Chapter 2836: Are You Close to Fourth Sister?

Last night's inspection operation didn't cause any public reaction—after all, there was no internet or social media back then, and the bathhouse wasn't large, nor was Li Honghai a public figure. Even if many people saw it, they'd just chat after dinner and forget by morning.

Yue Guoqing was on the phone when the knock came; he glanced at the door, then covered the receiver and said, "Come in!"

The door opened, Zhao Hong entered with documents, Yue Guoqing pointed to the sofa, gesturing for him to sit, then continued his call.

The call lasted about three minutes before ending. Yue Guoqing smiled and asked, "How did it go? Did Li Honghai confess?"

"He did!" Zhao Hong placed the file bag on the desk: "Everything's in here."

Yue Guoqing picked up the file bag, opened it, took out the transcript, then glanced at the tape inside: "Everything's well prepared."

Zhao Hong laughed: "This case involves too many people at too high a level—evidence must be solid. We can't give them a chance to retract their statements."

"Good!" Yue Guoqing lowered his head to read the transcript, time passing slowly. After about ten or so minutes, he closed the file: "This case must be reported to the disciplinary inspection department of the involved personnel's unit. As for Wang Hongxi, that's easy—I'll just call the Ministry of Civil Affairs directly.

But the Materials Bureau definitely won't cooperate, because this case couldn't possibly be something Zheng Mingyu dared to do on his own—he must have a bigger tiger behind him.

Also, Gao Zhipei, general manager of Zhongyuan Real Estate in Zhengzhou City, is another key suspect. Even if I call ahead, they won't give us face, so we must get the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection involved."

Yue Guoqing checked the time, stood up, and said: "I'm going to the ministry to report to the minister."

Zhao Hong stood up and followed him out: "I'll go see Zheng Mingyu."

Yue Guoqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Watch your attitude—don't give them anything to hold against you."

Zhao Hong said: "I'm just sounding things out. If I learn something useful, great; if not, it doesn't matter."

………………

Yangcheng!

Room 6020: Qin Zhi crouched on the bed, Tang Lin and Zhang Zuo sat cross-legged, playing Landlord. Meanwhile, Zhou Andong had a cigarette in his mouth, Zhao Liangping stood nearby holding a banana, watching the fun.

"Ding ling..."

The phone rang suddenly. Zhou Andong looked up, Zhao Liangping muttered: "See? It's for you—what are you staring at me for?"

Zhou Andong didn't speak. Zhao Liangping sighed: "Fine, fine—I really owe you one."

Zhao Liangping turned, picked up the phone, and said: "Who's this? What do you want?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his face changed instantly—he straightened up: "Fourth Sister, you're looking for Zhou Andong? Sure, he's right here with me."

Hearing Zhao Liangping's words, Zhou Andong turned, took the phone, and sat on the sofa: "Fourth Sister Ye, what do you need?"

From the receiver came Ye Zhen's voice: "I'm flying to Yangcheng tomorrow—landing around 4:20 PM. Come pick me up at the airport."

Zhou Andong said in surprise: "You're coming to Yangcheng?"

"I've already arranged things in Tianjin," Ye Zhen said, her voice somewhat relaxed: "Since I took the shares, I can't just hide in Beijing watching the fun—that'd be too disloyal."

Zhou Andong laughed heartily: "Welcome, Fourth Sister Ye—I'll sweep the mat and await your arrival."

"Sweep the mat and await?" Ye Zhen teased: "So how's Seeing Jian Qiu arranging things? You're not hoping for a left-and-right embrace, are you? If Seeing Jian Qiu agrees, I'd be willing to sacrifice a little."

Zhou Andong's face darkened with black lines: "Fourth Sister Ye, is that really how you understand 'sweeping the mat and await'?"

Ye Zhen chuckled softly, sounding quite amused: "I can't compare to you, Zhou Andong—my education's limited. To me, 'sweeping the mat and await' just means this."

"Phew!" Zhou Andong took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly: "Alright, I still have a few things to handle here. If you have nothing else, I'll hang up."

