Chapter 18: Withstanding the Pressure

Yang Dong led a few people out of Room 107, pulled over a chair, and sat down right at the door.

"Chief, why don’t you go get some rest? I’ll keep watch," Hou Donglai offered eagerly, casting a fawning look at Yang Dong.

Right now, he wanted nothing more than to kill Yang Dong, but he also feared him—dreaded that Yang Dong might reveal his secrets to his wife, which would spell his ruin. So, he had no choice but to curry favor desperately, doing everything he could to keep Yang Dong from acting against him.

"No need. I’ll keep watch myself," Yang Dong shook his head. He didn’t trust anyone else to guard the room. If Xu Yuncai sent someone to see Yin Tiejun, who could stop them? Who would dare? And Xu Yuncai would certainly send someone—he would never let such an opportunity slip by. Yang Dong had to be there himself; no one was getting into that room.

"Hou Donglai, I’m sorry to trouble you tonight, but go keep watch under the window of Room 107," Yang Dong said, glancing at him. He knew this was a harsh request. It was late February, and the northeastern climate was still bitterly cold. Asking Hou Donglai to stand outside in subzero temperatures for the night was no small punishment.

Upon hearing this, Hou Donglai cursed Yang Dong’s ancestors in his heart, calling him every name under the sun. But he dared not refuse. Instead, he managed a broad smile and nodded: "Yes, Chief, I’ll go right away!"

"Shuangquan, come with me," he called.

At that, Hou Shuangquan silently cursed him—what a scoundrel! Yang Dong was deliberately making things hard for you, and you’re dragging me down with you?

"Shuangquan doesn’t need to go," Yang Dong interjected. "Shuangquan, head to the supermarket and buy some instant noodles."

Relieved, Hou Shuangquan nodded gratefully at Yang Dong. "All right, Chief, I’ll go now." Without another glance at Hou Donglai, he left.

Hou Donglai, dejected, could only trudge outside and take his post beneath the window of Room 107.

"Jiang Hu, I have a task for you—one you must accomplish!"

"You’re with the Economic Crime Investigation Division. You must know a thing or two about the banking system."

"I’m giving you a lead. Go investigate it."

"Once you’ve confirmed it, don’t make a fuss—just quietly let me know the result."

Yang Dong turned to Jiang Hu, his face solemn. He trusted Jiang Hu, so he entrusted him with a crucial task—one that concerned Yin Tiejun’s innocence. If this lead checked out, the accusation that Yin Tiejun had embezzled half a million would be resolved at once.

"Tell me," Jiang Hu replied seriously, waiting for Yang Dong to speak.

Instead of replying, Yang Dong took out paper and pen, scribbled a few words, and handed the note to Jiang Hu.

"Remember, keep the results of your investigation to yourself," Yang Dong emphasized. Jiang Hu nodded knowingly, "Got it. Should I... go now?"

"Wait until tomorrow. The bank’s long since closed," Yang Dong replied. It was much too late for that sort of investigation now.

"No problem, I have my ways," Jiang Hu said with a confident grin. As an economic crime officer, how could he not have connections? Especially when it came to financial cases—banks were always involved.

"Good—keep warm, stay safe, and report to me if anything happens," Yang Dong said, patting Jiang Hu on the shoulder.

Soon after, Jiang Hu left the hotel.

Now, only Yang Dong and Lu Yike remained in the corridor—a man and a woman.

Yet there was no hint of awkwardness between them; both were grave and composed.

"Chief, did you discover something?" Lu Yike asked, furrowing her brow as she looked at Yang Dong. She found it odd—he’d only questioned Yin Tiejun for less than ten minutes. Could he really have uncovered something in that time? If so, it was almost frightening—he seemed more like a member of the discipline commission than she did.

"There are three points of suspicion in Yin Tiejun’s case," Yang Dong began. "First, if you were Yin Tiejun—a department-level official—would you keep your illicit money openly in your home refrigerator?"

"Second, if you were Yin Tiejun, would you expose your vulnerabilities in front of your own housekeeper? Even ordinary people know better, let alone a leader of his rank."

"Third, and most important—would you use your own bank account for bribe money? That would be like begging the commission to catch you."

"Why do you think the investigators from the discipline commission overlooked such obvious points?" Yang Dong narrowed his eyes, watching her with a faint smile.

