Chapter 911: The Sky Has Fallen, Master Fan Draws His Sharp Sword!

Jingcheng Fourth Ring Road.

The black Audi was stuck in the traffic, unable to move an inch.

Lin Dongfan sat in the back seat, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee, his gaze fixed on the unmoving traffic outside, his brows knotted.

Lao Ba glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"Master Fan, there's an accident up ahead; we'll probably be stuck for a while."

Lin Dongfan didn't speak.

He glanced at his watch; it was already 3:20 p. m.

It's been an hour since leaving West Mountain, and we've just gotten onto the Fourth Ring. At this speed, it'll take at least another two hours to reach the airport—we'll miss the latest flight and have to wait for the next one.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

He kept turning over the phone call he'd received earlier.

Secretary Xiao Chen's voice still echoed in his ears: "Director Qi of the Provincial Public Security Department called, saying there's progress on Yang Qing's end, and ordered you to return to River Wave immediately."

There's progress!

Those three words, Lin Dongfan had been waiting for them for quite some time.

From Su Qingyu's disappearance, to Zhao Tianyu's murder, then Zhao Linlin's attack and Zhou Zheng being taken to Hundred Yue Province—amid all the twists and turns, how many times had they thought the truth would surface, only for it to be suppressed again.

Now, at last, there is progress.

But this damn traffic jam is like a woman's period—you know it's an unavoidable part of life, yet when it shows up you still can't help feeling irritable.

……

Time rewinds two hours earlier.

Hundred Yue Province Public Security Department.

Interrogation Room.

Yang Qing sat opposite Zhou Zheng, the ashtray before him already full of cigarette butts. He stared at Zhou Zheng's haggard face, his expression complex.

"Old Zhou, think again. If you don't speak now, once you're in court the nature of things will change. We've been through life and death together—I hope I can help you get a suspended death sentence."

Zhou Zheng lowered his head and said nothing.

Yang Qing sighed:

"After more than ten years as brothers, I can't bear to see you come to this. But you need to understand that insisting on death to the end won't change anything. The existing evidence is already enough to send you to trial."

Zhou Zheng finally lifted his head.

Wearing a bitter smile, he looked at Yang Qing: "I've spoken—can you guarantee me a suspended death sentence?"

Yang Qing fell silent for a second, not daring to make any guarantees.

He only promised: "If you voluntarily confess to the crimes we don't yet know about, fulfilling the conditions for self-surrender, I'll do everything I can to help you with what comes next."

Zhou Zheng stared at Yang Qing for Along time, seemingly understanding his sincerity and righteousness.

"Alright, I'll speak."

Over the next hour, Zhou Zheng told everything he knew.

Su Qingyu's disappearance is related to him. He had gone to the Su residence and threatened Su Qingyu, but he didn't kill her—Zhao Tianyu was the one who killed Su Qingyu.

Afterwards……

The Zhao Group was swallowed up, and Zhao Tianyu became a pawn in the leaders' eyes.

Zhao Tianyu's death was caused by a gun he himself fired.

Also, on the night Zhao Linlin was attacked at home, the masked man was none other than Zhou Zheng himself. He used his wife's black stockings as a mask, went to Zhao Linlin's house, intending to destroy the surveillance footage of his meeting with Su Qingyu.

Behind all of this, there is a manipulator.

That manipulator is Zheng Congwen.

After hearing Zhou Zheng finish, Yang Qing remained silent for Along time.

Although he had anticipated the truth, hearing Zhou Zheng personally admit to these crimes still left him with an indescribable heaviness.

Finally……

Yang Qing anguishedly asked Zhou Zheng: "You were once a model officer in the police force, a man of ideals, hot-blooded, and principled! Why did you become Zheng Congwen's pawn?!"

He seemed to have expected Yang Qing to ask that.

Zhou Zheng let out a bitter laugh:

"These years, you've had Lin Dongfan as a good brother, rising smoothly all the way! Even Director Qi of the Provincial Department gives you face—how could you understand my predicament?

