Chapter 74: A Lonely Ghost Gazing at Home

"Escaped?!" Tang Baiqing's eyes bulged: "That's impossible! He's just an idiot, how could he escape?"

"He was beaten by other suspects in detention, and when the officers took him out for medical treatment, he escaped in the chaos, even injuring three officers," Old Yang shouted through gritted teeth. "Do you know how much trouble this will cause?! This person originally didn't have much of a case, just six or seven years' sentence, but now that he's escaped from the Police Bureau Hospital, even the higher-ups are paying attention!"

Tang Baiqing's head was buzzing. He couldn't understand what he had stepped in - there hadn't been a single piece of good news lately.

"Let me tell you, his case hasn't even been sentenced yet. If he commits more crimes while on the run, or if the media blows this up and draws close attention from the upper levels, then very possibly... do you understand my meaning?" Old Yang's composure had clearly broken, because as the case handler, if anything went wrong, he would definitely have to take the blame.

"Organize police forces immediately, find him, catch him. I'll be back a bit later."

"What's in your head? At a time like this, you're still waiting to come back later?" Old Yang demanded.

"I'm not in the urban area," Tang Baiqing replied through gritted teeth. "I'm handling something in Xinaluo."

"Come back quickly, hurry!" Old Yang dropped these words and hung up the phone.

"Damn it!" Tang Baiqing kicked over the furniture in the room in anger and walked out with a dark face.

Xu Er heard the commotion and came over, frowning as he asked: "What's wrong?"

"The prisoner who was doing time for me escaped from the Police Bureau Hospital. I have to go back immediately," Tang Baiqing paused and said: "Call your big brother, have him get some people on the streets to help ask around, but don't tell them the specifics."

"Alright!" Xu Er nodded: "Then you go back first, I'll keep watch here."

Tang Baiqing wasn't in the mood to exchange pleasantries with Xu Er anymore and quickly left.

......

Around 9:40 PM, on Tufang Street in Zha'nan District, a burly young man was walking quickly through an alley.

On the street, neon lights sparkled brilliantly, and symbols of good fortune like red lanterns, couplets, and "fu" characters could be seen everywhere, looking very warm and full of New Year atmosphere.

Perhaps because the Chinese people here had left their homeland, they particularly valued traditional festivals. Many shopkeepers would even place homemade red date steamed buns and such on racks in front of their shops.

The young man came to the entrance of the alley and stood in the shadows, turning his head to look at the familiar street. He saw many familiar faces leading their children to play in front of their doors. When pedestrians talked to each other, they would exchange auspicious phrases.

The dim light shone on the young man's face - it was Daxiong, who had just escaped from the Police Bureau Hospital.

Daxiong stood in the alley, looking up at his family's floor, seeing "fu" characters pasted on the windows and red lanterns hanging.

Hesitating and wavering, Daxiong waited for a long time, considering whether to go home.

Whether by coincidence or because New Year was approaching, all households were staying up late. While Daxiong was still struggling with his decision, he saw his family's building door open and six or seven people walk out. Among them were his parents, his first and second brothers, and their girlfriends.

After the family walked out of the building entrance, Wu's father, obviously somewhat drunk, said: "Come on, I'll take these two girls to a restaurant, eat something good."

"Dad, no need, it's quite late. We'll just send them home," his sons replied.

"It's almost New Year, their first time visiting our home - how can they not stay for a meal?" Wu's father insisted: "Come on, let's go to the best Cantonese restaurant on the front street, have a feast, my treat!"

Wu's father urged enthusiastically, and the younger generation didn't dare refuse, only following him toward the front street.

"Xiaomeng, Xiaowen, after New Year, you must bring your parents to our home. We'll have some drinks with your parents and settle the marriage. The bride price isn't a problem. When you marry into the Wu family, you won't have to worry about anything, just hurry and give me grandchildren, haha!"

"This old fellow is always like this after drinking, please bear with him," Wu's mother said, also full of joy.

Daxiong watched them for a long time from the alley before resolutely turning to leave.

On his way, Daxiong passed a shop and saw many New Year goods displayed at their door. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked the old man sitting at the door: "Grandpa, I... I have no money... can... can you give me a couple of steamed buns to eat?"

The old man sitting at his shop door was stunned by Daxiong's words. He directly got up and picked up several glutinous rice sticky bean buns from the rack, put them in a bag, and handed them to Daxiong: "...No home?"

"Ah!" Daxiong nodded.

"Here you go," the old man handed over the bag: "Happy New Year!"

Hearing these words, Daxiong was silent for a full two or three seconds before grinning and stuttering in reply: "Ha-Happy New Year!"

......

At the Yu family home.

Yu Mingyuan, wearing a red T-shirt, sat outside on the balcony and said softly to Su Tianyu: "These past few days I've been talking with other dock gangs. Although we haven't reached any substantial results yet, at least... some people aren't opposed to contact with us. That's a good thing."

"Yes, that's good," Su Tianyu nodded.

"Hey, have you been back to the Chinese Zone?" Yu Mingyuan asked.

Su Tianyu blinked: "Of course not."

"Want to go back?"

"Why do you ask?" Su Tianyu was somewhat puzzled.

"Our company isn't moving goods these days, and I've also talked with other suppliers. The goods we're getting now are all from middlemen. If things go smoothly later, how about I send you on a business trip?" Yu Mingyuan smiled.

"Sure!" Su Tianyu nodded: "Let's solve the distribution problem first, then solve the supply issue."

"Mm!" Yu Mingyuan nodded: "Have you eaten dinner?"

"Not fully."

"Haha, perfect then. Come on, let's get something to eat and drink!"

"Alright!" Su Tianyu stood up.

As the two got up to leave the terrace, they happened to see An Qiqi sitting under the pavilion making a phone call.

"Oh, I know, I'm doing very well at uncle's home. Happy New Year to you and dad!" An Qiqi said with a smile.

Su Tianyu passed by An Qiqi's side and deliberately teased her: "Just be honest with uncle and auntie, I'm ready to meet the parents..."

"Get lost!" An Qiqi shouted.

"Stop teasing my sister," Yu Mingyuan reprimanded with his hands behind his back.

"If I don't tease your sister, what's the point of working for you?" Su Tianyu replied shamelessly.

"Stop talking nonsense, your teasing is useless. My sister has high standards," Yu Mingyuan replied with a smile.

Beside them, An Qiqi was explaining earnestly: "Oh, I'm not dating anyone! Yes, mortals are too mediocre, mama, I'm planning to return to the immortal realm."

Yu Mingyuan and Su Tianyu stepped into the room, just about to go to the kitchen when the latter's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"...Do you know Wu Shixiong?" Wang Daolin's voice came through.

"Ah! What's wrong?"

"He broke out," Wang Daolin said, using slightly exaggerated terms.

"What? He broke out?! That's impossible, he... how did he manage that?" Su Tianyu was completely stunned.

......

Daxiong broke out.

The Thunder Boys were caught.

Old Mo's people from the War Hammer organization had also arrived in Dragon City earlier.

Yu Mingyuan was reorganizing, the dock gang was eager to get out of their predicament, and Tang Baiqing was also returning to Dragon City late at night. A storm that would affect many people had quietly made landfall.