A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 35

The choice of clear mist

Wang Youcai’s collapse and confession were like sparks thrown into boiling oil, instantly exploding within the city bureau and some hidden circles in Shuangcheng.

The name of Dana Liu, the actual controller of “Changhe Trading”, was officially included in the fugitive list, and his assets were quickly frozen and seized.The retired “Director Li” (former head of a key position at the Municipal Development and Reform Commission) was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission overnight.Following the money laundering path provided by Wang Youcai and the line of “Iron Shield” Zhou Tieshan, more vague clues about the transfer of interests, power-for-money transactions, and even several “accidental” deaths and disappearances many years ago began to surface.

The outline of a black interest network covering politics, business, and specific industries – the “dark river” – has become clearer than ever.

However, as the investigation deepens, an unavoidable question is also placed in front of Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu: How should Shen Qingwu define and deal with the “less legal” methods used by Shen Qingwu in the past ten years in the process of tracing his parents’ old cases and fighting against the “dark river”, those transactions, thefts, and even indirect losses to others that wander in gray or even black areas?

In Wang Youcai’s confession, in order to protect himself and reduce his guilt, he also deliberately vaguely mentioned some behaviors in which Shen Qingwu “may” have obtained information through abnormal channels and “may” have used commercial means to suppress competitors (including chess pieces manipulated by “Dark River”).Although there is a lack of direct evidence and Shen Qingwu firmly denies this (claiming that it is legitimate business competition and legal information collection), these accusations still hang over Shen Qingwu like a dark cloud.

There are differences within the municipal bureau, especially the newly established task force headed by Team Leader Liu.Some people believe that Shen Qingwu is the key hero and important witness in cracking the “Dark River” case. His past actions were forced self-protection and counterattack under specific circumstances, and did not cause major social harm or clearly pointed to innocent people. The merits and demerits should be balanced, and criticism and education should be given priority.Others believe that merit is merit, fault is fault, and everyone is equal before the law. If Shen Qingwu really commits illegal acts, regardless of his motives, he should be investigated and possibly held accountable, otherwise it will undermine the dignity of the rule of law.

Pressure not only comes from within, but also from outside.With Dana Liu on the run, the remnants of “Dark River” are like injured beasts, becoming more crazy and secretive.As the most critical knife to tear apart the shady story, Shen Qingwu naturally became a thorn in their side that must be removed.Bounties on the dark web, commercial attacks and public smears against Qingyuan Capital, and even personal death threats against her have become more frequent and explicit.

Lin Jianfeng was officially appointed as Shen Qingwu’s “all-weather security chief”. It was still protection in name, but in fact it was a disguised form of “monitoring” and “control.”The superior’s intention is clear: to ensure the absolute safety of this key witness, but also to prevent her from acting irrationally or even… “disappearing” in the face of tremendous pressure and possible liquidation.

Shen Qingwu’s Qingyuan Capital, with the efforts of Qin Mo and several loyal executives, can still operate for the time being, but the stock price has plummeted, partners are waiting and watching, and internal sentiment is floating.She herself is almost under “house arrest” in Lin Jianfeng’s apartment (now upgraded to a high-security safe house). In addition to cooperating with the task force’s inquiries and providing clues, she no longer participates in any specific company affairs.

It’s a delicate balance and a dangerous impasse.

This evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the apartment into a warm golden color.Lin Jianfeng returned to his apartment after finishing his day’s work report and safety inspection.Shen Qingwu was sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, with his back to the door, looking at the setting sun outside.She was wearing loose off-white home clothes, her long hair was disheveled, and her back looked a little thin and… lonely in the dusk.

Lin Jianfeng walked lightly to her and handed her a glass of warm water.

Shen Qingwu took it and didn’t drink it. He just held it in the palm of his hand and felt the temperature coming from the wall of the cup.”Today… Team Leader Liu of the task force talked to me again.” She spoke, her voice a little erratic, “I asked very detailed questions about the time Nolan was consulting, about the abnormal changes in some of my company’s overseas accounts, about… how I got Wang Youcai’s core transaction records.”

Lin Jianfeng’s heart sank slightly.She knew that the task force was verifying all the details in Wang Youcai’s confession, including the vague accusations against Shen Qingwu.”How did you answer?”

“I’ve said what I should say, but I haven’t said what I shouldn’t.” Shen Qingwu tugged at the corner of his mouth, showing a trace of tiredness, “Legitimate business investigation, open information channels, plus a little… luck and intuition. Whether they believe it or not, I don’t know.”

She turned her head and looked at Lin Jianfeng. The ice lake in her eyes seemed to have melted a lot, leaving only a bottomless feeling of exhaustion and confusion.”Lin Jianfeng, did I…do something wrong?”

Lin Jianfeng sat down next to her and looked at her: “What do you mean?”

