bookbashuk Page 415
Page 415
Zhao Lichun sat listlessly behind the large mahogany desk, his face ashen, as if covered with a layer of deathly ashes.
The ashtray on the table was already overflowing with cigarette butts, and the whole room was filled with the pungent smell of burnt tobacco.
He pondered the cryptic yet terrifying phone call he had just received from Handong—Zhao Xiaoyan had been apprehended and had confessed everything!
All the evidence pointing to him has been established!
Mu Chen is about to fly straight to the capital with that deadly evidence!
boom!
This news was like a bolt from the blue!
This completely shattered Zhao Lichun's last shred of hope!
"It's over...it's all over..."
Zhao Lichun muttered to himself absentmindedly, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the red secure telephone on the table.
His fingers twitched nervously, reaching for the microphone several times, only to abruptly pull back as if burned.
An unprecedented fear and rage, enough to devour reason, gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake!
No!
We must not sit still and wait for death!
Mu Chen must die!
As long as Mu Chen disappears from this world with the evidence, there is still room for maneuver!
This crazy idea grew wildly in his mind like weeds!
But after reaching for the phone.
But then he suddenly realized he had no one to use!
Yes.
He has no one left to use!
Zhao Lichun's forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat, and a bone-chilling cold shot straight up his spine to the top of his head!
He finally realized in despair that after the downfall of Huilong Group and the joint purge of Handong by Sha Ruijin and Mu Chen, the Zhao family's decades of hard work in Handong and the surrounding areas had been completely uprooted and wiped out!
Zhao Lichun has now become truly alone!
Looking around, the vast study was magnificent and resplendent, yet he was all alone.
He can't even find someone to do the "dirty work" for him!
"boom!"
Zhao Lichun slammed the phone down on the table with a dull thud.
He clutched his head with both hands and let out a low, suppressed growl, like a trapped beast.
Powerless!
An unprecedented sense of powerlessness overwhelmed him completely.
He could only watch helplessly as Mu Chen flew towards the capital with a sword that could pin him down!
Flying toward the end of his political life!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
A military airport in the Handong Military Region.
The leaden sky hung low, and the cold wind howled.
A small military transport plane with special markings is quietly parked on the dedicated runway.
The engine was already running, emitting a deep and powerful roar.
Mu Chen, dressed in a dark woolen overcoat, stood tall and straight like a pine tree beside the gangway.
Beside him, Qi Tongwei, dressed in a crisp police uniform, stood with olive branches and silver four-pointed stars on his epaulets gleaming in the cold wind, his expression extremely solemn.
Several SUVs bearing special provincial license plates stood like loyal guards, forming a fan-shaped protective circle around the special plane.
The car windows were closed, but the heavily armed and vigilant special police officers inside could be vaguely seen.
"Xiao Chen, be careful on your journey."
Qi Tongwei's voice was low as his gaze swept over the tight security perimeter before finally settling on the inconspicuous black briefcase in Mu Chen's hand.
Inside, there is raw evidence that could cause a huge uproar in the capital!
Although the Handong Military Region had conducted a thorough investigation, and the provincial department had taken security measures to the extreme, their opponent was Zhao Lichun, who was at his wit's end. No one could predict what kind of heinous act he would ultimately take.
Mu Chen remained calm and gently patted Qi Tongwei's strong arm.
His gaze was steady and resolute.
"Brother, don't worry."
"The pilot project in Handong cannot be stopped. Keep a close eye on Qiangsheng Group for me. Deal with any suspicious activity immediately."
"wait me back."
Without needing to say anything more, the trust and entrustment between the brothers were understood without words.
Mu Chen took one last look at this land that bore the weight of his heart and soul and his mission, then turned and steadily stepped onto the gangway.
The hatch closed slowly behind him, shutting out the biting cold wind.
The military transport plane began to accelerate on the runway, and the roar of its engines suddenly increased, like an angry roar that tore apart the tranquility of the morning.
The next moment, the fighter jet raised its head, pierced through the leaden-gray clouds, and roared towards the capital, carrying a heavy mission and decisive evidence!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Beijing.
A quiet and heavily guarded courtyard.
Ancient trees reach for the sky.
Inside a study with a thick carpet and simple, elegant furnishings.
Mr. Xiao sat in a large sofa, dressed in a simple Zhongshan suit, holding a cup of tea in his hand.
The rising steam blurred his deep, wise eyes.
On the coffee table in front of him, the sealed document bag he brought from Handong and the small voice recorder sat quietly.
The study was quiet, with only the steady, regular ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock.
Mu Chen sat on the single sofa opposite Old Xiao, his back straight and his expression solemn.
He has recounted everything that happened in Handong, from Zhao Xiaoyan's plot to obstruct the pilot program and kidnap the experts, to Zhao Lichun's remote command, provision of funds, and attempt to sacrifice Zhao Dagong to escape.
Then, the final chain of evidence was formed, and a concise and complete oral report was given with clear logic and a focus on key points.
The report is now complete.
The only sounds in the study were the ticking of the wall clock and the soft rustling of Mr. Xiao gently stroking the warm, smooth surface of the purple clay teapot.
An invisible pressure seemed to accumulate quietly in this quiet space as time passed by, second by second.
Finally, Old Xiao slowly put down his teacup.
The bottom of the cup made a slight, crisp sound when it touched the rosewood coffee table.
He raised his eyes, his deep and calm gaze falling on Mu Chen's face.
Instead of immediately looking at the evidence on the table, he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying immense power.
"Xiao Chen."
"Handong, you did a great job in this round."
"Cut the Gordian knot with a swift knife; make a decisive break when necessary."
"Not only did we stabilize the overall situation of the pilot program, but we also thoroughly dug out the malignant tumor that had been buried for many years!"
Old Xiao's gaze swept over the black file bag, and his tone suddenly became solemn and stern.
"Zhao Lichun's problem is extremely serious in nature and has an extremely negative impact!"
"This is no longer a simple violation of discipline and law; it is a blatant trampling on the country and discipline! It is a complete betrayal of the people's trust!"
Every word was like a heavy hammer, sealing his ultimate fate.
Old Xiao reached out, picked up the small voice recorder, paused for a moment on the play button with his thumb, but ultimately did not press it.
He gently placed it back next to the file bag.
Then, his gaze refocused on Mu Chen, with an unquestionable determination.
"The evidence is right here."
"The evidence is irrefutable and irrefutable."
"What you brought is not just a case file, but also the determination of the organization and the people to eradicate this scourge and get to the root of the problem!"
Old Master Xiao nodded slightly, each word spoken as if it were a final verdict.