Anmin Village, on the outskirts, is currently in a state of pending construction due to urban planning.
Large 'Demolish' characters are painted on the walls of many houses in the village, and two-thirds of the local villagers have already moved into the city.
Only a small number of elderly people who are unwilling to leave remain in the village.
As the demolition has not yet commenced, some enterprising villagers have rented out their houses.
However, rent is collected monthly to avoid potential financial disputes in case of sudden demolition.
Despite the departure of local villagers, the village still has a floating population of over two thousand people.
Currently, the residents of the village are a mixed bunch.
There are migrant workers, drivers operating unlicensed taxis seeking cheaper rent, sex workers, individuals involved in underground gambling, and even criminals hiding under assumed identities.
In short, Anmin Village is no longer a village with simple folk.
It has become a breeding ground for various illicit businesses and a haven for fugitives.
Consequently, Anmin Village has also become a source of commendations for the law enforcement departments in the eastern part of the city.
Each raid yields different results.
As ten black vans enter the village in batches under the cover of darkness, it doesn't attract much attention.
Aside from the individuals involved in illicit activities, no one else is alerted.
Before the vans entered the village, the leaders of the operation had already notified the local power brokers.
Therefore, as the vehicles entered, no one stepped forward to obstruct them, allowing the vans to proceed.
One in the morning.
The ten vans converge on the main road north of the village.
In the first van.
A young man of twenty-eight, of ordinary appearance but with fierce eyes, takes out a walkie-talkie.
"Hello, can everyone hear me?"
"Received, Brother Nan!"
"Tonight's targets are the red brick bungalow in the third house of the second row directly ahead, and the blue brick tile house in the fifth house of the third row.
Xiao Wang, Xiao Chen, you two will lead the teams to block the escape routes.
Lao Xian, you'll lead your men to take the blue brick tile house in the fifth house of the third row. We don't know how many people are inside yet, bring your guns, but try not to fire unless absolutely necessary."
"Okay!"
"Understood!"
As Xiang Nan finished his arrangements, the last three vans disembark over twenty youths.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Chen count their men, and both teams immediately disperse to block the roads as instructed.
After they leave, over twenty people also disembark from the three middle vans.
Lao Xian, leading the team, counts his men and weapons, and then moves towards the target houses.
Finally, Xiang Nan leads four vans of men and creeps towards the red brick bungalow in the third house of the second row.
...
Anmin Village is exceptionally quiet tonight.
Hair salons, casinos, and other illicit establishments have no customers tonight.
Even the guard dogs, usually prone to barking at night, remain silent.
The entire Anmin Village is eerily tranquil tonight!
Inside an underground casino on the west side of the village.
Brother Datou, the manager, fiddles with the playing cards on the table, while his subordinates, who are on guard, surround him.
They are bored, playing cards and whispering among themselves as they look at their vigilant boss.
"Why isn't Brother not only not opening for business tonight but also recalling all the lookouts? Is something big going to happen?"
"Look at Brother's expression, he seems uneasy. Could it be that his enemies are coming for him?"
"Probably not. From what I've heard, other establishments to the east, north, and south of the village are also closed tonight. Even the roadside hair salons are shut."
Everyone is curious. All establishments closing at once is an unprecedented situation.
Finally, a confidant can't help but ask, "Brother, what's going on tonight? If we don't open for business, we'll lose a lot of money!"
Brother Datou frowns and glares fiercely at his subordinate.
But seeing the confused expressions of his men, he explains vaguely, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Someone has paid to book the whole place for tonight.
I'll distribute the money to everyone after it's over!"
"Wow, booking the whole place? This must be someone important! Brother, you don't have to tell us the full name, just their nickname would be fine!"
"His surname is Xiang!"
Everyone exchanges curious glances.
Then, they are stunned and exchange glances again, not daring to speak further.
Who else in the underworld has the surname Xiang?
Xiang Nan of Tiantang Renjian!
No wonder all the establishments in the village are closed. Who would dare to provoke Tiantang Renjian when they're on a mission!
Just as Brother Datou finishes revealing the truth, a young man rushes into the establishment in a panic.
