At nine o'clock in the evening, Qi Zhenxing, the director of the Three Rivers Estuary Public Security Bureau, hurried back to the office and immediately summoned Director Zhao into his room. "Did Zhang Yi'ang capture Mei Dong?" he asked at once.
"Yes, he personally apprehended him. Everyone's saying that when the Criminal Police Team moved in to arrest Mei Dong, he slipped away, only to be intercepted by Zhang Yi'ang alone. Zhang wasn't even armed at the time, while Mei Dong had a dagger on him. Zhang fought him bare-handed and subdued him before locking him in a dumpster." As he spoke, Director Zhao couldn't help but marvel at Zhang Yi'ang's capabilities.
Qi Zhenxing clicked his tongue slightly. "How was it so quick? Just yesterday he mentioned using Yang Wei as bait to lure Mei Dong, and now, within a day, the man is caught."
"Apparently, Mei Dong was already in the country. After Yang Wei contacted him last night, he arrived at Three Rivers Estuary today."
Qi Zhenxing nodded. "Mei Dong's arrest is a major event. This man isn't just involved in running casinos domestically and abroad but is also implicated in large-scale cross-border money laundering. Higher-ups have repeatedly singled him out, even sending personnel to collaborate with Macau police to capture him, but progress has been slow. Now, he's finally fallen into our hands at Three Rivers Estuary."
Director Zhao closed the door, furrowed his brow, and sighed deeply. "Director Qi, I wouldn't put it that way. Yesterday, you bore immense pressure, explaining to higher-ups and the government the strategy behind releasing Yang Wei. And now? Zhang Yi'ang didn't even report to you before making the arrest. Logically, such an important operation should have been directed by you and executed by him. But as it stands, everyone knows it was Zhang who single-handedly caught Mei Dong. Who recognizes the effort you put in behind the scenes?" Director Zhao slapped his palm with the back of his hand, expressing frustration on Qi Zhenxing's behalf.
Qi Zhenxing's brow twitched. Of course, he was displeased that such a high-profile operation by the Criminal Police Team had completely bypassed him.
In bureaucratic units, it's not uncommon for the top leader to be sidelined, but this usually happens with newly appointed leaders. Qi Zhenxing was the original director, while Zhang Yi'ang was the newcomer. Yet, in just over a month, the Criminal Police Brigade, which used to report to him on all matters big and small, now only followed Zhang Yi'ang's lead.
He let out a long sigh, consoling himself. "Mei Dong's arrival at Three Rivers Estuary was sudden. Perhaps they didn't have time to inform me."
"An arrest isn't a split-second affair. Couldn't they spare a moment for a phone call? This was clearly an attempt to bypass you and claim all the credit. If you hadn't explained to the government the need to release Yang Wei to catch a bigger fish, would they have agreed to let him go? Wouldn't they have suspected the Public Security Bureau of being Yang Wei's protector? Zhang Yi'ang didn't notify you before the arrest, but he reported to the Provincial Department immediately afterward. This is outright disregard for your authority!"
"He reported to the Provincial Department first?"
"Exactly. Even if he wanted to claim credit with higher-ups, it should have been through you. Since when is it his place?"
Qi Zhenxing forced an explanation. "Zhang Yi'ang is different. His personnel file is still with the province, and Deputy Director Gao is his old superior. It's not unusual for him to report directly to the Provincial Department."
"Regardless of where his personnel file is, he works at Three Rivers Estuary, and you are the director. Protocol dictates that you, as the director, should first report the success to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, which then relays it to the Provincial Department! Last time, with Li Feng's arrest, it was sudden, so we let it slide. But this time, capturing Mei Dong is clearly a collective achievement of the entire unit. Yet he bypassed you again. On what grounds?" Director Zhao said bitterly. "If this continues, you won't even be able to command the Criminal Police Brigade anymore."Qi Zhenxing clenched his teeth, his lips pressed tightly together in silence.
In local law enforcement, the criminal police had always been the most dominant department. If he couldn't command the criminal police, Qi Zhenxing's authority as bureau director would be significantly diminished.
Secretly resolving in his heart, Qi Zhenxing decided that if he didn't teach Zhang Yi'ang a lesson, the man would truly think himself above all others!
Tonight, the criminal police team successfully apprehended Mei Dong, filling the entire public security bureau with a festive atmosphere. The police chief from the higher-level city had even personally made a public video call to verbally commend the criminal police team, especially praising Director Zhang's crucial role throughout the operation.
