Chapter 111: Major Cases and Important Investigations

Foolish Zhu’s words stirred up a wave of envy among everyone in the kitchen of Canteen No. 3. Each one was burning with jealousy. They had originally thought that without the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, Zhu would fall apart. Yet, instead, he was thriving more and more.

Not only had he become a fourth-level master chef, but he had also married a beautiful lady from the department store. He was, without a doubt, a true winner in life!

“Why the hell are you still standing here chatting?” Chen Liang entered the kitchen holding two large mesh bags. Seeing Zhu acting all high and mighty with a group of people, he immediately got furious.

“Ah, I was just waiting for you to show up. Don’t be mad, I’ll definitely have the dishes ready for you on time,” Zhu said.

“Then hurry up. Zhu, you must bring out your best skills this time. There’s a big boss inside!”

“Relax, the cook doesn’t have to worry about anything every day!” Zhu took the ingredients and immediately got to work, quickly ushering Chen Liang away.

When Uncle Shi led the guests into the private room of Canteen No. 3, Zhu brought out the last dish he had finished.

Zhu’s culinary skills were undeniably top-notch. His mastery of timing ensured the guests ate the dishes fresh and hot from the wok, which was no small feat.

Thanks to Chen Liang’s coordination, everyone left the lunch thoroughly satisfied.

Especially Uncle Shi’s old regiment leader, who enthusiastically invited Zhu to have a drink, a clear sign that Zhu’s cooking had caught the attention of the top brass.

...

Since Uncle Shi’s promotion, Chen Liang’s life had become increasingly comfortable. He would either stay holed up in the library with Xiaoyu or wander the streets aimlessly. As for Uncle Shi, as long as Chen Liang didn’t cause trouble, he pretended not to see and let him do whatever he pleased.

In July, the weather was as fickle as a mood swing. Yesterday it was unbearably hot, and today a heavy downpour began.

After breakfast, Chen Liang glanced at the pouring rain outside. “Xiaoyu, we won’t ride our bikes today. Let’s walk together under one umbrella.”

“Okay, brother!” Xiaoyu, who had long been utterly devoted to Chen Liang, agreed wholeheartedly to everything he said.

Xiaoyu thoughtfully prepared rain boots for Chen Liang. The two of them stepped out, sharing a large oilcloth umbrella, their bodies close together.

With such a lovely companion and a stroll in the rain, if Chen Liang were a cultured man, he might have composed a poem to charm Xiaoyu into trying a new pose tonight.

But, unfortunately, Chen Liang lacked that refined literary flair. He could only utter some rustic sweet nothings to tease Xiaoyu, who playfully punched his chest several times along the way.

By the time they arrived at the library, it was already past the start of the workday. But with the heavy rain and poor road conditions, no one dared say a word about being late.

Just as Chen Liang was about to accompany Xiaoyu to their secret little garden for some mischief, a drenched junior apprentice named Borba burst into the library.

Raising his hand to signal Borba to keep quiet, Chen Liang smiled, handed the umbrella to Xiaoyu, and whispered, “Sweetheart, keep the umbrella here. Borba came looking for me. There’s probably trouble at the factory. If I can’t come to pick you up tonight, go home on your own.”

After instructing Xiaoyu, Chen Liang led the anxious Borba out of the library. Standing at the entrance, Chen Liang lit a cigarette for the soaking wet Borba.

“What’s going on? You’re running around like a madman so early in the morning?”

Borba took a deep drag and then coughed, as warmth returned to his rain-soaked body. He frowned and said, “Senior, something big happened at the factory. The finance department was robbed. The entire factory’s payroll for the month was stolen!”

“What? Such a huge incident! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Chen Liang was frantic, his anger boiling over.

The Red Star Steel Rolling Mill employed over 50,000 people. The monthly wages totaled nearly a million yuan. And in those days, wages were paid in cash, not through bank accounts or cards.

If this wasn’t handled properly and stirred unrest among the workers, it would be catastrophic. Uncle Shi would be definitely held accountable for dereliction of duty.

Damn it, this wasn’t a small matter. It was a colossal scandal, a case that would shake the heavens and bring down the hammer.

The Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was a key national enterprise. Precisely because of its importance, the government had granted its security department considerable autonomy. Yet, this major incident still happened.

Chen Liang flicked away his cigarette, gripped Borba’s arm, and braved the torrential rain. His anxiety had reached madness. Road conditions be damned, he stood on the pedals and pedaled furiously.

Borba sat trembling on the backseat of the bike, shrinking and not daring to make a sound.

Having followed Chen Liang since childhood, he knew that Chen Liang was on the brink of explosive rage, like a volcano about to erupt. Chen Liang’s face was twisted with a murderous intent.

As they sped past a puddle, a jolt threw Borba off balance, and he fell. Chen Liang didn’t even glance back, only calling out, “I’ll go on ahead. You walk back later.”

A journey that usually took nearly twenty leisurely minutes was covered by Chen Liang in less than ten, his bike’s chain practically smoking.

Passing through the main gate, Chen Liang performed a spectacular swerve, splashing mud everywhere from the rain-soaked ground.

“Where’s the section chief?” Chen Liang grabbed one of the guards and demanded loudly.

“Officer Chen? The chief is in the finance office on the second floor of the administration building!”

“Thanks, you guys get back to work! I’m going there now.”

After confirming Uncle Shi’s location, Chen Liang thanked the guard and swiftly rode to the administration building.

Once there, he casually leaned his bike against the wall and hurried up to the finance office on the second floor.

The finance office of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was located in the northwest corner of the second floor. Perhaps all finance offices of that era were alike—remote, dimly lit, and guarded by heavy iron bars and doors, resembling a prison cell. Even when the sun blazed outside, it remained dark and gloomy inside.

Drenched like a drowned rat, Chen Liang ignored his disheveled appearance. Wiping rainwater from his face, he approached Uncle Shi.

“Section chief, I’m here!”