After Situ Guan left Flower Street, he arrived at the villa where Shangguan Yi was staying.
"Young Master Shangguan, something big has happened!"
"Situ, what are you panicking about?"
Situ Guan, panting heavily, parked his car and ran all the way to the third floor.
Situ Guan confessed his relationship with his cousin to Shangguan Yi, leaving nothing out.
Shangguan Yi sighed, "You are truly a talent, not even letting your cousin off, and even having a relationship with both mother and daughter. If this gets out, you'll be spending the rest of your life in prison!"
"It is precisely because I fear that that I have come to you for help. I hope you can mobilize the Security Bureau and, with a search warrant, find that thief."
Hearing this, Shangguan Yi fell into thought.
Mobilizing the Security Bureau was a small matter, but the key was that search warrants could not be issued casually.
Moreover, the scope of the search would be extensive, inevitably causing widespread discontent.
"This is difficult. How about I let my bodyguards look for him first?"
Shangguan Yi's bodyguard team consisted of five hundred men, dispersed among several villas to avoid detection.
Situ Guan shook his head and sighed, believing that these bodyguards alone would not be able to find the thief.
Songhai was so vast; finding a small child was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Besides, these bodyguards were trained in combat, and their tracking abilities were far inferior to those of the Security Bureau's soldiers.
"Young Master Shangguan, I believe it would be more reliable to send professional personnel."
Shangguan Yi exhaled, feeling a bit helpless. In the past, with Lin Feng around, these trivial matters could be handled.
Now that Lin Feng was gone, he couldn't abandon Situ Guan.
Situ Guan was a significant asset to Shangguan Yi in Songhai, and his vote was crucial for the upcoming general election, paving the way for Shangguan Yi's advancement.
"Alright, I'll call someone at the bureau."
Shangguan Yi took out his phone and contacted someone from the Security Bureau.
"Hello, is this Xiao Chen? It's me, Shangguan Yi."
"Oh, Director Shangguan, what can I do for you?"
"You immediately take your men to search the roads around Flower Street for a child. Bring a search warrant and seal off all exits."
"Director Shangguan, this is likely against regulations. The Security Bureau has a rule that unless a level-three incident occurs, exits cannot be sealed."
Xiao Chen was the Security Bureau's communications officer and a second-level director of the command center, second only to the first-level director Lin Feng. He had also heard about the stampede accident at Flower Street.
According to the schedule, it was Shangguan Yi's turn to be on duty today, but he had not come to the Security Bureau or Flower Street to maintain order.
This led to chaos at Flower Street, and after the stampede, the Security Bureau personnel were overwhelmed.
Xiao Chen heard that only Su Yang was directing colleagues in cleaning up the mess and seeking justice for the injured soldiers.
Comparing the two directors, the difference was obvious to anyone.
Upon hearing Xiao Chen mention regulations, Shangguan Yi became instantly displeased.
"I am the director, and if I say it's fine, then it's fine. You just need to execute the order!"
"I am very sorry! Without a higher directive, I cannot lead my men to seal off the exits."
Xiao Chen directly hung up the phone. Sealing off exits was a significant matter.
It could lead to traffic congestion and a series of negative incidents.
Songhai was already crowded, and cars were everywhere. Tonight was New Year's Eve, and even more people were visiting relatives.
If he were to lead his men, he would undoubtedly be cursed by the citizens.
Shangguan Yi was stunned, unable to believe that Xiao Chen dared to hang up his phone and refuse to obey orders.
Situ Guan said in a deep voice, "Young Master Shangguan, if this continues, your position as director will be undermined."
"Hmph! Don't talk about me. You've been in the General Affairs Department for decades, yet you have no direct influence and are completely suppressed by Zong Ze. You figure it out yourself!"
Shangguan Yi was very annoyed and waved for someone to escort the guest out.
Situ Guan remained silent and turned to leave the villa.
...
Songhai, Flower Street Square.
