Zhang Ye casually said, “Those are artistic embellishments. Actually, I didn’t mean to be sarcastic. It was just a stroke of inspiration, and it had nothing to do with you all.”
Superintendent Song was at a loss to cry or laugh, “But the public believes it. Everyone’s saying that we used torture on you. Don’t you feel that we have been maligned? Right?”
Zhang Ye threw up his arms, “But I am a literary person; I don’t care how others look at it.”
“Look at you. We can talk this out. Actually, we weren’t intending to press any criminal charges against you. Such a Good Samaritan’s acts are good! This act should be strongly encouraged and publicized!” Superintendent Song said sternly, “We would keep you in custody? That’s impossible! We were just going by the book by bringing you back for the investigations to show everyone. Look, you must have been mistaken about us!”
Zhang Ye said, “Oh, really?”