Chapter Forty: Zhang Mingyang Is Captured

He pushed open the door and entered the room.

“What the hell, it’s you?”

Zhang Mingyang had not expected the person conducting the interrogation to be Wang Yanxiu.

“Surprised, aren’t you?”

Wang Yanxiu sat in a chair with one leg crossed over the other, gazing at him with undisguised contempt.

“I really didn’t expect it,” Zhang Mingyang replied as he took a seat naturally.

“I wondered why I didn’t see you after you left last time. Turns out you found yourself a good place.”

Wang Yanxiu pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one, and prepared to light it.

“Hey!” Zhang Mingyang tried to stop him. “Smoking is forbidden here—you should know that.”

But Wang Yanxiu ignored him, lit the cigarette, and smoked unconcernedly.

“Fine.”

Zhang Mingyang replied helplessly. He had forgotten Wang Yanxiu was no longer under his supervision.

As Wang Yanxiu smoked, he looked at Zhang Mingyang across from him. A hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes; he had already made up his mind.

When he finished the cigarette, Wang Yanxiu stubbed it out in the ashtray, opened the laptop in front of him, and finally asked his first question.

“Name.”

Hearing this, Zhang Mingyang laughed. “Investigator Wang, surely you haven’t forgotten your colleagues from just a few days ago?”

“I asked for your name!”

Wang Yanxiu roared, slamming the table and standing up. “Zhang Mingyang, mind your attitude. I’m an investigator now, not your colleague.”

“All right, all right…”

Zhang Mingyang raised his hands to show he would comply.

“Zhang Mingyang.”

“Gender.”

“I…” He nearly uttered a curse, but held back, recalling what his teacher had told him before leaving: “Make sure to cooperate. Avoid any conflict at all costs.”

“Male.”

Seeing Zhang Mingyang’s cooperation, Wang Yanxiu was satisfied and sat down again.

“Age.”

“Twenty-one.”

…

After asking all the basic information, Wang Yanxiu shifted the topic to the base. “When did you arrive at the base?”

Zhang Mingyang thought for a moment. “I believe it was February twenty-fifth.”

“Who introduced you?”

“Wang Bowen, Director Wang.”

Wang Yanxiu knew well the connection between Zhang Mingyang and Wang Bowen. He said, “I heard your father was Wang Bowen’s student years ago. Some relationships do make it easier to get in.”

Hearing Wang Yanxiu’s sarcasm, Zhang Mingyang replied, “Of course you came in by merit, Investigator Wang. People like me, who rely on connections, only end up with minor roles, unable to supervise anybody.”

Zhang Mingyang’s words made Wang Yanxiu slam the table again, pointing at him. “You think I can’t understand your insinuations? I used to be your subordinate, but I’m not the same now. I can charge you with a crime and lock you up anytime.”

“Oh? Investigator Wang, what an impressive display of authority! Who do you think you are, arresting people as you please?”

Zhang Mingyang stretched his neck, offering himself for arrest.

Provoked, Wang Yanxiu’s face turned red. He shouted toward the door, “Guards, lock up this spy!”

Two burly men rushed in, pinned Zhang Mingyang to the floor, and one produced handcuffs, securing his arms behind him.

Their actions were so swift that Zhang Mingyang had no time to react. Only when he was cuffed did he realize Wang Yanxiu truly dared to arrest him.

“Wang Yanxiu, on what grounds are you arresting me?”

His head pressed to the floor and neck constricted, Zhang Mingyang spoke with difficulty.

“On what grounds?”

Wang Yanxiu was furious, pointing at Zhang Mingyang on the ground. “Because your origins are suspicious, because you mocked your superior, because you have no investigation file. These three reasons alone are enough for me to detain you.”

The more Zhang Mingyang struggled, the heavier the weight on him became. Before long, he lost consciousness.

“Chief Wang, he's passed out.”

Seeing Zhang Mingyang faint, a trace of fear flickered across Wang Yanxiu’s face. He checked Zhang Mingyang’s breathing with his finger, found he was still alive, and relaxed.

“Take him away. Lock him up first.”

The two men turned Zhang Mingyang over and carried him out.

Outside, the crowd watched as Zhang Mingyang was carried away. They stood up, exchanging glances of confusion.

“What’s going on?”

“Mingyang…”

Some called out to him, others questioned the security personnel nearby, and the atmosphere grew restless.

Seeing the agitation, Wang Yanxiu stepped forward and shouted to the crowd, “Don’t be afraid, everyone. That man was a spy. After I exposed him, he tried to escape and was subdued by us.”

“Is he dead?”

“Don’t worry. He just fainted. When he wakes, we will continue the interrogation.”

In the crowd, Hui Jun listened to Wang Yanxiu’s words, baffled as to how Zhang Mingyang had become a spy. Though he hadn’t interacted much with him, Hui Jun was certain from their few meetings that Zhang Mingyang couldn’t possibly be a spy.

But now, he couldn’t get out to inform Lin Guangming and Qian Zhongshu. He could only wait until the interrogation was over to see them.

Zhang Mingyang’s team members shared his doubts, discussing the matter with Hui Jun, and planned to seek out Qian Zhongshu as soon as the interrogation ended.

…

Who knows how long it was before Zhang Mingyang regained consciousness. As he tried to lift his head, a sharp pain in his shoulders and back forced him to grimace.

Enduring the pain, Zhang Mingyang looked around and found himself sprawled in a small, sealed room. There was no bed, no table, only a chamber pot, a bright hanging lamp, and a window no larger than a shoebox.

He slowly pushed himself up from the floor, moving his limbs, and asked aloud, “How did I end up here?”

He tried to stand upright, but his head bumped against the ceiling. “What kind of place is this? Can't even stand straight, can't lie down.”

He walked to the window and peered outside, seeing no one. He shouted, “Is anyone there? Where am I? Is anybody…?”

He called out for a while, until his throat was dry, but nobody came.

Sitting on the floor, Zhang Mingyang recalled his encounter with Wang Yanxiu. He hadn’t expected such narrow-mindedness; for such a trivial matter, Wang Yanxiu truly dared to have him arrested.

“Sigh…”

He stared at the walls, uncertain what time it was. His communicator had been confiscated, and except for his clothes, he had nothing left.

“Gurgle…”

At that moment, his stomach rumbled. Zhang Mingyang licked his lips, realizing he didn’t know how long it had been since he’d had food or water.

“Clang clang…”

He banged on the iron door, hoping someone would hear and bring him something to eat and drink.

But when nobody came, Zhang Mingyang gave up. Was this how they intended to starve him to death?

Was he really going to die in this wretched little room?

“Screech…”

Suddenly, he heard the sound of an iron door opening outside.