"Damn it, Brother, dozens of people in black have surrounded the north of the village!"
As soon as he finishes speaking, another young man runs in.
"Brother, north of the village... north of the village..., there was a gunshot!"
With these two pieces of information, the subordinates who already knew who was leading the operation shiver.
Their group are just petty thugs.
Let alone firing guns, even seeing blood in a fight would make them scatter.
Compared to Tiantang Renjian, they aren't even qualified to carry their shoes.
A person's reputation precedes them. Who would dare to inquire when Xiang Nan of Tiantang Renjian is involved!
Not only Brother Datou, but all the managers of other establishments are alarmed upon hearing the reports from the scene.
All the managers keep their eyes fixed on their phones, awaiting notification.
Ten minutes past one in the morning.
Every manager's phone lights up.
Upon seeing the content of the text message, everyone breathes a sigh of relief and immediately instructs their people to reopen for business.
On Huan City Avenue.
Sixteen vans enter the urban area in batches.
Once inside the underground parking lot of Tiantang Renjian, the sixteen vans disappear completely from the capital.
...
The next morning.
Ge Qing now holds two positions: Director of the Propaganda Department of the General Administration and Head of the Special Investigation Team.
In the interrogation room.
Liao Mingxu, the former puppet factory director, no longer possesses his former strategic acumen and spirited demeanor.
A young man in his twenties, with one-third of his black hair turned white, appears to have aged over ten years in just two days.
A member of the special investigation team sits opposite him and asks, "Tell me, who tipped you off and made you change your testimony?"
"No one."
"No one? Liao Mingxu, think carefully before you answer. Concealing information is a serious crime!"
Liao Mingxu glances at him and lets out a dry laugh, remaining silent.
Ge Qing, standing nearby, frowns slightly and suddenly asks, "Liao Mingxu, did someone threaten you, forcing you to change your testimony? Did they kidnap your family?"
A flicker of fear flashes in Liao Mingxu's calm gaze.
Ge Qing notices this subtle detail.
Just as he is about to press further, a member of the special investigation team enters the office.
"Team Leader Ge, a message has come from the Municipal Bureau. All fifteen perpetrators and the mastermind who set fire to the factory warehouse have been apprehended.
Captain Wang asks if you need them transferred here."
Before Ge Qing can reply, Liao Mingxu, who is handcuffed to the chair, can no longer sit still.
He swallows and nervously asks, "Team Leader Ge, can I trust you?"
...
Old Cosmetics Factory.
Gao Fei has just returned to his office after the morning meeting.
He is completely unaware that his report has led to the formation of a special investigation team and the apprehension of fifteen arsonists.
Just as he is fuming over Kong Liwei's early acquisition of a startup project, his phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Gao, it's me, Yu Min!"
"Boss Yu calling so early in the morning, do you have any instructions?"
"Mr. Gao, a grand gift has been delivered to you. Please check it. I truly only wish to be friends with Mr. Gao by sending this gift!"
Yu Min laughs on the phone and hangs up before Gao Fei can reply.
A grand gift?
To make friends?
Just as Gao Fei is bewildered, Wang Desheng sends him a text message.
The message is simple: the fifteen arsonists who burned down the warehouse have suddenly surrendered themselves this morning.
Upon seeing the message, Gao Fei is stunned. He finally understands what Yu Min meant by a gift.
"Damn it, why is this getting more complicated? This is forcing me to owe him a favor!"
Gao Fei sighs in frustration.
He genuinely does not want to get involved with Yu Min, as a person with connections to the underworld would negatively impact his future development.
After thinking for a moment, Gao Fei grits his teeth, steeling his resolve as if making a major decision.
He finds the tip-off hotline for Kyoto Customs and dials it directly.
"Hello, this is the Kyoto Customs tip-off channel!"
"Chengnan Industrial Zone, Shengwei Cosmetics Factory. I, Gao Fei, am reporting them for having at least one shipment of smuggled goods. I am reporting this under my real name!"
(Certain prohibited content will not be written, and will be described indirectly! Otherwise, it will not pass the review!)