Official Career Storm
Chapter 555

Chapter 555: Chapter 555

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

"Get out of the car, let’s go eat."

"I want hot pot."

"Hot pot? What’s so good about that stuff? This restaurant is high-end, my treat, don’t try to save me money."

"I just want to eat hot pot."

Captain Hu clicked his tongue. Was the girl angry or something?

"Fine, hot pot it is."

...

"I’m going to take a call."

Song Guanchao put down his glass and grabbed his phone, surprised to see it was from Zhang Meilin.

"Hello, Brother Zhang."

"Guan Chao, are you busy?"

"You tell me, what’s up?"

"If you’re not busy, come over. I’m at Minister Zhou’s place, there’s something I need to discuss with you in person."

"Okay."

Putting down the phone, Song Guanchao said, "I have something to attend to..."

"An urgent matter?"

"Yeah."

"Then you go ahead."

"I have not been a good host this evening, I’ll make it up to you next time."

"Sure." Lin Wanqiu smiled, not minding at all and not the least bit polite.

Song Guanchao called the waiter over, ready to pay the bill when the waiter said, "This lady has already settled it."

Song Guanchao looked at her, "When did you pay the bill?"

"Just now, when I went to the restroom." Lin Wanqiu said, "Today I’m treating you, next time it’s your turn, you better get on with your business."

"Alright."

Song Guanchao didn’t argue with her and left with his phone in hand.

The restaurant wasn’t far from where Minister Zhou lived, and he arrived in fifteen minutes.

He had just entered the complex when his phone rang again, thinking it was Zhang Meilin hurrying him, he took it out only to realize it was Liang Jiajia.

"Hello, Jiajia..."

"What are you up to?"

"Secretary Zhang... that is, Zhang Meilin, you know him, right? He needs me for something."

"You’re with Zhang Meilin?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"What’s wrong?" Song Guanchao sensed her voice was a bit low.

"Nothing, I’m busy."

Song Guanchao found it strange, but he didn’t have the time to ponder it further.

He arrived at Minister Zhou’s house, where an older auntie answered the door.

He greeted her politely and put on slippers.

Minister Zhou and Zhang Meilin were sitting on the couch, both holding cigarettes, seemingly deep in conversation with somewhat grave expressions.

"Secretary Song has arrived." Minister Zhou smiled, and Zhang Meilin stood to greet him, showing no signs of feeling superior due to Song Guanchao’s role as a secretary.

He was well aware that Song Guanchao’s future achievements would only be higher than his own.

As soon as Song Guanchao sat down, Zhang Meilin said, "I received a message this evening."

He opened the message, passing the phone over.

[Zhang Meilin, I’m going to kill your whole family!]

"Threatening message?" Song Guanchao asked. "Did you check the number?"

"I did, it’s a black card."

"Who have you offended?"

Normally, upon receiving such a threatening message, one would go to the police.

Yet, he had come to find him.

This was illogical.

"I haven’t offended anyone, and my family hasn’t made any enemies either."

Zhang Meilin sighed.

Song Guanchao studied his expression and suddenly asked, "Do you have a suspect in mind?"

"Yes." Zhang Meilin was certain, "This card is a black card from Dujiang City, I suspect it’s Lu Xiaotian."

Lu Xiaotian?

Song Guanchao was taken aback, "Why do you suspect him?"

Zhang Meilin said, "His grandmother came to see me, and then she passed away the same day. Moreover, it was after I took office that he was caught. I suspect he’s blamed this incident on me."

The analysis was indeed very reasonable.

The contents of the text messages also matched Lu Xiaotian’s personality.

"Did you call the police?"

"Not yet," Zhang Meilin said. "I’m actually not worried about my own safety. I’m thinking that maybe I can use myself as bait to lure Lu Xiaotian out."

"If he dares to send such messages threatening me, it indicates a very high likelihood that he’s still in Dujiang City. Moreover, this person has a strong desire for revenge; if he dares to intimidate, there’s a high probability he will make a move on me."

