74: Chapter 74 The Mystery of the Advisor

When asked about the old worker from Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory, Sun Dehai, Xu Biao's tone seemed relaxed.

"You mean Old Sun? After you left that day, I called President Hao.

"Upon learning you were an impostor, I went to his house and taught him a lesson."

This beast. Those workers were already driven to a dead end; how could you bring yourself to do that?

Zhao Yang's expression instantly turned cold, and he asked in a low voice:

"What did you do?"

"I just beat him until he spat blood, it's no big deal." Xu Biao was very nonchalant about it.

He had experienced such things too many times; to him, it was just a trivial matter.

Zhao Yang finally understood why he hadn't received Sun Dehai's whistleblowing call for so long.

Someone had gone to beat him up right after he left; no wonder Sun Dehai didn't trust him.

He had originally wanted to pay a visit.

But because the June 11 Case had such a huge impact, people from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection might be watching at all times.

Visiting rashly would only bring trouble to Sun Dehai.

Now it seemed that to untie the knot in Sun Dehai's heart, a visit was unavoidable.

Having made a plan in his mind, Zhao Yang continued to ask:

"Why did you do that?"

Xu Biao lifted his eyelids, "President Hao told me to do it."

Hao Jianping had once bragged to him about being on brotherly terms with the leaders of the Tongan Municipal Bureau.

After staying in the Detention Center for a few days without receiving any special treatment, Xu Biao was extremely disappointed in him.

Thus, he answered every one of Zhao Yang's questions.

Zhao Yang continued to press: "You are the security section chief of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory, why do you listen to the Vice President of Qicheng Group?"

Xu Biao looked up, staring at Zhao Yang as if he were a fool:

"Even though General Manager Guo has withdrawn from Qicheng Group, the group is still under his control. Didn't you know that?"

That explained it.

But the problem was, Qicheng Group was a state-owned enterprise in Tongan City.

How did Guo Mingkai manage to withdraw in name but maintain actual control?

There was no need to ask further about these doubts.

A brief investigation with the help of the Technical Brigade would reveal the clues.

Zhao Yang closed his notebook and turned to look at Jiang Nan's pretty profile:

"Officer Jiang, I'm finished with my questions."

Jiang Nan nodded and called for a Detention Center officer to take Xu Biao away.

After leaving the Detention Center, Zhao Yang drove Jiang Nan back to the Criminal Investigation Detachment.

Jiang Nan sat in the passenger seat and asked in a low voice:

"Today's interrogation wasn't like your usual style. Why were the questions so simple?"

Zhao Yang told Jiang Nan about his previous suspicions regarding the Die-Casting Machine Factory's restructuring and his experience of visiting the dormitory area undercover.

"I suspect Guo Mingkai is using Ji Hongwen's power to embezzle state-owned assets. I need the veteran worker Sun Dehai to provide clues and evidence."

Jiang Nan patted the documents in her hand and said in surprise:

"Right, no wonder a single news report would cause such a big reaction from Ji Hongwen. Why didn't I think of that!"

She then looked at Zhao Yang, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents:

"So, does this mean you'll be staying in Tongan for a long time again?"

Zhao Yang smiled, "I'd like to; how nice it would be to see my girlfriend every day. I'm just worried that Sun Dehai no longer trusts me."

Jiang Nan's eyes sparkled, "I have photos of Xu Biao in custody here. If we take the photos to his house, we'll surely be able to untie the knot in Sun Dehai's heart."

Zhao Yang simply pulled the car over, turned his face to look closely at Jiang Nan, and then shook his head slightly.

"What? How can we not go?" Jiang Nan met Zhao Yang's gaze, her face full of confusion.

Zhao Yang laughed, "My girlfriend is so tall and so beautiful; she's too eye-catching.

"I'm afraid before we even arrive, we'll be targeted by Guo Mingkai's people."

"Really?" The corners of Jiang Nan's mouth curled up, and her eyes curved into crescents.

Zhao Yang held the steering wheel with both hands and chuckled:

"Your beauty is obvious to everyone. Why do I have to emphasize it again?"

Jiang Nan raised her hand and punched his shoulder, "You're so annoying, always so smooth-tongued."

