1993, Pengcheng Police Affairs

Chapter 65 The Box

Seeing that Gu Huai had finally offered a way out, Zhang Guiyuan immediately took the opportunity to hand the rattan cane to the person next to him, turned to look at Gu Huai, and his face was once again full of smiles.

"Officer Gu, it's really my fault for not disciplining them properly, and I'm sorry you had to see this."

Gu Huai cupped his hands in greeting. "You flatter me, sir. My main purpose in coming here tonight is not to arrest anyone."

Zhang Guiyuan's eyes flickered. "Then you are...?"

"I need your help."

The moment the words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Ali was still kneeling on the ground, his back burning, but his ears were standing straight up.

Hou Hao stood behind Gu Huai, his expression also momentarily stunned.

In fact, this was a plan that Gu Huai had already devised at the police station.

That means finding people for yourself through industry insiders.

Although Gu Huai had long guessed that the Zhang family was likely involved in the "Big Flying Boys" business.

However, if Gu Huai were to come and inquire rashly, the Zhang family would certainly never admit to such a thing.

Now that Gu Huai has caught him red-handed, even if Zhang Guiyuan has the thickest skin, he can't deny it anymore.

Zhang Guiyuan stared at Gu Huai for a few seconds, then smiled with relief.

"Officer Gu, please have a seat." He gestured to the chair beside him. "If there's anything you'd like me to help with, just say the word. As long as it's within my power, I'll definitely do it!"

Feeling Zhang Guiyuan's gaze, Gu Huai knew that the other party had definitely misunderstood him.

So he quickly walked to the chair and sat down, getting straight to the point: "Old man, although Zhenhua's case has been solved and the murderer has been caught, the case is not over yet."

"Is it not over yet?"

"Yes." Gu Huai nodded. "Although Zhenhua's car has been found... we also found out that Luo Zhenbang stole another car."

Although he came to ask for help, Gu Huai certainly couldn't tell unrelated people about the case. So, he had to fabricate a case and make Luo Zhenbang take the blame.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guiyuan frowned slightly.

"So I'd like you to help me investigate something," Gu Huai continued. "Has anyone recently shipped taxi parts out of the city? Engines, transmissions, body panels, anything. It doesn't have to be from Shenzhen; surrounding cities are fine too."

At this moment, Zhang Guiyuan's face, which was already full of wrinkles, was now squeezed up like a chrysanthemum.

He was a smart man and immediately understood the meaning behind Gu Huai's words.

This was to get him to use the Zhang family's connections to investigate the details of another smuggling route.

Gu Huai was putting him in a difficult position.

If he refuses, Gu Huai might be able to let tonight's events pass by, but what about the future? Will the Zhang family's ship still be able to leave the country?

If they agree, it means using their own hands to investigate their own competitors. Not only will they offend people, but if they find anything, the Zhang family will also be implicated.

The hall was quiet, with only the incense burning on the offering table, and ashes falling piece by piece.

Zhang Guiyuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put it down.

"Officer Gu," he said in a low voice, "this favor is difficult for you to do."

"I don't think so," Gu Huai shook his head and said, "Grandpa, there's gold everywhere in our Pengcheng. You don't have to be a 'water ghost' to make money."

Zhang Guiyuan glanced at him, his eyes revealing something indescribable—an appreciation.

To be honest, he greatly admired Gu Huai's courage.

"Alright!" Zhang Guiyuan put down his teacup. "I'll have someone inquire about it and contact you as soon as I have any news."

"How long will it take?" Gu Huai asked with a smile. "The team is in a hurry to complete this case."

"This..." Zhang Guiyuan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I will definitely give you an explanation within three days at the latest."

"Alright! It's a deal then," Gu Huai said with a smile.

Seeing that Gu Huai had finally agreed, Zhang Guiyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

With the help of others, Ali and the others stood up and quietly walked behind Zhang Guiyuan.

After setting down his teacup, Zhang Guiyuan said with a smile, "Officer Gu, what do you think of these boxes..."

Gu Huai waved his hand and said, "Let Brother Li open one for me to see. If it's really a fish inside, then we can let it go. If not, then I'll have to contact the bureau."

"Of course...of course," Zhang Guiyuan said, glancing at Ali as he spoke.

Ali nodded, walked to one of the boxes, opened it, and sure enough, it contained some salted fish.

In fact, all of this was within Gu Huai's expectations.

At present, there is not much worthwhile domestic goods to be exported. They are usually fresh vegetables or counterfeit and shoddy shoes and clothing.

If these boxes really contained something particularly valuable, the smuggling team wouldn't be this well-equipped, nor would they have gone to the beach without any prior reconnaissance.

Seeing that Gu Huai was still sitting there without moving, Zhang Guiyuan spoke up, "Officer Gu, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Indeed, there's one more thing." Gu Huai stood up. "I'd like to visit Zhenhua's widow. Her house burned down last time; I wonder where she lives now?"

Zhang Guiyuan was taken aback for a moment, then sighed, "They are now living in the resettlement houses at the east end of the village. I'll have someone take you there."

Gu Huai nodded. "Okay."

After saying that, Gu Huai quickly got up and walked out of the ancestral hall, and Hou Hao quickly followed.

As Hou Hao passed by the boxes displayed in front of the hall, he couldn't help but take another look.

After leaving the ancestral hall, Hou Hao pulled Gu Huai to the side of the police car and asked him in a low voice.

"Ah Huai, do you think those boxes are really full of fish?"

"That depends on how you interpret it," Gu Huai explained with a half-smile. "Before you open these boxes, they might contain anything."

"Then why not open it and take a look?" Hou Hao asked, puzzled.

"If we don't open it, it'll still just contain fish. But what if we open it and find something terrible..." Gu Huai said, glancing at the ancestral hall. "Do you think we can even walk out of this ancestral hall?"

Upon hearing this, Hou Hao's expression immediately turned serious, and he lowered his voice, "They dare... to make a move?"

"Whether they dare or not depends on what's inside." Gu Huai patted Hou Hao on the shoulder. "I said, the box could contain anything before it's opened, which means their courage could be limitless. There's no need for us to gamble on that probability."

Hou Hao nodded, seemingly understanding, "So we're just going to ignore it?"

"Of course we'll take care of it," Gu Huai said seriously. "But not now. After this is all done, I'll have Sister Ling write a report and submit it, truthfully reporting the situation here."

As they were talking, Ali had already changed his clothes and came out of the ancestral hall.

Gu Huai smiled and waved to him while whispering to Hou Hao.

"When the time comes, let the leaders decide whether or not to open these boxes."