Chapter 127: Intricate and Complex

"What a brilliant scheme!"

Liu Jingye could not help but offer his praise; he felt he ought to tip his hat in respect.

"This is an incredibly sophisticated setup—killing two birds with one stone. By killing Secretary Zhang, they allow Wu Jie to ascend to power ahead of schedule. They deliberately recruited a small-time hoodlum as a robber, only to kill him afterward. The investigation into his background will inevitably link him to Boss Meng and the Dihao KTV. Since Boss Meng is currently in hiding, it will certainly be interpreted as fleeing in fear of guilt. As for the Dihao KTV, just as Lin Shengnan was preparing to take full control, it has now become the focal point of a storm."

"Don't worry, we're fine. We were just taken in by the police for questioning. We didn't know the robber at all, and we have a legitimate employment contract with Boss Meng, so we weren't suspected."

Lin Shengnan had just left the police station when she called Liu Jingye to reassure him. "However, the KTV has been sealed, and Boss Meng is now a wanted man. We are staying at other venues for the time being."

"Remember, for this period, do not have any conflicts with anyone. If someone causes trouble, endure it if you can; if you can't, hide. Do not get caught in this whirlpool," Liu Jingye urged earnestly.

After hanging up with Lin Shengnan, Liu Jingye immediately contacted Yuan Xiaoying.

"The police officer who fired the shot is Chen Shuanghe, the deputy captain of the municipal riot squad. His wife is in the construction materials business. It was originally his wife who was invited, but because she had business to discuss at the last minute and wanted to curry favor with Tan Yifeng—who is a major client of hers—she entrusted her husband, the deputy captain, to attend in her stead."

In a certain underground parking garage, sitting inside a car, Yuan Xiaoying and Liu Jingye finally met. Yuan Xiaoying trusted him implicitly and acknowledged his earlier analysis, which was why she risked disciplinary action to share the intelligence with him.

"This is far too coincidental. Why would his wife suddenly go to discuss business? You should have someone investigate who she was talking business with and whether it has any connection to Tan Yifeng," Liu Jingye said, sharply identifying the crux of the matter.

Yuan Xiaoying did not dare to delay. She immediately called her subordinates to investigate. They quickly fed back that the deputy captain's wife had just signed a contract worth over ten million yuan with Fengxing Real Estate, covering the door and window installation for all properties developed by the company in the city.

"There's definitely something fishy here," Yuan Xiaoying thought to herself. "However, we still have no evidence that this deputy captain was bribed to intentionally shoot Secretary Zhang. After all, the robber fired first; I suppose any police officer would reflexively fire back."

Liu Jingye had to nod in agreement. "That is the most exquisite part of this layout. Even though he is a killer, he doesn't have to bear any responsibility; if played right, it might even be counted as a meritorious deed."

"By the way, there is another thread to follow: Wu Jie, the Secretary's successor. See if he has any financial ties to Fengxing Real Estate."

"I'll have my father look into that. He's in the provincial capital, so it'll be easier for him to investigate," Yuan Xiaoying said.

"That damned Tan Yifeng! He just arrived in this city and has already stirred up such a heaven-shattering event. He really is becoming more and more arrogant," Yuan Xiaoying remarked.

"Did you know him before?" Liu Jingye asked. "Didn't you also come from the provincial capital?"

"I wouldn't say I know him, but I've met him a few times," Yuan Xiaoying said. "He was just as arrogant and domineering in the provincial capital, but he always maintained an air of refinement and gentleness on the surface. In reality, deep down, he possesses an air of utter contempt for everyone, which is just repulsive. His great-grandfather was one of the founding leaders of the nation and an old comrade-in-arms of my own great-grandfather. His grandfather currently serves in the central government, and his uncles hold high-ranking positions across the country. Their family influence is extensive, but their core circle is in Beijing; he is merely a branch in this province. I just didn't expect him to be this brazen."

"Things are getting bigger and bigger now. A provincial-level secretary being shot has already shaken the central government. The Ministry of Public Security has issued a deadline, demanding the case be solved within seven days. The whole city is under martial law, with a city-wide manhunt for those three robbers. I have my work cut out for me again."

Yuan Xiaoying said gloomily, "No time for dates now."

Liu Jingye was not in the mood for banter. He told her directly, "This matter might turn the whole city upside down. You must be cautious. Therefore, it is best to target Tan Yifeng directly and start from his inner circle."

Yuan Xiaoying nodded silently, then suddenly looked up and glared at him. "Wait a minute. This is a high-society social gala—why were you there?"

Liu Jingye froze for a moment, then gave a wry smile, thinking to himself, *What must come, will come.*

He laughed heartily and said, "You wouldn't believe it, but I was just passing by the hotel to use the restroom. When I came out, I realized the banquet had just started and thought I'd sneak in for a free lunch."

"Oh, is that so?" Yuan Xiaoying looked as if she understood.

Liu Jingye was surprised. "You actually believe that?"

"Of course. You're my man; I believe whatever you say," Yuan Xiaoying replied candidly. Liu Jingye was deeply moved, but she hadn't finished: "Besides, with your personality, what other possibility could there be for you to join a high-society banquet besides sneaking in to use the restroom?"

