Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 576 I Miss Jiang Aimei
in the car.

Liu Yawen raised her head, her bright eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

Why are you at my house at this hour?
"This isn't like you at all. Shouldn't you be at the Sakura Club right now, drinking with a Japanese girl in your arms?"

Hong Zhi didn't say anything, but reached out and pressed her restless head down again.

After a while, he re-fastened his belt and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Isn't it because I miss you?"
"Am I stupid? Why would I leave such a beautiful girlfriend and go to the Cherry Blossom Club to find those shriveled bean sprouts?"

This isn't a compliment.

Girls from Northeast China are tall, with fair and delicate skin, and good physical strength.

Especially Wenwen, who already had a hot figure, became even more mature and charming after being with him, and every move she made exuded a captivating aura.

This is something that petite, deliberately docile Japanese women can't compare to.

Of course, Hong Zhiyou knew in his heart that he was just indulging in something new for now.

When you get older, this physique can be a real problem.

In his past life, Zhou Gendi and Wanqiu could keep him sneaking out every day, either fishing or playing chess.

With Wenwen's physique, she's more than capable of taking on the combined strength of Wanqiu and the other woman.

The more enjoyable it is now, the more headaches it will cause later.

Liu Yawen turned her head away and rolled up the car window to block out the cold wind.

Hong Zhi picked up the thermos and handed it to her.

She took it, drank a few sips to moisten her throat, and gently patted her chest, saying, "Would you like some?"

“If you’ve already drunk from it, how can I drink from it?” Hong Zhiyou resolutely refused.

Liu Yawen blushed and pouted, saying, "You're complaining about me now? I'm canceling my services from now on."

Hong Zhi pinched her cheek, but didn't dare to respond.

"And can't you be nicer to Chengzong? He's your eldest son, after all. Why do you always act like you don't care about him?" Liu Yawen tidied her messy hair in front of the mirror.

Hong Zhi started the car and casually said, "Everyone in the family spoils him rotten, so it won't make a difference if I'm one of them."

"Let's go see a movie."

"Don't go."

"You think you can be a virtuous man just because you're satisfied? No way! Go to your house!" Liu Yawen had no intention of letting him off the hook.

"You're really addicted," Hong Zhiyou said helplessly.

"I'm just addicted. Who told you to fall for me?" Liu Yawen clung tightly to his arm, leaning against it and acting coquettishly.

"Fine.

"Hey, let's get this straight, after tonight, don't even think about contacting me for the next week." Hong Zhi stepped on the gas and drove home.

"Why?" Liu Yawen asked, puzzled.

"My mind has been a bit blank lately, and I feel unsteady when I walk. If I don't take care of myself soon, I feel like I'm going to be ruined," Hong Zhiyou said.

After getting together with Liu Yawen, he was almost never idle.

She became more and more beautiful every day.

Even if I were made of iron, I couldn't withstand it.

"Okay, I'll make you more soup later. I'll let you off the hook tonight. Come on, let's go see a movie." Liu Ya-wen was still sensible.

"That's more like it, she looks like a woman."

Hong Zhi smiled and kissed her, then turned the car around and headed towards the movie theater.

He made a special trip to the Liu family tonight to make this close relationship public in front of his uncle and Liu Zhenwen.

This will make them more considerate when thinking about things.

This is the only thing he can do for Zhou Yi right now.

There was absolutely nothing he could do about his uncle's obsession.

If things get out of hand, he and his only son might get imprisoned too.

Now that Chengzong has continued the family line, my uncle might do something rash in the heat of the moment.

But Liu Zhenwen was different; he was a notorious old fox who always put profit first.

Hong Zhiyou believes that as long as the stakes are clearly defined, he will make the wisest decision.

Moreover, Liu Zhenwen was also his uncle's direct superior.

Some things are far more effective when he says them than when I try to persuade him myself, and it also saves my uncle from developing unnecessary suspicions about me.

Of course, if Liu and Gao, after discussing it, still insist on investigating Zhou Yi more thoroughly, then Hong Zhiyou will be at a loss.

We can only leave it to fate.

……

10:00 AM, Police Department.

The aroma of tea wafted through Gao Bin's office.

He and Liu Zhenwen were chatting casually on the sofa, looking relaxed.

Now Zhiyou and Wenwen have reached the point of discussing marriage. The Gao family only has one son, not to mention Liu Zhenwen, who only has Wenwen as his precious daughter.

It is said that one should know one's destiny at fifty.

At their age, what they long for isn't even their children anymore, but rather the simple joys of family life with their grandchildren.

