28: Chapter 28 Sister-in-law, you're only useful to me.

Jinghai, Bai Jiangbo's villa.

Zhao Yang greeted his colleague at the door and walked inside with big strides.

He had been back in Jinghai for two weeks, and he had been participating in the interrogation and organization of Materials for the Xu Jiang criminal gang case. Today, the time was ripe, and he needed to see this woman.

Chen Shuting.

The Big Sister-in-law whom so many people were infatuated with.

She was indeed beautiful and had an air of elegance.

She wore a red dress, sat upright on the sofa, and her gaze was indifferent. As the people she knew lost contact one by one, she had already prepared herself to go inside and serve a few years. Originally, her heart was as dead as ash, but when she saw Zhao Yang, her heart still stirred slightly—how could this police officer be so handsome?

Her expression softened a little, but her tone remained icy: "You might as well just handcuff me and take me away. You keep asking the same few questions over and over."

Zhao Yang sat opposite her and smiled brightly: "Hello, Chen Shuting. My name is Zhao Yang. You've heard of me, right?"

"Zhao Yang..." Chen Shuting paused for a moment, her expression becoming complex, "It's actually you. I heard that Xu Jiang fell into your hands. No, not just Xu Jiang; Bai Jiangbo and my godfather should also count as having fallen into your hands."

"What do you mean 'fallen into my hands'?" Zhao Yang put on a straight face, "You're such a beautiful woman, don't keep using underworld slang. That's called receiving legal sanctions."

Chen Shuting opened her mouth. These words didn't sound pleasant, but the phrase "beautiful woman" sounded quite comfortable. Moreover, this was the first time she had encountered a police officer who spoke to her in this tone, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

"Don't be nervous." Zhao Yang smiled, "I've already looked at your case; it could be big, or it could be small."

Chen Shuting's expression tightened, and she subconsciously looked outside the door. Seeing that the police officers guarding outside were chatting among themselves, she lowered her voice: "Officer Zhao, what exactly do you mean?"

"Let's put it this way: if you have meritorious service, you won't have to go inside."

"Meritorious service?" Chen Shuting laughed, "I thought there would be something fresh, but it's still this same old routine. I've already said everything I could."

"No, you haven't." Zhao Yang said, "Regarding Chen Tai, he has already confessed quite a bit; he won't be getting out in this lifetime. But we hope to handle this with Perfection and not leave any omissions."

"I haven't managed company affairs for a long time. I don't know much about Bai Jiangbo's business either."

Zhao Yang shook his head and lowered his voice: "You are only one step away from meritorious service. Or rather... I've already found out about some things, but I hope for you to say them."

Chen Shuting's expression was strange: "Officer Zhao, since you've already found out, it doesn't really have any meaning whether I say it or not, does it?"

"You don't understand what I mean?" Zhao Yang stared at her cheeks.

Chen Shuting's body tensed up: "Officer Zhao, I, Chen Shuting, am not that kind of woman. If you talk like this, I..."

"Don't get excited." Zhao Yang smiled, "Chen Shuting, take a good look at me. Do you think I'm the type of person who lacks a girlfriend?"

Chen Shuting was tongue-tied and shook her head self-deprecatingly: "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."

"This is an opportunity I'm personally giving you." Zhao Yang's tone was flat, "I think highly of your abilities. I hope you can step forward and clean up this mess at the Construction Group. If you don't seize this opportunity, the government will have to take over. But that would take too long and have too great an impact on Jinghai."

Chen Shuting was silent for a long while: "In other words, I am useful to the government."

"You are not useful to the government; you are only useful to me."

Chen Shuting's body stiffened, feeling dejected in her heart. She had overestimated herself; what the government needed most was stability, and a slower process was not unacceptable.

Zhao Yang smiled: "I appreciate your abilities. If you come to clean up the mess, the cost Jinghai pays will be the lowest, and I can also secure a good impression in front of the leaders by virtue of having persuaded you."

Chen Shuting was silent for a moment: "Given the current situation, the Construction Group, along with Bai Jiangbo and Xu Jiang's assets, will definitely be auctioned off. I don't have enough capital to take them over. I'm afraid I won't even have the right to live in this villa."

"If you agree to my terms, your restrictions will be lifted very soon. Then you must fully cooperate with the liquidation of Chen Tai and Bai Jiangbo's assets, as well as the resumption of ongoing projects. As for the capital issue, you don't need to worry; I know a few friends in business who will help you during the auction."

Chen Shuting looked at Zhao Yang in surprise.

Was he really just an ordinary criminal police officer?

But she knew that asking now wouldn't get her an answer.

After a moment of silence, she slowly let out a breath: "Cheng Cheng. The former accountant of the Construction Group, she took the fall for the company a few years ago and went inside. She knows the most; you might have overlooked her."

Zhao Yang smiled with satisfaction: "Very good, you are a smart person. Now come with me."

"Where to?"

"To see the leadership."

...

Office of the Public Security Bureau Chief.

Meng Dehai was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Yang bring in a beautiful woman.

"Zhao Yang, what are you doing?"

Zhao Yang smiled: "Director Meng, I've come to help you solve your problems. The matter that has been giving you a headache can be solved."

Meng Dehai had indeed been having headaches lately.

The provincial authorities' stance on the Xu Jiang gang was to investigate to the very end and ensure every criminal was brought to justice. However, those two bastards, Xu Jiang and Zhao Lidong, had dragged too many people into the water, and the Construction Group was involved in most of the city's construction projects. If they brought the hammer down on this, at least half of Jinghai's construction projects would have to stop.

Secretary Lin had given a hard order, requiring the Public Security System to cooperate with other departments, not only to crack down on organized crime and corruption but also to minimize the negative impact on economic development.

They wanted both.

The relevant leaders of several departments had grown more gray hairs recently.

Meng Dehai cast a doubtful look: "You mean this lady can solve the problem?"

Zhao Yang nodded and explained Chen Shuting's identity.

Meng Dehai was a veteran of the Public Security System; he only needed to look at Chen Shuting once to know that this person didn't have any major cases on her, nor was she someone extremely vicious; at most, her personality was a bit paranoid.

Chen Shuting was also perceptive and said respectfully: "Director Meng, I am willing to cooperate with the government's liquidation of the Construction Group and, at the same time, try my best to ensure the projects proceed in an orderly manner. I hope Director Meng can give me a chance to atone for my sins."

"I understand what you mean. Please wait a moment." Meng Dehai called over a young comrade to take Chen Shuting to the room next door to rest.

He looked at Zhao Yang: "Is this person reliable? In the entire criminal group, is she really clean?"

"I have looked into her situation. If sentenced heavily, at the maximum, it would be three years." Zhao Yang said, "She just provided important clues, which counts as major meritorious service. If she also helps stabilize the Construction Group, conservatively estimated, it will be at most a month of detention, or perhaps just a fine."

Meng Dehai was silent for a moment, then patted Zhao Yang on the shoulder: "I believe you. But I still have to remind you, young man, to keep yourself in check. Your future is limitless; don't make mistakes."

Zhao Yang smiled: "Thank you, Uncle Meng. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Also..." Meng Dehai lowered his voice, "Secretary Song said he would personally go to the Imperial Capital to request commendations for you and for our Jinghai Public Security Bureau. According to the current trend, just wait for the good news."