Chapter 55: Conquering Zhou Luping

“Director Ren, don’t be nervous,” Lin Xiaosu said. “I’m not here to target you.”

“What kind of talk is that?” Director Ren’s face darkened slightly.

“Director Ren, are you trying to say you’re not nervous? If that’s truly the case, why did you feel the need to put away the cigarettes on your desk before I entered? Throwing the ashtray into the trash is a bit much… Honestly, there’s no need to be anxious. The ‘Zhongxia’ soft pack is only sixty-five yuan a pack—not exactly a luxury item.”

Director Ren’s heart skipped a beat, his first glance shooting toward the trash can at his feet. It was right in front of him—did the visitor have x-ray vision?

Lin Xiaosu sighed softly. “But to be fair, Director Ren, your smoking habit is rather intense. Yesterday, before the end of the day, someone gifted you a carton of cigarettes. Less than a day later, there are only seven packs left inside. If you smoke like this, those who give you gifts will feel tremendous pressure…”

Director Ren’s hair stood on end.

There was indeed a carton in the cabinet, given to him by a businessman who came to discuss matters yesterday before leaving. And yes, there were only seven packs left.

This… all were secrets no one was supposed to know.

Yet the man before him had exposed everything the moment he walked in.

Suddenly, Director Ren felt chilled to the bone.

He couldn’t figure out Lin Xiaosu’s real purpose—could he truly be here to bring him down?

A detective wanting to take down a legitimate director—how could it be so easy?

But he mustn’t forget—just now, his deputy director was already having tea at the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

“If you keep talking nonsense, there’s no way we can have a normal discussion,” Director Ren said in a low voice.

His words sounded formal and stern, but between the lines was a hint of compromise—his aim was to talk business.

Lin Xiaosu smiled lightly. “Right, I almost forgot the main issue.”

He reached out and handed a fine notice to Director Ren. “This was delivered to our detective agency this morning by your bureau. Please take a look—see if there’s any problem.”

Director Ren took it, read carefully, and slowly looked up. “They’re just enforcing the law. Issuing a fine doesn’t necessarily mean the full amount will be charged. We understand it’s not easy for young entrepreneurs—about the fine, our leadership can discuss a certain reduction.”

Lin Xiaosu gently shook his head. “Lawful enforcement and partial reduction? Director Ren, does your staff not study the law? You have a computer in front of you—search for the ‘Special Services Business Regulations of Daxia,’ Article seventy-eight. What does it say?”

Director Ren turned on the computer and searched…

Special Services Business Regulations of Daxia, promulgated April 13, 2129, effective May 1, 2129.

Special services include: detective, consultancy…

Article seventy-eight: Special services fees are determined by contract agreement between parties.

“Did you see clearly, Director Ren? The detective industry is a special service industry. There’s no fixed pricing—fees are as agreed in the contract. As long as both parties’ intentions are genuine, it’s considered normal business. In other words, even if I, Lin Xiaosu, charge one hundred thousand, even a million, all I need to do is pay taxes according to the law! Your municipal security bureau has no grounds to issue fines!”

Director Ren exhaled slowly. “Looks like the staff need more training. They may not be familiar with the latest legal provisions.”

“Latest? Not anymore, Director Ren! It’s been in effect for a whole year now!” Lin Xiaosu said. “Your enforcers don’t study the law—this is dangerous.”

“Indeed! Enforcers who don’t study the law—it’s laughable! Detective Lin, rest assured, I’ll handle this matter.”

Lin Xiaosu smiled. “How will you handle it? Call Captain Zhou over and fine him three drinks?”

Director Ren’s expression shifted rapidly. Finally, he picked up his phone and made a call. “You and Xiao Song, come over immediately!”

Soon, the office door knocked. Captain Zhou Luping and Xiao Song appeared before the director. Seeing Lin Xiaosu, they gave a slight start—he came directly to the director? This guy, his methods are wild.

Was it really Detective Captain Zhang Haokong’s doing?

They, of course, had no idea their superior had just been taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

“What’s going on?” Director Ren’s face was grim, tapping the fine notice on the table.

Captain Zhou hurried to explain. “Director Ren, we were just enforcing the law. This detective agency’s fees are outrageous—even a dog…”

“Look, look…” Director Ren cut him off, turning the computer screen toward them, pointing to a line. “The detective industry is a special service; fees are determined by contract! Which law are you applying? The ‘Market Management Law,’ right? Its final article clearly states: This law does not cover special services. Special service provisions are established separately!”

Zhou Luping’s face changed.

Xiao Song’s face changed as well.

“I… we always enforced according to the ‘Market Management Law.’ Never noticed this provision…” Sweat appeared on Zhou Luping’s forehead.

“You! An old hand, making such a basic mistake? Write a self-critique—two copies: one for the bureau, one to hand personally to Detective Lin!”

Zhou Luping’s face twisted—he couldn’t accept it.

Writing a critique was nothing, but handing one to him as well—that was a major loss of face.

Lin Xiaosu smiled gently. “No need for a critique.”

This was a lifeline. With that, Director Ren relaxed, his face showing a warm smile.

