Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 84: Give Ning Cheng more time, I trust him!

There was a long silence on the other end of the walkie-talkie. Liu Hailong sat on the second-floor sofa, his eyes narrowed. As Ning Cheng had predicted, he'd requested a negotiator capable of decisive action—not based on rank or age, but on competence. Ning Cheng was right. But Liu Hailong remained dissatisfied. Ning Cheng's insights into his psychology were unnerving, his blend of threats and appeasement unsettlingly precise.

"Officer Ning, you're right," Liu Hailong's voice, laced with confidence and disdain, crackled over the walkie-talkie. "You're sharp, you understand my psychology. But I dislike overly clever people, especially those who lack restraint and are arrogant."

On the first floor, Ning Cheng's eyelids flickered. "What's your point?"

"I won't push you too far. You're a police negotiator; your death would complicate things. But that doesn't mean you can dictate terms. We hold over thirty hostages. Losing one is unacceptable. This is our leverage; you'll play by our rules."

"Huang Mao, I don't like this officer's tone. Cut off his finger."

The hostility in Liu Hailong's voice was palpable. Ning Cheng's pupils constricted, his gaze fixed on Huang Mao. Huang Mao grinned, relishing the opportunity for revenge.

"Officer Ning, I couldn't handle you before. Now my boss has spoken, and I won't be polite. We're desperate men, no better or worse than you. Hand it over. Resist, and you know the consequences. Or, I'll just kill a hostage. Your choice."

Ning Cheng's eyes were sharp, his expression calm. He'd mentally rehearsed countless scenarios, even devising strategies more ruthless than finger-severing. These were not ordinary criminals; they disregarded human life. Common sense wouldn't work.

"Boss Liu, I apologize for my earlier aggression. To prove my sincerity, I'll break my own finger."

Ning Cheng hadn't received confirmation of the team's infiltration. Breaking his finger was a calculated delay tactic, buying time until Li Gang's team was ready to strike.

"No need," Huang Mao said, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "I'll do it myself. Extend your right hand. The index finger."

A collective gasp arose from the hostages. Huang Mao intended to cripple Ning Cheng's dominant hand, potentially ending his career.

"Fine," Ning Cheng said, calmly extending his finger.

With a sickening click, the finger snapped. Ning Cheng gasped, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Satisfied?" Ning Cheng asked Liu Hailong, ignoring Huang Mao.

"Very," Liu Hailong replied, enjoying Ning Cheng's anger. Anger clouded judgment.

"Huang Mao, back off. You're pushing him too far."

"Boss, I checked; he's unarmed. He can't even hold chopsticks, let alone kill me," Huang Mao sneered.

The hostages were enraged by their callousness. Outside, at police headquarters, Li Gang, Zhou Ziyan, and others listened, the sound of the breaking bone echoing in their ears.

Zhou Ziyan wept. "Captain, how long must we wait? Ning Cheng has lost a finger! Are we ready?"

Li Gang sighed. "I know what this means to him. But we lack confirmation from the assault team. We must wait. Another premature assault would be disastrous."

Ye Wanzhou erupted. "You're incompetent! This is all your fault! Ning Cheng is alone, facing those criminals!" Overwhelmed with emotion, she broke down.

"Reporter Ye, I accept responsibility. But I won't risk more lives for a hasty attack. We wait for confirmation from the assault team and Ning Cheng before we act."

"Captain Li, you're gambling with his life," Ye Wanzhou said, her voice thick with emotion. "He's alone against those killers. How can he possibly survive?"

Zhou Ziyan hugged Ye Wanzhou. "We have to wait. We have to trust Ning Cheng."