Chapter 103: Psychological Shadows

"The vehicle involved in the accident, along with the owner's statement and photographs of the chassis number, have been sent directly to Jinling. They arrived just this afternoon, and the Provincial Department has already begun gathering evidence. My only concern now is that Wu Dong might find someone to take the fall for him."

Hu Haibo voiced his apprehension, to which Du Cheng replied, "If you want to prevent him from finding a scapegoat, you have to gather ironclad evidence of Wu Dong's hit-and-run as quickly as possible."

Hu Haibo nodded. "The driver who helped him dispose of the vehicle is one lead, and once the forensic examination of the car is complete, we should gain some ground there as well."

He continued, "Isn't it rumored online that a mine manager from your area was in Wu Dong's car that night? The information being leaked online has been largely accurate so far, so that claim about the mine manager is likely true as well."

Du Cheng pursed his lips, looking uncertain. "That mine manager is named Guo Lin. His relationship with Wu Dong is certainly not ordinary. Rumor has it that the money Wu Dong has given him as 'tribute' is counted in the millions. The two are partners in interest. If you want to use Guo Lin as a breakthrough, I'm afraid it's a long shot."

"That is indeed tricky," Hu Haibo said, his expression troubled.

Suddenly, Hu Haibo raised an eyebrow. "By the way! Who do you think is the one leaking this information? How do they know so much?"

Du Cheng thought for a moment and said, "I've considered that. The leaker must be one of Wu Dong's enemies. He has offended quite a few people in the coal business over the past few years. Moreover, he is arrogant in his daily life and is suspected of having ties to organized crime. If the other party exposes all of this, and Wu Dong is truly convicted, he'll be looking at at least ten years behind bars."

Hu Haibo asked with a smile, "Old Du, if it turns out there's no strong evidence and we can't convict Wu Dong, will you blame me?"

Du Cheng replied quickly, "Why would I blame you? The public outrage is just too immense right now. If Wu Dong really does find a scapegoat and we lack direct evidence, then we'll have to arrest the scapegoat first to give the public some form of closure."

Hu Haibo took a deep drag of his cigarette and chuckled. "Alright, Old Du. We’ve been colleagues for years; we go way back. Besides, we both report to the same boss. I know that Li Jiawei is who you’re really targeting; otherwise, why would Director Liu have sent me here?"

Du Cheng’s eyes widened, a sharp glint flashing in them. "Haibo, to be honest with you, I do want to move against Li Jiawei. In the two or three years I’ve been in Haizhou, that guy has constantly worked against me, trying to squeeze me out. I’m fed up. Furthermore, before I leave, I want to establish some of my own connections in Haizhou. Director Liu knows this and approves. I want to use this opportunity to take Li Jiawei down, but to do that, I must first convict Wu Dong and get him to talk."

Hu Haibo nodded. "If Li Jiawei is ousted, you want Su Weimin to take his place, right?"

"Correct," Du Cheng said. "Su Weimin is young, just over forty, has political capital, and is highly educated—a top graduate from the Public Security University. Most importantly, he is trustworthy and can be groomed as one of our own."

Hu Haibo replied, "Then call him over now. Whether this works out or not, you need to make your intentions clear. Even if he doesn't become the head of the Haizhou Municipal Bureau, he’ll have opportunities to be groomed at the Provincial Department later. Director Liu has been very interested in people around forty with strong educational backgrounds lately."

"Fair enough." Du Cheng understood Hu Haibo's meaning: set the stage with Su Weimin now, letting him know he’s being groomed as an ally, and see how he responds.

Du Cheng called Su Weimin. It was already past 7:30 PM, and Su Weimin had just gotten home, changed into a tank top and shorts, and was about to eat when the call came. Hearing that Du Cheng was at the Ecological Park dining with the head of the investigation team, Hu Haibo, and being invited to join them, he sensed that things were not so simple.

Although he had always respected Du Cheng as his superior, he had never truly "picked a side." With the Provincial Department sending a team to investigate the hit-and-run, he sensed there was more to the story, likely involving Li Jiawei. Now, receiving this call, he had a good idea of what was going on.

Su Weimin immediately said to Du Cheng, "Director, please wait a moment for Team Leader Hu and me; I'll be right there."

After hanging up, he stood up to leave. His wife, Fang Min, asked, "You haven't even had a bite to eat yet?"

Su Weimin, still in his tank top, put on a short-sleeved shirt and told his wife honestly, "Director Du is having a private dinner with the head of the provincial special investigation team at the Ecological Park. They asked me to join them. I suspect it's about Li Jiawei."

Fang Min worked in the Municipal Party Committee office and had a sharp political sense. She knew her husband had been suppressed by Li Jiawei and that Du Cheng and Li Jiawei were at odds. She gasped, "Could it be that Director Du wants to take Li Jiawei down and have you succeed him?"