Lu Yike thought for a moment and then realized the logic. "Yes, why would they..."

Suddenly, she fell silent. She was no political naïf—she understood now that this case went far beyond mere embezzlement. She hadn’t expected to be drawn into a power struggle.

"So what did you ask Jiang Hu to check?" she asked, curiosity piqued by Yang Dong’s investigative approach.

"That’s... confidential. You’ll see when the time comes," Yang Dong replied, catching himself just in time and smiling apologetically. The matter had to remain secret until the truth came out.

"Typical," Lu Yike glared at him. Why the mystery? Even if he didn’t tell her, she’d figure it out sooner or later. She stood off to the side, puzzling over what Jiang Hu had been sent to investigate.

Tap, tap, tap...

"Someone’s coming?" Lu Yike paused, her sharp hearing picking up the sound of leather shoes approaching, getting closer.

Yang Dong didn’t respond, for he had already seen several people coming in from outside the hotel. They all wore black jackets with the national emblem pinned to their chests.

The leader was a man of about fifty, unremarkable in appearance and of average height—only about one meter seventy. Yet the moment Lu Yike saw him, she stepped forward to greet him.

"Director Wu!"

Director Wu paused, recognizing Lu Yike, then smiled kindly, "So it’s Xiao Lu. Working late again tonight?"

"Yes, our Tenth Team is in charge of interrogating Yin Tiejun," she replied.

At the mention of Yin Tiejun’s name, Director Wu’s expression flickered, but he nodded. "It’s late. You should head back for now."

"And this young comrade—it's getting late, you should rest as well. The investigation will last two months; there’s no rush."

He turned to Yang Dong, smiling.

But Yang Dong didn’t know this man—he had no memory of him from his past life, which meant this man wasn’t destined for much in the future.

"Yang Dong, this is Director Wu, head of the Municipal Discipline Commission’s Cadre Supervision Office," Lu Yike whispered, signaling him.

At the name, Yang Dong’s memory clicked. Wu Sancai, head of the Cadre Supervision Office. But it made him even more wary. Xu Yuncai and Wu Sancai were both among those who had framed Secretary Yin in his previous life. They had worked together to fabricate charges against Yin Tiejun.

"Director Wu," Yang Dong greeted him, "I am on duty tonight—I won’t be going back, but thank you for your concern."

Wu Sancai’s expression darkened for a moment, but he smiled again, "Health is the foundation of revolution. All our discipline commission staff must take care of themselves. Young man, you should go get some rest."

Lu Yike looked at Yang Dong, worry in her eyes. She had already guessed Wu Sancai’s purpose here—could Yang Dong withstand the pressure? The disparity in their positions was enormous. Wu Sancai was a department head and a seasoned member of the commission, while Yang Dong was just a temporary transfer with no official rank. Could he hold the line?

Yang Dong understood Wu Sancai’s intentions—if he left, Wu would certainly go see Secretary Yin. This concerned both Secretary Yin’s political future and his own. He could not back down—not a single step.

"Director Wu, I am the leader of Investigation Team Ten. I have the authority to arrange my own working hours. Thank you for your concern, but it’s late—you should rest," Yang Dong replied, shaking his head once more and standing firm against the pressure.

Wu Sancai’s face grew stony, hands clasped behind his back. He said no more, but one of the younger commission staff stepped forward, pointing at Yang Dong and cursing, "Yang, don’t be ungrateful—get back now!"

"How dare you ignore Director Wu’s orders?"

Yang Dong shot him a cold glare. "Are you threatening a discipline commission investigator? Are you trying to interfere with an official investigation?"

The young man was furious. Such a serious accusation—he couldn’t afford it.

"You little punk, you—" He clenched his fists, about to step forward.

"Enough, Hongyu, stand down," Wu Sancai commanded, waving him back. He gave Yang Dong a long, peculiar look. "You’re a promising young man. Carry on with your work." With that, he turned and strode away, his entourage following.

Only the one named Hongyu glared viciously at Yang Dong, threatening, "Just you wait!"

Lu Yike stepped up and said, "His name is Ji Hongyu, deputy chief of the General Office in the commission. He’s also the nephew of Secretary Ling Zhenting."

She sighed deeply as she finished.