Yang Yi stood up and moved in front of the table.
Though it had been called an address book, it was actually just a piece of folded paper. Yang Yi extended his hand without hesitation.
Though Li Fan had removed his hand from the thin folded paper, his hand was suddenly back on top of it.
“If you take this, you won’t be able to turn back. You won’t be able to return, ever. Although I haven’t taken care of you much all these years, I have been paying attention. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you will not embark on this road. The world is big and wonderful. You have countless better roads to choose from.”
Li Fan seemed a bit sentimental. He was sincerely giving Yang Yi his final advice.
“Uncle Li, I understand, but this is what I have chosen.”
Li Fan turned his head away with a sigh and removed his hand.
“Thank you Uncle Li. I am not thanking you for giving me this address book, but your attempt not let me take it. It’s also for the care you have given me all these years.”
After sincerely thanking Li Fan, Yang Yi finally picked up the paper.
Without looking at Yang Yi, Li Fan asked, “Where do you intend to go?”
“England. After all, I have been there for many years.”
“Do you want to see your auntie? I believe you don’t have much sentiment for the uncle whom you have only met once but I believe you would like to meet the auntie who had taken care of you for six years.”
Yang Yi’s eyes were wide open. “Is it possible?
“Though it is not too convenient, but it is still possible.”
Yang Yi hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Let’s forget it then. Things like emotions will diminish over time. Although I missed auntie a lot, it’s for the best that she forgets me. So I don’t think it’s a wise decision to meet her before leaving.”
Li Fan sighed. “Obviously you are not old, yet you speak like an elder. Let it be then, if you don’t want to meet her. I will handle all the formalities for your departure to England. What identity do you want?
“Err, can you prepare a few more identities than one for me?
Li Fan looked at Yang Yi and solemnly said, “Not possible! Sending you off was to eliminate any hidden danger. I would be abusing my official authority if I prepared a few identities for you. So, I can’t do that for you.”
Yang Yi smiled bitterly, “It’s true if you phrase it that way.”
Li Fan then calmly said, “People like us must always abide by our own bottom-line. If we casually crossed our own bottom-line for trivial matters, there won’t be any bottom-line that can’t be crossed when we truly face adversity.”
Yang Yi laughed, “Right. I understand. About my driver license…”
Li Fan finally turned to look at Yang Yi and solemnly said, “Every country has its laws and every household has its rules. I am here just to meet you. I am not here to rescue you. If you had committed a crime and got apprehended as a result, you should wholeheartedly accept the punishment. Once you have left, the mistakes you make could possibly cost you your life. I hope you will take this to heart.”
Yang Yi groaned in frustration, “Fine. I understand. I will no longer be able to use it anyway. Let it be revoked then.”
Li Fan solemnly continued, “On the bright side, there will be no record of it. That’s because all your records will be erased once you leave China. In fact, you have never existed. Therefore, you will need to create a new identity for yourself before leaving to ensure legitimacy.”
“Understood. Uncle Li, can I leave now?”
Li Fan looked at his watch before replying solemnly, “You don’t have to leave so hastily. Let’s casually chat for a while.”
Yang Yi flipped open the paper and smiled, “You must have read this long ago, is there any advice you can give me?”
Yang Yi had already finished reading the so-called address book when he spoke as there were only five names and five contact numbers inside.
Li Fan solemnly replied, “I am not familiar with anyone in the list. I have never investigated any of them nor have I contacted them. Every one of them should be your dad’s friends or, at the very least people, he trusted. You can only depend on yourself since I didn’t have a need to investigate or contact them.”
Yang Yi put the note away and smiled. “I have seen it. There is no turning back for me now. Prior to this, I still didn’t feel anything. But now that I have read it, I suddenly feel a bit nervous.”
Li Fan clasped his hand and grimly stated, “Once you have left, you need to be cautious with everything. Regardless of whether you are taking action as a spy or in any other capacity, there are no disadvantages to keeping a low-profile. Usually, the arrogant ones die fast.”
“I will remember that. I will try to keep a low-profile.”
Both of them chatted for quite a long time. After about an hour, someone knocked on the interrogation room’s door.
“Come in.”
After Li Fan called out, a young man with an ordinary appearance came in and whispered to Li Fan. “We have investigated everything.”
“Say it. It doesn’t matter.”
“The person named Gong Yu is a mid-level manager in a listed company. His wife is one of the company director’s daughter. Xiao Ran is a U.S citizen studying in England. She is a student of Trinity College. Gong Yu met Xiao Ran once in England. After which, they have kept in touch over the internet. Subsequently, they were in a relationship. At that time, Gong Yu was already engaged to his current wife. They were married just a few days ago.”
Li Fan raised his hand, “Focus on Xiao Ran.”
