Skin - Chapter 70

Chapter 70 – A Botched Press Conference

　　The live news conference on the “Dark Cage” case was held as scheduled.

　　In the large conference room on the east side of the second floor, the staff responsible for this press conference were making the final confirmation. Forty or fifty media outlets had already arrived, and cameras were set up in several rows.

　　Because he would be answering questions from the media as a spokesperson, Meng Zhao changed into his police uniform in advance and went backstage to familiarize himself with the procedures.

　　The speech had been revised by Director Xu. Meng Zhao took it in his hand and looked through it, familiarizing himself with it for the last time.

　　Director Xu also came over and walked in front of Meng Zhao: “Have you memorized the speech?”

　　”Yes.” Meng Zhao looked up and said.

　　”When you answer questions from the media, you must be careful with your words and think carefully before you speak. In a live broadcast like this, hundreds of thousands of people are watching you, so you must be careful not to make any mistakes.”

　　”Yeah, I know.” Meng Zhao said.

　　Director Xu looked at Meng Zhao, raised his hand to help him straighten his tie, then patted him on the shoulder and left without saying anything more.

　　As soon as Director Xu left, Zhang Chao also came backstage: “It’s going to start soon, are you nervous?”

　　”It’s okay.” Meng Zhao put down the speech in his hand and stretched his shoulders and neck.

　　Zhang Chao came over and put his arm around his shoulder: “Once this national press conference starts, will it be on the hot search again?”

　　”What kind of hot search is this?” Meng Zhao glanced at him. “What good is it to be on the hot search?”

　　Meng Zhao was on the hot search list two years ago. That was when he made a mistake and was punished by Director Xu to work at the traffic police team next door. One night, the traffic police team and the traffic radio station conducted a live broadcast of the drunk driving inspection activity. Someone intercepted the clip of Meng Zhao on duty and posted it on Weibo. Within an hour, it was forwarded more than 10,000 times. The entry of “the most handsome traffic policeman” soon became a hot search, and its ranking rose rapidly.

　　Because of this popular Weibo post, the ratings of the Traffic Police Channel soared that night, far surpassing other channels.

　　The official Weibo account of Mingtan Traffic Police also gained followers quickly, with hundreds of thousands of followers in one night and more than one million the next day, surpassing the Mingtan Public Security Bureau. Because of this incident, the traffic police team next door even won an award for advanced new media operations in the province, which made Director Xu very angry and he never let Meng Zhao go to the traffic police team again.

　　”Do you think those netizens will be confused as to how this traffic policeman suddenly became a criminal policeman and even became the deputy leader of the task force? He must have relied on his looks to get the position,” Zhang Chao joked.

　　”Go away.” Meng Zhao was amused by him.

　　At two o’clock sharp, the press conference officially began.

　　The main leaders of the Mingtan Municipal Public Security Bureau had already taken their seats in advance. Director Xu sat in the middle position, and Meng Zhao, who had the lowest police rank among the leaders, sat on the far right.

　　Flashes of light flashed, shutter clicks rang out, and hundreds of thousands of viewers watched the press conference live online.

　　Meng Zhao looked down at the audience, listening to Director Xu’s speech.

　　”On May 6, our Criminal Police Unit of Mingtan Public Security Bureau cracked the Dark Cage case, rescued 37 victims, and arrested three criminals headed by Wu Weihan. In order to speed up the investigation of the case, Mingtan Public Security Bureau immediately established the 506 Dark Cage Task Force after discovering the dark cage. Until this press conference, the members of the task force have been digging deep for evidence of the crime and strive to give the public an explanation in the shortest possible time…”

　　After Director Xu’s speech, Deputy Director Yu, who served as the host of the press conference, said a few words to connect the event, and then it was Meng Zhao’s turn to speak.

　　Meng Zhao stood up from his seat, saluted the audience, and then walked behind the podium.

　　According to the pre-set process, Meng Zhao first introduced the current progress of the case, and then the host announced the start of the reporter’s question session.

　　The reporters in the audience immediately raised their hands, and the host picked a relatively credible official media: “Lady, second from the left in the third row, do you have any questions?”

　　The lady, “Excuse me, Officer Meng, at present, public opinion is overwhelming, and everyone hopes that the police can make public the list of Dark Cage’s customers. So what are the considerations for the police to delay making the list of dark cage customers public?”