Throughout the bureau, whether among criminal police or other law enforcement personnel, everyone now looked at Director Zhang with nothing but admiration. Since Mei Dong had been dragged out of the garbage truck still clutching his dagger, office rumors spread like wildfire, with everyone recounting as if they'd witnessed it firsthand: how Mei Dong broke through the encirclement alone into the underground parking garage, encountered the unprepared Director Zhang, pulled out his dagger to attack, only for Director Zhang to dodge and subdue him with a series of grappling moves before single-handedly grabbing his acupressure point like Qiao Feng and tossing him into the trash bin to be locked up.
With this case concluded, Zhang Yi'ang returned to his office to calm down. After some consideration, he realized there were still three major work challenges remaining. First was the perplexing Ye Jian case. Second was Liu Bei's unknown whereabouts. Third was that the two criminals responsible for Lin Kai's murder and the terrorist bombing were still at large.
None of these cases would be easy—each required a breakthrough.
Speak of breakthroughs and they arrive. While still busy interrogating Mei Dong, Wang Ruijun and Song Xing rushed into the office together with good news: they'd discovered Liu Bei's whereabouts!
Since Zheng Yongbing decided to cooperate with the police, he'd been extremely motivated to contribute. Not only had he arranged for Zhou Rong's company driver Xiao Mi to serve as a police informant, but he'd also mobilized all his connections to help find Liu Bei. After Liu Bei nearly stabbed him to death, Zheng couldn't rest easy until the man was captured.
Around 5 PM that afternoon, one of Zheng Yongbing's associates recognized Liu Bei entering a demolition zone in the eastern part of the city—a urban village scheduled for redevelopment—and immediately reported it. Zheng Yongbing didn't hesitate to call Wang Ruijun, but couldn't get through, then tried Song Xing's number with the same result. The two had been deploying forces to capture Mei Dong at the time, with their phones turned off during the operation. After apprehending Mei Dong and returning to the bureau, they turned their phones back on to find multiple missed calls from Zheng Yongbing. When they called back, they learned about Liu Bei's location.
After some discussion, Zhang Yi'ang and the others analyzed that Liu Bei's most likely purpose for entering the demolition area was to spend the night there. With a citywide wanted status, Liu Bei wouldn't dare stay at hotels. This demolition zone had already been evacuated, with most buildings still standing—perfect for overnight hiding.
Time was of the essence. Zhang Yi'ang ordered the two to recall officers who had just gone home to rest, while arranging reinforcements from Special Police and local police stations. Everyone was to carry weapons, seal off the entire urban village, and execute the encirclement plan—this time they absolutely must capture this desperate fugitive!
The three men strode purposefully toward the door, chests out, only to collide at the exit with a large human figure that slammed into Zhang Yi'ang's chest, startling all three. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Li Qian, her hair disheveled and expression panicked, as if she'd been assaulted.
What was she doing at the bureau so late at night?The next second, Zhang Yi'ang raised his hand to stop her before she could speak. "The operation to arrest Mei Dong was sudden and happened after hours, so—I didn’t have time to notify you. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for experience later. We have urgent business now, so we’ll head out first. If you’re hungry, I’ll have someone order takeout for you. See you tomorrow!"
Zhang Yi'ang quickly led the other two past Li Qian. This time, they couldn’t bring her along for Liu Bei’s arrest.
"Zhou Rong was robbed! A USB drive containing his bribery records was stolen!"
"What USB drive?" Hearing Zhou Rong had been robbed, Zhang Yi'ang stopped in his tracks, his neck swiveling a full 180 degrees to look at her.
With the situation urgent, Li Qian no longer held back. She quickly recounted how she had tailed Zhou Rong, made contact with him at the 4S shop, and successfully entered his home that night. In her account, she omitted any mention of the danger she had faced, only stating that she was about to secure the USB drive with the incriminating evidence when two robbers swooped in at the last moment.
The three of them were stunned by this turn of events.
"You!" Zhang Yi'ang gasped. "You went into Zhou Rong’s house alone!"
"I—"
Zhang Yi'ang checked the time. With Liu Bei’s arrest imminent, he instructed Wang Ruijun and Song Xing to proceed with the arrangements while he stayed behind to handle Li Qian’s situation.
Once the two had left, Zhang Yi'ang’s demeanor suddenly softened like a piece of saqima. Closing the door, he leaned in and whispered, "That bastard Zhou Rong… did he… do anything to you?"
"No." Noticing the direction of the chief’s gaze, Li Qian instinctively covered her chest and took a step back.
