Chapter 276

Luo Fei blinked in surprise, then quickly recovered—Wu Haibo had retired before Gong Ming became director; he’d never heard of any connection between them. What did this mean?

“Just tell me directly—Director Gong doesn’t have time right now!” Luo Fei rejected him outright.

“I won’t say another word unless I see Director Gong!” Wu Haibo clamped his mouth shut tightly, as if opening it might let something slip out.

Seeing Wu Haibo’s stubborn, unshakable demeanor, Luo Fei felt something was wrong. It had been so short a time—had someone influenced him? Or…

He rubbed the scar on his chin, a constant reminder not to let surface appearances cloud his judgment. Wu Haibo had come into the bureau demanding to see only Director Gong—there had to be a reason. Since the situation couldn’t remain stalled, Luo Fei thought for a moment and decided to report this to Gong Ming.

Gong Ming’s level of attention and enthusiasm for this case far exceeded Luo Fei’s expectations. After hearing the report, he immediately set aside his work and went to the interrogation room.

Upon seeing Gong Ming, Wu Haibo requested a private conversation—something clearly inappropriate—but to Luo Fei’s shock, Gong Ming actually agreed to Wu Haibo’s demand!

Seeing Luo Fei’s hesitant expression, Gong Ming said: “Comrade Luo, you and your team step out for now. Comrade Wu is assisting our investigation; before we proceed, let’s have a chat first. Comrade Wu, come to my office.”

Gong Ming turned the interrogation into a casual chat with an elderly comrade. Luo Fei was speechless—but secretly admired this newly appointed leader’s boldness.

The two talked for about forty minutes. When they reappeared, Gong Ming’s face was grim. He gave Luo Fei a long, deep look—his eyes held surprise, reproach, regret, and a flicker of excitement…

Wu Haibo was escorted by Detective Sun to the interrogation room, while Luo Fei was left alone in Director Gong’s office.

“Comrade Luo, what are your hobbies?” Gong Ming’s abrupt question left Luo Fei momentarily confused, but he answered as asked: “No real hobbies. When I have free time, I go fishing.”

“Oh? Small world—I like that too. How about we plan a trip together sometime?”

Luo Fei grew even more puzzled. Gong Ming wouldn’t waste time chatting about this for no reason. He adjusted his posture, cleared his throat, and said: “Director Gong, just say what you mean—I’m not good at beating around the bush.”

“Haha!” Gong Ming leaned back in his chair. “Let me be blunt—your choice of fishing spot this time was ill-advised. The water’s too deep, your rod’s too thin—you won’t handle a big fish.”

Luo Fei guessed Wu Haibo must have revealed to him who was pulling the strings—otherwise, Gong Ming wouldn’t have said this.

“Director Gong, whether you catch a big fish depends on your gear, your skill, your patience, and the timing, terrain, and luck. But I believe none of these matter most. What matters most is whether the angler has the determination to catch that fish! Even if my rod is thin, I’ll jump into the water and hug it out myself!”

Gong Ming smiled as he watched Luo Fei’s passionate speech: “Aren’t you afraid the fish won’t come up—and you’ll drown instead?”

Luo Fei said: “The stance is already taken—I must find out how big the fish in the water is! Director Gong, this case is mine to reopen. No matter who I uncover or how deep it goes, I won’t give up! Even if I drown, before I go under, I’ll drag every fish and shrimp in that water onto the shore!”

Gong Ming burst into loud laughter: “Comrade Luo! Don’t worry—I’ve brought a hand-cast net from the provincial capital, and my rod’s thick enough! Go ahead, stir up the water, scare every fish and shrimp out of their holes!”

Luo Fei understood his meaning: the person—or force—behind this hadn’t infiltrated the provincial capital. Gong Ming’s greatest backing still came from the provincial leadership.

“Comrade Luo Fei!” Gong Ming’s sudden formal address made Luo Fei snap to attention. “At your service!”

Gong Ming said solemnly: “The forces involved in this case are far more terrifying than either of us imagined. Our special task force members must withstand rigorous testing. Wu Haibo has just opened up to me. In the coming investigation, we must cooperate with him…”

They talked for half an hour. Luo Fei left Gong Ming’s office full of confidence. Though Director Gong was highly goal-oriented, he was genuinely determined to solve this case. In that regard, Luo Fei was lucky—to have such a leader who cared so deeply about his future.

———

Wu Haibo, leaving the Criminal Investigation Unit, hailed a taxi on the roadside and told the driver to take him to Yanjiang Avenue. There, he pulled out his phone and called Xiang Feng.

Ten minutes later, a champagne-gold GL8 pulled up beside him. The electric door opened silently, and Agui waved from inside.

Wu Haibo glanced left and right, saw no one watching, and hurried into the car.

The door closed silently. Agui asked: “Did you do as we instructed?”

Wu Haibo nodded eagerly: “Brother Gui, I said exactly what you told me to. That Director Gong actually believed me!”

“Hmph!” Agui sneered. “This time, we’ll drag both that Gong and that Luo all the way to the bottom!”

Wu Haibo smiled obsequiously, but his eyes gleamed with cunning as he gazed out the window toward the distance…

———

Gong Ming sat alone in his office chair. Rarely a smoker, he opened a drawer and found a pack of ordinary He brand cigarettes and a sleek lighter. He pulled one out, lit it, took a slow drag, then held it between his fingers, watching the smoke curl upward. The strong scent of tobacco filled the air. He closed his eyes, recalling his meeting with Wu Haibo…

“I heard you insisted on seeing me? I’m Gong Ming. Now you’ve seen me—speak. What’s your purpose?” Gong Ming looked at the thin, elderly man before him.

“I’m Wu Haibo, former captain of the Third Detachment, Zizhen City Traffic Police Brigade. My former superior was Gong Bangguo, former Deputy Secretary of the Nanjiang Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department…” Wu Haibo’s words stunned Gong Ming.

This man had ties to the old man? But given the old man’s status in Nanjiang Province, countless people knew him—who knew what this one’s real connection was?

Gong Ming smiled without expression: “What does that have to do with me?”

Wu Haibo said: “I know you’re the second son of Secretary Gong. This relationship isn’t known even by most city and district officials—let alone provincial ones.”

Gong Ming was startled. Indeed, his family background was known to almost no one—only a handful of his father’s old comrades or trusted disciples. This man…?

The next words from Wu Haibo made Gong Ming believe him without doubt.