　　”All customers of Dark Cage were very cautious and did not leave any personal information. We tried to use technical means to perform facial recognition on the surveillance, but these customers covered their faces with masks when entering and leaving Dark Cage, making it quite difficult to identify them. If there is still no progress in facial recognition, we will consider issuing a wanted order and using the power of the media and the public to do our best to find the criminals. There are more than a dozen underage girls among the victims of Dark Cage. It is our responsibility to identify these criminals and make them receive the punishment they deserve. Please rest assured that the Mingtan Public Security Bureau will not tolerate any criminal involved in Dark Cage.”

　　”Excuse me, Officer Meng, most of us media and the public first learned about the Dark Cage incident through Lu Yang’s official account. We also know that Lu Yang lost his life because of this incident. Is there any progress in the case of Lu Yang’s murder?”

　　”Solving the murder of Lu Yang is a very important task for the task force. We have already identified a portrait of the suspect based on the clues we have,” Meng Zhao continued, as a portrait of the suspect appeared on the screen behind him. “We are also taking this opportunity at the press conference to officially offer a national reward for the fugitive suspect on the wanted list. Anyone who provides clues that are verified by our bureau allowing the successful capture of the suspect will be rewarded RMB 100,000 in accordance with relevant regulations.”

　　”Excuse me, Officer Meng, I heard that this case is very complicated, and the people involved are all rich or noble. Do you think this case will encounter any resistance and can be solved smoothly?”

　　”Yes.” Meng Zhao said firmly, “The dawn has come and the sky will soon be bright. I will work with all the police officers of the Mingtan Public Security Bureau to protect justice for everyone.”

　　”Excuse me, Officer Meng, is there any connection between the previous imprisonment incident in the sanatorium’s basement and this Dark Cage incident?”

　　”Excuse me, Officer Meng, is there any kind of exchange of interests within the Dark Cage?”

　　•=|=•

　　Reporters in the audience asked questions one after another, and Meng Zhao answered them one by one.

　　According to the planned process, the question-and-answer session was to be wrapped up within an hour. Seeing that the time was almost up, the host walked to the front of the stage and said, “This is the last opportunity to ask questions. We would like to invite…”

　　Before he finished speaking, a reporter stood up without being called and said loudly, “Officer Meng, according to an insider, you once beat a suspect violently during the investigation of the Dark Cage case and almost beat him to death. Is this news true?”

　　Without waiting for Meng Zhao to answer, the man continued, “According to the law, criminal suspects should enjoy basic human rights before being formally confirmed as criminals. Are the police abusing violence by treating suspects in this way? If all police officers carry out this behavior against criminal suspects, without procedural justice, is the justice of the results credible? In addition, facing such police, I find it hard to believe that you will not torture and extract confessions during the interrogation process. Criminal suspects are also human beings, and they have their own families. Officer Meng, how will you face them?”

　　At this moment, there was silence in the meeting room, and all eyes were fixed on Meng Zhao. Everyone was waiting for Meng Zhao’s response, as if they were judging a sinner.

　　However, Meng Zhao did not speak immediately. He looked at the reporter who asked the question with a stern and calm expression.

　　Suddenly, a burst of sobbing broke the silence. In the corner of the venue, a little girl of seven or eight years old wiped her tears and slowly walked to the front of the stage. She cried to Meng Zhao aggrievedly, “Uncle police, my father is not a bad person, please don’t hit him…”

　　There was an uproar in the conference room, and all the reporters immediately turned their cameras and pointed them at the little girl. The shutter clicks suddenly became dense, and the flash lights blinded the little girl.

　　Instantly, Meng Zhao reacted, taking a step forward and taking off his police jacket. He stood in front of the little girl, covered her entire upper body with the jacket, picked her up, and walked out without looking back.

　　Seeing this, Cheng Yun also stood up from her seat, walked out of the conference room, and trotted after Meng Zhao: “Brother Zhao.”

　　Meng Zhao walked very quickly. He held the little girl in his arms and couldn’t help cursing, “A bunch of beasts.”

　　”Cheng Yun, take her back to the office quickly,” Meng Zhao walked a few steps away and handed the still crying little girl to Cheng Yun, “Watch her carefully, don’t let anyone see her.”

　　”Yeah.” Cheng Yun nodded in response, took the little girl, and walked quickly towards the office.

　　Standing there, Meng Zhao took a deep breath, then turned and walked towards the conference room.

　　When he was about to enter the conference room, Meng Zhao saw Director Xu at the window at the end of the corridor, talking on the phone with his back to him.

　　Besides such a mess at the scene, did Director Xu still have the mind to make a phone call? Meng Zhao couldn’t help but have this question in his mind, but the conference room was already in an uproar at the moment, so he didn’t have time to think too much and pushed the door and walked into the conference room.

