Chapter 121: Zhao Pengcheng's Unrest

“Zhao Pengcheng, you may leave now!”

Early the next morning, just as Zhao Pengcheng had just awakened, Lu Yanqing pushed open the door to Room 101. Her face was clouded with displeasure as she spoke to him.

The weariness that had weighed on Zhao Pengcheng instantly vanished.

“Really? I thought you were joking yesterday,” Zhao Pengcheng said calmly, a slight smile playing on his lips as he addressed Lu Yanqing.

The day before, Lu Yanqing had informed him that no significant issues had been found with him for the time being and that the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission would release him temporarily. However, he was forbidden from returning to work or leaving Lingyun City and was expected to be available for questioning at any time.

Observing Lu Yanqing’s obvious dissatisfaction, Zhao Pengcheng immediately sensed that someone had pressured her. This realization settled his mind.

Still, after being held overnight, his heart had sunk, fearing some new complication. But with Lu Yanqing’s early morning notification, it was clear there was no change—he was genuinely being released.

Zhao Pengcheng allowed himself a moment of mental relief. Seeing Lu Yanqing’s sour expression, he knew she must be deeply frustrated. Yet, the more upset the discipline inspectors were, the better he felt.

“I told you I had nothing to hide. You discipline comrades are just making noise,” he said with a knowing smile.

“Of course, I understand your urgency in handling cases—I’ve worked in the Commission myself for years,” he added, his tone measured and conciliatory, displaying the tempered concern befitting a leader.

Lu Yanqing frowned, took a deep breath, and stifled her anger without responding.

“Xiao Li, escort him out!” Lu Yanqing said impatiently, waving her hand as she instructed a member of the First Special Investigation Team.

Xiao Li turned to Zhao Pengcheng and politely said, “Minister Zhao, please.”

Not wanting to appear petty or victorious over Lu Yanqing’s mood, Zhao Pengcheng said nothing further. He straightened his collar, tidied his hair, then strode out confidently, chest forward and head held high.

Xiao Li followed closely behind, as if afraid of losing sight of him.

On the surface, Xiao Li was the Commission’s official monitor assigned to supervise Zhao Pengcheng, and he would accompany him for the foreseeable future.

Lu Yanqing watched from the doorway as Zhao Pengcheng and Xiao Li left the secret guesthouse mandated by the Commission and got into a waiting car.

Unable to suppress himself any longer, he burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, this Zhao Pengcheng—this time, he really should believe it, right?”

He had just barely restrained his laughter moments earlier, almost losing control, yet still had to feign anger and frustration.

“Leader Lu’s acting skills could earn a place on the stage,” Yang Dong said as he entered the hallway outside Room 101, glancing around.

All the detention rooms were uniformly furnished, indistinguishable from one another.

“It was Leader Yang’s plan that fooled this old fox,” Lu Yanqing smiled and waved his hand, knowing Zhao Pengcheng was now off guard thanks to Yang Dong’s stratagem.

Yang Dong had laid a trap for Zhao Pengcheng, who would unknowingly fall into it bit by bit. By the time he realized, it would be too late to escape.

“Officially, Xiao Li supervises, but covertly, we need officers from Kaiyang County Public Security Bureau on site,” Yang Dong said.

“Huzhi, notify Captain Yu and the undercover squad—they can move now,” he continued, turning to Jiang Hu.

“Yes, Leader!” Jiang Hu straightened up, took out his phone, and walked away.

Meanwhile, Zhao Pengcheng sat in the Commission’s car, being driven home under their supervision.

“Xiao Li, how old are you? When did you start working?” Zhao Pengcheng asked with a warm smile from the back seat.

“I’m thirty this year, Minister Zhao, and have been working for seven years,” Xiao Li replied, showing no suspicion.

Hearing this, Zhao Pengcheng’s smile grew broader, his eyes narrowed like a crafty old fox.

“Seven years? You must still be a section member, right?” he asked playfully.

Xiao Li nodded, “Yes, Minister Zhao, I’m currently a section member.”

“Ah, with your talents, why are you still a section member? It shows our Organization Department’s work is still lacking—we need to better discover and cultivate young cadres,” Zhao Pengcheng mused, subtly glancing at Xiao Li’s face in the rearview mirror.

Xiao Li’s expression was mostly neutral, but a flicker of disappointment crossed his face.

Zhao Pengcheng caught that slight disappointment immediately.

“Xiao Li, have you ever thought about transferring to the Organization Department? Taking on a deputy section chief role?” Zhao Pengcheng continued.

Surprised, Xiao Li asked, “The Organization Department? Can people from the Commission transfer there?”

“Why not? Both are departments under the Party Committee’s leadership. It’s just a personnel transfer—nothing difficult,” Zhao Pengcheng replied confidently, speaking with the authority of a deputy minister in the Municipal Organization Department.

“I’ve never dared to think about it… Anyway, Minister Zhao, I must adhere to the Commission’s work regulations,” Xiao Li said, his fleeting hope vanishing as he resumed a serious expression and fell silent.

Zhao Pengcheng was not disappointed; instead, he felt reassured.

This young comrade was still too inexperienced. Winning him over would take only a few days.

The Commission’s people were overconfident to assign such a junior officer to monitor him.

But this also meant he had protection from above; otherwise, it wouldn’t be like this.

“Unit One, keep to the left side of the Jetta!”

“Unit Two, fixed position—replace the housekeeper at Zhao Pengcheng’s home.”

“Units Three and Four, fixed point inside Zhao Pengcheng’s residential complex; find good vantage points.”

“Unit Five, ready? Good. You’ll pose as a supermarket employee in the complex—no action without orders!”

Yu Baijiang sat in his vehicle, watching the Jetta of the Discipline Inspection Commission ahead, inside which was Zhao Pengcheng.

Having previously worked on major narcotics cases, where one misstep meant death, trailing and surveilling a deputy minister from the Municipal Organization Department was child’s play.

This aid was not voluntary; upon success, the Commission would reward the six officers involved with five hundred yuan each—a substantial bonus for those earning less than three thousand yuan monthly.

For three consecutive days, there was no activity or abnormalities.

Zhao Pengcheng stayed home, keeping a low profile.

But on the fourth night, Zhao Pengcheng made a move.

Yang Dong had anticipated that this old fox would not act immediately, yet he hadn’t expected Zhao Pengcheng to be so restless after just three quiet days.

Upon receiving surveillance updates from Yu Baijiang, Yang Dong and Lu Yanqing conferred and quickly made a decision.

“Inform Xiao Li to agree to all of Zhao Pengcheng’s demands and conditions.”

“Public Security Bureau officers remain on standby, ready to act on command.”

Lu Yanqing issued the highest directive to the joint special investigation team.