323: Chapter 323 Zhang Yu's Location Exposed, Qin Yi Steps In to Assist Again (Part 1)

Just as Qin Yi and the others were drinking and laughing, the interrogation of Huang Hansheng began simultaneously in the interrogation room of the Security Bureau Modu Branch.

Inside the interrogation room, Director Li and the male officer sat opposite Huang Hansheng. Ye Qingcheng stood before the one-way glass next to the interrogation room, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed coldly on Director Li.

The interrogation officially began. As the lead interrogator, Director Li routinely threw out a few trivial questions to Huang Hansheng, acting as a prelude to the interrogation.

Only then did he steer the conversation to the main topic.

"Comrade Huang Hansheng," Director Li finally shifted his tone, pointing directly to the core of the matter, "please explain why these top-secret documents, which should have been strictly locked within the Security Bureau System, appeared in your home?" As he spoke, he glanced inadvertently at the busy male officer beside him. The latter immediately understood, stood up quickly, and placed the heavy stack of documents on the table gently in front of Huang Hansheng.

Huang Hansheng was slightly taken aback, then immediately lifted his head to flip through a few pages of the documents. His brows were tightly locked, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Then, Huang Hansheng took a deep breath and spoke slowly: "Director Li, please listen to my explanation. These documents were indeed printed by me from our bureau's internal System. You also know that at my age, my eyesight is not what it used to be. Staring at the dense text on the computer screen is really strenuous. So, sometimes for convenience, I print the files I need and take them home to read. I am clear that doing this violates the organization's security and confidentiality regulations, but I assure you that apart from me, absolutely no second person has seen these documents!"

Hearing Huang Hansheng's answer, Director Li nodded secretly to himself, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, but he immediately resumed a serious expression and continued to press, "Can anyone prove what you just said?"

"Yes!" Huang Hansheng nodded vigorously, as if grasping at a life-saving straw. "I had the office director help me print all these documents. You know my level of computer skills; I have no idea how to operate printing tasks, so I had to trouble the office director. Think about it, if I really intended to steal these materials, why would I let anyone else know?"

"We will verify this with the office director later." Director Li said, then picked up a bank card from the folder in front of him and looked at Huang Hansheng, asking, "Comrade Huang Hansheng, do you recognize this bank card?"

"Hmm. I recognize it." Huang Hansheng's eyes swept over the bank card, and he nodded, his expression quite natural. "This bank card is used for transferring money to my son. My son previously studied abroad in Australia, where expenses are high. To make it convenient to transfer his tuition and living expenses, I opened this bank card."

Director Li's mouth curled into a faint smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "I have heard that the cost of studying in Australia is not low. Comrade Huang Hansheng, I remember your wife has been unemployed for a long time and stays at home. Relying solely on your salary, can you afford the cost of this study abroad?"

"Sigh, tell me about it. Consumption in Australia is indeed high." Huang Hansheng nodded helplessly and explained, "To be honest, Director Li, my wife retired early from her unit for the sake of my son's studies. We had hoped to let him take the college entrance examination in the country, but that kid's scores—let alone regular undergraduate, even the Junior college cutoff line was a struggle."

Huang Hansheng shook his head helplessly as he spoke. After a pause, he continued, "So, when my son was in his third year of high school, my wife discussed with me whether to send our son abroad for studies. To tell you the truth, the cost of studying abroad is indeed not a small amount. However, going to Australia, the cost is considered medium. My wife and I have saved some money over these years of work, so covering my son's four years of tuition was not a problem. Plus, my son is quite sensible; he worked part-time abroad to supplement some of his living expenses. Also, the school had scholarships, so we managed to scrape by and fund those four years of study abroad."

After explaining the matter of the bank card, Huang Hansheng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but then, as if afraid Director Li wouldn't believe him, he added, "Director Li, every word I said is true. The bank card's transaction records surely wouldn't lie, right? If you don't believe me, you are welcome to investigate."

Director Li heard this, nodded slightly, and his tone carried a hint of reassurance: "Rest assured, Comrade Huang Hansheng. We have already arranged for personnel to contact the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. I believe there will be results soon."

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly became sharp, and he continued to press, "Since these two matters have been clarified, let's talk about last night. Why did you disregard Captain Ye's orders last night and go to the underground Safe House?"

