After seeing Tao Qiyue off, Wang Zhenliang felt considerably younger. He murmured, "Didn't everyone have dreams in their youth? But after falling into the great dye vat of society, our dreams have long since changed color."
In Tao Qiyue, he saw youthful vigor and determination. This reminded Wang Zhenliang of when he first joined the police force, driven by a mission to aid the public and bring criminals to justice. However, he was met with disdain and misunderstanding from those around him. What's more, his investigations into certain major cases were interfered with by powerful figures, which infuriated him at the time. But what could he do? Over time, Wang Zhenliang's fervent heart gradually died down, eventually leading him to his current mediocrity.
"First, I don't curry favor with them, and second, I've committed no serious offenses. Their only way of dealing with me is through idleness. What do I have to fear?" Wang Zhenliang chuckled, though he now felt a glimmer of hope. Tao Qiyue's background and personality were destined to make her a sharp weapon in his hands. In Ninghai, who would dare to lay a hand on Tao Qiyue?
"Ninghai is becoming increasingly interesting. Perhaps Ning Pingguo's imprisonment is merely the opening act; the real show might still be to come," Wang Zhenliang said with a faint smile, a piercing gleam in his eyes, his blood seeming to boil. "I can't wait to showcase my skills!"
He summoned his deputy and instructed him to provide full assistance to Tao Qiyue in her case. He also announced that he would be going to the countryside for research in the coming days and would deal with any matters upon his return. Staying away from the vortex was the wisest choice. Wang Zhenliang wanted to see if Tao Qiyue had the capability and determination to achieve great things. If she proved to be truly exceptional, he would naturally lend her his support.
Meanwhile, with Wang Zhenliang's strong backing, Tao Qiyue reassigned over half her personnel for targeted searches across the city. Under this widespread dragnet, clues soon emerged. Most of the individuals on the list were likely victims, their bodies transported via cold chain to Ninghai Port and then disposed of at sea in international waters by cargo ships. Of course, some people on the list were still alive, all involved in illegal activities within the underworld. Some supplied Yu Shenxing with illicit drugs, while others purchased firearms for him from overseas. In short, the list proved immensely useful.
Tao Qiyue was furious. This case involved an enormous number of people, and the victim count was terrifying. It was arguably the biggest case in Ninghai in the past thirty years! With a complete chain of evidence, both eyewitnesses and physical evidence were in place. Yu Shenxing would have no chance to escape this time.
That evening, Tao Qiyue led her team to the hospital, Ninghai's most luxurious private facility, with Yu Shenxing as their target. Yu Shenxing had undergone surgery the previous night, but the doctors had informed him that only an artificial joint could be implanted; no other options were viable. Upon hearing the devastating news, Yu Shenxing flew into a rage at Yu Botao, roaring, "Dad, you must kill that Chen Jin Zhao! He ruined my future. From now on, I'll be useless, and I might even jeopardize your succession!"
"I am truly unwilling to accept this!" Yu Botao's face was ashen. Thinking of his dim prospects, he gritted his teeth and said, "Chen Jin Zhao deserves to die. Shenxing, don't worry. I've already asked the old man to exert his influence; we will definitely get rid of Chen Jin Zhao." "Just wait. We might receive good news tomorrow."
Yu Shenxing calmed down and nodded fiercely. Yu Botao, remembering something, glanced at the two police officers guarding the ward. He then lowered his voice and asked, "Did you leave any obvious traces of the misdeeds you committed?" Yu Shenxing shook his head. "Then it's settled. Chen Jin Zhao is doomed." The two of them sneered.
*Knock, knock, knock!* Tao Qiyue entered the room without waiting for permission. Yu Botao raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased by her behavior, but refrained from an outburst due to his apprehension of the old man from the Tao family. Yu Shenxing was also annoyed with Tao Qiyue. They were family, so why was Tao Qiyue keeping him under house arrest? If this got out, how would he maintain his reputation in the Jiangnan region? Despite their inner displeasure, father and son showed no outward signs of it.
Yu Botao chuckled, "Qiyue, you should call me Uncle from now on, right? You've come so late to see us, have you already uncovered the truth and decided to release your brother?" Yu Shenxing chimed in, "Most likely. I've done nothing wrong and stand tall. That bastard Chen Jin Zhao is slandering me. Little sister Qiyue, you must not let Chen Jin Zhao out; that fellow has antisocial personality disorder."
Tao Qiyue smiled, "Indeed, there is some good news I need to inform you of." "What?" the father and son asked in unison.
*Rustle!* Tao Qiyue presented an arrest warrant to the father and son. The two looked at each other, Yu Botao's face darkening. "Qiyue, what do you mean by this?" Yu Shenxing's face turned ashen after carefully reading the warrant, and his body trembled with fear. "Little sister Qiyue..." "It's not April Fool's Day today, why are you playing such a joke on me?" "It's not funny at all."
Tao Qiyue said calmly, "You've both seen the arrest warrant, and this is my police badge, proving my identity. Yu Shenxing, you are suspected of intentional homicide, smuggling contraband, and illegal possession of firearms, among other charges. Please accompany us back to the bureau for investigation." Yu Shenxing's face turned pale, and he collapsed onto the hospital bed, unable to move. "How could this happen..."
Yu Botao vehemently objected. Tao Qiyue placed her hand on the holster of her firearm, warning him that if he dared to act rashly, she would also take him in for investigation. "Dad, Dad, save me! I don't want to go to jail, I don't want to be executed!" Yu Shenxing finally panicked, losing all his usual swagger, replaced by the abject fear and distress of a cornered dog.
Given Yu Shenxing's injured hands, Tao Qiyue had people fit him with ankle cuffs and even a black hood. The proud eldest young master of the Yu family was reduced to such a pathetic state. Yu Botao, who was usually composed, now began to panic. He fumbled with his phone, dialing several times before finally connecting. "Dad, something's happened... That girl from the Tao family, she's taken Shenxing in for investigation with an arrest warrant. The charges are numerous, and they carry heavy penalties." "Dad, you must save Shenxing."
At the Yu family manor, Yu Lingxiao felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his chest, his mind in disarray. He never imagined that Yu Shenxing's misdeeds would be discovered by Tao Qiyue. If his assumptions were correct, Tao Qiyue would have a wealth of incriminating evidence. "What is this girl up to? Why is she targeting the Yu family?" "A sycophant! How could the Tao family raise such an ungrateful wretch? What benefit could she possibly gain from this?!"