Chapter 260 - 161: Poaching

Xu Huo froze, staring in surprise at the man standing guard at the door.

The man was the leader of one of the Capital City’s three special task forces, a police officer named Sun Yu.

He didn’t usually wear a police uniform, since criminal investigators typically operate in plainclothes.

He was quite familiar with Sun Yu’s face.

But...

This wasn’t the time for case-breaking.

’Judging by his clothes, this isn’t official business. So what does he want with me?’

But this attitude of his...

"Let’s chat. Just a little chat."

Sun Yu sidled up to him, speaking amiably with a smile on his face.

Xu Huo paused.

Before he could question him further, Sun Yu led him into the hotel.

...

...

「Meanwhile.」

Inside the National Security offices.

When a file was placed on the conference table, everyone seated around it breathed a sigh of relief.

"The big fish have all been caught. All that’s left is the overseas connection and a few small fry who haven’t been arrested."

"No rush on those two. We’ll take our time and get them eventually."

"All in all... we can close the case. The subsequent cleanup will be handed over to National Security and the police."

"If there are no objections, meeting adjourned."

Wang Tao, the director of the Special Fifth Bureau, let out a breath of relief, smiling as he looked at the report.

He was finally experiencing what it meant to have one’s fortunes rise and fall so dramatically.

A few days ago, he was thinking it was all over.

But a few days later, the case was cracked.

Incredible speed!

"We really have the Special Fifth Bureau to thank this time. We’ve weathered the storm."

"Indeed. Old Wang, I owe you one."

"Tsk, getting involved with an outsider... This kid’s future is going to be smooth sailing."

The people around them exchanged pleasantries, their faces showing the relief of having survived a disaster. They gathered their things and began to leave as the meeting broke up.

Wang Tao was doing the same.

’I’ve already made up my mind. I have to get Zhang Liang to make Xu Huo stay...’

’Talent like that is incredibly rare, no matter how you look at it!’

’Of course, even if we can’t get him to stay, we should at least sign a few more contracts with him.’

’Salary? Benefits? Give him everything, as long as he signs!’

However, before he could take a step...

Suddenly, the man from the police department, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up.

"Old Wang, stay back a moment."

The person in charge on the police side was named Zhao Wei. He was fifty, with a portly figure, and looked perpetually cheerful.

"What is it?" Wang Tao raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to ask..."

"That task force leader of yours... which department is he from?"

Zhao Wei asked with a friendly chuckle, sounding very easygoing.

"Him?"

Wang Tao paused, his expression turning serious.

"Oh, him? He’s nobody special, just one of our employees."

"The real contributor to this case was someone else, a guy named Wang Chao. To be honest, without him, there’s no way we could have solved this case before the new year!"

"The intel we got from Jiangsan City was all thanks to him!"

"It was the clue found at his doorstep that led to Sun Jian’s capture. You could say he was involved in both cases from start to finish..."

"We couldn’t have solved it without him!"

Wang Tao said with great emotion, his tone full of praise.

Then, he looked at Zhao Wei.

"Instead of asking about the team leader, you should be asking about him."

Zhao Wei’s expression didn’t change. He just spoke slowly again.

"An employee, you say?"

"I seem to recall that Xiao Liang was working with him. An employee and a team leader, working together?"

"That’s right," Wang Tao said.

"Really?"

"Ha, have I ever lied to you?"

Wang Tao chuckled. "Come on, it’s us we’re talking about."

"With our relationship, if I came across some talent, you’d be the first one I’d think of!"

"See? Didn’t I just recommend that young man, Wang Chao, to you?"

Zhao Wei looked away, sighing with emotion. "Well, I really must thank you then."

"Don’t mention it. We go back decades," Wang Tao said.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’m heading out."

Wang Tao added, and without waiting for a reply, he hurried toward the exit.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Wei also got up and slowly followed him. Wherever Wang Tao went, he followed.

"Why are you following me?"

After trying and failing to shake him for a good while, Wang Tao’s face was red and his neck was stiff with frustration.

"Hey, is this the Special Fifth Bureau? No, this is National Security. I find it interesting, so what’s wrong with me taking a look around?"

Zhao Wei said, feigning indignation.

Wang Tao held back his anger but didn’t say anything, turning to head for the restroom instead.

But Zhao Wei followed him there too.

"Hey, you’re going too far!"

"You’re following me into the restroom?"

Wang Tao was getting anxious. He glanced at his watch, growing impatient.

"I drank too much water. Do I need to report to you every time I use the restroom?" Zhao Wei retorted indignantly.

"Fine. You go, you go ahead."

Wang Tao was so angry he laughed, then turned and walked out.

Zhao Wei still followed.

"Weren’t you going to the restroom!?"

"You know how it is, Old Wang. When you get old, things start acting up. Suddenly, I don’t feel the need to go anymore."

Looking at Zhao Wei’s shameless expression, like a dead pig that doesn’t fear boiling water.

Wang Tao was so furious he could only grind his teeth, but there was nothing he could do about the man.

Until...

He suddenly became alert.

’This guy is sticking to me so I can’t even make a phone call. Could it be because...’

"Where’s Sun Yu?"

Wang Tao suddenly asked, his voice wary.

"Where’s your subordinate, Sun Yu?"

Zhao Wei was silent for a long moment, then turned around. "I’m going to the restroom."

"I’m asking you, where is Sun Yu!"

"Old Wang, you want to come along?"

"Tell me, where did he go!?"

"When you get older, you tend to get impatient. Don’t be in such a hurry to call someone and chew them out. I have a little trick for calming the mind. Let me teach you."

Wang Tao laughed with rage again. A sense of anxiety welled up inside him as he squeezed the words through his gritted teeth.

"You old coot..."

"Are you trying to poach my people!?"