55: Selection

"The specific plan was for Zhao Zhongkai and a Waiter named Zhang to lure you to the sixth floor by 'accidentally' spilling wine on your clothes. The moment the elevator doors opened, a bodyguard named Zhang, who was waiting there, would spray you with an inhalation anesthetic. Once you collapsed, he and the Waiter would carry you to the crime scene. They planned to first collect what was needed for IVF and then administer a hallucinogen to induce you into having relations with Miss Zhao Zijing. Then, Zhao Mingting would use the excuse of inviting people to the sixth floor to see his new antique to bring witnesses upstairs, where they would 'accidentally' discover you and Miss Zhao Zijing together."

Although Officer Liu still wanted to observe their little interactions, he was a serious police officer of the people, so he could only suppress his gossiping heart and finish explaining the current progress in one breath.

"We still need to verify the specific details, so they cannot be disclosed for the time being. As for these suspects, we will continue to detain them until their families apply for bail or until it is time to go to court."

This meant that these people basically wouldn't be getting out.

Truly a cause for celebration.

In these wealthy family struggles, why must it always be a cycle of winning one round and losing the next, with those unkillable cockroaches constantly causing trouble? Wouldn't it be better to just finish them off in one go and send them straight to prison? We are all law-abiding citizens of the new era; we must learn to use the weapon of the law!

Yan Zhuohua was very satisfied with the current progress. It was truly worth the time he spent reading the Criminal Law every day, even when he was busy with other matters.

Just as they were continuing to discuss the possible outcomes of the case, there was a knock on the door.

The officer who entered nodded to Officer Liu, who then said to Yan Qinghe, "Mr. Yan, there are still some minor details from that time that need your confirmation. Please go with this officer."

Yan Qinghe stood up cooperatively and looked at Yan Zhuohua.

"Go ahead, I'll wait for you here," Yan Zhuohua said to him with a smile.

Yan Qinghe left with the officer, leaving only Yan Zhuohua and Officer Liu in the room.

"We have some leads on the matter Mr. Yan asked us to investigate. Regarding the case itself, we found all the surrounding surveillance from that time, as well as the police officer who was in charge of that case. However, too much time has passed; the surveillance data is severely damaged, and someone deliberately erased evidence."

Officer Liu stood up and refilled Yan Zhuohua's empty water glass. "Those two bodyguards have also been interrogated, and they've spilled quite a bit. Based on their testimony, we have already applied for an investigation warrant for the Zhao family's bodyguard team, and I expect results soon. It's just that arranging the investigation for each of these items will also take a lot of time. Also, we interrogated Zhao Mingting, and he refuses to admit to anything."

Yan Zhuohua's fingertips tapped on the armrest of the chair, and he curled his lips into a smile.

"Of course he won't admit it." He paused and then continued, "But there's no rush. A breach has already been opened in the Zhao family; the truth will come to light sooner or later. I don't mind waiting a few more days."

"Does Mr. Yan have any more suggestions for us?" Officer Liu asked tentatively.

"No more suggestions. I believe in your capabilities, Officer Liu." Yan Zhuohua picked up the water glass and took another sip.

Yan Qinghe returned after a short while.

"Officer Liu, is there anything else you need my cooperation with?" Yan Qinghe asked as soon as he entered.

Yan Zhuohua and he exchanged a look.

"Big Brother just called and told us to head back early," Yan Qinghe explained.

"Oh, we're done here for now. You two are free to leave at any time," Officer Liu said. "Just remember to keep your lines of communication open. We will contact you by phone if anything comes up."

The two of them bid farewell to Officer Liu, left the police station, and got into the car.

"Did Big Brother say anything?" Yan Zhuohua asked.

"He said he has to preside over a temporary military exercise tomorrow and won't be able to look after us. So, he wants us to go home tonight, and after dinner, we'll go directly to the Military Camp with him."

"It's not like it's a special occasion. Why hold a military exercise out of the blue?"

"Big Brother didn't go into detail. He said he'd explain when we get back," Yan Qinghe replied.

Some things were indeed inconvenient to discuss over the phone, so Yan Zhuohua didn't ask further.

They rushed home, hurriedly finished dinner, and packed their things. Without even a moment to rest, they were ushered into the car to the Military Camp by Yan Zhuoyang. Their second brother, Yan Zhuoyan, was also with them.

"Time is tight, so I'll explain in the car," Yan Zhuoyang said while driving.

"The test pilots for the new weapon have been confirmed as Zhuohua and Fu Yifeng. The timeframe is roughly next spring. If there are no issues after the test flight, our weapon production project will officially launch. It's estimated to take about five months from the production line to final assembly and delivery. Time is very tight, so we need to select a group of outstanding talents in advance to serve as an assembly pilot unit. Once the weapons are in place, they can quickly begin training and form a combat force. This military exercise is the beginning of that selection."

That explained it. The requirements for the pilots of these mecha weapons were extremely high in all aspects, making the selection process very tedious. Furthermore, after being selected, they would need targeted training and related knowledge study, which would also require a significant amount of time.

"I'll be heading out right after I drop you off. You'll follow Zhuoyan then."

These words were directed at Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe. Yan Zhuoyan was also involved in the research and development of this weapon, so going to the Research Institute in the Military Camp was like going home for him.

Yan Zhuoyan, in the passenger seat, was very smug. He turned back to the two in the rear and said, "That's right. So, for the next two days, you're both under my command. Why don't you try to get on my good side?"

Unfortunately, he only received two cold faces in response.

Just as Yan Zhuoyan was about to scold these two youngsters for not respecting their older brother, Yan Zhuoyang reached out a hand from the front and smacked his head back.

"Stop being so cheeky," Yan Zhuoyang scolded him, then said to Yan Zhuohua, "You haven't trained in a long time, have you? Since you'll be at the Military Camp tomorrow and the day after, I want you to properly test your current strength and give me a report."

Yan Zhuohua hadn't expected this and was full of reluctance.

"Why didn't Big Brother say so earlier? I've been working all week and I'm exhausted. I'm not prepared at all."

"Exhausted?" Yan Zhuoyang's tone was playful. "The kind of exhausted from taking leave every day?"

"..."

How did Big Brother find out about that? This was truly embarrassing.

Amidst Yan Zhuoyan's unrestrained laughter from the front, Yan Zhuohua covered his face in agony and kicked Yan Qinghe for good measure. Yan Qinghe, knowing he was in the wrong, didn't dare to say a word.

The car drove for a full two hours before reaching their destination.

The Research Institute was built deep within the military district and was heavily guarded. They passed through five or six checkpoints along the way.

After undergoing a security check in the lobby at the entrance, the three of them finally officially entered the interior of the Research Institute. Yan Zhuoyang left immediately after dropping them off, and now the two poor souls could only follow behind their mischievous second brother.