16: Chapter 16 Meng Dehai: Xu Jiang, get on the boat.

Zhao Yang gestured with his chin toward the darkness without saying more, then led Chen Yan onto the cruise ship with his arm around her.

Chen Yan lowered her voice: "Brother Mo, is this the 'big scene' you were talking about?"

Zhao Yang smiled: "How many Jinghai officials do you recognize?"

"Anyone at the deputy division level or above, I can recognize them."

"Then take a good look in a while and see how many you can identify."

Chen Yan's expression turned serious: "For something like this, we need to leave evidence. But you took apart my recording pen."

"That piece of junk belongs in a museum. I'll handle securing the evidence; you just focus on having fun and don't do anything dangerous."

"What?! That was the latest model, imported! I haven't even asked you for compensation yet!"

"Heaven be my witness, how have I not compensated you? I've given you over a billion in 'compensation' already."

It took a moment for Chen Yan to react, and her cheeks flushed crimson: "Oh, you're terrible!"

"That's not what you said when I was 'compensating' you; you were always asking for more."

Thinking of their wild encounter, Chen Yan's body felt a bit feverish. She gave Zhao Yang a deep look: "You bad man, you've almost broken me, and I still don't even know your name?"

"You'll know soon enough. Alright, stop talking and focus on having fun once we're on board."

Zhao Yang led her onto the ship and waved to Luotuo, who was guarding the entrance: "Is there a place to try our luck today?"

"Yes! Yes! Brother Mo, Sister Sisi, follow me!"

Luotuo led Zhao Yang deeper into the cruise ship with a fawning expression.

...

On the other side, Xu Jiang had also received Meng Dehai.

Today, Meng Dehai wore a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking very much like a refined scoundrel.

Xu Jiang extended his hand: "Director Meng! Your presence here today brings light to my humble abode!"

Meng Dehai nodded faintly: "Lead the way. Let me see what this 'big scene' of yours is all about."

"Right away! Please, follow me!"

Xu Jiang walked onto the cruise ship, feeling smug.

Although he had a connection with the municipal leader Zhao Lidong, strictly speaking, that relationship was inherited from Chen Tai, and he always felt it wasn't that secure. Meng Dehai, however, was a connection he had established entirely on his own—kept secret from both Chen Tai and Zhao Lidong.

Even better, Meng Dehai was the Director of the Public Security Bureau.

For someone in the underworld like Xu Jiang, this position was absolutely critical. It was equivalent to a mouse pulling the cat directly into its gang.

After Meng Dehai and Xu Jiang boarded, the cruise ship set sail.

The two took their seats in a luxurious cabin. Xu Jiang snapped his fingers, and a beautiful woman dressed in a micro-mini skirt walked in carrying a catalog.

Xu Jiang handed the catalog to Meng Dehai: "Director Meng, if anyone catches your eye, I'll call them over. Whatever you want to play, I'll satisfy you."

Meng Dehai opened the catalog; it was filled with photos of women providing services, none of whom looked very old.

He looked through it slowly, occasionally pretending to ponder for a moment, making Xu Jiang a bit anxious.

Just as Xu Jiang was about to ask, Meng Dehai suddenly closed the catalog: "Photos don't show much. How about this, bring those between twenty and twenty-five over for me to choose from."

Xu Jiang thought to himself that it was a hassle, but to secure this connection, he quickly got up to make the arrangements.

Meng Dehai picked up the red wine on the table, sipping it slowly and continuing to flip through the catalog with a leisurely expression, making no unnecessary movements.

After leaving the cabin, Xu Jiang didn't go to find the hostesses immediately but ran to the surveillance room first. Seeing that Meng Dehai was just quietly looking at the catalog, he finally felt relieved and called Feng Lvzi over, telling him to organize it.

By this time, the hostesses who had boarded the ship had already started working, accompanying guests in different cabins. It took Feng Lvzi more than ten minutes to gather them all.

One named Xiaoqi asked: "Brother Lv, what's going on exactly? Don't you know the guest I was with is a division chief?"

Feng Lvzi spat: "Ignorant thing. I'm taking you to see a VIP in a moment. If you're chosen, the boss will give you a big reward."

"What kind of distinguished guest?"

"What's the rush? You'll see him in a moment. Let's go!"

...

A short while later, Xu Jiang led a dozen hostesses into the cabin and said with a smile: "Director Meng, they're all here."

Meng Dehai nodded: "Everyone, state your name and tell me your specialty."

"My name is Xiaoqi, I'm good at the flute."

"My name is Pingping, I'm also good at the flute."

"My name is... Mengmeng, I... I'm also good at the flute."

Meng Dehai coughed lightly and looked at Xu Jiang with a frown: "Are you trying to hold a flute-playing competition?"

Xu Jiang felt he had lost face and glared at the hostesses: "What the hell is with all the flute playing? Say something else!"

A tall hostess immediately said: "My name is Lingling, I can perform the Huxuan dance."

Meng Dehai's eyes lit up: "Not bad, you stay. What about the others?"

A sexy girl quickly said: "I know yoga. Boss, let me teach you partner yoga."

Xiaoqi chimed in again: "Boss, I can do more than play the flute, I can also do the splits! Look!"

As she spoke, she didn't hesitate and performed a side split on the spot, her long, snowy-white legs revealed from beneath her skirt.

Meng Dehai nodded in satisfaction: "Good, you stay too."

Xu Jiang watched this scene from the side, secretly curling his lip—who would have thought Meng Dehai had such flamboyant tastes? He'd have to get a few girls from the arts academy later.

Meng Dehai continued picking and choosing for over half an hour, and almost every hostess had reported a talent. It was also the first time Xu Jiang realized his subordinates were so "multi-talented."

Suddenly, with a "bang," Feng Lvzi burst through the door in a panic.

"Boss, this is bad!"

Xu Jiang was startled: "What's the rush! Where are your manners?"

"We're surrounded!"

"Surrounded? By who?"

"It's the cops! Over a dozen boats, all cops!"

Before he could finish, bright searchlights shone into the cabin.

The sound of a megaphone echoed from outside.

"Stop the ship immediately and prepare for inspection!"

"Everyone on board, stay where you are!"

Feng Lvzi looked tense: "Boss, what do we do? It's crawling with cops out there."

Xu Jiang's face turned as dark as ink.

He suddenly realized something, pulled out a sawed-off shotgun from his coat, and pointed the barrel straight at Meng Dehai.

"It was you! Meng Dehai! You've got guts! You're ruthless!"

Meng Dehai remained calm: "Xu Jiang, surrender. Those are all our people outside."

Xu Jiang showed a fierce expression and roared at Feng Lvzi: "Everyone on this boat is a Jinghai official! Have the brothers grab them as hostages! Head for international waters and make the cops let us through! Otherwise, kill the hostages! The Public Security Director is right here; let's see how much guts they have!"

After speaking, he looked at Meng Dehai with a sinister grin: "Meng Dehai, let me tell you! Besides you, there are no less than twenty officials of various ranks from Jinghai on this boat. If you push me too far, they're all going overboard to feed the fish! Feng Lvzi, go! Have the brothers bring all the officials here!"