Chapter 53

It's just in time!

Su Mu smiled and raised the corners of his mouth. At this moment, he didn't mind handing over the scene. Besides, this was a good opportunity. He would have a good talk with Xu Zhengcheng when there was no one around.

"Director Xu!"

Han Kui looked at Xu Zhengcheng, who suddenly appeared, with some surprise. He never expected to run into the most prominent figure in the Public Security Bureau in such a place.

"Han Kui, you did a great job! When did the traffic police start managing the criminal investigation team's affairs? It seems the traffic police need some reorganization, or things will get out of hand soon."

Xu Zhengcheng swept his gaze over Han Kui and said indifferently. These few words made Han Kui's heart race with fear. He didn't dare to challenge Xu Zhengcheng, not to mention the person standing next to him, the county magistrate's secretary. Someone like himself would be crushed without a second thought.

"Director Xu, please listen to my explanation," Han Kui said urgently.

"Explain later!" Xu Zhengcheng said coldly. "Bring Han Kui and Lu Ming away, and interrogate them overnight. I want to know how a social thug who does nothing can summon both the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the criminal investigation team, and even openly threaten and intimidate state officials."

Rustle!

As Xu Zhengcheng finished speaking, a group of people rushed in from outside. They were all from the Xingtang County Criminal Investigation Team. Being able to become a deputy director of the Public Security Bureau and being chosen by Zhao Ruian, Xu Zhengcheng's personal abilities were unquestionable. His ability to still plant his own people in the criminal investigation team under Xue Feng's rule showed his capabilities.

"Director Xu, please listen to my explanation, this matter..."

Bang!

Han Kui wanted to continue shouting but was hit hard in the chest, causing him to shut up from the pain. He was a traffic police officer, not a criminal investigator, so he didn't know the ins and outs. Lu Ming, seeing this, was truly afraid. This evening didn't seem like a chance to vent his anger but more like a trap set for him.

"Director Xu, my father is Lu Yining, the captain of the traffic police. You can't treat me like this. I haven't done anything wrong; I am innocent!" Lu Ming quickly threw away the drugs in his hand and shouted loudly.

"Lu Yining? Then he must be taken away too!" Xu Zhengcheng said sternly. The criminal investigators who followed him had already bent down to carefully package the drugs, which were evidence. No matter what Lu Ming said, he couldn't get away with it.

"I..."

Lu Ming wanted to shout again but, like Han Kui, was hit in the chest and shut up. In an instant, the previously noisy private room became quiet.

"Su Mu, I'm late, and I've made you nervous!" Xu Zhengcheng smiled, his face no longer cold.

In fact, from the moment he received Su Mu's call, Xu Zhengcheng, under Lin Shuang's instructions, had started to arrange for people to be called, which is why he could catch Han Kui and the others so quickly. They just arrived a bit late; otherwise, Niu Dezhu's group wouldn't have been able to leave.

"Director Xu, you're joking. What could happen to me? Besides, there's Director Gao to help," Su Mu smiled and gestured for Gao Zhenshan to step forward.

Impressive! Gao Zhenshan secretly gave Su Mu a thumbs-up. Lin Shuang and Xu Zhengcheng also smiled, appreciating Su Mu's approach. Su Mu didn't show anger or shout about dealing with Lu Ming, but instead spoke calmly and composedly, a sign of maturity.

"Secretary Lin, Director Xu, what should we do about this evening? Should we stay here or go somewhere else?" Gao Zhenshan asked with a smile.

"Su Mu, what do you think?" Lin Shuang asked.

"Let's go somewhere else!" Su Mu said. The place was too chaotic to stay.

"Let's go, I know a good place," Gao Zhenshan said, stepping out. Su Mu, Lin Shuang, and Xu Zhengcheng exchanged glances and nodded slightly. Lin Shuang and Xu Zhengcheng followed, while Su Mu turned to look back.

"Sister Xiao Cui, I'm really sorry for tonight. Because of me, your place was damaged. I'll definitely come to apologize another day," Su Mu said with a smile.

