Chapter 8: The Most Dangerous Place

The information Chen Xuewen accidentally gathered at the breakfast stall gave him a small sense of relief.

The law enforcement team had temporarily identified the deceased as Old Du. This meant their search efforts would be focused on elderly individuals, and they would not be looking for him. With this realization, he felt much less panicked.

After finishing his breakfast, Chen Xuewen left as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Old Ge and the others were still eating and paid no attention to him as he walked away. After all, their focus was entirely on the elderly. They scrutinized every old person who passed by, even stopping a few who wore hats to remove them and inspect their faces. Young men like Chen Xuewen were completely ignored.

Chen Xuewen entered Pingcheng and checked into a decent hotel opposite the law enforcement headquarters. In those days, hotels did not require identification, so he checked in without a hitch. Based on what he had heard from fellow inmates in prison, the law enforcement team primarily focused their searches on small hostels and internet cafes, as fugitives were often like startled birds, seeking out chaotic places to hide. Chen Xuewen had learned from this, opting for a larger, more reputable hotel instead. By choosing to stay directly across from the law enforcement headquarters, he was banking on the concept that "the darkest place is right under the lamp." Old Du had once said that the most dangerous place is often the safest. As it turned out, Chen Xuewen’s strategy was sound.

Most of the law enforcement officers were deployed to block roads around Pingcheng or to conduct sweeps of internet cafes and small hostels. With limited manpower, they only briefly inquired at high-end hotels to check for suspicious guests. They barely bothered to check the hotel right across the street from their own office; after all, who would imagine that an escaped convict would have the audacity to hide right under their noses?

Thus, Chen Xuewen spent a peaceful day resting. Having slept and regained his strength, night fell. He stood by the window and surveyed the surroundings; seeing nothing unusual, he felt somewhat more at ease. He prepared two packs of instant noodles, turned on the television, and watched the local news for Pingcheng.

A ticker tape scrolled across the bottom of the screen, displaying a wanted notice for the Pingcheng prison escapee. Chen Xuewen checked it and saw that they were still searching for Old Du, which allowed him to let out a sigh of relief. This meant the authorities had not yet discovered the true identity of the deceased. Chen Xuewen had used a strong corrosive agent on Old Du’s body, and he knew it would require an autopsy to confirm the identity. Pingcheng lacked the advanced technical facilities for such a procedure, and the remains would have to be sent to the provincial capital—a process that would take significant time.

However, two days had already passed since his escape. He knew the true identity of the body wouldn't remain a secret for much longer.

Chen Xuewen wolfed down his noodles, gazed out into the dark night, took a deep breath, donned his hat, and resolutely left the hotel.

The night was dark, and few pedestrians were on the streets. Under the cover of darkness, Chen Xuewen arrived outside a hotel—the very place where the campus beauty had met her tragic end, and where Chen Xuewen himself had been arrested. It was the finest hotel in Pingcheng, with rooms starting at no less than 150 yuan a night. Back then, his father’s monthly salary was less than 800 yuan. The room where the incident occurred was the most expensive suite, costing over 1,000 yuan a night. He could never have afforded such a place. Yet, two hotel employees had sworn under oath that it was Chen Xuewen who had booked the room and forcibly taken the girl upstairs, becoming the key witnesses against him.

Braving the cold wind, Chen Xuewen hid in an alley outside the hotel, watching the staff come and go. Past ten o'clock, a few employees finished their shift. Chen Xuewen immediately recognized one of the young men: Zhao Dong, one of the witnesses who had testified against him in court.

Chen Xuewen followed him quietly. After walking for a while, the group dispersed to go home. Zhao Dong turned off at an intersection. Chen Xuewen followed him in silence. When they reached a deserted area, Chen Xuewen lunged forward, covered Zhao Dong’s mouth, and pinned him to the ground. Zhao Dong struggled desperately, but Chen Xuewen pressed a dagger against his throat. "Don't move!"

The cold blade pricked his skin, and the threat of death made Zhao Dong go limp, his hands raised in surrender. Still keeping his hand over Zhao Dong's mouth, Chen Xuewen signaled for him to move toward a different direction.

Zhao Dong had no choice but to be led into the nearby fields. After walking along a dirt path for over half an hour, they reached an abandoned brick factory. It was extremely secluded, with no one living nearby. Once there, Chen Xuewen released his hold.

Thinking Chen Xuewen had let his guard down, Zhao Dong bolted like a rabbit, attempting to flee. But before he could get far, Chen Xuewen grabbed him by the collar and, in one fluid motion, drove the knife into his thigh. Zhao Dong let out a shrill scream of agony. Chen Xuewen immediately pointed the dagger at his throat again. "Shut up!"

Terrified, Zhao Dong dared not scream again, stifling his cries into whimpers. Looking at Chen Xuewen in horror, he stammered, "Big brother, I... I don't have any money..."

Chen Xuewen, wearing his hat to hide half his face in the darkness, remained unrecognized. He stared coldly at him and asked in a deep voice, "I don't want your money. I have a few questions for you."

Zhao Dong was stunned. "What... what questions?"

Chen Xuewen asked, "Tell me, who made you frame Chen Xuewen?"

Zhao Dong didn't answer. Instead, he stared at Chen Xuewen, his brows furrowed with indignation. "Who the hell are you? Another one of Chen Xuewen’s friends, right? Let me tell you, this isn't something you can get involved in. If you don't want to end up like Li Eryong—broken arms and legs—then let me go. Anyone who gets involved in this matter will die!"

These words caused Chen Xuewen’s expression to shift instantly. He knew Li Eryong; they had been childhood friends. When Chen Xuewen was sentenced, Li Eryong had roared with fury, swearing he would help him find justice. Hearing this from Zhao Dong, it seemed Li Eryong had been crippled because of him.