Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

Zhang Huanchun smiled and said, "It's like this. Didn't we work together to solve the theft case in the finance department of the textile factory a while ago and help them recover their wages? Director Liu of the textile factory has been wanting to express his gratitude, so he hosted a simple lunch at the factory canteen today and specifically asked me to invite you to come along."

After listening to Zhang Huanchun finish explaining the situation, Jia Dongming understood the situation.

He chuckled slightly and replied into the microphone, "The case was solved by a large team. If the textile factory needs help, they should be the ones to ask—it's not my turn."

Zhang Huanchun quickly took over the phone: "Comrade Dongming, you can't say that."

"They did arrest the man, that's true, but if you hadn't figured out the trick and given them the direction, how could they have caught him and recovered the money so quickly? In fact, you deserve the most credit."

Having said that, Jia Dongming stopped refusing. "Since you put it that way, Captain, it would be too formal for me to be any more polite."

Seeing that he had agreed, Zhang Huanchun's tone relaxed considerably: "Alright, let's meet at the textile factory gate at 11:00 AM sharp."

Jia Dongming glanced at his watch—10:23.

He replied, "Okay, I'll ride over right now. See you at the entrance."

After hanging up the phone, he casually tidied up the winter buds on the table, picked up his briefcase, and walked out.

Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I bumped into Zhang Guoping, who was rushing back looking travel-worn.

"Guoping, have all the supplies been delivered?"

Jia Dongming stopped and asked.

Zhang Guoping was about to go upstairs to report to him when he saw him come down, and his face immediately lit up with a smile: "Director, we just brought him back! Director Li of the branch office said that our security section deserves the most credit for this counter-espionage case, and he specially rewarded us with a freshly slaughtered, fat pig, weighing over two hundred pounds!"

Jia Dongming raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He hesitated for a moment, then instructed, "Since there is pork, let's keep the canned beef that we said we would distribute earlier—it's easy to store in winter."

How about we change it to half a pound of pork per worker?

Zhang Guoping nodded repeatedly: "Mingbai, I'll have the cafeteria prepare them right away and notify everyone to come and collect them."

"besides,"

Jia Dongming added, "The three injured comrades should each pick a good piece of pork belly and have it delivered to their homes."

You can give my portion directly to the logistics warehouse and have my sister-in-law keep it.

"Don't worry, it will be taken care of."

Jia Dongming rode his bicycle to the textile factory.

Halfway there, he saw three figures riding bicycles side by side ahead and quickened his pace to catch up.

Only when they got closer did they realize that it was Zhang Huanchun and his group.

"Team Leader Zhang,"

He greeted them with a smile, "I thought I'd get here before you."

Hearing the voice, Zhang Huanchun turned around and saw it was him. He smiled and said, "I left as soon as I finished calling you. Our branch is close to the textile factory, so it'll be faster."

Lin Minghua, who was riding alongside him, turned his head and looked at Jia Dongming with sincere gratitude in his eyes: "Deputy Captain Jia, I was originally planning to invite you separately after the case was completely closed in a couple of days - but today, since it's a banquet at the textile factory, I have to toast you a few times."

"If it weren't for your crucial suggestion at that critical moment, this case would have dragged on indefinitely."

Jia Dongming waved his hand: "I just happened to know that the fragrance of flowers can trigger asthma, so I mentioned it casually."

"The real case was solved thanks to your whole team."

On the other side, Zhao Baoguo laughed heartily: "Deputy Chief Jia, if more of these 'coincidences' happen, we'll never have to worry about clues going cold or cases remaining unsolved again!"

The four chatted and laughed all the way, and soon arrived at the gate of the textile factory.

Factory Director Liu, who had been waiting there, quickly approached with several factory leaders, extending his hand from afar: "Team Leader Zhang, we've been waiting for you!"

Zhang Huanchun shook hands with him and stepped aside to introduce him, saying, "Director Liu, this is Jia Dongming, the deputy head of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of our Dongcheng Branch Bureau and also the security officer of the steel rolling mill."

Zhang Huanchun gestured to Jia Dongming beside him and introduced him to everyone, saying, "Deputy Director Jia deserves great credit for the textile factory's successful recovery of the lost funds and the smooth closure of the case."

