Chapter 8: Writing One's Own Script

On the slowly moving bus, mottled sunlight streamed through the windows, filtering through the dissipating smoke and rendering Ma Jun’s gaze indistinct.

It was already past the morning rush hour, so there were only a few people inside.

Ma Jun and Chan Wing-yan sat a row apart, one in front of the other. Chan Wing-yan looked rather haggard. Without turning around, he let a paper bag drop through the gap in the seat behind him.

Ma Jun caught it. He knew well enough what information it contained, but still took a look, a faint smile playing at his lips.

“Hey, Yan!” Ma Jun tossed him a cigarette, but Chan Wing-yan refused. “After all, Ngai Kwun is your father. Even if he might not have fulfilled his duties as one, aren’t you worried you’ll regret what you’re doing now?”

“I’m a police officer!” Chan Wing-yan replied, his voice resolute.

Ma Jun chuckled softly. That was indeed a powerful reason! If he were in a different position, Ma Jun doubted he’d be so noble himself, but he didn’t disdain Chan Wing-yan for it. People with convictions always deserved respect.

“The fourteenth—it’s the anniversary of Ngai Kwun’s death. Don’t you think Ngai Wing-hau will make a move that day?” Ma Jun asked.

“He might target some of Kwok-wah’s men,” Chan Wing-yan replied, though his voice was uncertain.

“You’ve been following him for so long, haven’t you gathered any hard evidence on him?”

“Very little. Not enough to really hurt him.”

“Sort through what you have when you have time, and hand it over to me,” Ma Jun said. “Before the fourteenth!”

“I understand.” Chan Wing-yan’s voice grew low.

Just then, the automated bus stop announcement came on. Ma Jun stood, patted Chan on the shoulder, and strode off the bus.

Back at the station, Ma Jun didn’t report to Wong Chi-shing or Luk Kai-cheung right away. Instead, he locked the documents in his cabinet and headed to the Intelligence Division, seeking out the busy Lau Kin-ming.

“Ah Ming! Come with me for a moment!”

The two went to the restroom together. Lau Kin-ming, puzzled, walked in first. Ma Jun drew his sidearm, kept it hidden behind his back, and followed.

“Jun, you’re usually a busy man—what brings you to me today?” Lau Kin-ming said with a laugh.

Ma Jun grinned slyly and, in a flash, pressed the gun against Lau Kin-ming’s waist.

Lau Kin-ming’s expression changed, though he forced a smile. “Are you joking with me?”

Ma Jun shook his head. “I’m just worried that if you’re ever cornered, you might come for me. I can’t guarantee I’d win one-on-one.”

“Jun, what are you trying to say?” Lau Kin-ming’s face darkened with anger.

“Let’s speak openly. Do you truly care about R?”

“What do you mean, ‘R’?” There was panic in Lau Kin-ming’s eyes.

“I’ve known everything about you for a long time. Now, I’m offering you a good chance—one that lets you take R and run far away.”

Lau Kin-ming was silent for a long time, his expression shifting repeatedly before he finally asked, “What is it?”

“Ngai Kwun is about to make a move against some of his men. He’s already learned that R sent someone to kill his father. I need you to hand over evidence against Hon Sam, and then, on the night of the fourteenth, when Ngai Kwun sends people after R, you can escape with her. Hon Sam will only hear that R is dead.”

“You want to take down Ngai Wing-hau and Hon Sam in one sweep?” Lau Kin-ming said.

“If you don’t cooperate, Hon Sam might escape, but you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison. And you know what life in a Hong Kong prison is like.” Ma Jun smiled.

Lau Kin-ming stared at Ma Jun for a long time, then asked, “Are you really not lying to me?”

“You’re just a minor player, and R doesn’t matter much, so to catch Hon Sam and the others, letting you two go isn’t out of the question.”

“Is this your idea, or the higher-ups’?” Lau Kin-ming, ever cautious, still pressed for reassurance.

“Of course it’s the higher-ups’ decision,” Ma Jun replied without blinking. “Besides, what other choice do you have but to cooperate?”

In the end, Lau Kin-ming agreed. He never had much attachment to Hon Sam; from the start, he’d only listened to Hon Sam and joined the police academy to make R happy.

It showed just how deep a first love could run. Lau Kin-ming had always been an extreme character; in the original story, when R insisted on finding Hon Sam, Lau Kin-ming finally gave up—and out of love turned to hate, destroying the woman he loved most with his own hands.

Ma Jun had Lau Kin-ming wear a wire before sending him off to gather evidence from Hon Sam. At the same time, Ma Jun assigned three subordinates to tail him, with orders to apprehend him immediately should he show any signs of disobedience.

Only after making these meticulous arrangements did Ma Jun report the information about Ngai Wing-hau’s planned deal on the fourteenth to Wong Chi-shing and Luk Kai-cheung.

Upon hearing the news, the two quickly realized Ngai Wing-hau was planning to move against several of his top men.

“Gentlemen, don’t you see?” Ma Jun said. “Clearly, this so-called deal is a ruse. Ngai Wing-hau wants to use himself as bait to distract us, making it easier for him to kill.”

“Does that mean our undercover has been exposed?” Wong Chi-shing exclaimed. “Does he know Yan’s identity?”

“No,” Luk Kai-cheung shook his head. “My informant has been compromised. He’s been with the Ngai family for seven years—I didn’t expect Ngai Wing-hau to be so cunning and discover him.”

“Then we can’t play along with Ngai Wing-hau’s game,” Wong Chi-shing declared bitterly.

“Commander Luk, do you remember the tactic of turning your opponent’s plan against them?” Ma Jun asked.

“What’s your idea? Don’t keep us in suspense,” Luk Kai-cheung replied impatiently.

Ma Jun’s plan was simple: Ngai Wing-hau would use himself as bait to cover his own killing spree. Ma Jun, in turn, would use Wong Chi-shing and Luk Kai-cheung as bait. While the two sides clashed, Ma Jun would lead a team to apprehend those sent to kill Kwok-wah’s men. Then, when Ngai Wing-hau dropped his guard and personally acted after leaving the police station, Ma Jun would catch him as well.

With the evidence against Hon Sam from Lau Kin-ming, Hon Sam would also end up in jail. To ensure nothing went wrong, when Hon Sam tried to flee to Thailand, Wong Chi-shing would personally persuade him, explaining that Ngai Wing-hau knew everything and that his wife R was in danger. In exchange for his safety, Hon Sam would become a state witness and be held in the station.

Since Wong Chi-shing and Hon Sam were good friends, and Hon Sam knew he needed to get rid of Ngai Wing-hau, he was sure to agree.

Once everything was accomplished, Ma Jun’s own role would be central—he would be the undisputed protagonist of this operation, fulfilling his mission in this world and returning triumphantly to his own.

Ma Jun outlined his plan, leaving out some details, to Wong Chi-shing and Luk Kai-cheung. After a brief discussion, both men nodded in agreement.

The script was fully written. Now, it was time for the actors to take their places.