Chapter 24 Private Investigator
The air in the Criminal Investigation Division's meeting room seemed frozen, heavy and suffocating. Ji Feng, dressed in casual clothes, frowned slightly, his expression grave. Before the meeting, he had already surrendered all police belongings, including his rank, equipment, and service gun.
Jiang Bo was the first to break the silence, his tone stern. "Comrade Ji Feng's behavior has negatively impacted our bureau and detachment. The bureau's Party Committee just held a meeting and decided to suspend Comrade Ji Feng from all duties for two months, with him returning to the Police Academy for reflection. The relevant situation has been formally reported to the provincial department and the academy. Furthermore, Comrade Ji Feng has been given an administrative warning to see if this will have any impact."
After he finished speaking, his majestic gaze swept over everyone. Everyone lowered their heads and no one dared to look him in the eye.
"In addition, I bear leadership responsibility for this incident. After research by the bureau's Party Committee, I have been given a warning and admonishment. In accordance with the bureau's Party Committee's requirements, the results of this incident must be reported to the entire team. Please take this as a warning."
"Captain Jiang, we can't punish our own people based on the suspect's one-sided statement. This is unfair." Xin Xiao said indignantly.
Jiang Bo stared at Xin Xiao sternly, speaking slowly and carefully, "Who said we were punishing our comrades based solely on the suspect's testimony? Do you understand the consequences of this?"
Xin Xiao said unconvincedly, "What consequences? Lan Ruojin's so-called impact on her family's business is just one-sided, isn't it?"
"Before the meeting this morning, the bureau office had already checked the Lan family's business registration information through the Market Supervision Bureau. They have cancelled all of their businesses in Lan Valley. Do you know what this means?"
"I don't understand what it means to cancel or not. I just know that this is unfair to Captain Ji." Xin Xiao muttered in a low voice.
"You don't understand. I can tell you that in the face of the current downward pressure on the national economy, local governments are actively taking measures to attract investment and optimize the business environment in response to weak domestic demand and the trade war provoked by certain countries. But we are pushing away a cultural enterprise that pays more than 10 million yuan in taxes annually and complies with the national green development industry policy. How big do you think this loss is?" Jiang Bo said, tapping the table with his knuckles.
"But we can't turn a blind eye to their illegal and criminal acts." Xin Xiao still stubbornly defended Ji Feng.
"Pa!" Jiang Bo slammed his hand on the table. "Do you have any evidence? Xin Xiao, let me ask you, do you have any solid evidence that the Lan family committed a crime?"
Seeing the situation was not good, Ji Feng quickly interrupted to ease the atmosphere: "Captain Jiang, calm down. All the mistakes are my fault. Xin Xiao is also worried about the Lan family case still not being able to break through."
Then he looked at Xin Xiao and said, "You better stop talking. The city's task of attracting investment is indeed quite heavy. The financial pressure is huge. If we can't collect taxes, everyone's salary can't be guaranteed. If that really happens, alas, I will be the sinner of Lan Valley."
"I can't..." Xin Xiao was about to say something else when Ji Feng glared at him. He turned to Jiang Bo and said, "Captain Jiang, I accept the bureau and team's opinions on how I was handled. I also apologize for the impact this has had on you and other colleagues. Since I've been suspended, I will seriously reflect on my actions and strive to be reinstated as soon as possible. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn this meeting."
Jiang Bo knew that Ji Feng was giving him a way out, so he went along with it and said, "Okay, I hope Comrade Ji Feng will seriously reflect on his actions and return to his post as soon as possible. This meeting is adjourned."
The autumn sunset dyed the waves amber. The sea breeze brushed my face, bringing a slight coolness. A few dilapidated fishing boats sat quietly at the pier, the red silk rustling from their masts startling gulls carrying grass. Occasionally, a returning sail sliced through the blue waves, and the spray from the bow shattered into jade-like pearls, falling into the bamboo baskets of the fishermen.
"What are your plans?" Xin Xiao stared blankly into the distance with a low voice.
"We'll leave tomorrow and go back to the academy." Ji Feng said lightly.
"Are you willing to leave like this?"
"Of course not. I've made up my mind. Even if I return to the academy, even if I lose my identity, I will fight the Lan family to the bitter end."
"How do I do this? How can I fight to the death without any identity?"
"I thought about it all night. It's not difficult. I'll just pretend to be a private investigator."
"Private detective?" Xin Xiao widened his eyes.
"You don't have to wear a uniform to track down Lan Renxuan."
"But it's neither right nor proper."
"It doesn't matter. I'll pay for it myself, and the company doesn't need to bear the cost. Things have come to this point, and there is no other choice."
"What did the academy say?"
"I'm going to go back to Dean Lu tomorrow and ask him to show some leniency. I think he'll definitely help me."
"Well, I support you. When you need my identity, just give me a call and I will come right away." Xin Xiao said with a firm look.
"I'll try not to get you into trouble."
"What are you talking about? When I think of the Lan family's arrogant attitude, I feel so angry that my teeth itch."
"They won again. I guess they are celebrating now." Ji Feng said, staring at the distant skyline.
"Don't worry, I support you 100%. I won't stop until the Lan family is brought to justice!"