Su Yang did not return home, nor did he go to the Security Bureau.
He had already dispatched the people he could to search for that child, or more accurately, for the items in Guan Xiaoyue's bag.
Lillianne had not left either; she had stayed by Su Yang's side since the chaos began.
"Mr. Su, did stampedes happen every year during the Flower Street festival?"
"No. Shangguan Yi was on duty tonight and was supposed to lead the patrol and maintain order. But he didn't show up, probably because he found it too tiring!"
Su Yang sighed. If he had known Shangguan Yi would be so irresponsible, he would have led the team himself.
The hospital had just sent news about this stampede.
The death toll reached thirteen, over a hundred people were injured, and dozens of children were missing.
There were more people than usual at Flower Street this year, and with no one from the Security Bureau leading the team, the soldiers were scattered and trapped by the crowd.
This gave the thieves an opportunity to steal, and any disturbances at Flower Street could not be controlled immediately.
Lillianne looked at the blood on the ground and the torn clothes, her brow furrowing.
"Shangguan Yi has no administrative bearing at all; he's practically on vacation in Songhai. He hasn't even shown his face since this happened."
"Let him be. He has a good father, and someone will cover for him no matter what happens."
Su Yang waited for a long time before the fire department finally arrived at the scene.
The leader of the fire department rushed over, "Director Su, we are extremely sorry for our delay. Please give us your instructions!"
"What instructions do you need? Hurry up and extinguish the fire, rescue the people, and clean up the blood on the ground!"
"Yes, yes, yes. The traffic was too congested on our way here. I'll lead my men to put out the fire now."
Su Yang squinted at the buildings surrounding Flower Street, feeling that some unseen hand was orchestrating tonight's events.
First, the stampede at Flower Street, and then the shops catching fire.
Even if they were fleeing, why would the citizens set fires?
The scene at Flower Street was chaotic, with raging fires burning. The extent of the losses could not be determined at the moment.
Just then, a red Porsche 911 slowly drove up from not far away.
After the car stopped, a fair, long leg in black high heels emerged from the car.
"It's her?"
Su Yang narrowed his eyes. The person who arrived was Li Qingyin, the second shareholder of Century Trading Company.
The newly married wife of Situ Guan from the General Affairs Department.
"Director Su, long time no see!"
"Miss Li, why are you here?"
"Can we talk somewhere nearby?"
Lillianne, being understanding, moved aside to wait.
Su Yang asked, "Are you here about your husband?"
"Nothing can be hidden from you. Besides the old man, I also want to know about Guan Xiaoyue. Is it convenient for you to tell me, Director Su?"
"To be honest, I don't want to get involved in your family matters."
"I understand, but I believe it is necessary for you to tell me, Director Su. We can join forces to bring down Situ Guan."
Su Yang chuckled. Someone actually wanted to help an enemy deal with her own husband.
"Director Su, there's nothing funny about this. Situ Guan has a violent temper and often resorts to domestic violence. I've wanted to divorce him for a long time, but he refuses to divide the family assets and also wants the shares of Century Trading Company that I hold."
"I heard he is close to his cousin, so I plan to use this to make Situ Guan leave with nothing!"
Li Qingyin said through gritted teeth, filled with resentment towards Situ Guan.
Su Yang pondered in silence. It was indeed as he had observed.
Situ Guan often beat his wife, frequented entertainment venues secretly, and was now sleeping with his cousin.
It was time to replace such an immoral and incompetent official.
"Alright, I can tell you and help you, but what's in it for me?"
Li Qingyin was stunned. "No, isn't bringing down Situ Guan and cutting off Shangguan Yi's arm beneficial to you?"
"Situ Guan? What is he? I've never considered him an enemy. You overestimate him!"
"This..."
Li Qingyin was speechless. Hearing Su Yang's words, he was clearly full of confidence.
What benefits could he offer?
Li Qingyin thought for a moment, gritted her teeth, and made a silent decision.