Chapter 363: The Pitiful Thief

Chapter 363: Chapter 363: The Pitiful Thief

Dahuang and Heizi dragged the leader of the group to the riverbank.

Before Officer Li had even arrived, Dahuang jumped into the water, dove to the bottom, and actually managed to retrieve a sharp knife that was a foot and a half long.

When Officer Li and his men ran to the riverbank, they saw the leader crying and screaming in pain, sprawled on the shore.

Heizi’s paw was pressed directly against the man’s neck, looking like it would snap his throat in an instant if he didn’t comply.

A person killing another is a crime, a life for a life. But if a dog kills a person, it doesn’t have to pay with its life.

Especially for a courageous and decorated dog like Heizi, if it killed a criminal while apprehending them, its merits would outweigh the demerits, and there would be no consequences.

Officer Li, panting, took out the handcuffs from his belt and cuffed the leader directly.

"Four men, all apprehended! Heizi and Dahuang are just incredible!"

The others laughed and said, "We didn’t do a thing. We just chased after them and collected Heizi and Dahuang’s trophies!"

Officer Li reached out and stroked Dahuang and Heizi’s heads, unable to stop petting them.

"You two take this man back to the station. If he’s injured, take him to the hospital for treatment first! I’ll take Heizi and Dahuang back home!"

"Yes, Brother Li!" The two officers took the man away.

Officer Li, overjoyed, led Dahuang and Heizi back.

Meanwhile, Wu Jiao and Wu Yao heard that the commotion outside had died down, but they didn’t dare let their guard down.

Han Xiaorui was also awake in her room, her eyes filled with an icy chill.

She now owned two fishing boats, and the profits from each trip were very high.

Just today, the catch from both boats had sold for nearly 800,000 yuan.

Although "ten-thousand-yuan households" were no longer so rare in Jinshan Bay, Han Xiaorui’s assets far exceeded those of most people.

There were plenty of people who were green with envy, but most knew that Han Xiaorui’s family was not to be trifled with.

Besides, even though most people didn’t earn much, they lived well enough. So, the villagers of Jinshan Bay and others nearby were, at most, envious and jealous; no one would actually consider robbing her.

With the economic development in Shencheng, more and more factories had appeared, attracting a growing number of migrant workers. People from all over had gathered here.

Of course, most of these people were here to earn money and were law-abiding, but some were criminals who blended into the crowd.

As a result, the public security situation in Shencheng had been greatly affected, and the city was currently in the middle of a "strike hard" anti-crime campaign.

Violations and crimes were dealt with severely and swiftly, which was why Officer Li had dared to say earlier that they could open fire if the suspects resisted or made any dangerous moves.

However, Han Xiaorui also understood. These men had intended to climb the wall to commit robbery, but they hadn’t gotten inside, so they hadn’t stolen anything.

’Even now that they’re caught, even if they’re sentenced instead of just detained, the prison term won’t be very long.’

’Compared to the temptation of her family’s wealth, the deterrent of a two or three-year prison sentence isn’t very strong.’

That was why the Short-tailed Viper had bitten the one at the back, "Number Four." The fast-acting venom would kill him within half an hour.

Even if he was sent to the hospital in time and given antivenom, the residual poison in his body wouldn’t be completely cleared. He would still die within a few hours.

’Only a death would be a true deterrent.’

Police Officer Wang was relatively thin, while the "Number Four" who had been bitten by the Short-tailed Viper was tall and stout.

He carried the man out of the peach forest, borrowed a tricycle, and headed for the hospital.

Halfway there, the tricycle got a flat tire, slowing him down even more.

By the time he reached the hospital, the man’s face was bluish-purple, and he had stopped breathing.

After an examination by a doctor, the man was pronounced dead. He could only be temporarily placed in the hospital morgue to await an autopsy.

Just as Police Officer Wang was preparing to leave the hospital, he saw three of his colleagues escorting three other men in for treatment.

The worst of their injuries were the bites from Dahuang and Heizi.

The two men that Heizi and Dahuang had tackled from behind had flesh torn from their backs a finger’s-width deep. The wounds were gaping and bleeding profusely.

Fortunately, they were brought in promptly. After being disinfected and bandaged, their lives were not in danger.

The leader who had jumped into the river to escape had his arm bitten by Heizi and Dahuang, and the bone was fractured directly from the bite.

His forearm was bent at an unnatural angle, and the pain made his eyes bulge and his face contort in agony.

The doctor was stunned when he saw it. "Was he bitten by a wild beast?"

Police Officer Wang replied, "These four men were attempting to climb a wall for a home invasion robbery. The homeowner called the police, and they were bitten by the dogs that chased them out."

"After you patch them up, make sure they get a rabies shot! Can’t be too careful."

The doctor was flabbergasted. "That dog must have an incredible bite force to break an arm. Was the man who died from poison one of the thieves, too?"

Police Officer Wang nodded. "Yes! But he was especially unlucky—got bitten by a venomous snake! As you saw, he was dead from the poison before he even got to the hospital."

"I remember there aren’t many venomous snakes around here. He really was unlucky to get bitten! Doctor, looking at the wound and the toxicity, what kind of snake would you say it was?"

The doctor thought for a moment and replied, "Judging by the wound and the fang marks, it should be our local Short-tailed Viper. However, Short-tailed Vipers aren’t usually this venomous! He shouldn’t have died so quickly!"

"We’ve just drawn blood. We’ll run some tests to see what’s really going on. I can’t give you a definitive answer right now."

Police Officer Wang nodded. "Thank you for your hard work, Doctor!"

After the four men were caught, the one with the broken arm was still in the operating room undergoing surgery.

As for the second and third in command, after they were bandaged up, the police began interrogating them through the night.

Officer Li returned Dahuang and Heizi.

Wu Jiao asked anxiously, "Officer Li, did you catch the thieves?"

Officer Li replied, "We’ve caught all of them. Don’t go near the crime scene next door. We will come to collect evidence at daybreak."

It’s too dark and inconvenient now, and we’re short-staffed. Someone has to be on duty at the station.

Wu Jiao breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s good that you caught them! They must be severely punished to make an example of them! Otherwise, Sister Xiao Rui won’t feel safe living in Jinshan Bay anymore!"

Hearing this, Officer Li quickly assured her, "Please tell Xiao Han not to worry. This is a very serious case, and we will definitely handle it with the utmost severity!"

"It’s getting late, you all should get some rest! If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call. The nearby police station is manned, and someone will rush over immediately."

Wu Jiao thanked him, "Thank you so much, Officer Li!"

"Dahuang and Heizi just bit someone, so they have blood in their mouths. You should give them a wash! They worked hard tonight, catching those four thieves with ease!"

Wu Jiao smiled. "I will, Officer Li! I’ll make sure to wash Heizi and Dahuang until they’re sparkling clean!"

After Officer Li left, Wu Jiao went up to tell Han Xiaorui the results.

Han Xiaorui nodded. "Wu Jiao, you and Wu Yao have both worked hard. Go back to sleep. I’ll watch the children here!"

Wu Jiao quickly refused, "Pingping and An’an will wake up in the night to use the bathroom. If you stay here, you’ll have to take care of the kids all night."

"Besides, you’re still pregnant. An ordeal like this is exhausting! And you just got back from sea, so you need to rest even more. Sister Xiao Rui, you should go back to your room and get some proper sleep. Wu Yao and I are here to watch the house."

At Wu Jiao’s insistence, Han Xiaorui returned to her room to sleep.

Wu Yao did not sleep. She was keeping watch.

The next morning, news that of the four thieves, one was dead and three were injured, spread throughout Jinshan Bay.