Chapter 100: Not Comrades, Yet Deeply Bonded

Fang Tianxiang stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing secrets that his mother had given him. Soon, Qin Junwei arrived with his people, and Fang Tianxiang had to pretend to give up reluctantly. After watching Du Long get into Qin Junwei's car and leave, Fang Tianxiang felt his back was drenched in sweat. He hurriedly called his cousin Fang Tiansi to inquire about Du Long's background and their relationship.

When Fang Tiansi heard Du Long's name, he smiled bitterly and said, "So he really went to Wuxi County... Cousin, I don't know his exact background either. Did he take photos of you with his phone? As I suspected, he might be from the National Security Bureau. We shouldn't provoke him. Just bear with it for now and wait until the storm passes."

Du Long was unaware that he was suspected of being a National Security Bureau agent. However, after hearing Fang Tiansi's words, Fang Tianxiang decided not to immediately confront Du Long. He needed to understand his background before taking any action. Fang Tianxiang was not one to act without a plan.

Du Long returned to the Wuxi County government building. After listening to his report, Ma Guangming said with satisfaction, "Du Long, you've worked hard. Go rest for a while. Soon, the media and the county party committee leaders will be here to hear your report. I hope you perform well and silence their doubts."

Du Long frowned and asked, "Why are the journalists coming? Are they local reporters?"

Ma Guangming replied, "With such a big incident, we can't keep it under wraps forever. Now that the situation is mostly resolved, it's time to let the media in. You need to perform well. Some might question your actions with Xia Hongjun and your qualifications for the autopsy. Be prepared."

Du Long said solemnly, "I understand. I'm not afraid of them, Uncle Ma. Now that the truth is clear, I want to see Xia Hongjun."

Ma Guangming knew Du Long wanted to free Xia Hongjun. He sighed lightly, "He's on the top floor. He's been sleeping since he arrived. You can go see him, but we can't release him yet. He led a mob to attack the Lanhé Coal Mine and personally shot over a dozen people,涉嫌绑架、袭警... He has to go through the legal process and be sentenced by the court."

"Does that mean he'll go to jail?" Du Long asked.

Ma Guangming nodded gently. Du Long fell silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and left. Ma Guangming knew Du Long was angry. He rubbed his forehead, knowing that Xia Hongjun had been forced into his actions, but everything had to follow the law. Wuxi County had become a mess because of the lack of adherence to the law. Ma Guangming did not have the power to bypass it.

Du Long met Xia Hongjun again. He saw him lying quietly on a sofa, covered with a thin blanket, lightly snoring. Du Long knew he had been exhausted these past few days. He glanced at him from the doorway and was about to leave when Xia Hongjun suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Come in. I've been waiting for you."

Du Long smiled, "Did I wake you up? Or were you not sleeping at all?"

Xia Hongjun sat up and said, "I wasn't sleeping. From your appearance, it seems you've solved the case. Who did it?"

Du Long said, "Li Wuwei had one of Bida Kai's men, named Ah Biao, do it. Ah Biao didn't want to do it himself, so he handed over the high-purity drugs to his subordinates. Bida Kai, who was having a drug fit, injected himself and that was the end of the once mighty Kai."

Xia Hongjun was not surprised at all. He said, "Since the real culprit has been found, am I free now?"

Du Long shook his head, "It's not that simple. You led a mob to attack the Lanhé Coal Mine and shot over a dozen people. You'll have to go through the legal process, which means you'll likely spend a few years in jail..."

Xia Hongjun said calmly, "I expected this. They forced me to resist and flee. Du Long, can you do me a favor?"

Du Long said straightforwardly, "Take care of your mother?"

Xia Hongjun laughed lightly and looked at Du Long, "You're smart. No wonder you found the culprit so quickly. I left some things for my mother on the mountain where we met. If you agree, I'll give you the GPS coordinates. My comrades all have jobs and live far away. If you respect me, take care of my mother. When I get out in a few years, my life will be yours!"

Du Long forced a smile, "What do I need your life for? Even though I'm not your comrade, we've fought together. Your mother is like my mother. I would take care of her even if you didn't ask. The air and water near the coal mine are not suitable for the elderly. I'll take her to Yuming City for better care."

Xia Hongjun was most worried about his mother. Hearing Du Long's words, he finally felt relieved. He felt his eyes well up and quickly looked down, saying, "Thank you. From now on, my life is yours." Du Long forced a smile, "Don't say such things. As long as I can help, I won't stand by."

Xia Hongjun grinned, and Du Long saw his first genuine smile. Xia Hongjun said, "Don't worry about me. Jail is safer than working in the mines. Just help me get on good terms with the guards, and I'll be the boss in there!"

"Don't worry about that..." Du Long still felt a bit choked up. Xia Hongjun took out his lighter and cigarettes, lit one, and handed the lighter back to Du Long, "Take it. It's a good lighter. Don't waste it on me..."

Du Long also lit a cigarette. As Xia Hongjun exhaled a smoke ring, Du Long blew a smaller one that quickly passed through Xia Hongjun's. Du Long laughed, "Bullseye! Ha ha..."

Xia Hongjun said with a mix of amusement and frustration, "You're not a smoker. It's a waste..."

Du Long and Xia Hongjun chatted for about half an hour. Although they talked a lot, they both kept some things to themselves. Xia Hongjun was very guarded about his military service, only talking about his life before and after. When Xia Hongjun asked who Du Long had sent the photos to and how he found out so quickly, Du Long's answer was also "confidential."

Ma Guangming's secretary, Lu Shunyu, came to call Du Long. Du Long followed him to the second-floor conference hall of the government building. The large hall was already full of people. In the front row sat Deputy County Magistrate Fang Tianxiang and other county party committee leaders. In front of them were several cameras and photographers, and the media were ready. Many people with bandages, looking like injured people and their families, were seated in the back.

Ma Guangming, Qin Junwei, and other leaders of the municipal accident handling team sat on the stage, along with County Party Secretary Zhao Huian and County Magistrate Wang Chunlai. The last seat was empty, and Lu Shunyu gestured for Du Long to sit there.

The meeting hadn't started yet. Some people were sitting quietly, while others were chatting and taking photos. Ma Guangming was worried that Du Long might be nervous, but he saw Du Long walk confidently onto the stage, approach County Party Secretary Zhao Huian, and extend his hand, saying, "Secretary Zhao, hello!"

Zhao Huian still harbored resentment over Du Long's public insult and exposure of their cover-up. However, in this public setting, he had to maintain his composure. He hid his anger and shook Du Long's hand with a smile, saying, "Du Long, you've worked hard. Sit down and rest for a moment. The meeting is about to start, and we need you to give a report. We, the county leaders, are truly ashamed!"

"It's nothing. I'm just doing my job," Du Long laughed. "Leaders work hard. I've only been here for two days, and Secretary Zhao already has more white hair."

Zhao Huian's resentment grew, thinking that a large part of his white hair was due to Du Long. The appearance of such a young detective drew attention from many people below. They whispered and inquired about his background. Du Long had already made a few appearances in Wuxi County, so many recognized him. The whispers quickly grew louder.

"Everyone, please be quiet. The meeting is about to start," said Hu Yanan, the Wuxi County Propaganda Minister, into the microphone.

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