As Secretary Liu said, he and Zhang Cheng are now in the same boat.
Zhao Daming used to have no great ambitions, but ever since he met Zhang Cheng, his heart, which had been dormant for many years, has begun to stir.
Perhaps, in this lifetime, I really can climb up the social ladder...
"Brother, stop thinking about it."
Zhang Cheng's voice pulled him back to reality. His lips twitched, and he pressed one hand tightly against his bleeding ribs.
"The most urgent thing is to get me to the hospital!"
Zhao Daming snapped to attention, then yelled at Liu Zhongren, who was blocking the crowd of onlookers, "Zhongren! Quick! Call an ambulance!!!"
Before the ambulance arrived, the sound of police sirens grew louder as they approached.
The team leader was Zhang Jingtao, the head of the criminal investigation section.
His eyes twitched uncontrollably when his gaze swept over the corpse with its brains splattered at the bottom of the stairs.
waste!
He cursed inwardly, then looked up at Zhang Cheng, who was leaning against the wall, his face pale.
"Zhang Jingtao, the public security in Jiaxing has truly opened my eyes!"
Zhao Daming stepped forward, blocking Zhang Cheng's path, his eyes filled with such anger and contempt that they almost materialized.
"I never imagined in my entire life that I would encounter a gunman in a hotel lobby!"
A hint of awkwardness flashed across Zhang Jingtao's face.
Especially when he smelled the pungent odor of blood and filth emanating from Zhao Daming, he instinctively took a half step back.
"Da Ming, why don't you... go take a shower first?"
"vomit--"
Beside him, Gao Datong finally vomited up his stomach, leaving only dry heaving.
He leaned against the wall, his steps unsteady, his face as white as paper, and he called out in a weak voice, "Section Chief Zhang! Where is Director Yan? I need to see Director Yan Guozhou!"
Zhang Jingtao frowned. How dare a section chief from the road administration bureau act so arrogantly here? Is he relying on his father, the mayor?
"Xiao Gao, what's up? I could hear you calling me from far away."
A deep, steady voice rang out as Police Chief Yan Guozhou pushed through the crowd and walked in.
Gao Datong, as if he had found his anchor, panted heavily, pointed at the corpse on the ground, and questioned:
"Director Yan! Is this the security situation in Jiaxing? Are there not enough detention centers, or are they closed? An investor was shot here. If word gets out, who would dare to come here!"
"Director Gao, watch your words! This is not your business!" Zhang Jingtao rebuked coldly.
"Section Chief Zhang."
Yan Guozhou glanced at him indifferently, "From now on, it really is Xiao Gao's place to say those words."
Zhang Jingtao's expression froze, his face full of astonishment: "Director Yan, what do you mean by this?"
"The decision was just issued by the municipal party committee."
Yan Guozhou's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Comrade Gao Datong shall temporarily assume the position of Deputy Director of Jiaxing Municipal Public Security Bureau, effective immediately."
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Zhang Jingtao was completely stunned.
Gao Datong was also stunned, his mind went blank.
Holy crap...
Dad's amazing!
"Alright, let the forensic doctor take the body away." Yan Guozhou turned to Zhang Cheng by the wall. "Why haven't the hospital people arrived yet?"
"They're here! The doctor's here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several medical staff rushed in, guided by the police.
Watching Zhang Cheng being carefully lifted onto the stretcher, Gao Datong quickly followed. He took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision, and solemnly said:
"Brother Zhang, don't worry! From now on, I, Gao Datong, will take full responsibility for your safety!"
"Thank you so much, Brother Gao," Zhang Cheng replied weakly from the stretcher.
Gao Datong nodded, his newfound authority instantly rising. He turned to look at Yan Guozhou:
"Director Yan, Zhang Cheng is a key investor in Jiaxing. Now that he has been attacked, our public security system should dispatch police officers to provide him with 24-hour close protection!"
Yan Guozhou smiled and said, "Deputy Director Gao, this is within your authority. You can decide for yourself."
Gao Datong's gaze shifted and landed on Zhang Jingtao, whose expression was uncertain.
"Section Chief Zhang, I'm new here and not familiar with the people in the bureau."
A meaningful smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"I think the task of protecting Comrade Zhang Cheng's safety should be assigned to you. I trust you to handle things."
"...Yes! Mission accomplished!"
Zhang Jingtao practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.
He was cursing the heavens in his heart.
Sending a section chief from the road administration bureau to become the deputy director of the public security bureau—what the hell is this?!
At this moment, Zhang Jingtao understood more deeply than ever before what it meant to "have connections in high places to make it easier to be an official."
A dozen minutes later, at the Municipal People's Hospital.
In the corridor outside the operating room, Zhao Daming and Liu Zhongren stood guard like two door gods.
Smelling the dried, hardened, sour stench emanating from Zhao Daming, Liu Zhongren couldn't stand it any longer: "Daming, go wash up, this smell is too overpowering!"
"Let's talk about it when my brother comes out!"
Zhao Daming's face was extremely ugly.
He now believes Zhang Cheng's speculation completely.
He never imagined that Zhang Jingtao, who had fought alongside him in the army, would turn out like this.
This isn't about right or wrong, it's just about taking sides.
More than an hour later, the operating room lights went out.
Zhang Cheng was wheeled out; he was still unconscious due to the anesthesia.
"Doctor, how is my brother?" Zhao Daming rushed forward.
"The bullet has been removed, and thankfully it didn't damage any internal organs. He should be able to recover in two or three months."
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