He declined somewhat awkwardly, saying, "You're too kind. This trip back to my hometown is purely a private matter, and it's not appropriate to make a big fuss about it. Station Chief Liu is being too hospitable; I, Zhiheng, cannot accept your hospitality!"
Liu Tongfang insisted on inviting him, saying softly, "Brother Zhiheng, everyone here is an insider from our military intelligence station. There are absolutely no outsiders. Everyone is here, so please don't refuse!"
After saying that, he made a gesture to invite him. Seeing that he was so insistent, Ning Zhiheng knew that his arrival could not be kept secret from the Hangzhou Military Intelligence Station. As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. He was not so tactless. Besides, he had a favor to do for Zhao Ziliang. So he had no choice but to nod and agree!
Ning Zhiheng had already vaguely guessed some of the truth, but he didn't say anything and sat in his car with Liu Tongfang.
Sun Jiacheng and Zhao Jiang, along with four suitcases and other team members, got into five specially equipped cars, and the convoy drove out of the train station.
Meanwhile, in the distance, the two men in suits who were in the same carriage as Ning Zhiheng watched this scene. The slightly younger man whispered, "Old Xiao, who are these people? Judging from their appearance, they're big shots."
Xiao Hong said softly, "They seem to be from the Military Intelligence Investigation Department. They're not really related to us. Let's go!"
The two turned and disappeared into the crowd, quickly leaving.
Meanwhile, Cui Duanjing and the other two also witnessed the scene. Shi Sihan said, "See? I knew these weren't ordinary people. Why are they being chauffeured around in so many cars and protected by soldiers?"
Ning Caiwei also curled her lips and joked, "Hehe, if only he were really my brother, I'd be so impressive when I go out! Hurry up, I borrowed Uncle's car to pick you up, the driver must be getting impatient!"
After saying that, the three of them left the train station chatting and laughing.
Ning Zhiheng and Liu Tongfang got into the car. Only then did Liu Tongfang slowly lose his smile, his face becoming serious. He said in a low voice, "Brother Zhiheng, you are the section chief's favorite, and I am the section chief's old subordinate. So we are not strangers."
The section chief was very unhappy this time. He severely reprimanded us over the phone, telling us to cooperate fully with his operation and not to slack off in any way. To be honest, we're really scared. We know the section chief's style; we're afraid he'll unleash his fury and we won't be able to withstand it! We don't know what the section chief's attitude is towards our work, so please don't hide anything and tell us frankly!
The fear in Liu Tongfang's words was hard to conceal. They knew that the failure to complete the task assigned by the director had greatly displeased him, and the various difficulties they raised had been taken as excuses. Now that Ning Zhiheng, the head of the headquarters' action team, had come, he probably had a powerful weapon in his hand. They could only hope that it wouldn't be used against them!
"Station Chief Liu, you're overthinking it!" Ning Zhiheng said with a slight smile.
“Zhiheng, we’re brothers from the same sect, why are you being so formal? Just call me Lao Liu, it’ll sound more friendly!” Liu Tongfang quickly said.
He was eager to get closer to Ning Zhiheng. At this moment, he was genuinely grateful to his former superior, Zhao Ziliang, for pulling this bridge for him at a crucial moment. How could he let go of the fact that the commissioner sent by the director had such a relationship with him?
Ning Zhiheng knew what Liu Tongfang and the others were thinking. They probably thought that his return to his hometown was under the pretext of personal matters, but in reality, he was there to deal with them. No wonder they were all terrified.
It's not entirely their fault. The Director is extremely strict in managing the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, but if there's any oversight, he'll punish them according to the department's rules. He hates it most when his subordinates try to shirk responsibility or cover things up. Liu Tongfang and the others are all veterans, and they know the Director's methods. They know they've angered him this time, and they're so scared they can't even sleep. That's why they're so attentive to Ning Zhiheng, who was sent by headquarters, for fear of making a mistake.
In fact, their guess was not wrong. At this moment, Ning Zhiheng had the Chief's handwritten order hidden in his bosom. Anyone who dared to hinder Ning Zhiheng's actions or disobey him in secret would be dealt with ruthlessly on the spot, given Ning Zhiheng's temperament.
Don't underestimate these people. In Hangzhou, where the emperor is far away and no one dares to mess with them, they are just local warlords. But in the eyes of Ning Zhiheng, who deals with big shots in the military intelligence department every day, they are not taken seriously at all!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
