Ding Fan could basically conclude that the people surveilling him were definitely related to the kidnapping of Xu Rui.
However, Ding Fan didn't intend to alarm them. No matter what, he decided to et Xu Guanjie first, get a clear understanding of the situation, and then make a plan.
Both Ding Fan and Qin Manshu bypassed a flower bed and, shortly after, arrived at Xu Guanjie's villa.
Ding Fan noted that Xu Guanjie's house was conveniently within the surveillance range of the office building not far away.
Ding Fan and Qin Manshu entered Xu Guanjie's ho.
At this mont, there were quite a few people in Xu Guanjie's house. Apart from Xu Guanjie and Xu Rui's mother, there were also so people Ding Fan didn't recognize, likely relatives of Xu Rui.
"Uncle Xu, Xu Rui is usually quite willful. I think this ti he might have provoked so enemies," a young man was telling Xu Guanjie.
Although Xu Guanjie maintained his composure, his brow furrowed slightly.
Ding Fan looked over at the young man who had just spoken.
Ding Fan had an impression of this voice and looked over at the person.
He was a young man about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in simple sportswear, with an insolent look and a slightly curled lip, clearly a self-satisfied playboy.
Ding Fan thought for a mont and managed to recall the man's na.
Tian Leji.
More than half a month ago, Xu Rui's car was involved in an accident. At the scene, Ding Fan had personally heard Tian Leji planning the setup for the people under him.
If that trap had succeeded, Xu Rui would have been jailed for hit-and-run, and it's likely that Xu Guanjie would have faced career setbacks or an early retirent because of Xu Rui...
With a conspiracy to fra Xu Rui from half a month ago, Ding Fan instantly felt that Xu Rui's disappearance this ti was also closely related to Tian Leji.
"Young Master Ding, you're here?" Just as Ding Fan was lost in thought, Xu Guanjie noticed him and quickly greeted him.
After Ding Fan had saved the Xu family several tis, Xu Guanjie naturally treated him with courtesy. Moreover, given Ding Fan's current social status, he deserved the title of young master.
Ding Fan nodded in acknowledgnt.
Tian Leji glanced at Ding Fan, his expression slightly changing.
Even though Tian Leji thought no one could notice, Ding Fan observed all these changes.
"Deputy Mayor Xu, how is Xu Rui's situation now?" Ding Fan asked.
Xu Guanjie shook his head slightly, his brow furrowing even more heavily. "Apart from the phone call from the kidnappers this morning, there hasn't been any other news."
At that mont, the phone in the living room started ringing.
Everyone fell silent, their eyes turning to the phone. Even soone as composed as Xu Guanjie couldn't help but shudder.
Xu Rui's mother ran over to the phone, quickly picking it up.
"Hello, I'm Xu Rui's mother. What do you want? I'll give you anything you want, as long as you ensure Xu Rui's safety."
"Heh heh… It seems you truly care about your daughter," the voice on the other end sounded processed and strange.
"As long as you let my daughter go, we can give you anything."
"First, let Deputy Mayor Xu approve an application for the West District land. Once that's done, we can talk further. Heh heh…" The voice on the other end laughed before hanging up.
"Lao Su, the West District land approval." Xu Rui's mother hung up and hurried to grab Xu Guanjie's arm.
Xu Guanjie's expression turned grim.
"Aunt Xu, please don't worry," Tian Leji approached. "Uncle Xu, which unit is responsible for the West District land approval?"
Xu Guanjie understood Tian Leji's implication; finding the unit responsible could lead directly to uncovering the mastermind behind Xu Rui's kidnapping.
Xu Guanjie turned to a young, capable man and said, "Xiao Ma, check who the land unit for the West District is."
The person called Xiao Ma was Xu Guanjie's secretary. He agreed and hurriedly went to make a phone call.
"Recently, our Huaxia Group has submitted a land application in the West District," Qin Manshu said from the side.
Xu Guanjie was slightly taken aback by Qin Manshu's words.
Ding Fan glanced at Tian Leji nearby. Could Xu Rui's kidnapping have aid at implicating him?
"Huaxia Group?" Tian Leji deliberately put on a stern face. "Uncle Xu, I think we should quickly investigate this Huaxia Group."
Xu Guanjie glanced at Ding Fan. "Huaxia Group is Young Master Ding's company; they couldn't possibly kidnap Hu Jin."
"Uncle Xu, you're too trusting. You must know that for profit, so people will do anything," Tian Leji said, casting a glance at Ding Fan.
