Xiaotao glanced at the fat uncle in disbelief, then turned to me and whispered, "Song Yang, are you mistaken? We’ve all seen photos of Long Bangguo. Even after twenty years in prison, he wouldn’t look like this."

My statement was half speculation and half warning, and judging by the fat man’s nervousness and microexpressions, I was right.

I pointed to the nightstand and said, "What do you see?"

Confused, Xiaotao replied, "Two cell phones, some snacks and a bottle of alcohol."

"His hair is very short and although he’s overweight, he’s not in good health,” I started. “He has bruises and scars all over his body and calluses on his hands, left behind by long-term labor. And there’s a purplish scar on his waist; the shape and position matches an injury inflicted by the stun batons prison guards use. Additionally,...