Zhang Yi'ang straightened up, hesitating slightly. "Really, no losses at all?"
"What losses?"
" Those kinds of losses."
"No!" Li Qian explained that before the meeting, she had wisely brought a strong laxative—enough to leave someone bedridden from exhaustion. Zhou Rong had already been beaten so badly by the robbers that he was in no state to do anything. Additionally, she had hidden a small folding knife in the back of her jeans as a precaution. It was this knife that allowed her to cut the ropes after the robbers tied her up and escape the villa. The security guard at the front gate, seeing her disheveled appearance, assumed she had slept with the boss and even politely asked if she needed a ride when she left.
"Good, that’s good." Zhang Yi'ang patted his chest in relief. If anything had happened to Li Qian this time, regardless of how Zhou Rong would be dealt with, he would have been the first to lose his job. Sincerely, he pleaded, "Li Qian, you must never do something like this again. When I thought something had happened to you, I—do you have any idea how worried I was?"Li Qian looked at him, deeply moved yet also feeling guilty that he was so worried about her. Her face flushed as she walked to the window and spoke softly, "Director, I know I acted recklessly this time, and I won’t do it again. You know, just now, the look in your eyes reminded me of someone. The reason I became a police officer is because of my dad. My mom says I’ve always had his personality. He was a criminal investigator, always busy, leaving early and coming back late. When I was little, even though he spent the least time playing with me, Mom said I was always the closest to him—I’d always play with his peaked cap. Later, when I started school, he was often out for days and nights investigating cases. By the time he came home, I was already asleep, and in the morning, I’d see him still snoring, and I couldn’t wake him. Even though we didn’t talk much, he was always a hero in my heart. My dad had many scars. Once, he had a huge gash on his back, and when I asked him about it, he said it didn’t hurt at all. It wasn’t until I grew up that I realized how much it must have hurt. When I was ten, he and Uncle Guo went on a mission together and were ambushed by criminals. He was stabbed multiple times and couldn’t be saved. Later, when I filled out my college applications, I insisted on going to the police academy despite my family’s objections because I wanted to be like him. After graduation, when I said I wanted to be a criminal investigator, my family and Uncle Guo all opposed it. But I felt my dad’s blood runs in my veins—if he were here, he’d definitely support me. After this experience, I’ve come to understand the hardships and dangers of being a criminal investigator, but I don’t regret it at all. Seeing how worried you were for me reminded me of my dad. If he heard what I just said, he’d probably have the same expression as you. Hehe, don’t you think so?"
Li Qian shyly turned back, only to see Zhang Yi'ang sitting in his chair, frowning in thought. When he heard her question, he looked at her blankly. "Think what? Why are you telling me all this about your dad? I don’t even know him."
Li Qian froze for a moment, then let out a disappointed huff and stomped her foot angrily, about to storm out.
"Hey, why are you running off? I still have questions for you!"
Reluctantly, she turned back, looking at Zhang Yi'ang with impatience.
"You said the USB drive stolen from Zhou Rong—are you sure it contained his bribery records?"
Li Qian took a deep breath, temporarily setting aside her girlish emotions to focus on the matter at hand. "Yes, that’s what the criminals said, and Zhou Rong reacted strongly to it."
Zhang Yi'ang thought for a moment and nodded. "In that case, we can approach breaking Zhou Rong’s gang differently. We’ve never been able to find evidence against him, but now it’s surfaced. If we catch those two robbers, the USB drive will fall into our hands, and we’ll have direct evidence against Zhou Rong!"
"Mm, that’s right."
"Describe the robbers’ specific features in detail."
Li Qian carefully recounted their appearances: one was of medium height, the other slightly taller, both wearing masks and appearing agile, though she couldn’t recall any other distinguishing traits.
Zhang Yi'ang pondered for a moment. There probably weren’t many home invaders bold enough to rob Zhou Rong, and right now, there just happened to be two such individuals in Three Rivers Estuary.
"Could they be the same ones who killed Lin Kai?"At his reminder, Li Qian suddenly realized the connection. The two quickly took out their laptops to compare the previously recorded video footage of the two suspects. After studying it for a while, though the faces weren't visible in the video, Li Qian was absolutely certain from their body shapes and gait patterns that these were indeed the same two men who had robbed Zhou Rong tonight!
Zhang Yi'ang pondered for a moment before immediately deciding to split their forces. While apprehending Liu Bei was urgent, catching these two robbers was equally critical.
What a thrilling and exhilarating long night this was turning out to be!
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