A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 26

Celebration banquet

After the attack, the city bureau launched a thorough investigation with lightning speed.The identities of the eight attackers were quickly confirmed – they were all thugs maintained by the “Iron Shield” security “Special Services Department”, and two of them had overseas mercenary backgrounds.The communication equipment, weapons and ammunition found on their bodies and vehicles, as well as some operational command fragments that were not destroyed in the future, became key evidence pointing to “Iron Shield” and Zhou Tieshan.

Pressure surged toward the “Iron Shield” like a tidal wave.Economic investigation, criminal investigation, taxation, fire protection and other departments jointly stationed in the area to check accounts, interrogate people, and seal information.Zhou Tieshan was criminally detained on multiple charges including “suspected of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, organizing crimes of a pornographic nature, and major liability accidents.”When the tree fell and the hozens dispersed, people within the “Iron Shield” were panicked. Some people began to secretly contact the police in an attempt to exonerate the perpetrators.

“Viper” is still on the run, but without the support of “Iron Shield”, his space and resources have been greatly reduced, as if he had lost an arm.

At the same time, Lin Jianfeng’s team re-investigated the old case of Shen Qingwu’s parents and made a breakthrough after obtaining key information from the birthday gift (unofficial images of the scene, original notes, rejected design drawings).Through image enhancement and on-site reconstruction, the Technology Section discovered more details and contradictions that were ignored or deliberately obscured in the inspection report that year.The economic investigation followed the accounts of “Iron Shield” and accidentally dug up a secret bribery fund flow related to the safety assessment official who died of a “sudden heart attack” that year. Although the amount was not large, the direction was clear.

The edges of the “underground river” network are being pried open bit by bit.

A week later, the Municipal Bureau held a small-scale, closed-to-the-public celebration dinner to commend those who had made outstanding contributions in detecting the “Gemini” cyber attack case (although the mastermind was not arrested), thwarting armed attacks on important witnesses, and digging into the “Iron Shield” crime-related cases.The location was a medium-sized banquet hall in an old hotel near the city bureau.

As one of the core heroes, Lin Jianfeng was naturally invited.Shen Qingwu was also specially invited to attend as a “key clue provider and protected witness”.

In the evening, Lin Jianfeng changed into a set of pressed dark blue police uniforms, and the police badge on the shoulder straps shone brightly under the light.She stood in front of the full-length mirror, carefully adjusting her collar and cuffs.The woman in the mirror has clear and sharp eyes, and her body is as tall and straight as a pine tree. However, there is still a thin layer of bandage wrapped under the sleeve of her left arm.

Shen Qingwu also put on a decent outfit – a pearl gray suit and skirt. The style was simple and elegant, not ostentatious, but also suitable for the occasion.She didn’t modify it too much, her long hair hung naturally, and she only wore a pair of small pearl earrings in her ears.Standing next to Lin Jianfeng, the two of them had very different temperaments, but were strangely harmonious.

“Are you nervous?” Lin Jianfeng looked at her.Shen Qingwu usually attended business banquets. This kind of semi-official internal celebration banquet should be an unfamiliar environment for her.

Shen Qingwu shook his head, with a faint and calm smile on his lips: “With you here, I’m not nervous.” She paused and added, “Besides, I also want to see what the expressions of those hiding in the dark will be like when they see us standing here side by side.”

Lin Jianfeng heard the meaning in her words and smiled: “That won’t look good.”

The two smiled at each other and walked out of the apartment together.

The banquet hall was brightly lit and the atmosphere was warm yet solemn.In addition to city bureau leaders and relevant case-handling personnel, there were also a small number of representatives from other departments who cooperated with the investigation.Seeing Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu appear together, many people cast curious, inquisitive or kind looks.The recent series of actions have made their relationship no longer a secret internally. Although no one has revealed it in public, everyone understands it tacitly.

Bureau Chen came over with a glass of wine. He first highly affirmed Lin Jianfeng’s work, then turned to Shen Qingwu and expressed his gratitude solemnly: “Mr. Shen, thanks to you for providing the key clues and active cooperation this time. Fighting crime and maintaining social stability cannot be separated from the support of every responsible citizen.”

Shen Qingwu responded appropriately, neither humble nor arrogant.Her social skills on such occasions were undoubted, and she soon started talking to several leaders and technical backbones. The topics extended from cases to urban security and technology applications, appearing professional and calm.

Lin Jianfeng watched from the side with some subtle feelings in his heart.This is Shen Qingwu. No matter what environment he is in, he can always find his place quickly and show his due value.She is not only a “witness” who needs to be protected, but also a powerful ally who has the ability, resources, and is willing to stand on the side of justice.

In the middle of the banquet, the atmosphere became more lively.Many people came over to toast Lin Jianfeng and congratulate her for her meritorious service again.Lin Jianfeng responded with juice or tea on the grounds that his injury was not yet healed.

Just as she was chatting with two veteran detectives about the details of an old case, she caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye, holding a wine glass and walking towards Shen Qingwu, who was standing not far away talking to Economic Investigation Team Li.

That person is Wang Youcai, Vice President Wang of “Changhe Trading”.

Lin Jianfeng’s nerves tensed up instantly.Wang Youcai was marked as “highly relevant” in the “New City Project” fund map. He was also one of the biggest suspects in the previous drugging incident at the banquet.Although “Changhe” seemed to have restrained itself a lot after the “Iron Shield” incident, and Wang Youcai himself showed an attitude of “actively cooperating with the investigation,” his presence here at this moment and taking the initiative to approach Shen Qingwu was no accident.

