Ahead of them were two black business cars, followed by a fleet of fully armed military vehicles.
Car doors flew open, and dozens of armed men immediately surrounded the Law Enforcement Team building. Two officials stepped out of the vehicles, their faces etched with anxiety. Su Momo was startled.
"Leaders, what has happened?"
Director Deng replied, his voice frantic, "Where is Captain Huang?"
Su Momo quickly answered, "Captain Huang hasn't returned yet."
"You've caused a massive disaster!"
***
Two minutes later, Director Deng, Mayor Ma, and several other city officials were standing inside the interrogation room.
"Mr. Lin, I am truly sorry for the fright you've been caused."
Lin Chudong smiled faintly. "It’s nothing. I was planning to come to the Law Enforcement Team to look up some information anyway; the ride was quite convenient."
Director Deng broke into a cold sweat. "It is entirely my dereliction of duty."
No sooner had he spoken than a middle-aged man came rushing in, looking flustered. "Director Deng, Mayor Ma, why are you here?"
Director Deng’s face darkened with rage. He kicked the man. "You still have the nerve to show your face here?!"
With a thud, Huang Yadong fell to the floor, clutching his stomach, utterly bewildered. What could possibly warrant such a massive display of force today? As he looked at the young man, his mind raced. He knew his son, Huang Yanqing, had been making reckless arrests lately. Could this young man be someone of great importance? Seeing Mayor Ma standing humbly by the man’s side, Huang Yadong was seized with panic.
"Director Deng, it is my failure to discipline him..."
Director Deng said coldly, "This isn't just about a lack of discipline. Your son isn't even a member of our Law Enforcement Team, yet he can arrest people at will. I think you’ve served as captain long enough. Take off that uniform and come with me!"
Huang Yadong’s face turned ashen.
***
In the car, Huang Yadong and his son were handcuffed, their faces pale.
"Director Deng, where are you taking us? Isn't a reprimand or dismissal enough?"
Director Deng replied coldly, "Reprimand and dismissal? You're thinking far too simply. In the days to come, I’m afraid you and your son won't be seeing the sun again."
Huang Yadong looked terrified. "Director Deng, don't scare me. Isn't it just an accidental arrest of that kid? Is it really that serious? Where are we going?"
"The State Security Bureau," Director Deng said. "You’ve landed yourself in serious trouble this time."
Huang Yadong was dumbfounded. Just what kind of powerful figure had that brat offended?
***
Watching Huang Yadong and his son being taken away, Su Momo and the others were shocked. Captain Huang was a veteran official; why was he suddenly dismissed and hauled away in handcuffs? Was it really just because of the young man inside? Who on earth was he?
The leaders remained in the room talking to Lin Chudong, and Su Momo wasn't qualified to listen in. Soon after, Director Deng called her.
"Xiao Su, your promotion to captain is approved. Mr. Lin needs to check some files; help him out."
Su Momo was overjoyed! With the captain gone, she had expected an outsider to be brought in to take the lead. This unexpected promotion was a dream come true. "Understood, Director Deng."
After hanging up, Lin Chudong strolled out of the interrogation room. Su Momo took a good look at him. He was tall and reasonably handsome, but his clothes were so plain that nothing about him stood out.
"Captain Su, I’d like to see the files from five years ago regarding the Longshou Mountain cliff accident."
Su Momo snapped back to reality. "Alright, I'll take you there."
They entered the archives, where rows of shelves were filled with file folders. "The incident you mentioned probably isn't classified as a criminal case, so it might be hard to find. Let’s look together."
Since Director Deng had specifically requested it, Su Momo had to comply. Besides, a cliff accident wasn't confidential.
"Fine."
Lin Chudong and Su Momo each took a shelf and began searching. Lin Chudong picked up a folder and leaned against the shelf to read. Meanwhile, Su Momo tried to cross to the other side of the aisle, and the two met in the narrow space between the shelves. Lin Chudong stepped back to give her room, but he hadn't accounted for her build. She had a slender waist but a very voluptuous figure.
Su Momo took a breath and prepared to squeeze past him. As she moved laterally, her chest brushed directly against Lin Chudong’s. She flushed instantly and hurried past him. She then turned around, glared at him, and continued searching.
Lin Chudong felt wronged. He hadn't moved; it was the woman who had misjudged her own dimensions—how was that his fault? Subconsciously, he touched his chest, finding the fleeting sensation rather strange.
Seeing this, Su Momo muttered under her breath, "Pervert."