Zhao Yang said brazenly, "Come, try and see if it's really smooth!"

Jiang Nan blocked him with her elbow:

"Better to take ten punches than one elbow. Do you want to try?"

Because of her shyness, Jiang Nan's face appeared exceptionally alluring at this moment.

Zhao Yang reluctantly withdrew his gaze and said seriously:

"I actually have an idea. Give me the photos, and I'll go with Gao Yan in disguise."

"Pretending to be a couple? No way, I have to go to protect you guys in secret!" Jiang Nan pouted.

"You actually want to monitor us. There's no need for that, right? I've already found the love of my life; how could I have thoughts about anyone else?"

After saying that, Zhao Yang's expression gradually changed from playful to sincere.

Jiang Nan moved a bit closer to him, "What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly."

Zhao Yang naturally knew what Jiang Nan wanted to hear, and meeting her gaze, he whispered:

"Jiang Nan, you are the love of my life."

His voice was low and magnetic, sexy and sincere.

That phrase "love of my life" was like a smooth pebble tossed into the lake of Jiang Nan's heart.

She felt a happiness that was almost dizzying and slowly closed her eyes.

The air in the car went still for a moment.

Zhao Yang slowly drew closer and left a touch of warmth on Jiang Nan's lips.

It was very light and very restrained.

In the brief moment they stayed, they could hear each other's suppressed breathing and intense heartbeats.

They quickly separated, the distance returning to inches.

Jiang Nan opened her eyes, the layer of watery light in the depths of her gaze clear as she looked deep into his eyes.

"Zhao Yang," her voice was very soft, yet every word was clear, "remember what you said today."

"Mhm, I will. But..."

Zhao Yang's gaze lingered on Jiang Nan's charming and bright face, reluctant to look away.

"But what?" Jiang Nan hadn't yet pulled herself out of that happy emotion.

Her voice was soft and gentle.

This gave Zhao Yang an impulse to pull her into his arms and kiss her once more.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he said slowly:

"Do me a favor. Find out who the current legal representative and general manager of Qicheng Group are, and what their relationship is with Guo Mingkai."

At the mention of work, Jiang Nan's eyes immediately became clear:

"Okay, I'll provide you with a report as soon as possible."

After dropping off Jiang Nan, Zhao Yang returned to the Century Sunshine Hotel to report his thoughts to Lu Zheng.

After listening to Zhao Yang's report, Lu Zheng's spirits were immediately lifted.

"This might actually be a breakthrough, but there's a difficulty at the moment." His finger lightly tapped the table, seemingly thinking of a countermeasure.

"Since Guo Mingkai has withdrawn from the state-owned enterprise, he is no longer a state cadre. It's a bit difficult for our discipline inspection and supervision to take action."

According to the current Regulations on Disciplinary Actions and Administrative Supervision Law, even if Guo Mingkai really has problems, it would be difficult to start from administrative supervision.

Lu Zheng's words reminded Zhao Yang of the conversation between Ji Hongwen and Mayor Tian Hao after Ji Hongwen's investigation of the Die-Casting Machine Factory that day.

Ji Hongwen's sentence, "Although Old Guo has withdrawn from the cadre ranks, the Municipal Government has hired him as an Economic Consultant...", had made a deep impression on him at the time.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yang picked up the phone.

"Jiang Nan, check for me again if Guo Mingkai is currently a Municipal Government Economic Consultant."

Before long, Jiang Nan's call came back.

"A month ago, Guo Mingkai was already a Municipal Government Economic Consultant."

Upon receiving this news, the usual smile returned to Lu Zheng's face.

"Now this is interesting. A Municipal Government Economic Consultant, while not a substantive post, is still a government-appointed person and can be included within the scope of supervision for specific matters.

"Moreover, this status happens to confirm that the bond between him and the power hierarchy has never truly been severed."

He stood up, walked to the window, and although his voice was very low, every word was clear:

"Zhao Yang, continue following this lead. Guo Mingkai isn't Xu Biao; he might play dirty with you."

Zhao Yang's heart skipped a beat. He was about to speak when he saw Lu Zheng turn around, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"Be extra careful when you go to Sun Dehai's house tomorrow."