Lao Gui, due to severe injuries, was rushed to the hospital for rescue. After two hours, despite all medical efforts, he succumbed to his wounds and passed away.
The incident was witnessed by many, and the news spread with remarkable speed, quickly becoming the hottest topic in the town. Lao Gui's reputation was on par with Pan Wenbin's. Upon the announcement of his death, many who had suffered under his bullying celebrated by setting off firecrackers.
The common folk harbored a deep hatred for such wicked individuals. Although they suspected that the perpetrators of the attack were likely not good people themselves, they prayed that they would remain safe, just like Yang Jian.
Nanhu Clubhouse.
Yu Feng, Hu Zhenghua, and Zhou Tao gathered together.
"Mr. Yu, news from the hospital confirms Lao Gui's death. Furthermore, two of Lu Feng's associates were apprehended. One of them also died from a steel pellet to the back of the head, and the other is in police custody."
Hu Zhenghua, having just received a text message from Brother Mao from the hospital, hurried to relay the information to Yu Feng.
Yu Feng's expression was tinged with nervousness. "Two deaths, and one arrested. This has complicated things."
"Mr. Yu, where is Lu Feng now? Could he be targeted by the police?"
Zhou Tao, a middle-aged man around forty, had been involved in the town's underworld for over twenty years. He had cultivated a calm demeanor, remaining unfazed by most situations, and had since gone legitimate. Consequently, he was not flustered by the current predicament.
Yu Feng glanced at his watch. "I arranged for them to be sent out of Xinhe and ensured they boarded an inter-provincial long-distance bus. They should have crossed the provincial border by now."
"Did you leave any evidence of your transaction with him?"
"No, the phone card I used to contact him was not registered under my real name and has since been destroyed. All the money I gave him was in cash, with no transfer records. Additionally, he was fired by the company over twenty days ago."
"So, your planning of this incident was a one-on-one arrangement?"
"Yes, I was particularly careful about that. Only the two of us were involved in all the planning."
Zhou Tao breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what do you have to worry about? Lu Feng is highly resilient and has money. If he lives incognito for ten to eight years, this matter will blow over. Even if he is caught, he likely won't implicate you. He's quite loyal. Even if he did, he wouldn't have enough evidence. As long as you firmly deny it, the police can't do anything to you."
Yu Feng, however, remained anxious. "That's what you say, but I was the one who arranged to meet Lao Gui today. Moreover, Lu Feng is a former employee of my company. Not only will the police suspect me, but Lao Gui's associates have probably already concluded that I am the mastermind."
Zhou Tao waved his hand dismissively. "The police suspecting you is useless if they can't produce evidence. Besides, we are all legitimate businessmen. Being pushed to desperation by a criminal element like Lao Gui is a dereliction of duty on the police's part. They should turn a blind eye to Lao Gui's death. If they really investigate us, the public won't agree, and higher-ups will intervene. As for Lao Gui's associates, you have even less to worry about. I will arrange for people to suppress them, letting them know that with Lao Gui gone, this is still our territory, the domain of us old townsfolk."
"Exactly. From now on, whenever outside forces try to encroach, we will jointly suppress them."
Hu Zhenghua quickly chimed in, genuinely pleased by Lao Gui's demise. His farm, which represented an investment of tens of millions, was finally secure. With the three of them joining forces, no one in the town would dare to bully him anymore.
After Zhou Tao's reassurance, Yu Feng's mind finally settled, and he remained prepared to face any police inquiries.
Teacher's Village.
Lu Qian's family was preparing for dinner.
Chen Lan's voice drifted from the kitchen. "Yaoyao, call your brother and ask if he's coming home for dinner."
Lu Yao, who was playing Go with her father, pouted. "Mom, don't bother with him. He's eating and drinking well outside. Do you think he'll go hungry?"
Lu Qian put down a Go stone. "Yaoyao, call him and ask him to come back. I feel like he's been acting strange lately. He comes back at eleven or twelve at night and leaves early in the morning. Isn't he working at Dongsheng Company? How can he be so busy?"
Lu Yao reluctantly took out her phone and dialed Lu Feng's number, but it showed as switched off.
"Mom, my brother's phone is off. Let's not wait for him. I'm starving."
"Then wash your hands and let's eat. This child doesn't know where he's wandered off to."
Chen Lan brought out a plate of food, still muttering.
As the family sat down at the dining table, before anyone could pick up their chopsticks, they heard a knock at the door.
Chen Lan, thinking it was her son returning, quickly got up to open the door, only to find two uniformed police officers standing there.
"Hello, is this Lu Feng's residence?"
"Yes, I am Lu Feng's mother. What is this about?"
The two officers then produced their badges. "We are officers from the Xinhe Police Station. Lu Feng is suspected of involvement in the shooting and murder case that occurred this morning at Pinwei Shiguang Teahouse. He is currently wanted by the police. We request your cooperation with our investigation."
"What did you say? Xiao Feng killed someone? Impossible, absolutely impossible."
Chen Lan could not accept this reality and her body suddenly went limp, collapsing onto the floor.
Lu Qian's bowl clattered to the floor, scattering food everywhere. He stood frozen in a daze.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Lu Yao, her face pale with fright, rushed over and helped her mother to lean against the sofa.
Seeing the distressed state of Lu Qian and Chen Lan, the officers turned to Lu Yao. "We apologize, but we need to search Lu Feng's room. Please cooperate."
"This way, please."
Lu Yao did not refuse. She had heard about the shooting incident at Pinwei Shiguang that morning and had always disliked such gang-related violence, so she hadn't paid much attention. However, she never imagined that her brother would be involved.
Under Lu Yao's supervision, the two officers meticulously searched Lu Feng's room but found no suspicious items.
"Teacher Lu, have you contacted Lu Feng at all today?"
During the search, the officers learned through conversation that both Lu Yao and Chen Lan were teachers at the Experimental Middle School, so they maintained a gentle demeanor.
"No, you can check my phone. I was just about to call him home for dinner, but his phone was off."
Lu Yao handed her phone to the officers, proving that she had indeed not contacted her brother.
"Mm, thank you for your cooperation. If he calls home, please persuade him to return and surrender. The law is vast and inescapable. Our police system is about to be networked nationwide, and through online wanted notices, he will have nowhere to hide. There is a significant difference in sentencing between voluntary surrender and being apprehended by the police. Your family and he himself should recognize the reality. A murder case, once unsolved, will not be closed even after ten or fifty years. Surrender is his only way out."
After checking her phone, the officers began their persuasive talk. The most effective means of pursuing a fugitive is often by appealing to their familial bonds, which they are least likely to sever.
"Please don't worry. If I have any news of my brother, I will report it to you immediately and urge him to surrender. I will not harbor or conceal him."
As an educated intellectual, Lu Yao naturally understood some of the relevant laws and regulations.