Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

That afternoon, the technical investigation team began its operation. They installed anti-tracking devices on the vehicles of the task force's investigators, which would automatically trigger an alarm if anyone was following them.

Meanwhile, they deployed surveillance around the military district guesthouse, using high-definition cameras to record every passing vehicle. They also dispatched two unmarked cars to patrol Pingjiang city, searching for the gray Volkswagen with the license plate ending in 627.

The gray Volkswagen did not reappear. But the technical reconnaissance team knew that the other side would not give up. They were just waiting, waiting for a more suitable opportunity.

He Bing stood by the window, gazing at the gray sky outside, calculating his next move. He knew the other party was starting to panic. Panic was good; panic would lead to mistakes. And mistakes would be opportunities.

He picked up the phone and dialed Lin Feng's number. "Secretary Lin, our people were being followed yesterday. The provincial department's technical investigation team has arrived. You need to be careful too."

Lin Feng paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then said, "I understand. Director He, you all need to be careful too."

He Bing said, "Don't worry."

After hanging up the phone, He Bing stood by the window, gazing at the deep night outside.

Zhou Tianming made the decision to cut his arm to save his life three days after the investigators from the special task force were being followed. That night, he sat alone in his office at the Tiansheng Group headquarters, without turning on the lights.

Outside the window, the night in Pingjiang was deep, with a few lights flashing in the distant mines. Before him lay the internal report he'd obtained through connections in the provincial government; a thin page, each word like a knife piercing his eyes—"The joint task force has initially grasped clues about Yuanda Group's suspected crimes of smuggling, bribery, and illegal mining, and is conducting further investigations."

He flipped the paper face down on the table, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair. He knew the task force was watching him. Not just possibly, but definitely.

Sun Decai spoke up: the account books had been confiscated, Liu Zhi's accounts were being monitored, and now even his people were being tracked. This was no coincidence; it was a net tightening around them.

He opened his eyes, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed Cui Guodong's number. Cui Guodong was the deputy general manager of Tiansheng Group and had worked for Zhou Tianming for fifteen years. He had handled every single one of the company's shady dealings. From mining accounts to smuggling routes to bribery scandals, there was nothing he didn't know. In Zhou Tianming's words, "Guodong is the person I trust most."

The phone rang twice before being answered. "President Zhou?" Cui Guodong's voice was a little hoarse, as if he were already asleep.

Zhou Tianming said, "Guodong, come to the company now."

Cui Guodong didn't ask why, paused for a second, and then said, "Okay."

Half an hour later, Cui Guodong pushed open the door and came in. He was in his early fifties, with gray hair, an overweight figure, wearing a dark jacket, and looking tired.

He sat down opposite Zhou Tianming, looked at him, and said nothing. He had followed Zhou Tianming for fifteen years and knew that being summoned at this time must mean something important.

Zhou Tianming pushed the internal report in front of him. Cui Guodong glanced down at it, his expression changing. He didn't speak, but simply pushed the paper back, looked up at Zhou Tianming.

"Guodong," Zhou Tianming's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something unrelated to himself, "The task force has already set its sights on us. Sun Decai has spoken up, and Liu Zhi's accounts are being monitored. The next step is the company. They have the ledgers, the evidence, and the witnesses. We can't hold out any longer."

Cui Guodong's hands trembled slightly, but he did not respond.

Zhou Tianming looked at him, his eyes filled with something indescribable—guilt, helplessness, and a sense of entrustment. "Guodong, let me tell you the truth. Someone has to take the blame for this case. It's either me or you. If I take the blame, the company is finished, hundreds of people will lose their jobs, and your family will be left without support. If you take the blame, the company will still exist, and I'll support your family."

Cui Guodong lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. His shoulders were trembling, but he was enduring it. "President Zhou, I'll take care of it." His voice was very soft, as if it were squeezed out of his chest.

Zhou Tianming reached out and grasped his hand. "Guodong, don't worry. I'll take care of everything at home. Your wife's medical expenses, your children's school fees, and your parents' retirement—I'll cover all of that. You can stay in there for a few years, but when you come out, you'll still be my brother."

Cui Guodong nodded without speaking. His eyes reddened, but no tears fell. He stood up, walked to the door, then turned back. "President Zhou, when are you leaving?"

Zhou Tianming said, "Someone will pick you up early tomorrow morning. You'll leave from Dongshan Wharf and take a fishing boat to international waters, where someone will meet you. You'll stay in Southeast Asia for a while, and we'll bring you back once things calm down."

Cui Guodong nodded, pushed open the door, and went out.

At four o'clock the next morning, a black SUV drove into an old residential area on the outskirts of Pingjiang. Two people were in the car: Zhong Zhihao and the driver. Cui Guodong was already waiting downstairs, carrying an old travel bag and wearing an inconspicuous dark coat. He got into the car, sat in the back seat, and didn't say a word.

Zhong Zhihao turned around from the passenger seat and glanced at him. "Mr. Cui, did you bring your passport?"

Cui Guodong nodded.

"Where's the money?"

Cui Guodong patted his travel bag. "I brought it."

Chung Chih-hao said, "Let's go."

The car drove out of the residential area and onto the highway. They were going to Dongshan Wharf to take a fishing boat across the border. According to Zhou Tianming's plan, Cui Guodong would first go to Southeast Asia, and then move to a more distant place once things calmed down. Zhong Zhihao had arranged everything perfectly—the boat, the people, the money, the place to stay—leaving no stone unturned.

Unbeknownst to them, the task force had already been monitoring Cui Guodong. His name was on the list provided by Sun Decai, every transaction he handled was recorded in the ledgers, and he appeared in Chen Lili's photograph standing by the dock. He Bing wasn't in a hurry to take action against him; he was waiting. Waiting for Cui Guodong to slip up on his own.

Cui Guodong's travel plans were intercepted by the Technical Reconnaissance Detachment. Not through wiretapping, but through tracking. Although the gray Volkswagen with the license plate ending in 627 had disappeared, the Technical Reconnaissance Detachment did not give up.

They laid a trap in Pingjiang city and, in three days, located a car belonging to Zhong Zhihao. Following the trail, they eventually tracked down Cui Guodong.

He Bing received the news at 3:00 AM. He was reviewing documents in his office when the phone rang. It was Chief Chen from the Technical Investigation Detachment. "Director He, the target has moved. A black SUV headed towards Dongshan Wharf. There were three people in the car, one of whom has been confirmed as Cui Guodong."

He Bing put down his pen and stood up. "Proceed according to plan."

Captain Chen said, "Understood."