In order to confirm that the Ma Jinhuo that Shopkeeper Tang was referring to was the same person that we meant, Xiaotao called the police station to get someone to send a photo of Ma Jinhuo to her phone. She then showed it to Shopkeeper Tang.

“Yup!” he nodded eagerly. “That’s the guy!”

“Do you have his recent photos?” I asked.

Shopkeeper Tang smiled. 

“My phone is an ancient one with no camera function.” He then pulled out an old antique-looking Nokia phone.

“Do you know Ma Jinhuo personally?” I asked.

Shopkeeper Tang paused briefly and scratched his nose. “No.”

I sneered and stared into his eyes, “You’re lying!”

“No, Officer! It’s the truth! I swear to God!” he insisted.

“There’s no use in swearing to God! Come with us to the police station now!”

He was visibly intimidated by my threat. Shopkeeper immediately lowered his head; his face was downcast. It seemed that he was not that strong-willed a person.

“Alright, I’ll admit it. Ma Jinhuo and I came from the same ...