Su Weimin nodded, saying calmly, "I suspect so, but Li Jiawei isn't that easy to deal with. I'll know more once I get there."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Fang Min stood up, helped him button his shirt, and urged, "This is an opportunity. No matter the result, make your stance clear."

"Understood."

...

When Li Mu and Su Yingxue finished their meal and came out, it wasn't yet eight o'clock. They hadn't been in a rush, but Su Yingxue's mother had called to say that some relatives had come to visit, so she had to head home.

Su Yingxue ended their quiet, pleasant dinner early and said to Li Mu, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to take me home. My aunt and the others are waiting for me."

Li Mu nodded. "Let's go. I'll take you back now."

After paying the bill, the two walked side-by-side out of the Ecological Park's dining hall toward the parking lot.

Just as Li Mu opened the driver's side door, a man stepped out of a newly parked Passat just a few meters away. Li Mu thought the man's profile looked familiar, and when the man looked up and caught his eye, they both recognized each other.

*Isn't this the policeman who caught me driving without a license last time and made me do fifty push-ups?*

Su Weimin stared at Li Mu with curiosity, thinking, *Well, well, it's you again, kid.* Su Yingxue was standing with her back to him, opening her car door, so he hadn't noticed her yet.

Recalling the last encounter, Li Mu didn't feel any resentment, just a bit of lingering frustration. He waved at Su Weimin, acting a bit cheeky: "Officer!"

Su Weimin shook his head and smiled. "Oh? Are you driving without a license again this time?"

"Heh heh!" Li Mu triumphantly pulled his driver's license from his pocket and held it above his head. "Sorry to disappoint you, Officer, but I just got my license."

Su Weimin, thinking he had more important business to attend to, didn't have time to banter with the brat. He turned to leave, but Su Yingxue curiously turned her head, and her eyes met her father's.

Su Yingxue froze as if struck by lightning, and Su Weimin's expression darkened instantly. It was seeing this kid driving his daughter home that led him to stop them last time. Back then, assuming they were just classmates getting their licenses and hadn't done anything inappropriate, he had punished Li Mu and hadn't questioned his daughter upon returning home. He never expected to run into them out here, this far from home, having dinner together!

As a veteran policeman, Su Weimin treasured his daughter above all else. Perhaps because he had seen so many cases, he wanted to protect her in layers, keeping anyone with ill intent away. His daughter had always been very sensible and never got too close to male friends. But to see this... *My God, are they dating?*

Li Mu couldn't see Su Yingxue's expression, but seeing Su Weimin's sour look, he assumed the man was annoyed by his teasing and chuckled, "Officer, I was just joking. Don't take it to heart."

Su Weimin suppressed the surge of anger at Li Mu's remark. Regardless, this wasn't the place to interrogate his daughter; he had to trust her and give her the respect she deserved, so he decided to talk to her later.

Su Weimin didn't greet Su Yingxue, and she didn't speak either. A silent understanding was reached between father and daughter. Su Weimin walked toward the dining hall, and Su Yingxue got into the passenger seat of Li Mu's car.

Thinking Su Weimin was just angry at him, Li Mu laughed as he sat down: "Man, that cop is really petty. He punished me so harshly last time and I didn't hold a grudge, but he gets mad just because I teased him a little."

Su Yingxue calmed herself down, turned to Li Mu, and asked with wide eyes, "He punished you? What did he make you do?"

Li Mu waved his hand. "Don't ask. It's a long story."

He then recounted the whole incident of being stopped by Su Weimin after dropping her off.

"Do you think he has some kind of grudge against Renmin University? Why did he make me do thirty extra push-ups the moment I said that's where I applied?"

"Hahaha!" Su Yingxue, whose mood had been uneasy due to her father's glare, burst into laughter, losing all her usual "goddess" composure.

"Is it that funny?" Li Mu looked slightly embarrassed.

"It really is," Su Yingxue nodded repeatedly. She thought, *My dad never visited my school in three years of high school; Mom always went to the parent-teacher meetings. It’s normal that Li Mu wouldn't recognize him.* She couldn't blame him for this mix-up.

Li Mu muttered, "He definitely has a grudge against Renmin University."

Su Yingxue could imagine her father’s reaction when he realized Li Mu had applied to the same school she was attending. She smiled and said, "Just assume he does, then."

Li Mu nodded, stopped dwelling on it, started the car, and headed toward the city.

When they arrived at the police residential compound, Li Mu parked the car but didn't unlock the doors immediately. He said to Su Yingxue, "Have a safe trip tomorrow. Call me or send me a text when you get there."

"Okay. You be safe tomorrow, too. Let me know when you head to Yanjing."

"OK!"