Chapter Sixty-Six: Gathering Momentum

After seeing Liu Molan safely home, Cao Long suddenly appeared from some obscure corner. Spotting Qin Yang was like seeing a long-lost relative—he almost burst into tears. “Mr. Qin, you’re finally back.”

“What’s going on?” Qin Yang frowned, his tone tinged with impatience. “Look at you, so spineless.”

“Brother, you left things behind so breezily, but what about us? Long Qiu Hu, after establishing his positive image, has started to suspect me. Do you know what people are saying about him now? Things like ‘outstanding role model,’ ‘an exemplary young man of Haitian City’—after people learned he was wronged, they’re all praising him, calling him a silent hero. These people are shameless!” Cao Long wished he could slap some sense into the oblivious public. No one knew better than him what kind of person Long Qiu Hu really was, but public opinion had already swung decisively in his favor. Bringing Long Qiu Hu down now would not be easy.

“He’s coming after you?” Qin Yang asked.

Cao Long sighed. “We’ve completely fallen out. The Bureau of Industry and Commerce, the Health Inspection Department, and the Narcotics Police have all investigated us. Thankfully, Boss Ji anticipated this and left no loose ends. We were also prepared for a full-on confrontation, holding onto every bit of leverage we have, ready to strike if Long Qiu Hu pushes us further. If it comes to it, we’ll both go down together. But the infuriating thing is that Long Qiu Hu has actually forced us to suspend business for rectification. We’re totally on the defensive now.”

“Are you stupid?” Qin Yang was furious. He’d played this very trick on Cao Long before—pressing closer, pushing limits but never quite crossing the line. Qin Yang had mastered this game. The way to counter it was to fight back relentlessly. Dragging Cao Long toward the car, he said, “If he’s pushed you this far, don’t you know how to hit back?”

“But right now, fighting back does more harm than good,” Cao Long replied bitterly.

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. “Cut the nonsense. The health inspectors have enjoyed plenty of perks; you must have dirt on them. Leak some of it.”

“But that’ll panic the others. What if—” Cao Long hesitated.

Qin Yang snorted. “Panic? These officials have clung to their positions for ages—they care deeply about their reputations. If anyone gets unruly, expose their secrets. If you push them, they’ll do anything to protect themselves. To guard against any retaliatory strikes, move all your evidence and leverage elsewhere. I’d like to see what tricks they try then!”

With Qin Yang’s support, Cao Long decided to risk it all. At this point, if they didn’t fight back, they’d be eaten alive.

That very night, Cao Long instructed his men to release evidence of a Health Inspection Department section chief’s embezzlement and bribery—along with proof of lavish and illicit expenditures. The shadow team assembled last time to frame Long Qiu Hu was still around; though their previous attempt had failed, they’d gained valuable experience. The damning evidence fell like snow, flooding major news outlets and dominating headlines. By dawn, the early news had already reported on the scandal.

The effect was immediate and striking.

By noon the next day, Cao Long received a flurry of calls—many delivering veiled warnings and advice. The pressure from various departments on Golden Pavilion ceased at once. Cao Long made his stance clear: a cornered dog will leap over a wall—let alone a man. After years in the game, he’d rather go down fighting.

Who was afraid of whom?

With his position secured, Cao Long navigated the situation with ease, no longer troubled by seasoned bureaucrats. Permits were quickly granted, and Golden Pavilion resumed business as usual. Ji Lietu took the opportunity to recruit his old trusted subordinates, striving to restore his team to its former strength.

Once Long Qiu Hu and his associates were subdued, Qin Yang received a call from Sun Qi. They agreed to meet at a café.

“We’re beginning to see the outlines,” Sun Qi said, wearied and burdened by a string of difficult cases: the attempt on Liu Molan’s life, the jewel heist, a suspected drug deal by Cao Xianhu, and Ji Lietu’s jailbreak. Each demanded her attention. Three major cases left her stretched thin, marshaling her forces as best she could, yet constantly breathless from the effort. Yet, the greater the challenge, the more invigorated she seemed.

“We suspect the bounty was placed by Zhao Ru, the second-largest shareholder of Tianfeng Group,” she explained. “He and his inner circle control thirty-seven percent of the shares, but he still can’t match Liu Molan’s father, Liu Ruoyu. Our investigation shows Zhao Ru’s proposals for the group’s development were repeatedly shot down by Liu Ruoyu. That could’ve given him motive for revenge. And Liu Molan is the perfect hostage against her father. We also suspect Zhao Ru has some connection with Cao Xianhu, but the nature of their relationship remains unclear.”

As Sun Qi finished, Qin Yang received another call—from one of Boss Cao’s men—reporting on Zhao Ru as well. Unlike Sun Qi’s tentative conclusions, this report was categorical.

After hanging up, Qin Yang turned back. “Haven’t you tried investigating him directly?”

“Zhao Ru is extremely cautious with his security,” Sun Qi replied, a trace of frustration in her voice. “He never goes anywhere without bodyguards. We can’t get close. Right now, Liu Ruoyu is in Europe on business and unaware of what’s happening here. Zhao Ru is probably trying to seize control of Tianfeng Group while he’s away.”

“So what’s your next step?” Qin Yang asked, curious.

Sun Qi shook her head. “We plan to infiltrate Zhao Ru’s sphere gradually—or capture Cao Xianhu in one swoop and coax a confession from him. If we get evidence of Zhao Ru’s crimes, I’ll feel much better about Liu Molan’s safety. That’s all I can tell you for now. The Hailong Jewelry Exhibition is tomorrow, and I’m stretched between preventing the jewel thieves’ heist and Cao Xianhu’s deal. Can you tell me the time and place of Cao Xianhu’s transaction now?”

Qin Yang shrugged. “Of course.”

He wrote a set of coordinates on a card and handed it over. “This address is what I have. Whether Cao Xianhu will change the location, I can’t say.”

“Alright,” Sun Qi replied without suspicion. “Thank you. I’ll treat you to a fine meal another day. I have to go.”

“Take care.”

Qin Yang finished his coffee, paid the bill, and hurried to Golden Pavilion. In a secret office at the back, he found Ji Lietu. Also present were Zhang Qi, Li Meng, and seven or eight others unfamiliar to Qin Yang. They were deep in discussion about the next day’s operation against Cao Xianhu and his associates. Seeing Qin Yang enter, Ji Lietu grinned. “Brother, you’re just in time—we were about to look for you.”