Chapter 83: Sorry, Ninth Squad—You’re a Step Too Late!

“Of course, that’s a reasonable and meticulous approach. It shows how attentive you are, Leader Luo—you're well-suited for work in the discipline inspection commission.”

A smile lingered on Yang Dong’s face, betraying not a trace of anxiety at Luo Jin’s arrangement. Even if he felt a little anxious inside—worried that by the time the Ninth Group arrived, Hou Donglai still wouldn’t have a confession, or perhaps hadn’t even begun the interrogation, or, worst of all, hadn’t seen the text message at all—he showed nothing. If that was the case, then his attempts at stalling here would be meaningless.

Luo Jin watched Yang Dong’s calm, unruffled expression, unable to detect the slightest sign of guilt or unease. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration. This was the young man who single-handedly cleared Yin Tiejun’s name, the one who’d earned the enmity of Deputy Secretary Xu Yuncai from the city discipline commission, and the one even Secretary Wu from the municipal party committee disliked. Especially after Yang Dong toppled his superior, Tian Guanghan—Luo Jin found it brilliant, even enviable. Some things may not be obvious to others, but as the deputy section chief of the municipal administrative office’s comprehensive department, he had his own sources.

“Leader Yang, there’s no time to lose. Let’s go retrieve Tian Guanghan’s file,” Luo Jin said with a polite smile, gesturing for him to lead the way, though he was already striding out himself. He was well aware of Yang Dong’s stalling tactics and would not allow him to delay any further. The handover had to be completed within half an hour, or he’d have no way to answer to his superiors.

“Leader, what do we do?” Jiang Hu quickly stepped in front of Yang Dong, face grim.

He’d felt uneasy about Luo Jin from the first day—there was something fake about the man. Back then, when he’d tried to speak up for Yang Dong, Luo Jin had stepped on his foot to stop him. A man like that was always playing it safe, but if you ever fell into his hands, he could easily ruin you. Jiang Hu disliked his kind.

“Tiger, you must know some good detectives in the municipal police bureau. I’ll give you an address—bring a few, take some shovels, and do something for me.” Yang Dong took out his phone, typed a few words, and sent them to Jiang Hu’s phone.

Jiang Hu felt this was all too mysterious—what kind of business required such secrecy, and couldn’t even be said out loud but had to be sent as a text? But after reading the message, his expression changed dramatically, a surge of anger in his eyes.

“After you dig up the body, secure the scene!” Yang Dong instructed, each word measured and precise, not allowing for the slightest error. Whether the Tian family father and son could be dealt a fatal blow depended on this.

“Leader, you can count on me.” Jiang Hu took a deep breath. Though he was straightforward by nature, he wasn’t foolish. Now he understood why Yang Dong was being so cautious—even at this distance, he’d only communicate via text, because this matter was grave—it was about a human life. He had no idea how Yang Dong had learned about it, or why he knew the body was buried under the earth by Dongshan Bridge, but his trust and admiration for Yang Dong were absolute. Every prediction Yang Dong made came true.

Without delay, Jiang Hu turned and left.

“Leader, what about me?” Hou Shuangquan approached as well.

Yang Dong glanced at Xu Yuncai’s office nearby, giving Hou Shuangquan a meaningful look before turning to leave. Hou Shuangquan looked at the office, narrowing his eyes. Was it already time to write a pledge of loyalty?

Well, since he’d chosen to side with Yang Dong, he might as well do it. At least it was clear now—Yin Tiejun had a warm heart. Even when Yang Dong had caused so much trouble, Yin Tiejun had stood by him. But the man he’d originally attached himself to was cold-hearted. Because he’d failed in his task—unable to stop the nanny, and unable to let Xu Yuncai’s people bring her back—he’d become expendable. With resolve, he headed to Xu Yuncai’s office.

Yang Dong, meanwhile, strode out of the city discipline commission building. Luo Jin had already opened the car door, waiting for him.

“Leader Yang, please get in,” Luo Jin said, his smile unwavering.