She said hello to the colleague she was talking to, and quietly adjusted her position and angle so that she could intervene at any time without appearing too deliberate.

Wang Youcai walked up to Shen Qingwu with his usual, somewhat greasy smile on his face: “Mr. Shen, congratulations! You have made a great contribution this time! I have long heard that Mr. Shen is a woman who is not inferior to men. When I see her today, she is indeed well-deserved!”

Shen Qingwu turned around with a polite smile on his face, but his eyes were calm: “Mr. Wang, thank you. Cooperating with the police investigation is a citizen’s duty.”

“That’s right!” Wang Youcai nodded repeatedly, came closer, lowered his voice, and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear clearly, “But Mr. Shen, the limelight is too big, and sometimes it may not be a good thing. A big tree attracts wind… Especially those of us who do business, we pay attention to being friendly and making money. There are some things that can be done as little as possible. There is no need to… kill them all, don’t you think?”

The words contained clear threats and implications.

The smile on Shen Qingwu’s face faded, and his eyes became sharp: “I don’t quite understand what Mr. Wang said. Fighting crime and upholding the rule of law, how can it become ‘killing them all’? Does Mr. Wang think that those who do evil and endanger society should not be found out and brought to justice?”

Wang Youcai was choked for a moment, his face looked a little ugly, but he quickly smiled again: “Mr. Shen misunderstood, misunderstood! Of course I support the police work. But… these two cities are big or small, so we don’t look up. Some things are too deeply involved and are not good for anyone. Mr. Shen is young and promising, and has a bright future. Why should he narrow his path for some old things?”

He meant something, and his eyes wandered over Shen Qingwu’s face, with a hint of pressure.

Just as Shen Qingwu was about to speak, an arm suddenly stretched out from the side and naturally wrapped its arms around her waist.

Lin Jianfeng didn’t know when he was standing beside her, his posture was casual, but with an inviolable strength.She held a glass of water in her hand and her eyes fell calmly on Wang Youcai’s face.

“Vice President Wang, what a coincidence.” Lin Jianfeng’s voice was neither high nor low, just enough for a few people around to hear clearly, “Regarding some of the details of the financial transactions of the ‘New City Project’, our colleagues in the economic investigation happen to have some questions and would like to ask you again. I don’t know if it is inconvenient for Vice President Wang. After the banquet, can we make an appointment to talk in detail?”

Her words were polite, but there was no warmth in her eyes as she looked directly at Wang Youcai.

The smile on Wang Youcai’s face completely froze.He looked at Lin Jianfeng, and then at Shen Qingwu, who was hugged by Lin Jianfeng and was obviously in a protective posture. There was a hint of panic and evil in his eyes.Of course he knew who Lin Jianfeng was, and he also knew the weight of her words.

“Lin…Captain Lin was joking. It’s convenient to cooperate with the investigation, of course it’s convenient…” Wang Youcai smiled dryly, sweat dripping from his forehead, “Um…I have a few friends over there. I’ll excuse you for now…”

He turned around almost hastily, walked away quickly, and disappeared into the crowd not far away.

Lin Jianfeng’s hand was still around Shen Qingwu’s waist and did not let go immediately.She could feel Shen Qingwu’s body stiffen almost imperceptibly at the moment she touched it, then relax again and even move slightly closer to her.

“Are you okay?” Lin Jianfeng asked in a low voice.

“It’s okay.” Shen Qingwu shook his head gently and turned to look at her. There was light flowing in his eyes, with a hint of warmth and…an imperceptible dependence, “Thank you.”

“It’s my job.” Lin Jianfeng let go of his hand, but his body still maintained a protective posture, standing beside Shen Qingwu.

Several colleagues around him who noticed the incident showed tacit smiles and quickly looked away.Team Li from the economic investigation department even winked at Lin Jianfeng and gave a thumbs up.

A faint blush appeared on Shen Qingwu’s face, but it quickly returned to normal.She picked up the wine glass and took a covert sip.

This small episode did not affect the atmosphere of the banquet, and was soon drowned out by even greater laughter.

But Lin Jianfeng knew that Wang Youcai’s appearance and those words were a clear signal.

“Underground River” did not completely collapse due to the collapse of “Iron Shield” and the arrest of Zhou Tieshan.On the contrary, they felt an unprecedented threat and began to use more covert and insidious methods to counterattack and warn.

Behind the laughter at the celebration banquet, there is a deeper undercurrent.

As the banquet came to an end, Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu stood by the relatively quiet window, looking at the lively scene in the hall.

“They won’t give up.” Shen Qingwu said softly, his eyes falling in the distance where Wang Youcai disappeared.

“I know.” Lin Jianfeng nodded with a calm tone, “But the more they behave like this, the more it means that we have hit their sore spot. Next, the goals will be clearer and our actions will be more careful.”

She turned her head and looked at Shen Qingwu: “Are you afraid?”

Shen Qingwu met her gaze, shook his head, his eyes were clear and firm: “Maybe before. But now…” She paused, her voice was light but strong, “With you by my side, I am not afraid.”

Lin Jianfeng looked at her, seeing the unreserved trust and dependence in her eyes, and his heart seemed to be soaked in warm water, soft and warm.She stretched out her hand and gently touched the back of Shen Qingwu’s hand.

“Then let’s find them out together.”

Outside the window, the city lights are as bright as the stars.

In the banquet hall, the joy of celebration has not yet dissipated.

But they all knew that the real battle had just entered its most intense stage.

And they will face all wind and rain side by side.