“Noted. Xiao Ran is deeply in love with Gong Yu. That’s why she had quietly come over to China to surprise him. Once she was here, Gong Yu told her that he was going to the U.S to attend a conference when she asked for his location. He even told her his flight number. In actual fact, he was about to go on his honeymoon with his newly-wed wife. Unfortunately because of what he said, Xiao Ran took his friend’s car to seek him out. However, she didn’t inform her friend she had taken the car. That’s why her friend reported that the car had been stolen.”
Li Fan frowned in surprise. “Is that everything?”
“Yes. The three of them were interrogated separately. Their testimonies are consistent and collaborate what the others said. We have also obtained their chat history. We have also obtained the car owner statement and it fits into their testimonies as well. I believe there is no inconsistency.”
Li Fan slammed his hand on the table in dissatisfaction. “The youngsters nowadays! He was about to get married, yet was still flirting online!”
Yang Yi laughed. “Even marriage might not impede such behaviour.”
“Based on our investigation, we concluded that it is highly probable that Gong Yu’s financial situation is problematic. We suspect he is embezzling at work. As for Xiao Ran, she came from a well-to-do family. That’s why Gong Yu has been steadfastly pursuing her. Despite that, it was still better for Gong Yu to marry his wife…”
Li Fan waved his hand impatiently. “Understood. It’s none of our business since there is no problem. There is no need to continue.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yang Yi laughed. “Everything is fine than? Can I leave now since there is no problem? I will need to quickly find a buyer for my car. The critical point is my house. Can the house be sold?
Li Fan shook his head. “The house would have continued to be yours if you had not taken the note. Presently, the house will definitely be withdrawn. The car is your personal asset and you can sell it.”
Yang Yi bitterly smiled. “Now I am slightly regretting it. My house within the Third Ring will be gone because of this.”
Li Fan stood up without showing any emotion. “It’s too late for regret. Let’s go.”
“Are you washing your hands of the matter? So, you are not going to bother with the Gong Yu matter anymore? Will he be handed back to the police to continue the investigation?”
Li Fan shook his head. “This is not within our jurisdiction.”
Yang Yi replied immediately. “Please wait. Let’s talk this over. The type of disgusting people, like Gong Yu, deserve to receive their due punishment. As for Xiao Ran, why don’t you release her? Can you give me this much face?”
Li Fan guffawed. “What face can you talk about?”
“I don’t have any now, but that will not necessarily be so in the future. Am I right Uncle Li?”
With a sigh, Li Fan replied, “From the very beginning, Xiao Ran would be fine. You don’t have to worry about her. As for Gong Yu, he will receive his due punishment if he has committed any crimes.”
“Thank you Uncle Li.”
Li Fan patted Yang Yi’s shoulder. “Allow me to say a few last words. Regardless of where you are or what you are doing in the future, never forget that you are Chinese.”
Yang Yi stopped being all cheerful and replied with a serious expression. “Rest assured, I will never forget that I am Chinese.”
Li Fan nodded at the young man standing beside him after patting Yang Yi’s shoulder twice more, then opened the door and left quietly.
“Follow me, please.”
After leaving the interrogation room, the young man who was brought over by Li Fan took Yang Yi directly to the police station’s main entrance. He then courteously said, “You won’t have any more problems and Xiao Ran should be able to leave soon. You can either wait for her here, or leave. I need to return to handle some matters. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye and thanks, bro!”
As he watched the young man walk back into the police station, Yang Yi contemplated whether he should wait for Xiao Ran. He felt that there was no harm in waiting for her the moment he thought of Xiao Ran’s pair of long legs.
About ten minutes later, Xiao Ran came out together with a young, fat man.
Though Xiao Ran’s expression was ugly. The fat young man’s expression was worse.
“Sis, I depend on that car to pick up girls, yet you actually crashed it.”
“You just need to get it repaired.”
“Are you going to give me the money for the repairs?”
“What about insurance?”
“Insurance was too expensive. I only bought the compulsory insurance for traffic accidents.”
“You… I will pay for the repairs. You can shut up now!”
“It’s not just a matter of money. I have an appointment tomorrow. How am I going to get there? Furthermore, what if your mom finds out about the big mess you caused driving my car? She had just told my mom…”
Both of them were conversing all the way up to the entrance until they saw Yang Yi. Xiao Ran, who was surprised, immediately asked, “I was just asking about you inside. The police told me you had already been released. How did you get out so quickly?”
Yang Yi smiled. “From the start, this had nothing to do with me. I was pretty much cleared after a few sentences.”
The fatty curiously asked, “That’s not possible bro. Given how recklessly you were speeding, wouldn’t you be detained for at least ten days to half a month? Do you have some connection? Your connection would have to be pretty powerful. Today’s matter could have made headlines, and yet he still managed to get you out?”
Yang Yi’s connection was indeed powerful. Since Yang Yi would be exiled soon, without the possibility of ever returning, Li Fan couldn’t bear to see him being detained for half a month before being released.