The Range Rover sped away. Ethan Chen looked at the knife-wielding assailants lying on the ground and directly dialed 911.
Half an hour later, Ethan was sitting in a police station interrogation room.
Sitting across from him was the same pretty officer from before. But this time, instead of the young cop, an older detective with significant rank, judging by the insignia on his uniform, was conducting the interview with her.
The female officer's tone was sarcastic. "What's the matter, Ethan? Did someone try to steal your transcript again? Three knife-related assaults in less than a month, and you're the victim in all of them. Anything you want to say?"
"I'm just as frustrated," Ethan said, his sincerity genuine. "I'd like to know why too. Were the guys from before caught? Interrogated?"
The officer snorted coldly. "Ethan, if you want to know why, cooperate fully. Understand? No games!"
Ethan lowered his head and stayed silent.
The older detective patted the female officer's shoulder. "Go get me a coffee."
She was startled. "Sarge, is that necessary? He…"
"Go on," the detective waved her away.
She left.
Only the two of them remained in the interrogation room. The detective turned off the recorder and lit a cigarette. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Inspector Yan Jiang, in charge of the criminal investigations division here. I've seen your file. Ethan Chen, single-parent household, top student at City Prep No. 3, ranked first in your school. Right?"
Ethan didn't speak.
Yan Jiang continued, "A real prodigy, though I'm not sure that's the right word. A top academic student who's also making quite a name for himself in certain circles lately. Took the trophy from Jack 'Two-Finger' Zhao single-handedly. Cracked Gwendolyn Langford's head open. Working for The Boss at eighteen, getting trusted with real responsibility, now managing the operations at The Summit. Even from my position, I have to admit, you're impressive."
"But remember, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. First the incident at Huaixi Night Market, now today in a commercial district—both crowded places. Assassins coming for you with knives. You still think this is all glory?"
"Maybe the knives didn't kill you. But you need to understand, even if you dodge ninety-nine blades, missing just one ends everything for you."
"Surveillance shows you could have left, but you chose to stay and call the police. That tells me you're smart. You want to use the police to pressure The Boss, have him help you root out the person behind this. Am I right?"
Ethan took a deep breath. "Yes."
"Then you're on the right track," Yan Jiang smiled faintly. "Truth is, my goal is also to find the mastermind. You've been making waves lately, but you're not important enough for someone to send hitmen after you in broad daylight. Even if you were a VP at one of those places, it wouldn't warrant this. So, you must have stumbled into something else."
"You're a clever kid. Think about it. Want to trade some information?"
Something else!
Wade Qi had asked him before if he had any ideas, and Ethan had already started thinking about it then.
"I don't know," Ethan shook his head. "My daily routine is simple. School, then the casino. Nothing else."
"Ethan." Yan Jiang walked up to Ethan, blew smoke into his face, and suddenly grabbed his collar. "You've got a good brain, but I've seen plenty of smart kids. Let me give you some advice. Sometimes, playing dumb is just asking for a death sentence! Do you realize that just you working as management in The Boss's casino is enough for me to lock you up?"
"Don't you need evidence for that?" Ethan's expression didn't change. "I'm just a senior server. Watching people play cards, serving them drinks. Is that illegal?"
"Play cards? That's gambling!"
"Gambling requires stakes," Ethan smiled. "Officer, watch your accusations."
"Ethan!" Yan Jiang's grip tightened.
"Sarge!"
The interrogation room door opened. The female officer walked in, her hand trembling slightly when she saw the scene.
Yan Jiang released Ethan and straightened his collar for him.
"Speak."
"Someone's here to post bail for Ethan. Orders from above are to release him!"
"Release him!"
Yan Jiang waved his hand.
As Ethan walked out of the interrogation room, Yan Jiang, leaning by the door, spoke up. "Ethan, a word of advice. You're Lydia Chen's son. Twenty years ago, when I'd just joined the force, Lydia Chen was already a name to be reckoned with in this city, across the whole Northwest. And as for why she ended up the way she did… well, The Boss is no saint. If some of his dealings ever saw the light of day, people would really die."
Outside, Ethan saw Mulan standing anxiously in the lobby. A lawyer was speaking with an officer, while Wade Qi stood behind Mulan.
Seeing Ethan, Mulan hurried over. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ethan shook his head. "Let's talk outside."
The three of them returned to the car. The lawyer drove off separately.
"Did word get back?" Ethan asked.
"Ms. He knows," Wade replied from the driver's seat. "But, Mr. Chen, I didn't leave immediately. I waited until the police took you away. I spotted someone at the scene, someone who sent the knife-men. Their target wasn't you. It was Ms. Mulan."
"It was someone sent by Cao Yuan," Mulan explained, her voice tight. "These were assets I liquidated in a hurry. He refused to provide the funds, so he sent thugs."
Ethan understood instantly.
Mulan was carrying over sixty million in gold bars, and those bars were now in his possession. If Mulan was hacked down by those thugs—whether injured or killed—he would be in serious trouble. Whether those sixty million in gold bars were used to frame him or simply stolen, Ethan would be left holding the bag.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't anticipate this," Mulan said, full of guilt. The events of the day had genuinely terrified her. Sitting in the car, she had seen the blade slice past Ethan's head with her own eyes. Just a fraction of an inch closer, and it would have taken his life!
"Let's just go," Ethan waved his hand.
Leaning back in his seat, Ethan wondered if he should go find a church to pray at. His luck had been truly terrible lately. Even if those people had their reasons for coming after him, why did he have to be the one caught in the crossfire?
The most important question remained: what was the deal with the attacker at the night market? Even though he had his suspicions, he couldn't be sure. It was like a splinter he couldn't dig out.
Mulan gave her home address, and Wade drove her there.
When the car stopped, Ethan was about to speak, but he noticed Mulan had fallen asleep beside him.
Remembering the anxious look on her face earlier, Ethan gestured for Wade to keep the car parked right there.
Mulan's head tilted and came to rest on Ethan's shoulder. She was sleeping soundly.
Softly, the car's speakers played "The House at Pooh Corner."
"Christopher Robin and I walked along..."