Chapter 64: Outstanding Stock

Huang Jiehao did not passively wait; he worked on the case from multiple angles. In this, Shen Bingqing gave him a lot of advice, while Du Long firmly believed that Liu Maolin was the murderer, and investigating others was a waste of time.

So when the case was in a waiting period, Du Long looked at his watch and said to Huang Jiehao, "Captain Huang, the Liyuan Police Station is preparing to give me a send-off at noon, so..."

Huang Jiehao smiled and said, "Go ahead, you're not officially on duty today. We have enough people here."

Du Long quickly left and arrived at the Jinlong Hotel. At this time, Yang Chengfa and the others had not yet arrived. Du Long was alone in the private room when the hotel owner, Lin Jianjun, enthusiastically came over to greet him.

"Officer Du, you've been promoted so quickly, your future is boundless!" Lin Jianjun gave Du Long two packs of Hongtashan cigarettes.

Du Long put the cigarettes on the table and smiled at Lin Jianjun, "Mr. Lin, you're too polite. Even if I transfer to the Criminal Investigation Team, I'll just be a low-level first-class police officer. I doubt I can help you much."

Lin Jianjun smiled and said, "Officer Du, you're too modest. You have both ability and connections. I may not be good at much, but I have a good eye. You're not just a small fish; once the right opportunity comes, you'll soar to great heights."

Du Long smiled. He believed in his own abilities, but now that he had just been officially hired, the idea of soaring to great heights was still far off.

As they were chatting, the three big bosses of the Liyuan Police Station arrived. They didn't bring anyone else, so they booked a small private room.

Yang Chengfa immediately saw the two packs of cigarettes and guessed their origin. He chuckled and said, "Classic 150 Hongtashan? Old Lin, you're too stingy. You should have brought the premium ones."

Lin Jianjun laughed awkwardly, and Du Long smiled, "I don't smoke anyway, so the three of you can take these cigarettes."

The three were relatively familiar with Du Long and knew he didn't smoke, but they wouldn't take the cigarettes given to Du Long by others. Liao Dongsheng smiled, "Du Long, not smoking is good, but others do. It's best to carry some cigarettes with you and give a couple to others when needed. In our police force, this is a common way to build good relationships."

Du Long smiled, "Thank you for the advice, Chief Liao. I guess I'll have to take these cigarettes back with me. Mr. Lin, I won't be polite."

"Of course, of course..." Lin Jianjun secretly wiped his sweat, realizing his judgment was a bit low. He decided to have the front desk prepare two packs of premium Hongtashan cigarettes.

Wang Suwen smiled, "Du Long, I've already submitted your application. I'll keep an eye on it and help transfer your records to the Criminal Investigation Team in a few days."

Du Long smiled, "Thank you, Instructor Wang. I'll make sure to drink a few more glasses with you later."

Wang Suwen smiled bitterly, "Spare me. I heard you can drink a lot. I can't keep up."

Liao Dongsheng smiled, "Du Long, unlike Mr. Lin, I'm not a big shot and don't have any connections to introduce you to. Today, I'm just here to congratulate you on your promotion. With your abilities and connections, you'll quickly stand out in the Criminal Investigation Team. When you get promoted, don't forget us. We'll be happy to help you in any way we can."

"That's right, that's right," Yang Chengfa patted Du Long's shoulder and smiled, "Du Long, don't forget us when you have the chance. You spent less time at the police station, and we didn't take good care of you. Don't be upset."

The three had the same idea as Lin Jianjun, seeing Du Long's long-term potential and wanting to build a relationship with him.

Du Long remembered how the three had ignored him when he first reported for duty. Now, the situation was completely different. The reason for this change was not just his transfer to the Criminal Investigation Team but because he had climbed the high and powerful tree of the mayor.

Understanding this, Du Long felt at ease and chatted happily with the three. Among them, only Yang Chengfa was relatively familiar with him and had once taken care of him. Yang Chengfa was very capable but lacked connections and had a bad temper, often offending people, which is why he hadn't been promoted. If Du Long had the chance, he could consider helping him.

The meal made Du Long feel elated. Being flattered felt great, and having power—or rather, having someone powerful behind him—felt even better. Du Long enjoyed this feeling and secretly decided to maintain a good relationship with Mayor Ma. Mayor Ma's problems were his problems, and if Mayor Ma could rise step by step, wouldn't Du Long have a chance too?

Liao Dongsheng was still on duty and didn't dare to drink much. Knowing his relationship with Du Long was the weakest among the three, he left after a while. Du Long found an opportunity to get Wang Suwen drunk, settling a score. Wang Suwen had wanted to take credit for Du Long's work from the beginning, and although their relationship had improved later, Du Long still took the chance to get back at him.

Yang Chengfa carried Wang Suwen away reluctantly. Du Long walked to his motorcycle, about to bend down to unlock it, when Lin Jianjun ran out of the hotel with a bag and handed it to Du Long, chuckling, "Officer Du, you forgot something."

Du Long was surprised, looked at the two packs of cigarettes on the seat, and opened the bag Lin Jianjun handed him. He immediately understood and chuckled, "Mr. Lin, you're too polite. If you need anything, just come to me."

"Definitely, definitely!" Lin Jianjun chuckled and suddenly said, "I'm opening a branch in Baihua District during the National Day holiday. Officer Du, you must come!"

Du Long smiled, "We'll be in touch. Yang Chief and the others have my number. If I have time, I'll definitely come!"

Du Long went home and left two packs of cigarettes under the motorcycle seat, taking the rest back to his house. When Shi Yujin saw Du Long with the cigarettes, she almost twisted his ear, demanding to know if he was going to start misbehaving. Du Long had to beg for mercy, telling her the cigarettes were for giving away. Only then did Shi Yujin let him off.

Du Long called Huang Jiehao. Huang Jiehao and his team were still at the scene, but the case had made significant progress. The victim's identity had been confirmed; she was Song Xiaqing, also from Wanlin Town. An informant revealed that Song Xiaqing had been in a relationship with Liu Maolin for a long time, keeping it hidden from Liu Maolin's wife. Recently, the relationship was exposed, and Liu Maolin had several arguments with his wife, who was demanding a divorce. Liu Maolin had not been in contact with Song Xiaqing for a long time.

After confirming Song Xiaqing's identity and her relationship with Liu Maolin, the case was almost clear. Huang Jiehao was conducting a second interrogation of Liu Maolin, and a search warrant was being applied for, which should be approved soon.

Hearing this, Du Long hurriedly drove to the scene, fearing that someone would take credit for his work. In fact, with Huang Jiehao in charge of the Criminal Investigation Team, such a thing was impossible.