Suddenly, Zhongshan Runmei stopped in her tracks, her expression shifting uncertainly as she clenched her teeth and said, "Now that it has come to this, we have no other choice."

"Auntie, have you thought of a solution?" Hashimoto Youko asked eagerly, her eyes flashing, "What is it?"

"It's a solution that's not really a solution," Zhongshan Runmei exhaled and said solemnly, "We'll have to pay a fortune to buy off the guards of the evidence storage, have them smuggle out that hundred pounds of meth. I'll give them an offer they can't refuse, and they will be tempted."

"But Auntie... if things get exposed, then you are finished," Hashimoto Youko said with a face full of worry, "not just your career but you might even go to jail."

Zhongshan Runmei slowly shook her head, took a deep breath, and with a resolute look in her eyes, said, "Taka is my only son, I can't just stand by and watch him die. If anything happened to him, what use would my career be?"

"Auntie, this is too risky, let's think of something else," Hashimoto Youko pleaded desperately.

"You don't need to say anymore," Zhongshan Runmei said decisively, "I have already made up my mind."

Hashimoto Youko covertly switched off the recorder pen hidden in her sleeve and said, "Alright then, if that's the case, I will help you."

Zhongshan Runmei looked at her with complex emotions.

To save her son, she didn't care about her own future and even risked imprisonment, while Hashimoto Youko, who clearly could have stayed out of it, also joined without hesitation. How deep was her loyalty and love for Taka!

If Taka managed to survive this ordeal, she would persuade him to forgive Youko, to accept Youko. Compared to her all-consuming love, what was one instance of being coerced by Aoyama Xiu Xin?

Facing Zhongshan Runmei, Hashimoto Youko showed no hint of retreating and smiled, "You're saving your only son; I'm saving my only love."

"Thank you, Youko," Zhongshan Runmei said gravely, and then instructed, "The criminals have only given us one day. There is no time to lose, go fetch the guards from the evidence storage to my office now."

"Understood!" Hashimoto Youko turned and hurried off.

A few minutes later, she returned with a policeman in his forties and another in his twenties, "Director, they're here."

"Director Zhongshan!" Both men bowed respectfully in front of Zhongshan Runmei. Although it was public knowledge that Director Zhongshan held no real power and they often criticized her behind her back, as low-ranking officers who weren't even yet sergeants, they dared not show any disrespect in front of her.

Zhongshan Runmei's expression was unreadable as her gaze slowly swept over their faces before saying dispassionately, "It must be dull guarding the evidence storage, not only there's little chance for commendation but also no opportunity to make extra money."

"Director Zhongshan, you..." Both officers were utterly confused by this remark, exchanging glances but uncertain how to respond or what she meant.

But what Zhongshan Runmei said was true; their jobs were indeed boring and provided no chance for commendation or making extra money, making them complete outsiders.

Before they could gather their thoughts, Zhongshan Runmei got straight to the point, "I need you to do something for me. Upon completion, each of you will receive a reward of five hundred thousand US dollars. It's a sum you couldn't earn in your entire diligent careers, yet now it's within easy reach."

Both officers were left breathless, their minds a chaotic mess as they exchanged glances, seeing both excitement and uncertainty in each other's eyes. They were tempted by the money but also feared the risk was too great.

The middle-aged officer asked with a dry mouth, "Please enlighten us, Director. We must first know what it is."

"It's simple," Zhongshan Runmei said airily, "There's a hundred pounds of meth recently secured in the evidence storage. I need you to figure out a way to get it out and deliver it to me."

The two men were shocked, and the younger officer blurted out, "If we get caught, we're finished!"

"The sky won't fall without someone to hold it up. If we do get caught, you can pin it on me," Zhongshan Runmei stated unequivocally, and added soothingly, "Also, if you're careful, it might not get discovered at all. In a few days, I'll find another batch of goods for you to replace it with, and no one will be the wiser."

The two officers were stuck in a dilemma.

"Think it over before you answer me. This could be the only chance in your life to strike it rich; do you really want to settle for a lifetime of modest wages? Think about how this money could change your family's life. The situation may seem serious, but the risk isn't as great as you think."

"After all, I am still a Minister in the precinct, and I have many connections. Even if things go south, I can handle it. If nothing goes wrong, aside from the promised five hundred thousand dollars, I can arrange for you both to be transferred to Tokyo for a job. Fame and fortune. Are you really not tempted?"

The two officers swallowed hard, their faces flushed with excitement, their breathing rapid. Who could resist the lure of money and prospects laying right before them?

"I am willing to serve you, Director Zhongshan! It would be my honor!" The middle-aged officer bit the bullet and agreed.

Then he turned to look at the young officer.

The young officer hesitated for a moment, but quickly bowed and said, "To share your concerns would be my honor."

One is only as brave as the opportunities they seize, and this might be their one chance in life to alter their destiny.

They had to take hold of it.

"Good, very good. Both of you are insightful gentlemen, just lacking an opportunity. I believe once you move to a larger stage, you will definitely be able to showcase your talents," Zhongshan Runmei said with a slight smile, and then said, "Tonight, that batch of goods needs to be smuggled out."

"Yes, Director!" They immediately agreed, followed by a hesitant question, "And the money..."

"The goods will be exchanged for the money. I won't renege on the deal," Zhongshan Runmei said calmly.

Again, the two deepened their bows, "Yes, Director!"

That night, the two officers bought off by Zhongshan Runmei brazenly used a garbage bin to smuggle the hundred pounds of meth out of police headquarters.

Initially anxious and fearful of encountering a superior who might grow suspicious and stop them for questioning...

They were fortunate; no one intercepted them on the way out, and they left the building without any issues.

