Chapter 533: Chapter 503: Always Ready to Take Action_1
Shen Caijun still pressed her lips together, but Liu Yufei didn’t hurry her, just glanced at the time.
"Let’s not delay each other, I’ve explained everything earlier, I don’t want to waste time, say whoever you know if you want, if not, we’ll leave now, and you’ll be temporarily detained, understand?"
"Don’t rush me, actually, I don’t know what that person’s name is, he’s in the information I just wrote, he was in first-class with an old man, the old man called him Mubai, they seemed very close, but I think he’s just an assistant or something, I gave him my work phone number when he asked for it.
When we left the airport, we happened to see this person in the parking lot, he was loading all sorts of luggage into the car, he even waved at me, I don’t recognize the car emblem, it looked like a zongzi.
Later, I searched it and found it to be a Maybach, honestly, I have regrets. But I haven’t seen the person again, nor have they contacted me. During the Spring Festival, I sent a blessing text message but got no response. I’m telling the truth, there’s no lie, you can check if that software isn’t flickering now, right?"
Liu Yufei nodded, took notes, had Mr. Shan get Shen Caijun to sign and fingerprint, and called someone from outside the door to take Shen Caijun away. As she was being taken away, Shen Caijun continued to shout something.
At this moment, Mr. Zhao raised his phone, his friend San Ge had sent him a work ID photo of a handsome young man, named Li Mubai.
No wonder Shen Caijun didn’t try to hook up then, after all, those rich heirs from big corporations, the second-generation ones, their looks are rather disappointing, only those from the third generation onwards tend to be more presentable.
"This is Li Mubai, the driver for the Jinhua Group chairman, but his work number isn’t among these phone numbers."
Xu Dayuan nodded, glanced at the time with a slight frown. The interrogation took too long, it was past seven o’clock, and going to the company to arrest someone after hours meant they might have already gone home, which would require alerting the company and could easily startle the prey.
"Let’s stop here for today. Yufei, send someone to investigate whether Li Mubai is in Qindao. Zhou Ning, withdraw with your team. Tomorrow morning, the technical unit will follow up and extract DNA and fingerprints as soon as possible."
Although the case was urgent, everyone understood that everything would wait until tomorrow morning, and they quickly left work without further discussion.
...
The next morning.
At 7:30, Zhou Ning came down from the technical unit. By this time, Mr. Wang, the driver, was already standing in front of the vehicle, with several other people inside, including Mr. Sun, Mr. Yang, Mr. Wang, Zhu Xingxing, Mr. Qu, and the poet. The rest of the people had not come down, and aside from the poet who was a bit nervous and excited, the others seemed quite calm.
"Did you bring all the necessary items?"
Mr. Wang nodded.
"Your two cases and all sorts of equipment for handling high levels of decay, we’ve got it all. Shall we depart now?"
"Get in and wait, once Director Xu and Liu Da come down, we’ll leave."
Before his words had faded, Liu Yufei and Xu Dayuan arrived, and they got straight into the Iveco with Zhou Ning. Mr. Zhao gave them a look but didn’t dare to speak.
"What are you looking at, Shen Caijun is in the car ahead, Mr. Wang, let’s depart and follow the convoy straight out the main gate."
Mr. Wang quickly started the car, heading out the back exit towards the main building entrance, and the convoy drove north. Xu Dayuan kept making calls, one to inform Liang Honggang of their movements and another to coordinate with the local police station to contact Jinhua Group.
As they were almost there, Xu Dayuan’s phone rang, saying that someone was already arranged to meet them. As the cars stopped in front of a building, Zhou Ning looked up, realizing for the first time the building belonged to Jinhua Group.
As they got out of the car, two local policemen and a woman in a skirt suit with black framed glasses quickly approached, looking neat with an air of precision. After brief introductions, the woman, surnamed Liu, one of Mr. Fang’s executive assistants, politely escorted Xu Dayuan and the others upstairs.
Upon reaching the fifteenth-floor conference room, a girl brought in bottled water, but Mr. Liu quickly waved her off, asking for tea to be prepared, which was declined by Xu Dayuan.
"No need for tea, we’re here on a case and it’s urgent. I believe the police already contacted you, we’re looking for someone. The person’s name is Li Mubai, our investigation indicates he’s the chairman’s driver. I want to know where this person is."
Mr. Liu didn’t show any sign of panic and smiled at Xu Dayuan.
"Please be patient, leader. This person has taken our chairman to inspect a subsidiary and they are on their way back. I’ve just asked the special assistant, it’ll take about fifteen more minutes to arrive. Please wait a moment. I didn’t mention your investigation to them. Here, going to the chairman’s office would be the proper procedure. Once the person reaches downstairs, I shall inform you immediately, how’s that?"
Xu Dayuan nodded in satisfaction, as if he thought of something else, he then asked.
"I’d also like to inquire about a personal matter regarding your chairman. In the covered area including Guizhou Road, Zaitang Gorge Road, Dexian Road, Qufu Road by the seaside, does he personally own any older residences? Similar to villas near Badaguan with high terrain, even with a sea view, the kind of old standalone properties with their own courtyard?"
