Just as Lao Guai was about to speak, a faint noise came from the warehouse entrance.
One of He Yuan’s helpers reacted instantly, rushing over and dragging in a furtive figure trying to sneak away!
It was none other than Zhao Dezhu, who, following Director Wang’s orders and feeling uneasy, had come to check on the situation.
Zhao Dezhu was forced in front of He Yuan. The flashlight beam illuminated his deathly pale face. He had just overheard He Yuan’s final words to Lao Guai and saw He Yuan’s now unfamiliar expression and the official-looking credential gleaming coldly in his hand.
“He… He Jianshe? You… you’re not…” Zhao Dezhu was scared out of his wits, his tongue tangling.
“You’re… you’re sent from above to investigate?!”
He Yuan looked at him coldly, his eyes sharp as knives, devoid of any trace of the usual flattery and respect.
“Zhao Dezhu, you came at the right time,” He Yuan’s voice echoed in the empty warehouse. “Saves me the trouble of looking for you.”
Zhao Dezhu’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor, the stench of urine immediately filling the air. He knew it was over, all over! He and his brother-in-law, Wang Youcai, had truly kicked an iron plate this time, run into someone they couldn’t mess with!
He Jianshe wasn’t a fat sheep coming to curry favor; he was the King of Hell coming to collect their lives!
Watching Zhao Dezhu, pathetic and crumpled on the floor, a flicker of disgust passed through He Yuan’s eyes. He signaled to his helper, who understood immediately.
With efficient movements, the helper tied Zhao Dezhu up securely, gagged him with a rag, and dragged him to a more hidden corner of the warehouse to be guarded.
“Lao Guai, you see now, Wang Youcai and Zhao Dezhu are beyond saving themselves,” He Yuan turned to the terrified Lao Guai, his tone softer but still carrying pressure. “Tell me everything you know about that batch of goods, exactly as it happened. This is your only chance to atone for your crimes by helping us.”
Having witnessed He Yuan’s methods and his real identity, Lao Guai didn’t dare hide anything anymore. He spilled everything in detail, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
These statements, corroborating with the ledger fragments Ji Shuyu had obtained from Zhao Xiaocui, formed an increasingly clear chain of evidence.
He Yuan recorded everything carefully, feeling exhilarated internally but showing no expression on his face.
After handling Lao Guai, he walked over to the trembling Zhao Dezhu, squatted down, and looked at him coldly.
Zhao Dezhu, gagged, could only make muffled sounds, his eyes filled with fear and pleading.
He Yuan reached out and pulled the rag from his mouth. Zhao Dezhu immediately began begging tearfully, “He… Commander He! Spare me! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! It was all my brother-in-law Wang Youcai’s idea! He forced me!”
“Want to live?” He Yuan’s voice was icy. “Then do exactly as I say.”
He lowered his voice and whispered instructions into Zhao Dezhu’s ear.
Zhao Dezhu first looked startled, then nodded frantically like a pecking chicken. “Understood! Understood! I’ll definitely do it! I wouldn’t dare try any tricks!”
He Yuan stood up and instructed his helper, “Keep an eye on them. Wait for my signal.”
Then, he straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, strode out of the abandoned warehouse, and disappeared into the night, heading directly towards Director Wang’s house.
Director Wang was at home, restless, pacing like an ant on a hot pan. He had sent He Yuan to deal with Lao Guai and told Zhao Dezhu to keep an eye on things, but so much time had passed with no news. Calls to the guesthouse went unanswered.
A sense of foreboding grew stronger and stronger within him.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Director Wang jolted, asking warily, “Who is it?”
“Director Wang, it’s me, Xiao He.” The familiar, ingratiating voice of He Yuan came from outside.
Director Wang quickly opened the door. He Yuan stood there, dust staining his clothes, his face wearing an expression of relief at having completed the task, mixed with a bit of lingering fear.
“How did it go?” Director Wang asked urgently, pulling He Yuan inside and closing the door.
He Yuan first sighed, then lowered his voice. “Director, it’s done. That Lao Guai was very stubborn. It took some effort, but we finally made him cooperate. I’ve already moved him to a safe place, guaranteed he won’t be out talking for the next few days.”
Director Wang felt a surge of relief, but then asked, “What about Dezhu? Wasn’t he with you? Why hasn’t he come back?”
He Yuan’s tone was full of complaint. “Don’t even mention it, Director! Right after we dealt with Lao Guai, someone must have leaked the news. It seemed like the neighborhood patrol was snooping around nearby.”
“Brother Zhao is so timid. He took one look at the situation, said he was afraid of getting implicated, and insisted on lying low elsewhere. We couldn’t stop him. He grabbed some money and ran off.”
“Said he was going to hide for a few days at a distant relative’s place in the next county, wait for things to calm down before coming back.”
The explanation was perfectly reasonable, completely fitting Zhao Dezhu’s character of bullying the weak but running from trouble.
Hearing this, Director Wang was furious. “That useless fool! He ruins everything he touches!”
But inwardly, he felt somewhat relieved. Maybe it was better that Zhao Dezhu had run off—one less burden who knew the inside story.
And He Jianshe had gotten the job done; he seemed truly reliable.
“Xiao He, we owe it all to you this time! When it really counts, you’re the one who comes through!” Director Wang clapped He Yuan on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t treat you poorly! Once this blows over, that lucrative position at the supply and marketing cooperative is definitely yours!”
“Director, you’re too kind. I was just doing what I should,” He Yuan replied humbly, though he was sneering inside.
He then changed the subject, seemingly offhand. “Director, although Lao Guai is temporarily settled, we can’t rule out other potential leaks.”
“Especially on your end, it’s best to be cautious recently. Those account books and such… anything that needs dealing with should be handled quickly, just in case.”
The words sounded concerned but were actually a step-by-step pressure tactic, guiding Director Wang to destroy evidence himself or take the next step, thereby revealing more flaws.
Director Wang nodded deeply in agreement. “You’re absolutely right! I really need to do a thorough clean-up!”
He had completely taken He Yuan as his final lifeline and strategist.
Leaving Director Wang’s house, He Yuan walked along the cold, quiet street, his eyes icy.
Zhao Dezhu and Lao Guai were under control. Key testimonies and material evidence were being consolidated.
The fish, Director Wang, was firmly hooked and still swimming along the path He Yuan had designed.
The time to close the net was approaching.
All he had to do now was continue playing the role of He Jianshe, stabilize Director Wang, and wait for the final, fatal moment to strike.
And Ji Shuyu, he presumed, should have already safely set off on her return journey with that crucial copy of the account book. Everything was going according to plan.
Just as He Yuan anticipated, Director Wang, upon returning, immediately took out the account books and other items in his possession to dispose of them.
He had calculated a thousand times but never figured that Zhao Xiaocui would have another copy.
And Zhao Xiaocui had long since taken the children and hidden away at her parents’ home.
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