Lin Xiaosu continued, “Director Ren says it’s a basic mistake, but that’s not quite right! He may not have been unaware of this law. He was just gambling that I didn’t know. Or perhaps he believes he has connections in the legal system, able to cover everything.”

“What are you implying? Are you accusing me of knowingly breaking the law?” Zhou Luping turned sharply.

“Whether it’s knowing violation, others may suspect, but there’s no proof. I won’t dwell on that. Let’s ask about something else…” Lin Xiaosu said. “Captain Zhou, this morning when Deputy Director Liu Dong instructed you to investigate my detective agency, he casually gave you two packs of cigarettes. Didn’t you find that odd?”

Zhou Luping’s heart leapt—the fact that you discovered the two packs of cigarettes, just how deep did you dig?

Director Ren’s face grew darker. Whenever “cigarettes” were mentioned, he couldn’t help but tense. Cigarettes had become a sensitive topic.

Lin Xiaosu said, “You’ve worked with him for years, there’s a tacit understanding. If it’s just normal investigation, would a superior need to give you cigarettes? Giving cigarettes is actually a signal: this matter is half-official, half-personal. You need to act quickly, and with a heavy hand.”

“You’re maliciously speculating. If you want details—Director Ren can ask Director Liu face-to-face,” Zhou Luping quickly switched topics, passing the sensitive issue up the chain, confident the superior could handle it.

Lin Xiaosu laughed. “Captain Zhou, you’re giving Director Ren a tough problem. Liu Dong is already having tea at the Anti-Corruption Bureau. How can Director Ren ask him face-to-face?”

Zhou Luping was stunned.

Xiao Song’s eyes widened.

Heavens, Director Liu is in custody!

This man had just told them, “Trouble is coming for your superiors,” and in less than three hours, Liu Dong was taken away!

What have we gotten ourselves into?

Zhou Luping steadied himself with a hand on the desk, taking a deep breath. “Director Ren, I… I admit my lack of study, my understanding of the legal provisions is incomplete. I made mistakes, but there was no intent to break the law.”

“When Liu Dong gave you cigarettes and asked you to handle a private case, you really weren’t alert?” Lin Xiaosu said quietly.

“Who gave me cigarettes? Show me the proof!” Zhou Luping finally exploded, pointing a finger at Lin Xiaosu.

Lin Xiaosu replied, “Evidence is not hard to obtain, but I’m too lazy to collect it. Do you know why?”

Zhou Luping’s chest heaved, but he said nothing.

Lin Xiaosu continued, “Because your accepting his cigarettes isn’t a big deal. If I fussed over this, it would make me look petty! I told you to your face—I want to bring you down. And my way isn’t at this low level.”

“You…”

Lin Xiaosu raised a hand to cut him off. “Two nights ago at nine, at the Bailu Restaurant, in room 8018, Li Kaiyuan—Tiger’s subordinate—discussed the Qinghe Company’s equity with you. You hold ten percent, correct?”

Zhou Luping’s mind went blank.

This touched his deepest secret, suddenly exposed without warning.

Why? How could this be discovered? There were no cameras, and under the high-pressure atmosphere after the 5.16 major case, their conversation was absolutely private.

Could Li Kaiyuan have been arrested? Confessed? But wasn’t he on the run?

Director Ren’s heart was pounding.

Lin Xiaosu said, “Qinghe Company is the key link in the 5.16 case. All shareholders are fugitives! Director Ren, the special task force’s phone number—will you call, or shall I?”

“You’re slandering me! I… I have no shares in Qinghe Company! Absolutely none!” Zhou Luping’s forehead bulged with veins, his agitation extreme.

“Calm down,” Lin Xiaosu said. “If you make me suspect you intend to kill and silence witnesses, and I dislocate your joints on the spot, that wouldn’t be good.”

Zhou Luping’s chest rose and fell, nearly frantic, but his hands and feet dared not move.

Lin Xiaosu no longer looked at him, focusing on Director Ren. “Director Ren, your bureau just produced a corrupt official, and now a fugitive. With such tremendous trouble, can you still watch calmly from the sidelines? What do you think the special task force will make of it?”

Director Ren’s face turned incomparably grim. Slowly, he picked up his phone and dialed…

Zhou Luping paced the office, his face wild with hysteria…

Director Ren shouted angrily, “Sit down! Wait for the special task force to investigate! The innocent will be cleared, the guilty exposed!”

Zhou Luping dropped heavily onto the sofa, his whole body finally showing signs of collapse.

If time could be reversed, he would never have touched this hot potato.

He could provoke anyone—even the county’s top leader—but he would never provoke this man. This was not a man, but a ghost!

His superior was finished!

He himself was finished!

This was Lin Xiaosu’s retaliation.

Clear and direct—if you try to bring me down, I’ll get you first!

The municipal security bureau’s move against him was resolved with a single article. His moves against Liu Dong and Zhou Luping sent them straight to jail for the winter!

Such decisive and uncanny methods, such immediate vengeance—who wouldn’t be terrified?

Xiao Song’s face was pale as death, standing there with trembling knees.