44: Billions of dollars in capital dinner

“Captain Shen, did you remind the Pudong Public Security Bureau to implement prevention and control measures in its jurisdiction?”

Gao Ze was confident about arresting Zheng Yiren; he could apprehend him at Sun Chaohui’s dinner party this afternoon.

However, he was still thinking about the massacre that would happen in Huangpu District.

“Of course, I did. A few of my friends at the Pudong Public Security Bureau are preparing to implement prevention and control measures in the jurisdiction and launch safety education,” Shen Gang said, raising his head, his eyes revealing confusion as he asked strangely,

“Brother Gao, why are you always thinking about the Pudong Public Security Bureau? Is something going to happen?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Gao Ze realized he couldn't say any more, or he would be suspected.

“Even if something happens, Brother Gao, you don’t need to worry. Huangpu District is much more prosperous and wealthy than our Pudong District. It receives so much fiscal revenue each year that its hands go soft, and it frequently carries out prevention work and safety education.”

Shen Gang patted Gao Ze’s shoulder and grinned, “You might as well look forward to the commendation meeting the Municipal Bureau will hold for you tomorrow.”

“Originally, you solved three cases in one day, earning a lot of merit, and even your rank was going to be promoted.

These past two days, you also solved Sun Haizhu’s dismemberment murder case, and you might solve Zheng Yiren’s old cold case today.

Your actions are so significant that this commendation meeting will certainly be of a high standard. The Director and leaders from the Municipal Bureau will definitely attend, and perhaps some leaders will take notice and value you.”

A hint of envy flashed in Shen Gang’s eyes. He naturally didn’t care about ordinary honors and rewards, but personal merits, as well as the attention and cultivation from Municipal Bureau leaders, were something even he found hard to come by.

If this momentum continued, Gao Ze’s rank might surpass his own within one or two years.

“For the Zheng Yiren case, I still need Captain Shen’s cooperation.”

Gao Ze smiled slightly, looking forward to tomorrow’s commendation meeting.

Who in the officialdom doesn’t like personal merits, Police rank, and level promotions?

Putting everything else aside, once he received personal merits and his rank increased, just by showing his ID, he could deter many petty criminals.

Little devils like Director Xu and Zheng Yiren would no longer dare to harass the people around him.

Moreover, these were the fruits of his hard work and effort, and tomorrow would feel like a bountiful harvest, which was indeed refreshing.

“Captain Shen, let’s start weaving the ‘lure the tiger out of the mountains’ scheme now. Whether Zheng Yiren takes the bait depends on the effort we put in this afternoon.”

Shen Gang nodded and said, “Alright, I won’t disappoint you.

I’ll go find Mu Yu Rou’s parents. You stay at the bureau. I think you won’t guess wrong; someone will definitely contact you again during this time to persuade you.”

Watching Shen Gang’s receding figure, Gao Ze left for the Criminal Police Center, heading to the Traffic Police Brigade.

The two of them divided the work and each had tasks to complete, but with Mu Yu Rou’s phone already found, Zheng Yiren was already halfway into the trap.

However.

Gao Ze couldn't guarantee.

Whether the data on Mu Yu Rou’s phone’s motherboard was damaged after two years of being submerged in the lake?

Therefore, this scheme of baiting Zheng Yiren was a double guarantee. If the phone data was corrupted and the recording of the assault process that Mu Yu Rou made back then couldn't be found.

Then the ‘lure the tiger out of the mountains’ scheme would be enough to send Zheng Yiren to prison.

.......

As the afternoon progressed.

Minute by minute passed.

As Gao Ze expected, the time was far from peaceful. People continuously came, overtly or covertly, to persuade him to abandon the investigation into Mu Yu Rou’s Case.

Some used veiled threats over the phone.

Some appeared in person to entice and win him over.

Some, with good relations, appealed to his emotions and tried to probe for clues about the Mu Yu Rou Case investigation.

And some used the greater good of the Police to pressure him, subtly urging him to desist.

Among these people were those from the Traffic Police Brigade, the Criminal Police Brigade, the Pudong Public Security Bureau, and other departments.

Gao Ze dealt with them one by one, following the plan he had discussed with Shen Gang, and left the Police station as soon as 5:30 PM arrived.

Sun Chaohui had sent him an invitation and the banquet address via text message. It was a dinner held at the famous five-star hotel, The Ascott, in Donghai City.

Upon entering the hotel, what greeted his eyes was a high-ceilinged, spacious reception hall, resplendent with gold and jade. Twelve golden stone pillars were carved with dragons and phoenixes, and bamboo and patches of green plants dotted the space, making the air fresh, exuding luxury with elegance.

A black and white Steinway piano gracefully played by the edge of a fountain, adding a dynamic touch.

