Chapter 41: Apart (1/2)

Chapter 41: Apart

Translator:Editor:

The policemen were surrounded by a big crowd of refugees from Donghu City. Fang Xiao felt anxious. He knew the first group of people would be tough to handle, and he did not dare make a rush decision. He called to ask his superior for advice, however, the instructions he received were not what he had expected. He cursed silently. He could not change a thing.

He took the loudspeaker and shouted as loud as he could, ”My dearest friends, please do not act on your impulses. Regardless of the rules and regulations you used to follow in Donghu City, it’s illegal to own a gun here. All guns must be surrendered when you enter Hedong City. However, you can still keep your knives and other weapons respectively.”

He suddenly stopped shouting for a few seconds and glanced across the crowd before concluding, “If you can’t accept these conditions, we will not allow you to enter Hedong City!”

The crowd stopped and gradually calmed down. As history had proved, citizens would never oppose government officials if they could avoid any unnecessary punishment. Since the police were willing to compromise, the foreigners were willing to tolerate their culture and rules as well.

“All those weapons came from the police! It’s difficult for me to believe every citizen in Hedong City follows the rules,” a guy beside Luo Yuan said sarcastically while he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“Can’t you see? If we don’t surrender our weapons, how will they be able to sell them again? Forget it, I’ll just see it as paying tax,” another guy commented, joining the conversation for fun.

Huang Jiahui was getting more and more upset as she continued to listen. She had not confirmed whether this was the truth, but she did believe that it was.

“Inspection is starting! Please return to your cars, remain calm and do not act on your impulses. I repeat, please remain calm…,” Fang Xiao kept shouting. On his signal, a group of policemen started going around with a small X-ray machine.

“Go back to your seat and give me the rifle and the gun,” Luo Yuan told Huang Jiahui, pulling her arm.

She shook his hand off and said, “No way! Why do we need to surrender?”

Luo Yuan sounded annoyed as he said, “Why? Why won’t you just surrender the weapons? I’m not going to risk my life for you.”

Huang Jiahui knew she had pissed him off and she reluctantly walked back to the car. She handed him the rifle and the gun, and then returned to the passenger seat that she shared with Wang Shi Shi.

Wang Shi Shi felt anxious as she saw both of them remain silent. She then asked carefully, ”Sister Huang, I remember you telling me that you were a cop. Every policeman has a gun, so it should be fine for us to keep one, right?”

Huang Jiahui still looked upset. “I’m no longer a cop,” she said. Suddenly, she recalled something and added, “Oh yeah! My file is still in the Public Security Bureau. It hasn’t been removed, so that means I’m still a cop!”

Luo Yuan asked, “So? That would only be useful if you still wanted to be a cop.”

Huang Jiahui felt slightly relieved that Luo Yuan was willing to talk to her again, but she was still upset. “Why not?” she said. “There are whole armies guarding Hedong City. I think it’s safer here. Besides, being a cop is better than working anywhere else. The benefits are good!”

“Alright, it’s up to you.” Luo Yuan did not want to continue that conversation. Everyone had their own path to follow and they needed to take full responsibility for it.

Huang Jiahui was upset and intentionally said, ”Don't worry, I'll take care of you when I go back to working for the police.” She thought Luo Yuan would say something sarcastic again. Surprisingly, he did not.

”Just take good care of yourself,” he said. “Hedong City is not as safe as it used to be. Oh right! Would you like to contact your husband and daughter? They are both here, right?” Luo Yuan asked considerately.

Huang Jiahui hesitated. She did not want to talk to her husband because they did not love each other anymore. However, she decided to call when she thought of her daughter, who was still staying with him.

“Hi, who is this?” A low pitch voice came from the other end.

Huang Jiahui took a deep breath and answered, “It’s me, Huang Jiahui. I’m calling from a friend’s phone. Where are you? I’m in Hedong City. I called you earlier but it didn’t go through. There are still a few colleagues of mine in Donghu City. I’ll check with them and arrange for you to come over with the second group of citizens.”

Her husband said, “It’s okay, I’m in Hedong City now.”

“Is our daughter with you?” Huang Jiahui asked coldly.

“Does that mean you’re at the highway junction? Where are you now? I’m coming over,” his voice became slightly agitated.

Huang Jiahui looked at Luo Yuan for a while, but he was not paying attention to the conversation. She hesitated before she said, ”Alright. Please bring our daughter along. I'm inside a Santana 2000 next to a silver Benz.”

About 10 minutes later, they saw a man in a uniform walk towards them holding a little girl in his arms. The girl looked about five or six years old. Judging by his uniform and the badges on his collar, the man had to be a Squadron Leader. He was also the person who had been on the phone just now. He looked smart and virtuous, but his eyes were very fierce and that made him look violent.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Once the little girl saw Huang Jiahui, she began to wave.