Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 255 Someone has taken a fancy to my 'old maid'?

At the Yellow River Automobile Factory, engines roared.

Inside the massive test track, three "Yellow River Warrior" prototype vehicles, having undergone extreme testing, came to a steady stop.

Gu Yuanheng patted the dust-covered hood, unable to hide his excitement as He Yuzhu approached: "Boss! It withstood the desert heat, Gobi gravel, and muddy swamps! The chassis rigidity is 20% stronger than the best Jeep on the market, and the suspension travel is greater! After the Middle Eastern group inspected the goods, they immediately placed an order for 150 more chassis vehicles, with full prepayment! The tanker is already unloading them!"

He pointed to an M113 chassis that had been dismantled down to its frame: "The chassis for this behemoth has been completed! New vehicles will have weapon mounts and top turret rings left to enhance load-bearing capacity. Representatives from several African mining companies will be arriving in a few days. Their mining areas have terrible roads and lots of bandits, so they only care about this metal shell!"

He Yuzhu bent down to inspect the chassis welding points: "Quality is our hallmark. For orders from the Middle East, we guarantee quality, quantity, and on-time delivery. The African market has great potential; we don't necessarily have to accept cash. We can accept diamond rough, ore, or gold, as long as the quality is guaranteed. How's the engine project going?"

"The prototype is out. It's a copy of the M113, and ours is more fuel-efficient than the original," Gu Yuanheng said with some pride.

"Continue to optimize, and the momentum can be strengthened."

"Yes."

He Yuzhu's gaze swept over the Mi-4 helicopter skeleton half-covered by a tarpaulin in the corner of the warehouse. "What about this one? Can it handle the tough nuts to crack?"

Gu Yuanheng's excitement subsided slightly: "Boss, reverse engineering is too difficult. We've basically figured out the rotor system and transmission structure, but that radial piston engine... with our current machining precision and materials, even if we replicate it, its lifespan and power won't reach 70% of the prototype. Moreover, even if we could replicate it, the fuel consumption would be high, the noise would be loud, and the civilian market would probably be..."

He Yuzhu walked to the helicopter, lifted a corner of the canvas, and revealed a rugged industrial aesthetic beneath the rough military green paint.

“Piston engines are outdated. Our goal is not to copy them, but to surpass them.” He gestured for Gu Yuanheng to come closer and whispered, “I still have a few big machines in my hands. Be prepared to take them.”

Gu Yuanheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing became rapid. He swallowed hard, his voice filled with disbelief, excitement, and a hint of barely perceptible tension: "Boss... no... it can't be... it still flies in the sky?" He felt his heart pounding wildly.

“Yeah, anything that flies in the sky is bigger than this, and the technology is much more complex.” He Yuzhu looked at him sharply. “Aren’t you scared?”

Gu Yuanheng straightened up abruptly, a look of eager anticipation flashing in his eyes: "Don't be afraid! We are a civilian company, engaged in technical research, disassembling and learning advanced mechanical principles. What can they say? Once the parts are in our factory, they will be a pile of parts waiting to be studied!" he said decisively.

“Very good.” He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder. “What do you need? Equipment, personnel, funding? Make a list for me. But remember, confidentiality is paramount. If any link in the chain goes wrong, I will hold you solely responsible.”

"Understood, boss! Don't worry!" Gu Yuanheng nodded emphatically. He felt the burden on his shoulders had become much heavier, but his heart was filled with unprecedented enthusiasm.

The following day, in a large, secluded warehouse of the Yellow River Automobile Factory, the heavy tarpaulin was slowly lifted.

When Gu Yuanheng saw what was laid out, even though he was mentally prepared, he instantly held his breath, and his heart almost jumped out of his throat.

A Mi-8 "Hippo" transport helicopter, much larger and with more streamlined lines than the Mi-4, sat quietly there.

Beside it stood two aircraft, their weapons removed but their airframes intact—an American-made A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft and a Soviet-made MiG-21 Fish Nest fighter jet!

"My God..." muttered an old engineer next to Gu Yuanheng, his legs feeling a little weak.

These two are real jet fighters!