Huang Hansheng looked helpless, his brows locked, corners of his mouth turned down, his face full of misery as he spread his hands and replied, "Director Li, I won't hide it from you. It was my shift last night, and I thought there was nothing special going on. My wife at home kept nagging me to go back early to keep her company, so I didn't go to the bureau to sit my shift. Who would have thought that Captain Ye would mobilize so many people to carry out a mission last night? I was so panicked, worried that you would discover I had left my post. If the hat of dereliction of duty were placed on me, I wouldn't be able to bear it, so I thought I'd go to understand the situation and see if I could find a chance to make up for it..." As he spoke, he rubbed his hands unconsciously, his eyes full of trepidation.

Director Li nodded slightly, his eyes filled with scrutiny, his mouth curling slightly as he replied, "To be honest, your explanation is a bit far-fetched. However, considering we have worked together for many years, I will tentatively accept that your stated motive holds water. Then, after you rushed to the underground Safe House and saw the suspect, what did you say? What did you do?" He crossed his arms over his chest, leaned his body slightly forward, and stared intently at Huang Hansheng.

"I didn't say anything much, just asked her what her name was, where she was from, and why she had been locked in the solitary confinement room by Captain Ye... They were all simple questions." Huang Hansheng's eyes flickered, not daring to meet Director Li's gaze, his voice sounding a bit weak when he spoke. "To be honest, I didn't want to ask either. But I had no choice; I had to know what this operation tonight was all about, otherwise I wouldn't feel secure..." As he spoke, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand.

"How did the suspect respond?" Director Li pressed, a glint of sharpness in his eyes.

Huang Hansheng shook his head and said, "She didn't say anything. I don't even know her name. From the time I saw her until Captain Ye returned, the suspect only asked one question."

"What question?"

"She asked why the person interrogating her wasn't Captain Ye."

"Then, how was the suspect's emotional state?"

Huang Hansheng frowned and recalled for a moment, then said, "Not very good. Her mood seemed a bit low, and she was a bit disappointed. She was like a wilted eggplant, completely dispirited..."

"And then?"

"Then... seeing that I couldn't get any results, I prepared to leave. However, the guards guarding the Safe House wouldn't let me leave. They said they had received orders from Captain Ye that before she returned, no one was allowed to leave the Safe House. I had no choice but to keep waiting for Captain Ye at the Safe House." Huang Hansheng looked helpless, spread his hands, and made a very seasoned gesture, as if saying, "What can I do? I'm also very desperate."

"During this time, did you have any further contact with the suspect?" Director Li's gaze locked tightly onto Huang Hansheng.

Huang Hansheng shook his head hurriedly, "No. I just stayed in the lobby of the Safe House waiting for Captain Ye. I didn't even dare to go to the restroom, afraid of causing any trouble."

"Do you have evidence for all of this?"

"Yes, there is surveillance everywhere in the Safe House. Director Li, if you don't believe me, you can ask Captain Ye for the footage. Moreover, the guards in the Safe House can also testify." Huang Hansheng patted his chest in assurance.

"Good. I will have someone verify everything you've said one by one. The last question: after Captain Ye returned, what did she do?"

"Uh... let me think..." Huang Hansheng said, pausing for a moment, frowning as he recalled: "I remember that after Captain Ye returned, she first exchanged some pleasantries with me. That smile was as fake as a plastic flower, and then she went to the solitary confinement room to see the suspect." As he spoke, he pouted, and the dissatisfaction in his eyes was not concealed at all.

"How long did Captain Ye stay in the solitary confinement room where the suspect was held? What did they talk about?"

"I'm not clear on that. I was in the lobby the whole time and couldn't hear the content inside the solitary confinement room. However, there should be surveillance in the solitary confinement room, right? There should be recordings? You can check the surveillance; you should be able to find out."

"Then after Captain Ye came out of the solitary confinement room, whether the suspect was dead or alive, you were actually not clear, right?"

"This..." Huang Hansheng feigned a look of difficulty, looking toward the one-way glass with eyes full of worry, appearing as if he had more to say but was holding back.

