Chapter 504

Upon hearing the words "You may leave," Wei Shouqin felt delighted in his heart.

I originally thought I wouldn't be able to go back today.

And that's it?

You, Li Mingtang, are nothing special—just a little pressure and you cave.

You want to protect Lin Dongfan, but unfortunately, that kid has a grudge with my woman. If he doesn't go in, I have to go in. Since I don't want to go in, I can only send him in.

Wei Shouqin concealed his smug feelings and put on a show of outward compliance while inwardly defying: "Director Li, you misunderstood; it's not that I don't want to persuade Liu Qingmei. Just now I meant that persuading her is fine, but I can't guarantee she will definitely listen to my persuasion. Where is she? I'll go persuade her right now."

"No need, please go back."

Li Mingtang made a gesture to see the guest out, not wanting to say another word.

Wei Shouqin smiled and bade farewell: "Since that's the case, I won't cause you any trouble. Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve; I wish you and your family a happy reunion."

"Thanks, please."

Li Mingtang again gestured toward the door, indicating "please go out."

In Wei Shouqin's view, Li Mingtang's taciturn, eager-to-kick-people-out demeanor was undoubtedly a frustrated display of incompetence.

Wei Shouqin gave a light smile, turned and left.

He thought: "Lin Dongfan, Lin Dongfan, this time even your old superior can't protect you. On New Year's Eve night, you probably won't get to see your wife and kids..."

Wei Shouqin didn't realize that the silent Li Mingtang was the most terrifying version of him!

Just as he stepped out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Li Mingtang took two prosecutorial officers to the first-floor reception room, preparing to await the exercise of his authority!

Liu Qingmei, who had been waiting Along time in the reception room, still didn't realize that disaster was looming.

Upon seeing Li Mingtang and the others enter, she immediately sprang up and flared: "What kind of work efficiency is this! Is this how you usually serve the people? I've been waiting here for over an hour, and no one has paid any attention to me!"

If Peng Tianhua of the Bureau's Investigation Division One were here...

He would probably retort on the spot.

That guy usually likes to slam the table and glare, especially after handling big cases with Lin Dongfan; after being promoted from deputy section chief to section chief, he's gotten a bit stout, with a tiger's back and bear's waist, full of vigor.

By contrast, Li Mingtang's emotions are as steady as a rock; his approach is you shout yours, I smile mine.

Li Mingtang gave Liu Qingmei a once‑over, smiled, and asked: "I gave you an hour to reflect, yet you're unwilling and determined to make a big fuss?"

"How dare you speak like that! I'm here to make a real‑name report! Who said I'm here to cause trouble?"

Liu Qingmei spoke with utter confidence and righteousness.

She then turned the scrutiny on Li Mingtang: "You look like a leader; you must be Li Mingtang, right? Don't say I didn't warn you—if you don't handle this fairly, I'll file a complaint against you together!"

"You really have a big gall and a big temper." Li Mingtang replied with a light smile: "You guessed right—I am Li Mingtang. As you wish, I will certainly handle this impartially."

Saying this, Li Mingtang waved his hand.

He then ordered the two prosecutorial officers behind him: "Cuff her for me."

Hearing that, Liu Qingmei was completely dumbfounded; before she could react, one officer pressed down on her shoulder while the other pulled out a shiny pair of handcuffs.

"On what grounds are you arresting me!"

Liu Qingmei struggled angrily, trying to push aside the officer beside her.

The officer in front of her gripped her wrist tightly: "Trying to resist arrest? Be honest!" In the next second, the handcuffs snapped onto her wrist.

That icy sensation completely ignited Liu Qingmei's fury.

Liu Qingmei roared at Li Mingtang: "Li! I came here to report corrupt officials, yet you don't go after the corrupt officials and instead arrest me! Are you playing the game of officials protecting each other? If you have the ability, just kill me!"

"Regarding your report about Comrade Lin Dongfan, we have thoroughly investigated and found that the allegations of his corruption and bribery are unfounded; he is engaged in charity work."

