Chapter 81: The Cooked Duck Flew

Li Jiaci had just stepped out when he ran into Kang Shu's wife returning from buying vegetables.

The woman holding a bag of vegetables asked Li Jiaci, who was about to leave: "You finished chatting? Won't you stay for a meal before you go?"

"No, Auntie, I still have something to do."

Li Jiaci gave a polite smile.

Seeing him holding two boxes of tea, the woman immediately added: "Come by whenever you have free time."

"Sure."

Li Jiaci responded while walking out.

After leaving that complex terrain, he went to a supermarket, bought a pack of cigarettes, and also asked the boss for a bag.

He put the two boxes of tea inside, then stood by the roadside puffing out clouds.

It wasn't that he distrusted Wang Zhen's ability to rescue his brother; he just couldn't wait that long.

Even if Wang Zhen had immense abilities, he would feel overwhelmed in the face of so‑called 'evidence'.

That's why he promised Li Jiaci a relatively conservative deadline.

As soon as three days, as long as half a month.

But Wang Lan is so young—how long could he withstand those people's groundless accusations and the hat of brutal interrogation?

What's more, Lin Niansheng is determined to pin the crime on them by force.

Having let Li Jiaci slip away, how could he let Wang Lan off?

Recalling all that had happened in his previous life.

Li Jiaci clenched his fists silently.

He would never allow his brother to suffer any harm again.

Whoever dares to scheme against his brother will make him pay a heavy price.

With the grudges of two lifetimes piled together, he already fears nothing.

Li Jiaci drove his car to a shop just a dozen meters from the government office.

Seven thirty in the morning.

Pedestrians on the road hurried anxiously toward the various stations.

Li Jiaci lowered the sun visor, reclined the seat, and closed his eyes slightly for a moment.

All he needed to do now was wait calmly.

Time flew.

The sunlight grew increasingly dazzling.

Lin Niansheng hurried into the government office.

He stubbed out the cigarette butt, blew away the smoke in his mouth, and greeted the colleague walking toward him.

"Morning."

"Team Leader Lin, Bureau Chief Zhao told you to go to his office for a cup of tea and a chat!"

The colleague spoke, his eyes unable to hide the envious gleam.

Everyone knew that Lin Niansheng had cracked a major drug‑trafficking case these past two days, with both human and material evidence, and the suspects involved were caught on the spot.

The colleague said: "Team Leader Lin, I congratulate you in advance; Bureau Chief Zhao will surely reward you for your meritorious work in solving the case, and might even promote you. Once you make it big, don't forget us brothers!"

"It's not certain yet what the matter is; I'll go find Bureau Chief Zhao first, you keep busy!"

"Sure!"

Lin Niansheng turned around, immediately dropping the humble act he'd just put on, the corners of his mouth shooting up wildly.

He hurried to the door of the Bureau Chief's office.

First he took a deep breath, steadied his excited feelings, then knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in."

Lin Niansheng pushed the door open and stepped inside sideways.

"Bureau Chief Zhao, I heard from Xiao Zhang that you wanted to invite me for tea?"

As his words fell, he only then belatedly noticed that beside Bureau Chief Zhao sat another person.

The person was about sixty or seventy years old, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, sporting a pair of yellowed reading glasses, with silver threads streaked through his temples, his expression very solemn.

"Yo, Bureau Chief Zhao, you've got an appointment?"

"Who is this?"

Lin Niansheng rubbed his hands, smiling as he stepped forward.

Zhao Dezheng gave him a complex glance, then said coldly, "Please have a seat first."

"Okay."

After Lin Niansheng sat down opposite the sofa, he glanced at the empty coffee table before him, and his smile stiffened involuntarily.

"Wasn't this supposed to be tea? I don't even see a teapot!"

Moreover, the old man beside Bureau Chief Zhao kept staring at him with an icy gaze, making him feel a bit creeped out.

"Bureau Chief Zhao, you called me here—what do you want to talk about?"

Lin Niansheng wiped a cold sweat from his pant leg, feeling inexplicably unsure.

Only then saw Zhao Dezheng sitting upright, first glancing at the old man's complexion, then he asked Lin Niansheng: "Xiao Lin, I heard you caught a small‑time drug trafficker?"

"Yes, I lay in wait for several months, finally managed to get hold of their evidence, then moved in with thunderous force and took him down!"

Speaking of this, Lin Niansheng's eyebrows danced with excitement, clearly showing off.

Hearing this, Zhao Dezheng's brows knotted tightly, and he said in a low voice, "Release the person!"

Chief Zhao, what do you mean? Let me release him?

That guy not only hid five hundred grams of powder at home, but there are also witnesses coming forward to testify, having personally seen him smuggle!

Such a despicable drug dealer, once he returns to society, is utterly irresponsible toward the people!

Lin Niansheng instantly wiped the smug look from his face and spoke confidently.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Dezheng's face grew even more stern, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "I won't say it a third time—release the person, and pretend this never happened!"

No, Chief Zhao, why do you want me to release him? At least give me a reason!

Just then, the old man sitting nearby spoke up: "It was I who ordered the bureau chief to release him—military orders are as firm as mountains; Little Zhao dare not disobey!"

You?

Lin Niansheng looked over.

What an attitude—this person is the former director of the Judicial Bureau, Director Kang Nian Yi!

Zhao Dezheng pointed at Lin Niansheng's nose and reminded him furiously.

He already knew the full story; if it weren't for saving face for Lin Niansheng's father-in-law, he would have long since skipped the talk and directly interrogated him on the spot.

Lin Niansheng dazed for a moment, his head buzzing.

The former director of the Judicial Bureau...

How could such a formidable tough guy get involved in a small precinct's case?

But let him release the person?

Impossible!

He had already missed the perfect chance to capture Li Jiaci, and he could absolutely not let his subordinate go free again!

As long as this subordinate turns against him and clings to Li Jiaci refusing to let go, he still has a chance to sweep up that whole gang of society's lowest scum in one net!

With such merit, he could not only rise swiftly here, but also show his face before his high-ranking father-in-law, wiping clean the fact that he had been useless these past years!

Thinking this, Lin Niansheng continued to muster his courage and said: "Chief Zhao, Director Kang, this gang of drug dealers is tarnishing Pingzhou's reputation. We constantly promote the slogan of cracking down on drug dealers, yet they dare to commit crimes despite the wind—showing their arrogance and wickedness. If we don't arrest them now, when will we?"

Lin Niansheng, are you sincerely trying to oppose me?

Zhao Dezheng slammed the tea table hard and rose to his feet.

Chief Zhao, I...

You dare defy my orders? If you don't want to do this job, there are plenty of others who will!

Zhao Dezheng didn't give Lin Niansheng any chance to speak.

Because if this guy says another word, I can't guarantee that Director Kang won't implicate him, the bureau chief of this precinct, as well.

If higher-ups issue a reprimand, losing one's hat would be the least of it—worst case, it could drag down three generations.

Lin Niansheng's heart trembled from the scolding.

He involuntarily looked toward Kang Nian Yi.

In front of him, Zhao Dezheng was like a grandson; what ability did he have to countermand that military order?

Damn it...

Damn, the cooked duck flew away!