Ding Fan could see that Tian Leji was directly targeting him.
"How could we possibly kidnap Xu Rui?" Qin Manshu stepped forward, speaking with a heavy heart.
Tian Leji snorted coldly. "Who knows? In front of benefits, everyone is ugly. If it wasn't you who kidnapped, then tell why the kidnappers are asking Uncle Xu to sign off on the West District developnt papers."
For a mont, Qin Manshu didn't know how to defend herself. After all, the West District developnt was closely tied to Huaxia Group, making it easy for people to speculate.
At this mont, three plainclothes officers entered the villa.
"Deputy Mayor Xu, we're from Dancheng Town Police Bureau. We know the situation and are here to help you in any way you need."
Ding Fan scrutinized the three plainclothes officers and, after a divine sense probe, discovered sothing fishy about one of them.
The officer was carrying a leather bag, inside of which was a miniature cara.
Ding Fan had heard of such pinhole caras before, used by reporters for covert filming. He suspected that the one with the pinhole cara was a reporter.
Both a policeman and a reporter—Tian Leji must have spent a lot of effort.
Xu Guanjie looked at the police with surprise. To ensure his daughter's safety, he hadn't reported the incident, so why were these officers here?
"Uncle Xu, I called these officers. Don't worry, I've used my dad's connections to have the police secretly involved. They'll ensure Xu Rui's safety," Tian Leji said.
Since the police were already present, what else could Xu Guanjie say? From his perspective, Tian Leji seed to be looking out for them.
The two officers briefly inquired about the current situation with Xu Guanjie. Then, Tian Leji recounted the last call from Fei Da to the two officers.
"The kidnappers demand Uncle Xu signs off on the West District developnt docunts. I believe this involves Ding Fan and his group," Tian Leji stated.
Ding Fan noticed that after Tian Leji finished speaking, the person with the pinhole cara intentionally aid the lens at him.
"Ding Fan, are you the chairman of Huaxia Group?" the leading plainclothes officer asked Ding Fan.
Ding Fan nodded in acknowledgnt.
"We suspect Xu Rui's disappearance case is closely linked to your company. As the legal representative, we hope you'll cooperate and co with us," the leading officer said.
To go with them?
With that pinhole cara nearby, this could be edited out of context with a headline.
The owner of Huaxia Group kidnapped the deputy mayor's daughter for gaining permit approvals...
Even if Ding Fan later clarified everything, it would still affect the company's image.
"President Ding, cooperating by going to the police station for an investigation is no big deal, right?" Tian Leji said.
Ding Fan glanced at Tian Leji; he was scheming well.
If Ding Fan went, he'd fall into Tian Leji's dia trap; if not, it would only increase suspicion.
"Fine, we'll cooperate with your investigation," Qin Manshu, unaware of the pinhole cara, said from the side.
Qin Manshu felt the matter needed clarification; otherwise, Huaxia Group's reputation would be at stake.
However, just as Qin Manshu finished speaking, Ding Fan suddenly acted.
Bam... Ding Fan swiftly snatched the leather bag from the plainclothes officer nearby.
"What... what are you doing?" The man with the bag was montarily stunned.
Not only was the officer shocked, but everyone present was puzzled as they looked at Ding Fan.
Ding Fan ignored them, taking a pinhole cara from the man's leather bag.
Behind the pinhole cara was a small portable hard drive. As Ding Fan pulled it out, everyone in the room beca solemn.
In today's society, the news dia is like a sword hanging over those in power.
No high-ranking person wasn't afraid of such surveillance.
No one expected a pinhole cara to appear at that mont.
Qin Manshu was the quickest to react, and he quickly deduced that the cara was targeting Huaxia Group.
If they had actually gone with the police, Huaxia Group's stock would have suffered, dealing a significant blow to the company...
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Qin Manshu demanded, his face darkening.
"I... I'm a reporter from our provincial TV station... I just... I heard Deputy Mayor Xu..."
Before the reporter could finish, Ding Fan had already grabbed his neck firmly, making it difficult for the reporter to breathe.
"Who sent you?" Ding Fan asked coldly.
"Help... help ..." The reporter struggled to break free from Ding Fan's grasp, but no matter how he tried, he couldn't escape.
"What are you doing? Do you think just because you're the owner of Huaxia Group, you can act arrogantly in front of the police?" Tian Leji chid in from the side.
The two plainclothes officers approached Ding Fan.
Before they reached him, however, Ding Fan took out his military ID and tossed it to the officers.
Upon seeing Ding Fan's military ID, the two officers dared not move...
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