Is this really the kind of "research sample" that a "civilian car factory" should have?
Gu Yuanheng took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

He immediately realized that the security level of this warehouse had to be raised to the highest level, and the personnel involved in the research had to be carefully selected and sign the strictest confidentiality agreements.

He turned to the security captain beside him, whose expression was equally shocked, and said in a deep voice, "Old Zhao, from now on, this area is designated 'Zone Zero'! Not even a fly is allowed to fly in without a pass personally signed by me and the boss! The existing personnel will remain here for now. I'm going to find Shi Bin immediately. The security plan must be upgraded! Immediately!"

"Yes, factory director."

Maxim's Group headquarters.

"Dad, how's Maxim's doing?"

"Zhu Zi, don't worry. Maxim's has a good foundation, but the dishes are too Westernized and local, lacking a grander feel. I plan to recruit some master chefs from Beijing to make authentic Peking duck and imperial dim sum, and combine them with the essence of Cantonese cuisine to launch several 'North-South fusion' banquets. The kitchen model needs to be optimized to ensure consistent quality across all branches. The first step is to solidify the 'one-dollar dim sum' (shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and other small snacks) and attract more local customers!"

He Yuzhu smiled: "You are the veteran in the industry, so you can make the decisions on how to run it. If you need funds or to pull some strings, just ask Ah Lang or come directly to me. The goal of Maxim's brand is to make it the first choice for banquets and gatherings in Hong Kong, and more importantly, to make it a brand that ordinary people can afford."

"Just you wait and see. You may not be good at anything else, but I can definitely run a restaurant!"

Wanning and 7-11.

Xu Damao was a little excited by He Yuzhu's arrival.

"Brother Zhu, you finally remembered me."

"How come I didn't think of you? I've left such a huge mess in your hands."

"That's not what I meant. What I meant was that you've been a hands-off manager for too long. You should have come to check on things a long time ago."

"Oh, then you, the general manager, should report to me, the shopkeeper."

"okay!"

"I've been thinking a lot about the ins and outs of this chain store lately! In Wanning, I plan to focus on common household medicines and health supplements, with affordable prices and staff who understand basic pharmacology and can provide reliable advice. 7-Eleven is key! 24-hour operation is the hallmark, and I plan to add hot food options like oden, hot dogs, and steamed buns, along with hot coffee and newspapers/magazines, to provide a place for night shift workers and taxi drivers to relax! Centralized procurement and distribution will reduce costs and increase convenience!"

He Yuzhu cautioned, “The idea is right; the core of a convenience store is ‘convenience’ and ‘standardization.’ Location selection must be precise, and foot traffic is key. Staff training must be thorough, and service attitude must be excellent. Keep a close eye on the procurement process to prevent anyone from taking advantage of loopholes. You are allowed to incur strategic losses for the first three months to establish the model and reputation. If you encounter any tough challenges, consult Shi Bin.”

"Understood! Brother Zhu! I promise I won't let you down!" Xu Damao patted his chest and assured him.

"Don't you have any difficulties or anything?"

"Yes, of course I do. I don't have anyone to help me. You're asking me to come and take on such a huge task all by myself. I can't abandon the factory either."

"Just say what you want to say."

"Well, my Xiao'e is graduating soon."

"This? You're the general manager, do you really need to report this to me?"

"Hehe, isn't this to avoid suspicion?"

"Then let Xiao'e go help my father and your master, and you can find someone else yourself."

"Oh? Okay, I'll go home and tell Xiao'e."

"What, you're still not willing?"

"No no!"

"I get the feeling that you feel you've been taken advantage of."

"My Xiao'e is very shrewd in business; those things of mine..."

"Oh, so you're a strategist or staff officer. You can ask me when you get home."

"Ok."

Next came the various construction sites under Wharf Holdings and Yellow River Holdings, which He Yuzhu visited non-stop for half a month.

That day, as soon as He Yuzhu stepped into his house, Chen Lanxiang came up to him with a strange expression and said, "Zhuzi, Mrs. Wu is here today."

"Mother, which Wu family? The one that does textiles?" He Yuzhu asked casually as he took off his coat.

"Yes."

"What are they doing here? We have no business dealings with them."

