I slept with my sister's classmate, and she turned out to be my boss.

Monday morning.

Chen Dapeng had just arrived at the task force office.

Hu Yuheng came out from the inner room, carrying a file folder. Upon seeing him, he said:

"Director Chen wants you to go to his office."

Chen Dapeng put down what he was holding and turned to go to Chen Yuanda's office.

The door was half open.

Chen Yuanda was sitting behind his desk making a phone call.

He raised his hand, gesturing for Chen Dapeng to come in and sit down first.

Chen Dapeng sat down opposite him and waited for a few minutes.

Chen Yuanda hung up the phone and, without exchanging pleasantries, went straight to the point:

"Something's happened in Australia."

Chen Dapeng was taken aback: "What about Director Zhou?"

"Yes, Zhou Yiming called back the day before yesterday and said that things weren't going well with Zhao Yike."

Chen Yuanda leaned back in his chair and briefly recounted the situation:

"He contacted Zhao Yike through the embassy and they talked three times."

She agreed to meet the first time, but didn't mention anything substantial, only talking about everyday topics.

The second time, she avoided all questions related to the case, only saying that she "did not know anything about her father's work."

The third time, she stated directly that her current status and work are in Australia, and she hopes not to be disturbed.

Chen Yuanda paused for a moment:

"Zhou Yiming's assessment is that she is cooperating on the surface, but in reality she is stalling. She did not refuse to meet, but she also did not provide any valuable information."

Chen Dapeng didn't answer immediately, but asked after a while:

"What else does Zhou Chu need?"

"He needs someone to bring all the domestic financial records over there so he can reconcile the accounts with her in person."

Chen Yuanda looked at him:

"You're the one who knows that financial chain best. Take the documents and leave tomorrow."

Chen Dapeng was stunned for a moment. Although he was mentally prepared, he was still a little surprised when he heard "departing tomorrow".

He paused for a moment, then nodded:

"Okay. What materials do I need to bring?"

"Bring the original and a copy of all the account statements, fund flow records, and time correspondences with the provincial capital project funds for Zhao Yike's line."

Chen Yuanda picked up a note from the table and pushed it to him:

"Zhou Yiming's contact information is above. Go directly to him when you arrive."

Chen Dapeng took the note, folded it, and put it in his pocket.

He stood up to leave, but Chen Yuanda spoke again:

"You should try to make progress over there within one to two weeks. If she remains tight-lipped, the working group will assess the next steps."

"clear."

Chen Dapeng walked out of Chen Yuanda's office and returned to his seat.

He didn't start organizing the materials immediately. Instead, he took out his phone, found He Ying's number, hesitated for a moment, and then pressed the call button.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

He Ying's voice came from the other end of the phone:

"A roc?"

"Sister Ying, I'm going to Australia tomorrow."

Chen Dapeng paused for a moment:

"The progress with Director Zhou is not going well; Zhao Yike is not cooperating. Director Chen asked me to bring the financial records over to reconcile the accounts with her in person."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

He Ying didn't ask "How long will it take?" or "Why so suddenly?", she just said:

"Then be careful. Message me when you arrive."

Chen Dapeng responded:

"it is good."

He didn't say anything else. After hanging up the phone, he put his phone back on the table, turned on his computer, and started organizing the materials he needed to take with him.

He meticulously retrieved the account statements, fund flow records, and timeline correspondences between Zhao Yike's account and the provincial capital project funds, placing them into two separate file folders.

One original and one copy.

Each document was labeled with a number and a summary of its contents to ensure that the corresponding item could be found quickly once the document arrived.

It was almost noon by the time I finished organizing the materials.

He stood up, stretched his shoulders, put the two document bags into a black briefcase, and zipped it up.

In the afternoon, he didn't check any other materials, cleaned his desk, and left work early.

After returning to his residence, he quickly packed a few changes of clothes, put his passport and visa materials into his bag, and then placed the briefcase containing the materials at the door.

He casually cooked a bowl of noodles for dinner, and washed the bowl after eating.

After sitting in the living room for a while, I sent He Ying another message:

"Sister Ying, the flight is tomorrow afternoon, and we should arrive in Australia in the early hours of the morning."

He Ying quickly replied: "Find a place to rest after you land, don't rush over there. Send me a message when you get to your accommodation."

Chen Dapeng replied with a single word: "Okay."

"Sister Ying."

He sent two more words.

He Ying replied, "Hmm?"

"Now that I've gone to Australia, I don't know when I'll be able to see you again."

"Sour...we can video call."

"Oh well."

"Clingy..."

Chen Dapeng looked at the two words, smiled, and didn't reply.

……

The next afternoon.

Chen Dapeng arrived at the airport ahead of schedule.

He sat in the waiting area for a while, checked his documents again to make sure nothing was missing, then put his briefcase at his feet, leaned back in his chair, and waited for boarding instructions.

The flight took off on time.

When the plane is climbing.

He glanced through the porthole at the gradually shrinking ground outside, then looked away and opened the old notebook he carried with him.

"This is my first time going to Australia. I wonder what it's like there. I hope everything goes well."

……

Sydney, Australia.

