alone, her emotions a tangled web. She sought a moment alone with Chu Yun.

"Name," she began, adhering to standard protocol as she took her seat.

Yet, she was aware that Old Zuo was already facilitating Chu Yun's release.

"Chu Yun," he replied nonchalantly, sipping his coffee.

"Place of birth, your parents' occupations," Tan Lili inquired, eyeing the unremarkable Chu Yun.

Chu Yun maintained his usual composure. "If you can't find it, it means you're not supposed to know. And if you're not supposed to know, you shouldn't ask."

During their first encounter, she thought Chu Yun was insufferably arrogant and rude.

Now, however, she saw a different side to him—a proud man with an alluring masculine charm.

Women are indeed changeable and unpredictable...

"Have you served in the military?" Tan Lili asked, foregoing any confrontation.

Chu Yun nodded, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

"What branch?" she continued.

Chu Yun, too disinterested to even decline, smoked languidly.

"Is the age on your ID accurate? Are you really 26?"

"Why did you decide to marry so young?"

Tan Lili fired off a series of questions, like a curious child, but Chu Yun remained unresponsive.

"Can you act appropriately?" Chu Yun snuffed out his cigarette, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "Just interrogate me according to the law. I'm not here for a blind date, so why ask all these irrelevant questions?"

Tan Lili's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"You're aware, I'm married," Chu Yun drained his coffee and shook his head. "We're not a good match."