Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 740 Xu Damao on Trial, Insists on Seeing Li Huaide

Not long after, Li Kailang, Zhao Xiaohai, Zhang Wei, and the others returned to the Materials Science Department, chatting and laughing.

He walked to his seat and was about to sit down when his gaze inadvertently swept across the table, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Something's wrong!"

When he left at noon, he remembered very clearly that the open book "Principles of Metallurgy" was placed vertically on top of his notebook.

But now, the "Principles of Metallurgy" textbook is lying horizontally on top of the notebook, and several pens are stuck crookedly in the pen holder.

He calmly opened the first drawer on his left, inside which were a few unimportant work drafts.

The documents, which were originally neatly arranged, have now been scrambled, with the corners of the top few pages even creased.

"Thief! Who broke in?!" Li Kailang's eyes sharpened instantly, and he immediately walked out of the office.

"Everyone, check if anything's missing! A thief has broken into our department!"

Li Kailang's voice instantly stunned everyone who was about to rest, causing them to stop what they were doing and look at him in surprise.

"My drawer has been searched. Although it seems like nothing is missing, someone definitely came in and messed around with it."

"Xiao Hai, go to the security office and report this to the police!"

"A burglar?"

"Look at it!"

The materials science department was in an uproar.

Without taking a break, everyone hurriedly checked their desks, drawers, and lockers.

The sounds of things being rummaged through filled the air.

After a flurry of frantic checks, the results astonished everyone.

"None of my things are missing."

"Me too, it seems like I haven't been touched."

"My files are all there, they're just a bit messy."

No one's belongings were touched, not even money was lost, and most importantly, the most important documents in the department were safe and sound.

That thief had a clear target! His methods were brutal! His timing was precise!

As Li Kailang listened to everyone's feedback, his doubts deepened.

"None of your things have been touched, but mine have been disturbed. Who's targeting me?!"

The criticism was directed at Li Kailang alone.

Li Kailang frowned. Who was this thief? Luckily, he kept all his important things in his ring, and the things he kept in his office were not very important, so he wasn't afraid of them being stolen.

He never imagined that it was Xu Damao who did it. Although Xu Damao was unreliable, he wouldn't be so audacious.

The security department was very efficient. Soon, two serious-looking young officers arrived at the materials department.

Li Kailang went up to him and explained the situation concisely, specifically pointing out: "Squad Leader Zhao, the situation is a bit unusual. The thief only ransacked my office; he didn't touch anyone else's."

He pointed to his "organized" desk and drawers.

Upon hearing this, Squad Leader Zhao looked at the other staff members: "Has everyone confirmed that they haven't lost anything?"

"Yes, it wasn't moved."

“Mine were also taken, only Deputy Section Chief Li touched them.”

The answers were surprisingly consistent.

While taking notes in his notebook, Squad Leader Zhao, who was in charge, tentatively asked:
"Deputy Section Chief Li, who do you think it could be? Or do you have something special lately that might attract someone's covetousness?"

Li Kailang pondered for a moment and shook his head: "It's hard to say who it is. I always carry my valuables with me, or keep them in a safer place. I only have some study and work materials in the office."

"Okay, please understand, we need to fully understand the situation."

Officer Zhao nodded in understanding, and then proceeded to carry out his work in an orderly manner:

First, everyone was asked to remain in the department temporarily to preserve the original state of the scene, especially Li Kailang's desk;
Secondly, we began to inquire about the specific whereabouts of the relevant personnel at noon, especially their activities from the time they left work at noon until they returned to the office.
Finally, look for other possible witnesses or suspicious individuals.

But there were no clues. Corey had left together at noon and returned together, so he knew exactly who was there and who wasn't.

"It seems it wasn't done by your materials science department, so it could only have been done by someone outside of the materials science department."

"Nothing is missing; the thief must have failed to steal what he wanted."

Another possibility is that the thief simply came in to ransack the place; that's absolutely impossible.

"He dares to steal in the steel rolling mill! He doesn't respect us security guards at all. Let's see how I catch him!" Squad Leader Zhao shouted, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

Immediately, Squad Leader Zhao led his men to visit nearby departments of the Materials Department to inquire about the situation and see if they could get any clues.

But Xu Damao chose a very good time, during everyone's lunch break, when no one would stay in the department for no reason.

The key point is that Xu Damao deliberately avoided being seen by everyone when he left, making him even harder to find now.

After a series of visits, not a single clue was found.

"Deputy Section Chief Li, I'm really sorry, but this thief is very cunning. He didn't leave a single trace, and we have no clue whatsoever," Squad Leader Zhao said apologetically.

"It's okay, nothing valuable was lost anyway. I'll just be more careful from now on." Li Kailang didn't insist; as long as nothing was lost, that was good enough.

Without any clues, he couldn't directly suspect anyone.

Seeing this, Squad Leader Zhao felt embarrassed, but no clue meant no clue, so he looked at the materials science team.

