Chapter 112: News
With Captain Zhang Bao dismissed, the expressions of the two men in the office grew grim. To report this incident would inevitably bring a storm of trouble upon them, potentially ending their careers. Yet, to stay silent would surely incite public outrage and the deep dissatisfaction of their subordinates.
As men who had climbed to the rank of bureau chief, neither was a fool. Bureau Chief Xiang Wen felt trapped in a dilemma, his head throbbing with the pressure.
"Chief Xiang, tell me, what should we do? Zhang Bao is a stubborn, overly righteous man. If this isn't handled well, there’s no telling if he’ll go over our heads to report it. You know as well as I do that we are at a critical juncture in the power struggle between the Chief and the Deputy Chief. Reporting this now would clearly signal our stance and effectively seal our career paths. If Chief Wang Tiancheng wins, we might enjoy the spoils or even climb higher. But if Deputy Chief Leng gains the upper hand and topples the Chief, we know exactly what our fate will be." Deputy Chief Wang Qiming, though not particularly gifted in administrative ability, possessed a sharp analytical mind and a keen eye for power dynamics—which was precisely how he had secured his position as Deputy Chief of the Haitian District Bureau in just over three years.
After hearing Wang Qiming’s analysis, Chief Xiang’s head felt even heavier. He was well aware of the situation; that was why he had repeatedly dodged the olive branches extended by the Chief—he feared becoming collateral damage in the tug-of-war between the top two leaders of the general bureau. He had managed to stay neutral, but reporting this to the General Bureau Chief would undoubtedly force him into the camp of Wang Tiancheng.
Besides, Chief Wang Tiancheng was an appointment from the Provincial Committee—a leader "parachuted" in from above. Compared to the Leng family, who had deeply entrenched roots in Jiangning City, Wang stood little chance of success. This was precisely why the Leng family acted with such impunity in Jiangning.
"And what is your suggestion?" Chief Xiang was no fool; answering with a question was the safest move. He had long suspected that Wang Qiming was in league with the Leng family. If he revealed his own position now, he would be handing the man ammunition to have him dismissed on fabricated charges.
"Hah! Brother Xiang, let’s stop playing games. You’ve known for a long time that I’m on Deputy Chief Leng’s side, haven't you? So I won’t hide it anymore. Indeed, my climb to this position was thanks to Deputy Chief Leng’s care. So, you understand where I stand. Now, it’s up to you to decide," Wang Qiming said, his tone neither humble nor arrogant. The previous submissiveness was gone, replaced by a much harder edge.
"Then what about Zhang Bao? You know his character—upright and stubborn. If we don’t provide a reasonable explanation, I fear that even if I don't report it, he won't let the matter rest," Chief Xiang said, his face tight, his voice low.
"Hmph. If that boy dares to do such a thing, he is digging his own grave. The power of the Leng family is not something a mere precinct captain can challenge. If he dares to act, he won't live to see tomorrow's sun." It was a threat—a naked, chilling threat. Even Chief Xiang, who was already leaning toward the Leng side, shuddered. He wasn't stupid; the implication was clearly murder. Internally, he cursed the lawlessness of the Leng family. Fortunately, he had chosen the right side, or he might be facing the same fate. The five dead police officers were proof enough that the Leng family truly dared to kill.
"Then I leave Zhang Bao to you. You have full charge of this matter. I am old and tired; I’ll be a hands-off manager from now on and enjoy a quiet life. That is the true path to wisdom." Under the pressure of absolute power, Chief Xiang Wen compromised.
It was less a compromise and more a surrender to become a puppet—a way to step back and preserve his own life.
"Hah! That’s the spirit, brother. Solving problems for you is my duty, my absolute duty!" Deputy Chief Wang Qiming beamed. In front of Xiang Wen, he walked over with a high-handed air and sat down in the Chief’s office chair, his eyes filled with triumph.
He leaned back into the black leather swivel chair, crossed his legs, and pulled a cigarette from a box of Zhonghua on the desk. He lit it, exhaled a ring of smoke, and left Chief Xiang Wen standing there, completely ignored.
With a helpless shake of his head, Xiang Wen exited the office. Despite the overwhelming resentment in his heart, he dared not act. After all, what good is power if you aren't alive to use it?
"Hmph, you’ve been Chief long enough. You should be satisfied," Wang Qiming muttered coldly as he watched Xiang Wen leave. After speaking, he spun around in the chair, looking entirely at ease and enjoying himself immensely.
***
Meanwhile, Lin Yang, still complaining and dragging his feet like a stubborn ox on the hillside, took a full two hours just to reach the bottom.
