59: Chapter 59 The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Beneath the parasol tree diagonally across from Sanweiju Restaurant, a dusty gray Wuling minivan was parked.

Its license plate was splattered with mud, and the windows were covered in cheap, dark tint, making it impossible to see the scene inside from the outside.

The interior of the van was dark.

"Master, it's already six-twenty-five. How come we haven't seen a trace of that Young Master Zhu yet?"

The young man in the back seat leaned forward, idly fiddling with a metal lighter in his hand.

This young man was named Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang, and his father was none other than Police Chief Li Jianguo of the Linjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The old man smoking in the passenger seat was named Chen Guozhu, a veteran criminal investigator with over thirty years of police service.

Chen Guozhu exhaled a puff of blue smoke and shot a sidelong glance at Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang. "It's not the agreed time yet. What are you in such a rush for, kid?"

"What did your old man tell you before we left? He told you to keep your mouth shut and keep your eyes open. Where do you get all this chatter from?"

Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang pulled his head back and muttered in reply, "I know, Master. I just don't get it. With so many cases back at the bureau left unattended, why did they send the three of us here to stake out? What kind of business is this?"

"Shut up!"

The middle-aged man in the driver's seat snapped sternly.

This man was Police Chief Zhao Gang, a deputy captain of the criminal investigation detachment at a certain branch bureau, and also a prized protégé personally trained by Police Chief Li Jianguo.

"San Qiang, in our line of work, the first rule is not to ask about things you shouldn't. Director Li handpicked us himself, which means he trusts us. If you feel aggrieved, get out of the car and get lost right now. Don't be an eyesore here."

After being scolded by both men in turn, Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang finally quieted down, leaning back against the seat, sulking.

Police Chief Zhao Gang withdrew his gaze and looked out at the street. "The car is here. Perk up and get ready to get out."

A Volkswagen Lavida came to a stop.

The car door opened, and Zhu Wenhao stepped into the halo of the streetlights.

The sliding door of the minivan opened, and Old Chen and the others hurried forward to meet him.

Zhu Wenhao stood below the steps, showing no airs at all.

He reached out his hand first, his target clear, and shook the hand of the eldest, Chen Guozhu, directly.

"Officer Chen, thank you for your hard work."

Subsequently, he turned to Police Chief Zhao Gang, clasping his hands with a firm, steady grip.

"Detachment Captain Zhao, I've long heard of your reputation."

Finally, his gaze fell upon the young and spirited Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang, and he patted the other man's shoulder with one hand.

"San Qiang, a tiger father produces no dog sons."

The entire sequence of actions followed the order of seniority and status, clearly defined.

"I apologize. There was a lot of business at the department, which delayed me for a few minutes. I've kept the three of you waiting."

Zhu Wenhao stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

"It's cold outside. Let's go inside to talk."

Inside the private room at Sanweiju Restaurant, the heating was abundant.

After they were seated, the waiter efficiently served tea and retreated.

Old Chen spoke first, giving a very brief self-introduction.

Next was Police Chief Zhao Gang, and finally, Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang.

"I am grateful to Director Li for entrusting three elite officers to me."

"I believe Director Li has already thoroughly explained the background and requirements of this mission to you."

Police Chief Zhao Gang sat up straight, placed his hands on his knees, and replied, "Director Li has given all the instructions. We are to monitor Liu Xiaolei twenty-four hours a day. We are to record only, without alerting her, and keep a record of all abnormal contacts."

"That's good."

Zhu Wenhao crossed his fingers and placed them flat on the solid wood tabletop. The art of managing people requires combining kindness with authority to ensure true loyalty.

Relying solely on a verbal order from Police Chief Li Jianguo might make these three exert effort, but not necessarily risk their lives.

"You are all the backbone of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. It is truly hard work for you to handle such dirty and tiring tasks for me."

"Once the matter is accomplished, I must provide something in return."

Zhu Wenhao's gaze turned to Police Chief Zhao Gang.

"Detachment Captain Zhao, I heard your son is in the sixth grade of elementary school and will be facing the middle school entrance exam next year."

"The spots at the City No. 1 Middle School are tight, and it's hard to get in."

Police Chief Zhao Gang looked up abruptly, his breathing rhythm instantly disrupted.

He had run himself ragged and pulled every connection he had to get his son into a key middle school, but he had hit walls everywhere.

"If this mission is successfully completed, I guarantee there will be a seat for your son in the experimental class of City No. 1 Middle School."

Police Chief Zhao Gang, a seven-foot-tall man, felt his eyes turn red.

He stood up abruptly and picked up the water cup in front of him.

"Zhu Wenhao! I won't say any more superfluous words. I will handle this matter beautifully for you!"

Zhu Wenhao waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.

He then looked at Chen Guozhu beside him.

"Officer Chen, you have worked at the grassroots level for half a lifetime and are full of injuries and illnesses. I heard that you will be processing your retirement in another year."

Old Chen rubbed his calloused hands and sighed.

"Yes, I'm an old bag of bones now, and I can hardly keep working."

