165: Three-way investigation, the dance team's veteran
“We know about this network now, but we don’t have a breakthrough point. Gu Teng was supposed to be the breakthrough point, but he was killed. Now Chen Bin is still here. If we can seize this point and break through, we might be able to expose this whole big network.”
Old Zhao, listening from the side, was already a bit apprehensive. Even though he was a seasoned veteran, hearing about such a vast network of crime protection still shocked him. If it was truly as Ye Lin thought, then… Yuezhou would face an earth-shattering upheaval.
Yu Haifeng wasn’t doing much better. He gave a wry smile, “I just wanted to give that girl an explanation, but you’ve dragged in a city-wide network. I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
“Team Leader Yu, if there’s a crime, we investigate it, no matter who the leader is,” Ye Lin said firmly.
“Old Zhao, what’s your stance?” Yu Haifeng looked at Zhao Jianfeng.
“Investigate it, what’s there to be afraid of? I have no objections.” Old Zhao was old anyway; promotions didn’t really concern him. He just wanted to be happy.
“Alright then, we’ll investigate Chen Bin. Lin Zi, you tell us how to investigate. You must have some ideas,” Yu Haifeng said, looking at Ye Lin.
Ye Lin didn’t hesitate. “I think although Huo Chunli’s case is recent, the clues might not be that easy to find. On the contrary, Zheng Xiao’s case, I think, might have a flaw, so we should focus on understanding Zheng Xiao’s case.”
“Okay, I have an acquaintance at Hongxing. I’ll go ask about what happened back then,” Zhao Jianfeng said, patting his chest.
“Also, if Chen Bin is really a crooked cop, then his financial situation must show large sums of income. We need to check his and his wife’s bank statements, as well as their properties and cars, especially for the past three years.”
“Okay, I’ll investigate that. This will probably require pulling some strings,” Yu Haifeng said.
“Then I’ll take the others to investigate what happened before Liang Jing jumped. These two cases must be connected,” Ye Lin said.
After the three divided their tasks, they each got to work.
Ye Lin pulled out all the dance team’s member lists. Although it was only for three years, member turnover was still relatively fast.
They had asked Gao Wen about this issue, and Gao Wen’s explanation was that since they were university students, they would graduate when the time came, and some students would choose to quit after working for a while, perhaps because they found other opportunities.
With nearly 70% member turnover, Ye Lin could look for veteran members. There were three people who had been with the team for three consecutive years.
He took out their profiles one by one and looked them over. One not-so-conspicuous girl caught his attention.
Meng Qiu, a student at Yuezhou Communication University, was called inconspicuous because Ye Lin placed her in every dance troupe, where she was neither the prettiest nor the worst.
It seemed she could always maintain a middle position, and her eyes, when photographed, were wide open, trying to make herself look bigger and more innocent, but Ye Lin still caught a hint of cunning in her eyes.
Ye Lin decided to start with her.
Meng Qiu was already a senior, and she would probably start her internship after the New Year. If she had a job, Ye Lin guessed she wouldn’t stay on the dance team, which might make her willing to share some truthful information.
The call connected, and a clear yet wary voice came from the other end: “Hello, who are you looking for?”
Ye Lin said seriously, “You’re Meng Qiu, right?”
“I am. And you are?”
“I’m Ye Lin from the Criminal Police Team of the Xishan District Police Department. There are some things I’d like to understand from you.”
The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds.
“I’m sorry, I’m busy lately. It might have to be a bit later, after the New Year, perhaps?”
Meng Qiu didn’t directly refuse, but said after the New Year.
Ye Lin sneered. This girl was a bit sly. Directly refusing would probably make the Police Officer unwilling, so she used a delaying tactic, saying after the New Year.
But after the New Year, you’ll be off to your internship, and it’s highly likely you won’t even be in Yuezhou. How could I find you then?
Ye Lin said unhurriedly, “Then how about this, I’ll go to your school and wait for you now. Communication University, right? I just asked your Instructor, you haven’t graduated yet. I imagine you’ll have to go back to school tonight.”
Hoo——
A heavy breath came from the other end of the phone. Clearly, Meng Qiu hadn’t expected Ye Lin to be so forceful.
“Police Officer, I have my own matters. You can’t force me to cooperate with you, can you?” The other side stopped pretending and directly retorted.
“Not forcing, just cooperating, understand, little girl?” Ye Lin said in a lecturing tone.
“You…”
The little girl still wanted to play games with him. As long as she hadn’t left Yuezhou, he could always find her. And seeing how unwilling she was to meet, she probably knew something.
“Police Officer, actually, you can ask whatever you want over the phone, right? It doesn’t necessarily have to be in person,” the other side’s tone softened.
“I think it’s better to meet in person. I’m coming to your school now. If you’re not there, I’ll find your Instructor.” Ye Lin directly set a time.
“No… no, Big Brother, I’m scared of you, okay? Half an hour later, at the Xingxing Coffee Shop outside our school, I’ll wait for you there.” Meng Qiu hung up the phone after speaking.
What kind of rotten Police Officer was this? So unruly! In her dormitory at Communication University, Meng Qiu was so angry she almost smashed her phone.
But then she quickly pulled back. After all, she had worked hard for a long time to earn it back. Others thought she earned it through hard work, but in reality, what she earned was not just hard work. Only she knew the dangers involved.
“What’s wrong, Mengmeng? Who bullied you? Our miser is actually going to smash her phone!” A teasing voice came from beside her.
This was Meng Qiu’s roommate, Ye Fei, who had a good relationship with Meng Qiu.
Speaking of which, although both came from difficult families, Meng Qiu was much more lively than Liang Jing. She had a good relationship with her sisters in the dormitory, and everyone knew her family was struggling, so they would occasionally help out a bit.
“It’s just about someone in our dance team jumping off a building. Those Police Officer are coming to question me again,” Meng Qiu complained.
Ye Fei walked closer, slapped Meng Qiu hard on her bottom, and laughed loudly, joking, “Maybe he fancies you.”
“Oh, your hand is so perverted!” Meng Qiu cursed with a laugh.
Girls often played such rough-and-tumble games among themselves, and she didn’t mind it. It was precisely because she was open-minded that she got along well with everyone.
“It means you’re charming, haha,” Ye Fei said mischievously.
“Alright, I’m so annoyed, and you’re still making fun of me,” Meng Qiu stomped her foot, pretending to be angry.
“Alright, alright, you’re so bothered. How about I go with you? Someone to embolden you?” Ye Fei asked.
Meng Qiu secretly rejoiced. She knew Ye Fei had that big-sister personality. As long as you weren’t a threat to her, she was very willing to help.