"Deputy Section Chief Li, please rest assured, our security section will arrest the thief and bring him to justice as soon as possible. Please give us a few days."

"Please take good care of your valuables and important documents from the department these next few days."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, not saying anything more.

At the same time, a truck happened to drive by and stopped near the materials department.

One person got off the car and went straight to the materials department. As soon as he entered, he saw the security guard talking to him.

Zhang Fen peeked out and looked on curiously.

This immediately alerted Squad Leader Zhao: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Zhang Fen was startled by Zhao's sudden shout.

"Brother Zhang," Li Kailang said, "Is there something you need?"

Zhang Fen nodded, but instead of explaining the situation, he pointed to the security guard and asked, "What happened to you?"

"My office has been burgled."

"A thief broke in?! Who the hell stole from you? I'll kill him!" Zhang Fen suddenly roared in anger.

These words made the security guard feel embarrassed.

"We don't know who the thief is; they didn't leave a single clue," Li Kailang said. "By the way, Brother Zhang, what did you need me for?"

Interrupted like this, Zhang Fen remembered why he had come: "Oh, is that so? Didn't you send Xu Damao to your study room this morning to pick up something?"

"I couldn't find Xu Damao. It's already noon. Xu Damao came over to look for him too. I've been waiting for several hours. I came over to ask what you need. I'll bring it to you."

Li Kailang asked in confusion, "I asked Xu Damao to go? Brother Zhang, are you mistaken? I didn't ask Xu Damao to go to the transport team."

Zhang Fen said firmly, "That's impossible. I heard from Xu Damao that you sent him there, saying he was looking for some bottles and jars. Didn't you say that?"

"No, there's nothing in the study room, why would I send him there!" Li Kailang shook his head. The matter was clear: it was Xu Damao who did it. Everyone was curious about what those bottles and jars were.

Li Kailang finally understood why Xu Damao had come to search his office—he was looking for medicine.

Squad Leader Zhao sneered, "So it was Xu Damao who did it! Men! Let's go! Arrest Xu Damao!"

Immediately, Squad Leader Zhao led his men straight to the Propaganda Department.

When Squad Leader Zhao led his men into the propaganda department, Xu Damao was still gloating over not being discovered and was leisurely watching a new film.

When the security guards suddenly burst in, Xu Damao's smile froze instantly.

"Xu Damao, come with us!" Squad Leader Zhao's voice was cold and hard, brooking no argument.

"Squad Leader Zhao? What's up?" Xu Damao forced a fawning smile, his small eyes darting around. "Is there a misunderstanding? I've been working very hard today."

"A misunderstanding?" The security guard next to him snorted. "Did you know that the office of Li Kailang, the deputy section chief of the Materials Department, was ransacked at noon?"

Xu Damao's eyelids twitched, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "Huh? I haven't heard. Deputy Section Chief Li was robbed? Oh dear, something like this can happen in the factory?"

"Stop pretending!" Squad Leader Zhao interrupted him. "Comrade Zhang Fen has already testified that you went to the transport team this morning, impersonating Deputy Section Chief Li Kailang, saying you wanted to go into his study room to get something. Did that happen?"

Xu Damao trembled, and his face turned deathly pale.

He stammered, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time: "I...I did go there once, but...I just wanted to help."

"Help? Who are you helping? You're the one who sneaked into the materials department, aren't you?" Squad Leader Zhao took a step closer, raising his voice.

"Let's go! Go to the security office interrogation room and explain ourselves!"

Immediately, the security guards forcibly dragged Xu Damao to the interrogation room.

The interrogation room of the security department was dimly lit and the atmosphere was oppressive.

Xu Damao was forced to sit on a hard bench, opposite Squad Leader Zhao and two recorders.

Zhang Fen's confession was laid out on the interrogation table.

The squad leader cut to the chase: "Xu Damao, I'm giving you a chance to confess honestly. Where were you at noon? What were you doing? What time did you eat lunch?"

Xu Damao's lips trembled as he struggled, "I...I'm eating. I'll go eat after work."

"Bullshit!" Squad Leader Zhao slammed his hand on the table, making a teacup jump. "Cook Wang from the canteen said you should wait until everyone had almost finished eating before you came to eat! Tell me! Where were you before that?"

"I'll just take a walk around the factory area and get some fresh air," Xu Damao said, his eyes darting around.

"The ventilation even reached the materials department?" Squad Leader Zhao sneered. "Deputy Section Chief Li Kailang's desk was ransacked. Given your 'good intentions' this morning, who else could have done it but you?"

"Comrade Zhang Fen's confession is right here, in black and white! You can't deny it!"

With the written agreement laid bare before him, Xu Damao was speechless, and his psychological defenses began to crumble.

"Squad Leader Zhao, I admit I went to the Materials Science Department. I was just curious and wanted to take a look."

