After learning that Xiaotao had been "suspended," members of the task force were outraged. Some even wanted to march directly to Director-General Cheng’s office to voice their objections. It took us quite some time to calm everyone down.

Because this was a secret operation, I couldn’t reveal anything to Dali this time. I told him to go back first since I doubted we would conduct any more autopsies. In the end, I temporarily moved to Xiaotao's place in an attempt to stay out of the heat.

"Ah, what irony! I can’t stand how ugly society really is!” lamented Dali. “And how dark the human heart is! As soon as something happens, everyone is busy shirking responsibility. Just relax at Xiaotao-jiejie’s place and remember to take contraceptive measures."

"Fuck off!" I chided.

Meanwhile, the task force would be temporarily taken over by another officer appointed by Director-General Cheng. Xiaotao and I left the station "despondently" and went to the Taoyuan District Branch....