Chapter 276

Luo Fei was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted. Bureau Chief Gong Ming had only taken office after Wu Haibo retired; he hadn't heard of any connection between the two. What did he mean by this?

"You can tell me anything directly; Bureau Chief Gong doesn't have time right now!" Luo Fei refused him directly.

"If I don't see Bureau Chief Gong, I won't say anything else!" After Wu Haibo finished speaking, he kept his mouth tightly shut, as if saying anything more would cause something to slip out.

Seeing his "dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water" attitude, Luo Fei felt something was amiss. It hadn't been long; could he have been interfered with by someone? Or...

He touched the scar on his chin; this scar constantly reminded him not to let any superficial phenomena affect his judgment. Wu Haibo had arrived at the bureau and specifically requested to see only Bureau Chief Gong; there must be a reason. Since that was the case, and he couldn't let the situation remain at a stalemate, Luo Fei thought for a moment and decided to report the matter to Gong Ming.

Gong Ming's level of importance and enthusiasm for this case far exceeded Luo Fei's expectations. After hearing Luo Fei's report, he immediately put down what he was doing and came to the interrogation room.

Upon seeing Gong Ming, Wu Haibo requested to speak with him alone. This was certainly inappropriate, but to Luo Fei's surprise, Gong Ming actually agreed to Wu Haibo's request!

Looking at the hesitant Luo Fei, Gong Ming said: "Captain Luo, you all should step aside for a moment! After all, Comrade Old Wu is assisting us in our investigation. Before he assists us, let's have a chat first. How about this, Comrade Old Wu, come to my office!"

Gong Ming had insisted on turning the interrogation into a chat with an old comrade. Luo Fei was speechless but also admired the courage of this parachuted leader.

The two chatted for about forty minutes. When Luo Fei saw Gong Ming again, he saw that he had a solemn expression. He looked deeply at Luo Fei, and in that gaze, there seemed to be surprise, reproach, regret, and also a trace of excitement...

Wu Haibo went to the interrogation room accompanied by the criminal police officer Xiao Sun, while Luo Fei was left alone in Bureau Chief Gong Ming's office.

"Captain Luo, what hobbies do you have usually?" Faced with Gong Ming's somewhat abrupt question, Luo Fei didn't understand his meaning for a moment and just followed his lead: "No particular hobbies; when I have free time, I go fishing."

"Oh? That's a coincidence; I like that too. How about it? Shall we make an appointment to go together sometime?"

Luo Fei became increasingly suspicious. Gong Ming certainly wouldn't be idle enough to chat with him about these things. He adjusted his sitting posture, coughed lightly, and said: "Bureau Chief Gong, if you have something to say, please say it directly; I'm a straightforward person."

"Heh!" Gong Ming leaned back gently in his chair: "Then I'll be direct. The place you chose to fish this time is a bit unfavorable; the water is too deep, and your rod is too thin. You won't be able to handle it if you encounter a big fish!"

Luo Fei guessed that Wu Haibo must have revealed to him who the person directing him was; otherwise, he wouldn't have said such things!

"Bureau Chief Gong, whether or not one can catch a big fish depends not only on the quality of the equipment but also on the angler's technique, patience, and factors of time, place, and people. However, I don't think these are the most important things. The most important thing is whether the angler has the determination to catch the big fish! With that determination, even if my rod is thin, I will jump into the water and hug it out of the surface if I have to!"

Gong Ming looked at the impassioned Luo Fei with a smile: "You aren't afraid that you won't catch the fish but will choke yourself instead, or even worse, that you might drown in the water!"

Luo Fei said: "The stance has already been taken; I must explore how big the fish in the water is! Bureau Chief Gong, this case is one I insisted on reinvestigating. No matter who it leads to or to what extent, I will not give up! Even if I drown, before I drown, I will definitely throw all the big and small fish and shrimp in the water onto the shore!"

Gong Ming suddenly laughed heartily: "Captain Luo! Don't worry, I have a landing net I brought from the provincial capital, and the rod is quite thick! You just go ahead and stir up the water, and scare all those fish and shrimp out of their holes!"

Luo Fei understood what he was implying—that the person or force behind this had not yet reached the provincial capital, and Gong Ming's greatest reliance was still the support from the provincial capital!

"Comrade Luo Fei!" Gong Ming's sudden formal address made Luo Fei stand up straight: "Here!"

Gong Ming said solemnly: "The forces involved in this case are far more terrifying than you or I imagined! Therefore, the members of our special task force must be able to stand the test! Wu Haibo has already spoken openly with me. In the following investigation, we need to cooperate with him..."

The two talked for half an hour, and Luo Fei left Gong Ming's office full of confidence. Although this Bureau Chief Gong had a strong sense of purpose, he was also single-mindedly wanting to handle this case well! In this regard, it was also Luo Fei's luck to be able to meet a leader who valued his future so highly.

———

After leaving the criminal police team, Wu Haibo hailed a taxi on the side of the road. After asking the driver to take him to Yanjiang Avenue, he took out his phone and made a call to Xiang Dong.

Ten minutes later, a champagne-gold GL8 stopped in front of him. The electric door opened silently, and A-Gui sat inside, beckoning to him.

Wu Haibo glanced left and right to see that no one noticed him, then hurriedly got into the car.

The door closed silently again, and A-Gui asked: "Did you do as we asked?"

Wu Haibo hurriedly nodded and said: "Brother Gui, I said everything just as you instructed. That bureau chief surnamed Gong actually believed it!"

"Hmph!" A-Gui gave a contemptuous snort: "This time, we must drag both that Gong and that Luo down to the very bottom!"

Wu Haibo smiled obsequiously, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, casting toward the distance through the car window...

———

Gong Ming sat alone in his office chair. He, who rarely smoked, pulled open a drawer, and a pack of ordinary Crane-brand cigarettes and an exquisite lighter appeared before him. He pulled one out, lit it, took a light puff, and held it between two fingers, watching the smoke slowly rise and drift into the air, releasing a strong tobacco scent. He closed his eyes slightly, recalling the scene during his meeting with Wu Haibo just now...

"I heard you specifically asked to see me? I am Gong Ming. Now that you've seen me, speak—what is your purpose?" Gong Ming looked at the somewhat gaunt old man before him.

"I am Wu Haibo, former captain of the Third Brigade of the Zizhen City Traffic Police Detachment. My old superior was named Gong Bangguo, who retired as the Deputy Secretary of the Nanjiang Provincial Party Committee and head of the Provincial Public Security Department..." Wu Haibo's words shocked Gong Ming!

This person actually had a connection to the old man! However, given the old man's status in Nanjiang Province, many people knew him; who knew what the situation was with this one!

He smiled calmly: "What does this have to do with me?"

Wu Haibo said: "I know you are the second son of Secretary Gong. This connection is something that not even a few people in the province, let alone the cities and districts below, know about!"

Gong Ming was somewhat shocked. Indeed, not many people knew about his family background. Those who did were either the few remaining old comrades-in-arms of his father or his trusted protégés. This person...?

Wu Haibo's next words, however, made Gong Ming believe him deeply!