Chapter 561: Liu Wen's Overseas Threat

Jian Sining's work efficiency remained as strong as ever.

After receiving Lin Dongfan's instruction message, in less than half an hour she placed the investigation results of that phone number before Lin Dongfan.

The result was disappointing, yet as expected.

"The number is a prepaid card from Yuezhou City, with no real-name registration. Call records show it was only briefly activated around the New Year, and after hanging up with her sister-in-law it was deactivated." Jian Sining reported concisely, her brows slightly furrowed: "The opponent is very careful, leaving no trace; currently we cannot trace the user's information."

Lin Dongfan showed no surprise on his face: "As expected. An old fox digging a hole naturally won't leave his own footprints. Put this line on hold for now, focus your efforts, and keep Liu Wen's parents under strict watch!"

"Understood." Jian Sining nodded: "We've already arranged 24-hour shifts to tail her, and technical wiretapping is in place. As long as Liu Wen contacts her family again, we can definitely locate her."

"Hmm." Lin Dongfan waved his hand: "Go, report any situation to me immediately."

In the following days.

Calm winds and still waters.

Lv Yizhi and Jiang Lin's side also fell into a state of laying down arms; after Wang Daochen set the tone, they could no longer press the issue of "overseas treatment," and could only await the hearing's research results.

But all of this was merely the calm before the storm.

That smear of five hundred thousand yuan splashed on Lin Dongfan; the other side was surely waiting for an opportunity to strike, and Lin Dongfan was well aware of this.

For now, it's impossible to question the voluntariness of the organ donation.

If further questioned, the other side would very likely bring up the "five hundred thousand" issue and accuse Lin Dongfan of bribing Liu Wen to give false testimony.

Peng Tianhua and Fan Ye spent each day crouched in the surveillance vehicle, watching Liu Wen's old apartment building, the cigarette in their mouths never ceasing, and their complaints never stopping.

"Fan Ye, this tailing job is hardly fit for a person! Not a flicker of movement. Old Man Liu either goes downstairs to buy vegetables or takes a stroll, and Old Lady Liu stays home all day fussing over her little cross-stitch. This life is more regular than that of a retired official—do you think Liu Wen abroad has forgotten her parents?"

"That little bit of money she has isn't enough for her to live it up abroad; just wait, it'll be soon."

Currently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has grasped Liu Wen's financial information; her card still has a balance of 430,000 yuan—though it's not a small amount, she can't use much of it.

Liu Wen's UnionPay card has limits on overseas spending, with a daily ceiling of five thousand yuan.

Even if she withdrew five thousand yuan in cash each day abroad, after daily expenses she would have little left. Now her UnionPay card has been frozen; it's foreseeable that she will soon find herself in a predicament of running out of funds.

A few days later in the evening, sure enough, it was exactly as Lin Dongfan had anticipated.

The surveillance personnel in the vehicle urgently reported to Lin Dongfan: "Director Lin, there's activity on the landline at Liu Wen's home! An overseas internet call has come through and is currently in progress!"

"Record and locate!"

Lin Dongfan's spirits lifted; he grabbed his coat, got out of the vehicle, and summoned Peng Tianhua to go upstairs together.

When the two entered the Liu family's living room, Liu's parents felt no surprise. This wasn't Lin Dongfan's first visit as a "guest"; he had already spoken with Liu's parents several times before.

The call continued.

Liu's mother instinctively turned on the landline's speakerphone, and a young woman's voice, sobbing and urgent, came through—that of the long-missing nurse Liu Wen.

"... Mom, I really have no way out. The money in the card—I can't withdraw a single cent. Here I can't even afford meals; tonight I might have to sleep on the streets."

Liu's mother's voice filled with heartache and anxiety: "How could it be frozen? Did you mess up the operation? There's so much money..."

"It's not an operational issue; it's been judicially frozen, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating me." Liu Wen hurriedly urged her parents: "Mom, you and Dad quickly think of a way to send me some money. No need for much—first transfer one hundred thousand yuan to tide me over. One hundred thousand yuan, you should be able to come up with that, right?"

Liu's father's voice interjected, somewhat hesitant: "Wenwen, that's a lot of money... how do we transfer it out? The procedures are very troublesome, and..."

"The procedures are a hassle—you figure it out!" Liu Wen's emotions verged on collapse: "Do you not want to take care of me?! Do you want me to die out here?!"

Upon hearing this, Peng Tianhua cracked a grin, seemingly mutting silently: "Damn, this unfilial daughter—she can't get by outside, taking her anger out on her parents; she deserves it!"

At that moment, Liu Wen on the other end of the phone suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.

When she spoke again.

Liu Wen's tone underwent a subtle change; the sobbing and urgency lessened, replaced by an icy, mocking calm.

"Dad, Mom..." she said slowly, her voice unusually clear through the earpiece: "You're speaking... why are you hemming and hawing? Is there... someone else nearby? Did you turn on the speakerphone?"

This unfilial daughter, she's still pretty sharp at crucial moments.

Liu's father and mother sat on the living room sofa, with the expressionless Lin Dongfan and the slightly smiling Peng Tianhua seated before them; the technicians operating the wiretapping equipment waited in the surveillance vehicle downstairs.

Upon hearing her daughter's question, the elderly couple's faces instantly turned pale, their eyes darting anxiously toward Lin Dongfan, their lips trembling as they didn't know how to answer.

This subtle movement and silence undoubtedly gave Liu Wen on the other end of the phone her answer.

Liu Wen let out a light laugh, that sound traveling through the line carrying a chilling, knowing tone: "Looks like I guessed right—is it the Anti-Corruption Bureau wiretapping? Nice work, you guys!"

She paused, then her voice suddenly rose, laced with obvious provocation, as if piercing the phone line to shout to those in the living room: "Director Lin Dongfan, I know you're definitely nearby! Don't hide—you wanted to talk to me, didn't you? Come on! Please pick up the phone yourself; let's have a chat!"

Lin Dongfan, seated on the sofa, suddenly furrowed his brows.

This woman's sharpness and aggressiveness really don't resemble a little nurse! Moreover, her arrogant attitude is completely different from just a moment ago when she was crying poor and begging for money.

Lin Dongfan gave Liu's parents a slight nod, signaling them to stay silent.

Liu's parents reluctantly moved aside.

Lin Dongfan walked to the living room telephone, turned off the speakerphone, placed the receiver to his ear, and spoke in a steady, cold tone: "I'm Lin Dongfan. What do you want to talk about?"

"Director Lin, it really is you." Liu Wen's tone carried a hint of contempt and mockery: "How's it feel? Is tapping ordinary citizens' phones still enjoyable for you?"

"Can't compare to you living it up abroad." Lin Dongfan replied coldly: "Speak up—are you thinking of sleeping on the streets overseas, or do you want to return home?"

"Threatening me?" Liu Wen scoffed: "Director Lin, as the saying goes, plain people don't speak in riddles: if I return to China, I can bite you to death in one gulp! Do you believe it? If you're wise, hurry up and unfreeze my bank card!"