Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

Liu Zhenhan was suddenly taken aback, his expression turning serious as he stared at the person before him and asked, "What did you say?"

"I said, the investigation into the issues related to Nie Mingyu should be put on hold for now."

Nie Dahai looked up at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Evidence gathering, personnel screening, and bank account freezing are all temporarily suspended."

"The relevant clues about Longteng Group should be sealed off for now. There's no rush to report them; let's hold off for a while."

Liu Zhenhan's face darkened instantly, and he said, word by word, "You are interfering with the handling of the case."

He couldn't believe his ears at that moment.

I can't believe that this wise godfather would make such a foolish decision at this crucial juncture.

This is no small matter. After the meeting, the requirements were clearly stated. He is defying us, openly defying us!

"I am not interfering with the investigation."

Nie Dahai spoke calmly, but his eyes unconsciously looked away. Then, as he took out a cigarette, he said, "The evidence is still flawed, and the related clues have not been completely closed. If we rush into a deep investigation and expand the scope too much, it could easily lead to misjudgments."

"The postponement is for the sake of being more rigorous and prudent. At the same time, you should know that my position is different, so everything must be handled with even greater caution."

"None of what you're saying exists!"

Liu Zhenhan stood up abruptly. "I have already spoken remotely with Vice Minister Zhou, Vice Minister Qi, and Secretary Sima of Baijiang. The existing evidence is confirmed to be accurate and flawless."

"You're now telling me to suppress the case and delay the investigation, which is blatant defiance of orders from higher authorities and an act of favoritism and cover-up!"

With the debt of gratitude for being raised before him and the duty of the law upon him, Liu Zhenhan was momentarily stunned, muttering, "I heard that you publicly promised at the meeting during the day that you would not interfere and would fully cooperate, how come now... you can't be confused!"

Looking at his godson, who was upright and law-abiding, Nie Dahai felt a mix of emotions.

He knew that Liu Zhenhan was right, that he was gambling everything and ruining his future, and that this was an act of favoritism and perverting justice to cover up crimes.

But he had no choice.

Reason told him that stopping, abiding by the law, and going with the flow was the only right path.

That slap just now seemed to have woken him up as well.

His selfishness told him that if he didn't back down and protect his son, he would lose him completely.

He already owed Nie Mingyu too much, and had already given up on him once. He absolutely could not give up on him a second time.

Nie Dahai's eyes gradually turned cold. He stood up in the middle of the hall, took a deep drag on his cigarette, turned his head to the side, and his eyes were filled with a desperate, obsessive determination.

"Zhenhan, I am the Party Secretary of Yangcheng City, the top leader of Yangcheng..."

"So, you're speaking now as Secretary Nie?"

Liu Zhenhan interrupted.

"Then please address me by my title and 'comrade', Secretary Nie!"

Upon hearing this, Nie Dahai turned around abruptly. Seeing the unwavering determination in his adopted son's eyes, he paused for a moment, then slowly nodded and said, "Alright!"

"Vice Mayor Liu, this case is under the jurisdiction of Yangcheng, and I have full authority to supervise it. I hereby order you to temporarily suspend the investigation, seal off the leads, and await further instructions."

"I won't accept it!"

Liu Zhenhan said in a deep voice, turning around, picking up the police cap he had casually placed on the sofa, putting it on, and standing tall, looking directly at the person in front of him, "Police investigations must be conducted in accordance with the law and regulations, and must not be interfered with by personal relationships. This case is jointly supervised by the higher-level public security and discipline inspection commissions, and I am also subject to their leadership. As long as I am still the director of Yangcheng City Public Security Bureau, I will handle this case!"

Looking at his incorruptible appearance, Nie Dahai's last trace of hesitation vanished completely.

He knew that from this moment on, the two of them would be on opposite sides.

