Chapter 121

If Han Sheng hadn’t been there, Ma Tianle would definitely have started cursing.

After all, Han An’s previous phone call had interrupted his enjoyment of chrysanthemum viewing.

Looking at Han An’s indifferent expression, Ma Tianle scratched the back of his head and said, “I don’t know him, I don’t know who he is.”

“You’re still trying to lie to me?”

“I really don’t know her,” Ma Tianle said. “I know a lot of women, including several named Xiao Jing, but they are all Liu Jing, Wu Jing, Li Jing, and none of them are named Bai Jing. To be honest, the only woman I know with the surname Bai is the White-Haired Girl. But I know this woman named Bai Jing must be very beautiful because the name is so unique.”

“Does he really not know me, or is he pretending not to?”

“Oh,” Ma Tianle laughed, “You’ve already invited Brother Sheng here, how can I talk nonsense? I, Ma Tianle, dare to offend all sorts of people, but I just wouldn’t dare offend someone like Brother Sheng who works for the government. Why don’t you tell me about this woman named Bai Jing, and I’ll ask a few of my brothers. Maybe they know her.”

Seeing Ma Tianle’s grinning face, Han An was naturally very angry.

Not wanting to put his cousin in a difficult position, Han An remained calm and asked, “Is this number 1382300xxxx yours?”

“no.”

“You still dare to say it’s not yours?”

“If it’s not mine, it’s not mine. Why would I lie to you?”

“I’ve checked, this number is yours.”

“You,” Ma Tianle said, rolling his eyes, “if it were mine, I would definitely admit it, but the key is that this number isn’t mine. Let me tell you, my number is 1592002xxxx, no doubt about it.”

“I checked the records, and it is your number, but it was closed at the end of September.”

“Cancel the account?”

“Still playing dumb?”

Upon hearing Han An’s words, Ma Tianle’s eyes darted around a few times.

“Oops!” Ma Tianle slapped his thigh and said, “If you hadn’t told me, I really wouldn’t have remembered this. Let me tell you, I did get another SIM card in July, and it was from China Mobile. But until I canceled the account, I couldn’t remember the number because I hardly ever used it. You’re probably wondering why I canceled it, but it’s because it was too redundant. Keeping it would just be a waste of my monthly fees, right? By the way, why are you asking this?”

Did you visit Crystal Garden in August?

“I don’t remember that happening.”

“Have you been there or not?”

“I’ve never been there,” Ma Tianle said. “To be honest, I don’t even know where Jingli Garden is. Of course, it’s possible that I’ve been there but don’t remember that garden being called Jingli Garden. How about I check the location on my phone first, and then tell you whether I’ve been there or not?”

At 10 a.m. on August 6, Ma Tianle called his wife, and afterwards his wife went downstairs to see Ma Tianle under the pretense of buying soy sauce.

During her meeting with Ma Tianle, his wife was kissed and touched by him.

Because Ma Tianle is the kind of scoundrel who casually sleeps with women, and even has a penchant for anal sex, if his wife had an affair with him, then her anus would very likely have been violated by Ma Tianle.

Thinking of this, and seeing Ma Tianle’s grinning face, Han An felt extremely displeased.

Therefore, Han An clenched his fists.

Upon noticing this, Ma Tianle immediately took a few steps back.

“I’m telling you,” Ma Tianle said, his smile fading, “I know Brother Sheng very well, so there’s no need for me to lie to you. That number is indeed mine, but I canceled it because it wasn’t useful. As for the Jingli Garden you mentioned, I really don’t remember it.”

Just then, Han Sheng interjected, “Ma Tianle, I know that number isn’t yours. Tell me who is using it.”

“It’s the one I use.”

“After being a criminal investigator for so many years, I still have this much ability to distinguish right from wrong.”

“It’s the one I use.”

Seeing Ma Tianle’s stubbornness, Han Sheng couldn’t help but laugh.

After standing up, Han Sheng, whose knuckles were cracking loudly, said, “If you don’t tell me, then I’ll have to ask you to eat my fists.”

“Brother Sheng, even though you’re a detective and I’m a hoodlum, you should at least be reasonable, right?” Ma Tianle continued, backing away. “Since that number was registered with my ID, it must be me using it. I really have no reason to lie to you about this. In fact, even now, I don’t understand why you two came to find me. I’m not very smart, I’m a complete idiot, so I hope you two can be a little clearer about yourselves.”

“We are investigating a case, and the number my colleague mentioned is the one the suspect used.”

“Is that so?”

“So if you say that number is yours, then we can only ask you to go back and cooperate with the investigation.”

“Then arrest me,” Ma Tianle said, extending his hands. “I am willing to fully cooperate; I am a good citizen.”

Han An quickly stepped forward and immediately grabbed Ma Tianle by the collar.

After glaring at Ma Tianle, Han An roared, “Tell me who he is!”

“have no idea!”

“Do you believe I’ll beat you up?”

“Go ahead and hit me! Go ahead and fucking hit me!” Ma Tianle shouted, glaring at Han An. “I’m telling you! You’d better beat me half to death! That way, when I go to the police station with you, I can sue you! Even if your superiors ignore me, I’ll take a selfie and post it online! Let the whole world know how Shenzhen police abuse law-abiding citizens!”

Just as Han An raised his fist, Han Sheng immediately grabbed Han An’s arm.

As for Ma Tianle, he proudly poked his face with his finger.

The more smug Ma Tianle became, the more displeased Han An became.

As for Han Sheng, he seemed quite composed.

If a seasoned criminal investigator were as easily angered as Han An, this mess would likely be difficult to clean up.

“Ma Tianle,” Han Sheng said, releasing his grip, “just tell us that person’s name and we’ll leave immediately. Because that person is suspected of murder, and you’re the owner of that number, if you’re not willing to prove your innocence, then I really might have to ask you to go back. Once we get to the station, you’ll have to talk whether you like it or not, otherwise you can forget about coming back. We’ll treat you as an accomplice, for example, by deliberately providing the SIM card to the suspect. In that case, you won’t be able to just be locked up for a few days like before.”

“Then take me back first, and I’ll tell you who it is when we get there.”

“Isn’t this unnecessary?”

“Anyway, I’m bored out of my mind. Whether it’s redundant or a lot of red tape, I don’t really care,” Ma Tianle said with a smug look on his face after widening his eyes. “Besides, I just like wasting your precious time. What can you do about it?”

As soon as Ma Tianle finished speaking, Han An threw a punch at him.