Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Collapse of the Money Empire

Qian Zhen racked his brains, unable to comprehend why Hai Feng had appeared once again in Tanghua. He recalled the recent events: the disappearance of thirty-six companies, Xu Dong’s sudden silence—could all of this have been orchestrated by Hai Feng? But when had he acted? Xu Dong had already assured Qian Zhen that Hai Feng’s hotels were under surveillance, and Qian Zhen trusted him. He himself had instructed his subordinates to keep a close watch on Hai Feng and his associates, to report immediately should they appear. Yet, there had been no trace of Hai Feng.

Qian Zhen wondered privately, "Could it be Shi Heng’s betrayal? But Shi Heng has already fled, and he couldn’t possibly know about the other companies." At this moment, Qian Zhen was completely at a loss.

Hai Feng looked at Qian Zhen, aware of his confusion. But he did not speak, nor did he begin the interrogation. He simply watched the once-glorious prisoner before him.

Three or four hours passed. Hai Feng remained unmoved, sitting there with an unwavering gaze fixed on Qian Zhen. The scrutiny unsettled Qian Zhen, prompting him to speak, “What law have I broken? Why have you brought me here?”

Hai Feng smiled slightly. “Confess. You know best what you’ve done.”

Qian Zhen replied, “I’ve done nothing. I am merely a businessman. Everything I do is legal.”

Hai Feng pressed, “Was what happened with Shi Heng legal as well?”

Qian Zhen answered, “I don’t know anyone named Shi Heng!”

Hai Feng knew Qian Zhen was unwilling to reveal the truth, though he hadn’t expected him to confess voluntarily. He fell silent again, continuing to observe Qian Zhen.

Qian Zhen was uncertain about what Hai Feng knew, how much of his dealings had been uncovered. Seeing Hai Feng sit silently, he too kept his silence, his mind racing. He searched for the flaw in his plans.

Hai Feng’s sudden reappearance had utterly disrupted Qian Zhen’s schemes. The money prepared by Qian Gui had not yet been handed to “Mr. Song,” and now, at this critical juncture, Hai Feng’s arrival had severed his escape route.

At this moment, Qian Zhen wondered if Qian Gui had also been captured by Hai Feng. He didn’t know whether his silence would implicate his brother, or whether he ought to confess everything and shoulder the blame to protect Qian Gui from imprisonment.

He wavered, torn between revealing the truth and maintaining his silence. He didn’t know if he was the only one captured, or if others had been brought in as well. He couldn’t fathom Hai Feng’s intentions—why he wouldn’t interrogate him, merely sitting there wordless.

Qian Zhen’s mind was awash with innumerable questions; he was filled with doubt and uncertainty, unsure of what to do.

Hai Feng continued to gaze at Qian Zhen, showing no sign of beginning the interrogation. He was waiting—for the results of Liu Zhiyang’s interrogation. Hai Feng trusted that Liu Zhiyang would not disappoint him; the man before him, who had pursued wealth at the expense of others’ lives, would surely pay for his actions.

Yet, Hai Feng felt a hint of pity towards Qian Zhen. After learning about his history, Hai Feng knew that Qian Zhen had endured much hardship, that as a child he had faced darkness no one his age should bear.

Happy families are alike, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Perhaps young Qian Zhen was one chosen by misfortune: lack of family guidance, injustice at school, indifference from society—all these had contributed to his twisted psyche. But Hai Feng could not forgive Qian Zhen’s deeds. He understood the suffering of his youth, but could not accept that pain as justification for spreading misery to others, or for building his happiness upon the suffering of innocents.

Hai Feng often felt indignant about such social ills. He was not a radical, yet the darkness of society angered him. He had met people battered by life, who, despite their hardships, met the world with kindness and smiles.

Hai Feng did not believe that environment could excuse crime. In his view, a person is not simply passive, but can choose—to face adversity with a smile, to embrace life. He had seen many struggle, yet find happiness and joy.

Indeed, not everyone is blessed from birth; most encounter difficulties and trials. But they persevere, refusing to abandon their lives, themselves, or to harm others because of their own pain.

These people are kind and precious. Hai Feng hoped such souls would retain hope for the world, that goodness would be rewarded with happiness. Therefore, he could not forgive Qian Zhen’s ruthless pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others.

Hai Feng understood that injustice and misfortune are inevitable in this world. As a police officer, he wished to minimize these, so people might live with hope, look forward to their lives and futures, see the light ahead even in adversity, and strive toward a better tomorrow, rather than succumb to darkness.

Thus, Hai Feng saw himself as a sword—a blade that could pierce the night and bring hope. He hoped his efforts would prevent what had happened to young Qian Zhen from happening again, and so he resolved to make Qian Zhen answer for his evil, for his misdeeds. Only then could the kindhearted believe in justice.

Qian Zhen could not fathom Hai Feng’s intentions: calling him over, yet not interrogating him—how much did Hai Feng truly know?

He felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. Had Hai Feng interrogated him, he would have been prepared; the legal department had drilled him for this, rehearsed responses, devised strategies. The nine companies were the Qian Group’s best shield, capable of deflecting any attack. But he had never anticipated such an interrogation—silent, with Hai Feng merely sitting opposite, staring at him.

