Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

The county party secretary was a cadre at the level of a full-fledged department head, and most importantly, he could speak to Zhao Lichun.

"Director Li, what's going on?" Wang Dejun spoke first. "It's New Year's Eve, can't people even relax a little?"

"Relax?" Li Qingshui narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, what kind of relaxation?"

"It was just a massage, nothing else. Comrade Dakang and Comrade Chen Qingquan can vouch for me. You didn't believe the rumors, did you?"

"There were no rumors. I just received a tip from the public that someone was engaging in prostitution here, so I came to check it out."

"It's a misunderstanding, it must be a misunderstanding!" Li Dakang, who was good at arguing, spoke up. "Director Li, it's really a misunderstanding. I came here today mainly to discuss the future development of Jinshan County with Comrade Wang Dejun and Comrade Chen Qingquan. What yellow? I don't know anything about it. Comrade Qingquan, do you know?"

"Of course I don't know!"

"I see." Li Qingshui nodded. "What about the three foreign women in that room? Can you explain?"

At this point, Li Dakang and Wang Dejun hesitated, while Chen Qingquan remained calm.

“We’re learning foreign languages!” Chen Qingqun stroked a few strands of hair on his head. “Director Li, as you know, our work is diverse, and mastering multiple languages ​​is very important… While every family is celebrating the New Year together, the three of us are still studying. What does that show? It shows our dedication!”

"Yes, yes, Dean Chen is right. It's so difficult for us to learn English at our age." Li Dakang immediately put his newfound knowledge to use: "Come is 'come,' go is 'go,' nod for yes, shake your head for no!"

This little bit of English almost broke Qi Tongwei's nerves, and Wang Hua couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Wang Dejun was displeased. "Why are you here instead of being in the anti-drug squad? You two are derelict in your duties! Understand? Just you wait! I'll deal with you when we get back!"

"Captain Wang, don't lose your temper. I'm the one who called them here," Li Qingshui said calmly. "We're short-handed at the end of the year, so I had them come and help. What? You're interfering with this too?"

"Since Director Li has spoken, I have nothing more to say!"

Wang Dejun glared at Wang Hua, then at Qi Tongwei, and the three of them were now at odds.

Qi Tongwei remained silent.

At the same time, he also understood that today's crackdown on prostitution was just a pretext; Li Qingshui's target was these three people, or rather, one of them.

Bringing me and Wang Hua along was probably an attempt to distance myself from Wang Dejun.

The three on the other side were still arguing with Li Qingshui, their acting skills were comparable to those of actors.

"Director Li, as the Party Secretary of Jinshan County, I still stand firm and study diligently on New Year's Eve. This noble quality is worthy of everyone's learning. However... one should keep a low profile. Today's matter should be kept secret. If it gets out, it will definitely be misinterpreted and amplified by people with ill intentions, which will have a bad impact."

“Secretary Dakang is right, that’s what I meant too. We’re all colleagues, so let’s not be high-profile, it’s easy to cause misunderstandings.”

"Me too, Director Chen. You should know that Director Jiang of the Provincial Department is my uncle. We're all on the same side. If there's any misunderstanding, we can talk about it later."

"..."

The three of them took turns talking, trying to gloss over the matter.

But Li Qingshui didn't buy it.

He turned and made a phone call, talked for two or three minutes, then hung up and shook his head at the three of them.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, this matter is not up to me. According to the rules and regulations, you will have to come with me to the Municipal Bureau."

"Qi Tongwei, arrest him!"

After saying that, he turned his back.

Qi Tongwei raised an eyebrow.

This bomb... it really caught me completely off guard.

With so many police officers present, why single him out? It seems... Li Qingshui is trying to cause trouble.

Despite his thoughts, he didn't stop working.

He took out the handcuffs, and with a thought, walked directly towards Li Dakang, the highest-ranking official among the three.

In their previous life, the two were mortal enemies.

In this life... hehe, let's capture him first!

Upon seeing the gleaming handcuffs, Li Dakang panicked, unconsciously taking a step back and constantly shifting his gaze.

"Secretary Li, are you trying to defy the law?" Qi Tongwei weighed the handcuffs in his hand. "Behave yourself, or I'll have to resort to force."

"Wait a minute, I'll make a call."