"Curious?" Squad Leader Zhao leaned closer and pressed, "Curious about what? Does Deputy Section Chief Li have mountains of gold and silver on his desk? Or do you have some grudge against Deputy Section Chief Li?"

"No...there's no grudge!" Xu Damao waved his hands anxiously, his eyes darting around. "I just heard that Deputy Section Chief Li Kailang might have some valuable old things."

Squad Leader Zhao shouted coldly, "You still want to deny it! Comrade Zhang Fen's confession clearly states that you went to Li Kailang's study room in the transport team to look for bottles and jars!"

"Speak! What do you want with all these bottles and jars? What do you want to do? What is your purpose?"

Squad Leader Zhao's three questions directly exposed what Xu Damao was trying to hide.

Xu Damao's mouth twitched and trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't speak for a long time.

Squad Leader Zhao waited in vain for a while, then slammed his fist heavily on the table with a "bang"!

"Speak! Tell the truth! Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite!"

The heavy blow startled Xu Damao, making him tremble. If he hadn't been handcuffed to the chair, he might have slipped and fallen to the ground.

Squad Leader Zhao's heavy blow did not frighten Xu Damao; instead, it calmed him down.

He searched Li Kailang's office to find the precious medicine that Li Huaide wanted. As long as Li Kailang remained silent and didn't expose Li Huaide's affairs, there would be a glimmer of hope.

The security department is also under the jurisdiction of logistics, and Li Huaide is in charge of logistics. As long as he doesn't say anything, Li Huaide will definitely protect him.

Thinking of this, Xu Damao pursed his lips.

Seeing this, Squad Leader Zhao thought Xu Damao was planning to confess and receive leniency: "Xu Damao, tell the truth, why did you go to Deputy Section Chief Li's office to steal things!"

Just when he thought he could easily resolve the situation, Xu Damao suddenly raised his head: "Don't even think about it! I want to see Deputy Factory Director Li. I have something to say to him!"

Upon hearing that they wanted to see Li Huaide, Squad Leader Zhao frowned: "What do you, a projectionist, want with Deputy Factory Director Li? He's a very busy man, he doesn't have time to see you!"

"Tell me the truth right now!"

"I won't say a word until I see Deputy Factory Director Li!" Xu Damao said stubbornly.

Seeing Xu Damao's confident demeanor, Squad Leader Zhao sensed that this matter might be related to Li Huaide, which made things difficult.

Squad Leader Zhao probed again, "Xu Damao! I think you should just give up! How could Deputy Factory Director Li possibly deal with a mere projectionist like you? Don't try to stall for time with your nonsense."

"We have both witnesses and physical evidence, so confess the truth now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

Upon hearing that they were going to take action against him, Xu Damao trembled with fear, but in order to protect himself, he could not back down at this moment!
"You dare! If you dare lay a hand on me, I... I mean you can't lay a hand on me!"

"I want to see Deputy Factory Director Li! I want to see Deputy Factory Director Li! If all else fails, I'll see his secretary too! I just want to see him!"

Seeing Xu Damao's madness as he desperately sought out Li Huaide and Wen Peixin, Squad Leader Zhao felt this matter was thorny.

For a moment I hesitated, unsure of what to do.

When the two recorders heard Li Huaide's name, they hesitated and did not write down the interrogation record. Their pens stopped on the paper and smudged a large black mark without them noticing.

"Watch him!"

Squad Leader Zhao got up and went outside, where he found Li Kailang listening.

"Deputy Section Chief Li, this matter is a bit tricky."

"I know."

Li Kailang nodded. He was also curious about why Xu Damao insisted on finding Li Huaide, but he could guess that it was because of his medicine that he had gotten close to Li Huaide.

He knew perfectly well what kind of person Li Huaide was; he was a womanizer.

Considering everything that happened this morning, Xu Damao's insistence on the top-of-the-line version of the Qianjin Fang (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) is almost certainly because he used it to climb up to Li Huaide.

No wonder Xu Damao would take such a risk and resort to such a desperate measure; how could Xu Damao not dare to get the medicine that Li Huaide wanted?

"That Xu Damao deserves it!" I said a few months ago that I was quitting, but I didn't expect Xu Damao to not listen and think I was joking.

Now he wanted to see how Xu Damao would handle this matter.

He had no medicine on hand, and neither did Xu Damao. Would Li Huaide still save Xu Damao?

Thinking about it this way, Li Kailang's lips curled up slightly, and he said:

"Since Xu Damao insists on finding Deputy Factory Director Li, then let him go."

Upon hearing this, Squad Leader Zhao was taken aback: "Deputy Section Chief Li, if it really has something to do with Deputy Factory Director Li, then Xu Damao will be in a difficult situation. He might just be released in the end."

Li Kailang nodded: "I know that."

Seeing that Li Kailang remained unmoved, Squad Leader Zhao didn't say anything more.

(End of this chapter)