Chapter 56: The Opponent

  In a teahouse next to the Dongcheng Public Security Sub-Bureau, Lü Biao and Li Zhongcheng sat facing each other in a private room. On the red wooden table in front of them was a pot of top-grade Longjing tea, four delicate pastries, and a faint scent of tea wafted through the air, creating an elegant atmosphere.

  Lü Bi tore open a pack of Soft Chinese cigarettes, handed one to Li Zhongcheng and lit it for him. He also lit one for himself, took a drag, and then said: "Li Ge, about Xiao Hu's case, what do you think? Should we find the victim's family members, have them play good cop bad cop together, give them some money, and get them to drop the case, settle it privately?"

  Li Zhongcheng waved his hand and smiled knowingly: "Biaozi, these things can't be rushed. I've been in the public security system for so many years, and I've seen many such cases. Even if it's just a ordinary injury case, or even a homicide case, they all end up being settled with money. This case can't be rushed, it must be handled coldly! When the case first comes out, which family member isn't emotionally stirred up, speaking righteously and refusing any amount of money, only demanding that the perpetrator be punished, with a life for a life? But as soon as this case is dragged on for three or two months, you can drag the family members until they lose their emotions, until they have no temper left. The relatives who were supporting them will also start to get busy with their own things. How many people can afford to be dragged on? They still need to work and make a living, right? At this time, the situation will take a turn for the better, and when you talk to them about money again, they'll be easier to negotiate with! In short, as long as Xiaohu isn't caught...

  Director Li was speaking with great enthusiasm when Lü Biao's phone rang. Lü Biao smiled apologetically at Director Li and took out his mobile phone from his bag. As soon as he answered the call, Lü Biao's face changed: "What...the bath center caught fire, the fire department wants to seal it off...you guys hold on for now, I'll be right there!"

  Lü Biào smiled wryly and said, "Li Ge, sorry about this. Something's come up at Jin Bi Hui Huang that I need to take care of. How about this, Li Ge? I'll make it up to you tonight."

  As he spoke, Lü Biō pulled out a thick envelope from his leather bag and pushed it in front of Li Zhōngchéng, saying: "Brother Li, a small token of appreciation, please treat the brothers at the criminal police unit to a meal. As for Hǔ Zǐ's matter, I still need Brother Li to pay extra attention! After it's all settled, I'll invite you out again."

  Li Zhongcheng glanced at the envelope in front of him, estimating that it was about two centimeters thick. He casually pushed the envelope back to Lü Biao and smiled brightly, saying: "Biaozi, between us brothers, you're being too formal. If you have something to attend to, hurry up and take care of it, business is urgent!"

  Lü Biào left the private room with a laugh. As soon as Lü Biào walked out, Director Li put the envelope into his own leather bag!

  The Jinbi Huihuang Bathing Center is in a state of chaos! The small square in front of the door was packed with onlookers, and the fire truck of the firefighting team was parked downstairs with flashing lights. The firefighters were collecting water pipes! As soon as they heard that Jinbi Huihuang had caught fire, the leader of the firefighting team took it very seriously! If something happens in this high-end entertainment venue, it's a matter of dozens of lives, and if things go wrong, who knows how many people will lose their jobs!

  Four fire trucks rushed to the scene with sirens blaring, but no source of fire was found! The duty manager said that thick smoke filled the rest room, and the leading armed police lieutenant colonel carefully checked but did not find any clues! According to the bathing center's statement, so much smoke must have been caused by someone setting off a smoke bomb.

  This police major is an on-the-job master's degree holder, who has done a lot of research on chemical substances. The main component of smoke bombs is phosphorus, which will release a pungent smell after being released, but there is no such smell here at all. Recently, the major saw some information online that the US military had invented a new type of smoke bomb using sugar as the main ingredient, which was both effective and environmentally friendly! Could it be that this is the kind of sugar smoke bomb used here? If American advanced weapons were brought to Jinbi Huangguang for experimentation, even if you killed him, he wouldn't believe it! If such a thing really existed, it would be the National Security Bureau's doing.

  Although no signs of smoke bombs were found, the major still uncovered a large number of loopholes in the bathing center that violated fire safety regulations! The automatic fire alarm system and sprinkler heads were not connected at all, rendering them useless! The renovation used ordinary wooden boards where fire-resistant boards should have been used. To increase business area, emergency exits were sealed off and converted into massage rooms. Where fire extinguishers should have been placed, large flower vases were put instead... In total, the major listed over 20 items!

