301: Chapter 301 Huang Hansheng's Memories (Part 2)

It all started six years ago...

(The following content is described from the first-person perspective of Huang Hansheng.)

Six years ago, my son, Huang Liang, graduated from high school. His grades had never been very good, and based on his scores, he basically couldn't get into any good universities domestically. His mother discussed it with me, and we felt that sending him abroad to study might be a way out.

Considering our family's financial situation, we eventually chose Australia.

At first, everything went smoothly, and my son's life there was very regular. It wasn't until the summer break of his second year that he suddenly said he wanted to take advantage of the holiday to do a work-study program. I was quite happy to hear that, thinking my son had grown up and become sensible, knowing how to help share the family's burden, so I agreed without hesitation.

But who would have thought that this would be the start of all the trouble?

One day during the summer break five years ago, I was at work when I suddenly received a call from my son. On the other end, his voice was very tense, even trembling, saying he didn't know how he had offended a local Australian gang. They had even issued a hit order and put a bounty on his life.

My heart sank the moment I heard that. I panicked instantly, and the pen in my hand almost dropped to the floor.

I hurriedly pressed him for details on what exactly happened, and only then did the boy hesitantly reveal the truth.

It turned out he hadn't come back for the holidays and hadn't gone to a work-study program at all. Instead, he had been living a life of debauchery in Australia with those wealthy second-generation international students. The night before, he had drunk too much at a bar and ended up sleeping with the woman of a local gang boss, which brought this death sentence upon him.

My mind went blank when I heard this, but I quickly calmed down and told my son not to panic, instructing him to stay at school and not run around.

I thought to myself that I had to quickly find the embassy for help. Whether it meant paying compensation or whatever else, I had to save my son's life first.

But just as I was about to call the embassy, my phone rang again. It was an unknown Australian number.

As soon as the call connected, before I could even speak, the person on the other end directly stated my name in a cold tone: "Deputy Director Huang, if you want to save your son, come to Australia in person."

I asked who he was, but he wouldn't say anything, only leaving me with one sentence: "If you don't come, your son is dead. Also, you are not allowed to reveal the truth to anyone." Then he hung up.

My heart was in my throat, but thinking of my son's life hanging by a thread, I couldn't care about anything else.

I made up an excuse, saying my son had been in a car accident in Australia and needed surgery. I took leave from my superiors, grabbed my passport, and flew to Australia. I stayed there for about a week. During those days, my wife was kept in the dark; I only told her that the bureau had a mission and I needed to go on a business trip for a while.

Upon arriving in Australia, just as I stepped out of the airport, a foreigner approached me and led me to a car.

I sat in the back seat next to a middle-aged man. I later learned he was President Lei, the one you call Boss Lei. At the time, I had no idea who he was. He told me that the bar where my son got into trouble was his property. He also knew that gang boss and could step in to mediate with him.

Although I felt something was fishy—as the old saying goes, "No one does anything for nothing"—I understood that if he was willing to step in and help me, he must have something to gain. But I really had no other choice. Although I was already a Deputy Director then, that status was completely useless in Australia. The gang boss wouldn't let my son go just because of my position.

So, I asked him, "Why are you helping me? What do you want me to do for you?"

To my surprise, he only said he was willing to help out of sentiment since we were both Chinese, and that he had no other requests.

Of course, I couldn't let him help for nothing. I said if he could really save my son, I would definitely show my deep gratitude.

Later, he arranged for me to see my son at the school. Two days later, his people came to the door saying the matter was resolved and invited my son and me to a banquet to apologize to the gang boss in person.

I didn't think much of it at the time, only wanting to settle the matter quickly, so I went along.

Who would have expected that I would be plied with drink until I was dead drunk that night? When I woke up, a completely naked woman was lying next to me. I understood everything in an instant; I had been set up.

But even though I knew, there was nothing I could do. For the sake of my future, my son, and my family, I could only swallow the bitter pill and keep this a secret.

After the matter was concluded, President Lei sent someone to take me to the airport.

Before I left, he pressed a bank card into my hand and promised that he would cover my son's tuition and living expenses in Australia for the next few years.

I wanted to refuse, but he said meaningfully, "We're friends who have drunk together and laid everything bare. Your son is my son. If Huang Liang has any trouble in Australia in the future, he can come to me, and I'll help resolve it."

Hearing this, I understood in my heart. If I refused, those naked photos from that night might appear on the Director's desk before I even returned to the country.

Alas, a single false step leads to eternal regret...

Ye Qingcheng felt no sympathy for Huang Hansheng's regret. She simply followed up in a calm tone, "It's understandable to lose one's head out of concern for one's own son. After that, what else did you do for Boss Lei?"

Huang Hansheng lowered his head, a flash of panic crossing his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said in a low voice, "Later, two or three months passed, and I had almost forgotten about it. Suddenly one day, President Lei called, saying he hoped I could provide him with some information. As the Deputy Director of the Security Bureau Modu Branch, I did have the authority to access records. So I agreed."

Ye Qingcheng frowned slightly, her eyes filled with scrutiny. "What kind of information?"

Huang Hansheng licked his dry lips, his voice sounding a bit raspy. "I've checked many things for him. Information on local officials, well-known entrepreneurs..."

Ye Qingcheng's brow furrowed even tighter, her tone carrying a sense of pressure. "What did he want all that information for?"

Huang Hansheng shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "I'm not quite sure. He never told me what it was for, and I figured it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble by not asking too many questions."

Ye Qingcheng sneered, her tone laced with irony. "Your 'avoiding trouble' has harmed a lot of people." She paused slightly and continued to press, "You remember all the information he's taken from you, right?"

Huang Hansheng nodded, his tone carrying a sense of certainty. "I remember, I remember. I've kept backups of all the information that went out through my hands over the years. They're kept at my house."

Ye Qingcheng nodded slightly. "Good. Then continue."

Huang Hansheng took a deep breath and continued, "Yes. Over the years, he would occasionally ask me for some information. Every time I helped him, he would deposit a sum of money into that bank card. However, I never touched that money. Firstly, I was worried about the matter being exposed, and secondly, I really didn't need it. He covered all of my son's expenses for studying in Australia, and in Modu, my wife and I didn't spend much. This situation continued until last night."

Subsequently, Huang Hansheng told Ye Qingcheng everything about his phone call with President Lei last night in full detail.