I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Over the next few days, Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan conducted in-depth interviews with Zhao Gang's family, understanding their living conditions and Zhao Gang's emotional journey. They meticulously documented the family's struggles and pain, as well as the sacrifices Zhao Gang made for his family.

The report attracted widespread public attention. Many people expressed sympathy for Zhao Gang's actions, but others insisted that corruption, regardless of the reason, was unacceptable. This discussion sparked a debate on morality and the law.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan knew that their report had only uncovered the tip of the iceberg. There was still more truth behind this case waiting for them to unearth.

On the streets after the rain, puddles reflected the dim glow of the streetlights, and the air was thick with the scent of dirt and dampness. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan walked side by side on the deserted street, their shadows stretched long, swaying gently with their steps. The clues provided by Li Wei weighed like a heavy stone on their hearts, and the presence of a criminal gang cast a darker shadow over the case.

Zhang Wanqing's pace unconsciously slowed down, her eyes wandering in the stagnant water, as if searching for something. Her thoughts drifted back to the clue provided by Li Wei - a blurry photo of a hidden warehouse with a strange symbol on the door, which was the logo of a criminal group.

"Wanqing, what are you thinking about?" Fu Siyuan's voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up, a look of confusion in her eyes. "I'm wondering how deep this criminal group's roots are, and what their purpose is." Her voice trembled slightly, and it was clear that this discovery had made her feel unprecedented pressure.

Fu Siyuan squeezed her shoulders tightly, trying to offer her some comfort. "We will uncover the truth, no matter how powerful they are." His voice was firm and powerful.

They arrived at a shabby café, the meeting place they had agreed to meet with their informant. The lights were dim, and the air was thick with the bitter aroma of coffee and the pungent smell of tobacco. They chose a seat by the window and waited nervously for the informant to arrive.

As time passed, the cafe gradually dwindled, leaving only the two of them and a middle-aged man in the corner. He wore a tattered windbreaker, his hat pulled low, covering most of his face. His eyes darted around warily, as if checking for anyone following him.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan exchanged a glance, realizing this man was their informant. They took a deep breath, trying to appear less nervous, and then approached the man.

"Hello, we are investigative reporters, Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan." Zhang Wanqing tried to keep her voice calm.

The man raised his head, his eyes sharp as an eagle beneath his hat. He nodded, motioning for them to sit down. "I know you guys. I've read your reports." His voice was hoarse and filled with an indescribable fatigue. "My name is Chen Mo, and I used to be a member of that group."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan's hearts skipped a beat. They hadn't expected the informant to have such a background. They immediately took out their notebooks, ready to write down every word Chen Mo said.

Chen Mo began to tell his story, his voice low and slow, as if recalling a past he didn't want to talk about. "I joined that group because I needed money. My wife was sick and needed expensive medical treatment. They gave me money, but the price was that I had to work for them."

A flash of pain and regret flashed in his eyes. "I thought it was just some small things, but then I found out that what they did was much worse than I thought. They were involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and even assassinations."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan's faces turned pale, and they realized that the seriousness of this case was far beyond their expectations. They took notes nervously, trying to find more clues from Chen Mo's words.

Chen Mo continued, "I know you're investigating Li Jianguo's disappearance. I can tell you that his disappearance is related to the group. Li Jianguo accidentally discovered some of the group's secrets, and they hid him away to keep him quiet."

This news shocked Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan. They realized that the case was much more complicated than they had imagined. They knew that they had to be careful, otherwise they might be in danger.

Chen Mo checked his watch and stood up. "I can't stay here for long. They'll notice I'm missing soon." There was a hint of urgency in his voice. "I'll give you some clues, but you must be careful. This group has a powerful force and they won't let go of anyone who threatens them."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan nodded, knowing that Chen Mo was telling the truth. They thanked Chen Mo for his courage and help, then watched him leave in a hurry.

Back at the newspaper office, Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan immediately began to sort out the information provided by Chen Mo. They knew that this information might be the key to exposing the criminal group.

Late at night, the lights in the newspaper office were still on, and Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan were busy at the window. They knew they were racing against time, and they had to reveal the truth as soon as possible, otherwise there might be more victims.

In the city at night, neon lights flickered in the drizzle, as if hiding countless secrets. Zhang Wanqing walked home alone, the rain soaking her hair and running down her cheeks. Her heart was filled with doubts and unease. The clues provided by Chen Mo were like a tangled web, causing her to fall into deep thought.

Zhang Wanqing's footsteps made a crisp sound on the wet sidewalk, and her eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, alert for possible danger. She knew that since she became involved in this case, her life had changed. Every corner, every passing car, could hide an unknown threat.

She arrived at a convenience store and pushed open the door. The bell rang crisply. The lights inside were warm and bright, a stark contrast to the cold outside. She walked to the beverage area, grabbed a bottle of water, and then walked to the cashier. The cashier was a young boy. His eyes lingered on Zhang Wanqing for a moment, then quickly looked away.

Zhang Wanqing paid and turned to leave. She didn't notice that in the corner of the convenience store, a figure was quietly watching her. It was a woman in a black windbreaker, her hat pulled low, covering most of her face. Her eyes revealed a complex mix of sympathy and concern.

Zhang Wanqing walked out of the convenience store and continued walking in the rain. Her thoughts returned to the case, and Chen Mo's words echoed in her ears: "This group has a strong force, and they will not let go of anyone who threatens them." She couldn't help but shudder, knowing that she had been involved in a dangerous game.

She came to an intersection, the traffic lights blurred in the rain. She stopped and waited for the light to turn green. At this moment, her phone rang. It was a text message from Fu Siyuan: "Wanqing, there is a new discovery, come to the newspaper office quickly."