Chapter 7: Moving Out?

After finishing up here, Tang Jianing returned to the car.

“Take me to the Criminal Investigation Unit!”

Now that the case was clear and all necessary arrangements had been made, all that remained was to catch Liao Wenjie. It was also a good time to visit her incredibly unlucky father.

The car sped along and soon stopped at the entrance of the Criminal Investigation Unit.

Gazing at the brightly lit building, Tang Jianing narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Hello, may I ask what your business is?” A young detective passing by couldn’t help but ask as Tang Jianing stepped out of the car.

“I’m Tang Liqian’s daughter. I want to see him.”

Her calm voice instantly stiffened the young detective’s expression, who glanced nervously into the building.

“Currently, Tang Liqian is a suspect and, as per regulations, cannot meet with anyone except his lawyer.”

“But our director is still in his office.”

With that, the young detective quickly hurried away.

The provincial authorities had come down to investigate, and right off the bat, they had detained a prominent local entrepreneur. This was essentially a public humiliation for the Shancheng Criminal Investigation Unit.

The young detective’s well-meaning warning was actually laced with dissatisfaction toward the team from the provincial capital.

“Wait for me in the parking lot,” Tang Jianing told the driver, then followed the signs to the director’s office.

She knocked on the door, and a strong voice called out, “Come in!”

Entering the office, she saw the director, a man in his forties, deeply engrossed in paperwork.

“Uncle Song, long time no see!” Tang Jianing greeted.

The director looked up, startled at first. When he recognized her, his surprise faded into a bitter smile.

“Jianing, my niece, you’re here for your father?”

“Of course. They arrested him, and I haven’t heard a thing. I had no choice but to trouble you this late.”

Her tone carried a hint of grievance, which deepened the director’s faint smile.

“I’m truly sorry about this. I never expected these people to act so recklessly.”

“But we haven’t mistreated Chairman Tang. I even gave up my own rest quarters for him. Aside from being cut off from the outside world, he’s not suffering any hardship.”

“Can I see him?”

Tang Jianing didn’t press further and simply made her request clear.

“In principle, that’s not allowed.”

“But I know Chairman Tang’s character well. A brief conversation of ten or fifteen minutes should be fine, as long as I serve as a witness.”

The director tidied the papers on his desk and stood up.

“Come on, I’ll take you there.”

“Thank you, Uncle Song!”

Tang Jianing smiled as she followed the director to a room further inside.

“Chairman Tang, your daughter is here. We’re coming in!”

As the door opened, her father finally appeared before her.

The director’s words were accurate: the room had a bed, a desk, and even a television mounted on the wall.

Without internet access, her father could only pass the time watching shows.

“Why have you come, daughter?”

“You’ve committed murder, and I can’t come to see you?”

“Nonsense! When did I ever commit murder?” Tang Liqian’s face was filled with anger.

His dealings abroad had no connection to domestic affairs. That small country had no treaties with China and wasn’t even a member of the United Nations.

No matter how much turmoil he stirred there, it had no effect on the homeland.

Besides, Tang Group paid almost full taxes every year, yet they detained him without a word?

Seeing the anger burning on her father’s face, Tang Jianing blinked thoughtfully.

“Two things. You decide.”

“First, Haicheng contacted me an hour ago. They’re willing to offer Tang Group a tax holiday for two and a half years and provide a headquarters site larger than the current one.”

“Second, the investment has suffered losses because you’re not around. Continuing to pour money in might deepen those losses.”

Tang Liqian was momentarily stunned by her words but quickly caught on.

News of his detention couldn’t have reached Shancheng so fast, let alone a phone call in the middle of the night.

Clearly, she wasn’t speaking to him but to Director Song beside her.

As for that investment tonight, it totaled eighty thousand yuan for purchasing equipment for a factory.

Tang Jianing’s point was that the equipment was worth eighty thousand; anything beyond that was a loss.

Since someone wanted to compete for it, why not let it go?

Being father and daughter, once they opened the conversation, they knew how to cooperate.

“Haicheng needn’t rush to respond. Tomorrow, send out a survey to see how many employees are willing to relocate if the company moves.”

“Also, inform the investment department to abandon this failed venture completely. We’ll find other opportunities.”

…

Their exchange had Director Song sweating profusely.

The provincial team had secretly detained Tang Liqian tonight. He only found out upon arrival at the unit.

Their main goal was to clear suspicions. The other suspects on the list were easy to arrest, but as chairman of a group, Tang Liqian could easily slip away.

Though director, he was a frontline detective himself.

He was prepared to apologize and accept punishment to expedite the investigation.

But if Tang Group relocated, that would be beyond mere disciplinary actions. He would become the public enemy of all Shancheng!

Tang Group provided countless jobs and paid substantial taxes every year.

Whether for the sake of the workers or to calm the father and daughter’s anger, Director Song quickly tried to make amends.

“Ahem, Chairman Tang, wait a moment. Haicheng isn’t all that great. In terms of transportation and development, Shancheng is still the better choice!”

Though not usually involved in such matters, the director had enough experience to know what to say.

Seeing progress, Tang Jianing gave her father a meaningful glance, signaling she would handle the rest.

“Director Song, you know how important a stable environment is for us businessmen.”

“I think Haicheng’s development can’t match Shancheng’s, but at least they should offer the respect entrepreneurs deserve, right?”

Her low voice made the director sweat even more.

“Well, if you have any demands, feel free to make them. After all, our group has been in Shancheng for so many years. There’s some sentiment there, isn’t there?”

The director forced a smile that seemed strained. Tang Jianing had no intention of making things harder for him.