"Su Mu, you're being too formal. We all know what happened tonight. It was just Lu Ming trying to take over my Golden Splendor. The grudge against you was secondary. But I really didn't expect you to be so capable now, becoming the mayor of a town. Besides..."

Yang Xiaocui laughed. She usually disliked being serious and used this approach to ease the tension. She knew that if she chose to be serious, she might lose her connection with Su Mu, which she didn't want.

"Haha, if that's the case, I won't say anything else. I'll leave first, and we'll keep in touch," Su Mu said.

"Wait!"

Yang Xiaocui bit her lip, clearly struggling with something before looking up seriously. "Su Mu, you should know that Lu Ming is a vengeful person. If you can't take him down completely, he'll come after you once he catches his breath."

"So what?" Su Mu asked.

"Wait a moment!"

Yang Xiaocui hurried out of the private room and returned with a leather bag. "Su Mu, I don't know if this will be useful to you, but if it is, I hope it helps."

"What's in here?" Su Mu's tone became serious.

"It's evidence I've collected over the years about Lu Ming and Lu Yining. You know, running such a large entertainment center as a woman comes with risks, so I had to take some precautions. If Lu Ming pushes me too far, I was planning to use this evidence. I can't say for sure, but this will definitely ruin them. Su Mu, I'm giving this to you because I'm afraid Lu Ming will come after you. If you think it's not useful, just keep it. I've already handed it over to you," Yang Xiaocui said.

Su Mu stroked the leather bag, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness. His thoughts raced, and the matter he had been thinking about with Lin Shuang became clearer.

"Sister Xiao Cui, besides you, me, and Luo Lin, no one else should know about this. I'll deal with Lu Ming, and he won't bother you again," Su Mu said sternly. "But you must keep this to yourself and not tell anyone. Do you understand?"

"I understand!" Yang Xiaocui nodded quickly. Given her position, privately collecting evidence of government officials' crimes was a serious overreach, not recognized by the unwritten rules of the political arena. Su Mu's words were for her own good, to prevent her from being dealt with in the future.

"Good!" Su Mu smiled and turned to Luo Lin. "Stay here."

"Okay!" Luo Lin nodded obediently.

Su Mu took the leather bag and walked out. Just before leaving the private room, he said without turning back, "Go home and tell Luo Kanghua and Yan Chunhua to build the Black Mountain Town primary school to the best quality as soon as possible. If they can satisfy me, I'll ensure the Luo Construction Company's future."

This one sentence instantly relaxed Luo Lin's tense heart. Watching Su Mu's gradually disappearing back, her eyes welled up with tears.

He still can't forget me, yes, it must be. If it weren't for me, why would he take care of the Luo Construction Company? He hasn't forgotten me.

Thinking about what she and her family had done to Su Mu in the past, Luo Lin couldn't hold back and squatted down, sobbing.

Yang Xiaocui helped Luo Lin sit on the sofa and comforted her, "Luo Lin, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but I've only heard about what happened back then. I don't know the details, but remember, happiness is something you have to pursue. Good men are rare, and if you've set your sights on one, you should go after him.

I believe you know Su Mu's character better than I do. You haven't found another man in all these years, so I believe you've been waiting for him and can't forget him. So, don't be too reserved. Don't wait until he's someone else's man and then regret it. By then, it'll be too late."

"I... I don't know what to do..." Luo Lin said, her tear-streaked face trembling.

"Stupid, haven't you heard? It's harder for a man to pursue a woman than for a woman to pursue a man. Just make a move, and he'll be yours," Yang Xiaocui whispered.

"Make a move?" Luo Lin asked, puzzled.

"Exactly..."

Yang Xiaocui leaned in and whispered in Luo Lin's ear. As she spoke, Luo Lin's ears turned red, and her tear-streaked face flushed, giving her a seductive aura.

While the two women were laughing and joking, the four men from the Golden Splendor walked into an ancient-style teahouse.

"Don't worry, this place is absolutely safe. No one dares to cause trouble here," Gao Zhenshan said softly.

After they sat down, Lin Shuang smiled and looked over. "Su Mu, you really suffered tonight. As your elder brother, I didn't treat you well."