"Lanxiang, you're being too slow. Zhuzi's family is just trying to see if the two families are destined to be related by marriage," the old lady said from the side.

"Marriage? Who's marrying whom?"

"Who else could it be but your dear sister?" Chen Lanxiang said irritably.

"Rainwater? Does she even know that herself?"

“I haven’t even seen that girl yet. Mrs. Wu was very polite, praising Yu Shui so highly. It didn’t sound like she was talking about my daughter at all.”

"Mother, the rain isn't that bad, is it?"

"Hmph, Mrs. Wu said her eldest son just returned from studying in London, and he's about the same age..."

"You've agreed?"

"How could that be? What era are we living in? Besides, how much influence does Yu Shui have? Can we just not ask her? The Wu family is a respectable family, so I didn't refuse directly."

"Oh, it's good that you didn't agree directly."

"Then ask her when she comes back."

"You can ask her about this. Won't she feel awkward if I ask her?"

"If you don't ask, then let Xiaoman ask!"

"Lanxiang, you've managed to control your daughter so much that she doesn't listen to you anymore," the old lady said as she gave Lanxiang acupuncture.

"Sigh," Chen Lanxiang was also worried. Since her daughter came to Hong Kong, she had become like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins, and she couldn't be restrained.

It's annoying to talk about it too much. She just leaves early and comes home late, so you can't see her. You can't catch up with her if you hit her. Besides, she's almost 30 years old. You have to save her some face. The key is that He Yushui will run away from home for a few days if she gets angry.

Actually, she went to live in her own house and shamelessly asked He Yuzhu for an apartment building.

Before He Yuzhu could respond, He Yushui's clear voice came from the doorway: "Mom, what are you making up about me now? My strong opinions are only because you and Dad spoiled me when I was little!" Before she finished speaking, she rushed down the door, grabbed Chen Lanxiang's arm, and shook it with a grin.

Chen Lanxiang poked her forehead in an annoyed tone: "Spoil you? You've spoiled yourself so much you think you're on top of the world!"

"mother"

"Alright, stop being so lovey-dovey. I have a question for you: how's your dating search going?"

"We haven't found it yet," He Yushui said, blushing.

"If you haven't found her, that's perfect. Mrs. Wu came today to propose marriage to her son, and she praised you like a flower." Chen Lanxiang seized the opportunity not to bother her son and daughter-in-law.

"The Wu family? The ones that make textiles?" He Yushui raised an eyebrow, her smile instantly fading, replaced by a hint of disdain. "Their eldest son, the one who came back from studying abroad? Mother, please don't answer! I've met that guy a few times. He speaks in such an affected manner, his eyes seem to be on top of his head, he has this stale, pretentious foreign air about him, it's so annoying."

"See? I told you this girl has a strong will!" Chen Lanxiang spread her hands at the old lady and old man Chen, looking helpless. "So tell me, what kind of person do you want to find? I'm not trying to force you, but you're not getting any younger..."

He Yushui's eyes swept over everyone in the living room, two blushes rose on her face, and her voice lowered, carrying an unusual shyness: "Madam, Mother, Brother...actually..."

She paused at this point.

"Actually what? You brat, just say it already, you're driving me crazy!" Chen Lanxiang pinched her.

"I...I have someone I like." He Yushui's neck turned red.

"Oh?" The old lady and Chen Lanxiang spoke at the same time, and even the old man Chen, who was reading the newspaper next to them, put down his reading glasses.

"Who is it? Which family's young man is he?" Chen Lanxiang asked anxiously.

“His name is Lin Guozheng,” He Yushui looked up, her eyes sparkling. “He’s a policeman, an inspector in the West Kowloon Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, working under Aunt Wang. He’s a really good person! Upright, responsible, and skilled. He’s especially good at solving cases!” Her tone was full of undisguised admiration and affection.

"Police? O-Division Inspector?" He Yuzhu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) is a high-risk, frontline department of the Hong Kong Police Force.

The rank of inspector is neither high nor low, but the dark side one encounters in this position is far from ordinary.

