Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

Chapter Forty-Six: The Zhong Family!

In fact, Qi Tongwei also wanted to end this anti-gang operation as soon as possible.

With only three days until May Day, if the case can be closed early, he will have enough time to spend with the girl he loves.

The problem is, principles don't allow him to do that.

It's not easy to be reborn.

He wanted to live the life he envisioned.

That's why, during this period, he and Wang Hua traveled constantly, just to find Han Lei.

Unfortunately, this grandson seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace...

Sometimes, Qi Tongwei even thought about giving up.

"Captain Qi, we've been searching for so many days, do you think Han Lei's family might...?"

"Could it be anything?"

“They were silenced.” Wang Hua analyzed as he drove, “Think about it, since the crackdown on organized crime on March 318, the Municipal Bureau and the Chief Prosecutor have put a lot of effort into finding them. If Han Lei’s family were still alive, they should have been found long ago.”

This is also the issue that Qi Tongwei is most worried about.

If Han Lei, the whistleblower, cannot be found, and Cao Fu insists on taking the blame, then the 318 anti-gang campaign will have to end either way.

Of course, this is the worst possible outcome.

Another possibility is that Han Lei's family is afraid of retaliation, so they went into hiding and might suddenly reappear one day.

However, this possibility is extremely low.

The phone rang.

It’s Ji Changming.

"Tongwei, are you free tonight?"

Yes! What's wrong?

"Here's the thing, you've worked hard these past few days. Director Li and I would like to invite you to dinner. And coincidentally... County Party Secretary Li Dakang is here too, let's chat together."

"can."

"Then it's settled. Seven o'clock tonight, Suwei Farmhouse Restaurant, my treat."

"it is good!"

Ji Changming emphasized the phrase "private invitation."

Qi Tongwei knew what he was worried about. Ever since Zhong Zhengqian's business card appeared in Handong, both Ji Changming and Li Qingshui were very wary of him.

Otherwise, how could a mere deputy section chief like him be seated at the dinner table of a full-fledged department head?

seven thirty.

Li Qingshui asked Ji Changming and Li Dakang to order first, while he went to the entrance of Suwei Farmhouse Restaurant alone, lit a cigarette, and seemed to be deep in thought.

When Qi Tongwei appeared, he stubbed out his cigarette and immediately went to meet him.

Before Qi Tongwei could speak, Li Qingshui lowered his voice and spoke first: "Tongwei, Li Dakang is here with the opinions of Secretary Zhao and Director Jiang. Whatever he says later, just agree to it for now, and I'll explain to you later."

Secretary Zhao? Director Jiang?

Zhao Lichun! Jiang Hui!

Qi Tongwei pondered for a moment and then understood. So... this wasn't a meal, but a mission to be assigned!

As for what the mission is? Qi Tongwei could guess.

Li Dakang was originally Zhao Lichun's secretary.

His arrival, carrying Zhao Lichun's message, was perfectly reasonable, but the fact that Jiang Hui was also involved could only mean one thing.

This meal was made in connection with the 318 anti-gang campaign.

The fact that a city-wide crackdown on organized crime involved a department head is already astonishing enough, but now a vice-ministerial level official has been added... the information hidden behind this is probably quite significant.

Thinking of this, Qi Tongwei touched the business card again.

Without this business card, he would probably have been kicked out long ago, or perhaps even worse.

The power struggles in officialdom are more perilous with each passing generation.

All he can do is have a clear conscience.

Stepping into the Suwei Farmhouse Restaurant and into the private room, I saw Li Dakang once again.

Causes in previous life, results in this life.

Seeing Li Dakang's hypocritical nature, Qi Tongwei didn't want to eat at the same table with him; it was disgusting.

Li Dakang, on the other hand, appeared extremely magnanimous after learning about the Zhong Zhengqian business card incident.

"Tongwei, I heard you're from Handong University? That's a really great place! I heard Secretary Zhao say before that the students who graduate from there are all extraordinary people! Especially since you were the student union president, you have a bright future ahead of you!"

"Secretary Dakang, you think highly of me?"

"Of course, not only do I have high hopes for you, but Secretary Zhao and Director Jiang also have high hopes for you. In particular, Secretary Zhao said that a young and promising person like you is extremely rare, and your future path will surely be smooth sailing."

"is it?"

“Yes!” Li Dakang said with a smile, raising his glass. “Tongwei, we may have had some misunderstandings before, but that was all work-related and there was no personal disagreement involved. Come on, drink this glass and let bygones be bygones.”

After saying that, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Soaring with boundless pride.

But Qi Tongwei knew very well what he meant by "a little misunderstanding." This Li Dakang was really good at twisting the facts.

Two weeks ago, Li Dakang had said he would file a complaint against Ouyang Qing because of her black stockings and the matter of her "adopted brother".

If it weren't for the fear of everyone knowing he was cuckolded, Qi Tongwei might already be under investigation by the disciplinary committee.

Now they're trying to reconcile over a drink, all because of the name "Zhong Zhengqian".

To put it bluntly, he is also flexible and adaptable.

After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the conversation naturally turned to the main topic.

"Director Li, Chief Prosecutor Ji, I'd like to ask, how is the anti-gang operation on March 318th progressing?"

"That's it." Li Qingshui glanced at Qi Tongwei and said casually, "That Cao Fu, who is the security manager of Lihua Hotel, said that he was responsible for all the gang-related activities and is willing to plead guilty, but we can't draw any conclusions about the specifics yet."

"Someone has already confessed, so why can't a conclusion be drawn? Is there still some doubt?"

"Let Chief Prosecutor Ji explain this to you."

The difficult problem was passed on to Ji Changming.

Ji Changming took a sip of wine, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Objectively speaking, Cao Fu has already confessed, and the 318 anti-gang operation can be characterized as such! But subjectively speaking, there are still many things that haven't been explained clearly, so it's too early to draw conclusions now."

"What hasn't been explained clearly?" Li Dakang pressed.

"Where is the whistleblower, Han Lei? If we can't find the whistleblower, and rely solely on what Cao Fu said, this case will be very difficult to resolve."

"I understand." Li Dakang nodded. "So that means finding Han Lei will close the case?"

"That's how it is in theory, Tongwei, don't you agree?"

The cunning and shrewd Ji Changming then shifted the topic to Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei wasn't stupid; these three were testing his limits by working together.

If he says he can close the case now, then the 318 anti-gang campaign will truly be over, and many people will be happy... including the three people at the dinner table.

They achieved political success without offending anyone.

The best of both worlds.

Just as Qi Tongwei was struggling with how to confront the three of them, he felt a light kick to his calf. When he came to his senses, he saw Li Qingshui wink at him, seemingly hinting at something.

That one look changed Qi Tongwei's mind again.

Suddenly, he suspected that Li Qingshui was acting!

If someone is acting, then someone is watching. The key question is: who is the audience for this performance?

After thinking for a moment, he decided to trust Li Qingshui this time.

"That's right, as long as the whistleblower is found, the 318 anti-gang operation can be over."

"Really?" Li Dakang was overjoyed, feeling as if he could conjure Han Lei up at any moment.

"Of course it is. Cao Fu has confessed everything he should. Once the whistleblower is found, the case can be closed. That's common sense."

"Good, good!" Li Dakang nodded in satisfaction, then raised his glass once again like a victor.

Dinner ended at nine o'clock.

Watching Li Dakang leave, Li Qingshui, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, sharpened his gaze.

"Director Li, are you still planning to hide it?"

"No more hiding."

"Then say it."