Chapter 55 - 55 55 Taking Down Zhou Luping

Words : 2201 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

55: Chapter 55: Taking Down Zhou Luping 55: Chapter 55: Taking Down Zhou Luping “Director Ren, don’t be nervous!” Lin Xiaosu said, “I’m not here for you.” “What do you mean by that?” Director Ren’s face sank slightly... “Director Ren, are you trying to say you’re not nervous? If you really aren’t, was there any need to put away the cigarettes on your desk before I walked in? Throwing even the ashtray into the trash bin was kind of ridiculous... Actually, you really don’t have to be nervous, Zhongxia soft pack cigarettes are only 65 yuan a pack, not exactly sky-high priced!” Director Ren’s heart skipped a beat, his first glance going to the trash bin at his feet. Did this person in front of him have X-ray vision? Lin Xiaosu let out a small sigh, “But on the other hand, Director Ren, you seem to have quite the smoking habit. Just yesterday after work someone gave you a carton of cigarettes, and in less than a day, there are only seven packs left. Smoking like that really puts a lot of pressure on those who give gifts...” Director Ren’s body broke out in a cold sweat. Indeed, there was a carton of cigarettes in the cabinet—one that a business owner had casually handed to him after discussing matters yesterday, and indeed, only seven packs remained. This... This was a secret known to no one. But the man before him had laid it all bare as soon as he walked in. In an instant, he felt a chill throughout his body. He couldn’t figure out Lin Xiaosu’s true intentions. Could it really be that he had come to take action against him? A detective dealing with a legitimate Director? That wouldn’t be so easy! But, don’t forget, just now... just moments ago, his own Vice Director had been taken in by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for tea! “You... if you keep spouting nonsense, we won’t be able to discuss matters properly,” Director Ren spoke in a heavy voice. That statement was very formal and serious, but in between the lines, there was already a hint of conciliation, because his goal was: to discuss matters! Lin Xiaosu grinned slightly: “Right, I almost forgot about the official business!” He reached out his hand and passed a fine notice to Director Ren: “This was delivered to our Detective Agency by your bureau this morning. Director Ren, take a look, are there any problems?” Director Ren took it, looked it over carefully, then slowly raised his head: “They were also enforcing normally. The issuance of a fine notice doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be that much. We are aware that it’s not easy for young people to start businesses. As for the fine, our leaders can discuss it and offer some sort of reduction.” Lin Xiaosu gently shook his head: “Normal enforcement, some level of reduction, Director Ren, don’t you in the bureau study the laws before enforcing them? Go on, there’s a computer in front of you, look up the ‘Daxia Country Special Service Management Regulations’, what does Article 78 say?” Director Ren turned on his computer and searched... The “Daxia Country Special Service Management Regulations”, issued on April 13, 2129, and effective as of May 1, 2129. Special services include: detective, consulting... Article 78 states: Charges for special services are based on the agreements made in the contract between both parties. “Did you see it clearly, Director Ren? The detective industry is a special service industry. There is no fixed price listing; fees are based on the contract between both parties. As long as it’s the true intention of both parties, it is considered normal operations, which means, I, Lin Xiaosu charging ten thousand, even a million, the only thing I need to do is to pay taxes according to the law! It’s not up to the City Security Bureau to issue me a fine!” Director Ren let out a breath, “It seems my people at the bottom need to strengthen their learning. They might not be familiar with these latest legal clauses.” “Latest? Not anymore, Director Ren! It has already been in force for a full year!” Lin Xiaosu said, “It’s kind of dangerous for those in law enforcement not to study the laws.” “That’s right! Law enforcers not studying the law is a complete joke! Detective Lin, don’t worry, I’ll handle this.” Lin Xiaosu smiled lightly: “How will you handle it? Call over Captain Zhou and make him drink three cups as a penalty?” Director Ren’s expression changed rapidly, finally picking up the phone and making a call: “You and little Song, come over immediately!” Soon after, there was a knock on the office door, and Captain Zhou Zhou Luping, along with that little Song, appeared in front of the director. They were slightly startled to see Lin Xiaosu. He had come straight to the director? This kid played hardball, didn’t he? Was it really Detective Zhang Haokong from the Criminal Investigation Team who had set this up? Of course, they had no idea that their immediate superior had just been taken away by the Anti-Corruption Bureau... “What’s going on here?” Director Ren’s face darkened as he tapped on the fine notice on the desk. Captain Zhou hurriedly explained, “Director Ren, we were enforcing normally, this Detective Agency’s fees are exorbitantly high, even for a dog...” “Look at this, look at this...” Director Ren interrupted him and turned the computer screen toward him, pointing to a line of text on the screen: “The detective industry belongs to the special service industry, and charges are based on the contract agreement between the parties! Which law are you applying? The ‘Market Management Law’, right? The very last article of the ‘Market Management Law’ clearly states that this law does not encompass special services; relevant provisions for special services have their own separate legislation!” Zhou Luping’s expression changed... Little Song’s expression also changed... “I... I... Our enforcement has always been based on ‘Market Management Law’; I really didn’t pay attention to this clause...” Zhou Luping’s forehead was covered in sweat. “You... You! As a senior comrade, how could you make such a low-level mistake? Write a self-criticism report. Make two copies of the self-criticism, one for the bureau to keep, and the other to be handed to Detective Lin in person!” Zhou Luping’s face underwent a volley of changes, unable to accept it... Writing