What kind of big shot was he? He was nothing but a creep. Su Momo quickly zipped her jacket up to her neck, terrified he might see anything else. Lin Chudong was speechless—wasn't this accusing an innocent man?
"Found it."
Su Momo handed him the file. It was the case of the elderly couple who fell from the cliff at Longshou Mountain five years ago. Lin Chudong opened it and immediately paled. Every single page inside was blank!
Su Momo’s eyes widened. "What is going on?"
Lin Chudong’s expression darkened, his eyes radiating a cold chill. "Clearly, someone has swapped these files."
It seemed there was indeed something suspicious about his parents' accident. If it were truly an accident, why hide the truth? The location where they fell was at least a kilometer from the sea; the claim that their bodies were washed away was simply unbelievable. Lin Chudong felt a grand conspiracy lurking behind this.
"Captain Su, could I trouble you to help me look into this?"
Su Momo scoffed. "Why should I? I have so many cases on my plate; I can barely keep up with my own work."
Lin Chudong said, "In exchange, if you run into any trouble at work, you can ask me for help."
"You?" Su Momo gave a dismissive laugh. A scholarly looking man like him would probably have weak knees if he ever stepped onto a real crime scene. Expecting him to help at work was a fantasy. But then, she reconsidered—he knew the Director and the Mayor; he might actually have some background. "Fine, I’ll help. If I find anything, I’ll let you know."
The two exchanged WeChat contacts, and Lin Chudong left the building.
Back at the company, he waited downstairs for a long time, but Qin Wei never appeared. Suddenly, her assistant came running over, panicked. "Mr. Lin, it’s bad! President Qin was taken away by Shen Fenglin!"
Lin Chudong frowned. "How could he take her?"
"She was meeting a client, and when she ran into Shen Fenglin at the restaurant, he dragged her into his car!"
Lin Chudong’s face tightened. "Quick! Take me there!"
Shen Fenglin was trash; Lin Chudong had considered getting rid of him before. Anyone posing a potential threat to his employer was his enemy. The last time, Shen Fenglin had drugged Qin Wei, which led to their intimate encounter. The dog was treacherous and shameless, capable of any dirty trick. Would he try the same thing again? Thinking of Qin Wei being drugged, Lin Chudong’s pace quickened.
***
At the Jinhanlin KTV, Shen Fenglin sat in a private room, surrounded by women. A large birthday cake and expensive liquor sat on the table.
"President Shen, it's your birthday, you must drink up!"
Shen Fenglin wore a triumphant smile as he looked at Qin Wei, who sat on the sofa. "President Qin, don't be so gloomy while celebrating my birthday."
Qin Wei’s face was ice-cold. Her fists were clenched, her palms sweating. She wasn't as calm as she appeared; she was panicking. "Shen Fenglin, this is kidnapping!"
Shen Fenglin laughed heartily. "Who saw me kidnap you? I’m just inviting you for a drink. An old friend is having a birthday—can you not even offer a toast?" He stood up, poured a glass, and placed it before her. "Drink this, and I’ll let you go."
Qin Wei frowned. This drink was definitely not ordinary; she could guess what was in it. Last time, she had fallen for his scheme, leading to her breakdown at the bar and the night with Lin Chudong. She was lucky it had been him—if she had fallen into Shen Fenglin’s hands, who knew how she would have been violated? If he slept with her, she would rather die.
"Shen Fenglin, I advise you to let me go, or don't blame me for calling the police!"
Shen Fenglin’s face turned vicious. "Go ahead and try! Even if I end up in jail, I’m going to make you mine tonight. You lot, go feed President Qin!"
Several women stepped forward and pinned Qin Wei’s arms.
"Let me go..." But Qin Wei was no match for them.
*Gulp, gulp.* They forced her mouth open and poured the drink down her throat. Qin Wei looked disheveled, her face pale with humiliation. She tried to stand, but the women held her down.
"Where are you going? It's President Shen's birthday—stay and keep him company!"
The stinging liquor settled in her stomach, and Qin Wei felt her cheeks burning. Surrounded by so many people, the weak woman had no chance of resistance. A sense of despair rose in her, and tears spilled from her eyes.
Just then, Shen Fenglin lit a candle and laughed. "Come, once the candles are blown out and the wish is made, I’m getting to business!"
If Qin Wei wasn't going to be a lady, he would take her by force. He’d record the whole thing; if she didn't listen to him afterward, he’d post the video online for all to see.
Suddenly, with a *bang*, the door was kicked open. Lin Chudong strode in, his face dark. Everyone turned pale.