From this perspective, the two companies are actually considered one entity.

Their only hope rested on Hong Zhiyou and Liu Yawen.

With their respective ulterior motives gone, the two in-laws were bound together by shared interests, making it much simpler and more direct to handle matters.

The two were drinking tea when there was a knock on the office door.

Lu Ming walked in briskly, carrying a document between his legs.

"Oh, Director Liu is here too."

Lu Ming greeted him with a smile.

Gao Bin raised his eyelids slightly: "You've come at the right time. How's the material preparation going?"

Lu Ming stood at attention, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Reporting to Director Gao, Zhang Zhongnian has been arrested, and Liu Kui is being interrogated."

"These are some materials about Zhang Pingru written by several people who surrendered from the Pearl River area. You two directors can take a look."

Liu Zhenwen reached out and took the materials, glancing at them casually.

"Lu Ming, you did a great job in this arrest operation."

"After discussing it with Director Gao, we decided to award you and the action team a commendation and apply for a reward."

"In addition, the department has also allocated a special bonus for you. You can go directly to Section Chief Hong to collect it."

Lu Ming quickly adopted a humble posture: "Director, the trial is not over yet, and the case is not closed. How dare I claim credit?"

He was making a series of calculations in his mind.

The credit and bonuses were secondary; what he really wanted was to use Zhang Pingru as a lead to uncover the bigger fish.

If he could bring Zhou Yi down, wouldn't he naturally get the position of head of the Special Affairs Section?

Liu Zhenwen seemed to see through his thoughts and said slowly, "Well, you and Xu Zhong have been working non-stop lately, and you must be quite tired. I think it's better to leave the interrogation to someone else."

Lu Ming panicked as soon as he heard this: "Director, I'm not tired..."

"Cough cough."

Gao Bin coughed dryly, interrupting him.

"Lu Ming, aren't you tired?"

"Otherwise, where would they find the time to go to the Paramount for a good time?"

Lu Ming's expression froze instantly.

Is Gao Bin trying to take all the credit and kick out the person who actually did the work?

He mustered his courage and asked, "May I ask one question? Who... will be in charge of the interrogation?"

Liu Zhenwen picked up his teacup and blew away the foam: "I think we should hand it over to Section Chief Zhou."

Lu Ming could hardly believe his ears. He looked at Gao Bin abruptly, his voice trembling: "No, no, give it to Zhou Yi?"

"Director! Zhang Pingru and Gu Qiuyan have a special relationship. Section Chief Zhou... he has to avoid suspicion!"

Liu Zhenwen put down his teacup and smiled gently, "Lu Ming, why is the action team called the action team? Action, action, means that your responsibility is to do more and talk less."

"It's settled then."

He was too lazy to explain to Lu Ming anymore, so he simply stood up and walked out.

Lu Ming subconsciously followed and saw Liu Zhenwen to the door. Only after Liu Zhenwen had gone far away did he quickly retreat and close the office door.

"Director Gao, what... what exactly is going on?" Lu Ming asked anxiously.

Director Liu didn't care.

But revealing Zhou Yi's true form has always been Gao Bin's long-cherished wish.

“It’s obvious that Zhou Yi is the one with the problem in this case. We’ll be able to trace it back to him soon. How can we let him handle the interrogation at this time?”

"Isn't this just letting a duck that's already in our mouths get away?" Lu Ming asked, puzzled.

Gao Bin sighed softly and gestured for Lu Ming to sit down.

"Lu Ming."

He spoke earnestly.

"Although this operation was mainly handled by you and me, Zhou Yi is, after all, the head of the Special Affairs Section."

“It is procedurally unreasonable to completely exclude him from the entire case.”

"Furthermore, you know that Yu Jingtao and Zhou Yi have a good relationship."

"I've heard that Yu Jingtao intends to transfer Zhou Yi to the Security Bureau to serve as deputy director."

"Think about it, if we can produce irrefutable evidence this time and destroy him with one blow, that would be great."

"But what if they can't find anything? He and Chen Jingyu are inseparable. What if they team up against us?"

Gao Bin's gaze fell on Lu Ming, with a hint of scrutiny.

"With all the mess you've made, from embezzling funds from your subordinates to gambling and extortion, any one of those things could get you locked up for several years."

"Lu Ming, you've already made a contribution, and the bonus is yours."

"In the future, even my position, or even Director Liu's position, could be yours."

"Why are you so anxious?"

At this point, Gao Bin tapped his finger on the table: "Alive."

Only those who survive can have the last laugh.