The two quickly unloaded the drugs from the trash bin and placed them into a pre-arranged vehicle, then drove to the location agreed upon with Zhongshan Runmei.

It was a deserted warehouse. When they arrived, Zhongshan Runmei and Hashimoto Youko were already waiting.

After parking the car, the two officers approached.

"Director Zhongshan, we've smuggled out the goods you requested."

"Phew—" Zhongshan Runmei let out a long sigh of relief, turned to Hashimoto Youko, and said, "The money."

Hashimoto Youko nodded, pulled two cases of money from the car, but didn't rush to hand them over.

"The million dollars are all in there. Unload and show me the goods," Zhongshan Runmei ordered.

The two officers quickly complied, stepping back to the car and unloading all the goods to place them on the ground.

Zhongshan Runmei, being a seasoned police officer with decades of experience, could naturally identify the meth.

Once she confirmed there was no problem, she had them load the goods onto her car before giving them the money.

"Thank you, Director Zhongshan! Thank you, Director Zhongshan!"

The two were overjoyed upon receiving the money, their faces flushed and necks thick as they repeatedly bowed deeply in gratitude.

Zhongshan Runmei, however, couldn't be bothered with their idle chatter.

She took off with Hashimoto Youko in her car.

....................

Zhongshan Runmei hadn't slept all night. Today, she had notified Yamashita Kogoro that she wasn't feeling well and didn't go to work, staying home and waiting for the kidnappers to call. The closer it got to the appointed time, the more anxious she became.

"Auntie, don't worry, both the money and goods are ready; we'll definitely be able to exchange them for Taka."

Hashimoto Youko was sitting beside her, holding her hand and speaking in a gentle and intimate tone.

Zhongshan Runmei patted her hand in response.

"Ding-ling-ling! Ding-ling-ling!"

The phone suddenly rang.

Zhongshan Runmei was jolted and took a deep breath before quickly answering, "Hello, this is Zhongshan Runmei."

"Director Zhongshan, have you prepared the money and items I demanded?" the kidnapper asked ominously.

"They're prepared. What about my son? Is he alright?" Zhongshan Runmei asked urgently.

The kidnapper didn't reply. After a moment, the voice of Zhongshan Taka came from the phone, "Mom, I'm okay."

"Good, as long as you're okay. Mom will save you soon," Zhongshan Runmei said with a voice breaking into a cry.

"Enough with the sentimentality; you'll have time for that once you're reunited with your son. Now listen carefully, I'll send someone to your house to collect the money and drugs. Your son will be released once we have them," the kidnapper said impatiently.

Zhongshan Runmei was not reassured, "No, it has to be an exchange of money for the person at the same time. What if you go back on your word? We must make the exchange in person."

"Hmph! Then forget the deal. Start planning for your son's funeral," the kidnapper threatened before hanging up.

"No, don't!" Zhongshan Runmei panicked, desperately saying, "I agree! I agree!"

"Don't test my patience any further, or it's your son who will suffer," the kidnapper said before hanging up the phone.

"Beep—beep—beep—" Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Zhongshan Runmei bit her lip and began to cry softly, muttering to herself, "It's going to be okay, Taka, you'll be alright. Mom will save you."

"Knock knock knock!" Not long after, there came a knock at the door.

Zhongshan Runmei instantly looked up.

"Auntie, it must be the kidnappers; they've already arranged for someone nearby," said Hashimoto Youko.

"Go open the door," Zhongshan Runmei said urgently.

"Hi!" Hashimoto Youko got up to open the door.

A young man wearing a floral shirt pushed past her and walked in, "Where's the money and the drugs?"

"Right here." Zhongshan Runmei pointed to a corner of the living room, "You can check it."

The man in the floral shirt smiled, walked over to check the money and drugs, then stood up and said, "No problem. I need Director Zhongshan's help to move them; the quicker I finish this, the sooner your son can come home."

"Okay, okay." Zhongshan Runmei nodded repeatedly.

Together the three of them loaded the money and drugs onto a van parked at the door. After getting into the vehicle, the man in the floral shirt made a goodbye gesture and drove away with a press of the accelerator.

Watching the van disappear into the distance, Zhongshan Runmei gripped Hashimoto Youko's arm tightly, her heart filled with trepidation.

"Auntie, we don't know when the kidnappers will release him; let's go back inside and wait," suggested Hashimoto Youko, returning her gaze from the departing van.

"No," Zhongshan Runmei shook her head, her face full of worry, "I need to see Taka at the first opportunity."

Hashimoto Youko had no choice but to wait with her.

But they waited half an hour without seeing anyone.

"Ding-ling-ling! Ding-ling-ling!"

A faint ring of a telephone echoed from the living room.

"I'll get it," Hashimoto Youko said before turning into the house. She returned moments later in a state of panic, "Auntie, the hospital, Taka's at the hospital!"

"The hospital? How did he end up there? Is he hurt? Which hospital?" Zhongshan Runmei fired off questions in rapid succession.

Hashimoto Youko replied, "The hospital said he was just found abandoned at the entrance. Both his legs are broken; he asked them to call you before surgery."

"Ah!" Hearing this, Zhongshan Runmei nearly blacked out from the shock, shivering as she snatched the phone from Hashimoto Youko's hand to call the kidnappers back.

But no one answered.

In a fit of rage, her eyes blazing with fury, she smashed the phone, "Idiots! I did everything you asked! Why did you still hurt my son?"

"Auntie, we should go to the hospital first; at least Taka is alive," Hashimoto Youko hurriedly counseled.

It dawned on Zhongshan Runmei, and she rushed towards the car, "Yes, to the hospital, to the hospital."

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