Without the calming pill provided by Lu Hao, Yang Shuanglin's family might have been persuaded by Officer Chen. Advising Yang Jian to surrender was indeed the only option.
However, they had just spoken with Yang Jian on the phone and knew he was living well outside and was not in danger, so they could not heed Officer Chen's advice.
"Officer Chen, I truly don't know where my second son is. You saw our home just now. My old mother misses her grandson so much that she's become obsessed. She'd be thrilled if he'd just call, at least to let us know if he's alive or dead."
Yang Shuanglin consistently denied any contact with Yang Jian.
"Old Yang, I've said what I needed to say. Your family should consider it carefully and discuss it amongst yourselves. Don't ruin the child's future.
If Yang Jian calls, be sure to urge him to surrender. The net of justice is vast and inescapable. Don't let him harbor any侥幸心理 (jǐngxìng xīnlǐ - hope for a lucky break). Once the police catch him, he won't have the chance for a lighter sentence.
We're not forcing you. We came today for your child's sake. Take care of yourselves."
Seeing that the family was unyielding, Officer Chen stopped persuading them. They were only assisting in this case, and their visit today was a gamble. It would be better if they could persuade Yang Jian's family, but it didn't matter if they gained nothing.
The two officers toured the factory area, confirmed Yang Jian had not returned, and then drove away.
Hancheng, a residential area for a research institute.
Lu Yue and Cheng Zhifeng were making dumplings, while Lu Hao watched cartoons with his nephew, Lu Yang, in the living room.
After Lu Jinsong was transferred to the Kyoto Police Headquarters, Lu Hao's mother followed him. Lu Hao had to have the Lunar New Year's Eve dinner at his sister's house.
Although Hancheng is not in the north, there is no tradition of eating dumplings for the New Year. However, Cheng Zhifeng is from the north, so their family has always had the custom of eating dumplings during the New Year.
"Haozi, is your girlfriend not coming back to China for the New Year again this year?"
With her parents not around, Lu Yue was very concerned about her brother's marriage. While making dumplings, she asked loudly.
Lu Hao turned down the TV volume. "She's not coming back. I'll go over in a few days."
"Haozi, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but I'm not optimistic about your relationship, being separated by oceans and living apart. Your career is booming in China, and she's pursuing her doctorate abroad. It's highly likely she'll stay and work abroad. You can't just abandon your career in China to develop overseas, can you?"
"Sister, we haven't considered marriage yet. We'll talk about it after she graduates with her doctorate."
"Not considering it yet? You're thirty years old. Mom and Dad are anxious. Otherwise, they wouldn't have let Yang be surnamed after me. My in-laws have a lot of opinions about this."
"Then you should have another child quickly. If you have another one, let him be surnamed Cheng."
"Stop changing the subject. We're talking about you. Clarify things with your girlfriend abroad as soon as possible. If she plans to develop in China, come back and get the marriage certificate when you have time. If she plans to stay abroad, break up with her early. Don't waste both of your time."
"Sister, stop worrying about me."
Before Lu Hao could finish speaking, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. After thinking for a moment, he answered it.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Brother Hao, it's Yang Jian. Is this a convenient time?"
"Little Yang, you finally called. It's perfectly convenient."
Upon hearing it was Yang Jian's call, Lu Yue and Cheng Zhifeng stopped what they were doing and sat beside Lu Hao.
"Brother Hao, today is the eve of the Lunar New Year. I wish you, Uncle and Aunt, and Sister Yueyue's family an early Happy New Year. I wish you good health and all the best in the new year."
"Thank you. I also wish you good fortune and prosperity in the new year."
Lu Yue took the phone. "Little Yang, this is Lu Yue. Are you doing well outside?"
"Sister Yueyue, I'm doing well. Has Brother Zhifeng fully recovered?"
Cheng Zhifeng responded to the phone, "Little Yang, I've fully recovered and can go back to work after the Spring Festival. I've been wanting to thank you in person, but I didn't expect you to be in such trouble. Don't worry, we're helping you find a way. Take care of yourself while you're out there."
"Thank you, Brother Zhifeng. I'll take care of myself. Are Uncle and Aunt and Yang all at home?"
Lu Yue replied, "My parents are in Kyoto and didn't return to Hancheng for the New Year. Lu Hao is spending the New Year with me, and Yang is watching television."
"Oh, please send my regards to Uncle and Aunt for me."
"Certainly, Little Yang. Do you have enough money outside? Shall I have Lu Hao transfer some to you?"
"No need, Sister. I have a job now, and it's very safe. Thank you for your concern."
Lu Hao took the phone. "Little Yang, I know you're in the south. Yongli mentioned you went to the South China Sea to look for Hong Xing?"
"Yes, I went to the South China Sea a while ago. Hong Xing wasn't there, and I returned the same day."
"Little Yang, listen to me. For now, don't have any thoughts or plans for revenge against Hong Xing. Li Jin's case is expected to go to trial in mid-April. During this period, you cannot have any accidents, nor can you be caught by the police. Otherwise, everything I've done for you will be in vain."
"Brother Hao, do you mean you can help me get acquitted?"
"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, Li Jin will take the sole responsibility for being the organizer of the casino. According to internal information, none of your brothers identified you. They all said Li Jin was the casino boss.
As long as you don't surrender and the evidence is not conclusive, the prosecution cannot indict you."
"Brother Hao, does that mean I can be acquitted and return after Li Jin's trial?"
Yang Jian became instantly excited. He knew that Li Jin's willingness to take sole responsibility for being the casino organizer was definitely the result of Lu Hao's efforts.
It was expected that Biao Biao and Liang Liang hadn't identified him. During the operation of the casino, Ah Feng had repeatedly emphasized to all the brothers that if they were caught, they must never identify Yang Jian as the boss. This way, Yang Jian would have room to maneuver outside and could use money to get them out.
He never expected it to come true. Ah Feng's instructions were playing a crucial role at this time.
Lu Hao, however, said with a wry smile, "It's not that simple. Even if Li Jin and Biao Biao didn't identify you, your suspicion won't be easily cleared.
This is because plainclothes officers disguised as gamblers have been gambling in your casino for a long time, losing millions in total. They've figured out the casino's personnel structure. Otherwise, the police wouldn't have sent people to Xinhe to arrest you.
Furthermore, some of Li Jin's brothers have also identified you, saying that you and Li Jin are both casino bosses and that you were involved in the forced buying and selling of construction formwork at the construction site.
There's also someone named Xiong Er, who reported you as a suspect in the murder of his brother. Because his brother had a fierce conflict with you, and after his brother died, you also beat and retaliated against Xiong Er. There are witnesses to this."
Hearing this, Yang Jian felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Just as Lu Hao said, if the Hancheng police hadn't had evidence against him, they wouldn't have sent people to Xinhe to arrest him, bypassing the Xinhe police.
The charge of forced buying and selling of construction formwork was also verifiable. Under Li Jin's coercion, all construction companies at the Xunsi River construction site were indeed using Lijian brand formwork.
Xiong Er's accusation was even more malicious, attributing the death of Brother Xiong to him. The logic seemed sound, as his conflict with Brother Xiong was common knowledge among the people of Xunsi River, and he had also beaten Xiong Er at the construction site. These were all facts that many people had witnessed.