"If the information provided by 'Han Tie' is accurate, the Lan family is at least guilty of harboring a criminal."
"Yes, but all this is based on the premise that Lan Renxuan is guilty."
"So, we must find Lan Renxuan, even if we have to dig deep into the ground."
"Why are you doing this all by yourself?"
"Yes, do it yourself and challenge the Lan family alone!" A fire of determination burned in Ji Feng's eyes.
"Then you better take it easy. The world is dangerous. You also need to take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."
“Once you have a goal, you won’t feel tired.”
"I thought you would mind this punishment."
"What I care about is not fame, fortune, or failure, but being forced to stop pursuing the truth. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will never stop."
"Honestly, Brother Feng, you've changed a lot in Lan Valley over half a year."
Jifeng smiled bitterly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
"Oh, I remembered one thing. I have caused Jiang Bo so much trouble these two times. I feel really sorry for him." Ji Feng said embarrassedly.
"You don't need to carry this burden. He himself is not someone who dares to take responsibility."
"Before, I was thinking about making amends. Haha, how funny."
"There's something I don't know whether I should say or not."
"Why are you being so polite to me?"
"It's just your two betting agreements. Don't take them too seriously."
"Why?"
"Nothing, I'm just worried you're under too much pressure."
"Now that you say that, I feel ashamed to see Dean Lu."
"Don't think too much. Dean Lu knows you very well. He won't misunderstand you even if others do." "Dean Lu and I are both my teacher and friend. You can also say that once a teacher, always a father." Ji Feng said with emotion.
"I heard that President Lu has been included in the list of candidates for deputy director of the provincial department. Maybe he will be promoted soon."
"Really? That's great. I can go and congratulate them." Ji Feng finally showed a rare smile.
"So, once President Lu gets promoted, your bet, whether you win or lose, will be meaningless."
"Regardless of whether Dean Lu is promoted or not, and regardless of whether the bet is won or lost, the Lan family must be punished by law!"
"Yes. Also, don't take the gambling agreement between you and Hua Ailing too seriously."
"Don't worry, I never took it seriously."
"Ah, you didn't take the bet seriously?" Xin Xiao opened his mouth in surprise.
"certainly."
"you……"
"I was just joking, there's nothing strange about it."
"You're going a bit too far. She's infatuated with you, and you're just joking."
"Didn't you just tell me not to take it too seriously?"
"That's not what I meant when I said don't take it too seriously."
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that as a man, you should not be so petty. Regardless of whether you can solve the case on schedule or not, you cannot let someone down." Xin Xiao said seriously.
After thinking for a while, Ji Feng said slowly: "Yes, marriage is sacred. How can it be desecrated by gambling?"
"That's right. Even if you solved the case as planned and won the bet, did you really let them wait for you for so many years?"
“That’s why I said I didn’t take it seriously.”
"Okay, that's all you need to know."
"But I didn't say I had to do anything to her..."
"What do you mean?" Xin Xiao asked anxiously.
"I mean, just pretend there was no bet."
"well-"
"Don't worry about it, just let it go."
"I really don't understand what you're thinking."
"Forget it if you don't understand." Ji Feng said, "I remember you once said that Lin Wantang's parents lived in Yishijiang, right?"
"Yes."
"I'm planning to go to Yishijiang. First, I want to find out where Lan Renxuan is. Second, I want to visit Lin Wantang's parents. There are too many unknowns about Lin Wantang. I'm going to see if there are any clues."
"That's right, we know too little about Lin Wantang."
"He is like a blank sheet of paper, a blank white sheet of paper." Ji Feng looked thoughtful.
"Are there any clear clues to reach Ishjiang? If there are no clues, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"There aren't many clues. I have a student at the Kakeshiku City Bureau, and I'd like to ask him for help."
"Well. Your oldest student is probably in his thirties now, and should have certain abilities to handle things." Xin Xiao said after a moment of hesitation.
"Well, he's already the deputy chief of the police station."
"When do we leave?"
"The sooner the better. Book your flight tomorrow and leave the day after tomorrow at the earliest."
"Just tell me if you need my help. Just give me a call and I'll be right by your side." Xin Xiao once again expressed his support to Ji Feng.
"Thank you, brother. I'm not here, but the investigation cannot stop. If you have any questions, feel free to call me." Ji Feng felt really happy to have such a powerful brother.
"Don't worry, I will never stop investigating. Will you be returning to the academy tomorrow morning?"
"Yes. Leave early in the morning."
"Then I wish you all the best and look forward to your good news."
Ji Feng patted Xin Xiao's shoulder gratefully.
At this moment, the cell phone rang. Ji Feng took out his phone and looked at it, then burst into laughter. The screen lit up, and a text message appeared on it: "Captain Ji, have a nice trip home!"
Xin Xiao took the phone and looked at it, then said, "Why does it sound like Lan Ruojin's tone?"
"Who cares? It's up to her to love her." Ji Feng put his phone into his trouser pocket with disdain and waved goodbye to Xin Xiao.
The next morning, Ji Feng drove to the provincial capital. Having temporarily shed his police identity, and with Xin Xiao's guidance, he felt a sense of relief. He couldn't help but increase his strength, and the swift push on his back came over him again.
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