"Comrade Liu Zhenhan, you are a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Vice Mayor, and Director of the Public Security Bureau. I am the Secretary of the Yangcheng Municipal Party Committee, in charge of and leading all work in Yangcheng. All your law enforcement work must first and foremost adhere to the principle of organizing and leading political and legal work. Regardless of rank or position, this is the principle, the rule, and the bottom line."

"This case is located in Baijiang and is supervised by the higher-level public security and discipline inspection commissions. However, in Yangcheng, all local police force deployment, case landing, clue handling, and field operations are under the unified jurisdiction of the Yangcheng Municipal Party Committee."

After saying that, Nie Dahai took out his phone and dialed a number: "Is this Secretary-General Zhou?"

"Secretary Nie, it's me. What are your instructions?"

"I am now issuing a local work instruction."

Nie Dahai looked at Liu Zhenhai in front of him and said into his phone, "First, effective immediately, the Municipal Public Security Bureau is to suspend all coercive measures against Longteng Group and Nie Mingyu himself. No summons, no freezing of assets, no investigation of accounts, and no interviews with anyone are permitted. All field investigation tasks are to be suspended from reporting."

"Secondly, all case files, records, and clues related to this case in the jurisdiction shall be collected and sealed by the Municipal Party Committee and the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Without my personal signature and approval, no one may access, report, or transfer them privately."

"Third, all police officers in the Municipal Public Security Bureau are to remain on standby, suspending all extended investigations into the Guwangbei case. The focus will be on completing a comprehensive review of the city's social order and stability maintenance efforts. The investigation will resume once the Municipal Party Committee has assessed the situation." (Why is it called the Public Security Bureau? Because this is a city, yes, that's right!)

Secretary-General Zhou on the other end of the phone was horrified. From these instructions, it was obvious what Nie Dahai wanted to do, but the question was, would it work?

"Secretary Nie, the municipal party committee has received instructions from higher authorities to cooperate with the special task force..."

"Comrade Zhou Yi, as the top leader of Yangcheng, I have a responsibility to safeguard the territory and maintain stability. Proceeding steadily and addressing risks proactively is my duty," Nie Dahai stated firmly. "Any questions? Should we hold a meeting to discuss this?"

"No problem, no need."

Secretary-General Zhou Yi swallowed hard.

"Okay, also, notify all members of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee that there will be a meeting in one hour. The agenda is for the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, and the Municipal Political and Legal Committee to launch a special investigation into Comrade Liu Zhenhan's performance of his duties, and to consider suspending his law enforcement powers as the head of the Public Security Bureau and suspending the work responsibilities of his team."

After Nie Dahai finished speaking, he hung up the phone immediately.

Liu Zhenhan felt ice-cold all over, a bone-chilling coldness spreading from the soles of his feet throughout his body.

At this point, Nie Dahai was no longer the person he knew, but a municipal party secretary who wielded great power and was willing to use any means of officialdom to protect his own.

"Do you know the consequences of doing this?"

"I know, but I have no other choice."

Nie Dahai's expression was complicated. "I've already wronged him too much. This time, I only ask for a way out. Zhenhan, I'm giving you one last piece of advice: seal off the clues, postpone the progress, cooperate with the city party committee's overall work, and give Mingyu a chance to breathe."

"I don't know how serious his crime was, and I never intended to let him escape legal punishment. I just wanted to give him a way out."

Liu Zhenhan stood tall, his police badge gleaming brightly under the living room lights, and spoke with resounding conviction:

"Before the law, there is no room for sentimentality."

"You can suspend me from my post, investigate my performance of duties, or strip me of my power, whatever you want."

"But as long as I, Liu Zhenhan, am still wearing this police uniform, as long as I have even a sliver of evidence, I will definitely report it, investigate it thoroughly, and give the victims justice."

After saying that, he straightened his police uniform, stood at attention, and saluted Nie Dahai.

Then, he turned and strode away.

Only after the roar of cars outside had faded into the distance did Nie Dahai slowly move outside.

'Click'

Just then, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

Before long, the drizzle began to fall, and soon turned into a downpour.