63: Chapter 62: Professional Hitman 63: Chapter 62: Professional Hitman Gao Yang knew his way of thinking was still stuck in the state of the Libyan War, so he didn’t think killing someone was a big deal.
But after careful consideration, he felt that even within the stability of the domestic situation, if a soldier, out of a sense of justice, killed a criminal in the act of committing a strong-armed crime, it wouldn’t be considered a big deal.
It seemed that the soldier had accepted Gao Yang’s kindness.
Looking at Gao Yang with a puzzled expression, the soldier sighed heavily and said with a bitter smile, “I took the girl back to her village.
After she saw her family, she refused to acknowledge she had been violated.
I can understand that, since she’s just a girl, and didn’t say much.
I was just thinking of going back to the military to receive my punishment, but then I had a second thought.
I asked why her family didn’t dare to call the police and testify for me, and guess what?
Upon asking, I found out that the bastard I killed and the girl were from the same village, and moreover, he was the village tyrant.”
Gao Yang frowned and spread his hands, saying, “Even so, the truth can always be clarified, right?
You didn’t have to run away, did you?”
The soldier replied with a sense of helplessness, “Would you just let me finish?
That bastard I killed had a brother and a dad, and none in that family were good people.
The girl was afraid to testify for me because she feared retaliation.
When I heard that, I accepted it and thought I’d go back to the military to deal with it.
But then, that bastard’s brother and dad surrounded me with a group of people and nearly beat me to death.
Realizing the situation, I thought I might as well go all out.
In front of over a hundred people, I slaughtered those last two jerks of the family too.
Now, tell me, could I have survived by staying there?”
Gao Yang grimaced, shaking his head continuously, “This is real trouble now, real trouble.
You, a soldier, killed two people in full view of everyone.
Regardless of whether you were justified or not, this is a tricky situation.
But still, I think the killings you did after were in self-defense, right?
The military superiors shouldn’t give you a heavy sentence, should they?”
The soldier lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, he shook his head and said, “The two guys I killed later were already lying on the ground, unable to move, and I still went over and stomped them to death.
I don’t know what came over me at that moment, I just wanted to finish off those bastards.
Although I don’t know much about the law, I think that must have crossed the line of self-defense, right?”
After much thought, Gao Yang still shook his head and said, “I think, you might just have a chance of turning things around.
The leaders in your unit can’t just stand by and watch a hero bleed and cry, can they?”
The soldier let out a deep sigh and said, “I’ve smeared our unit’s name.
No matter what, the crime I’ve committed carries too bad of an influence.
I already disgraced our unit, and if I let the police catch me, where would our unit’s honor go?
I killed someone and then ran, but after running away, I felt it wasn’t right, so I decided to go back to the unit to face the consequences.
But before that, I wanted to go home and see my family.
I’ve been enlisted for nearly three years and haven’t visited home once.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Our situations are quite similar.
To tell you the truth, I was in Africa for three years.
I came back a few days ago and found myself involved in a major case.
But one advantage I have over you is that I’ve already seen my family, and you haven’t.
By the way, what’s your name?”
“It doesn’t matter if I tell you.
My name is Li Jinfang, ‘Jin’ as in gold, ‘Fang’ as in direction.”
Gao Yang wanted to reveal his own name, but before the words came out, he felt it might not be appropriate and hesitated for a moment.
Finally, he changed the subject.
“What’s your plan?
I don’t know where you intend to go, but I think you’re bound to run into trouble sooner or later just blatantly riding the train like this.”
Li Jinfang looked lost as he replied, “Actually, I have no idea what to do next.
I want to see my family.
I’m an only child, and it would be tragic if I got killed without any noise.
Although that’s unlikely, I still want to see my parents one last time.
Even though that’s my plan, I’m currently headed in the completely opposite direction.
If I wanted to return to the unit, I should have gone with our captain just now, but I didn’t go with him, so now I don’t know where to go.”
Somewhat inspired by Li Jinfang’s words, Gao Yang said in a low voice, “You mentioned that the man from earlier was your captain?
If that’s the case, then you must be from the special forces, right?”
Li Jinfang shook his head, “Not really, not officially.
If I performed well in this exercise, maybe, but you know now, I’ll never be a special forces soldier.”
Gao Yang became excited and said urgently, “You are, you are in my eyes.
Tell me, which unit are you from?”
Li Jinfang gave Gao Yang an odd look and replied, “Classified.”
After a moment of silence, Li Jinfang sighed and said, “Even if our unit’s number isn’t classified, I wouldn’t tell you.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “I understand how you feel.
You think you’ve disgraced your unit, right?
In my opinion, if you hadn’t killed those three jerks, you would’ve brought real shame to your unit.
But you don’t want to tell, and I won’t force you.
Let’s do this, you come with me, let’s be mercenaries together.
This job is definitely for you.
Of course, if you don’t want to, I won’t force you.
I can help you reach Russia and then we’ll go our separate ways.”
Li Jinfang laughed and said, “You’re an interesting guy.
I can’t tell if you’re bragging or if you really are a desperate fugitive.
But who wouldn’t want to save their own life?
Even though I don’t quite believe you, I want to give it a try.
Tell me, what’s your plan?”
Gao Yang thought for a moment and said bluntly, “To be honest, looking at how you’re dressed and your overall appearance, anyone could tell you’re not an ordinary person.
I’m actually a bit worried about being with you.
If you get me caught by the police because of your issues, I’d have nowhere to cry.”
Li Jinfang pursed his lips and said, “This outfit was stolen from a village.
It was good enough to get rid of my camo, so choosing clothes wasn’t the priority.
Now it’s clear this getup is drawing too much attention, but there’s nothing I can do.
I don’t have a dime on me, and the twenty or so bucks I got with the clothes went to buying a train ticket.
I can’t just go robbing, can I?”
After a moment’s thought, Gao Yang took out a stack of bills from a plastic bag, counted out two thousand yuan, and handed it to Li Jinfang, saying sternly, “Take the money.
If you want to come with me, find me in Harbin City.
I’ll wait for you until noon the day after tomorrow.
Call this number by then.
I don’t care how you get to Harbin City, but once you’re there, come with me.
If you don’t make it, I’ll go on my own.”
Li Jinfang accepted the bills, slapped them against his hand, and said, “Simple.
Money makes things easier.
I’ll call you before noon the day after tomorrow.”