Chen Dapeng landed at around 4 a.m. local time.

He walked out of the arrival hall and saw Zhou Yiming standing in the arrival area, wearing a dark jacket, not holding a sign, but his eyes were scanning towards the arrival passage.

Chen Dapeng walked over, and the two shook hands.

Zhou Yiming took a bag from his hand:

"Was the journey smooth?"

"smoothly."

Zhou Yiming didn't exchange many pleasantries and turned to walk ahead:

"Let's go to our place first, put our things down, rest for a few hours, and then go see Zhao Yike this afternoon."

Chen Dapeng followed him out of the airport and got into the car.

He sat in the passenger seat, looking at the unfamiliar street scene outside the window, without asking any questions.

It was 2 p.m. that day.

The two arrived at the office building where Zhao Yike worked at the agreed time.

Zhou Yiming led the way.

Chen Dapeng followed behind him, carrying the briefcase containing the materials.

They registered their visitor information in the lobby downstairs, then took the elevator to the eighth floor and stopped at the door of an office at the end of the corridor.

The door was open, and Zhao Yike was sitting behind her desk.

She was wearing a light-colored business suit, her hair tied in a low ponytail. She looked slightly thinner than in her ID photo, but her overall condition was stable and she didn't seem to be obviously tired.

She looked up and saw Zhou Yiming and another stranger appear at the door at the same time. Her gaze lingered on Chen Dapeng for a moment longer before she stood up, her tone polite but distant:

"Director Zhou, who is this?"

Zhou Yiming introduced from the side:

"Chen Dapeng from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's special investigation team has been compiling the materials on that domestic financial chain. He brought some documents with him today, wanting to verify them with you in person."

Zhao Yike's gaze lingered on Chen Dapeng's face for a moment, then she nodded, gesturing for the two of them to come in.

Chen Dapeng sat down in the chair opposite the desk, and Zhou Yiming sat next to him.

He placed his briefcase on his lap, but didn't open it immediately. He glanced at Zhao Yike first.

Zhao Yike spoke first, her tone as polite but cold as before:

"Director Zhou has come to talk to me a few times before. I've also stated that I'm not very clear about my father's work situation and probably can't be of much help."

Chen Dapeng didn't respond to that sentence. He reached into his briefcase, pulled out the top folder, and placed it on the table.

"Ms. Zhao, there is a record of funds from your company flowing overseas after the completion of a project in the provincial capital."

The time, amount, and account all match.

The materials we have already obtained prove that the flow of these funds is related to the project in the provincial capital.

He opened the folder, flipped to the page with the financial records, and turned the paper towards Zhao Yike.

Zhao Yike glanced down at it, neither reaching out to take it nor avoiding eye contact.

Chen Dapeng continued, "Your father, Comrade Zhao Zhengping, has already submitted a statement to the organization explaining the situation. His signature records and related documents from the provincial capital project have been archived. These materials have been verified domestically."

Zhao Yike's fingers paused on the edge of the table for a moment.

She didn't respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the page for a few seconds.

Then he looked away and looked at Chen Dapeng:

"Could I take a look at the materials you brought?"

Chen Dapeng pushed the entire folder in front of her and reminded her:

"Okay. This is a photocopy."

Zhao Yike didn't open it immediately. She glanced at Chen Dapeng first, as if to confirm something.

Then she reached for the folder, opened it to the first page, and began to look at it page by page.

She didn't read very fast, occasionally pausing on a particular page and then pulling that page out and setting it aside.

About twenty minutes later.

She put down the folder, closed it, and pushed it back in front of Chen Dapeng.

She leaned back in her chair, her voice lower than before:

"I need to think about it."

Chen Dapeng didn't press her further or urge her; he simply said:

"Sure. Contact me or Director Zhou whenever you've made up your mind."

Zhao Yike nodded and said nothing more.

Chen Dapeng stood up and put the folder into his briefcase.

Zhou Yiming also stood up.

The two did not linger and turned to leave the office.

When going downstairs.

Zhou Yiming walked beside him and asked in a low voice:

Do you think she'll contact us first?

Chen Dapeng thought for a moment: "When she was looking at the materials, there were a few times when she stopped at the most critical records corresponding to the time."

This wasn't the first time she had encountered this information.

But this should be the first time I've seen such a complete financial chain. I'll probably contact them proactively.

……

The next morning.

Chen Dapeng was organizing materials at his residence when his phone rang.

He glanced down at the screen; it was a call from Zhou Yiming.

"Zhao Yike contacted me proactively. She said she was willing to cooperate with the investigation, but on one condition—that the handling of the case after she returns to China should not affect her legitimate work in Australia. She hopes this can be taken into consideration."

Chen Dapeng held his phone and paused for a moment:

"Director Zhou, this needs to be reported to Director Chen. Keep her calm and don't give her a definite answer yet."

Zhou Yiming responded, "Okay."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Dapeng found Chen Yuanda's number and pressed the dial button.

He repeated Zhao Yike's attitude and preconditions.

After listening, Chen Yuanda remained silent for a few seconds.

"Let me report to my superiors and then inform her."