I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

In the interrogation room, the lights were dim and glaring. Zhao Tianxing sat across the table, a barely perceptible sneer on his face. Li Wei and two police officers sat on the other side of the table, their gazes sharp and determined. Zhao Tianxing, wearing a plain gray shirt and neatly combed hair, looked like an ordinary businessman, but the cunning and sinisterness revealed in his eyes could not be concealed.

"Zhao Tianxing, do you know why you are here?" Li Wei spoke first, his voice calm and powerful.

Zhao Tianxing smiled faintly, as if he had been prepared for this question. "I know, these are nothing more than trumped-up charges. I'm just an ordinary businessman, running a few nursing homes and contributing to society. These accusations are malicious slander."

Li Wei sneered and pushed a document in front of Zhao Tianxing. "This is the account record we found on your company's computer, showing that you have a large amount of funds with unknown funds. Can you explain it?"

Zhao Tianxing glanced at the documents, his face tinged with disdain. "These are just business secrets. You have no right to interfere. Besides, these funds are all used to upgrade the nursing home's equipment and provide employee benefits."

Li Wei knew Zhao Tianxing wouldn't admit it easily; he needed stronger evidence. "Zhao Tianxing, we have evidence that you're colluding with an international criminal organization. Your nursing home is just a front to cover up your illegal activities. You're involved in fund transfers, money laundering, illegal drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Do you think you can get away with this?"

Zhao Tianxing's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "You have no evidence; these are just speculations. I have the right to remain silent."

Li Wei knew that Zhao Tianxing was trying to exploit a legal loophole, and he needed to find a way out. He stood up, walked to Zhao Tianxing, and looked down at him.

"Zhao Tianxing, do you think your silence can save you? We have found multiple witnesses who are willing to testify in court. Your employees, your partners, and even your own men are under our control. They have confessed everything."

Zhao Tianxing's face turned pale, but he still tried to remain calm. "You are forcing a confession. Their testimony is not credible."

Li Wei sneered and returned to his seat. "Zhao Tianxing, you're wrong. We have audio and video recordings, bank transfer records, and records of your communications with international criminal organizations. Everything points to you. Do you think you can get away with this?"

Zhao Tianxing fell silent, a flicker of panic in his eyes. Li Wei knew he was beginning to waver. He continued to pressure him, "Zhao Tianxing, you only have one choice: cooperate. If you confess now, you might be able to gain some leniency. Otherwise, you will face the most severe legal sanctions."

Zhao Tianxing took a deep breath, as if weighing the pros and cons. Li Wei knew he needed to give Zhao Tianxing some time to make his own decision. The interrogation room was silent, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Li Wei slowly stood up and walked to a corner of the interrogation room. He opened a filing cabinet and took out a hard drive and a recorder. He returned to his seat and placed the hard drive and recorder in front of Zhao Tianxing.

"Zhao Tianxing, these are the recordings and videos we found in your office and your private residence. These evidences are enough to bring you to court." Li Wei's voice was cold and firm.

Zhao Tianxing's face turned pale instantly, his hands trembling slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "These...these might be forged. You can't convict me based on these alone."

Li Wei sneered and pressed the play button on the recorder. Immediately, the sound of Zhao Tianxing and his men discussing illegal transactions could be heard in the interrogation room. Zhao Tianxing's voice was clearly audible; he was arranging a large amount of funds to purchase illegal drugs.

Zhao Tianxing’s face turned ashen, and his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. Li Wei continued to play the recording, which became increasingly detailed, involving Zhao Tianxing’s collusion with international criminal organizations and his illegal activities in the nursing home.

"Zhao Tianxing, these recordings and videos are real. Your subordinates have admitted these facts. They know that only by cooperating can they protect themselves." Li Wei's voice was like a sharp blade, piercing Zhao Tianxing's heart.

Zhao Tianxing's forehead was covered with cold sweat, and his eyes were filled with despair. He knew that this evidence was enough to send him to court, and he had no room for rebuttal.

"You...you are framing me." Zhao Tianxing's voice trembled, but the confidence in his eyes was gone.

"Zhao Tianxing, this is your own crime. Your actions have attracted our attention, and your men have confessed. Your only choice is to confess and seek leniency." Li Wei said.

The atmosphere in the interrogation room was extremely tense. Zhao Tianxing's face was cunning and fearful, and his eyes shifted between Li Wei and the police. Li Wei knew that Zhao Tianxing was on the verge of collapse, but he was still trying to find the last straw to save his life.

The lights in the interrogation room remained dim. Zhao Tianxing sat in a chair, leaning slightly forward, his hands folded on the table. His eyes had lost their previous cunning and composure, replaced by a deep sense of despair and exhaustion. Li Wei and two police officers sat across from him, their gazes sharp and focused, watching Zhao Tianxing's every move.

Li Wei slowly spoke, his voice calm but firm, "Zhao Tianxing, you know you have no way out. Your criminal behavior has been exposed, and your accomplices are under our control. Now is your only chance to seek leniency."

Zhao Tianxing nodded and said, "I know, I know. I...I am willing to confess."

Li Wei's heartbeat quickened. He knew this was an important turning point. He nodded slowly, encouraging Zhao Tianxing to continue. "Okay, Zhao Tianxing, let's listen."

Zhao Tianxing's voice trembled, but he began to recount his crimes. "I...I was indeed involved in fund transfers, money laundering, illegal drug trafficking, and human trafficking. My nursing home was just a front to hide my illegal activities."

He paused, as if recalling something. "I initially just wanted to make some money through the nursing home, but then I got sucked into a larger criminal network. I met a man named 'Shadow,' who controlled the entire criminal network. He asked me to help him transfer funds and launder money, and I... I agreed."

Li Wei knew that Zhao Tianxing had begun to waver, and he needed to continue to put pressure on him. "Zhao Tianxing, do you know the true identity of 'Shadow'?"

Zhao Tianxing nodded. "I have some clues. He...he often contacts me through an encrypted messaging app. His voice is censored, and I've never seen his real face. But he provided me with some bank account and transaction records and asked me to help him transfer funds."

Li Wei quickly recorded Zhao Tianxing's words while remaining calm. "Zhao Tianxing, can you provide more information about 'Shadow'?"

Zhao Tianxing nodded.