Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

"Hmph." Ji Changming snorted coldly, "Finding evidence is our business. Now, please come with us to the procuratorate to cooperate with the investigation!"

"Why should I?" Wang Dejun was clearly unconvinced.

"Just because I'm the head of the procuratorate in Yantai City, what? You still want to refuse to cooperate with the investigation?"

"Ji Changming, how dare you use your position for personal revenge?" Wang Dejun gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "I am Director Jiang's nephew. Are you sure you want to investigate me?"

"Don't try to scare me with Director Jiang. You can make the call now. If Director Jiang answers, I'll drop the investigation on you."

"Don't regret what you said."

"Please."

In front of Ji Changming, Wang Dejun picked up his phone and made several calls in a row.

Without exception, all calls were disconnected.

Ji Changming had anticipated this. Judging from Jiang Hui's attitude just now, he had been terrified by Zhong Zhengqian's business card and now only wanted to distance himself from Lihua Hotel.

If they wanted to distance themselves from the situation, why would they be foolish enough to answer Wang Dejun's call?

Chapter Forty: Pure Love, Unrelated to Power

A business card sounded the clarion call for the 318 anti-gang campaign.

Night time.

The Lihua Hotel has indeed closed down.

Wang Dejun was taken away by the procuratorate for investigation on suspicion of job-related crimes for obstructing official duties.

Wang Demin was taken to the interrogation room by the Municipal Public Security Bureau for illegal detention, assaulting others, and assaulting police officers, where he awaited questioning.

The rest of the personnel were also taken to the municipal bureau for questioning.

Surprisingly, Li Dakang was among them; he had been squatting in the toilet, hoping to escape.

Unfortunately, Qi Tongwei caught them red-handed.

Of course, for now, Li Dakang is fine. Taking him back to the Municipal Bureau will just be a brief questioning, and it will be kept confidential.

After all, even a county party secretary has to save face.

The girl who was beaten was also taken to the hospital. After simple treatment, it was determined that she was not in life-threatening danger. However, because she was quite emotional, it was not appropriate to question her at the moment.

Everything was finished by 8 p.m.

While everyone was present, Li Qingshui organized a small meeting, mainly to discuss the 318 anti-gang operation.

The main attendees included Li Qingshui, Ji Changming, Qi Tongwei, Lü Liang, Wang Hua, and Zhao Donglai, the captain of the criminal investigation team.

At this time, Zhao Donglai was also a young man, and like Qi Tongwei, he was a junior cadre at the deputy section level.

Li Qingshui called him over so that he could cooperate with Qi Tongwei to carry out the anti-gang operation to the end.

Before the meeting, Qi Tongwei received a phone call.

It was his classmate, Xiao Ai.

Zhong Xiaoai, with her extensive connections and influence, seemed to know everything about Qi Tongwei in that era of limited information.

"Tongwei, how about it? My uncle's business card is still useful, isn't it?"

"Um... Xiao Ai, you know everything?"

"I know," Zhong Xiaoai said playfully. "Is it so hard to know what you did in a day?"

"It's not difficult, it's not difficult." Qi Tongwei, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, scratched his head and said somewhat awkwardly, "Today I'm using your uncle's name to save people, he won't be angry, will he?"

“My uncle isn’t that petty! Besides, he gave you his business card because he’s backing you up! Remember, the Zhong family is behind you, no one can bully you.”

Qi Tongwei remained silent for a few seconds.

"Xiao Ai, thank you."

"What kind of relationship do we have? If you're too polite with me, I might get angry! In short, if you encounter any difficulties, don't bear them alone; I'm here for you."

"Ah."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Tongwei stubbed out his cigarette, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Does Xiao Ai smell good?

It must smell delicious!

However, there are rules to follow in everything.

The trouble caused by the beautiful woman from Chu could not alarm Erlang Shenzhenjun.

In the local crackdown on organized crime, Zhong Zhengqian couldn't very well lower himself and had to get involved.

Everyone has their own things to do.

He, Qi Tongwei, is not Hou Liangping. He can live off Xiao Ai's money, but he can't just live off her.

Furthermore, Zhong Xiaoai was not a stepping stone for him in his official career, nor was she a scheme for him to rise to power; he genuinely liked her.

Pure liking.