　　Just now, the host tried his best to maintain order in the venue, but it was of no avail.

　　As soon as Meng Zhao came back, the whole audience suddenly fell silent, and all the reporters turned their cameras to Meng Zhao.

　　Meng Zhao walked slowly to the podium and looked at the reporter who had asked the question with a sharp expression: “Reporter, have you ever thought about the consequences of doing this?”

　　The reporter looked at him, his face showing a righteous determination to die bravely: “As reporters, it is our duty to make the facts and the truth public. I don’t care what consequences I will bear personally, but Officer Meng, can what you just said be regarded as a threat to reporters by the police?”

　　”I’m not asking about the consequences for you, I’m asking about the consequences for that little girl!” Meng Zhao raised his voice, his tone cold, “Have you ever thought that once this little girl’s identity as the child of a criminal suspect is made public by you, her life will be nailed to the pillar of shame. Is it what a journalist should do to hold a public trial for such a little girl? You can make the facts public and pursue the truth, but have you ever considered the most basic humanity?”

　　Meng Zhao looked at the flashing lights in the audience and said, “I would like to tell those criminals who are trying to bring me down that as long as I, Meng Zhao, am still alive, I will definitely catch all of you. Don’t you want my answer? This is my complete answer.”

　　After he finished speaking, he walked down from the podium and walked straight out of the conference hall.

　　The sound of shutter clicks continued behind him. Meng Zhao recalled the year when he was sixteen. Meng Xiangyu was sentenced to fifteen years in the first instance. The moment he and Meng Ruoshu came out of the court, there were those black cameras pointed at them and the almost noisy shutter sounds.

　　Meng Zhao did the same at that time. He took off his coat and covered Meng Ruoshu’s face. He blocked the reporters’ shots and quickly squeezed out of the crowd with Meng Ruoshu.

　　He would never forget Meng Ruoshu’s terrified expression and shrinking limbs, like a frightened little animal.

　　Opening the door of the conference room, Meng Zhao sneered: ‘These people’s faces really haven’t changed at all over the years.’

　　Meng Zhao took a few steps forward, and someone ran over quickly: “Captain Meng, Director Xu asked you to go find him as soon as the press conference is over.”

　　”Yeah.” Meng Zhao responded and walked towards Director Xu’s office.

　　Meng Zhao walked into the office and stood in front of Director Xu: “Director Xu.”

　　Director Xu was silent for a moment, then he said, “From now on, you don’t have to worry about this case.”

　　Although he knew that he would be punished after the press conference, Meng Zhao did not expect Director Xu to suspend him immediately.

　　He tried his best to stay calm: “Director Xu, you should know that if you suspend me now, it would be equivalent to fulfilling the wishes of some people. I don’t think this is a wise decision.”

　　”It’s not up to you to decide whether it’s wise or not. Some things are not as simple as you think.” Director Xu frowned and said in a tone that did not allow for argument. “Just listen to me now and don’t worry about this case for now. I’ll find a way to deal with the next thing.”

　　”I have another question. Who knew about what I did?” Meng Zhao looked at Director Xu. “Due to the special nature of the case, we have restricted the two managers of the Dark Cage from meeting with their lawyers. So how did this matter get out? Why does this reporter have such detailed information?”

　　”Don’t think about anything else for now. I’ve asked you to suspend your duties, so just do it.” Director Xu’s expression was serious. “Go home and reflect on this for a few days.”

　　Seeing that Director Xu had no intention of changing his decision, Meng Zhao asked, “When should I come back?”

　　”Wait for notification.” After a pause, Director Xu continued, “During your suspension, Deputy Director Yu will temporarily take over the position of deputy team leader of the special case team, and Ren Bin will cooperate with her to be responsible for the specific investigation work.”

　　”Got it.” Meng Zhao said in a low voice, then opened the door and walked out.

　　After going down the stairs and walking out of the city bureau hall, Meng Zhao looked back at the police badge hanging high on the wall.

　　‘It feels like a piece of my heart has been dug out, leaving it empty.’

　　Only at this moment did he truly feel guilty for his impulsiveness and incompetence.

　　‘If I hadn’t been so impulsive at the time, would I not have given others an advantage and ended up in this situation?’

　　He then thought of Lu Shichen. If it hadn’t been for the hand that stopped him that day, would he be suffering from consequences more irreversible than suspension at this moment?

　　Meng Zhao let out a long breath, then walked down the stairs and out of the police station.