I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

The bamboo forest rustled gently in the breeze. Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei stood before Liu Qiang, awaiting his response. Liu Qiang's face paled in the moonlight, his eyes filled with fear and hesitation, as if he were struggling with something deep within.

"Liu Qiang, why did you help us find Wang Dashan?" Zhang Wanqing asked again, with a hint of tenderness in her voice, trying to ease his tension.

Liu Qiang lowered his head and was silent for a moment, as if trying to organize his words. His fingers were tightly clenched around the corner of his clothes, and he looked a little uneasy.

"I... I'm also a victim." Liu Qiang's voice trembled, but there was a hint of determination in his tone. "Wang Dashan threatened me that if I didn't help him, he would kill my whole family. I... I had no choice but to agree to him."

"Then why are you willing to help us now?" Fu Siyuan asked with a hint of doubt in his tone.

Liu Qiang took a deep breath and said slowly, "I...I saw you guys investigating this matter, and I know you're good people. I...I really can't stand this kind of life anymore. I live in fear every day. I...I want to be free."

"Aren't you afraid that Wang Dashan will retaliate against you?" Li Wei asked with a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Liu Qiang shook his head and said, "I've made up my mind. Even if he wants to retaliate against me, I will stand up. I can't go on like this. I...I want justice for those dogs and for myself."

Zhang Wanqing looked at Liu Qiang, a trace of sympathy welling up in her heart. She knew that Liu Qiang's choice was not easy, and he was using his courage and determination to fight against those dark forces.

"Liu Qiang, you did the right thing." Zhang Wanqing said softly, with a hint of encouragement in her tone, "We will protect you and help you get justice."

Liu Qiang nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said, "I know a place where Wang Dashan often hides. He conducts every transaction there, and there are also dogs he captured there."

"Take us there." Li Wei said, with an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

Liu Qiang nodded and led the three of them towards the cave. As the night deepened, silence reigned, their footsteps the only echoing sound in the darkness. Liu Qiang walked ahead, leading them through the bamboo forest until they finally reached the entrance of a hidden cave.

"It's here." Liu Qiang pointed to the cave entrance and said with a hint of fear in his voice.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat nervous. Li Wei nodded and said, "Let's go in and take a look."

The three of them walked into the cave cautiously. It was pitch black inside, with only the beam of a flashlight sweeping through the darkness. They looked around carefully, hoping to find some clues.

"Look, there is light." Fu Siyuan suddenly pointed to the depths of the cave and said.

Zhang Wanqing and Li Wei immediately walked over and saw a faint light coming from deep in the cave. They approached cautiously and found that the light came from a hidden corner. Li Wei gestured for them to stop and slowly approached alone.

"Who are you?" A low voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of vigilance.

Li Wei stopped immediately and raised his flashlight, shining the light on a man's face. The man was wearing a black coat, with a fierce look on his face and vigilance in his eyes.

"Wang Dashan, do you know what you have done?" Zhang Wanqing asked with a hint of anger in her tone.

Wang Dashan lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly. "I know, I know I've done a lot of wrong things. I...I'm willing to cooperate with you."

"Take us to see the dogs." Li Wei said with an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

Wang Dashan nodded and led the three of them deeper into the cave. They passed through narrow passages and finally arrived at a hidden basement. From the basement came the howling of dogs, which made people feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Look, there is a dog cage." Fu Siyuan said, pointing to a corner of the basement.

Zhang Wanqing and Li Wei immediately walked over and saw that the basement was filled with dog cages filled with all kinds of dogs. They wailed in the cages, looking extremely pitiful.

"Were these dogs caught from the village?" Zhang Wanqing asked with a hint of anger in her voice.

Wang Dashan nodded, a hint of guilt in his voice: "Yes, they were all captured from the village. I... I know I was wrong."

"Hurry up and let these dogs out." Fu Siyuan said with a hint of urgency in his tone.

Wang Dashan nodded, immediately opened the dog cages, and released the dogs one by one. After being freed, the dogs immediately ran out and circled around the three people, as if to thank them for saving their lives.

"We have to notify the police immediately." Li Wei said with a hint of determination in his tone.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan nodded and immediately called the police. Soon, the sirens of police cars blared in the night, shattering the tranquility. The police quickly arrived, took Wang Dashan and Liu Qiang away, and brought the dogs back to the village.

Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei stood at the village entrance, watching the police car drive away. Seeing the dogs safely brought back, the villagers gathered around, their eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thanks to you, these dogs were able to return safely." A villager came forward, took Zhang Wanqing's hand, tears in his eyes, "You are our benefactors."

Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly and said, "This is what we should do. These dogs are your family members too. We can't just watch them suffer."

Fu Siyuan also nodded and said, "I hope this problem can be completely resolved this time so that you can rest assured."

The villagers nodded one after another, with long-lost smiles on their faces. However, Li Wei's face was pensive, and his eyes flashed with worry.

"Li Wei, what's wrong with you?" Zhang Wanqing noticed Li Wei's expression and asked in a low voice.

Li Wei shook his head and said, "I just think this matter is not that simple. Although Wang Dashan was arrested, he is just a small leader. There must be a bigger force behind him."

"A larger force?" Fu Siyuan frowned and said, "You mean, there are other dog dealer gangs?"

Li Wei nodded and said, "It's very likely. Wang Dashan mentioned during the interrogation that they are part of a larger organization that involves dog dealers in multiple villages. If we don't investigate thoroughly, these dogs will continue to be threatened."

Zhang Wanqing nodded and said, "Then what should we do?"

Li Wei pondered for a moment and said, "We need to get more information from Wang Dashan and continue investigating this village to see if there are any other clues."

"Let's go to the police station." Fu Siyuan said with a hint of urgency in his tone.