410: Chapter 409 Qin Yi Joins the Special Operations Division!

Seeing the caller ID display "Ye Qingcheng," Qin Yi's heart skipped a beat, and for some reason, the scene of her forcibly kissing him that day flashed in his mind.

Qin Yi shook his head as if he could shake that memory away, then took a deep breath, deliberately lowered his voice to sound as if he had just woken up, and pressed the answer button.

"Captain Ye, you're up early," Qin Yi said with a yawn, his voice full of laziness.

On the other end of the line, Ye Qingcheng's heart finally settled when she heard Qin Yi's voice, and she let out a silent sigh of relief.

However, even though she was relieved that Qin Yi was safe, she feigned annoyance and complained, "Well then, Qin Yi, so your phone works after all? And you used the excuse that it was broken!"

Qin Yi leaned against the headboard, awkwardly scratched the tip of his nose, and explained with a sheepish grin, "The phone really was broken; how could I lie to you about that? Besides, didn't I show it to Jianan and Ziming? This phone was prepared for me by Si Yao's father after I got back to the hotel."

"Then didn't you think to call me back after getting a new phone? Do you have any idea? I didn't close my eyes once last night, waiting for your call all night! If I hadn't called you, were you just not going to call me at all?" Ye Qingcheng became more agitated as she spoke, and a hint of grievance crept into her voice.

Through the phone, Qin Yi thought she was truly angry and quickly explained, "Oh, how could I? It was too late yesterday. After coming out of Zhuilong Valley, I went to the Southwest Military Region first, then to the Military General Hospital. By the time I got back to the hotel and finished cleaning up, it was already two or three in the morning. I thought you were already asleep, so I didn't call. My mistake, my mistake."

Hearing Qin Yi's sincere apology, the corners of Ye Qingcheng's mouth curled up uncontrollably. She thought to herself: 'Hmph, as if I can't handle you?'

Immediately, her tone softened as she said, "Fine, since your attitude in admitting your mistake is decent, I'll forgive you this time."

But then, she changed the subject, and her voice instantly became serious again: "However, the commotion you guys caused this time was so big that I need to talk to you, as a key witness, to understand the situation there!"

"Sure, what do you want to know?" Qin Yi replied.

"There's a lot I want to know. What did you and Si Yao do while you were in Zhuilong Valley?"

"Wasn't Zhao Lintai dragged into the swamp by a giant python? Why isn't he dead? In fact, why did the wound on his shoulder heal so miraculously?"

"What's the deal with that giant python transforming into a flood dragon and Undergoing Tribulation?"

"And..."

As a string of questions was thrown at him, Qin Yi's head began to throb. He quickly interrupted, "Stop, stop, stop! I say, Captain Ye, are you sure you want to discuss these things over the phone?"

"I'd love to talk to you in person, but I can't. Word came from the capital regarding Zhao Lintai's case; it must be closed soon. I really can't get away. Otherwise, I would have rushed over to you first thing this morning," Ye Qingcheng said helplessly.

"Closing the case?" Hearing that Zhao Lintai's case was to be closed, Qin Yi's expression darkened. "How do you plan to close it?"

"Naturally, everyone involved in Zhao Lintai's case will be brought to justice and handled according to the law!"

"That's also why I was in a hurry to call you. You promised before—isn't it time to give me the ledgers for Zhao Lintai's two Underground Banks in Jingnan and Modu?"

"Also, don't worry. Not a single person involved in the scheme to steal your family's steel mill will escape; they will all be apprehended!"

"Then can I ask, what will be Zhao Lintai's ultimate fate?" Qin Yi asked with concern.

"According to Chen Mo's confession and the Security Bureau's investigation, Zhao Lintai had instructed his subordinates in Beijing, Jingnan, Modu, and other places to control underground casinos, bribe and corrupt the families of local officials with real power, and thereby control those officials to do his bidding. He even directed Chen Mo to commit multiple heinous crimes like murder and assault, as well as the illegal seizure of others' property. With multiple crimes combined, he will most likely face the death penalty! However,"

At this point, Ye Qingcheng paused. After a moment's hesitation, she continued, "However, his grandfather is Zhao Weiguo after all. Considering the Zhao family's connections, the higher-ups might grant a commuted sentence. But no matter how much it's reduced, Zhao Lintai will spend the rest of his life in prison."

"Heh, the children of the elite really are different," Qin Yi sneered. "A life for a life, a debt for a debt—when it comes to them, it all becomes a joke."