Li Bing also glanced at Ye Qingcheng standing behind the one-way mirror, the provocation in his eyes vanishing in an instant. He immediately turned his gaze back to Huang Hansheng's face and said in a deep voice, "Comrade Huang Hansheng, answer the question immediately! After Captain Ye came out of the confinement room, was the suspect still alive?"

Huang Hansheng's expression tightened, and he responded immediately with certainty, "She should still be alive. Although I didn't hear the suspect speak, the moment the door to the confinement room opened, I still saw the suspect through the gap."

Li Bing paused the questioning and whispered a few words to the male officer beside him. The male officer nodded while listening, occasionally taking notes in his notebook. Then, Li Bing stood up and said to Huang Hansheng, "Comrade Huang Hansheng, I have basically understood your issue. Later, when the transcript is printed out, take a look, and once you confirm there are no problems, sign your name. I will excuse myself for now." As he spoke, Li Bing stood up from the chair and straightened his collar.

Huang Hansheng also stood up, looking nervous, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He pressed, "Director Li, I have confessed everything. I really never intended to kill the suspect. I just didn't want to be saddled with a charge of dereliction of duty. We have been colleagues for so many years; you know my character. You have to believe me!" His voice carried a hint of pleading.

"Alright, since the mistake has been made, the necessary punishment must be carried out. As long as your conscience is clear, no one can throw mud at you!" After saying this, Li Bing turned and left the interrogation room.

However, the moment the door closed, the corners of Li Bing's mouth curled up, and a barely perceptible cold sneer appeared on his face.

Soon, Li Bing arrived in the room next door, looked at Ye Qingcheng with a smile, and asked tentatively, "Captain Ye, what do you think of the situation Comrade Huang Hansheng described?"

"Hmph," Ye Qingcheng snorted coldly in disdain, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly with a hint of mockery, and then continued, "That is quite a clever scheme. Dereliction of duty?! Director Li, do you believe his nonsense?" As Ye Qingcheng spoke, the suspicion in her eyes was undisguised.

Li Bing had long anticipated Ye Qingcheng's attitude. He shrugged, wore a noncommittal expression on his face, spread his hands, and said, "I said as much when I was in the interrogation room just now; Comrade Huang Hansheng's excuse is indeed a bit far-fetched. However, the situation described by Comrade Huang Hansheng basically matches the conclusions we investigated this morning." As he spoke, Li Bing handed the folder in his hand to Ye Qingcheng, a hint of smugness appearing in his eyes.

Ye Qingcheng took the file, her brows furrowed, and she quickly flipped through it.

A moment later, she raised her head, stared at Li Bing, a cold sneer flashing in her eyes, and said pointedly, "Director Li is truly a Senior of the Security Bureau. The efficiency in investigating cases is indeed high. To be able to investigate Comrade Huang Hansheng's issue so clearly in just one morning. This Junior truly admires it greatly."

"Heh heh, Captain Ye, you flatter me." Li Bing naturally heard the sarcasm in Ye Qingcheng's words. However, things had reached this point, and he didn't care anymore.

Li Bing waved his hand with a smile and said modestly, "After all, the suspect is our own comrade, so everyone is very attentive. Otherwise, we wouldn't have reached a conclusion so quickly. Now, since the situation has been clarified, Captain Ye, how do you think Comrade Huang Hansheng should be handled?"

Ye Qingcheng crossed her arms, a hint of disdain appearing in her eyes, and said, "How to handle it? Director Li, you shouldn't be asking me, should you? I was only seconded to the Security Bureau to be in charge of the Special Operations Department. As for Comrade Huang Hansheng, he is a member of your Modu Branch; you should know better than me how to handle it."

"Eh~ Captain Ye, you're being too much of a stranger by saying that." Li Bing took a step forward, his face full of smiles, trying to ease the atmosphere, "Since we are both in the Security Bureau, we are naturally on the same side. Comrade Huang Hansheng's issue must be handled. Dereliction of duty must be punished! How about this: let's give Comrade Huang Hansheng an internal organizational warning? After all, Comrade Huang Hansheng is almost at retirement age; if the punishment is too severe, it will inevitably affect his future retirement benefits. Captain Ye, what do you think?"

