The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 498 Missing Person
"Hello, we need very important evidence..."

Qin Lang rushed to the association's security office with Cao Dongdong and Zhao Qian. Just as he was about to speak, he saw who was inside and immediately showed a surprised expression.

"Mr. Zhang Hui?"

"Huh?" Zhang Hui looked at Qin Lang and the other two with some surprise. "I didn't expect you to come too."

As he spoke, he smiled at another middle-aged man with a serious expression beside him, "This is Qin Lang, the one I told you about. He's a kid with excellent talent in both cooking and combat."

"Qin Lang, let me introduce you." He patted the middle-aged man on the shoulder and looked at Qin Lang with a smile. "This is Lin Ping, the captain of the public security management team."

"You can just call him Captain Lin."

"Hello, Captain Lin!" Qin Lang quickly greeted him.

"Hmm." Lin Ping forced a faint smile, then quickly reverted to a businesslike demeanor. "What evidence did you mention earlier?"

"Oh right!" Qin Lang snapped out of his daze. "I have audio recordings here proving the collusion between Hai Sheng Yan Catering and the Treasure Hunting Team!"

As he spoke, he handed his phone to Lin Ping, “We happened to run into Meng Yan from the Treasure Hunting Team and Zhao Lihong, the head chef of Hai Sheng Yan. Out of caution, I recorded their conversation, which revealed some of their collaborations.”

"Wait a moment, let me copy it." Lin Ping's expression grew increasingly serious. He took Qin Lang's phone, sat down at the computer, and began to operate it.

Taking advantage of this moment, Qin Lang curiously looked at Zhang Hui standing to the side.

"Mr. Zhang Hui, what brings you here?"

“Didn’t we tell the security management team about Meng Yan’s matter yesterday?” Zhang Hui shrugged. “I came here specifically to ask about the investigation.”

"After all... Meng Yan was taught by me."

"I see." Qin Lang nodded in understanding. "So, what were the results?"

“No.” At this point, Zhang Hui’s face darkened. “The public security management team investigated the organizers of that cooking competition overnight.”

"But the organizers seemed to have anticipated this, and the entire application process was done under a false pretense, a clever way of getting away with something."

“It takes a lot of effort to investigate step by step by following the other party’s empty shell.” At this point, Zhang Hui’s expression was somewhat frustrated. “When did the Treasure Hunting Team become capable of this? It’s really unexpected.”

"Perhaps it's not just the Treasure Hunting Team." Qin Lang already had some guesses in his mind. "For events like cooking competitions, the organizer's qualifications must be related to culinary skills. The food and beverage industry is more likely to obtain the qualifications to host such events."

"So, this should also be related to the Maritime Feast."

"A grand feast?" Zhang Hui frowned. "What's that?"

"A new catering company that's been doing really well lately." Lin Ping, standing to the side, expressionlessly took off his headphones.

In that short time, he had finished copying and listened to the recording.

“If the contents of this recording are accurate, then Qin Lang’s guess is very likely correct: Hai Sheng Yan helped the hunting team obtain the qualification.” Lin Ping paused slightly at this point. “We had no other clues before, and the investigation had reached a new deadlock.”

"Now that we have a specific target, we should have the investigation results soon."

As he said this, a cold glint flashed in Lin Ping's eyes.

"Anyone who shelters or helps criminal organizations will not have a good end. This catering company called Hai Sheng Yan is really audacious."

"It's good to have a clue." Zhang Hui nodded, then smiled and patted Qin Lang on the shoulder, "You're a lucky star, kid."

"I had just learned that the investigation had reached a stalemate when you came over with new evidence, which made the investigation go smoothly again." "It's all a coincidence." Qin Lang smiled wryly.

When they went to the fourth location where the precious spirit appeared today, they never expected to encounter Zhao Lihong and Meng Yan.

“Since there’s nothing else, we won’t bother you two any longer,” Qin Lang said, “We have other things to do.”

It's still early. If we hurry back now, we might be able to find that Chili Spirit before Meng Yan does!
Lin Ping nodded and returned the phone to Qin Lang.

"Go ahead, go ahead!" Zhang Hui laughed heartily. "Don't forget the concert tonight! See you then!"

"Okay." Qin Lang nodded, turned around and was about to leave with Cao Dongdong and the other person, but before they had even left the public security management office, a person rushed in.

Upon recognizing who the other person was, Qin Lang and his companions immediately stopped in their tracks.

"Deputy Manager Song Yu?"

"Huh?" Song Yu stopped and looked surprised when he saw Qin Lang and the other two. "Mr. Qin, Mr. Cao, Miss Zhao, you're all here too? Do you already know about that matter?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang felt a sense of foreboding for some reason. "What are you talking about?"

"Manager Qu has gone missing!" Song Yu hurriedly said.

His voice was loud, filled with anxiety.

Upon hearing the keyword "missing," the entire security team turned to look in their direction.

Lin Ping stood up and walked over.

"Tell us about the missing person and the whole process of their disappearance."

"Okay...okay, sir."

Song Yu nodded quickly. "The missing person is Qu Dong, the manager of our Hai Ba Wang Restaurant. A few days ago, he went on a business trip to the Qili Islands to solve the restaurant's food supply problem and introduce new food supply channels."

"The Beautiful Islands..." Lin Ping casually took out a pen and paper, wrote down the place, and then spoke in a deep voice, "And then?"

“Then a few days ago, some things happened at our restaurant, and we needed Manager Qu Dong to come back and take charge. So I contacted him urgently. Manager Qu Dong was furious and rushed back immediately.” At this point, Song Yu pointed to Qin Lang and the other two beside him.

“The three of them can also testify to this.”

“We were there at the time.” Qin Lang nodded. “Hai Ba Wang Restaurant was facing a serious public opinion crisis, so Manager Qu rushed back.”

His expression turned somewhat serious as he said this.

Manager Qu Dong, who was supposed to be back today, has disappeared?
At this critical juncture, who is responsible for this unexpected turn of events?
"Go on," Lin Ping nodded, gesturing to Song Yu.

“Okay.” Song Yu quickly replied, “The only way to get back from the Qili Islands is by cruise ship. According to the schedule, Manager Qu Dong should have already arrived at the dock.”

“But when I went to the dock to pick someone up, I couldn’t see them anywhere, and I couldn’t reach Manager Qu Dong at all.”

"Manager Qu Dong's phone is always on 24/7. I even contacted him last night, so there must be a big problem here!"

Upon hearing Song Yu's words, everyone present became serious.

(End of this chapter)