"Wait!" Ye Zhen said: "Deputy Secretary Zhang Yuntong of the Yangcheng Political and Legal Affairs Commission wants to see you. He's invited you to Room 5 at Yue Tea House at 8 PM tonight."

"Zhang Yuntong?" Zhou Andong frowned: "His son Zhang Yufei is one of the people behind the Baihe Pharmaceutical incident—why is he looking for me?"

"Huh?" Ye Zhen's voice rose slightly: "His son was involved too?"

"Yes!" Zhou Andong recited the list of Wu Hui's gang: "Zhang Yufei is one of them."

Ye Zhen fell silent, then said: "He should be fine—since Shen Wenli hasn't entered prosecution, it was me who had him stall the process."

Zhou Andong tapped his fingers lightly on the sofa armrest: "Then I'll go see him—see what he's after."

"Go see him," Ye Zhen said: "He knows who your father-in-law is. If he's smart, he'll definitely grab the chance to get on board."

Zhou Andong suddenly understood: "Ah, that explains it."

"Okay!" Ye Zhen said: "Remember to pick me up at the airport tomorrow."

"Won't forget!" Zhou Andong hung up, then stepped outside and saw Zhao Liangping staring at him intently: "Damn, what's with that look, old man? I'm straight as an arrow—if you can't hold back, go find Qin Zhi and Da Zuo—Tang Lin should work too."

Zhao Liangping had been eavesdropping nearby, catching only fragments: "You... know Fourth Sister pretty well?"

"Nonsense!" Zhou Andong snorted: "I'm allies with the Ye family—of course we know each other well."

"I didn't mean it that way," Zhao Liangping wanted to say the kind of familiarity implied by 'sweeping the mat and await,' but didn't dare. He wasn't afraid of Zhou Andong—he was afraid Zhou Andong would tell Ye Zhen.

Zhou Andong ignored Zhao Liangping, turned back to the bed, and continued watching the game. By now, Qin Zhi had lost so badly his face was red and his neck thick.

"Damn!" Qin Zhi shouted: "Zhang Zuo, two 2s and two kings—and you didn't even try to be landlord? Are you screwing with me?"

Zhang Zuo calmly replied: "You were the one who bid first—should I blame you?"

Tang Lin chuckled: "I've got four Kings, two Aces, and that last 2 is mine too. You only have two Aces, and you dared to bid landlord? Lost and still blaming us? Are you even playing right? If you can't handle losing, don't play."

Zhou Andong smirked—Tang Lin and Zhang Zuo, those inseparable buddies, had clearly teamed up to screw Qin Zhi.

"I'm done." Qin Zhi threw down his cards, cursing: "Whether I bid or not, I lose anyway—half a day and I haven't won a single hand. Playing like this just makes me an idiot."

"Hah!" Zhou Andong couldn't hold back: "You two are the same—killing a pig isn't supposed to be this brutal. You gotta let the pig taste some sweetness, or there's no long-term gain. You guys? One stab and it's dead."

"I knew it—I knew it!" Qin Zhi pointed angrily at Tang Lin and Zhang Zuo: "You've got catnip—hurry up and give me back my money."

"Give you back your damn money?" Zhang Zuo glanced at Qin Zhi: "You don't understand 'winner takes all,' do you?"

Qin Zhi jumped up on the bed, furious: "You two teamed up to steal over seven hundred from me—and now you want me to admit it?"

Zhang Zuo snorted, swept the money in front of him into a pile, shoved it into his pocket, then waved his hand: "Come on, bro—I'm buying. You pick the place."

Zhao Liangping laughed: "Let us pick the place—your winnings probably aren't even enough for that."

"No problem," Zhang Zuo said, slinging an arm around Tang Lin's shoulder: "My money's short, but Da Lin's got more—we won over seven hundred between us—more than enough."

"Let's go!" Zhou Andong, in a good mood: "After dinner, I'll take you to meet someone you'd never expect."