After saying that, he turned to Jia Dongming: "Dongming, this is Factory Director Liu Xiangqian."

Jia Dongming immediately stepped forward, bowed slightly, and shook hands with Liu Xiangqian, saying respectfully, "Director Liu, I've heard so much about you."

Although Liu Xiangqian had never met Jia Dongming in person, he had long heard of his name.

A few days ago, the case of the enemy agent at the steel rolling mill shocked the Ministry. Several leaders slammed their fists on the table and got angry at the meeting, but they also nodded in praise.

He had assumed that the person who had accomplished this task was a seasoned veteran, but he was surprised to find that the newly appointed head of the security department was so young.

Seeing the other person's humble attitude, Liu Xiangqian quickly shook hands firmly in return, a warm smile spreading across his face:

"Section Chief Jia! You've only been in office for a few days, and you've already eradicated all the spies lurking in the steel rolling mill, and even kept the special workshop safe and sound."

"During departmental meetings, the leaders mentioned your name quite often!"

Jia Dongming feigned a fearful expression and repeatedly said:

"Director Liu is too kind."

As the head of security at the steel rolling mill, protecting the mill's security is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it.

"Hey—that's not how it works."

Liu Xiangqian smiled and waved his hand.

"Without real skills, how could you uncover the mole and catch them all in one fell swoop before you even had a thorough understanding of the security department? You're too modest."

Jia Dongming simply lowered his head and smiled:

"In front of you all, I am ultimately a junior."

Going forward, I'll need everyone's guidance and help.

Liu Xiangqian naturally didn't take these polite words seriously.

He then introduced the textile factory's several managers to Jia Dongming and his group.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he led everyone toward the factory's small canteen.

Before long, cold and hot dishes were served into the private room.

The logistics director filled everyone's glasses, and Liu Xiangqian raised his glass first, smiling at the factory leaders present:

"Old Gao, Old Zhao, let's toast the police officers together—if it weren't for their quick cracking of the case by following the clues left by the thief and catching him red-handed, we would probably all be criminals in the textile factory."

This toast is to thank them for rooting out the corrupt officials in the factory and recovering the workers' hard-earned money!

Zhang Huanchun picked up his wine glass, his expression earnest:

"Director Liu, Deputy Director Gao, and Deputy Director Zhao, maintaining local security and ensuring the safety of production units are our inherent responsibilities."

We appreciate this toast.

Deputy Factory Director Gao interjected with a smile:

"Captain Zhang, you're being too polite."

The workers toil for a whole month, relying entirely on this meager wage to make ends meet.

If the money really can't be found, how many families will go hungry? You're giving them a life-saving rescue.

"Old Gao is right."

Deputy Factory Director Zhao also raised his glass in agreement.

"Who would have thought that a few wisps of floral fragrance would become the key to solving the case? This case was handled brilliantly, and it also served as a reminder to us—bad elements are hidden within our ranks, and it's really not easy to detect them under normal circumstances."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Zhang Huanchun nodded with a smile:

"Since all three factory managers have said so, then we'll accept it without hesitation."

Come, let us drink this cup together.

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down.

As the logistics director poured the wine again, Liu Xiangqian turned to Zhang Huanchun and remarked with emotion:

"Honestly, this case was solved in a way that is truly admirable."

To be able to pinpoint the culprit solely by the scent of flowers and plants… If I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed that criminal investigations could be so meticulous.

Following Director Liu's words, Zhang Huanchun's memory was drawn back to the scene outside the interrogation room.

He let out a soft sigh, his voice tinged with emotion: "Director Liu, to be honest with you, when I saw Chen Si's state that day, my first thought was... this man is probably going to die."

"At that time, everyone felt a chill in their hearts, thinking that the remaining money would probably be lost along with Chen Si and never be seen again."

He paused, a glint of light appearing in his eyes. "But who could have predicted that Director Jia, after only hearing fragmented descriptions from Comrade Lin Minghua and sniffing the faint floral scent in the interrogation room, immediately concluded that this was not a natural death, but a cover-up."

