144: Chapter 144 Where is my larger Passat?

"Big trouble?" Zhao Yang's expression shifted. "Tell me more in detail."

Lu Yike sighed. "I discovered some issues with the Handong Province Lvzhou Yueya Lake project. Initially, Secretary Li Dakang didn't approve it, but after he was transferred, Secretary Gao Yuliang gave the green light. The events in between are very strange."

Zhao Yang was speechless for a moment. Well, she really is heading straight for the Red-Named Boss. Lu Yike, I respect you for being such a brave soul.

"Did you find something?" he asked.

"There's something wrong with the project's environmental impact assessment; the standards are too loose and avoid the critical issues. But as soon as I started investigating, my superiors called me for a talk—outwardly praising my good work and saying they wanted to give me more responsibilities, but ending with a mention to 'focus on my primary duties.' I could tell they were warning me."

The corner of Zhao Yang's mouth twitched; as expected. He asked, "So what do you plan to do?"

"I... I want to keep investigating." Lu Yike paused. "But I'm afraid of getting myself dragged down."

Zhao Yang couldn't help but laugh. "Then why investigate? If you get dragged down, what use is finding anything out?"

"Don't I have you, Senior? Does your side need people? If I can't hold out anymore, you'll have to fish me out."

Zhao Yang rolled his eyes. "Who do you think I am, the Jade Emperor? I'm the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Third Branch, not the Chief Prosecutor of the General Procuratorate. If you really get into trouble, I might be able to save your career status, but I can't save your position."

"I know. But if I don't investigate, I'll feel terrible."

Zhao Yang went silent for a moment. "Investigate. Gather Materials in secret, don't let anyone know, and wait for an opportunity."

"Senior, you support me?"

"I support you. But you must keep it secret; that is the most important principle. Buy a Hongdou Tablet and find Lu Xiaofei; have her install a security System for you. All Materials must only be stored there."

"Okay! Thank you, Senior."

"If any special circumstances arise, contact me immediately."

"Mm-hmm." Lu Yike's voice sounded a bit lighter. "Actually, I really want to work under you, Senior."

"If I could have kept you, I would have back then." Zhao Yang smiled. "But being in Handong Province is also good; at least no one dares to provoke you on their own initiative."

"That's true. I won't take up any more of your time, Senior."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Yang fell into deep thought. Handong Province was getting closer and closer. He had originally planned to enter the Handong Province government as an 'airdropped' official, but now he had taken root in Magic City and entered the procuratorial System—this way, it felt more and more like he was taking a stance to go head-to-head with the Former Secretary Zhao Lichun Family.

However, since he had told Lu Yike to investigate, it counted as his order, which would activate 300% efficiency. The chance of Lu Yike getting into trouble would be very small.

Rolling down the car window, Zhao Yang took a breath of fresh air and realized the car was parked right in front of the Hongdou flagship store. He simply got out and wandered in, treating it as seeing how his "own child" had grown up.

It was the weekend, and the store was crowded with people. On the counters were not just phones, but also headphones, tablets, electric scooters, and sports watches—all tech products.

The things taking up the most space in the store were three cars—already the third generation of Hongdou Auto.

The first two generations didn't have open charging ports, but the third generation finally supported external charging. Although the pure electric range was only eighty to ninety kilometers, it was enough for a daily commute without using a drop of oil.

The biggest upgrade for the third generation was the addition of an automatic parking System. Relying on advanced algorithms provided by Zhao Yang, combined with cameras and millimeter-wave radar, it achieved safe automatic parking in irregular spaces. It also supported custom parking spots and even remote parking, where the driver could get out first and let the car park itself completely. To ensure safety, the owner had to remain within Bluetooth range; it wouldn't work from too far away.

Zhao Yang directly called a salesperson and ordered a top-spec hongdou m9, plus three top-spec hongdou m5s. The three M5s were the newest models, reserved for Gao Qilan, Huang Yimei, and Bai Xiaohe to drive when they came to Magic City. The three cars in the warehouse were in excellent condition, so Zhao Yang had the store buy them back directly. The M9 was a large six-seater SUV, intended for use when several people went out together.

Having such a large order dropped on him, the young man's smile was so wide he could hardly close his mouth, looking as if he wanted to kowtow to Zhao Yang on the spot.

Just as he finished paying the deposit, Zhao Yang heard a conversation between a man and a woman nearby.

A short-haired woman's Aura was very aggressive: "Su Chun! Get this straight, we came out to look at houses, not cars! We're not buying, so why are you looking blindly?"

The man looked a bit like Cao Break from the Jinghai Public Security Bureau's Criminal Police Team back in the day, with an honest appearance. His voice was lowered significantly: "Oh, Hai Ping, I'm just looking. Can't I just satisfy my eyes? Ninety percent of the people in this store are here just to look. Look at this car; even if we don't buy it, it's nice to look at, right?"

Hai Ping looked at the flame-red hongdou m5 in front of her and sighed. "It is beautiful. But we need to buy a house, and this is too expensive. This one car costs nearly half a house."

Su Chun noticed the faint expectation hidden in Hai Ping's eyes, and his heart warmed. "Wife, don't worry. I'll definitely work hard so you can live in a big house and drive this car!"

Hai Ping's eyes reddened. "Alright, stop just talking. Where's Haizao? Where did she go?"

As soon as she spoke, a young girl with long, flowing hair and a pure appearance poked her head out of a nearby Hongdou M1 microvan. "Sister, Brother-in-law, come look! This car actually has a bed and a sink inside; it can be used as an RV!"

The basic version of the Hongdou M1 was like an oversized Wuling Hongguang, but it had immense potential for modification, with a starting price of only 68,800 yuan. With deep custom modifications, one car could cost as much as two M5s. Some enthusiasts would buy three or four at once, all modified with camping configurations, and take them out to set up a campsite when traveling.

Su Chun climbed into the car and looked around, his eyes lighting up. "My God, you could make a home in this car."

Hai Ping looked and shook her head. "It's barely okay for two people, but you couldn't bring a child."

Haizao had a look of longing. "Sister, do you think if I bought one of these, I wouldn't have to rent a room?"

Hai Ping rolled her eyes. "Where would you park to sleep at night? A parking lot? Aren't you afraid of the danger?"

Haizao sighed. "When I have money, I'll definitely buy one and modify it like this to go out and play!"

At the mention of money, Hai Ping's face turned bitter again. "Yeah, everything is easy if you have money."

Zhao Yang stood not far away and caught most of the conversation. Simultaneously, a System prompt rang in his consciousness:

[Encountered major characters from the 'dwelling narrowness' world: Hai Ping, Haizao, Su Chun]

[Obtained major mission from the 'dwelling narrowness' world: Crossroads]

[Crossroads: Life has many choices. Please help Haizao choose a different path]

[Mission Reward: Great Luck Card x1]

[Great Luck Card: Possessed by the Lucky Koi; for 24 hours, I am the Chosen One!]

Zhao Yang's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time the System had rewarded a physical item; the name alone sounded formidable.

While he was momentarily distracted, the three of them had already left the store.

Zhao Yang followed them out, intending to see if he could make contact with this Family. Walking outside, he found the three of them standing by the roadside. Su Chun was looking around as if searching for something.

Zhao Yang frowned slightly. If he remembered correctly, the spot where they were standing was exactly where he had parked his car.

But where was his oversized volkswagen passat? Where did it go?