Li Mingtang stared directly into Liu Qingmei's eyes.

He paused briefly.

He then continued explaining to Liu Qingmei: "Our detention of you has nothing to do with your report about Lin Dongfan."

"Then on what grounds are you arresting me!!!"

Liu Qingmei glared and shouted, still not realizing what had happened.

Li Mingtang asked calmly: "Today, did you win a jewelry piece at the Rui Bao Ge auction for 100 million yuan?"

"Whether I bid on jewelry or not is none of your business!" Liu Qingmei continued to stare with both eyes.

Li Mingtang calmly countered: "Where did that 100 million yuan come from? That's why we're detaining you; we hope you'll cooperate with our investigation."

Belatedly, Liu Qingmei finally grasped the seriousness of the issue, panic flashing across her face,

It turned out Li Mingtang wanted to investigate Wei Shouqin.

Liu Qingmei collected herself and struck a defiant pose: "My own earned money—does it bother you? You sure like to stick your nose in!"

Hearing that, Li Mingtang found it laughable and immature.

A top graduate of the Political Science and Law University, how can you be more clueless than a legal ignoramus? What did you do every day for four years in school?

Being pretty is all that matters!

Having zero legal knowledge yet still graduating smoothly from the Political Science and Law University—could it be thanks to some martial‑arts secret of "take off your pants and never fail a course"?

Li Mingtang frowned slightly, suddenly feeling like looking into who her instructors were.

Too bad he can't free himself right now.

Thinking this, Li Mingtang set aside his miscellaneous thoughts and got straight to the point: "You've graduated years ago and never held a job. According to our information, your family background is average, with your parents farming in the countryside. You claim that the 100 million yuan is your earnings—please explain how you made it."

"I..."

Liu Qingmei was momentarily at a loss for words.

Li Mingtang locked eyes with her and said: "Just tell the truth—is it really that hard?"

"Who… who isn't telling the truth? I'm telling the truth!" Liu Qingmei, equally determined, doubled down: "I made it from stock trading."

"Your stock‑trading account settlement slips won't play along with your act." Li Mingtang pressed on calmly: "Think it over before answering—where exactly did that money come from?"

"…………!!!"

Liu Qingmei was once again at a loss for words.

She just couldn't figure it out—Wei Shouqin, a ministerial-level cadre, how could his influence be not even as good as Lin Dongfan's? He's simply a worthless piece of trash that anyone can bully.

And this Li is also a total corrupt official!

Wei Shouqin is a bit corrupt—could it be that Lin Dongfan isn't corrupt? The Lins' graft amounts to over two hundred million! If you don't investigate him and instead target Wei Shouqin, isn't that just forming factions to protect each other?

The more she thought about it, the angrier Liu Qingmei became, wishing she could splash sulfuric acid on Li Mingtang and kill him.

Liu Qingmei glared at Li Mingtang, then turned her head aside and, full of righteous indignation, spat out: "I've hooked up with a big boss who's willing to spend money on me—you've got no say in the matter!"

"Who is that big boss?" Li Mingtang pressed.

Liu Qingmei snorted coldly: "His name is Uncle Sam, an American, and he's returned to the country! If you don't believe me, you can go look it up."

"Since you're being so uncooperative, I can only have you spend New Year's in the women's detention center."

Li Mingtang thought for a moment and added: "By the way, I'll give you a heads-up—I'm interested in investigating both the wealthy patron who gives you money and the mentor who keeps you from failing. Before long, I expect they'll thank your eight generations of ancestors."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingmei flew into a rage: "Surnamed Li, you're abusing your authority to retaliate!"

"You have the right to complain about me." Li Mingtang gave a faint smile: "Back when we were studying, if you had just read a couple more pages, you wouldn't be this ignorant now. Ultimately, it's your mentor who ruined you—how could he allow a legal novice to graduate from the Politics and Law University?"