My autobiography is definitely not a tragedy!
Chapter 57 - 56: Success was due to Xiao He, and so was failure.

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Success was due to Xiao He, and so was failure.

The chase lasted for about ten minutes when Wang Zhao Ping suddenly shouted in excitement.

"We’ve caught up!"

Meng Lang heard the words and followed the other’s gaze, spotting an old Wuling van driving about two to three hundred meters ahead of them.

Once Wang Zhao Ping confirmed the license plate was correct, he slightly reduced his speed, switched lanes, and followed the van from a distance behind a black Buick.

"Team 2, Team 3, report your positions. I’ve reacquired the target and am tailing them along the Su Ning Highway."

"Team 2 reporting, we’ve just gotten on the overpass, it will probably take another ten minutes to get on the highway."

"Team 3 reporting, we’ll need about fifteen minutes to get on the highway."

"Received. Judging by the target’s speed, they’re just on alert but not actually trying to flee. Follow my car’s location and get over here as fast as you can."

"Yes, Captain!"

Seeing that the situation was still under control, Wang Zhao Ping finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Brother Meng, I’m sorry for the inconvenience for the time being. Once my team arrives, we’ll find an opportunity to let you go."

"It’s not a bother at all. Captain Wang, saying that makes me feel terribly ashamed. It’s me who has troubled everyone, as a concerned citizen. I’ve not only failed to help you but also contributed to the public disorder.

If the criminals get away because of me, the fault would be mine."

"Brother Meng understands the greater good. Frankly, there have been many child disappearance cases reported to the nearby police stations recently, and we’ve suspected that a gang is behind them.

If we can trace the source and find their hideout, rescuing the kidnapped children, then Brother Meng, your enormous merit will be immeasurable!"

Child disappearance cases? Meng Lang was stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling a heavy weight in his heart.

He’d seen a movie called "Lost and Love" by Andy Lau before, and his tears had nearly spilled.

In this world, nothing is more cruel than separation from loved ones, love unattained...

"Captain Wang, you’ve worked hard. Please make sure they are brought to justice!"

Hearing the sincerity in Meng Lang’s voice, Wang Zhao Ping grinned.

"Of course! Even if it means chasing them to the ends of the earth, I will make sure they receive the punishment they deserve!"

Unexpectedly, the chase lasted for an hour...

After they left the highway, they traveled along a remote county road bordering Su City and Jia City. The road became more isolated and steep, and Wang Zhao Ping’s expression grew darker...

"Tsk!" The car suddenly stopped, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Captain Wang? Why aren’t we chasing them?" Meng Lang asked anxiously as he watched the van in front getting farther and farther away.

"We can’t chase them anymore. Look at this road." Wang Zhao Ping pointed to the narrow mountain road ahead that only allowed for one vehicle to pass.

"Did you notice? As we’ve come along, the traffic has thinned. By the time we reached this place, it’s been practically deserted.

This mountain road has a wide view, it’s all visible from half way up the mountain. If we follow any further, we will definitely be spotted.

In my experience, there must be someone keeping watch at their hideout. Given their previous level of caution, once they realize they’re being followed, it’s very likely they’ll immediately notify their people to transfer the abducted children.

If that happens, even if we catch these two, we won’t have any evidence to pin them for the crime."

Meng Lang also felt that what Wang Zhao Ping said made sense, but was there really no choice but to give up?

Just as the two felt at a loss, the sound of engines came from behind, and two SUVs stopped behind them. Seven or eight plainclothes officers got out, several of whom were familiar faces.

"Captain, we finally caught up with you. Why have you stopped?" Qin Xiaoru, wearing a cap, stepped forward and asked.

Wang Zhao Ping helplessly explained the situation they were facing.

"It seems these guys are pretty cunning. A place as remote as this not only aids in hiding but also makes tracking difficult."

"What about using drones?" someone suggested.

"No good! The visibility is too broad up there, and drones fly at a low altitude, making it very likely for them to be spotted. Moreover, drones are too slow to keep up with them. We can only resume the pursuit after they’ve gone through this mountain road." Wang Zhao Ping shook his head.

"I just checked the map; there are many forks ahead. If we’re too far away, we’re likely to lose them."

"At this point, if we have no other choice, we’ll have to split up into three groups and play it by ear." Wang Zhao Ping said helplessly.

"Hmph! It’s all because of a certain someone. If it weren’t for him, why would the target have been alerted so suddenly? If we had caught them in the act, there wouldn’t be so much trouble!"

All eyes turned to Meng Lang, who was a bit stunned.

"Xiao Wei, what are you talking about? Shut up!" Wang Zhao Ping’s face darkened.

Meng Lang looked at the speaker, vaguely remembering him as Lin Wei, who had been removed from the meeting room during the Yuan Li incident due to the "avoidance regulation."

"Brother Meng, I’m sorry."

"It’s okay, it’s indeed my fault for causing everyone trouble." Meng Lang sincerely apologized.

"Mr. Meng, what are you saying? If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to catch their trail so quickly."

"Yeah, we even dragged civilians into this mess, we’re the ones who should be apologizing."

Many people kindly defended Meng Lang, which moved him.

"Captain, the target is about to exit the mountain road," someone suddenly said.

"Everyone, get in the car, we continue to track the target! Brother Meng, I’m sorry, but the upcoming operation might be dangerous, and we can’t bring you along.

There is still traffic here, so please take a taxi back, Brother Meng. We’ll reimburse you for your lost earnings and the fare—just bill it to our police department.

If you run into any trouble, call me!"

Without waiting for Meng Lang to respond, Wang Zhao Ping hurried onto the vehicle.

In a cloud of dust, three cars spiraled up the winding mountain road and gradually disappeared into the distance...

Looking at the business card in his hand, Meng Lang felt somewhat resigned.

It was I who provided the clue, and it was still I who messed things up? Such is life...

He looked around and found that although this place was somewhat remote, it could indeed be called a scenic spot with clear waters and lush mountains.

The mountain breeze was gentle, the verdant hills stretched far, and the distant mountains appeared and vanished within the clouds.

Not far away, a narrow mountain path snaked upward, with a monk carrying water and ascending the steps.

Looking up the path, through the forest shroud, a quaint temple nestled on the hillside. The faint scent of incense wafted through the air, calming one’s mind unconsciously.

Since I’m here, I might as well enjoy it.

Meng Lang was in no hurry to return.

Hands in his pockets, breathing in the fresh air of the mountain forest and away from the city’s hustle, he ascended the stairs step by step, humming a Yuan dynasty tune he had liked back in college.

"Half my life has passed by the eastern fence, among the bamboo pavilions and small swaying dwellings.

There lies a pond, awakening to the fisherman’s flute, drunken with the fisherman’s song.

Yan Ziling must be laughing at me, whereas I should learn from Meng Guang’s platform; how should he mock me? Overturning the rivers and lakes, yet avoiding the waves.

In Xianyang, a hundred and two rivers and mountains turn into two words of fame, after several battles.

Chains failed in the east, Liu Xing in Western Shu, a dream of Southern Ke.

Han Xin’s fruitless deeds of valor, where does Kuai Tong say the wind demon lies?

Prosperity is thanks to Xiao He, as is failure..."