Early the next morning, sunlight spilled through the windows, bringing a touch of warmth to the room. The autumn and winter chill had settled over Beijing. Luo Zheng opened his eyes, glanced at his watch, and quickly got up to wash, having no ti to savor the morning sun. He hurried to the living room and just caught breakfast, eating a few bites in haste. Glancing apologetically at his mother, he said, "Mom, there's an ergency task. Xue Er might not be able to co today."
"An ergency task? Alright then." Mrs. Luo understood the situation and reluctantly responded, her face full of regret as she continued, "The task is important, I understand. Be careful, take good care of her, and should anything happen, I won't forgive you. Tell her she's welco to visit anyti."
"Got it, Mom." Luo Zheng nodded in agreent and looked toward his father. Luo Hu said nothing as Luo Zheng stood up, stuffed a bun in his mouth, and hurriedly headed toward his bedroom, securing his weapons and credentials on his person. He swallowed the bun in a few bites, and as his younger sister erged from another room, he had no ti for greetings and rushed out the door.
Once downstairs, Luo Zheng hailed a taxi to the city station. Lan Xue, Ghost Hand, and the others had arrived earlier and were waiting outside instead of going in. As everyone saw Luo Zheng approaching, they all ca forward to greet him. He nodded at Lan Xue and looked at everyone, asking, "Why aren't you going in?"
"I gathered everyone here for a briefing, to clarify the rules. This matter involves national security and is highly significant, with so aspects needing confidentiality. Everyone must grasp the importance of this. Any matters escalated to the national level cannot be carelessly discussed. The police are coordinating with us, handling local issues, and anything not concerning local security must not be shared with them," Lan Xue said seriously.
"Understood." Everyone responded in unison.
Luo Zheng nodded knowingly, thought for a mont, then noticed Shi Feng erging from inside and said softly, "Let's go." Everyone saw Shi Feng approaching, adjusted their deanor, and warmly proceeded to et him.
"Director Shi, I'm here to take over your credit," Luo Zheng joked.
"Not at all. I've received orders from above to fully comply with your command. I'm relieved you're here. I haven't slept well these days; last night, I received the order, and finally felt at ease, slept soundly, and woke up naturally. So, what do you need to do?" Shi Feng responded politely.
"Let's skip the pleasantries. How did the investigation go yesterday?" Luo Zheng asked.
"Let's talk in the conference room," Shi Feng suggested quietly, seeing more people coming over.
Everyone sat in the conference room as the task force mbers ca over. The team leader stood to report the situation, visibly worn out and with bloodshot eyes, probably having stayed up all night, yet still energetic, as he explained to Luo Zheng, "Chief, based on yesterday's case analysis, we investigated two deceased individuals and found both of their companies produce chips used in wireless sensors. Other details are still under investigation."
"Huh?" Luo Zheng was taken aback, recalling the analysis from last night. He imdiately said, "The killer won't stop recklessly. If the motive was failed cooperation, they'd target the third and fourth company until successful cooperation is achieved. If it was to obstruct interests, they'd similarly target other companies. Thus, we must quickly identify other companies on the list that produce similar chips."
"We've considered this point too. After sifting through, there indeed is one, the only one on the list, called Hua Yi Technology, owned by soone from Beijing with no prior records, and the company itself is clean," the team leader said, admiringly looking at Luo Zheng, noting that Luo Zheng had found a lead after they had spent a whole night, exchanging a glance with Shi Feng before displaying a photo of Hua Yi Company's owner.
Luo Zheng looked at the photo, seeing soone who appeared like an old professor, which puzzled him. The task force leader continued, "A Beijing University professor who founded the company ten years ago. It has now reached a scale of thirteen billion and is a renowned entity in the chip industry, integrating production, research, and sales."
"Ten years? Thirteen billion?" Luo Zheng pondered deeply. For a company to grow so large in rely ten years, there are only two possibilities: high-tech with industry-leading advantages or strong resource backing. The owner being a professor suggests the forr is more likely. He imdiately said, "Quickly request surveillance on him. I suspect the killer will target him. If they move, it confirms our hypothesis. If not, then it's complex."
"I'll arrange the surveillance. The task force will act imdiately, and I'll handle the paperwork. Rember, don't expose the surveillance, nor disturb his normal life. Conduct it secretly, and notify imdiately if problems arise. This is the temporary command center; any questions?" Shi Feng looked decisively at the task force mbers.
"No problem," the team leader promptly replied, glanced at Luo Zheng, and hurriedly left.
After the task force mbers left, Luo Zheng looked at Ghost Hand, Mountain Eagle, and Snow Leopard and said, "You three also go for close-range tracking. Step in when necessary and ensure the target's safety. You know what to do." Luo Zheng was well aware of the abilities of the three and knew they could handle such tasks without guidance.
"Got it," they replied, quickly getting up to leave.
As the three left, Luo Zheng continued with Shi Feng, "Business thrives on harmony; why would the killer adopt such an extre asure? Is it to vent anger or hide sothing disgraceful? If Hua Yi Technology doesn't cooperate, wouldn't the killer's effort be wasted?"
"True, soone who can pull off such deeds must be quite clever. They can't be oblivious to this. So why adopt such extre thods? Is it intentional or another plot? If intentional, who benefits from killing these three? If there's another plot, is it unrelated to business needs?" Lan Xue discreetly suggested from beside.
Luo Zheng was stunned, suddenly recalling the suspicions from relevant departnts—if the whole affair was a distraction to divert attention away from the real aim of assassinating the chairman, then why kill these two entrepreneurs also producing chips? Are there so many coincidences? Apparently, everything hinges on the next move of the suspect to know for sure.
While discussing in the eting room, an urgent phone call interrupted. Shi Feng quickly answered, his expression becoming grim as he looked at Luo Zheng, "The Hua Yi Company owner is dead, the cause of death identical to the previous two."
"What?" Luo Zheng's face changed drastically as he jumped up, staring at Shi Feng in disbelief. What was the killer's motive for the murders? The situation beca increasingly perplexing and mysterious.
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