Deep in the night, a massive convoy headed for the police station.
Upon arrival, the routine investigation and questioning began. Qin Chuan instructed all his brothers not to conceal anything, to recount the events of the evening in full detail.
He also gave his own statement. Afterwards, he and Xiao Guodong sat smoking and chatting.
The relationship between Qin Chuan and Xiao Guodong was peculiar, difficult to describe in words.
Xiao Guodong had always harbored a dislike for Qin Chuan, believing that Qin Chuan's methods against opponents were too extreme. Yet, as a police officer, a shred of inherent justice made him fear that this talented young man might stray, so he often issued warnings.
Qin Chuan, on the other hand, disdained Xiao Guodong's occasional inaction, looked down on him, and had even threatened to expose him through the media.
Sitting together now, drinking tea and chatting, it was inevitable that Qin Chuan would receive another lecture.
Take, for instance, the previous dispute with Han Shifei. Qin Chuan had led his men directly to Han Shifei's stronghold and had a fight.
In Han Shifei's words, it was completely unnecessary.
Han Shifei was beyond redemption, deeply entangled in numerous affairs, even responsible for several lives. There was no need to take such risks.
Currently, the country was cracking down severely on various dark forces, and the police were quietly gathering all criminal evidence. When the net was cast, Han Shifei's gang would be annihilated.
"Captain Xiao, give me some honest insight. I always feel like you police are somewhat lenient towards Han Shifei's gang. Is it because they are involved in something special?"
Qin Chuan suddenly stared at Xiao Guodong and asked.
Xiao Guodong, who was drinking tea, paused slightly before his expression became as calm as still water. "Why do you ask such a question?"
Although Xiao Guodong's reaction was very subtle, Qin Chuan was sharp-eyed and saw everything.
His heart skipped a beat. It was indeed as he had suspected. Han Shifei's gang was entangled in something else of great importance. Though he didn't know the specifics yet, he assumed it was significant.
Otherwise, such a criminal organization would likely have been eradicated long ago!
"Heh heh, I was just asking casually."
"It's getting late. Regarding the theft at my electronics factory, I'll trouble you, Captain Xiao, to pay close attention. Perhaps others are involved."
Qin Chuan stood up to leave.
Watching Qin Chuan's retreating back, a sharp glint flickered in Xiao Guodong's deep-set eyes. He couldn't discern whether Qin Chuan had discovered something or was truly just making a casual remark.
If it was the former, then things would be very different, and perhaps Qin Chuan could offer some help...
By the time Qin Chuan returned home, it was again three or four in the morning. At some point, this kind of busyness had become the norm.
As he pushed open the bedroom door, Li Ya, who was already in bed, sat up. Her eyes, like autumn water, were filled with worry.
"Jie, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Qin Chuan walked over and sat beside Li Ya, asking gently.
"I can't sleep!"
"Xiao Chuan, did something major happen?"
Li Ya asked. If it weren't for something significant, Qin Chuan wouldn't have left so late at night and been gone for over two hours.
"Yes, something did happen."
Qin Chuan nodded and then recounted the evening's events to Li Ya.
"How could this happen? Those people are too despicable!"
Li Ya was furious after listening.
"This isn't how you embezzle; they're aiming to bankrupt the electronics factory!"
"Human nature is selfish. There are too many people in this world who, as long as they can get rich, don't care about the lives of others!"
Qin Chuan, however, remained calm.
"If Xinhua Electronics Factory truly goes bankrupt, it might be even more beneficial to them, as they could then pilfer more items."
...
The night passed in silence. Qin Chuan was woken by a phone call from Xiao Guodong after only three hours of sleep.
"Hello, Captain Xiao!"
Qin Chuan answered the phone.
"Qin Chuan, Sun Zheng, Wu Kai, and their group have all confessed!"
Xiao Guodong said directly.
"So quickly?"
Qin Chuan was surprised by the speed of the police investigation for the first time. He sat up in bed. Li Ya had already woken up and was leaning close to Qin Chuan's ear, listening to the conversation on the phone.
"Now you believe we police aren't useless, right!"
Xiao Guodong couldn't resist a dig at someone before continuing, "After more than three hours of intensive interrogation overnight, that group has confessed everything!"
"Indeed, they have a bigger mastermind behind them. This person is the factory director of Xinhua Electronics Factory, Qian Baoshan!"
"However, when our men went to Qian Baoshan's home, he had already fled, vanished! His phone is also switched off!"
"Qian Baoshan... damn it!"
Qin Chuan was so angry he couldn't help but curse. Who would have thought that the mastermind behind all this was Qian Baoshan? He was the factory director!
"Qin Chuan, according to the confessions of Sun Zheng, Wu Kai, and others, this is how they profited."
On the other end of the line, Xiao Guodong heard Qin Chuan's profanity and felt a complex mix of emotions.
Anyone in his position would likely find it hard to remain calm. Qin Chuan's outburst was entirely understandable!
"Since Xinhua Electronics Factory is essentially state-owned property, Qian Baoshan and the others, despite outwardly holding all the authority, were essentially high-level employees."
"All expenditures and accounts of Xinhua Electronics Factory require government approval."
"Therefore, Qian Baoshan, Sun Zheng, Wu Kai, and others devised ways to make the machinery break down, using it as an excuse to report it..."
"Captain Xiao, you don't need to say more. I already know how they were embezzling funds."
Qin Chuan interrupted Xiao Guodong. This kind of scheme was very familiar to him, not at all strange.
It was simply that Qian Baoshan and the others, when reporting, would sell off dismantled machine parts to enrich themselves.
The more audacious ones would even collude with sellers beforehand to artificially inflate prices when purchasing new parts, thus pocketing a portion of the profits.
This way, they could earn double profits, feasting heartily from both ends.
It could be said that these people's consciences were truly corrupted; they had no humanity whatsoever.
"Captain Xiao, I'll trouble you to apprehend Qian Baoshan as soon as possible!"
"I'll await your good news."
Qin Chuan said finally, hung up the phone, and quickly got dressed and ready.
"Xiao Chuan, with such a major incident at the electronics factory, will the impact be too great?"
Li Ya had heard the entire story from the phone call, and her mood was also very heavy.
Qian Baoshan, Sun Zheng, and Wu Kai – one held more power than the next, one had a higher position than the next. Now, they were either imprisoned or on the run.
Fortunately, everyone knew now that the electronics factory had a new owner. Otherwise, in the past, the factory might have completely collapsed.