Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

Which of their section chiefs isn't either someone with some background or a seasoned veteran who's been with them for years?

In situations like this, it's natural to "protect your own."

After the two deputy directors finished speaking, their gazes swept across the room, and finally, almost simultaneously, they settled on Li Zhenhua, the newly arrived young section chief with no connections, in the corner.

The other section chiefs also understood the unspoken message, keeping their eyes downcast, but the faint curve of their lips betrayed their detached, amused attitude.

That's right, who else would they give this "good thing" to if not this parachuted-in, supposedly well-connected but clearly disliked young man?

At this moment, Li Zhenhua, still reeling from the black market ordeal last night and having spent most of the night without a good night's sleep, found his remaining drowsiness amplified by the warm, smoky atmosphere of the conference room.

Listening to the two deputy directors' pointless excuses, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier, his head began to nod, and he was almost asleep.

Sun Weimin was already upset because of the difficult case. He glanced around and was thinking about how to forcefully push the task down when he caught sight of Li Zhenhua nodding his head in the corner!

This kid actually dozed off at such an important meeting?

"Bang!"

Sun Weimin slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup lid jump.

His face was ashen as he pointed at Li Zhenhua, who had been startled awake and was still somewhat dazed, and shouted sternly.

"Li Zhenhua! What kind of attitude is this?! This is such an important meeting, and you dare to doze off! Don't you have any sense of discipline?!"

Li Zhenhua jolted awake, fully waking up, and inwardly cursed his bad luck.

He quickly sat up straight.

"Director, I..."

"What do you mean, 'you'?!"

Sun Weimin didn't give him a chance to explain at all, and said angrily.

"I think you're just bored! Both deputy directors said their departments are too busy and can't spare any manpower. Fine! Your Intelligence and Security Section used to be responsible for counter-espionage and counter-intelligence work. Although your workload has lightened, your functions are still there! You're the most suitable person to lead this case!"

Li Zhenhua was completely bewildered upon hearing this.

Send him to investigate enemy spies?

Just look at those old men in Corey who are almost 300 years old combined, drinking tea and reading newspapers every day, waiting to retire.

What a joke!

He quickly tried to decline.

"Director, you know the situation in our department; we lack both manpower and experience..."

"If there are no difficulties, we should forge ahead; if there are difficulties, we should overcome them and forge ahead!"

Sun Weimin rudely interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"This is an order! Li Zhenhua, let me tell you, the factory and even the higher-ups are taking this case very seriously! I'm giving you seven days! Within seven days, you must get to the bottom of this! If you fail to find the truth, or if you delay important matters, I will hold you responsible! At that point, even if you've just become a section chief, and even if you have a powerful background, you won't be able to protect yourself!"

Sun Weimin's words were forceful and decisive, effectively blocking all of Li Zhenhua's escape routes.

He looked around and saw the indifferent gazes of the two deputy directors, and the undisguised schadenfreude on the faces of the other section chiefs.

He knew that this extremely hot potato was something he had to accept whether he wanted to or not.

Left with no other choice, Li Zhenhua had to stand up and reluctantly agree, his voice dry and strained.

"Yes, Chief. The Intelligence Section... guarantees the mission will be completed."

"Hmph! Meeting adjourned!"

Sun Weimin snorted coldly, picked up the parts on the table, and left the conference room first.

The other section chiefs also stood up one after another. As they passed by Li Zhenhua, some cast sympathetic glances, but most of them gave him undisguised sarcasm and looked forward to a good show.

Everyone knew that the newly arrived Section Chief Li was probably in for a lot of trouble.

Seven days to investigate enemy spies?

That's absolutely unbelievable!

Li Zhenhua stood still, took a deep breath, and turned to walk out of the conference room.

Trouble has come knocking; there's no escaping it now.

Li Zhenhua returned to the lazy-looking office in the intelligence section. Old Zhou was still reading the newspaper, Old Liu was snoring softly, and Old Chen was slowly wiping the enamel mug that had been used for who knows how many years.

The peaceful atmosphere contrasted sharply with Li Zhenhua's mood at that moment.

"Stop for a moment."

Li Zhenhua's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable seriousness, instantly breaking the silence of the office.

The three elderly comrades raised their heads in unison, looking at him with suspicion. Even Old Liu opened his eyes groggily.

Li Zhenhua walked to the center of the office and briefly repeated what Director Sun Weimin had said at the meeting, emphasizing the possibility of the radio component being an enemy agent, and... the death order to solve the case in seven days.

The moment the words were spoken, the air in the office seemed to freeze.

"Wh...what? Enemy agents?"

Old Chen nearly dropped the enamel mug from his hand, and his voice even changed tone.

"Seven days? This...how is this possible!"

Old Liu was startled awake, his old face contorted into a bitter expression.

"Oh my! My dear Section Chief Li!"

Old Zhou abruptly put down his newspaper, stood up, and wrung his hands anxiously.

"This...this is clearly a trap! How many years has it been since our department has handled a case like this? We old guys can manage catching lazy bums, but investigating enemy spies? This...this is totally not our job! The director...isn't he just making things difficult for us?"

For a moment, the office was filled with groans and complaints, and was filled with pessimism and resistance.

Everyone understood that this task was not to be accepted; failure to complete it would bring serious trouble.

Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Li Zhenhua felt helpless, but he knew now was not the time to complain.

He raised his hand and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

"Alright, complaining won't solve anything. We've already taken on the task, so we have to grit our teeth and get on with it."

His gaze fell on Deputy Section Chief Zhou, the most senior member of the section.

"Section Chief Zhou, you're a veteran of the intelligence section, you have a lot of experience. In your opinion, what should we do first? We can't just sit here and wait, can we?"

When Lao Zhou saw Li Zhenhua call his name, he suppressed his panic and frowned, pondering for a moment.

The experience of time still remains; he tried hard to recall the procedures that he may have become unfamiliar with.

"According to...the old rules..."

Old Zhou pushed up his glasses and said in a somewhat uncertain tone.

"First, we must protect the scene... although that pile of garbage can hardly be considered a scene. But the area where the parts were found must be immediately sealed off and a thorough search must be conducted! Yes, a search! We might find some other clues, even the slightest trace is better than being completely in the dark! This is the most basic procedure for handling cases."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenhua's eyes lit up slightly.

Although this method sounds like finding a needle in a haystack, it is indeed the only procedural starting point that can be thought of at the moment.

At least it will show the department head that they are taking positive action, rather than doing nothing.

"That makes sense!"

Li Zhenhua immediately made the decision.

"No time to lose, let's get moving! Old Zhou, you're experienced, you'll be in charge of directing the on-site investigation. Old Chen, Old Liu, you'll assist Section Chief Zhou."