"Brother Lin, you're being too formal. This has nothing to do with you, but I do have a question for Director Gao," Su Mu turned and asked.

"Brother Su, just ask. I'll do whatever I can," Gao Zhenshan said, eager to join Lin Shuang's inner circle and waiting for this opportunity.

"Director Gao, does the Industry and Commerce Bureau really listen to you?" Su Mu asked meaningfully. If Niu Dezhu could act so recklessly, it was clear that Gao Zhenshan knew about it. What it meant was obvious.

"Brother Su, let's be straightforward. I haven't been in this position long, and I don't have many people who listen to me. It's impossible to have everyone respond to my call. Take Niu Dezhu, for example. I can intimidate him with my authority, but to truly remove him is difficult," Gao Zhenshan said.

"Is that so?"

Su Mu smiled slyly. "Director Gao, since we're here, it means we're not outsiders. If I ask you to go back and use tonight's incident to gather evidence of Niu Dezhu's crimes, can you do it?"

"This..."

Gao Zhenshan hesitated, looking at Lin Shuang. He didn't know what Su Mu meant by this. Was it a hint from Lin Shuang?

Lin Shuang and Xu Zhengcheng sat calmly, sipping their tea, showing no intention of speaking. Their calm faces revealed nothing of their inner thoughts.

Damn, fortune favors the bold!

"I can!" Gao Zhenshan nodded decisively.

"Good!" Su Mu smiled and raised his teacup. "Director Gao, this is an opportunity. I'm giving it to you. Whether you can seize it is up to you. Don't sit here; go back and act now before Niu Dezhu catches his breath."

"Alright, I'll do it!" Gao Zhenshan nodded at Lin Shuang and left without hesitation. Lin Shuang didn't stop him, which Gao Zhenshan understood clearly.

Damn, Niu Dezhu, you and your disobedient people, I'll deal with you tonight!

When only the three of them were left in the room, Lin Shuang smiled. "Brother, you handled this well. Now, even if Old Gao wants to back out, he can't. This is a pledge of loyalty!"

Lin Shuang was smart. From the moment Su Mu spoke, he knew what Su Mu was planning. Gao Zhenshan had indeed joined Zhao Ruian, but it was a recent development. He could stand here, but he could also stand with others. To fully control him, he needed to make Gao Zhenshan take action to clean out the other factions in the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

If he could do this, Gao Zhenshan would be firmly marked by Zhao Ruian. At the same time, it would allow him to control the bureau, a win-win situation. Even though Gao Zhenshan knew this was like walking a tightrope, he couldn't resist the temptation of the benefits.

"Brother Lin, just one Director Gao is too small. I never like to provoke others, but if someone targets me and I can't eliminate the threat, I won't be able to sleep. What do you think, Director Xu?" Su Mu said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

"What do you mean?" Xu Zhengcheng's mind raced.

"Exactly!"

A cold light flashed in Su Mu's eyes. "The water in Xingtang County has been too still for too long. It's time for some waves. Director Xu, I have one question: are you willing?"

"Su Mu, are you sure about this? The stakes are high, and one wrong move could ruin everything," Lin Shuang's smile disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

Su Mu's boldness didn't mean Lin Shuang could act recklessly. As Zhao Ruian's secretary, a wrong decision could not only implicate Zhao Ruian but also end his own career.

Of course, Lin Shuang also understood the significant benefits behind this. If it succeeded, Zhao Ruian's influence would undoubtedly increase.

Imagine, the Public Security Bureau, which had no connections before, now controls the strongest criminal investigation team and the most profitable traffic police. How could he not be respected?

This was the reality of the political arena!

Without influence, others won't follow you, and you'll eventually become isolated. Benefits are always the most important measure.

Meeting the serious gazes of the two men, Su Mu's lips curved into a cold smile. "Brother Lin, Director Xu, this must be done, and it must be done quickly. Brother Lin, if you have any doubts, ask County Magistrate Zhao."

{Piaotian Literature www.piaotian.com Thank you for your support. Your support is our greatest motivation.}

Previous Page AD starts

Previous Page AD ends