"Jin Xiaoyu, how powerful was he back then? Snap! Gone just like that."

"Isn't Shibuya Saburo amazing enough?"

"With a snap, someone slit his throat."

"do you understand me?"

Every word Gao Bin said felt like a needle piercing Lu Ming's heart.

Lu Ming wasn't one-track-minded either.

In the past, Hong Zhiyou encountered several setbacks and suffered losses.

He's not as reckless in his actions as he used to be.

Despite his reluctance, Lu Ming could only give up after being pointed at by Gao Bin: "Alright, since it's the opinion of the two directors, what else can I say? Let's leave it to Section Chief Zhou."

Gao Bin nodded: "Okay, give the documents to Section Chief Zhou now and let him review them so we can close the case as soon as possible."

Lu Ming nodded and was about to leave.

Gao Bin called out to him, "You should show more respect to Zhou Yi; after all, he is your superior."

Lu Ming replied, "Understood, Director."

……

Police Department backyard.

Hong Ji-yoo is playing with a dog.

This German Shepherd named Yuanbao was raised by him, and it has glossy black fur.

"Zhiyou, are you busy?"

Lu Ming rubbed his hands together and walked in with a big smile on his face.

Just as he was about to reach out and touch Yuanbao's head, the beast instantly bristled, baring its teeth and roaring angrily.

Lu Ming reluctantly withdrew his hand and cursed:
"Damn it, tell me, which dog in the living room wouldn't tremble at the sight of my bloody aura? Even your brother's dog is a bit more arrogant than the others."

Hong Zhi smiled and patted Yuanbao's head. The dog immediately became docile and rubbed its head against his palm.

"Good dog, so well-behaved."

He turned his head and looked at Lu Ming:
"Sometimes, dogs are far smarter, more perceptive, and more trustworthy than humans."

Lu Ming's facial muscles twitched, and he gave an awkward laugh.

"That's right, people think more than dogs."

Hong Zhi stood up and dusted off his pants.

"Is something wrong?"

Lu Ming quickly followed him: "Director Liu said that our action team has received a bonus, and the brothers are all waiting for it. He asked me to come and collect it."

Hong Zhiyou stopped in his tracks, feigning surprise: "That shouldn't be the case."

"The case isn't closed yet. Zhang Pingru is a big fish. If we dig deeper, he might be able to make another great contribution."

Lu Ming, now that he'd learned his lesson, quickly waved his hand:

"This case has its benefits, but I can't pocket everything myself."

"Section Chief Zhou is my direct superior. I took over this case from beginning to end, which is against the rules."

"So, I simply recommended all the interrogation work to Section Chief Zhou."

"You can't eat alone, don't you think?"

Hong Zhi laughed, "Old Lu, you're getting wiser and wiser as you get older."

"You're good, I'm good, we're all good, that's the right way."

"They can live a long life."

Lu Ming chuckled, a hint of smugness on his face: "Hey, isn't it because I've been hanging out with you for so long that I've learned a thing or two about human relationships?"

Upon arriving at the economics department office, Hong Zhi quickly approved the note with a flourish of his pen.

Then, he took out two hundred yuan from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to Lu Ming. "Take this and treat the brothers to a good meal."

Lu Ming's eyes lit up, but he declined, saying, "Oh, how could I possibly accept this?"

"Alright, stop being so polite with me."

Hong Zhi stuffed the money into his hand: "We're all brothers. These days, red tickets are all hidden away, so it's not easy to make a contribution."

Lu Ming, clutching the two brand-new bills, left with profuse thanks.

He had barely left when the office door was pushed open.

Zhou Yi walked in, his face expressionless.

"Zhiyou, come with me to the interrogation room."

The two walked one after the other in the cold, dark corridor.

The torture chamber was underground, and the deeper you went, the stronger the musty and bloody smells became.

Zhou Yi's voice was very low, as if it were squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Do you think this is a trap set by Director Liu and his group?"

"At this point, suddenly asking me to interrogate Zhang Pingru is completely contrary to common sense, given Director Gao's personality."

Hong Zhiyou walked with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed gait.

"It doesn't matter, you have no choice anyway."

"If he interrogates you and Gu Qiuyan, it will be troublesome."

"If you investigate and it turns out to be a trap, you'll still be in trouble."

"Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll still get stabbed, so you might as well be more open-minded and just do what you have to do."

Zhou Yi stopped and turned to look at him: "You seem very confident?"

Hong Zhiyou shrugged. "If I can't explain it, just do as I say."

Zhou Yi remained silent for a moment, then continued walking forward.

