NABC Chapter 25
Chapter 25
"Dad, I want to play on that." Little Tong tugged at Zhong Jin's hand, pointing to a distant inflatable castle. "There are so many kids jumping around inside."
Zhong Jin had initially planned to go home and change his clothes. The water from the fountain was dirty, and as someone with a bit of a germ phobia, it was hard for him to imagine getting filth all over his face and hair.
But then he thought about how busy his work kept him, and how rare it was for him to have the chance to take Little Tong out to play at this time. So, he agreed decisively, "Alright, let's go."
Little Tong opened her mouth, letting the wind in as she joyfully ran forward, her laughter echoing. In areas without traffic, Zhong Jin usually didn't stop her from running. Children needed to run and jump to stay lively. If she fell, it was no big deal. She'd eventually learn to be more careful.
At the inflatable castle, there was someone collecting fees. Little Tong stood at the entrance, shouting to Zhong Jin, "Hurry up, Dad! I really want to play!" She was so eager that she started stamping her feet, clearly impatient to join the fun.
Zhong Jin told the attendant to let her in first while he paid afterwards. He scanned the QR code and transferred 20 yuan. Just as he finished, his phone rang.
It was Gu Le calling. "Chief Zhong, there's been movement at Little Sun Daycare Center. But the situation is a bit complicated. Do you want to come back to the station?"
Zhong Jin glanced at his daughter, who had just taken off her shoes and entered the inflatable castle. She was falling all over the place, but her expression was pure joy. Her face was flushed, and her mouth stretched into a wide grin, ear-to-ear, if not for the ear protectors keeping it in check.
If he now called her away, how disappointed would she be?
Zhong Jin averted his gaze and replied to Gu Le on the phone, "Alright, I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, he pulled up his contacts and dialed Xiang Ruicheng, Xiang Zimo's father. "Do you have time now? Are you at home?"
Xiang Ruicheng wasn't very familiar with Zhong Jin, having only exchanged a few words when Zhong Jin had picked up Little Tong once. Zhong Jin's abruptness caught Xiang Ruicheng off guard.
"I'm at home, yes... yes, I’m free. Is there something I can do for you, Chief Zhong?"
"I'm at the musical fountain square near your house. Can you come over? It's urgent."
A police station chief speaking with such directness was enough to leave Xiang Ruicheng flustered. "Okay, I'm on my way right now."
Zhong Jin added, "Bring your son along."
After hanging up, Zhong Jin transferred another twenty yuan to the inflatable castle attendant, letting him know another child would be joining soon.
About ten minutes later, Xiang Ruicheng arrived, jogging with Xiang Zimo tucked under his arm. He was wearing flip-flops, rushing across the lit-up fountain square. If not for his regular exercise routine, the 30-something Xiang Ruicheng might have collapsed after just a few steps.
"Chief Zhong, what's going on?" Xiang Ruicheng leaned over, catching his breath.
Zhong Jin pointed to the inflatable castle. "I invited Zimo to play here." Then, turning to Xiang Zimo, who looked equally bewildered with his windswept hair, he said, "Zimo, the little sister is inside. You can go join her."
Upon hearing about the girl inside, Xiang Zimo eagerly ditched his flip-flops by the entrance and scrambled into the castle, leaving his father behind.
"I have something to take care of back at the station. Can you watch the kids for a bit? I'll come back to pick up Little Tong later."
Only after Zhong Jin's tall figure disappeared from view did Xiang Ruicheng regain his senses. He shouted toward the man who had vanished into the distance, "Hey, if you just wanted me to babysit, you could have told me! You nearly scared me to death!"
Many braised meat stalls do add a regulated amount of nitrite to enhance color, which matched Guo Qi's explanation.
Guo Qi glanced nervously at the police officers' expressions, then attempted a shaky smile on his sallow face. "Officers, the kid... didn't get really bad, did they? After all, these are things people eat. They're allowed by the state. Could something really serious have happened?"
Rao Shishi pushed a document in front of him. "An intake of 0.2-0.5 grams of nitrite can cause poisoning, and in severe cases, it can lead to shock or even death. Here’s the literature. Take a look."
"I can't read," Guo Qi said, his anxiety clearly mounting at the mention of fatalities.
"Why did you add nitrite to the Coke and Nutri-Express and throw them into the daycare center?"
Although Guo Qi was slightly nervous now, he maintained composure and answered smoothly.
"I worked as a security guard at the Golden Sun Kindergarten. They paid well, 4,800 yuan a month. Later, when business declined, they laid off some staff, and I was afraid I'd be next. So I thought, if something happened at the Little Sun Daycare Center—the closest competitor—parents would stop sending their kids there, and our kindergarten would get more business. That way, I wouldn't get laid off."
After saying this, Guo Qi added, "Officer, I really didn't expect it to get this serious. I'm willing to pay for the children's medical expenses and compensation."
"Mmm," Zhong Jin replied, his expression grave. "This isn't just about compensating for medical bills anymore. Your actions have violated the criminal law, specifically the crime of releasing dangerous substances. Moreover, the victims are minors, a protected group. Not only is economic compensation involved, but a prison sentence is practically certain."
He fixed his gaze on Guo Qi's eyes and asked, enunciating each word, "So, Guo Qi, tell me who was pulling the strings. The sentencing criteria differ for accomplices and ringleaders."
Guo Qi's usually calm eyes flickered with panic, but he stubbornly held his ground. "Officer, I did this all by myself."
Zhong Jin interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, pondering for a moment before speaking again to Guo Qi.
"Do you realize how full of holes your story is?"
"First, as someone who can't even read, your answers are too smooth and precise. Every detail fits perfectly, as if you've rehearsed them many times."
"Second, considering you'd risk poisoning for a 4,800 yuan monthly salary, it's clear you place great value on money. Yet, when it comes to compensating the victims' medical fees and damages, you promised too easily, as if someone else would foot the bill."
"Third, you dialed Kong Yingqiu's number. Who gave you her phone number?"
Guo Qi kept his head down, repeating the same phrase over and over: "I did it. No one instructed me."
"Fine, we'll lock you up and wear you down," Zhong Jin said, tossing his pen back onto the desk. The sharp click it made startled Guo Qi, who flinched.
There were several missed calls on his phone, all from Xiang Ruicheng. Zhong Jin returned the call, and after a few words, his expression changed. "Alright, I'll be right there. Which hospital?"
As he hung up, Zhong Jin hurried out, but Rao Shishi caught up with him. "Chief Zhong, what about Kong Yingqiu?"
Kong Yingqiu was getting tiresome.
"Just reprimand and educate her. Keep her here until tomorrow; you can handle it. I have an urgent matter. Call me if anything comes up."
Rao Shishi wanted to say more, but Zhong Jin had already dashed into the night. She opened her mouth, then tiredly yawned, turning to enter one of the interrogation rooms along the corridor.