Xiao Dawei refused, "No, I’ll wait till I’m in prison to say anything."

"Can't you talk now?" asked Xiaotao.

Xiao Dawei pointed to the ten words on the wall behind us–Leniency to those who confess, severity to those who resist. "This phrase is used to deceive. How much leniency can I actually receive? I might get the death penalty. I’d like to stay in prison and slowly tell my story. That way the prison guards will take care of me."

"You’re a smart guy!" chuckled Xiaotao.

"That's true,” boasted Xiao Dawei. “Do you know how many friends of the trade I’ve made? If criminals could receive academic qualifications for skills of the trade, I would have gotten a doctorate."

Xiaotao tapped the table thrice–the secret code we agreed upon earlier that meant leaving the room. I turned to Xiao...