Qi Tongwei looked at Li Qingshui.

Li Qingshui nodded, which was taken as tacit approval.

Li Dakang let out a long sigh of relief, then dialed a number and began to bow and scrape.

"Secretary Zhao, Happy New Year, this is Xiao Li... Yes, yes, yes... I'm asking you for help."

(Thanks to Shiho-kun from Awami Fish for the extra update! Here's an extra chapter today.)

(Thanks to Groudon's alt account who learned to fly, user 13396233, Spring Heart Fluttering Gao Sheng, Rong Sen who loves pan-fried lamb fillet, and Chu Zhi who offers good value for money... Thank you for your gifts.)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Harmonious and Joyful Family

After receiving permission from the person on the other end of the phone, Li Dakang held the phone in both hands and handed it to Li Qingshui.

"Secretary Zhao is looking for you."

The Secretary Zhao he mentioned was naturally Zhao Lichun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor of Handong Province.

A real tiger.

Faced with such a person, Li Qingshui naturally dared not be negligent and answered the phone with utmost respect.

"Secretary Zhao, I am Li Qingshui, the director of the Yantai City Public Security Bureau. Please give me your instructions."

"Okay, okay, okay...Received."

"..."

After hanging up the phone, he returned the phone to Li Dakang.

"Interesting. A drug raid can alarm a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee. Li Dakang... you have quite the influence."

"I don't deserve such praise. It was all Director Li's fault."

Li Qingshui nodded. "Let's go, all three of you can leave now. But as Secretary Zhao just said, this is a one-time thing. If there's a next time, we'll follow the rules."

"There won't be a next time."

After saying that, Li Dakang was the first to leave. Before leaving, he glanced at Qi Tongwei with a resentful look in his eyes.

Wang Dejun was the second to leave. He also glanced at Qi Tongwei, as if giving him a warning.

Chen Qingquan was fine, always smiling. When he passed by Qi Tongwei, he grinned as if he were seeing an old friend.

With this, the crackdown on prostitution came to an end.

It wasn't exactly thrilling or exciting, but it gave Qi Tongwei a lot of signals.

First, Li Dakang is far less upright than he thinks.

Secondly, he realized that Wang Dejun had already set his sights on him.

Third, Li Qingshui came prepared this time. Behind him lies a huge force, and today's crackdown on prostitution was also planned by that force. Its purpose is likely to make an example of someone and warn certain people and things.

We need to find out exactly what that force is in person. Even if it's a knife, we need to find out who's wielding it. Otherwise, if we act haphazardly, we'll inevitably make a mess of things sooner or later.

"Collect the team."

With a single command from Li Qingshui, he attempted to make a hasty escape.

But the next second, Qi Tongwei pulled him back.

"Director Li, treating people like knives and then discarding them afterward is somewhat unethical."

Li Qingshui turned around, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Qi Tongwei knew what he was worried about, and said to Wang Hua, "You've worked hard today. You can go back first. I have some things to discuss with Director Li."

Can I get reimbursed for the train ticket?

"Yes!" Li Qingshui said. "I'll reimburse you not only for your train ticket, but also for your meal ticket."

"Thank you, leader."

Wang Hua was a straightforward person, not one for many scheming thoughts. Hearing that today's expenses would be reimbursed, he left with a smile.

After he left, Li Qingshui spoke again, "This isn't the place to talk, let's find somewhere else."

"Okay, I haven't had dinner yet, let's find a place to eat something."

New Year's Eve.

The night market remains as vibrant as ever.

We found a table, ordered two home-style dishes, and a small bottle of wine for a late-night snack.

Li Qingshui lit a cigarette. "Ask me anything you want, but I'll make it clear beforehand: I'll say what I can say, but I won't answer anything you ask, no matter how many times you ask."

“Alright.” Qi Tongwei didn’t mince words. “Tell me, was this crackdown on prostitution premeditated? Were those three people already being watched?”

“That’s right. We already knew where Li Dakang, Chen Qingquan, and Wang Dejun were today.”

"What's the purpose? It can't just be targeting these three small fry, can it?"

Li Qingshui laughed, "Tongwei, you're really arrogant. Two section chiefs and one division chief, are they all just small fry in your eyes!"