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you to open the door for me,” Yang Dong replied, intercepting Luo Jin and choosing another door to enter himself.

Luo Jin’s face didn’t change, but a coldness flashed in his eyes. Yang Dong’s gesture was clear: they were not the same kind of people, so they wouldn’t step through the same door.

“Leader Yang, this is Lu Yin, the driver, and a member of my Ninth Group,” Luo Jin introduced after getting in.

“Hello, Comrade Lu Yin,” Yang Dong greeted politely.

“Hello, Leader Yang,” Lu Yin replied, focusing on the road.

“I heard you were taken away by the city procuratorate a few days ago. Did you experience any unfair treatment?” Luo Jin asked casually, still smiling.

“Of course not. The comrades at the procuratorate are highly capable, which is why I was able to walk out with a clean record.” Yang Dong would never fall into Luo Jin’s verbal traps. If he admitted to any unfair treatment, he’d make an enemy of the entire procuratorate, rather than just a few individuals. Luo Jin was clearly trying to draw him into needless enmity.

“Is that so? It seems the procuratorate’s people are quite decent,” Luo Jin replied with a sly smile, eyes narrowed.

After that, they both fell silent. There was no point in further conversation when their words no longer aligned.

Yang Dong gazed out the window, gradually realizing something was wrong. This wasn’t the direction of the hotel where they were staying. They were heading straight for the secret hotel where Tian Guanghan was being detained.

“Leader Luo, are we going the wrong way?” Yang Dong narrowed his eyes at him.

“Leader Yang, some things are better left unsaid. You’re the leader of the Tenth Group, I’m the leader of the Ninth—we should understand each other. We’re all just doing our jobs, and we must take things seriously, right?” Luo Jin’s smile faded, his tone turning severe.

He wasn’t a fool. If he let Yang Dong lead him on a wild goose chase, they could waste who knows how much time. Since joining the municipal discipline commission’s task force, Yang Dong hadn’t spent a single night in the designated hotel—how could he have left Tian Guanghan’s file there?

That’s why he’d already told Lu Yin to drive straight to the secret detention hotel.

“Fine,” Yang Dong replied simply. Since his attempt at delaying had been seen through, there was nothing more to say. Now it was a matter of skill and luck. He could only hope Hou Donglai would succeed in breaking Tian Guanghan’s defenses and get the final testimony before the case was handed over to the Ninth Group.

Twenty minutes later, the car pulled into the hotel courtyard. By now, Luo Jin was no longer interested in playing verbal games; he was just as anxious as Yang Dong. He immediately got out and hurried inside, Yang Dong close behind. He wanted to see if Hou Donglai had followed his instructions.

At the end of the first-floor corridor, in front of Room 109, Chen Bingzheng and Du Sheng were pounding on the door.

“Open up! Hurry!”
“We’re investigators from the Ninth Task Force. Open up now!”

They hammered and kicked the door, fury in their eyes. When they’d arrived, Room 109—where Tian Guanghan was being held—was locked tight. Listening closely, they thought they heard an interrogation inside. They couldn’t stand it and started banging on the door. But the doors in the discipline commission’s secret hotel were solid; no amount of pounding would open them. Inside, the interrogation continued, undisturbed.

Yang Dong felt a wave of relief. At least Hou Donglai had seen his message and chosen the right side. Aligning with him was the right choice; opposing him was a mistake.

“Leader Yang, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?” Luo Jin had lost his smile, glaring at Yang Dong and pointing at Room 109.

“Stop banging on the door!” a voice shouted before Yang Dong could answer.

The door to Room 109 swung open and Hou Donglai stormed out, cursing, a law enforcement recorder clutched in his hand.

At this, Yang Dong was finally at ease. He turned to Luo Jin with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Leader Luo, but your Ninth Group is a step too late. The case is already solved—no transfer necessary.”

Luo Jin’s face turned ashen. For all his cunning, for all the careful steps he’d taken—sending his people ahead to intercept Yang Dong and then heading straight here himself—he was still too late. The Tenth Group had secured Tian Guanghan’s final confession.