"What are the security guards doing? Who let him in?!"
But there was no response to Shen Fenglin’s roar. Outside the door, the guards and waiters lay on the floor. Lin Chudong entered and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Qin Wei safe. Qin Wei looked at him as if he were her savior.
Shen Fenglin said coldly, "You brat, you dare barge into my turf? You’re asking for death!" He signaled to a bald man nearby. The man stood up, pulled a butterfly knife from his belt, and flicked it open with practiced ease. "President Shen, which hand do you want?"
"Break both of them!" Shen Fenglin demanded.
The bald man sneered and lunged with the knife. But just as he raised his hand, Lin Chudong moved. It was a blur—in the next second, Lin Chudong was beside him, and a sharp pain erupted in the man's wrist.
Lin Chudong had grabbed his wrist and snapped it with a violent twist.
"Ahhh!" The man fell to his knees, his wrist bent at a ninety-degree angle. As the knife dropped, Lin Chudong caught it with the tip of his toe, snatched it, and slammed it through the man’s other hand, pinning it to the floor!
Another scream tore through the room. In less than two seconds, both of the man's hands were ruined. He writhed on the floor, wailing. The room fell into a deathly silence. The women huddled in the corner, terrified.
Shen Fenglin’s face changed, cold sweat dripping down his temples. Lin Chudong walked toward him, step by step. Shen Fenglin gulped, his throat tight, his face turning ghostly white.
"Don't do anything rash. This is a civilized society..."
Lin Chudong stepped onto the coffee table and tapped Shen Fenglin’s head. "Isn't it your birthday? Go ahead, blow out the candles and make a wish."
His voice was calm, but it sent a chill through Shen Fenglin’s spine. The man’s legs were trembling. He had never imagined Lin Chudong was this brutal. The bald man was a veteran special forces soldier who had been his bodyguard for years—even professional fighters were no match for him. How could he be so easily defeated?
"Make a wish."
"I... I hope... I hope you can let me go," Shen Fenglin stammered.
*Smack!* Lin Chudong slapped him across the head. "Make a realistic wish, damn it."
Shen Fenglin felt like crying. What kind of wish could he make at a time like this? Lin Chudong gave a light puff, blowing out the candle. "Since you won't make a wish, I’ll make one for you. I hope you find a good doctor."
Shen Fenglin paused. "What do you mean?"
Lin Chudong placed his hand on the back of Shen Fenglin’s neck and squeezed firmly. *Crack!* A sound of a vertebrae shifting echoed. Shen Fenglin’s eyes widened in terror before turning dull. His body went limp, and he slumped onto the sofa, staring at Lin Chudong, unable to utter a single word.
Qin Wei stood up, her legs wobbly, and threw herself into Lin Chudong’s arms. "He... he drugged me again!"
Lin Chudong held her waist, steadying her. "What should we do?"
Qin Wei bit her lip, her face flushed crimson. "Take me away, quickly. Not here."
Lin Chudong swallowed hard. "Okay!"
***
There was a hotel right across from the KTV. Lin Chudong picked Qin Wei up in his arms and walked out. Qin Wei was tall and had a full, voluptuous figure, but in Lin Chudong’s arms, she felt as light as a doll.
Qin Wei leaned against his shoulder, her heart pounding. She knew what was coming next. She hadn't expected that only two days later, she would lose her virtue to this man again. Flashes of that night flooded her mind. She felt a strange sense of relief—she was glad it was Lin Chudong who had saved her. If it had to be anyone in this world, it had to be him. After all, she had given him her first time; a second didn't change much. Besides, she was drugged, not acting out of her own will.
At the hotel lobby, Lin Chudong tossed his ID and bank card onto the counter. "One suite, hurry!"
Seeing his urgency, the receptionists giggled. Qin Wei was mortified, burying her face into Lin Chudong’s neck. Her warm breath tickled his skin—this woman was a deadly temptation.
Once they were in the room, Lin Chudong didn't hesitate. He tossed Qin Wei onto the bed, shed his clothes, and covered her. Qin Wei let out a soft moan, wrapping her arms around his head, her eyes closed in resignation. Perhaps they were destined to be enemies in a past life, falling into each other's traps twice.
Lin Chudong kissed her swan-like neck, his breathing growing ragged. Qin Wei’s heart raced, the rhythm intense even through her clothes. As he kissed her lips and his hands began to slide beneath her garments, Qin Wei suddenly felt something was off.
This sensation... it felt different from last time. She could still vaguely remember the night she was drugged.