Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

After passing through security, the three entered the interrogation area.

This area is classified as a confidential zone, with maximum soundproofing and security measures, making it impossible for outsiders to approach and spy on it.

They walked into an office and sat down.

Liu Hailong looked helpless. "Provincial Governor Qi, Ding Yizhen is too slippery."

After we brought them back, we took turns questioning them, trying both gentle and forceful methods, but they wouldn't budge, refusing to say a word.

Cheng Du chimed in, "That's right!"

He pretends to be mute when asked anything.

Either they ramble on and on, completely unhelpful, or they just dodge the question.

Governor Qi, how about we just take direct action?

Conventional interrogation methods are completely useless against this kind of seasoned veteran!

Du Cheng was impatient and had been holding back his anger for a long time.

Qi Tongwei raised his hand to stop him, "No need to rush."

The more cunning a person is, the less you should force them.

If we push him too far, he'll just give up, and we'll end up gaining nothing.

Turning to Liu Hailong, he said, "Director Liu, you will personally go in and interrogate him. Follow my instructions throughout; ask me whatever I tell you to ask."

Liu Hailong nodded. "Okay, Governor Qi."

Qi Tongwei did not go directly into the house, but instead went to the monitoring observation room next door.

The scene inside the interrogation room was laid bare.

Ding Yizhen was suspended by steel wire ropes with her hands and feet hanging down.

Without him.

This was done so that Ding Yizhen would not know where he was.

Ding Yizhen had no idea whether the situation was domestic or international.

In fact, Ding Yizhen was completely bewildered. He boarded the plane, opened a bottle of champagne, and even had a toast with the person next to him. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself with his feet bound.

I think I vaguely saw Zhang Shuli.

My head is buzzing, I can't remember.

His hair was disheveled and his clothes were wrinkled; he was a far cry from the spirited demeanor he once had as the deputy mayor of Jingzhou.

There was no fear on his face, but rather a hint of relief and relaxation.

This guy still hasn't figured out his situation.

He disguised himself and fled, traveling back and forth, believing he had successfully left the country and fallen into the hands of foreign forces.

Perhaps he drank too much and got dizzy.

They were kidnapped when they got off the plane, or they were kidnapped on the plane.

uncertain.

He wasn't arrested and brought to justice; instead, he was kidnapped by foreign gangs and underground forces.

In his view, these people were nothing more than after money, and as long as he was willing to spend the money, he was guaranteed to get away safely.

This is a classic case of being clever for one's own good and deceiving oneself.

Qi Tongwei looked at the monitor screen and said, "Director Liu, let's begin."

Liu Hailong straightened his clothes and pushed open the door to the interrogation room.

He had a cigar dangling from his lips, yet he exuded none of the aura of someone working for the system.

As soon as he sat down, his aura turned cold and hard. He remained silent and stared at Ding Yizhen.

Ding Yizhen looked up at him, becoming more and more certain of her guess.

No uniforms, no identification, no formal interrogation procedures—it was definitely a gangster-style operation.

He instantly breathed a sigh of relief, and a smooth smile immediately spread across his face.

Before Liu Hailong could speak, Ding Yizhen spoke up: "Brother, we're all in the same boat, just trying to make money. There's no need to push things to the extreme."

My friend may not have much else, but he's got money! Just let me go, and I'll have him send you the money right away.

Liu Hailong remained expressionless, suppressing a smile, and asked the question as instructed by Qi Tongwei.

"Who was remotely directing you to leave Jingzhou ahead of schedule and flee overnight?"

The questions went straight to the heart of the matter, without any beating around the bush.

But Ding Yizhen completely ignored the conversation.

He thought the other party was asking about his powerful connections and network of relationships, trying to gain more leverage to extort money from him.

Ding Yizhen shook his head, looking worldly-wise, "Hey! They're all acquaintances and business partners, not worth mentioning."

Brother, I know what you mean. You just want more benefits, don't you?

"As long as you get me out of here safely, you can name your price, I won't haggle!"

He gave irrelevant answers throughout, his mind preoccupied with spending money to avoid trouble.

In the observation room next door, Cheng Du looked speechless and couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath.

"This old man is really out of his mind. He still thinks he's been kidnapped by gangsters abroad. It's utterly ridiculous."

Qi Tongwei tapped the table lightly with his fingertip, his expression calm. "The reason for the low turn is that Liu Hailong hasn't revealed his identity as a member of the National Security Bureau. If we suddenly appeared, Ding Yizhen would probably be completely dumbfounded."

Liu Hailong continued, "Before you fled, you received precise information and bought a ticket in advance to escape. Who leaked this information to you?"

But Ding Yizhen still didn't get it, his eyes darting around and he kept changing the subject.

He sighed, feigning helplessness.

"Brother, why are you gangsters asking about the intricacies of officialdom in Handong? There's no need for that!"

To tell you the truth, I offended someone in the country, which forced me to flee.

Just collect the money and release them, and stop meddling in other people's business. Asking too many questions will only get you into trouble!

He even started to kindly remind Liu Hailong, adopting the posture of someone who had been through it all and giving him advice.

Ding Yizhen desperately wanted to be free. "I'll say it again, don't investigate these useless things!"

My friend is rich; I can handle everything!

"Let me go, and I'll make him give you the money. From now on, we'll go our separate ways!"

They completely failed to recognize their own situation.

If Ding Yizhen knew he was in the State Security Department of Handong Province, I wonder what he would think.

I almost burst out laughing.

"My God, Ding Yizhen is truly blinded by ambition and greed!"

Even in this state, they still think money can solve everything. They're like frogs in a well, incredibly stupid.

Qi Tongwei said calmly, "Du Cheng isn't stupid, he just has too much of a gambler's mentality."

Having spent their entire lives paving the way with money and climbing the ladder through connections, they've developed a fixed mindset, believing that money can buy everything.

Speaking into the microphone to Liu Hailong, he said, "Ask Ding Yizhen who his friends are?"

Liu Hailong immediately asked.

This question finally hit the nail on the head regarding the key pain point.

Ding Yizhen's eyes flickered instantly.

Still refusing to tell the truth, he started to argue irrationally and change the subject.

"I've been navigating the political arena for decades, so I have some ways to protect myself. My friend is among the top 100 richest people."

Bro, don't waste your time!

I'm saying this one last time: name your price, let me out, and I promise I won't delay payment!

Liu Hailong said bluntly, "One hundred million! How about it?"

"One hundred million? Why don't you just rob a bank!" Ding Yizhen found it hilarious; her net worth couldn't possibly be that much.

Liu Hailong couldn't listen any longer and said coldly, "Are you so sure we're after money?"

Ding Yizhen scoffed upon hearing this, appearing as if he had seen through everything.

"Otherwise what?"

"You are not government officials, there are no formal procedures, no interrogation records, you are not a gang seeking money, so what else could you be?"

I advise you to quit while you're ahead. My connections, Ding Yizhen's connections, far exceed your imagination. If you really push me too far, you won't have a good ending either!

I have people!

They used both soft and hard tactics, offering money as bait while simultaneously threatening him with personal connections.

Unfortunately, the whole thing was just self-indulgent sentimentality and a self-directed and self-acted performance.

Cheng Du laughed and shook his head, "He's really stubborn as a mule, he won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin."

Qi Tongwei's eyes darkened slightly. "That's enough. It's time to wake up from this dream."