Mr. Liu paused, pondered for a moment, took out his phone to make a call, appearing to give instructions. Shortly after, someone came with a file box. Mr. Liu took it and looked at Xu Dayuan.
"I’m aware you’re the leaders of the Criminal Investigation Division, and the case is the priority, but may I ask, what exactly are you investigating? Does it relate to our group? After all, we are a listed company, any negative news is a big deal for us."
Xu Dayuan laughed, appreciating the direct approach.
"I can share part of it with you," he said. "We’re investigating a homicide. The victim’s last contact might have been Li Mubai, and it could be related to your group through the Maybach the victim rode in."
Mr. Liu had a moment of realization, and his expression turned serious. He quickly opened the file box and found a property deed along with several photographs.
"Our chairman has acquired quite a few old villas in Qindao. Many were purchased early on, not as investments or for profit, but because he grew up near St. Michael’s Church. I think he probably wants to preserve some memories of his childhood and doesn’t wish to see these places demolished.
"Since the investment was made early, many are now very valuable, but he has no intention of selling. Last year, these villas were also successively repaired and renovated. The exteriors kept their original style, while the interiors were redesigned in a modern style. We arrange accommodations there for especially important clients."
"Based on the locations mentioned, these two houses should fit the description. One is at No. 24 Pingdu Road, Taidong District, and the other is at No. 4 Anhui Road, Taidong District. Here are the photos of the two buildings."
Xu Dayuan took the photographs, gave them a quick glance, and passed them on for Zhou Ning and the others to examine. Zhou Ning paused when he saw the pictures. The two villas were unlike the concept he had in mind—they weren’t small courtyards with lush, floral surroundings and a central building.
The one on Anhui Road was a two-story building facing the street, painted yellow with a red tile roof, typical German-style windows, and clean window frames with no ivy wrapping around. It was also significantly shorter than the surrounding structures.
As for the villa on Pingdu Road, it was a three-story building that seemed to be built in an L-shape along the street, more exquisite, also without any ivy, just two large trees in front of the door.
Zhou Ning flipped through the photos. There were many, but he didn’t find any that were valuable. When Xu Dayuan saw Zhou Ning’s expression, he leaned over.
"Not matching?"
Zhou Ning nodded and glanced at Peng Shinian, about to speak when Peng Shinian suddenly exclaimed, which made everyone gather around.
"What’s wrong?"
"I noticed these photos are all taken from the street. Are there any of the other side? And this three-story building, from the angle of the sunlight, it should be an east-facing house, right?"
Mr. Liu shook his head.
"Sorry, I’m only aware of these places but have never actually visited them. Can you tell me what exactly you’re looking for in a house?"
Zhou Ning and Peng Shinian looked to Xu Dayuan, as whether they could disclose this depended on his judgment.
Just then, footsteps were heard. Mr. Liu stood up and gestured downward, whispering to them.
"Please wait here for a moment, leaders. I’ll go check if it might be the chairman returning. If driver Li comes up with him, I’ll find a way to send him away and speak to the chairman. After that, you can inquire with driver Li in here."
This arrangement was quite good, and it was clear that Mr. Liu didn’t have much tolerance for Li Mubai, even seeming quite pleased about the police investigation. Zhou Ning watched Mr. Liu closely and asked in a low voice.
"Can I ask if driver Li Mubai has done anything excessive within your group?"
Mr. Liu was taken aback by Zhou Ning’s question, then revealed a comfortable smile, distinctly different from the professional one he wore before.
"All of us assistants in the secretarial department, as well as several beautiful girls from the branch offices, regardless of age, were harassed by this driver Li. But don’t underestimate him for being just a driver. His father once saved Mr. Fang’s life, and he also holds original shares in the group, so..."
The group had an epiphany. It was no wonder Li could behave so inappropriately within the group and still be safe—being in the favor of the chairman and having a particular history meant that such a person, unless they made a severe mistake, was unlikely to be dismissed from the group.
Similarly, whether Mr. Fang would cooperate with the police investigation into this individual was unknown. Even with his favoritism, such a significant issue should warrant clear thinking, right?
When Zhou Ning snapped back from his thoughts, Mr. Liu had already left, the door shut behind him. Liu Yufei stood at the door, seemingly ready to act should footsteps approach the meeting room; Mr. Liu’s voice could be heard.
"Li, you go rest in our office. There are some foreign clients in the meeting room, talking with Mr. Liu and Mr. Fang."
"Mr. Fang is here too?"
"Yes, he came with Mr. Liu."
"Okay. If Mr. Fang needs the car, just call me."
Everyone realized who had been outside the door just now—it was undoubtedly Li Mubai, who almost entered the room. Peng Shinian started to get up, but Mr. Zhao held him back. In the room, only Xu Dayuan and Liu Yufei were in uniform—the technical and laboratory staff were all in casual clothes, having come in a rush with no time to prepare.
As they were thinking, the meeting room door opened, and Liu Yufei stood ready behind it.
Mr. Liu looked at Xu Dayuan and nodded slightly.
"Please, follow me."