“Rain,” He Yuzhu’s voice was calm, revealing no emotion, “You like him, and I don’t object. But you know our family’s situation, so I have to help you make an informed decision. At least I need to know what kind of person he is and whether he’s worthy of my sister’s lifelong commitment. Write down his police badge number for me.”

He Yushui knew her brother's temperament all too well and knew that this was He Yuzhu's bottom line, which was also out of concern.

She readily nodded: "Okay! Brother, his name is Lin Guozheng, and his police badge number is *****. You can check him all you want; he's definitely innocent! I trust him!"

"Okay, you guys continue chatting, I'm going upstairs to make a phone call!" He Yuzhu nodded to He Yushui and then said.

"Go ahead, I need to ask this girl some questions," Chen Lanxiang said, waving her hand at her son, knowing what he was going to do.

He Yuzhu went upstairs and into his study.

After closing the study door, the calm on his face faded, and his eyes became sharp and deep.

Instead of making a phone call immediately, he walked to the window and watched as his mother and grandmother pulled his sister aside and asked her all sorts of questions, while his sister blushed and tried to explain herself. He then gently tapped his fingers on the window frame.

Police? Or an inspector from the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau? In this era of rampant corruption and corrupt officers in the Hong Kong police force, even working under Aunt Ping, he couldn't guarantee that the kid was clean.

Too many companies manage to escape ICAC investigations.

His sister was well protected from a young age, and has a straightforward and enthusiastic personality, but is easily trusting.

Is Lin Guozheng's approach to Yu Shui genuine, or is he ulterior motives? We must investigate! And we must get to the bottom of it!
He Yuzhu sat back down at the large mahogany desk and picked up the red secure telephone line.

The first call was to Orion, the commander of the West Kowloon Regional Headquarters.

"Orion, it's me."

"Hey, you finally decided to call me. You only called me once after you came back from your trip, and then you just disappeared."

"Busy, huh? Besides, aren't you even busier?" "That's true. So, are you going to treat me to dinner now that you're done with your work?"

"The meal is no problem, but I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you for help with."

"What's the matter? Tell me."

“You’ve met my sister, Yu Shui. She recently met an inspector from West Kowloon named Lam Kwok-ching, badge number *****, who works under Wong Tsui-ping of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau. As her older brother, I have to find out about my future brother-in-law’s character and background.”

"Are we from West Kowloon, or are we under Madam Wang's command?"

"Yes, that girl said it herself. How come you know her?"

"I've met him a few times. Inspector Lin Guozheng? I remember him! He's Madam Wang's right-hand man, he's solved several tough cases, and his reputation is quite good! After the ICAC was established, we also did several rounds of internal screening, and he can withstand scrutiny, he's clean! His ability and integrity are beyond reproach! He's a young man, his future is bright! Don't worry, Mr. He, I've personally reviewed his file, it's perfectly clean! Let's have tea together another day, I'll have this kid come too, so you, his future brother-in-law, can personally take a look!"

Orian's tone was very certain, clearly indicating that he had a very good impression of Lin Guozheng.

He Yuzhu felt somewhat relieved; Orian wouldn't lie to him, given their life-or-death bond and solid political alliance.

"With An Sir's words, I feel much more at ease. I'll treat you to dinner another day." He Yuzhu said with a smile as he hung up the phone.

"And don't forget, you also have to cook yourself."

"no problem."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu had no intention of letting it go. He dialed a second number and called Wang Cuiping directly.

"Aunt Ping, it's me."

"Zhu Zi! You're such a busy person, why did you suddenly decide to call your aunt today?" Wang Cuiping's voice was filled with laughter.

"Aunt Ping, I'd like to ask you about someone. Your inspector, Lin Guozheng, badge number *****." He Yuzhu got straight to the point.

"Lin Guozheng? Why are you asking about him? Did he offend you?"

"He didn't provoke me, but he provoked your niece."

"Rainwater? Is Rainwater alright?"

"She has nothing to do with anything, she's just taken a liking to this guy."

Wang Cuiping paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Oh dear, you didn't finish your sentence at once, I thought it was something serious. Yushui has good taste! Zhuzi, this kid is really good, his family is from China just like ours. He was one of the top students in your Uncle Yu's class at the police academy, he's ruthless when solving cases, and what's even more rare is that he's clear-headed, knows the rules, and has a bottom line!"

