NOVEL WEB Chapter 191 - 191: Don't Take the Blame If It's Not Your Own!
Chapter 191: Don’t Take the Blame If It’s Not Your Own!
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Handing over the case was a straightforward matter since they hadn’t formally registered it yet. They had just come for an initial investigation. When Su Xuan handed over the gathered information to the police, they were left with nothing much to do.
The Hai Cheng police were surprised by the information Su Xuan had uncovered. After all, he had delved into aspects of the case that the Hai Cheng police hadn’t even considered. This new data expanded the scope of their investigation and added an extra layer of rigor to the case.
Ma Zhiyuan and his team offered a sincere apology to Su Xuan and his group for the incident involving the alcohol. They even suggested taking them out to explore the local area and have a meal as a gesture of goodwill.
However, remembering their experience of being plied with drinks, Zhou Qiang promptly declined the invitation. Moreover, their primary purpose for coming to Hai Cheng was to investigate the case. Since they had already handed over the case to the Hai Cheng police and provided all the information they had, there was no reason for them to stay in Hai Cheng any longer.
Thank you for your kind offer, but well pass on the meal,” Zhou Qiang said, waving his hand.
“Since we came out here for the case, and now that it’s in your hands, we should probably head back,” Zhou Qiang stated. “There are plenty of interesting places in Xiangcheng City too. If you ever need to come to Xiangjiang City for anything, you can look me up at the Jiangcheng Police Department. I’ll show you around!”
It was clear that Zhou Qiang’s words were polite gestures. Ma Zhiyuan and his team assumed Zhou Qiang was still upset about the previous incident, so they simply nodded in agreement. They didn’t linger at the Hai Cheng police department.
On their way back to retrieve their luggage, Zhou Qiang looked at Su Xuan with confusion. “Why are you so eager to leave? We could have worked on this case together. There was no need to hand everything over. By giving away the evidence like that, it’s as if we’ve handed over the entire case, and we won’t have any say in it in the future.”
This was the part that puzzled Zhou Qiang the most.
Previously, when Zhou Qiang learned that the Hai Cheng Police Department was also investigating the same case, he had been considering the possibility of joint cooperation between the two departments. After all, they had been investigating for quite some time. He wasn’t willing to simply hand over all the evidence. However, when Su Xuan returned and revealed that the Hai Cheng Police Department was already halfway through their own investigation, he received a significant look from Su Xuan.
Following that, Su Xuan handed over all their materials, including the ledger obtained from Qian Gui and the photographs. In fact, when Zhou Qiang saw him submit these items, he was left dumbfounded. But considering that Su Xuan had been the one to uncover these pieces of evidence, Zhou Qjang realized he had no authority to object. That’s how he managed to hold his peace until now.
“This case isn’t something we can handle,” Su Xuan stated, fully aware that
Zhou Qiang would ask. He spoke up immediately.
Zhou Qiang was taken aback by this revelation. What did it mean?
“This case isn’t just about human trafficking,” Su Xuan continued, his expression serious. He looked around to ensure no one was listening, then proceeded to brief Zhou Qiang on what he knew.
At the Hai Cheng Police Department, their officers were indeed focused on the human trafficking aspect,” Su Xuan explained. “But consider the actions they’ve taken since we arrived here, and the materials left unfinished on their desks…”
If we get involved in this case,” he added, “it might become endless.”
Zhou Qiang paused, trying to process Su Xuan’s words. “Are you saying…” He had sensed something odd about the situation based on Su Xuan’s hints, but he hadn’t dwelled on it. Now, with Su Xuan’s reminders, he started connecting the dots.
“Oh!” Zhou Qiang exclaimed. “I think I’ve seen something…”
“Are you suggesting… organ trafficking?”
Su Xuan quickly covered Zhou Qiang’s mouth before he could say more, and then urged him to move forward.
“All these things have nothing to do with us,” Su Xuan said. “You’d better not dwell on it. Let’s go, we’ll buy tickets for tomorrow. Today, let’s see if there are any local specialties we can buy. We should bring back some souvenirs.”
After coming all the way here on this assignment, we can’t return empty-handed, can we? That would be a waste!”
If they couldn’t complete the case, at least they should be able to buy some local products. It would be a shame to leave with nothing.
On the other side, Ma Zhiyuan and his team also breathed a sigh of relief. The case was of significant importance, and they hadn’t anticipated other local police officers investigating it as well.
Fortunately, the other party had handed over all the relevant information.
“Do you think…” Ma Zhiyuan began, addressing his colleagues, “why were they so willing to give us everything?”
He looked at his companions with a puzzled expression. “Judging by the way they came all the way here to investigate, it doesn’t seem like they’d be so straightforward.”
“The whole situation seems a bit strange, doesn’t it?”
Weird…” one of his colleagues responded, rolling their eyes. “Why do you care about why they handed things over to us?”
“Now that they’ve handed over the evidence, it means we won’t be dealing with this case anymore,” Su Xuan remarked. “We should be thankful to them instead of harboring suspicions here.”
He continued, “Speaking of which, Old Ma, you haven’t told me about what you did… You actually dared to bring those two police officers here and get them drunk for information… Who do you think you are?”
“After this case is over, you better stay at home and reflect on your actions! And there’s the quarterly audit… I won’t let anyone involved off the hook!”
Ma Zhiyuan:…
“No, please, Boss!”
Meanwhile, Su Xuan and Zhou Qiang were the first to inform Old Mai about the situation regarding the case. Sitting in his office, Old Mai was taken aback.
“All right, now that someone else has taken over the case, we won’t interfere,” Old Mai said. “Both of you come back as soon as possible. You’ve been working hard lately, and I’ll arrange some time off for you.”
He continued, “Speaking of which, we have plenty of cases in our own department that need to be resolved. When you come back, make sure to clear them all!”
“This matter ends here,” Old Mai concluded.
Su Xuan and Zhou Qiang exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Sir!”
Having received their department head’s approval, the two of them spent the entire afternoon wandering around the city of Haicheng, buying what they needed before returning to the hotel in a leisurely manner. Without any delay, they boarded the high-speed train the next day, heading straight to Xiangcheng City.
They had no intention of ever returning to Haicheng again, considering their current experiences.
“Excuse me, handsome, my child isn’t feeling well. Can you please switch seats with us?”
“I’ll be in the next carriage…”
“That carriage is too crowded…”
While Su Xuan was fetching hot water, he returned to find Zhou Qiang being stopped by a woman holding a child. She earnestly pleaded with Zhou Qiang to exchange seats with her. In just a few words, Zhou Qiang seemed on the verge of agreeing.
“Alright…”
At the moment Zhou Qiang agreed, Su Xuan walked over with a cup of instant noodles.
“Zhou, the noodles are ready!”