"Following the lead that Director Jia pointed out, the investigation didn't take too much trouble. The real culprit was brought to light, and all the lost money was recovered."

As Zhang Huanchun spoke, he shook his head, "You might find it hard to believe, but that's perfectly normal."

Even now, when I think back on it, it feels like hearing a legend.

This account made Liu Xiangqian pause for a moment to ponder.

He raised his hand to pick up the wine glass in front of him, and when he turned to Jia Dongming, his expression was unusually gentle and solemn: "Director Jia, this risky move was entirely due to your decisive action at the crucial moment."

"By catching the culprit and recovering the workers' hard-earned money, everyone in the factory will remember this kindness."

He paused briefly, then raised his glass slightly: "This glass is for you."

"You've conveyed your meaning; there's no need to force it."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming immediately picked up his glass and smiled calmly: "Director Liu, you flatter me."

I am both the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill and the deputy head of the criminal investigation detachment of the branch bureau. Both in public and private matters, these are my duties.

Your politeness makes me feel uneasy.

Liu Xiangqian tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass. When he put the glass down, the curiosity in his eyes overcame the alcohol: "Director Jia, there's something that's been on my mind for a long time."

"You've only been here for three days, and you're completely unfamiliar with the place. How did you manage to pinpoint the 'landmines' planted by the enemy agents and even raid their hideout in the special operations workshop? Is there some kind of trick to it?"

Although the system gave a hint, there was indeed a bit of chance involved.

Facing the probing gazes of the crowd, Jia Dongming smiled calmly: "Director Liu, this matter is quite interesting, and it really does have something to do with what you just mentioned about 'being unfamiliar with the place'."

"Our factory's security chief, Director Lin, has been on long-term leave due to illness, so the three brigades under him inevitably operate somewhat independently."

I was parachuted in, and unintentionally blocked some people's way. On my first day in office, the three captains tacitly ignored me.

He spoke calmly, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs, "I truly felt the sense of alienation and isolation you described back then."

To gain a foothold, one must first understand the environment. So, during the day, whenever I had free time, I would walk around the factory area, observing as I went. Before I knew it, I had wandered near the special workshop.

"At that time, I noticed a small brick house standing alone about 30 or 40 meters away from the workshop."

I found it strange, so I asked around and found out that it was an old building used by the security department. Later, a new security office was built in the workshop, and the old building was abandoned.

The factory originally planned to demolish it, but for some reason it was left behind.

At first, I didn't think much of it.

It wasn't until I went back to the toilet that I overheard two cleaners complaining, cursing that some scoundrel was secretly dumping construction waste into the septic tank every day.

Jia Dongming's eyes narrowed slightly. "The speaker may not have meant anything by it, but the listener may have taken it to heart."

I immediately thought of that abandoned brick house.

That night, he went to keep watch nearby, hoping to try his luck.

"And sure enough, they did see it—a few figures, under the cover of night, carried soil out of the brick house and quietly dumped it into the septic tank."

After they left, I sneaked into the brick building to investigate and discovered the tunnel leading to the special workshop, as well as the explosives buried under the workshop's foundation.

"At that time, I wasn't familiar with the people in the security department, and I wasn't sure if the inside was clean, so I didn't alert the factory."

He continued, "I then contacted my old comrade-in-arms from the army, Wang Dapao, who is now the director of Jiaodaokou Police Station."

With the cooperation of the local police station, the details and number of this group of enemy agents were ascertained, and finally, the operation was launched, wiping them out in one fell swoop.

Liu Xiangqian listened intently, then suddenly remembered another rumor and couldn't help but ask, "Director Jia, I heard that Yang Weimin's arrest was related to his wife? Is his wife... really a low-level enemy agent leader lurking in Beijing?"

Jia Dongming nodded solemnly: "Yang Weimin's wife, Zhang Huizi, is the leader of this group of enemy agents."

Yang Weimin had a habit of taking factory documents home to process.

Zhang Huizi took this opportunity to steal a large amount of intelligence.

When we went to arrest Zhang Huizi, we found a freshly copied confidential document in the Yang family's house; the ink wasn't even dry yet.