"Uncle Yu, is he home? I want to say a few words to him."

"Yes, wait a moment."

"Old Yu, Old Yu, Zhu Zi wants to talk to you, come over here quickly."

"Hey, hey, I'm coming, I'm coming. Go to the kitchen and watch the fire, make sure it doesn't burn."

"Zhu Zi, I'm going to the kitchen. You can talk to your Uncle Yu later."

"Okay, Aunt Ping, come visit us more often when you have time. It's been a long time since I've seen you."

"Okay, I'll go back this week."

Footsteps and Yu Zecheng's steady voice came from the other end of the phone: "Zhu Zi?"

"Uncle Yu, excuse me. I'd like to ask you more about the trainee you've mentored, Inspector Lin Guozheng."

“Lin Guozheng…” Yu Zecheng paused only slightly before continuing, “Among his classmates at the police academy, he ranked in the top three in overall quality. He was an accurate marksman, excellent in hand-to-hand combat, and had a strong tactical awareness. What’s even more rare is that he had principles. Back then, the police force had a bad atmosphere, and some people hinted that he should ‘know what’s good for him,’ but he pretended not to understand. He was meticulous in investigating cases, and he was often given a hard time for it, but he never backed down. He was a promising talent, with a righteous heart.” Yu Zecheng’s words were concise and powerful, and the last two words, “righteous heart,” carried even more weight.

As someone who shoulders a special mission, he has extremely keen and strict standards for judging people's "hearts".

"Understood, thank you Uncle Yu." He Yuzhu's doubts were further dispelled.

Yu Zecheng's evaluation carries immense weight.

"You're welcome."

"You have to come back this weekend too, I'll cook for you myself."

“No problem, it’s not easy to get a meal cooked by you,” Yu Zecheng said with a smile.

See you this weekend.

"Okay." Yu Zecheng said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu still felt uneasy, so he dialed Bai Yifeng's number again.

"Old Bai, there's something I need you to do."

"Boss, what are your orders?"

"Help me check on someone, Inspector Lam Kwok-ching of the West Kowloon Organized Crime and Triad Bureau."

"Boss, what are you investigating? Is it something Orion's side wants to investigate?"

"No, my Yushui has taken a liking to this kid. Can you help me investigate? First, find out exactly how Yushui and Lin Guozheng met—the specific time, place, occasion, and all the details. Focus on whether there are any signs of arrangement or if it was a 'chance encounter.' Second, Lin Guozheng, his ancestors for eighteen generations—I need the most detailed background report possible. His own life, his immediate family, his social connections, his financial situation, especially any unusual financial transactions or behavioral changes before or after the establishment of the ICAC. Investigate thoroughly."

"Understood, boss." Bai Yifeng tried hard to suppress a laugh. His boss was just worried and confused. He knew that He Yuzhu must have made a round of calls before calling him, but he was still worried.

"I'll wait for your news!"

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu didn't go downstairs. He stayed in his study, thinking that he would definitely encounter similar situations again in the future, along with his younger brothers and Wang Siyu. It seemed he needed to keep a close eye on the younger ones.

He wasn't afraid of anything else, but he was afraid of those with ulterior motives. In the end, it wouldn't just be one person who would be harmed, but the entire He family.

After a while, Chen Lanxiang's voice came from downstairs: "Zhuzi, Zhuzi, are you done with your work? Come down and have dinner when you're done."

"Okay, Mother, I'm coming down right now," He Yuzhu replied hastily.

When He Yuzhu came downstairs, the restaurant was filled with the aroma of food.

The old lady, Mr. Chen, Chen Lanxiang, and He Yuzhu's children were all seated; the others were busy and hadn't returned yet.

He Yushui was standing next to the old lady, her face still flushed, and she was whispering something. When she saw He Yuzhu come down, she quickly glanced at him and then lowered her head again.

“Brother…” He Yushui’s voice was barely audible.

He Yuzhu pulled out a chair, sat down, and picked up his chopsticks: "Have you made things clear?"