"so."

His voice regained its usual calm.

“I’ll go to the listening room. You call Changchun over, and we’ll do a preliminary interrogation to see what Zhang Pingru will say.”

“I will interrogate him; he won’t back down.”

"Don't turn back. If you publicly recant your testimony in front of Lu Ming and Director Gao, that would be a real problem."

Hong Zhi nodded.

"Makes sense."

At this point, it's no longer possible to save someone.

For his own absolute safety, even Zhou Yi had to harbor a less-than-friendly suspicion.

After all, Generals Yang and Zhao died because they were betrayed by their own people.

Hong Zhiyou asked Lao Tu to go to the archives and call Ren Changchun.

In the interrogation room, Zhang Pingru was tied to a chair, her hair disheveled, but her eyes remained fierce.

Hong Zhi slowly and methodically fastened the top button of his police uniform, a warm smile on his face:
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"I ordered you a steak. Don't rush, it'll be here soon."

"Smoking, or a cigar?"

Zhang Pingru stared at him coldly, without saying a word.

Hong Zhi made a hand gesture.

Ren Changchun walked over, took a cigarette from the cigarette box, lit it, and put it into Zhang Pingru's mouth.

Hong Zhiyou then said to Lao Tu beside him:

"Old Tu, take off his handcuffs and shackles."

"Give me another brazier, to warm me up."

Old Tu did as instructed.

Hong Zhiyou wasn't in a hurry to interrogate him; he just watched quietly.

A moment later, a policeman came in carrying a food box.

The aroma of the steak filled the air instantly.

Hong Zhiyou personally opened the food box, cut the steak and placed it in front of Zhang Pingru, and poured a glass of red wine.

Zhang Pingru didn't stand on ceremony. She grabbed a steak and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing it heartily while gulping down red wine.

This document was made specifically for Hong Zhi.

The best sirloin steak was selected and paired with expensive imported French wine.

Men seek nothing more than three things: money, food, and wealth.

People usually start with the first two dishes, but in times of despair, a delicious meal that is unforgettable can also be remembered for a lifetime and break down their defenses.

Back in Taiwan, Gu Zhengwen and Ye Xiangzhi were very good at this move.

After Zhang Pingru finished eating, Ren Changchun offered him a cigarette.

Zhang Pingru took a deep breath, tilted his head back, let out a burp, and smoke billowed from his nostrils.

He looked at Hong Zhiyou with an arrogant gaze.

"I've already eaten my last meal, hurry up and send me on my way."

Hong Zhiyou blew on his bangs.

"How does it taste?"

Zhang Pingru savored the memory for a moment, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips: "An absolute delicacy."

Hong Zhiyou flicked his finger.

Old Tu immediately stepped forward and picked up a rubber baton.

He suddenly stabbed Zhang Pingru in the abdomen.

He then struck him two or three more times with the backhand, hitting him hard in the stomach.

"Wow!"

Zhang Pingru let out a painful scream and curled up.

The steak and red wine he had just eaten, mixed with stomach acid and blood, gushed out of his mouth and splattered all over the floor.

Hong Zhi leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and waved his hand with a smile:

“Mr. Zhang, I have many nicknames in Harbin. They all call me musician, poet, playboy, but no one calls me butcher or devil.”

"Well, I don't really like fighting and killing."

I appreciate helping others achieve their goals!

"I know you want to die, and I now give you two choices."

"First, do you see that brazier?"

He pointed to the glowing red charcoal brazier in the corner.

"It's easy to die. Just stick your head in and you'll be roasted in a few minutes."

"Moreover, you can smell the aroma of your own flesh as it cooks, which is a very special experience."

"Second, you can bite your tongue."

"However, it might hurt a bit, and it's not certain that you'll die."

"But there's one advantage: without a tongue, no one can get anything out of you, which at least ensures the safety of your comrades, right?"

Zhang Pingru's throat trembled violently, and a complex expression appeared in her eyes, as if she were making a difficult choice.

Hong Zhi crossed his arms and smiled, saying:

"Don't look at me like that. I've actually seen one of your people bite her tongue, and it was a woman."

"She is beautiful and strong."

"Captain Zhang, aren't you a hero?"

"Come, let me see just how strong your faith and your courage really are!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand.

Old Tu chuckled twice and stepped aside.
"Zhang Pingru, you're really lucky."

"Many people who have entered this place cannot die even if they want to. It is only because our young Master Hong is kind-hearted that he has a compassionate heart and has granted your wish."

"Hurry up, be quick, I'm waiting to go to the cafeteria for lunch."

