85: Chapter 85 Kidnapping

Heavy breathing came from the other end of the line. After a long silence, Mou Zhengping gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, very fine. Xiao Bei, let's wait and see." The call was cut off fiercely.

The interrogation room was dead silent. Xiang Jinlong's face was ashen; he finally realized he had kicked an iron plate. He spoke with a tremor, "Xiao... Standing Committee Member Xiao, I... I am willing to cooperate with the investigation... Can I... can you give me a chance..."

Xiao Bei put away all the materials and stood up, "Police Chief Zhao Zhigang, continue the interrogation. Make sure he confesses to all criminal facts, especially his improper dealings with certain leading cadres."

Walking out of the interrogation room, Xiao Bei let out a long sigh. He knew that the war with Mou Zhengping had only just begun. His phone vibrated; it was a text message from Mayor Qin: [Adhere to principles and handle the case according to the law. I support you.]

Meanwhile, in the office of the Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Mou Zhengping smashed his teacup onto the floor, sending porcelain shards flying everywhere. He dialed a secret number, his voice chillingly dark, "I want Xiao Bei to be utterly ruined!"

Outside the window, the morning sun had fully risen, but the sky over Canglan City was shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds, signaling that an even greater storm was approaching.

After hanging up the phone, Mou Zhengping's face was so grim that his wrinkles bunched together. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, overlooking the entire Canglan City, the teacup in his hand creaking as he squeezed it.

"Xiao Bei..." He spat out the name through gritted teeth, as if he wanted to chew it to pieces.

The office door was knocked on gently, and the secretary poked his head in cautiously, "Director Mou, Xiang Jinlong's lawyer is here, saying there is an urgent matter..."

"Tell him to get lost!"

Mou Zhengping turned around abruptly, the teacup slipping from his hand and exploding against the wall like a brown flower, "Now he knows it's urgent? What was he doing earlier!"

The secretary shrank his neck in fear and was about to retreat, but Mou Zhengping called him back, "Wait, let the lawyer wait in the reception room. Also, tell Lao Dao to come see me immediately."

Ten minutes later, Mou Zhengping arrived at a dilapidated van in the underground parking lot. A middle-aged man wearing a black jacket, his face obscured except for a terrifying scar, appeared silently in the back seat of the car. He made almost no sound, like a lurking leopard.

"Director Mou." Lao Dao bowed slightly, his voice raspy.

"That ignorant brat, Xiao Bei, must be taught a lesson." A cold glint flashed in Lao Dao's eyes, "What should I do?"

"Find out what his weaknesses are."

Mou Zhengping paused, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel, "Family, friends, lovers... as long as it is something he cares about, find it for me." Lao Dao nodded, "Understood. But I heard that Xiao Bei comes from a farming background and has no relatives in Canglan."

"Then create a weakness!" Mou Zhengping slapped his thigh, "I want him to know what the consequences are for offending me, Mou Zhengping, in Canglan City!"

At the same moment, inside the Beijiang County Government building, Xiao Bei was in his office reviewing Xiang Jinlong's case file. 36 hours of continuous interrogation had left his eyes bloodshot, yet he maintained a posture as upright as a soldier.

A knock on the door sounded, and Police Chief Zhao Zhigang walked in, holding two boxed meals, "Standing Committee Member Xiao, eat something first. Xiang Jinlong has finally opened up and confessed quite a few of his dealings with Mou Zhengping."

Xiao Bei took the boxed meal, ate a few bites, and put it down, "The chain of evidence is not yet complete. Mou Zhengping has been operating in Canglan for many years and is deeply rooted. We must strike with precision. As long as we send him in, their connection will be severed!"

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang hesitated, "Standing Committee Member Xiao, Mou Zhengping has connections in the province... we..."

"I know." Xiao Bei interrupted him, "But precisely because of that, we must act according to the law. As long as the evidence is solid, no one can protect him."

As they were speaking, the office door was knocked on again.

"Party Xiao Bei, someone is looking for you downstairs," Secretary He Mingxuan said as he walked into the office, then added in Xiao Bei's ear, "It's Su Yun."

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang, hearing this, tactfully stood up and left. Xiao Bei tidied up his clothes, which he hadn't changed for several days of staying up late, smoothed his thick hair, and hurried downstairs.

"Xiao Bei, over here." Su Yun waved at him from the doorway in the distance.

"You... I..." This formidable Party Secretary of Bishi Town was, at this moment, somewhat at a loss.

"Alright, I know you've been staying up for several days. My mom made some snacks and asked me to bring them over. Thank you for saving our family." Su Yun handed the food container to Xiao Bei, and he gave a silly smile.

The container opened, and a sweet scent of osmanthus immediately filled the air. Xiao Bei realized he was indeed hungry; he picked up a piece and took a bite. The soft, sweet texture relaxed his tense nerves slightly. "It's delicious. Please thank your mother for me." Xiao Bei said sincerely.

Watching him wolf down the food, Su Yun couldn't help but laugh, "Party Secretary Xiao, please eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you."

Sunlight shone through the window onto Su Yun's face, casting a soft golden rim around her delicate features. Xiao Bei suddenly realized that when Su Yun smiled, her eyes curved into two crescents, making one feel involuntarily happy.

Xiao Bei's heart stirred, and just as he wanted to say something, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Mayor Qin. He looked at Su Yun apologetically and answered the phone.

"Xiao Bei, the situation has changed." Mayor Qin's voice was grave, "Mou Zhengping is mobilizing his available connections; he might move against you. You must be careful."

After hanging up, Xiao Bei's expression turned serious. Su Yun keenly sensed the change and tactfully stood up, "Party Secretary Xiao, perhaps... you should get back to work. I won't disturb you."

Xiao Bei nodded, "Thank you and your mother for the pastries. Be careful on the way."

After Su Yun left, Xiao Bei stood at the doorway, watching her slender figure walk past the intersection. For some reason, a sense of unease suddenly surged in his heart.

Su Yun walked on the way home, unable to stop thinking about Xiao Bei's slightly shy and reserved demeanor just now. She secretly smiled; so, the usually unconstrained Xiao Bei had this side to him. Could he like her? Thinking of this, Su Yun quickly shook her head to dismiss the thought.

Turning a street corner, Su Yun suddenly felt someone following her. She quickened her pace, and the footsteps behind her quickened as well. Just as she was about to run, a black van slammed to a stop in front of her. The door flew open, two masked men jumped out, covered her mouth, and dragged her into the van.

"Mmph!" Su Yun struggled desperately, her handbag falling to the ground, scattering cosmetics and other items everywhere.