a self-criticism was one thing, but to also hand a copy over to Lin Xiaosu was too much for his pride. Lin Xiaosu smiled lightly: “No need for a self-criticism.” This was a way out, and Lin Xiaosu stepping back made Director Ren feel relieved, and a warm smile appeared on his face... But Lin Xiaosu added: “Director Ren said he made a low-level mistake, but that’s also not right! He might not really be unaware of the law; he might just be betting that I didn’t know it! Of course, he might also think he has people in the judicial system, able to cover the sky with one hand.” “What are you implying? You’re saying I knowingly broke the law?” Zhou Luping turned sharply. “Whether it’s knowing or unknowingly breaking the law, even if others suspect it, there’s no evidence to prove it, I’m not hung up on that. Let’s ask about something else...” Lin Xiaosu said: “Captain Zhou, this morning, when Vice Director Liu Dong gave you the order to inspect my Detective Agency, and casually threw you two packs of cigarettes, didn’t you think there was a problem with it?” Zhou Luping’s heart skipped a beat, the matter of giving him two packs of cigarettes, you actually found out about it too? How much effort did that take? Director Ren’s face also turned gloomy, as long as “cigarettes” were mentioned, his heart couldn’t help but tense up. Cigarettes had actually become a sensitive word for him. Lin Xiaosu said: “You’ve been working with him for many years, and the tacit understanding is there. If it were just a normal case investigation, would a superior need to give you cigarettes? Giving you cigarettes is actually a signal, indicating that this matter is both official and personal, and you must act quickly, and you need to take a firm hand!” “You’re making malicious conjectures, as for the specifics... Director Ren can ask Director Liu directly,” Zhou Luping hastened to change the subject, while throwing this sensitive topic to his immediate superior, trusting that someone who had survived the political ups and downs could handle it naturally. Lin Xiaosu smiled: “Captain Zhou, you are putting Director Ren in a tough spot. Liu Dong has already gone to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for tea, how can you expect Director Ren to question him face to face?” Zhou Luping was thoroughly shaken. Little Song’s eyes suddenly widened. Good heavens, Director Liu has been taken in! The person in front of them had just said that trouble was coming for those behind them. Many people there thought this kid was out of his mind, but in less than three hours, Liu Dong was taken in! What on earth have we gotten ourselves into... Zhou Luping, leaning on the desk with one hand, took a deep breath: “Director Ren, I... I admit I lack knowledge, and I have only a superficial understanding of legal provisions, I made a mistake, but I really didn’t intend to break the law willfully.” “Liu Dong gave you cigarettes to handle private cases, and you really had no alertness?” Lin Xiaosu spoke indifferently. “Who gave cigarettes? Bring the evidence!” Zhou Luping truly exploded, his finger pointed at Lin Xiaosu. Lin Xiaosu said: “Getting the evidence isn’t difficult, but I’m too lazy to do it, do you know why?” Zhou Luping’s chest heaved violently, naturally he wouldn’t ask why... Lin Xiaosu said: “Because you taking his cigarettes isn’t such a big deal, fussing over it makes me seem petty! I’ve told you face to face, I’m going to take care of you! My kind of taking care of you isn’t this low-level kind!” “You...” Lin Xiaosu gently raised his hand, stopping him: “Two nights ago at nine o’clock, at Bailu Restaurant, Li Kaiyuan from Brother Hu’s men talked with you in room 8018 about the stock issues of Qinghe Company, you hold a 10% share, right?” Zhou Luping’s brain went blank in an instant... This touched on his biggest secret... Suddenly laid bare without warning... Why? How could it possibly have been discovered? There were no surveillance cameras there, and it happened under the high-pressure backdrop of the 5.16 major case, their conversation was absolutely not overheard by a third party. Could it be that Li Kaiyuan had been caught? Confessed? But wasn’t he on the run? Director Ren’s heart also raced. Lin Xiaosu said: “Qinghe Company, a key link in the 5.16 major case, all shareholders are wanted criminals! Director Ren, shall I place the call to the special investigation team, or will you?” “You’re slandering me! I... I don’t have shares in Qinghe Company! Absolutely not!” Zhou Luping’s forehead veins popped out, extremely agitated. “Calm down!” Lin Xiaosu said: “If you make me misunderstand and think you’re going to kill to silence me, and I end up dislocating your joints on the spot, that would be unfortunate.” Zhou Luping’s chest rose and fell, as if he were going mad. But he no longer dared to move rashly. Lin Xiaosu no longer looked at him, but stared at Director Ren: “Director Ren, the City Security Bureau just had a corrupt official, and now another fugitive is involved, drawing massive trouble. Can you continue to watch indifferently, what do you think the special investigation team will think?” Director Ren’s face was incredibly dark, he slowly picked up the phone and dialed... Zhou Luping circled the office hysterically... Director Ren roared: “Sit down! Wait for the special investigation team to verify! The innocent shall clear themselves, and the guilty shall reveal themselves!” Zhou Luping heavily sat down on the sofa, and at this moment, he finally showed signs of collapse. If time could be reversed, he definitely wouldn’t have accepted this hot potato. He’d rather have provoked the heavens, the earth, or even the bigwigs in the county than this person, this isn’t a person, this is a ghost! His superior was finished! And now he was finished too! This was Lin Xiaosu’s revenge. Clear and direct, if you want to screw me over, I’ll screw you first! The City Security Bureau’s move against him, he had clarified with a single clause, clean and clear, and his move against Liu Dong and Zhou Luping was to send them straight to the bureau for a winter stay! Who wouldn’t be petrified by such decisive and eerie tactics, this nature of revenge without an overnight delay? Little Song’s face was ashen, standing there, his calves trembling.

Chapter 55 - 55 55 Taking Down Zhou Luping

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