I've handled as many big and small cases as you have.

I've suffered no fewer injuries than you.

How many times have I walked through the Ghost Gate Pass?

Nobody knows how much blood and sweat I've shed, but you should be aware of it! Yet what use are those achievements, all that blood and sweat I've poured out?

My name never appears on the promotion list!

If I don't cozy up to Zheng Congwen, I'm still just a junior detective! Not to mention this lifetime—even if I struggle into the next life, the position of brigade commander will never be mine!

Where have I gone wrong?

The more Zhou Zheng spoke, the more agitated he became, while Yang Qing grew ever more distressed, until in the end he could only stay silent.

……

On Jingcheng Fourth Ring Road, the traffic that had been jammed for ages finally began to loosen.

Lin Dongfan glanced at his watch; vexation showed on his face. It was already 4:09 p. m., the latest flight had already been missed, and he could only wait for the next one.

He picked up his phone and dialed Yang Qing's number: "Old Yang, is now a good time to talk?"

"Sure, haven't you taken off yet?"

Yang Qing's somewhat surprised voice came through the phone.

Lin Dongfan said: "Just now I was stuck on the road, so I could only take a flight. I'm asking you, besides Secretary Qi, who else knows about Zhou Zheng's statement?"

"Jian Sining and our teacher—Secretary Luo." Yang Qing said: "Only these few people know; it shouldn't leak."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Dongfan instructed: "On the way escorting Zhou Zheng back to Riverwaves, you must ensure his safety. Absolutely do not let it end up with him dying without any evidence."

The implication was to prevent Zhou Zheng from being assassinated.

Yang Qing confidently replied: "Rest assured, I'll personally escort him. Unless I die, no one can take out Zhou Zheng under my nose."

"Be careful, those people, when pushed to the brink, will do anything. Let's leave it at that for now; we'll discuss the specifics when we meet. I'm heading to the opportunity first." After Lin Dongfan finished briefly outlining the key points, he was about to hang up the phone.

Lin Dongfan finished briefly outlining the key points and was about to hang up the phone.

Yang Qing suddenly added: "Don't just focus on my side; what about Zheng Congwen's side—shouldn't you also assign someone to keep a close watch on him? Don't forget, he's this Public Security Political Commissar, different from those in other cities. He's a provincial-level cadre; regarding his matters, the Provincial Committee will definitely need to hold a meeting to study and decide. To prevent him from fleeing upon hearing the news, you'd better first assign someone to monitor him closely. Don't end up failing to catch him and still get blamed."

"I happen to have that idea," Lin Dongfan chuckled.

Yang Qing asked: "Who do you plan to send to keep an eye on Zheng Congwen?"

"Gao Yicheng."

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation.

Soon over the phone came Yang Qing's skeptical voice: "That suspended Deputy Brigade Commander? You must not have slept enough! He doesn't even have enforcement authority now, and besides, Zheng Congwen is his superior."

"I'm telling you, there really isn't anyone more suitable than him."

Lin Dongfan smiled confidently.

He added: "Gao Yicheng was suspended by Zheng Congwen, so he's naturally seething with resentment. Give him a chance to avenge his humiliation—could he easily let it pass? Moreover, if this is handled well, it's also a chance to earn merit, which would help him get his job back."

"You're sure he'll rush forward despite the risk?" Yang Qing still felt uneasy.

Lin Dongfan said: "He's already been suspended—what could be worse? If he doesn't take a gamble despite the risk, his career is over. Give it a shot, and at least there's a slim chance for a comeback. He's no fool; in this matter, he certainly won't hesitate."

"Since you trust him so much, let's do it that way." Yang Qing had just finished speaking when another thought occurred to him: "By the way, about you promising to give me an apartment last time—hurry up and make it happen. I've already bragged about it, and my wife and kids are waiting for this surprise; don't make me come home empty-handed."