"Of course, these are all my analyses," Zhang Meilin said. "Minister Zhou and I would like to hear your opinion."

Song Guanchao gave Minister Zhou a somewhat surprised look.

He wants to hear my opinion, too?

Song Guanchao thought for a few seconds and said, "Lu Xiaotian indeed has a strong desire for revenge; sometimes the guy is just a madman."

"But it’s too dangerous for you to be the bait."

"I’m not afraid of danger!" Zhang Meilin said. "As long as we can catch him, even if I get hurt, it doesn’t matter."

"This isn’t about getting hurt," Song Guanchao said. "This guy may very well have a gun!"

"A gun?" Zhang Meilin’s heart skipped a beat.

Song Guanchao said, "Do you forget where the man who kidnapped Yao Jinsheng got his gun?"

The gun that should have been melted down and disposed of was privately hoarded by Hou Wen.

Song Guanchao seriously suspected that wasn’t the only gun Hou Wen had privately hoarded.

"Finding out is simple."

Song Guanchao glanced at his watch and said, "Let’s go see Hou Wen and ask him directly."

"I’ll make the arrangements," Minister Zhou decisively contacted Director Qin.

A few minutes later, he stood up and said, "Let’s go."

The three left, with Zhang Meilin driving.

Arriving at the detention center, they met Hou Wen directly in his cell under the guidance of the prison guards.

Hou Wen was somewhat flatteringly surprised by the sudden visit of three people, including the Minister of the Organization Department.

"County Magistrate Hou, you look well."

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette and personally lit it for him.

Hou Wen chuckled, "Minister Zhou came too – it’s a splendid honor. Sorry for the poor surroundings. Please don’t mind."

From where the three men sat, he knew that once again Song Guanchao was the main character.

He was curious about what Song Guanchao could want from him this time.

"County Magistrate Hou, how many of the guns that were supposed to be scrapped by the police did you keep for yourself?" Song Guanchao asked directly.

Hou Wen immediately denied, "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Song Guanchao knew he was afraid of additional punishment.

He walked over to close the door, then took out his mobile phone, and said to Minister Zhou and the others, "Minister Zhou, Secretary Zhang, please take out your phones too."

They obediently followed suit.

Song Guanchao said, "There are no recording pens, no listening devices. And we aren’t police officers, so whatever you tell us has no legal effect."

"County Magistrate Hou, let’s start over. How many of the guns scrapped by the police did you keep?"

Hou Wen was still hesitant, but with Song Guanchao going this far, it would be impolite not to cooperate.

"Three."

"I gave one to Xiao Wu," Hou Wen said, "and the other two to Lu Xiaotian."

On hearing this, all three men felt a heavy sinking in their hearts.

Song Guanchao nodded and stood up, "County Magistrate Hou, get some rest early."

Hou Wen called out from behind, "Have you caught Yao Jinsheng?"

Song Guanchao stopped in his tracks, "He escaped."

"Escaped?"

Hou Wen was incredulous, "How is that possible?"

"He got lucky," said Song Guanchao. "He should have been a prisoner, but accidentally became a hero."

Song Guanchao briefly recounted what had happened that day.

He also told them about Yao Jinsheng and Chen Guanyun’s escape and hijacking of an airplane and his own successful capture of them.

After listening, Hou Wen was surprised but felt that something was not quite right.

Just as Song Guanchao was about to close the door, Hou Wen suddenly let out a light exclamation, "Was Lu Xiaotian held at gunpoint that day?"

"Yes."

"Did you check the gun?"

"That’s the police’s job."

Hou Wen laughed suddenly, "Secretary Song, haven’t you ever wondered how everyone in Dujiang City seems to be able to get a gun? Don’t you think that’s strange?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"I won’t tell you," Hou Wen shook his head. "Could you please contact Mayor Jiang for me? I want to redeem my crimes."

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