Chapter 197: The Truth? How Unjustly They Died~

Inside a councilor's office in the Executive Government.

Wang Xinfa sat behind a spacious office desk, listening to Du Ziteng's work report while habitually wiping his glasses.

Du Ziteng's voice echoed in the office, his speech steady:

"……The above is the latest intelligence gathered by the Patrol Bureau. Although we have conducted a thorough search of the entire city, regrettably, Hou Mi's whereabouts remain unknown to this day."

"Additionally, the people I dispatched to monitor that side have reported back that those people show no unusual movements either; they all seem to still be in a wait-and-see state."

Du Ziteng paused slightly, his brows furrowing faintly, continuing with a hint of hesitation:

"Councilor, it has been a period of time since Hou Mi was kidnapped, yet we have still not received any word from the kidnappers. Logically speaking, if it really was those people who did it, the matter has already fermented for two days; they shouldn't be this quiet."

Wang Xinfa gave a light "Mm" in response; he also sensed a trace of abnormality.

After all, given those people's modus operandi, if Hou Wendong had truly fallen into their hands, he absolutely would not last a day before spilling every secret clean.

By all rights, the media should currently be awash with accusations and doubts, or someone should have already privately contacted him, attempting to force him into some kind of transaction.

Wang Xinfa did not doubt Hou Wendong's backbone was too soft; rather, he had personally witnessed those high-tech methods and cruel techniques during interrogation processes.

Faced with those endless emerging methods, unless one is a fanatic extreme madman, or a "New Human" with Crystal Yuan implanted in their brain, for an ordinary person, lasting even one round makes them a Champion.

He contemplated for a moment, then slowly asked: "Then, what is your judgment?"

Du Ziteng answered frankly: "This is not my personal judgment, but the analysis of Patrol Bureau Deputy Captain Li Shang. He suspects that behind this case lies a retaliatory act targeting Hou Mi personally."

Wang Xinfa's pupils shrank slightly, his tone carrying an indisputable gravity: "You mean this incident targets Hou Wendong personally?"

Du Ziteng responded immediately, voice firm: "Yes, targeting only Hou Mi alone; this is a personal grudge, and has absolutely no connection with you, Councilor."

Wang Xinfa pushed up the glasses on his nose bridge; his expression turned complex, his tone carrying a trace of doubt: "Are you certain the Patrol Bureau's judgment has not deviated?"

Du Ziteng's mind rapidly flashed through Li Shang's various actions over these two days.

He recalled how Li Shang meticulously planned the city-wide search operation, how he conducted detailed door-to-door inquiries around the La Mian Guan area, how he did not let a single possible clue slip by, and gathered them one by one.

Finally, how Li Shang compiled and analyzed these scattered fragmentary bits of information, piecing together the complete picture of the case bit by bit.

Every link appeared so rigorous and thorough, making him unable to help but express sincere admiration for his professional caliber.

And the final case analysis given was like peeling a cocoon, interlocking ring by ring, well-founded and convincing, truly worthy of the title Divine Detective.

If not for knowing Li Shang's identity, Du Ziteng would have several times almost suspected that Li Shang was on-site spectating when Hou Wendong was kidnapped.

In short, Du Ziteng was completely won over by Li Shang's case-solving ability; he was willing to do this favor along the way, recommending this extraordinarily capable Deputy Captain to Councilor Wang.

15 minutes later.

Li Shang stepped into the office; his bearing was ramrod straight, he saluted a standard crisp military salute, and he reported his conviction analysis of the case meticulously:

"……In summary, I firmly believe the kidnapper of Hou Mi is most likely the ex-husband of La Mian Guan proprietress Li Xiuwan."

Wang Xinfa's brows involuntarily knitted; he clearly found this information unexpected: "Li Xiuwan was once married?"

Li Shang hurriedly replied: "Indeed, Li Xiuwan once had a marriage; four years ago they divorced due to a breakdown in affection, after which she ran this La Mian Guan alone."

"Her ex-husband is named Wang Nan; the two also have a child, and because Wang Nan's Citizen Grade is higher, the child is in his custody."