Inside the hall, forty to fifty guests filled the space. Whether tall, short, fat, or thin young men, or middle-aged men, all were dressed in suits and ties. The women wore luxurious strapless evening gowns, their demeanor appearing dignified and noble.

Gao Ze could tell that the thank-you banquet hosted by Sun Chaohui was of a high standard. Those who could attend the thank-you banquet must have been extraordinary business elites or magnates.

If there was someone skilled at socializing, they could certainly collect many business cards and build a high-level network of connections.

However, Gao Ze’s ambition was not here.

After entering the banquet, he found a table in a corner and sat down.

Sun Chaohui didn't look for him, busy toasting with several middle-aged men of similar age. However, Sun Shuai saw him, walked over, and toasted him, expressing gratitude.

“Young Master Sun, why don’t you join us in the middle of the banquet instead of coming to this corner?”

After the toast, Sun Shuai was chatting with Gao Ze when two young men with mischievous smiles surrounded Sun Shuai, accompanied by three beautiful female companions.

“Who is this person you’re toasting? I’ve never seen him before. Could he be more important than us?”

As the young man with dyed blonde hair spoke playfully, everyone’s gaze fell on Gao Ze, even the surrounding ladies looked over, curious to watch the commotion.

It was obvious that the blonde young man wanted to embarrass Gao Ze!

Sun Shuai’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he immediately explained:

“Young Master Liu, this is Officer Gao. It was he who discovered my true identity and brought me to my father’s side.”

“So it was this officer who found you. So in your heart, this Officer Gao is more important than us friends?” Liu Hong, with dyed blonde hair, held a red wine glass in his hand, pressing on relentlessly.

Sun Shuai’s face stiffened, and cold sweat quickly broke out on his back.

Most of the young people in front of him had fathers with assets of billions, even tens of billions, with deep family backgrounds, stronger than his own father. He couldn’t easily offend them.

“Young Master Sun, why aren’t you speaking?”

Liu Hong looked at Gao Ze, his eyes rudely sizing him up and down, saying, “Is he very important in your heart?”

“Since he’s so important, why did this Officer Gao come to the banquet in casual clothes? Didn’t you inform him that for such a high-standard banquet, the attire should be formal?”

“All of us are dressed this way, even those tycoons with assets of hundreds of millions, billions, or even tens of billions, are wearing formal suits. Can he be an exception?”

“Of course he’s not as important as you, Young Master Liu. Officer Gao, it’s indeed inappropriate for you to wear casual clothes!”

Sun Shuai looked at Gao Ze, a hint of resentment hidden in his eyes.

He wished he hadn't come to thank Gao Ze.

Although Gao Ze had been kind to him, his father had already given him a sum of money, enough to repay the kindness. Why bother getting into conflict with these young masters whose backgrounds and family statuses were stronger than his?

Moreover, Gao Ze’s casual attire was indeed inappropriate.

It wasn’t sloppy; his casual clothes were clean, neat, and well-fitting, but in a banquet where everyone else was in suits and ties, he was too out of place.

Was he trying to stand out from the crowd?

“Officer Gao, did you hear that?”

Liu Hong’s smile widened, his voice growing louder:

“Although you helped Mr. Sun Chaohui find Young Master Sun, your attire is too frivolous and disrespectful to all of us. I think you’d best go change into another outfit before returning.”

“Young Master Sun, what do you think?”

Sun Shuai’s face showed a hint of struggle, then he gritted his teeth and said, “No problem!”

This was a veiled order to leave!

Dozens of gazes from the surrounding tables all turned to look. Even Sun Chaohui in the distance noticed the change in the banquet but no one spoke up for Gao Ze.

Gao Ze’s expression remained calm. He had always been inclined to speculate on human nature in the worst possible way, but he still hadn’t expected Sun Shuai to be alienated by money and his environment in just a few days, becoming snobbish and obsequious.

Even a tycoon like Sun Chaohui, with assets close to a billion, stood by and watched coldly.

Sun Chaohui had never mentioned over the phone that he needed to wear a suit to the banquet; he had even specially changed into a clean, well-fitting casual outfit from the Police station to attend.

Gao Ze was clear that the various choices and changes involved must be inseparable from the Zheng family’s influence.

“Officer Gao, aren’t you going to change your clothes?” Liu Hong stared at Gao Ze.

Sun Shuai chimed in, “Officer Gao, you should go change your clothes and then come back to the banquet!”

“Change what, change your mother, Liu, do you want to die?!”

“Officer Gao is my friend! Try barking at me again!”

Just then, a young man in the middle of the banquet pushed through the onlookers and kicked the blonde-haired Liu Hong in the backside.

This young man was Zheng Yiren!