"You've shed blood and sweat your whole life; I cannot let an old comrade be mistreated in the end."

Zhu Wenhao tapped his index finger lightly on the tabletop.

"Before you retire, I will raise your rank and salary by one level."

"You will retire with the benefits of a section-chief level."

Old Chen's hand paused in mid-air.

This softly spoken sentence meant real money and security for his later years.

Retiring at the section-chief level made a world of difference in the monthly pension and medical reimbursement ratio.

"This... how could I deserve this?"

Old Chen's voice trembled.

"You deserve it."

Only Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang was left at the table.

He looked at Zhu Wenhao expectantly, but Zhu Wenhao picked up his teacup and started drinking tea, with no intention of continuing the conversation.

Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang was so anxious he was scratching his ears and cheeks, and just as he was about to speak, Police Chief Zhao Gang stepped hard on his foot under the table.

Zhu Wenhao put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping across Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang's face calmly.

"San Qiang, you are still young, and the road ahead is long."

His tone was calm.

"Learn more and observe more at the grassroots level; grow up quickly."

"There will be plenty of opportunities for you to take on major responsibilities in the future."

There was no promise of money, no promise of a position.

Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang was confused, his face full of bewilderment.

"Take on major responsibilities? What kind of promise is that?"

However, when Police Chief Zhao Gang and Old Chen heard this, the look they gave Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang was filled with undisguised envy.

For a descendant with such a foundation, the words "take on major responsibilities" meant that Zhu Wenhao would eventually bring him into his core circle.

Given time, as long as Zhu Wenhao did not fall, Deputy Police Chief Li Sanqiang's future would be smooth sailing.

This was Zhu Wenhao repaying Police Chief Li Jianguo's favor, and also making a move for the future.

Hot dishes were served one after another, filling the room with fragrance.

Zhu Wenhao raised his wine cup, which contained warm water.

"Everyone, this cup of water is to wish us immediate success."

The dinner ended successfully, and everyone went their separate ways.

As the night deepened, at the Youth Cadre Apartment in Linjiang City.

This residential area had excellent greenery and few surveillance cameras. The old shops along the street opposite became an excellent vantage point for surveillance.

The division of labor among the three was extremely clear, and they had made a shift schedule.

The next morning, the thin mist had not yet dispersed.

Old Chen, wearing his worn-out military overcoat, rubbed his hands and walked to the breakfast stall at the street corner to buy a fried dough stick.

His eyes habitually swept across the surrounding crowd.

His intuition from over thirty years of criminal investigation was far more useful than any advanced equipment.

When his gaze swept past a shoe repair stall diagonally opposite the apartment gate, Old Chen's brows knitted together.

The shoemaker was wearing a Lei Feng hat pulled down very low, and his movements in repairing shoes were extremely stiff.

Moreover, he always gave Old Chen a familiar feeling; that scent of a thief could not be concealed no matter what.

He did not make a fuss, slowly gnawing on the fried dough stick, and strolled to a blind spot in the line of sight.

He took a pinhole camera out of his pocket, and taking advantage of the moment he turned around, he pressed the shutter three times from a distance, aiming at the shoemaker.

Ten minutes later, Old Chen ducked into the minivan at the alley entrance.

"Police Chief Zhao Gang, look at this photo."

Old Chen handed over the camera, lowering his voice.

Police Chief Zhao Gang took it and examined it carefully.

After examining it for a full minute, he slapped his thigh.

"It's 'Flying Monkey' Liu Liu!"

Police Chief Zhao Gang gritted his teeth.

"This bastard is a habitual criminal who commits crimes on the run. His technique for breaking and entering is well-known throughout the entire Jiangnan Province!"

"He still has a warrant out for him; how did he end up in Linjiang?"

Old Chen took out a cigarette case. "This is hellish. A thief king with technical lock-picking skills, disguised as a shoemaker, staring intently at the Youth Cadre Apartment. This is definitely not a coincidence."

Police Chief Zhao Gang realized that things had gone beyond the predetermined track and immediately took out his mobile phone and dialed Zhu Wenhao's number.

After hearing Police Chief Zhao Gang's report, Zhu Wenhao's fingers paused on the keyboard.

A habitual criminal with technical lock-picking skills had targeted Liu Xiaolei.

This was definitely not someone sent by Liu Family to deliver the exam questions. Delivering exam questions only required normal contact; there was no need for such petty thieves and burglars.

"Who exactly is this?"

"Detachment Captain Zhao."

"Do not touch that habitual criminal."

Police Chief Zhao Gang was anxious on the other end of the phone: "Zhu Wenhao, this is a wanted criminal delivered to our doorstep. If he really enters the house and causes destruction..."

"If he enters the house, isn't that exactly what we want?"

Zhu Wenhao directly interrupted his concerns.

"We don't have a reason to enter and search the house yet."

"Once he enters the house, arrest him directly. Then search the room, check for missing items, and secure the evidence of the exam questions."

Zhu Wenhao paused for a moment and issued the final order.