Chapter 716: Light on Darkness

Office One was clean and bright. The main colour scheme was white and light yellow. It gave the guests a welcoming and warm feeling. There was no plant or fragrance in the room but a light scent lingered in the air. It made one feel like they were back in their mother’s embrace. It was very inviting.

After reading the last document, the middle-aged woman looked up. When she did, the room appeared to become brighter. Even the darkness at the corner was chased away. The woman removed her glasses to look at Gao Ming. Her thick lips opened slightly. Her eyes carried pity but it was not grating. The woman was not a conventional beauty, but when one was in her presence, one felt a sense of familiarity with her.

“Mother, the person is here.”

“Child, how many times have I told you? Refer to me as Representative Ci Mei when we have guests.” The woman’s voice was loud but gentle. It matched her personality. “Alright. You can leave now. Close the door behind you.” After Ci Tong left, the woman revealed a tiny smile. She appeared to have predicted Gao Ming’s arrival. She gestured at the chair opposite her. “Please come closer. I have poor eyesight.”

“I’m fine.” Gao Ming placed the photocopied evidence on the table. “Representative Ci Mei sure is leisurely.”

“Why would you say that?” The woman held her chin and ignored the evidence. Instead, she closely studied Gao Ming’s eyes.

“Aren’t you featured in every picture here?”

“Yes. I am. You can see me in this picture carrying a decapitated head and in that picture, I was cutting off a man’s clothes with a knife. I often went to Wan Sheng’s hotels to confess my sins, stupidity, malice and helplessness.” Her words were horrible but her expression was saintly. However, the fragrance on her body thickened. Gao Ming was impressed. She didn’t seem to think she was in the wrong. Her sins were painted into penance. She was like a crazy woman living in her own world, covering up her sins with light.

“You are quite honest.” Gao Ming sat down. “Then, I’ll follow suit. The news says that you’ve been spending time at Seventh Street and have been trying to vanquish the gangs there.”

“I’m doing that because the gangs there lack morals and have to be eliminated.”

“Why didn’t you summon the citizens to attack the gangs in Second Street? Don’t tell me there are no gangs here.” Gao Ming leaned back. “It’s all a trade. You are not serving the people. You are using them.”

“Everything I do is to excise the darkness from this city. Before dawn arrives, I have to walk in the dark. It is a necessary evil.” She sold a good story. It was a joy to listen to her. However, she was so shameless that it annoyed Gao Ming.

“I know your ambitions. You must have been through a lot to become like this. I’m not here to correct you. I want to cooperate with you.” Gao Ming patted his chest. “I’m also someone who hates vices and admires light. I will not hesitate to silence villainy.”

“Someone like you will be blessed.”

Gao Ming didn’t waste time. “Third Street is adjacent to Second Street. The local gang, Wang Sheng, threatens the representatives and ignores the law. The new gang, Zhu Chuan Society, researches medicine in private and conducts human experiments. If they are made to turn on each other, this is a chance for us.”

“You mean a chance for Second Street.” Ci Mei was not dumb. She asked casually.

“This is a chance for Second Street and for the city council. However, I wish this chance were yours.” Gao Ming had studied this woman. She rose to the top by brainwashing the public. She was used by the city council to balance the forces in Second Street. She was friends with many big players. However, if the gang leaders had the chance, they would not hesitate to shred her into pieces.

“Me?”

“The public is on your side, but you don’t have enough power. However, if you have Wan Sheng’s members and Zhu Chuan’s drugs, you can fulfil your dream in this city. You don’t need to worry about any threats. Then, you’ll be this city’s light.” Gao Ming caught the slight change in Ci Mei’s expression. He was not in a hurry. He took out the night police’s rulebook to read.

“Why me?” Ci Mei’s eyes moved from Gao Ming’s face to the well-used book.

“There has to be light to balance the darkness, even if the light is fake.” Gao Ming had said his piece. “The gangs are all parasites. They have been cleared out. Zhu Chuan and Wan Sheng are our first step. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll slowly turn the other gangs against each other. We’ll eventually reach Seventh Street. After that, you’ll be hailed as the first female mayor of the city, the saviour of this world.”

…

When Gao Ming left Sacred Heart Church, the sky was blurry. He drove Wu Wei back to Dog Street and hid the taxi.

“It’s quite a peaceful day.” Gao Ming thought he had finally had a nice day when he realised the windows and doors of the studio had been smashed. A man in a patient’s outfit sat in the shadows. His head was tilted at a funny angle. His lips split open, and he chuckled scarily.

“That’s a man whose malice is spiralling! Why is there such a dangerous monster here?” Wu Wei was frightened.

“Director Lee! Xiao Wu! Save us! We’re here!” Ding Xiang’s voice came from above. She and Jia Youzhi were tied to the roof. They were close to the patient. Once the patient lost control, they would be his first target.

“Who did this?” Gao Ming had an answer in his heart, but he still asked.

“The night police! An old officer came last night looking for you. We refused to say anything, so he tied us here to torture us!” Ding Xiang shouted. Fear changed her voice.

“Never mind. I’ll watch the surveillance myself.” Gao Ming found the video and played it.

Old Dog visited the studio last night. Jia Youzhi and Ding Xiang surrendered easily. That was why Old Dog spared them. However, they were turned into toys by the old man to entertain the patient.