Zhang Pingru licked her chapped lips.

He wanted to bite his tongue.

But the moment the teeth touched the tip of the tongue, a sharp pain mixed with the taste of blood instantly spread throughout the body.

He panicked.

He was afraid of not dying, but even more afraid of that extreme pain.

Then, he slowly stood up and walked step by step to the brazier.

In the brazier, several hot irons were heated until they were red-hot, occasionally sparking and making a crackling sound.

The scorching air hit him in the face, making his cheeks sting.

If you stick your head in, it won't take more than a few minutes, just a few dozen seconds to cook it through.

Old Tu kicked him impatiently from behind.

"Fuck you, hurry up! What are you dawdling for!"

Zhang Pingru gasped sharply, her body throbbing as if scalded. She recoiled and collapsed onto the cold ground, trembling violently.

The last shred of courage in my heart was completely evaporated.

Hong Zhiyou stood up, walked over to him, and looked down at him.

"Yes, usually when you get an electric shock or some chili water poured on your mouth, you all think you're pretty tough."

"When you're actually given the choice of how to die, you'll be too scared to do it, won't you?"

"Since you don't want to die, and you're not a hero."

"Then let's talk about the two options for those who don't want to die."

"First, it's very simple: beat you from morning till night until you open your mouth."

"Second, just like before, if you confess honestly, I'll guarantee you a comfortable life with steak and red wine every meal."

Hong Zhiyou squatted down, patted his trembling shoulder, and his voice softened:
"Imagine sitting with Gu Qiuyan in a sun-drenched coffee shop every weekend, eating steak and listening to Western tunes."

"Take Sasha to the river to go ice skating and feel the breeze."

"My wife and daughter are by my side, how wonderful."

"Besides, you two are still young, and you can have a few more chubby sons in the future to carry on the Zhang family line."

"So, what do you think of my suggestion? Not bad, right?"

Zhang Pingru's lips trembled, and her eyes became chaotic and unfocused.

He slumped into the chair, panting heavily, but still didn't say a word.

Old Tu came over and asked for instructions:
"Young Master Hong, I think he's like a rock in a latrine, stinky and hard. I'll just kill him."

Hong Zhi ignored him and only said to Ren Changchun:
"Go, bring the person in."

Soon, the door to the interrogation room was opened again.

Zhang Zhongnian, covered in blood, was dragged in by two policemen.

"father!"

"father……"

Seeing her father's miserable state, Zhang Pingru burst into tears instantly, her defenses completely crumbling.

The moment Zhang Zhongnian uttered the word "father," he knew his son was doomed.

When they first went up the mountain, the father and son made a pact that they would never recognize each other until they achieved victory.

Zhang Zhongnian used all his strength to spit a mouthful of bloody saliva at him.

"Your younger brother, Pingjun, was shot by them!"
"If you're a real man, if you have any guts, go down and keep him company!"
"My Zhang family would rather die out than have a coward!"

Zhang Pingru knelt down on the ground with a "plop" and let out a heart-wrenching cry.

"father!"

"Father, I... Waaah."

Seeing his spineless state, Zhang Zhongnian trembled with rage and burst into a tirade:
"Stop crying!"

"It's worthless!"

Hong Zhi waved his hand.

The two policemen immediately dragged Zhang Zhongnian, who was still cursing, away.

In the interrogation room, only Zhang Pingru remained, lying on the ground, howling like a wild beast.

He desperately wanted to die, to be shot dead, even if it meant being beaten to death.

But he really didn't have the courage to commit suicide.

He was afraid of the bright red flames, afraid of swallowing his own bloody tongue.

Hong Zhiyou didn't rush him, but returned to the interrogation table and poured Zhang Pingru a cup of fine Longjing tea.

The fragrance of tea lingers.

After a long while, Zhang Pingru's crying gradually stopped.

He wiped the tears and snot from his face, scrambled to his feet, and sat back down in the interrogation chair, looking utterly dejected.

He picked up the cup of hot tea, looked at the handsome, aloof young man before him, and said in a trembling voice:

"I...I confess!"

Hong Zhi felt a pang of regret in his heart.

Not afraid of death!

Whether or not one dares to die is a completely different matter.

Jiang Aimei's indelible figure grew ever taller and more perfect in his heart.

When I return to Tianjin another day, I might be able to sneak a visit to her.

Looking at Zhang Pingru, who was crying her eyes out, Hong Zhiyou had never thought of anyone like this before.

He missed Jiang Aimei.

A true warrior.

……

(End of this chapter)