  If there really was a fire, the guests inside would not be able to escape! The lieutenant colonel immediately issued a closure notice to Jinbi Huangguang! Wang Hongjun, the puppet boss of Jinbi Huangguang, had just returned from drinking at a wedding outside and received the notice. He started spinning around in circles! Like a child crying to his mother, Wang Hongjun did not dare to take charge and quickly called Lü Biao on the phone.

  Lü Biǎo rushed back to the Golden Phoenix, where inside was still in a mess, with shoes scattered all over the stairs. Seeing the real boss return, Wang Hongjun chased after the bodyguards and receptionists to get them back to their posts, tidying up the things that had been pulled into disarray.

  Wang Hongjun handed the suspension notice to Lü Biao with a dejected face, but Lü Biao didn't even look at it and slapped it back at him! Lü Biao walked up to the People's Armed Police lieutenant colonel, forcing a smile on his face, and said in an seemingly sincere tone: "Comrade People's Armed Police, we will definitely make rectifications according to your requirements and invite you to inspect again after the rectification is complete!"

  Lv Biao can get to this point and deal with all sorts of officials, so he naturally understands that the leader of this team looks powerful but is actually just a housekeeper holding keys. In this situation, talking to him more won't have any effect, everything still depends on running to the higher-ups in the fire brigade and public security bureau!

  After sending away the fire brigade, Lü Biāo began to ask about the loss situation. The bodyguards and service ladies checked inside and outside, except for a false alarm, it seemed that there was no loss!

  Lü Biō felt his eyelids twitching, things were definitely not that simple! Only then did he remember, what had happened to his son Lü Hǔ? Hearing the boss's question, everyone looked at each other in dismay, earlier it was so chaotic, and indeed no one had seen Lü Hǔ!

  They hastily sent someone to the private room where Lü Hu was wandering, only to find that there was no one inside! The bodyguard responsible for protecting Lü Hu was kicked by Han Qin and still felt pain in his ribs when speaking. To shirk responsibility, the bodyguard also claimed he didn't know what happened, saying he was busy putting out a fire at the time!

  The two bodyguards in charge of the gate had an impression, at that time there was a young man carrying a fat man with a towel on his head, saying that he was frightened and his heart disease relapsed. They went forward to ask, but were scolded. Now thinking about it, wasn't that fat man Lu Hu? The two bodyguards exchanged a look, and both said they hadn't seen Lu Hu leave the door!

  Seeing the big masters one by one shirking responsibility, the two ladies who played a double fly with Lü Hu were quite pleased to say that at the time they were also frightened silly, but heard the sound of Lü Hu being beaten and taken away!

  Lü Bi's heart sank, had Lü Bi been taken away by the criminal police?! Lü Bi hastily called Li Zhongcheng, his tone somewhat angry, you're arresting people without even giving me a heads up!

  When Lü Bi asked this, Li Zhongcheng was stunned. He had specially arranged for his trusted subordinates to report to him in advance if they were going out to capture Lü Hu. The criminal police team had sent someone to catch him once before, but he hadn't been seen. According to the usual practice for such a suspect who had already escaped, the police would arrange for special informants. Once accurate information was obtained, around 2 am would be the best time for capture! There was no reason for the criminal police team to conduct two captures in such a short period of time!

  After a few minutes, Li Zhongcheng called back and said that Lv Hu was indeed at the Criminal Police Brigade, but he wasn't caught by the criminal police team, instead, he was brought there by someone!

  With Li Zhongcheng's face, Lü Biao met Lü Hu in the small black room of the criminal police team. As soon as he saw his son's miserable appearance, Lü Biao suddenly became furious and vowed to sue the criminal police team for coercive interrogation!

  The chief inspector couldn't help but cry and laugh, so he had to hold his breath to explain to Lv Biao that they hadn't even interrogated Lv Hu yet, how could there be torture? When Lv Hu was taken away by the criminal police team, he held a dagger and tried to escape, and the person who took him away subdued him on the spot! It's like this because of the struggle during the subdual.

  Lü Biǎo felt a chill run down his spine! Han Qin! It's been many years since he last encountered an opponent like this!