"Hey..." Liu Jingye felt indignant. "Can't I be invited by someone? The invitation for this banquet stated that guests were required to bring a partner. Couldn't some socialite or lady have invited me to go with her?"

"Then tell me, which socialite or lady invited you?"

Liu Jingye wished he could slap himself. Why was he trying to win this argument with her? Wasn't he just asking for trouble?

He thought for a moment and said, "Actually, Secretary Zhang invited me. If you don't believe me, you can go ask him."

Yuan Xiaoying rolled her eyes. "Secretary Zhang, poor man, is probably halfway down the road to the underworld by now. Even if I wanted to chase after him to ask, I couldn't catch up."

"Then you need to work harder to avenge Secretary Zhang as soon as possible," Liu Jingye said.

Yuan Xiaoying waved her hand. "Don't you worry about that. I've already notified my subordinates to interrogate every hoodlum in our jurisdiction one by one. If there are any issues, we'll bring them in. Everyone with tattoos or a history of drug use will be prioritized for questioning."

Liu Jingye frowned upon hearing this. "Isn't that a bit extreme? And prejudiced? Why must everyone with a tattoo or a history of drug use be a bad person? I've seen many tattooed men give up their seats to the elderly on the bus, and I've seen those well-dressed fellows who claim to serve the people bullying others. Some 'angels in white' have blackened their hearts with bribes, while those street cleaners who sweep the roads purify both the streets and their own souls..."

"Alright, alright," Yuan Xiaoying waved her hand to interrupt. "I understand what you're saying. I'm not incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. You're suddenly so agitated—are you trying to protect someone?"

The "dull" Yuan Xiaoying had been sharp for once, and she had hit the nail on the head.

Liu Jingye feigned calm. "What would I be protecting? I just don't want you to wrong a good person."

Yuan Xiaoying was a police officer with her own duties and principles. Liu Jingye would never interfere with her. Just like with Lin Shengnan, he would never inform Lin Shengnan of the things Yuan Xiaoying told him. At this stage, he could only influence them in his own way, encouraging them to act according to their conscience. As long as a person acts uprightly and stands tall, there is no black and white.

"Oh, right, my relatives are leaving in a few days," Yuan Xiaoying suddenly said. "They want to see you before they go. You won't refuse this time, right?"

"Why shouldn't I refuse?"

"Because we've already done the deed!" Yuan Xiaoying said generously. "We are now a husband and wife in every sense."

Liu Jingye shook his head. "We haven't reached the point of truly knowing each other inside and out yet, have we?"

"Get lost..." the inspector said crossly. "Three days from now. I'll notify you then. Dress up properly; don't look all disheveled. Some of my relatives are already questioning how such a beautiful flower could be stuck in cow dung."

"Hmph!" Liu Jingye snorted disdainfully. "That's backward, isn't it? Who is really stuck in whom?"

"I'll kill you!" Yuan Xiaoying maintained her tough-as-nails style and tackled Liu Jingye onto the seat.

At first, Yuan Xiaoying was indeed beating him, but later the situation reversed. When she left, her face was flushed, three buttons were missing from her police uniform, and all the buttons on her shirt were gone.

As she drove away, Liu Jingye waved from behind and shouted, "I will definitely raise them myself!"

Yuan Xiaoying left, but Liu Jingye's brows knitted deeply. This enemy was far more powerful than he had imagined. They had barely appeared before they began to reshape the order of things. This kind of arrogance was extraordinary, and the plan was well-thought-out and meticulous—truly a thorny situation.

"Even if Boss Meng wanted to come back now, he couldn't. And as for his properties, nobody else should even think about getting their hands on them," Liu Jingye muttered to himself. "Poor Lin Shengnan; her plans have fallen through. This is absolute power. In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are just fleeting clouds."

In the evening, Liu Jingye received a call from Yuan Xiaoying: "The autopsy report is out. The mysterious death of that robber has been determined to be caused by poisoning. Moreover, it should have originated from drugs. It's possible he ingested a large amount of narcotics before the robbery, and the intense physical exertion and emotional agitation during the act caused him to die of a drug overdose."

"That's it?" Liu Jingye asked, surprised.

"That's it!" Yuan Xiaoying said. "The special investigation team pulled the surveillance footage from the scene and saw you had physical contact with the deceased robber, but you only grabbed his wrist, so the team doesn't think you're a suspect—they believe you were just protecting yourself. Besides, this robber is of no real importance."

"Of no importance?" Liu Jingye gave a bitter laugh. "I think he is the key to the entire case."

"Then think carefully again. If you come up with any clues, let me know. I have to get back to work; there's a city-wide search tonight," Yuan Xiaoying said.

"Take care of yourself, and don't try to be a hero, or I'll spank your little bottom again!" Liu Jingye said.

Yuan Xiaoying grumbled indignantly and hung up the phone.

Liu Jingye fell into deep thought. "At the time, the intense light from the flashbang engulfed the entire venue, but I definitely heard a very steady set of footsteps, and I saw a figure behind me, right where the robber had collapsed. Clearly, someone had moved in to kill him. That person's silhouette was very similar to 'Young Master Feng.' But why say he died of poisoning, specifically from drugs? Could Young Master Feng be carrying a large amount of drugs and have used an intravenous injection to cause instant death?"