"Sigh," Ye Qingcheng sighed. She knew Qin Yi wasn't satisfied with this outcome, but she still consoled him, "Qin Yi, this is just my guess. Besides, given Zhao Weiguo's health, it's uncertain if he'll even live to see the day of the sentencing. If Zhao Weiguo really passes away this time, the Zhao family's good days will be over." She paused again before continuing, "And don't you think that for someone like Zhao Lintai, being locked in prison for a lifetime is more torturous than being executed immediately?!"

"What you say does make some sense." Having Zhao Lintai spend his remaining days in prison and watching the Zhao family decline step by step was indeed the best outcome.

Having understood this, Qin Yi stopped dwelling on it. "I'll take photos of the ledgers and send them to you in a bit. You can start investigating based on what I've recorded. Once I'm back in Modu, I'll hand the physical ledgers over to you. Or, I can give them to Jianan first."

"Jianan has already left for Beijing on the plane escorting Zhao Lintai."

"Uh, what about Ziming? Did he go back to the capital too?"

"Just before I called you, he also boarded a flight from Southwest International Airport to Beijing." At this point, Ye Qingcheng changed the subject. "How about this: I'll arrange for Yan Yan from the Southwest Branch to find you. You can just give the ledgers to him. Also, shouldn't you also hand over that handgun? Without the gun and the bullets, the chain of evidence is incomplete, and we can't close the cases for the Modu underground casino, Chen Mo, and Zhang Yu..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi instinctively raised an eyebrow and asked back, "How are you so certain that the handgun is with me?"

"Hehe, Qin Yi, if you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place," Ye Qingcheng chuckled. "I have an investigation report about you in my hands. On the day of Scarface's arrest, the Modu Public Security Bureau tracked your rolls-royce cullinan to a location thirty kilometers away from the scene. Although there was no surveillance along the route where Scarface and Chen Mo were caught, the tire tracks at the scene prove that your rolls-royce cullinan was there. Even though I don't know why you weren't the one driving, you're still a major suspect."

"Modu Public Security Bureau? Was it Shen Jianan's father who investigated me?" Qin Yi frowned, thinking to himself.

"Correct. Uncle Shen wanted to send someone to investigate you, but I stopped him," Ye Qingcheng explained.

"Then if I really did take the gun and bullets, what do you plan to do? Arrest me yourself?" Qin Yi asked half-jokingly.

"Haha, why? Are you scared?" Ye Qingcheng countered.

"How could I be? I'm a good citizen who assists the Security Bureau in rooting out evil; why would I be afraid?" Qin Yi replied with a laugh.

"Alright, stop beating around the bush with me. When Yan Yan arrives, give him the ledgers, the gun, and the ammunition. As for how the case file is written, I'll handle it; I won't get you involved," Ye Qingcheng said straightforwardly.

"Hahaha, alright. Since you've put it that way, I can't say much else." Qin Yi changed the subject. "However, there's something I need you to do for me."

"Let's hear it!"

"The trending news about the Si and Zhao families' engagement using me as a shield—I hope you can help me suppress it. I don't want to become a public figure when I return to Modu!"

"Oh? Isn't it good to be the son-in-law of the Southwest Si Family? Do you know how many people are fighting to be Si Hongjun's son-in-law?" Ye Qingcheng teased. "The Si Family was so proactive in breaking the news this time, and you saved Si Yao. As long as you give the nod, wouldn't the position of the Si Family's son-in-law be yours for the taking?"

"Forget it! Being a live-in son-in-law of a wealthy family doesn't suit me!" Qin Yi interrupted decisively.

"Fine! I'll handle the public opinion for you."

"That's great then."

"Now that I've helped you, shouldn't you return the favor?" Ye Qingcheng said with a smile as she changed the subject.

Qin Yi smiled helplessly. "I knew a favor from you, Captain Ye, wouldn't be easy to owe. Go on, what's the request?"

"It's about joining the Security Bureau, which I mentioned to you before. Didn't you say you'd wait until Zhao Lintai's case was over? Now that it's about to be closed, would you consider it again?"

"Just yesterday, the Special Operations Department was officially established. The Five Great Ancient Martial Arts Families of Dragon Country—the Southwest Si Family, the Taiji Chen Family, the Shen Family of Guandong, the Longxi Li Family, and the Liu Family of Qingcheng—have all sent outstanding disciples from their respective clans to join. If you join, I can exceptionally promote you to Vice Director. What do you think? Consider it?"