Ye Qingcheng sneered, her eyes full of dissatisfaction, and said, "I have no opinion on this matter. However, I will report the situation of today's interrogation of Huang Hansheng, as well as the efficiency of the Modu Branch, truthfully to the General Bureau. I believe that after Director Xu learns of the situation, he will definitely highly commend the Modu Branch's efficiency in handling the case!" After finishing, she threw the file onto the table, a trace of anger in her eyes, bypassed Li Bing, and walked out.

Li Bing was not annoyed; his face still wore a smile. He picked up the file from the table, went into the hallway, and asked Ye Qingcheng, who was already walking away, as if in provocation, "Captain Ye, the chain of evidence is not yet complete. Is it convenient to send a copy of the video footage of Deputy Director Huang in the Safe House to our Modu Branch?"

Ye Qingcheng did not stop her pace and responded without looking back, "Go apply to Director Xu yourself!"

The officers passing through the office building, seeing the state of the two, could not help but whisper to each other, some even casting curious glances on the sly.

Li Bing watched Ye Qingcheng's figure disappear from his field of vision, let out a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a touch of depth. Then he returned to the interrogation room.

In the interrogation room, the male officer happened to have finished organizing the transcript and stood up to leave. Seeing Li Bing walk back in, he immediately stood straight and reported, "Director Li, the transcript has been signed, please take a look."

Li Bing took the folder and nodded, "Good, thank you for your hard work. I will say a few more words to Deputy Director Huang; you go ahead and get busy."

"Very well, Director." After saying this, the male officer saluted and left the interrogation room.

Li Bing placed the two folders on the interrogation table, then unhurriedly turned off the surveillance equipment, before slowly speaking, "Old Huang, the matter has been clarified. The suspect's death has nothing to do with you. However, given that you were not at your post on the night of your shift, the organization has decided to give you an internal organizational warning. I hope you will take this as a lesson and not let similar situations happen again in the future, understand?!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Hansheng's face immediately showed a look of joy, his eyes revealing the relief of surviving a disaster, and he confirmed with an excited tone, "Director Li, is what you said true? Ye Qing... oh no, what did Captain Ye say?" As Huang Hansheng spoke, he also vigilantly glanced at the one-way mirror, his body leaning forward slightly.

"Rest assured. Captain Ye has already left. However, don't be too happy." Li Bing patted Huang Hansheng's shoulder, a hint of deep meaning in his eyes, "I can see from Captain Ye's attitude that she still has doubts about the results of this interrogation. I believe she will report this matter to the General Bureau. Therefore, for this period, you should suspend yourself and reflect. Once the General Bureau has clear instructions, you can return to work."

Huang Hansheng sighed helplessly, nodded, leaned back slightly, resting against the back of the chair, and responded, "Director Li, to be honest, I am also a bit tired. I originally planned to submit an application to the bureau for early retirement after finishing this matter. I didn't expect it to end up like this..."

"Alright. The matter has already happened, so don't think about it anymore. Fortunately, there is still room for redemption." Li Bing comforted him, and then confirmed with some unease, "However, it is highly likely that you won't be able to see the surveillance footage from the Safe House. Let me ask you one more time: are you sure Zhang Min is dead, right?"

"I am sure!" Huang Hansheng sat up straight and said with a firm look, "Although I didn't see Zhang Min's last moment, however," as he spoke, he leaned closer to Li Bing and whispered in his ear, "She inhaled the aerosol agent I prepared; there is absolutely no possibility of her surviving."

"That's good. Since that's the case, I will give that person a reply." After saying this, Li Bing turned and prepared to walk out of the interrogation room.

Huang Hansheng said anxiously from behind him, "Director Li, what about me? Can I leave now?"

"Of course. Since the situation is clear, you can naturally leave. However, do not leave Modu in the near future. Whether you are suspended for reflection or applying for early retirement, wait for the processing results from the General Bureau." Li Bing turned his head and said.

"Mm, I understand, thank you, Director Li." Huang Hansheng said gratefully and stood up.

"Alright, we are all comrades. Let's go together; I will see you out." As he spoke, Li Bing opened the door to the interrogation room and raised his hand to signal that Huang Hansheng could leave.

Subsequently, accompanied by Li Bing, Huang Hansheng walked out of the office building together.