Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 38 The Secret in the Attic

Wu Zhiyuan exclaimed with delight, "Officer Lin! We meet again!"

Lin Keke was also overjoyed: "Zhiyuan, is that you? What happened?"

Wu Zhiyuan briefly recounted what had happened.

After listening, Lin Keke walked up to the short, fat, blond-haired man who had been subdued by Wu Zhiyuan and was now groaning on the ground. Her voice was stern: "In broad daylight, causing trouble while drunk, harassing women, and even hitting someone? You've got some nerve! Tell me, what are your accomplices' names! Where do they live?"

The short, chubby blond man didn't seem very scared: "We're security guards from Dadi Real Estate Company. I didn't harass any women; I just wanted to make friends with these two beautiful ladies."

Wu Zhiyuan felt a chill run down his spine. Dadi Real Estate Company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jintang Group, and its boss was none other than Zhang Wanlin!

Jintang Group has security teams in many of its subsidiaries. They are called security guards, but they are actually Zhang Wanlin's henchmen and lackeys.

No wonder these guys were so audacious; they were just bullying others because of their master's power.

Lin Keke naturally knew that Dadi Real Estate Company was Zhang Wanlin's business.

Even if they manage to catch a few of the escapees, it'll probably just be a half-day visit to the police station.

But those who should be arrested must be arrested, and as for whether to arrest and release them, there are many things she cannot control.

Then, she said sternly, "No company's security guards can act with impunity! Making friends? Is this how you force people to be friends?"

Lin Keke gestured to her colleagues to handcuff the fat man on the ground, then walked up to Liu Qingqing and Xu Yunxi, her tone gentle: "Are you hurt? You seem frightened. Do you need to come back to the station with us to give a statement?"

Not wanting to reveal her true identity, Liu Qingqing said, "Thank you, Officer Lin. We're fine, just a bit frightened. Luckily, Zhiyuan is skilled and managed to take on four opponents at once."

"Is it alright to take the statement here? We came from the provincial capital and need to get back this afternoon."

Previously, Liu Qingqing addressed Wu Zhiyuan as "Little Wu," but now she calls him "Zhiyuan," clearly indicating an increase in their intimacy.

Lin Ke could tell that the two women were not only beautiful, but also had extraordinary temperaments, especially Liu Qingqing, who looked somewhat familiar.

Actually, she didn't know Liu Qingqing, but once she saw a Huangmei Opera performance at the Provincial Grand Theater, and Liu Qingqing was the lead actress.

Respecting Liu Qingqing's wishes, Lin Keke said, "Okay, let's just ask a simple question here."

Before leaving, Lin Keke called Wu Zhiyuan aside: "Zhiyuan, there are two things. First, after the application process, you have been recognized as an advanced individual for your courageous act, in recognition of your cooperation with the police in capturing two fugitive suspects. There will be an award ceremony in a few days."

The second thing is, do you remember the conversation between the two suspects that I overheard at Qinglongshan Forest Farm last time? The suspect named Dalong's girlfriend betrayed him and went with a private company owner.

He killed the boss and obtained a USB drive and some valuable treasures.

The USB drive contained videos the boss secretly filmed of officials at the club. There was also a notebook documenting bribery.

After Da Long was captured, he died mysteriously in the detention center. It's unclear whether he died while playing hide-and-seek or while being covered by a blanket.

The boss he killed was Zhang Wanlin's older brother, Zhang Wanshan, who was the vice president of Jintang Group.

I was thinking, when are you going to come with me to Da Long's old home to retrieve the things from the attic?

Wu Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said, "Okay, but I'm only available on weekends."

Lin Keke said softly, "Okay, we'll talk about it when you have time."

After getting into the car, Liu Qingqing asked casually, "Zhiyuan, that policewoman is very pretty. Are you quite familiar with her?"

Wu Zhiyuan truthfully recounted assisting Lin Keke in apprehending two fugitive suspects, but deliberately omitted the fact that he and Lin Keke apprehended them together.

