Chapter 449: Didn't Expect the Water to be This Deep!

Gu Jing made a special trip to the Industrial Park Management Committee and, after a detailed discussion with Cao Lei, felt that the possibility of securing the project was extremely high, leaving her in an exceptionally good mood.

Cao Lei expressed his approval of her company's qualifications and even revealed that the total budget for the upcoming Industrial Park landscaping project reached 16 million; if she could successfully take on a portion of it, she would be able to meet her sales targets for the year.

Gu Jing prepared a gift for Cao Lei, but he sternly refused it.

Only then did she realize that Cao Lei was a government official who adhered to principles, so she did not persist.

Gu Jing drove back home.

It was already late, and the lights in the house were not on; she assumed her parents had gone out for the evening and were not at home.

Opening the door and preparing to turn on the lights, Gu Jing suddenly felt her back tighten as someone grabbed her by the neck.

A bone-chilling cold radiated from a dagger.

As for her parents, they were lying in a pool of blood, their hands and feet bound, with cloth gags stuffed in their mouths.

For a moment, Gu Jing did not even dare to draw a full breath.

"Who are you? Don't be agitated. Do you want money? I'll give you money, just stay calm, don't hurt me or my family."

"I didn't come for money!" the man behind her said in a low voice. "I heard you intend to participate in the Suiyuan County landscaping project? A person should know their own limits; projects that don't belong to you are not things you should touch!"

Gu Jing tried her best to remain calm. "I know I was wrong. Please, don't hurt me."

"I hope you keep your word! Today is just a lesson for you."

The man drew a blade across Gu Jing's neck.

Fresh blood welled up instantly, staining her clothes red.

Gu Jing endured the fear and pain, not daring to scream for fear of provoking the assailant.

"Remember! Don't call the police, or I will kill your whole family."

The man delivered his harsh threat and gave Gu Jing a forceful shove.

Gu Jing fell heavily, and by the time she scrambled to her feet, the assailant had already vanished.

She rushed toward her parents and tore the cloth gags from their mouths.

"Who on earth did you offend outside? Some money isn't meant for us to earn; living safely and steadily is more important than anything!" Gu Jing's mother said, wiping away tears. "Your father was slashed; hurry and take him to the hospital."

Gu Jing choked back sobs. "Mom, I'm sorry, it's my fault for implicating you both. I'm calling 120 right now!"

The next morning.

Tang Ye had not been in his office for long.

Lin Heng's voice came from outside.

"This comrade, County Magistrate Tang is busy right now, you cannot go in for the moment. Let me announce you first."

Tang Ye frowned; someone coming to find him right at the start of the workday must have something important.

Shortly after, there was a knock at the door.

Tang Ye asked softly, "Who is outside?"

"County Magistrate Tang, it's me, Gu Jing."

The woman announced her name.

Tang Ye realized the visitor was Gao Ping's niece.

"Xiao Lin, let Manager Gu in!"

Gu Jing was wearing sunglasses, making it impossible to see her face, and the atmosphere felt somewhat strange.

"Xiao Lin, brew a cup of Pu'er for Manager Gu," Tang Ye instructed Lin Heng.

Lin Heng immediately brewed tea for Gu Jing.

Gu Jing remained silent, and Tang Ye muttered to himself, suspecting something had happened.

"Xiao Lin, there is a document that needs to be delivered to Secretary Han; you go make that trip." Tang Ye found an excuse to send Lin Heng away.

"Understood, I'll go deliver it right away."

Once Lin Heng left the office and closed the door, Tang Ye said softly, "Manager Gu, I already called Cao Lei at the Management Committee yesterday. He will review your materials, and normally speaking, if your qualifications meet the standards, we can cooperate further in the later stages."

Gu Jing slowly removed her sunglasses, her eyes bloodshot and filled with indignation.

"County Magistrate Tang, I am very grateful to you. I sent the materials to Director Cao yesterday and communicated with him. However, someone broke into my home last night, held a knife to my neck, and forced me to withdraw from this project."

Having said that, Gu Jing unbuttoned her shirt collar.

A red bloodstain crawled from her slender neck to her shoulder; although it had already scabbed over, it still looked gruesome and terrifying.

Tang Ye widened his eyes. "Do you know who these people are?"

Gu Jing shook her head and sighed. "The person was masked, not particularly tall, but very strong. My father was slashed and needed eight stitches, and my mother was kicked and broke two ribs. County Magistrate Tang, I originally came to Suiyuan to see if there was business to be done here, but I never expected the water to be this deep."

Tang Ye took a deep breath and comforted her. "Stay calm. Have you called the police?"

Gu Jing's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head in grievance. "I didn't dare call the police, because the person warned me that if I dared to call the police, they would kill my whole family."

Tang Ye could see the fear in Gu Jing's eyes.

Tang Ye patiently reassured her, "Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad. Do not be afraid; this matter must involve the police. Before the case is solved, I will have the police protect the safety of you and your family."

A look of slight gratitude appeared in Gu Jing's eyes as she sighed, "Thank you."

Tang Ye's expression was solemn. "Both officially and personally, this is what I should do."

In front of Gu Jing, Tang Ye dialed Wan Ming's number.

"Old Wan, are you free now? Come to my office; there is an important matter to discuss."

"Understood, I'll be there right away."

Ten-odd minutes later, Wan Ming arrived at Tang Ye's office.

Wan Ming glanced at Gu Jing and asked softly, "What's going on?"

Tang Ye introduced her. "This comrade is named Gu Jing, the niece of Director Gao of the Municipal Finance Bureau. She runs a landscaping company and was preparing to participate in the landscaping construction of the Suiyuan Industrial Park, but last night someone broke into her home, harmed her and her family, and warned her not to participate in this project."

A profound look appeared in Wan Ming's eyes, "It is highly probable that a peer did this. We can narrow down the scope of the investigation."

Tang Ye nodded slightly, "The nature of this matter is vile, and it affects the business environment of Suiyuan."

Wan Ming said in a deep voice, "I will organize a special Investigation Team right now and strive to uncover the truth in the shortest possible time."

Tang Ye emphasized, "You must also arrange for people to protect Gu Jing and her family well."

Wan Ming nodded, "Fine, I will arrange for people to protect her twenty-four hours a day."

Seeing that Tang Ye had arranged everything, Gu Jing's initial fear eased quite a bit.

She had originally just thought to give it a try.

She had not expected Tang Ye to be so thorough in his considerations for her.

"County Magistrate Tang, thank you."

"You're welcome. Have you told Bureau Chief Gao about this?"

"I haven't told him yet."

Tang Ye sighed, "I also feel very pained that such a thing has happened. Please believe in our determination; we will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

Wan Ming made a phone call and gave a few instructions.

A moment later, he hung up the phone and informed Tang Ye, "I have already had Er Zi wait outside; he will lead people to protect President Gu in secret."

Tang Ye comforted Gu Jing, "You can rest assured regarding Bureau Chief Wan's arrangements; he will absolutely protect you and your family well."

Gu Jing put her sunglasses back on and said softly, "Then I will trouble Bureau Chief Wan."

Tang Ye stood by the window, watching Gu Jing drive away, with Er Zi's car following closely behind.

Wan Ming took a deep breath, "There are about seven companies responsible for the greening of Suiyuan; although they are said to be seven companies, their backgrounds are actually all interconnected. They basically cover all the municipal projects in Hanzhou."

Tang Ye was quite surprised.

He had not expected that the greening project he looked down upon would actually be turbulent and harbor murderous intent.

"You must investigate this matter deeply; no matter what background the other party has, you must have the determination to investigate it to the end."