“A lot.” Shen Qingwu looked out the window again, “Maybe, from the beginning, I shouldn’t have used those methods to investigate. Maybe, I should be like you, believe in the law and wait for justice. Even if I wait a little longer, even if… I may never wait..” Her voice lowered, “But now that I have found out, I have cornered the Dark River.But I… can’t seem to turn back.My hands are not clean, and my company is in turmoil, and I may even… drag you into it.”

Lin Jianfeng reached out and gently held her cold hand on his knee.”Qingwu, look at me.”

Shen Qingwu turned his head and looked at her.

“You did nothing wrong.” Lin Jianfeng’s voice was clear and firm. “In the face of absolute darkness and despair, there is nothing wrong in choosing to use all means to find light. What is wrong is the people who create darkness and the people who use loopholes in the rules to trample on justice. Your method may not be fully recognized by the law, but your goal – to seek justice for your parents and let the truth be revealed – is consistent with the ultimate goal of our police.”

She paused and continued: “As for your past, those behaviors that may have crossed the line… I believe that at the final trial, the judge will consider all the causes and consequences and make a fair ruling. And now, your choice will determine which side of the judgment the balance will tilt.”

Shen Qingwu looked at her blankly: “My… choice?”

“Yes.” Lin Jianfeng nodded, his eyes blazing, “Should you continue to hide, defend, or even fight the investigation, putting yourself on the opposite side of the law; or… take the initiative to stand up, take responsibility, use all the information and all the evidence you have to assist the police, completely eradicate the ‘dark river’, and completely reveal the truth about your parents’ old cases. Use your actions to prove that you are willing to take responsibility for your past mistakes and pay the price for future justice.”

Shen Qingwu’s breathing stagnated slightly.Lin Jianfeng’s words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting away the confusion and fear in her heart.

Responsible?initiative?Use the punishment you may face in exchange for the ultimate truth and…salvation?

This requires tremendous courage, almost self-destructive courage.It means that she may have to give up everything she has – wealth, status, freedom, and may even face jail time.

But this may also be… the only way that can allow her to truly come out of the shadow of the past, allow her to stand in the same sunshine as Lin Jianfeng, and allow her parents to rest in peace in heaven.

She was silent for a long time.The sun sets completely below the horizon, twilight falls, and the city lights begin to shine.

Lin Jianfeng didn’t urge her, he just held her hand quietly, conveying silent support and strength.

Finally, Shen Qingwu took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.She held Lin Jianfeng’s hand tightly with her backhand, and her eyes changed from blank to firm, from tired to clear.

“I choose… to speak out.” Her voice was low but extremely clear, with a desperate determination. “I will hand over all the methods I have used in the past ten years, all the gray figures I have come into contact with, all the information and evidence obtained through abnormal channels… to the police. Cooperate with them to find out everything. I will never shirk my responsibility.”

She looked at Lin Jianfeng, tears glistening in her eyes, but it was no longer because of fear, but a kind of relief, mixed with pain and hope.

“Lin Jianfeng, this may be the last time that I am qualified to stand by your side.” She said softly, “But I hope that at least before I leave, I can see the destruction of the ‘Dark River’ with my own eyes, and see the real truth engraved on my parents’ tombstones.”

Lin Jianfeng’s heart throbbed hard because of her words.But she knew that this was the bravest and most correct choice Shen Qingwu could make.This choice may cause her to lose a lot, but it can truly bring relief and peace to her soul.

She stretched out her other hand, gently caressed Shen Qingwu’s cheek, and wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes with her thumb.

“You will not face it alone.” Lin Jianfeng’s voice carried unquestionable power. “I will accompany you through every procedure and face every inquiry. I will do my best to ensure the fairness of the investigation and your rights. And…” She pausedAfter a pause, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, “Your ‘surrender’ and full cooperation will be the most powerful weapon to defeat the last line of defense of the Dark River. What they fear most is internal collapse and the full exposure of secrets. Your choice will accelerate their demise.”

Shen Qingwu looked at her, looking at those eyes that were still bright and firm in the dusk, and the last trace of uneasiness and fear in his heart gradually subsided.With this person by his side, even if the road ahead is full of thorns and trials, it seems… not that scary anymore.

“Okay.” She nodded, gently leaning her cheek against Lin Jianfeng’s palm caressing her face, feeling the warmth and solidity, “Let’s… be together.”

The city lights outside the window lit up one by one, forming a bright galaxy.

In this tightly protected and invisible prison apartment, Shen Qingwu made the most important choice in her life – to let go of the darkness and struggle of the past, and with self-sacrificial honesty, move towards a bright future that may be full of punishment, but also full of hope.

Lin Jianfeng will serve as her guardian, witness, and traveler, and will walk with her toward the final and most thorough liquidation of this storm.