The middle-aged man led everyone to the second floor, where behind a frad painting in the study was a secret compartnt with a combination lock. It was quite a challenge to open without the man's own instructions. Inside the compartnt was a small safe embedded in the wall; it required another code and was immobile. Upon opening the safe, Luo Zheng saw high-class jewelry and diamonds, as well as a black ledger. He quickly stepped forward and picked up the ledger.
After browsing through it for a while, Luo Zheng's face turned ashen. He closed the book and handed it to Lan Xue. She looked through it; the ledger contained records of the middle-aged man's bribes, implicating many officials, but the largest amounts involved Song Yan. With this black book, toppling the Song family was impossible, but it was enough to bring down Song Yan. Lan Xue nodded at Luo Zheng and said, "Ghost Hand, take him down and hand him over to the military."
"Understood." Ghost Hand moved the middle-aged man along. The man seed to want to say sothing, but upon seeing Lan Xue's icy expression, he swallowed his words. At this point, saying anything more was futile.
Lan Xue handed the ledger to Luo Zheng, signaling for him to keep it close. She then pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and gestured for everyone else to head downstairs first. Luo Zheng and the others nodded, quickly made their way to the ground floor, and handed the man over to the Major. With a wave of his hand, two soldiers stepped forward and took the middle-aged man away.
Shortly after, Lan Xue ca downstairs and told the Major, "Seal this place and search it thoroughly."
"Yes, sir!" The Major saluted respectfully and complied.
Lan Xue gave everyone a look, and they understood, leaving the house. Gui Fang and the younger sister were outside, their emotions stable. Lan Xue glanced at them and said, "You guys escort them back to the younger sister's house. You, co with ." She then looked at Luo Zheng.
"Alright." Everyone agreed. Luo Zheng glanced at Gui Fang and then at the younger sister, trying to speak in a calm tone, "Younger sister, go back first. Don't tell mom and dad about what happened here; it'll only worry them. I have so things to take care of, but I'll be ho soon."
"Mm, be careful," the younger sister replied understandingly.
"Thank you," Luo Zheng said earnestly to Gui Fang.
"Why are you thanking ?" Gui Fang asked, sowhat puzzled.
Luo Zheng didn't explain but looked at Lan Xue, who nodded. The two hailed a taxi. A small car quickly approached and stopped beside them. Brother Dao hurried out and respectfully said, "Brothers waiting for a ride? Just drive this one."
Brother Dao had clearly seen what had just transpired and had broken out in a cold sweat, aware that Ghost Hand and his people were no ordinary individuals. He realized that Lord was finished, and by offering his car, he hoped to forge a good relationship, knowing that in this world, no one is simple.
Seeing Lan Xue look at him, Luo Zheng thought it was good to establish this connection, which might co in handy soday. He politely said, "Thanks a lot. My younger sister studies at Beijing University, keep an eye out for her."
"At your command!" Brother Dao happily opened the car door and ushered them in.
Luo Zheng sat in the driver's seat and, once Lan Xue was settled, drove off, asking, "Where to?"
"Let's go to my grandfather's place. Let's go, I'll direct you." Lan Xue replied, knowing Luo Zheng was unfamiliar with the route, she kept guiding him as he drove. After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a military restricted area. Both Lan Xue and Luo Zheng showed their IDs, opened the trunk for inspection, and were permitted to enter.
Luo Zheng parked the car at the entrance of the courtyard and hurriedly got out, proceeding to the living room. There, an elegant elderly man was leisurely pouring and sipping his drink. Despite his age, his posture was neither stooped nor frail, but robust and straight, exuding the aura of a soldier; it was indeed Mr. Li.
"Ah, you're here?" Mr. Li said indifferently as the two arrived, gesturing for them to sit down.
"Greetings, sir," Luo Zheng saluted respectfully, not daring to slack in the slightest courtesy, whether it was to his grandfather or as a leader. He clearly understood in his heart that if it weren't for Mr. Li intervening and blocking many issues, he might have long been played to death by the influential Song family. He couldn't have been jumping around everywhere, a favor he had to acknowledge.
"Have a seat," Mr. Li instructed, glancing at Luo Zheng, then his eyes softened as they landed on Lan Xue, smiling kindly, "You youngsters are making such a big fuss, couldn't you have let know in advance? Fortunately, you're in the right; next ti you're planning sothing, tell first, to avoid any disadvantages."
"Thank you, Grandfather, I knew you're the best to ," Lan Xue said with a giggly smile.
"It's just your sweet talk, but this ti, I'll let it pass. The matter with the Military Research Institute and the Japanese's toxin research base was handled beautifully, you didn't disappoint . I've read your reports, and you lad did well. How should I reward you?" Mr. Li said seriously, his expression turning stern as he looked at Luo Zheng, intelligence gleaming in his deep eyes.
"It is our duty, we dare not ask for rewards," Luo Zheng quickly replied.
"Well said, but rewarding rit is also proper. What reward do you have in mind?" Mr. Li asked, looking at Luo Zheng.
Luo Zheng glanced at Lan Xue, his expression softening as he spoke, "Grant a few days off; I want to spend ti with my family."
"I'm afraid there's no vacation, but there still has to be a reward. The rank of every mber of your team will be promoted by one level. In view of your performance, the organization has decided to appoint you as the deputy team leader. Do you have any objections?" Mr. Li looked at Luo Zheng and spoke earnestly.
Advancing one level ant becoming a Captain. Although Luo Zheng wasn't particularly interested in holding an official position, he wasn't opposed either. As for the appointnt as the deputy team leader, Luo Zheng didn't know what it entailed but agreed to it. On the side, Lan Xue couldn't help but be secretly elated; according to the base's tradition, the position of deputy team leader was rely a transitional role. Once one's military rits and capabilities reached a certain level, one could independently lead a team. Without the qualifications of being a deputy team leader, one would not be permitted to command a team on their own.
Lan Xue was delighted that her lover was given prominence, yet there was also a tinge of sadness, worrying that once Luo Zheng had his own team to command, their ti together would diminish. But for Luo Zheng's future, Lan Xue did not show her disappointnt, instead smiling sincerely and said, "The organization is wise, Grandfather is wise. 'Ghost' has undertaken most of the tactical command and decision-making in our team, and he's more capable than ; becoming the deputy team leader is only natural."
"Aren't you jealous?" Mr. Li said laughing.
"Grandfather," Lan Xue called out coquettishly upon seeing Mr. Li teasing her, eliciting a joyful laugh from him.
Luo Zheng watched Lan Xue with a dazed expression, not expecting her to have a whining side, and was montarily entranced. Catching the rolling eyes from Lan Xue, he suddenly ca back to his senses, only to find Mr. Li looking at him with a profound gaze. His face flushed with embarrassnt, but then he heard Mr. Li speak seriously, "You must know a bit about 'Shadow,' right?"
"Is there a mission?" Lan Xue asked with a mix of surprise and concern.
Luo Zheng's mind flashed back to the last parting words 'Shadow' had said and looked at Mr. Li with a grave expression.
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