Volume One, Chapter 16: Uncovering the Truth

Page 1/3

At midnight, everything was as usual. Hu Yong was driving, and I sat in the front passenger seat as we began our patrol starting from the Tenth Company.

“Got a notice today—last night, someone from the Eleventh Company stole some latex glue. Probably the buckets that Wang Feng asked you to take…” Hu Yong said as he drove.

Although I had already suspected that those buckets Wang Feng had me fetch last night contained latex glue, hearing Hu Yong’s words still sent a jolt through me.

Hu Yong wasn’t driving fast. He lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and continued, “Tonight, our focus will be on the Eleventh and Eighteenth Companies since they’re somewhat special.”

“Mm.” I sensed tonight’s patrol duty was heavier than usual. My expression grew solemn as I nodded in agreement, while my mind wondered whether Wang Feng’s absence was because he planned to steal the latex glue.

I glanced at Hu Yong, opening my mouth to bring up Wang Feng, but after a moment’s thought, I realized he probably already suspected the same. So, in the end, I said nothing.

Hu Yong remained silent as well, concentrating on driving and patrolling diligently.

Before long, we had patrolled all ten companies. Checking the time, it was nearly two a.m., so Hu Yong parked the car near the Eighteenth Company’s rubber plantation.

“Yan Feng! Let’s rest here for half an hour, then head to the Eleventh,” Hu Yong said, stretching as he got out.

I nodded and followed him out, my face growing very serious as I scanned the rubber forest under the faint moonlight.

“Yan Feng! Don’t be so tense,” Hu Yong said with a smile, tossing me a cigarette. Seeing me still scanning nervously, he lit his own and tried to reassure me.

I took the cigarette, lit it, and after a few puffs, looked at Hu Yong seriously. Then, in a low voice, I asked, “Brother Hu, what usually happens to those caught stealing latex? Are there many thieves?”

“The farm’s complicated. There are quite a few thieves—some from surrounding villages, and even some gang members. When we catch them, we usually hand them over to the police station…” Hu Yong’s face grew grave as he spoke.

He paused, then continued, “Yan Feng, those thieves often carry knives or shotguns. So if we encounter them, we mustn’t be impulsive or reckless. The first priority is to alert the duty officer and call the police, then find a way to detain them and wait for backup.”

I nodded seriously at his words, recalling the death of my cousin Zhao Fei.

Page 2/3

I wondered if my cousin had run into latex thieves and accidentally fought them, leading to him being stabbed.

But I quickly dismissed the thought, since I knew Zhao Fei wasn’t a good man and was probably involved in stealing latex himself.

His death was definitely suspicious. Thinking this, I looked at Hu Yong, wanting to ask, but hesitated and gave up.

Zhao Fei wasn’t well-regarded in the company; the more I knew, the more ashamed I might feel.

Better to let things take their natural course. I believed that someday, even if I didn’t ask, I would learn the truth about Zhao Fei.

“Yan Feng! Let’s go to the Eleventh Company,” Hu Yong called half an hour later. He started the car and slowly drove towards the Eleventh Company as we continued patrolling.

When we arrived at the Eleventh Company’s rubber plantation, it was already 3:30 a.m. The rubber workers had begun tapping, and the forest was no longer quiet.

“Yan Feng! The peak time for stealing latex glue is usually around four or five in the morning. Glue is more valuable than rubber blocks, so thieves prefer to steal it then…” Hu Yong explained.

I nodded, listening intently.

“Yan Feng! Stay in the car. If anything happens, use the captain’s radio to call the duty officer. I’ll patrol the rubber forest,” Hu Yong said, tossing his cigarette butt to the ground and stomping it out, then grabbing a flashlight to head into the plantation.

“Brother Hu! Let me go instead. You stay in the car,” I said, picking up the flashlight and hanging the electric baton on my waist.

Hu Yong didn’t stop me. He handed me a captain’s radio and said gravely, “Yan Feng! Take this radio, be careful, and keep in contact with me at all times.”

“Okay,” I replied, pocketing the radio and turning on the flashlight as I stepped into the rubber forest.

The midnight mist was thick, and the grass was damp. Thankfully, I wore rain boots, so wet grass wouldn’t soak my feet.

Though occasional lights and the sounds of rubber workers came from the plantation, walking through the eerie forest—with numerous graves nearby—made me uneasy and cautious.

“Huh! What’s this…” I murmured.

Page 3/3

Beside each rubber tree was a square pit about two meters long and one meter deep, used for fertilizing the trees.

Suddenly, I noticed dozens of fertilizer bags placed inside the pits, along with several modified buckets with lids.

I was startled and immediately alert. Drawing my electric baton, I approached cautiously.

“It’s rubber blocks and latex glue!” I said, poking a bucket and lifting the lid. The bags contained rubber blocks, and the buckets were full of latex glue.

My expression darkened. Without hesitation, I grabbed the radio and called Hu Yong.

“Brother Hu! I’ve found dozens of bags of rubber blocks and several buckets of latex glue…”

Static crackled through the radio before Hu Yong’s voice came back.

“Yan Feng! Tell me your location, then turn off your flashlight. Find a hiding spot nearby and wait for me.”

“Got it…”

I gave him my approximate position, then switched off the light and hid behind a large rubber tree.

Before Hu Yong arrived, I saw several flashlight beams faintly approaching from a distance.

My heart leapt, fearing they were the thieves coming my way and that Hu Yong might run into them.

If the thieves had shotguns, it would be very dangerous.

Thinking quickly, I lowered the radio volume and whispered, “Brother Hu! Several lights are coming my way. Be careful.”

“Understood!” Hu Yong’s voice came through amidst static.

“Yan Feng! Don’t act without my orders. Wait for me before doing anything,” he warned sternly, worried I might rush into danger.

Relieved by his reminder, I said nothing further.

As the lights drew closer, I gripped my electric baton tightly, crouched beneath the rubber tree, and watched the approaching beams intently.