Liu Qingqing asked casually, "Oh, is Lin Keke dating anyone?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "I'm married. My father-in-law is Tao Sizhong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Tao Sizhong was previously the Vice Mayor and Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

Liu Qingqing smiled sweetly: "It's like this. I originally thought you and Lin Keke were quite a good match, but I didn't expect that she's already taken."

Wu Zhiyuan gave an awkward smile.

Liu Qingqing continued, "Zhiyuan, you have the gene of courage and righteousness flowing in your veins."

Last time he helped apprehend two suspects, today he bravely rescued a girl who had fallen into the water, and just now he beat up a few blond-haired thugs.

Wu Zhiyuan thought to himself, "I even saved a man who suddenly died of a stroke last time," and smiled modestly, "Teacher Liu, you flatter me! Anyone would have done the same. Didn't you also selflessly perform CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the girl who fell into the water today?"

When Wu Zhiyuan asked her this question, Liu Qingqing couldn't help but smile: "Yes, people should do more good deeds. Although good people may not necessarily be rewarded, at least they can live with their own conscience."

Wu Zhiyuan drove to the city art museum.

For a girl who loves art, Xu Yunxi would naturally not miss the art museum.

While driving, Wu Zhiyuan couldn't help but wonder: Why did Lin Keke only invite him to go with her to the attic of Dalong's old house to retrieve a few treasures? Why didn't she go under the guise of a police investigation?

So far, Lin Keke still thinks he is working as a forest ranger at Qinglongshan Forest Farm, and he hasn't explained much because there's no need.

Could it be that Lin Keke had ulterior motives and gave Da Long his hidden treasure to repay his life-saving grace?

This possibility is still quite high.

It can be said that in this world, as long as one is human, one will have selfish thoughts and desires. There is no one without selfish thoughts.

Lin Keke is human, and it's inevitable that she will have selfish motives.

Da Long had hidden not only USB drives and bribe notebooks in the attic, but also several other treasures.

What is the "treasure"? Which officials' indecent videos are on the USB drive? Which officials are involved in the laptop?

Xu Yunxi suddenly asked, "Brother Wu, weren't you afraid when you jumped into the lake to save someone?"

Wu Zhiyuan glanced back and saw that Xu Yunxi's eyes no longer held the previous coldness and aloofness, but rather a pure curiosity, and even a hint of concern.

Wu Zhiyuan replied, "To be honest, I didn't have time to be afraid. When I saw the child struggling in the lake, the situation was critical, and I only had one thought in my mind—to save him."

When I jumped into the water, the icy lake water actually made me more alert, and I started thinking about how to safely rescue the person.

I am very confident in my swimming skills, but I am afraid of being hugged by girls.

Many rescuers who are excellent swimmers drown along with the victims because the drowning victims instinctively cling to them tightly and are unable to break free.

Xu Yunxi nodded thoughtfully, her tone full of admiration: "I didn't know there were so many intricacies involved in saving people. You know so much."

After a pause, Xu Yunxi asked again, "Were you scared when we encountered those thugs?"

Wu Zhiyuan answered frankly: "It would be a lie to say that I'm not afraid at all. After all, there were four of them, and they had been drinking. They were prone to impulsiveness, and I didn't know if they had any weapons."

However, my top priority is to ensure your and Teacher Liu's absolute safety; there can be no mishaps. Even if there is danger, I will be at the forefront.

Xu Yunxi was silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "Thank you, Brother Wu."

Upon arriving at the art museum, Xu Yunxi went to the restroom.

Looking at Xu Yunxi's figure, Liu Qingqing said softly, "Zhiyuan, Yunxi used to be lively and cheerful, and her academic performance was excellent. But since her mother's unexpected death, she has been very depressed, and her grades have plummeted. Fortunately, she has her own passion—art."

Some people say she's aloof, but I know she isn't. She's like a snail, with a soft body wrapped in a hard shell.

Today, Yunxi was noticeably more talkative, and her mood had also improved significantly.

Zhiyuan, I know you played a part in this. If Yunxi can be as lively and cheerful as before, Lao Xu will be overjoyed.