Chapter 84: Probe Bureau

Wang Lan's breathing gradually steadied.

Even after leaving the magistrate's office and lying in the bustling hospital, his brow remained tightly furrowed, his hands clasped over his chest, still in a state of alertness.

Li Jiaci tucked his arm under the blanket, then smoothed his furrowed brow, and let out a deep sigh.

"Xiao Liu, this Chou Ge has noted it down for you!"

"Brother guarantees, I'll make them pay a thousandfold, a hundredfold..."

"Whoever moved his brother."

"I'll let none of them off."

This hospital is also where Wang Yingna is receiving treatment.

Li Jiaci took the chance while fetching water to peek outside Wang Yingna's ward.

Lin Zhong and the others stood guard at the door; they weren't surprised by Li Jiaci's arrival and greeted him politely.

"Go in, our big brother is inside!"

"Okay."

Li Jiaci nodded and walked in.

On the sickbed, Wang Yingna remained unconscious, making her already pale face look even more fragile.

Wang Zhen sat by the bedside, arms crossed, dozing; sensing someone enter, he suddenly lifted his head and looked at Li Jiaci.

The two exchanged a smile.

"Brother Wang Zhen, your sister still hasn't woken?"

Hearing that, Wang Zhen rubbed his temples, weary, and said: "She woke this morning; perhaps it's a drug craving flare-up—her mood's unstable, she keeps yawning and saying she's cold, so I coaxed her back to sleep."

"Like that..."

Li Jiaci sipped the freshly boiled water, then asked: "These past two days you've been staying here, haven't you gone back?"

"Yeah, I've left everything to Wang Li and the others; even if I went back, I wouldn't feel at ease, so it's best to stay here with her."

"I know her temper; tormenting just me is enough!"

Wang Zhen said this while tightening the blanket around Wang Yingna.

The siblings' ordeal has been rough; Wang Zhen raised her as both father and mother.

It's no exaggeration to say he feared she'd melt if held in his mouth, or break if held in his hand.

Such caretaking has long become second nature to Wang Zhen.

Li Jiaci is much the same.

Only his burden is heavier, for he must raise five brothers to adulthood—providing for their livelihood and basic needs, and saving money for their marriages and children.

Imagining his five nephews circling him, calling him "uncle," Li Jiaci couldn't help but laugh.

Then Wang Zhen suddenly asked: "I heard your brothers were released?"

"Just released, they were beaten by that ruthless gang, suffering over a dozen hidden injuries, and now they're resting in a downstairs ward."

Li Jiaci nodded; as he spoke of this, the smile on his face vanished instantly.

His gaze also grew deep.

Wang Zhen curled his lip, picked up the apple on the nearby table, drew a short, sharp dagger from his waist, and began to peel the apple slowly and deliberately.

"Younger brother, I underestimated you before!"

"I never expected your connections to be this strong!"

"Even that big shot can be summoned to back you up!"

Li Jiaci waved his hand, wearing a calm expression, and replied: "If I want to work with you, I need some of my own strength—I can't rely on you to solve everything for me!"

"Why be polite with me?"

Wang Zhen lifted his head, looking at him with deep meaning.

"Hah, if I were your real brother, I wouldn't be polite with you!"

"Besides, this matter is complicated; I don't want to drag you into it and make things hard for you!"

"Lin Niansheng is like a piece of dog-skin plaster—once it sticks to you, you can't shake it off!"

Li Jiaci pulled over a chair, sat down, and explained.

Hearing this, Wang Zhen's peeling motion paused; his gaze at Li Jiaci gained a hint of admiration.

If it were anyone else, no matter how big or small the trouble, they'd beg him desperately to handle it, whether he could or not.

But this guy has such awareness—it's truly rare.

Seeing that the apple had been peeled.

Li Jiaci took a sheet of paper and placed it on the table; Wang Zhen promptly put the apple on it.

"Brother, have you looked into Lin Niansheng's background?"

Wang Zhen wiped his hands and probed.

Li Jiaci pondered a moment, feigned a clueless expression, shook his head, and said: "I've only heard that someone backs him, but I don't know who!"

"It's his father-in-law, who currently serves as Deputy Procurator-General of the Procuratorate."

Wang Zhen had no doubt and spoke plainly.

He added: "I've gotten word that his father-in-law will be transferred soon; during this period Lin Niansheng has suddenly become restless, possibly related to this!"

"How so?" Li Jiaci frowned.

"Think about it—before this, did Lin Niansheng deliberately target you lot of troublemakers?"

"No, even my men have been peaceful—so what's his motive?"

"Nothing more than wanting to show off his strength before his father-in-law gets transferred!"

"But the other side is already in a high position; even a transfer would be a promotion, his future is bright—why would he cause trouble?"

Wang Zhen said this, patted Li Jiaci on the shoulder, raised his eyebrows, as if reminding him of something.

Seeing this, Li Jiaci slowly said, "Because... money?"

"Exactly, it's for the money!"

"His father-in-law's procuratorate is investigating a corruption charge, and he himself can't make a move!"

"But Lin Niansheng is different; he's at the grassroots level and can think of many more ways!"

"Just like you scoundrels, it's too easy to frame you; once the evidence is solid, you can't defend yourselves no matter how many mouths you have!"

"If he succeeds in this today, not only will he rise rapidly, but he'll also make a fortune for his father-in-law!"

"Fortunately, the backing you found is tougher than his, so this matter can pass smoothly!"

Upon saying this.

Li Jiaci really gave it serious thought.

As memories of his two lives intertwined and surfaced, his impression of Lin Niansheng was far more than just a single greed.

Greed is merely the most inconspicuous flaw of Lin Niansheng.

This person is extremely deep‑minded, far from being as simple as Wang Zhen guessed.

But Li Jiaci couldn't just say it outright, since many things he learned from lessons in his previous life; he couldn't tell Wang Zhen that he possesses memories of two lives—who would believe that!

Li Jiaci pondered repeatedly, then smiled and said, "Brother Zhen, your guess is spot‑on, but I feel Lin Niansheng's true aim isn't just money; there must be a bigger conspiracy!"

"A bigger conspiracy?"

"Little brother, have you heard any rumors?"

"If Pingzhou undergoes any changes, you can't keep it from me, your older brother!"

Wang Zhen's expression shifted slightly, and he began probing again.

After all, Li Jiaci's backing is the former director of the Judicial Bureau, so his information should be the most well‑informed.

If Pingzhou sees any changes, Wang Zhen must quickly think of a way to respond.

To catch the bandits, first capture their leader.

The deeds Wang Zhen and his men have done are all unsavory.

Put anyone in that situation, who wouldn't panic?