"Hmm..." He Yushui nodded, her face turning even redder.

“You can explain the Wu family’s matter to your mother yourself. As for your Inspector Lin,” He Yuzhu picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, his tone as calm as if he were talking about the weather, “I got his badge number. I’ve also asked about Orian, Aunt Ping, and Uncle Yu.”

He Yushui suddenly looked up, her eyes shining brightly with anticipation and nervousness: "What...what did they say?"

"Inspector An said he's Madam Wang's right-hand man, with a good reputation. He's been screened by the ICAC, clean and with a bright future. Aunt Ping said he's really good, clear-headed, knows the rules, and has a bottom line. Uncle Yu," He Yuzhu paused, glancing at his sister, "said he was among the top three in his class at the police academy, with outstanding marksmanship, combat skills, and tactical awareness. More importantly, he's ambitious and principled. He didn't go astray under pressure back then; he's a good prospect, with a righteous heart."

He Yuzhu spoke the words "upright heart" with exceptional clarity.

He Yushui's eyes instantly welled up with tears, but the corners of her mouth turned up in a wide smile as she nodded vigorously: "I knew it! I knew he was that kind of person!"

Listening from the side, Chen Lanxiang's worry mostly faded, and she let out a long sigh of relief: "Orion, your Aunt Ping, and Uncle Yu all said so... then, then this child should be alright. A good heart, that's good, that's good!" The old lady also smiled and patted He Yushui's hand.

He Yuzhu took a bite of rice, swallowed it, and then continued, "However..."

He Yushui's heart jumped again.

“Orion and his team look at the police files and the surface performance, but I’m the kind of person who believes what I see with my own eyes.” He Yuzhu’s tone was flat. “I’ve already asked Lao Bai to investigate thoroughly. I need to know how he met you, how anyone arranged things between you and him, whether the ICAC has any dirty dealings with him.”

"Brother!" He Yushui exclaimed anxiously, "You...you've gone too far! What will he think when he finds out? It'll seem like we don't trust him at all!"

"Trust?" He Yuzhu put down his chopsticks and looked calmly at his sister. "Yushui, you are a daughter of the He family. What position does your brother hold now? How many people are watching us? We just took down Jardine Matheson and drove Grosvenor away, and now an O-Division inspector is getting involved with my sister? If you were me, how would you feel?"

His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried an undeniable authority: "I'm investigating him not because I don't trust him, but to see if he deserves my sister's trust, and more importantly, to see if anyone wants to use him as a scapegoat to stab the He family in the heart. If he's truly as upright and clean as Inspector An and the others say, then naturally I'm not afraid of an investigation. But if he feels wronged because of this, if he feels his manly pride has been hurt..."

He Yuzhu smirked, a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Then he'd better stay away from my sister right now. If he doesn't even have that much awareness, what right does he have to stand by my sister, He Yuzhu?"

He Yushui opened her mouth, but looking into her brother's calm yet powerfully authoritative gaze, she ultimately swallowed her words and mumbled an "Oh." She knew this was her brother's bottom line, and also his way of protecting her. But she couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy for Lin Guozheng.

Chen Lanxiang tried to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, alright, Zhuzi is doing this for your own good, for the sake of this family. Now that everything is clear, everyone can rest assured. Let's eat!"

The meal went relatively peacefully, but He Yushui was clearly a little distracted.

After dinner, He Yuzhu didn't stay in the living room for long and went straight back to his study.

I had barely sat down when the hotline on my desk rang.

"Boss." It was Bai Yifeng.

"speak."

"After investigating the initial contact points, it was found that Ms. Ho and Inspector Lam first met three months ago at the 'Kam Kee' tea restaurant near the West Kowloon Police Station. It was around 3:20 p.m., not during mealtimes. Ms. Ho's car had broken down on the side of the road, and Inspector Lam happened to be patrolling by and helped push the car to start. There was CCTV footage at the time, and we also retrieved statements from the tea restaurant owner and several regular customers. It was indeed a chance encounter, with no signs of being deliberately arranged. Inspector Lam was wearing uniform at the time and was on his patrol route."

He Yuzhu hummed in agreement and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

The chance encounter...and the time and place were also reasonable.

