Chapter 384: Song Yangs Coup (2/2)

In the afternoon, the officers finally found a suspicious man named Xiao Dawei, aged 47, who used to be an employee of a local chemical plant and was born in Jiangxi Province. He was previously incarcerated for battery and didn’t resume any work since he was released. It seemed like he was an idle man.

Upon seeing his photo, I was 100% sure it was our guy. But there wasn’t much in his case files. ”There must be more than one case file on this guy,” Xiaotao opined.

This day was spent in anxious waiting, and no news came from the pharmacies.

”Did he see through your plan?” asked Xiaotao.

I wagged my finger, ”No, he’s very cautious. He would rather endure the pain than come out to buy medicine.”

”What can we do then?” cried an anxious Xiaotao.

”It doesn't matter,” I smiled. “Onto the second step then! It’s time for drastic measures!”

I drew a circle on the map, ”Contact the waterworks and cut off the water supply in this area tomorrow without prior notice.”

”Exhausting his supplies! It's a vicious plan, but I like it!” commended Xiaotao.

”If I were in his shoes, I’d rather die,” Bingxin said, taking a sip of water.

For a man down with a high fever to be denied water, the agony was unimaginable. But this wasn’t all to my plan. “Call those cadets who didn’t make the cut yesterday and a few others,” I ordered. “Send them to various convenience stores, internet cafes, tobacco shops–anywhere you can buy water.”

Xiaotao nodded, ”Alright, I’ll get to it now!”

There were more cadets coming to the station, flocking to us like excited puppies as soon as they heard about the mission. The difficulty of their task was relatively low. Because there were too many of them, heading out together would only raise suspicions. Thus, Xiaotao instructed them to drive, take a bus, or go on bicycles and move in batches.

By 8:00 am the next day, our personnel were in place. Xiaotao immediately contacted the waterworks and cut off the water supply for an entire day.

We waited anxiously as the day gradually passed. When it turned dark, I glanced at my watch. ”It’s about time. I think we’ll be able to arrest him in three hours tops!”

Xiaotao looked surprised, ”Are you so sure?”

”It’s human nature to avoid the dark. But the night will give him a sense of security. After waiting all day, he’s bound to come out at night,” I analyzed.

At 8:30 pm, a phone call came in. ”Captain, we caught him!” a cadet shouted with glee. “He looks just like the photo!”

”Report your location!” ordered Xiaotao.

We tore hell for leather to run over and arrest the suspect. When we saw Xiao Dawei, he appeared absolutely miserable, lacking all spirit, lips chapped and eyes swollen. He walked unsteadily, requiring the help of two officers to remain standing.

It took no effort to catch him. He fell on the steps when attempting to escape.

Xiao Dawei rubbed his chapped lips together and begged, ”Give me water! I need water!”

I purchased a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him. Like a man trekking through the desert for several days, he unscrewed the lid with trembling hands and poured the water down his throat with barbaric eagerness. His uncoordinated movements caused him to choke and cough violently.

Even someone as kind as Bingxin had no sympathy for him. ”You deserve it!” she scolded.

After the suspect was sent to the hospital, Xiaotao clapped her hands and said, ”Call all the cadets who participated in the operation. Tonight’s dinner is on me!”

While everyone else cheered, I quietly nudged her, ”It’s more than a hundred people. Can you afford it?”