Qian Zhen was no stranger to high-pressure situations. He met Hai Feng’s piercing gaze, knowing that most would panic and confess under such scrutiny. Yet Qian Zhen had survived the streets since childhood, encountered all kinds of people and situations, and his resilience made him unafraid of any opponent; intimidation would never make him yield.

Suddenly, Qian Zhen felt Hai Feng was not so formidable after all—just a minor policeman, lacking the weight to challenge him. If Hai Feng refused to question him, he would simply wait; when the interrogation time ended, he would be released.

So the two sat in silence, the ticking clock the only sound in the room.

After some time, as Qian Zhen began to feel drowsy, Liu Zhiyang and Wen Yuxin entered, handing a file to Hai Feng. Seeing the weary Liu Zhiyang, Hai Feng smiled and asked, “Has Zhang Yue confessed?”

Liu Zhiyang nodded, “Everything is clear now—he can’t escape anymore.” He glanced back at Qian Zhen.

Upon hearing that Zhang Yue had confessed, Qian Zhen’s sleepiness vanished. He finally understood what Hai Feng had been waiting for: Zhang Yue’s confession, to cut off his last escape.

Qian Zhen looked at Liu Zhiyang, unsure what methods had been used to persuade Zhang Yue to betray him. Cold sweat broke out across his body; Zhang Yue knew too much. If he betrayed him, concealing his crimes would be nearly impossible. Still, Qian Zhen clung to a shred of hope—Hai Feng had no evidence. Without solid proof, they could not touch him.

Just then, two more entered—one with a smiling gaze, the other resolute. Zhang Mufeng and Li Xian. Zhang Mufeng grinned at Hai Feng, “Captain Hai, Cao Jixiang and his men have confessed. They admitted to loan-sharking, consistent with the thirty-six debt collection companies. The evidence is complete, and all nine company heads have identified the Qian brothers as the masterminds.”

Qian Zhen was struck as if by lightning upon hearing the nine companies had implicated him. He protested, “My dealings with those companies are strictly business. Their actions are unrelated to me. Don’t frame me!”

Zhang Mufeng smiled at him, “Cao Jixiang has a bad habit—he likes to record conversations. So all your dealings are recorded. Using those nine companies as scapegoats is impossible now, and relying on partnership contracts to evade legal consequences will not work.”

At that moment, Hai Feng looked at the panicked Qian Zhen and added, “Did you forget to sign a contract with Zhang Yue? Getting nervous now?”

Qian Zhen instantly collapsed. He knew those contracts could exonerate him from all charges, but he had indeed failed to sign one with Zhang Yue in his haste. He never expected Hai Feng would seize upon this oversight. And that damned Cao Jixiang—he had recorded everything, clearly prepared to betray him if things went awry. This time, he had lost completely.

Suddenly, Qian Zhen thought of his brother. He wondered, “How is my brother now? Will they arrest him as well? Even if I fail, I must not let my brother be harmed. I must protect him.” He forced himself to calm down and asked Hai Feng, “Where is my brother?”

Hai Feng replied, “He’s here as well. His interrogation should be ending soon.”

Qian Zhen said calmly, “Let him go. I confess to everything. All the crimes—loan-sharking, extortion, unlawful detention, distributing nude photos of debtors, threatening them to sell their bodies, forcing them to work for gambling syndicates, to become porn streamers—all these were at my direction. I confess. I have only one condition: release my brother.”

Hai Feng looked at Qian Zhen. The arrogance was gone, the former pride vanished. Now he was simply an elder brother desperate to protect his sibling.

At that moment, Zhao Zhijie and Li Mengyang entered. Now the entire White Tiger Squad was assembled in the small interrogation room. Zhao Zhijie and Li Mengyang glanced at Qian Zhen and told Hai Feng, “Qian Gui has confessed.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Zhen suddenly erupted, “It was all me! My brother had nothing to do with it. Let him go! He’s lying. Let him go!”

He shouted desperately, tears streaming uncontrollably. He could not understand why Qian Gui was so foolish, why he would confess. He no longer dreamed of escaping justice; his only thought was to save his sole remaining family member.

Hai Feng watched Qian Zhen, weeping and howling. He understood what ran through his mind. Hai Feng walked over, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, “I know you want to protect your brother. Qian Gui probably feels the same. I admit your childhood was unfortunate, but that does not justify crime, or harming innocent, kind people.”

“Every kind soul deserves kindness, not the malice and harm of society. Everyone must bear the consequences of their actions. Since you have broken the law, you must face its punishment. The net of justice is wide, but no one escapes its mesh.”

Qian Zhen continued to weep, murmuring, “We only wanted a better life, not to be bullied and dependent as in childhood. Why? Why is it like this?”

Hai Feng replied, “Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, but not at the cost of hurting others. Gentle, good-hearted Hao Jie should not have been murdered; the innocent should not suffer.”

When Qian Zhen heard the name Teacher Hao from Hai Feng’s lips, tears flowed like rain, blurring his vision completely. She was the only one who had treated him kindly as a child, the only one who let him feel warmth in the world.

But she had been brutally murdered, all for money. The beloved Teacher Hao was taken from him, and now, had he become the father he once hated? Had he become the villain who harmed the kind for profit?

Qian Zhen thought of those who, driven to despair by their debts to him, ended their own lives. He understood Hai Feng was right. Unwittingly, he had become the person he most despised.

“I confess. I confess to it all.” Qian Zhen stopped resisting, and began to recount his crimes over the years, one by one, to Hai Feng and his team.