76: Chapter 76 Severe Punishment! Strict Punishment! Swift Punishment!

Chen Zhi had scolded him until his throat was parched. He grabbed the large teacup on the table, took a deep gulp, and looked at him with a gaze of exasperated disappointment.

"Whether it's alerting the target, stirring up the grass to scare the snake, causing the trail to go cold, or even allowing the target to escape; or whether it's you exposing yourself and facing unpredictable danger—which of these consequences can you bear?! Do you have a brain just for show?! You reckless fool!"

Lin Ning was completely deflated, his head hanging low, his face flushed red, wishing he could crawl into a crack in the ground.

He mumbled, his voice dry: "I was wrong... I really know I was wrong. I just... got a bit carried away, wanting to get something more concrete for you so you wouldn't have to search for a needle in a haystack... I didn't do anything else. After I discovered Director Li Zheng, I called you immediately, really. I won't dare to do it again; I will never act without authorization in the future..."

Watching Lin Ning's cowardly yet sincere appearance, the anger in Chen Zhi's heart finally dissipated a little, though his residual fury remained. He pointed a finger vaguely at Lin Ning a few times, but ultimately swallowed the harsher words he wanted to say. After all, he wasn't one of his own subordinates, so scolding him too severely wasn't appropriate.

But in his heart, he was genuinely terrified.

A sentry! If Lin Ning's feeling was correct, then the other party was not only a high-level target but also one with extremely strong vigilance and organization. That Lin Ning managed to come back in one piece this time was simply pure dumb luck!

Without further ado, Chen Zhi quickly walked to his desk, picked up the internal secure phone, and began dialing continuously. His voice returned to its usual steady and decisive tone, but he spoke extremely fast, carrying an unquestionable force.

"...Yes, Wutong Garden, Building X, Unit X... Target is a foreign female, an employee of Collamela International Co., Ltd. Highly suspicious, suspected of having peripheral security. Associated person, Director Li Zheng, Director of the XXXX Department at the Ministry of Education... I don't care what time it is now, launch the emergency investigation procedure immediately! Raise the priority to the highest level!"

"...Basic education textbooks are the red line among red lines! This connection must be investigated clearly, all the way to the end! The principle is just six words: Severe! Strict! Swift! Use all investigative methods to the limit under the premise of compliance! I want to see a preliminary report as soon as possible!"

Following the series of orders issued, the small building and even the wider network seemed to be activated in an instant.

Although there was no conclusive evidence yet, the danger linked by these keywords—'sentry,' 'textbook official,' and 'secret late-night meeting with a suspicious foreign national'—was enough to mobilize the massive state apparatus to operate at maximum efficiency.

Putting down the phone, Chen Zhi rubbed his temples and looked at Lin Ning, who was still standing in the middle of the office like a student who had made a mistake. He said irritably: "You, go to the evidence room downstairs. Take the recorder you used for tracking these past few days, as well as the related photos and records on your phone—hand over what needs to be handed over, delete what needs to be deleted, and follow the rules. Then get to the lounge on the third floor and sleep. You are to stay here for the next two days; you are not allowed to go out."

Lin Ning was stunned and suddenly raised his head: "Huh? Why? Can't I go home?" He was still thinking about going to the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Economic Investigation Division tomorrow.

"Go home?" Chen Zhi sneered. "You tell me, that foreign woman's company has a sentry, how can you be sure her residence doesn't? How can you be one hundred percent certain that when you were tracking Director Li Zheng, you weren't detected by him or the people behind him? If there is any unforeseen circumstance, you going back now would be bringing danger home and exposing yourself to uncontrollable risk! This is a protective measure, do you understand?"

Lin Ning opened his mouth, wanting to say that he had Psychic Power perception and could confirm he wasn't being followed or watched, nor was there any malice directed at him. But such a mystical reason was impossible to explain to Chen Zhi. He could only guarantee dryly: "I really wasn't exposed. I was very careful..."

"Your 'careful' is a failing grade in my book!" Chen Zhi interrupted bluntly. "Do as I say. Or are you saying you want me to send two people to 'invite' you into the lounge?"

Lin Ning deflated, knowing there was no room for negotiation. But he still struggled hesitatingly: "Um... Brother Chen, I still have to go to the Municipal Bureau's Economic Investigation Division over the next two days to assist in the investigation of a financial fraud case. The amount is quite large... Can I go for that?"

Chen Zhi paused, slowly turned his head, and looked at Lin Ning with the expression one might use for a magical creature: "...Lin Ning, I've realized you're really something, aren't you? Your schedule is fuller than mine? You know to 'assist in the investigation' for the public security case, but when it comes to me, you dare to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself??"

Lin Ning put on a fawning smile, trying to ease the atmosphere: "How could that be! Isn't it that I prioritize your side first? I reported to you first before contacting them. I understand the nuances of closeness, distance, priority, and urgency, don't I?!"

"I thank you so much!" Chen Zhi was amused by him, raised his foot, and made a gesture to kick him. "Get lost! You can go to the Municipal Bureau, but I will arrange for someone to go with you. Now, immediately, right now, disappear from my sight!"

Lin Ning, as if granted amnesty, dodged the wind of Chen Zhi's kick, scurried out of the office in a flash, and even thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

The moment the door closed, he leaned against the corridor wall and let out a long sigh of relief.

That scolding was worth it! But the stone that had been hanging in his heart finally landed firmly on the ground.

He shook his head and walked toward the evidence room.

Behind him, the lights in Chen Zhi's office remained on.

This night, for many people in the Ministry of State Security, would once again be a sleepless one. An invisible yet tight and powerful net had already silently spread, slowly enveloping the target hidden in the night.

Having tossed and turned for most of the night, and with his mind completely relaxed, Lin Ning slept exceptionally soundly on the simple iron-frame bed in the lounge.

When he woke up, the sunlight shining through the gap in the curtains was bright and glaring. He reached for his phone and checked the time; it was already nearly ten in the morning.

He hurriedly got up to wash, splashed his face with cold water, and completely woke up.

He called Officer Li Feng, "You help me contact them; I should be able to reach the Municipal Bureau before noon. You know my requirements: low-key, low-key, and still low-key!"

"..." Officer Li Feng on the other end of the line was silent for a moment. "I've contacted Captain Liu from the Economic Investigation Division for you. I'll go over and accompany you in a while, okay?"

Officer Li Feng really felt that Lin Ning was quite magical. If you said he was unfathomable, he was as lazy as a leather sofa; if you said he had a strong presence and was too active, he was more cautious than anyone else.

Lin Ning chuckled, "You're a real brother. I'll grab a bite to eat and set off in a bit."

After hanging up, he thought about what to say when he got to the Municipal Bureau and drafted it in his mind. He opened the door and was stunned.

Standing straight at the door was a young man, very young, about twenty-something, with a buzz cut, wearing a simple jacket and casual trousers, his posture as upright as a young poplar tree.