At first glance, there seems to be no problem.

“What about the background?” he asked.

"Lam Kwok-ching's ancestral home is Foshan, Guangdong Province. He came to Hong Kong with his parents in the 1950s. His father, Lam Hoi-sang, was originally the owner of a small hardware store, but passed away six years ago. His mother, Lee Sau-chun, is in poor health and now lives in a small rented room in Sham Shui Po, supporting herself and her son by doing odd jobs. She has a younger sister, Lam Siu-wai, who works in a garment factory in Kwun Tong. The family has a very clean background; they are ordinary citizens with no ties to the underworld or business world, and their relatives are all ordinary wage earners. Lam Kwok-ching himself graduated from the police academy and has a clear resume, rising step by step from uniform to the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) to become an inspector. Before and after the establishment of the ICAC, his bank statements were clean, with no unexplained large incomes. He only owns a second-hand Toyota sedan and rents an old tenement building near the West Kowloon Police Station. His social circle is simple, mainly consisting of his police colleagues and a few old neighbors. The consensus is that he is hardworking, stubborn, incorruptible, and a bit... inflexible."

Bai Yifeng's report was well-organized, and he added at the end: "Boss, based on all the information we can find and the external investigations, this Lin Guozheng has a clean background, just a policeman who makes a living by his own abilities and has some idealism. His encounter with Miss He was indeed by chance."

He Yuzhu remained silent for a moment.

The insights of Orion, Aunt Ping, and Uncle Yu, combined with Bai Yifeng's professional investigation, led to highly consistent conclusions.

This Lin Guozheng seems to have really just been lucky (or unlucky?) to be chosen by his sister.

"Understood." He Yuzhu's voice was emotionless. "Keep an eye on the cases he's handling, especially the ones he's working on recently. In the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) area, things are never peaceful. See if anyone tries to drag him down or deliberately pushes him into dangerous cases."

"Understood, boss."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu leaned back in his chair and gazed at the deep night outside the window.

"Upright character, clean background, chance encounter—it seems... there's nothing to criticize?"

But that lingering sense of unease still hadn't completely dissipated.

Perhaps it's just a growing suspicion born from the cutthroat world of business?

Perhaps, subconsciously, he felt his younger sister was still too young (even though she's almost thirty), and he couldn't bear to part with her?

He rubbed his temples. In any case, he still wanted to see the person in person. Aunt Ping and the others would be coming back for dinner on the weekend, which would be a good opportunity.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door.

"Brother?" It was He Yushui's voice, tinged with a hint of caution.

"Come in."

He Yushui pushed open the door and came in, holding a cup of freshly brewed ginseng tea. She placed it on the desk but didn't leave. She stood there, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

"What's wrong?" He Yuzhu asked, looking at her.

He Yushui mustered her courage: "Brother... Lao Bai... has the investigation finished? He... he's okay, right?" Her eyes were filled with expectation, but also a hint of trepidation.

He Yuzhu picked up the ginseng tea, blew on it to cool it down, and didn't answer directly: "Orion and the others were right, and Aunt Ping and Uncle Yu were also right. The preliminary results of Lao Bai's investigation are about the same as what you said."

He Yushui's eyes lit up instantly, and she breathed a huge sigh of relief: "I knew it!"

“But,” He Yuzhu put down his cup and looked at his sister, “I still want to see this person with my own eyes. Aunt Ping and Uncle Yu will be back for dinner this Saturday, so invite him along.”

"Huh?" He Yushui was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with huge joy. "Brother! You agreed? You're willing to see him?"

"It's just a meeting." He Yuzhu's tone remained calm. "Your brother won't get through this easily. Tell him to dress smartly and not embarrass himself."

"I know, I know!" He Yushui was so excited she almost jumped up. "He'll definitely do it! Don't worry, brother! I'll go tell him right now!" After saying that, she ran out like a gust of wind, all traces of her earlier anxiety gone.

He Yuzhu watched his sister's joyful figure disappear into the distance, shook his head helplessly, and picked up the cup of ginseng tea to take a sip.

"Hopefully... this kid can really do it!"

(End of this chapter)