"Approximately half a year ago, Wang Nan seemed to have intentions of reconciling with Li Xiuwan; he came to the La Mian Guan to pester her several times, but Li Xiuwan firmly refused. Every time Wang Nan left in a towering rage."

"The day of the incident happened to be Li Xiuwan's birthday; Hou Mi was celebrating for her at the La Mian Guan. I conducted a surrounding investigation and discovered Wang Nan also happened to appear on that street that day."

"Therefore, I have reason to suspect Wang Nan likewise wanted to celebrate his ex-wife's birthday that day, then stumbled upon an intimate scene between his ex-wife and Hou Mi, giving rise to jealousy and anger, and thus kidnapped Hou Mi."

Wang Xinfa's complexion appeared somewhat unnaturally gloomy; his voice exuded a heart-palpitating chill: "In that case, why did Li Xiuwan not say so when reporting the case?"

Li Shang replied with logic and evidence: "First, Wang Nan wore a hood during the crime, his face completely concealed; Li Xiuwan, in her panic, may not have been able to recognize her ex-husband. Second, although they are already divorced and their affection broken, Wang Nan is still her son's father. Out of consideration for her son, Li Xiuwan may be unwilling to testify against Wang Nan."

Wang Xinfa drew a deep breath, let out a cold snort: "Then, have you caught Wang Nan?"

Li Shang shook his head lightly: "Since the incident, Wang Nan has not returned home once; he has thoroughly vanished without a trace. Therefore, I hope……"

A shade flashed through Wang Xinfa's eyes; his voice icy: "What do you hope for? Speak directly!"

Li Shang said in a deep voice: "I hope to interrogate Li Xiuwan; perhaps she can provide some clues to help us find Wang Nan's hideout."

After the incident, Du Ziteng, following Wang Xinfa's instructions, had already placed Li Xiuwan under protection and control, to prevent her from suffering unnecessary interference.

Therefore, to interrogate Li Xiuwan, Wang Xinfa's consent must be obtained.

Wang Xinfa glanced coldly at Du Ziteng; his voice drifted faintly: "Take Captain Li to see Li Xiuwan; make sure to pry open that woman's mouth."

Du Ziteng acknowledged the order, leading Li Shang away in quick steps.

Once the office door closed again, Wang Xinfa stared expressionlessly at the air for a long while; he stayed silent for such a long time before emitting a few inexplicable cold laughs from deep in his throat.

Then, he took out an old model phone from the drawer, inserted a new phone card, and dialed out.

After the call connected, the receiver end was utterly silent, not a single sound.

Wang Xinfa spoke to himself: "Alarm lifted, 'Great Cleanup' operation halted immediately."

The other end did not ask any superfluous questions, merely replying briefly: "Understood."

Wang Xinfa also did not intend to explain further, simply asking directly: "How many targets cleared?"

The voice on the other end answered calmly: "Qian Tong, Zhao Zhiyuan, Dong Zheng, Zheng Yanyan; the targets on this line have basically had half cleared, the other half remains unfinished."

Wang Xinfa took several deep breaths, feeling a trace of irritation for the first time at his behind-the-scenes partner's astonishing efficiency.

He closed his eyes, striving to steady his breathing, restoring his consistent rationality and calm.

Since the matter has already happened, the dead cannot be resurrected; regret serves no purpose. Better to make the best of a bad job, and try to transform this mistake into greater profit.

After all, the dead partners cannot have died in vain.

Wang Xinfa's mind spun rapidly; he instructed calmly into the phone:

"You lot need to find a way to plant some clues, frame the explosion incident on Qiming Street this morning, as well as the deaths of these four unfortunate deceased, entirely onto the Prison System's head; do it covertly, I just recruited a case-handling talent under my command."

The voice on the other end remained steady without the slightest ripple: "Understood."

Wang Xinfa continued: "Sigh, how unjustly they died. Not saying more; I have to go see the families they left behind, help their families through this moment filled with grief and hardship. This is all an inescapable responsibility of mine!"

……

(End of Chapter)