Chapter 108: Living for Oneself

After discussing the case, Zeng Ping began assigning tasks.

Han Bin and Li Hui were sent to take a statement from Tao Zhuang’s group.

Zhao Ming checked the surveillance footage from the neighborhood and nearby areas.

Zeng Ping and Tian Li stayed behind, waiting to take Wang Dongfang’s statement.

Han Bin took out his phone and dialed Tao Zhuang’s number. The phone rang for a long time, but Tao Zhuang didn’t answer.

After the call automatically disconnected, Han Bin tried again.

The phone rang for quite a while before someone finally picked up. “Hello?”

“Is this Mr. Tao Zhuang?” Han Bin asked.

“Yes, who is this?”

“My surname is Han, I’m with the Criminal Investigation Team.”

“Criminal Investigation Team? What do you need from me?”

“Do you know Wang Deli?”

“Yes, we’re colleagues.”

“Did you see him last night?” Han Bin inquired.

“Yes, we drank together last night.”

“What time did you drink?”

“I can’t remember exactly.”

“When did he leave?”

“I drank quite a bit myself last night, can’t recall. But he did drink at my place. I’m a bit busy now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”

Han Bin sensed something off in his tone. “Mr. Tao, we’d like to take your statement.”

“What statement? I haven’t committed any crime.”

“His wife reported that Wang Deli was beaten unconscious and robbed. Since a case has been filed, we need to investigate. Taking statements is standard procedure,” Han Bin explained.

“He passed out and I wasn’t there. How is my statement useful?”

“It is.”

“But I’m busy right now.”

“When would you be available?” Han Bin asked politely.

After a pause, Tao Zhuang replied, “That’s hard to say. Maybe we can talk another day.”

“Do you have weekends off? Even if you’re busy today, what about tomorrow?”

“I plan to take my wife and kids out. Probably won’t be back until tomorrow night.”

“Then Monday. We’ll come to your office to take your statement.”

“Oh, that’s such a big deal? Officer, it’s unnecessary. Also, during work hours, it would interfere with my job,” Tao Zhuang declined.

“When would be convenient then?”

“Hard to say. It depends on my supervisor’s schedule,” Tao Zhuang began to sound bureaucratic.

“You work at the Water Resources Bureau?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll have our captain call your bureau’s management to arrange a time for your statement.”

“No need to involve the leadership. It’s just a statement.”

“It’s fine. I have a good rapport with our leaders. If you don’t think our captain is suitable, I can get our director to speak with your bureau chief. How about that?”

“Officer, please don’t bother our leaders. It’s only a statement. I’ll come, I will.”

“Where are you now?”

“At home.”

“Be downstairs at Wang Deli’s building within half an hour. If you can’t make it, I’ll call your leaders immediately.” Han Bin hung up without waiting for a reply.

Not so easy to dodge!

“Tsk tsk,” Li Hui clicked his tongue. “This guy is so annoying. We’re all civil servants. We have to work weekends, yet he’s dragging his feet and won’t cooperate.”

Zeng Ping lit a cigarette. “Did you get through to Tao Zhuang?”

“Yes.”

“Then why aren’t you heading to take his statement?”

“I told him to come here for the statement.”

“Don’t slack off and delay the investigation,” Zeng Ping warned.

Some officers, for convenience, would summon suspects to the station for statements. Since it’s not compulsory, some would procrastinate, delaying the case’s progress.

Zeng Ping had been at the station long enough to see it all. He despised this kind of behavior. If it were a minor case, fine, but in serious cases, delays could mean lost evidence and unsolvable crimes.

Han Bin glanced at his watch. “Don’t worry, Tao Zhuang will be here within half an hour.”

Zeng Ping didn’t press further. He trusted Han Bin and Li Hui.

Since they were available to take the statement, he sent Tian Li out to work with Zhao Ming checking surveillance footage nearby.

Han Bin pulled out a pack of cigarettes, shared some with Zeng Ping and Li Hui. The three smoked and talked in the courtyard.

Near the window of apartment 301, unit 3, building 4, shadows flickered intermittently.

Zeng Ping smiled. “Look, we’re watching them, and they’re watching us too.”

...

About ten minutes later, a middle-aged man hurried into Qingyuan Neighborhood, dialing his phone as he walked.

“Ring ring…”

Han Bin’s phone rang. Seeing it was Tao Zhuang, he answered.

Han Bin hung up and waved at Tao Zhuang. “Mr. Tao.”

“It’s me, it’s me.” The man came running, out of breath.

“You came quickly,” Li Hui joked.

“Cooperating with the police is my duty as a citizen. It’s the right thing to do.” Tao Zhuang wiped sweat from his brow. Not used to physical exertion, he was worn out from rushing here.

“Get in the police car, we’ll take your statement.” Han Bin stubbed out his cigarette in a nearby trash bin.

“Alright.” Tao Zhuang replied but hesitated briefly before getting into the car.

Once inside, Li Hui activated the body camera and began the routine questioning.

“Name, gender, ethnicity, age, place of origin…”

“Tao Zhuang, male, Hui ethnicity, 42 years old, local…”

Han Bin pointed at the camera. “Before we start, Tao Zhuang, every word you say will be recorded. If you lie or give false testimony, you will bear criminal responsibility.”

“Officer, it’s not that serious,” Tao Zhuang forced a bitter smile.

“Article 305 of the Criminal Law states: Witnesses, appraisers, recorders, or translators who deliberately provide false testimony, appraisal, records, or translations related to a case, intending to frame others or conceal evidence, shall be sentenced to imprisonment of up to three years or detention; in serious cases, imprisonment of three to seven years.” Han Bin recited the law and asked, “Do you think that’s serious or not?”

Tao Zhuang’s expression shifted subtly—eyebrows raised and furrowed, eyelids lifted. Though fleeting, Han Bin noticed.

Such microexpressions indicate fear and anxiety.

This proved his guilt. Han Bin’s warning hit a nerve.

“Officer, I don’t want to give a statement anymore,” Tao Zhuang said.

“Why?”

“Could you turn off that thing first? Seeing it makes me lost for words.” He pointed at the body camera.

“The body camera ensures the statement’s authenticity. Just speak honestly, and you have nothing to fear,” Han Bin replied.

“I really don’t know what to say.”

“I’ll ask, you answer. Speak directly to the camera. Understand?”

“Understood.”

“Did Wang Deli drink at your place last night?”

Tao Zhuang hesitated, glanced at the camera, then gritted his teeth and said, “No.”

One lives for oneself, and that is only natural.