This kind of liking is uncomplicated by any other factors.

In other words, even if Zhong Xiaoai were an ordinary girl with no political resources, Qi Tongwei would still love her without hesitation.

Whether it's pure love or pride, Qi Tongwei won't use the Zhong family's trump card unless it's absolutely necessary.

"Captain Qi, the meeting has started, everyone's waiting for you."

"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, what are you rushing me for? I'll be right there."

Qi Tongwei originally wanted to light another cigarette, but after being urged by Wang Hua, he decided against it.

Meetings are important.

Once everyone was present, Li Qingshui cleared his throat and spoke first.

"The anti-gang operation on March 318 has achieved initial results. In particular, today, Qi Tongwei and Wang Hua performed heroically and caught Wang Demin red-handed at the Lihua Hotel."

"This is a good start and a breakthrough. By following Wang Demin, we may be able to find something even bigger."

"Chief Prosecutor Ji, what do you think?"

“Director Li is right, that’s what I meant too.” Ji Changming nodded, not refuting Li Qingshui, but after a two-second pause, he changed the subject, “However, as far as I know, Wang Demin is no pushover either. As an outstanding businessman in Yantai City, he has a certain understanding of the political and legal system. It won’t be easy to get information out of him! Also, the same goes for Wang Dejun. He is the head of the anti-drug branch and used to be the director of the Ning’an District Public Security Bureau. Without solid evidence, I’m afraid we won’t be able to get anything out of him.”

Li Qingshui pondered for a moment before speaking, "Chief Prosecutor Ji is right. These two are cunning foxes, and they're familiar with the political and legal system, so they're indeed difficult to deal with. But we have other breakthroughs. By the way... Tongwei, do you have any leads on the whistleblower Han Lei?"

"Not yet." Qi Tongwei shook his head. "The whistleblower is also a gambling addict. He borrowed money from Lihua Hotel, had a finger cut off, and then disappeared with his family."

"Then you and Wang Hua continue the search. We can't let our trail of Han Lei go unbroken."

"understood."

"Donglai, how's it going on your end? How's the questioning of the hotel staff going?"

"There hasn't been much progress." The inexperienced Zhao Donglai was somewhat reserved. "All the staff at the Lihua Hotel seem to have undergone rigorous training. Whether it's the front desk staff or the security personnel, they all seem to know nothing."

"Continue to follow up."

"Yes."

The meeting has reached a bottleneck.

The hotel staff were tight-lipped, and the whistleblower could not be found. The fact that Wang Demin abused a female college student only shows that it was an individual act, which has nothing to do with Lihua Hotel, let alone organized crime.

What's even more difficult is that the female college student seemed to have been traumatized and wouldn't say anything no matter what was asked.

It's even more impossible to get Wang Dejun and Wang Demin to confess voluntarily.

After much deliberation, Qi Tongwei set his sights on one person.

Li Dakang.

"Director Li, I'd like to speak with Li Dakang, is that alright?"

“Him.” Li Qingshui frowned slightly. “We can talk, but we have to be careful. After all, he is the county party secretary, and we can’t confirm his connection to this matter. Can you handle this carefully? Don’t upset him.”

"no problem."

At this time, Li Dakang was arranged to stay in a separate room and was treated to good food and drinks, which made him quite comfortable.

Upon seeing Qi Tongwei, she glared at him with her nose, seemingly expressing her dissatisfaction.

"Secretary Dakang, we meet again!"

"You're just a squad leader, don't try to get on my good side!" Li Dakang said irritably. "I'll reiterate, I was just looking for someone at the Lihua Hotel, I didn't do anything else. You can cooperate with me when you bring me in for questioning, but don't go too far!"

"Secretary Dakang, don't be angry. I'll just ask you a few questions, and then I'll send you back."

"That's more like it." Li Dakang crossed his legs. "Hurry up and ask me whatever you want; I have a meeting tomorrow."

"Secretary Dakang, as far as we know, your wife Ouyang Qing owns shares in the Lihua Hotel. Are you aware of this?"

"I know, so what? Is it not allowed?"

"So, you came to the Lihua Hotel today to see Ms. Ouyang Qing?"

"Hmm." Li Dakang nodded again, then rubbed his temples, seemingly unwilling to answer the question.