Once he reached the flat road, he found it far too remote, with very few vehicles passing by. Looking at the empty road, Lin Yang hung his head in resignation.
He continued to walk, relying on his own two feet.
***
In the Jinhai Tianchen district, at the villa where Lin Yang had been staying, everyone except Tang Yixue, Zhang Qiqi, Su Qin, and the security guards had already left for Jiangning City. They felt that waiting for death was worse than taking a risk.
Amidst the long wait, Tang Yixue finally received the call she had been anticipating.
"Miss, it’s quite troublesome. We’ve asked around almost everywhere in Jiangning City, but there is still no news of Lin Yang," came the low voice of Tang Guang, the person in charge of the Tang family’s affairs in Jiangning.
"What?" Tang Yixue’s heart gave a violent, painful thud. Her worst fear had come true. She couldn't imagine how Lin Yang could have just vanished into thin air. He had clearly headed to Jiangning City! Could it be that he had been captured by the Leng family?
A flurry of thoughts flooded her mind, tightening the knot of anxiety in her chest.
"Is it possible that nothing unusual happened last night? How could he just disappear without a trace?" Tang Yixue asked, refusing to give up.
The voice on the other end remained firm and somber.
Silence. Tang Yixue went quiet. Even though she didn't want to believe it, the situation was what it was. After a long while, a glimmer of hope sparked on her face. "Uncle Guang, check the last place Lin Yang was heard from, and use that as a starting point to see if there is any other information."
Just as the man on the other end was about to reply, sounds of others reporting could be heard in the background. The voices were chaotic, making it hard for Tang Yixue to hear clearly, but she caught fragments of information.
As she curiously pressed for details, Tang Guang’s excited voice broke through. "Miss, there is news! Yesterday, Young Master Lin hijacked a Volkswagen sedan at the Jiangning West Station. It seems he went after the people from the Leng family. As for what happened afterward, we don't know yet. I will take men to verify it immediately, and I will report back the moment I have news."
After hanging up, a smile finally appeared on Tang Yixue’s face.
Zhang Qiqi, who had been busy in the kitchen, came out with the prepared meal. Having overheard the conversation, she set the food on the table and hurried to ask, "Sister Yixue, is there news of Lin Yang? Brother Meng Hu left over an hour ago. I wonder how things are going for him."
"The Tang family just sent word that there is a lead, though it still needs to be verified. As for Brother Meng Hu, he likely hasn't reached the Jiangning train station yet, but it shouldn't be long now." Tang Yixue’s voice remained low. Even with a lead, nothing was confirmed yet.
As the saying goes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. She didn't want to follow a moment of joy with a crushing sense of loss.
Just as Tang Yixue had suspected, Meng Hu and his party arrived at the Jiangning West Train Station five minutes later.
"Brother Hu, let's ask here first. Perhaps we can find a clue." Having just stepped off the train, Su Xiaodong leaned into Meng Hu’s ear and whispered his suggestion amidst the sea of people in the bustling terminal.
Meng Hu gave a grunt of approval. They had brought nearly thirty men, all of them skilled fighters, in case they ran into any unexpected trouble.
Following Meng Hu’s command, the thirty men scattered in different directions to gather information.
Just as Meng Hu was about to step forward to make inquiries, Tang Yixue’s call came through.
"Yixue, do you have news?" Meng Hu asked urgently. Few people knew of Tang Yixue’s true background, but for someone like Meng Hu, who moved in both the underworld and the legitimate world, it was clear as day. He knew that with the Tang family’s reach, these things wouldn't be impossible for them to solve.
"Yes, there is news, but it isn't confirmed yet. My people are currently verifying it. I fear it will take some time to get accurate information."
"Oh, I see. In that case, we will wait a while longer. As soon as you have news, let me know immediately so we can get there."
He gathered his thirty men, and the group exited the station. A group of thirty, all dressed in neat black suits, was a striking sight wherever they went, giving passersby the impression of a criminal organization.
"Brother Hu, let’s wait here for a bit," Su Xiaodong suggested, pointing to an open space ahead. Compared to the Jinhai City station, the Jiangning station was much more luxuriously built, especially with the wide Qianyang River flowing in front—the environment was pleasant and served as an excellent spot to rest and wait.
Just as the group had settled onto the cold steps, Meng Hu’s phone rang again. It was Tang Yixue, who had hung up only moments before.
"Yixue, is there news?" Meng Hu asked anxiously, his expression full of anticipation.
"Yes, news just came in." With that, Tang Yixue began to recount the information she had received, point by point.