"Why is it still a deputy position?" Qin Yi deliberately argued. "Don't tell me that with my abilities, I can't be the Director?"

"Haha, you've got quite the ambition, kid." Ye Qingcheng said bluntly, "If you're willing, it's not impossible. How about this: you be the Director, I'll be the Vice Director, and I'll work under you!"

"Oh, Captain Ye has been promoted? This promotion speed is like a rocket. From now on, I'll have to call Captain Ye 'Director Ye.'" Qin Yi joked.

"So, are you joining or not?"

Just as Qin Yi was about to refuse, the System's notification sound suddenly rang in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Ding! Random task triggered—Whether to join the Special Action Department of the Security Bureau of Dragon Country!]

[Option 1: Refuse to join. Reward: Randomly deduct 10 points from six-dimensional attributes, and the 'Bad Luck' effect will persist for 7*24 hours!]

[Option 2: Agree to join. Reward: Intermediate Consumption Experience Exchange Critical Hit Card *1, Lottery Chance +1!]

"Holy crap, System, you're clearly not giving me a choice!" Qin Yi silently complained to the System.

[Ding! 10-second countdown begins. Please make a choice immediately, host. If time runs out, the first option will be selected by default! 10... 8...]

"Fine, fine, fine, I'm scared of you. System, I choose Option 2. I agree to join the Special Operations Department!" Qin Yi helplessly compromised with the System.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host. Task completed. Received System rewards: Intermediate Consumption Experience Exchange Critical Hit Card *1, Lottery Chance +1!]

"Is it that hard to choose? Qin Yi, are you joining or not? Give me a straight answer; don't be so indecisive like a woman," Ye Qingcheng urged on the other end of the phone.

"Joining the Security Bureau to serve the country is fine. However, I want to discuss something with you..."

"Go ahead. As long as it's not an especially outrageous request, I can agree!"

"Well, it's like this. As you know, I still have a year until I graduate. Besides, the two companies under my name have just been established and aren't on the right track yet. When I get back to Modu, I'll have to focus on the companies' affairs. How about this? I can be an external member of your Special Operations Department. If there's a mission that needs me, I can help, but I won't participate in regular training or anything like that. If you agree, I'll join. If not..."

However, before Qin Yi could finish, Ye Qingcheng immediately replied, "Deal!"

Qin Yi was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Ye Qingcheng to agree so readily.

"Uh, you agreed just like that? Won't you consider it more? Or report it to your superiors?"

"What's there to consider? With your abilities, even as an external member, you'd be a huge help to our Special Operations Department!" Ye Qingcheng explained with a smile. "What's more, I have the final say on all personnel appointments in the Special Operations Department! At most, I'll create a custom position for you—let's call it 'Special Consultant'! What do you think?"

"Haha, that works. As long as I don't have to clock in and train every day like a regular job, anything is fine."

"Then it's settled! I'll send you the appointment letter later. Although you don't have to stay with the team for training like the others, if there's a mission that requires your presence, you'll still need to cooperate. Of course, you'll also get the benefits and treatment you deserve; don't worry about that. I'll send you the details along with the appointment letter in a bit."

"Great! Since I've joined the Special Operations Department, does that mean I don't have to hand over the gun and bullets?" Qin Yi asked, holding out a sliver of hope.

"In your dreams; those are pieces of evidence! They must be handed over. However, once you're back in Modu, I can issue one for you from the department. It'll definitely be better than that Type 54!"

"Hehe, alright then," Qin Yi replied helplessly, knowing he couldn't bargain on this matter.

"Also, let me remind you. You've repeatedly defeated the people from Hongmen; they won't let you off. You've seen White Ruoxue's strength this time; the people Hongmen sends next time will only be stronger!"

"Don't worry!" A sharp look appeared in Qin Yi's eyes. "If Hongmen dares to move against me again, I won't let them off either!"

"Fine. In that case, I won't say more. Just be careful." Ye Qingcheng stopped talking and instead asked for Qin Yi's location. "Where are you now? I'll contact Yan Yan to head over to you now."

"The Southwest International Hotel. When he arrives, have him call me."

"Okay! See you in Modu. When the time comes, you have to tell me all about what happened in Zhuilong Valley. No hiding anything, you hear me?!"

"Deal! It's a promise!"

The call ended, and Qin Yi was now completely wide awake. He rolled out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.

...