At 8:46 p.m., the meeting room on the third floor of Jiangcheng Port Passenger Accommodation was brightly lit.

Chief Xu of Jiangcheng Customs and Director Hu of Jiangnan Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau arrived in the evening and have been waiting for news with Deputy Team Leader Zhou Huixin of the Special Task Force.

Wang Changjiang and Deputy Division Commander Li Yunsheng of the Criminal Investigation Team at Changhang Jiangcheng Branch, along with other police officers, are outside monitoring the suspects, waiting for Zhou Huixin to give the order.

"Chief Xu, Director Hu, Ma Guan says Salted Fish has confirmed."

"Confirmed?"

"Salted Fish confirmed those electronic devices are tax fraud tools, the same ones seen when they cleared last time, and the business card Salted Fish stuck in the devices during the previous inspection is still there."

Tax fraud isn't new, supposedly, it's rampant over in East Guang, with many cadres involved, even directly forging documents and invoices to cheat, not bothering with "props." But the fraud amounting to nearly a billion is definitely a major case in Jiangnan Province!

Binjiang Branch achieving results equally counts as achievements for Jiangnan Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau.

Moreover, this is the first major case cracked since the bureau was officially established!

Vice Director Hu was thrilled and couldn't help jokingly cursing: "Sticking a business card inside, that Salted Fish kid is just messing around. What if the suspects find out?"

"Yeah, if the suspects discovered it, all efforts would be wasted."

"Report to the leaders, Salted Fish is confident because, from the previously gathered information, the involved personnel are blinded by greed, frequently using props to secure more tax refunds, not even bothering to change the containers holding the props. They didn't expect a thorough inspection, only switching the nameplate after reaching the port."

Zhou Huixin chuckled and added, "Besides, putting a business card inside benefits the subsequent investigation, at least no one can dispute whether the evidence is conclusive."

"Salted Fish didn't have the chance to go to Hong Kong, but his business card has been there, which is like him touring Hong Kong," Chief Xu laughed heartily and checked his watch: "Old Hu, it's getting late, now that the evidence is conclusive, we should close the net."

"Alright, Hui Xin, issue the order."

"Chief Xu, Director Hu, according to cross-regional case handling procedures, we need to inform Jiangcheng Police and request their assistance before arresting in Jiangcheng."

Over the past three hours, the capture teams have reported in succession.

Among the eight suspects, five are dining outside, mostly with party and government cadres, including customs and entry-exit inspection and quarantine staff.

This is corporate crime; the involved people have connections and background in Jiangcheng. Sending signals now won't be timely, but who knows if someone might plead for them.

Chief Xu worried about delays causing complications, whispered, "Skipping notification should be okay, right?"

"Skipping notification isn't good; we're a newly established unit and must follow case handling procedures."

"Old Hu, what's your take?"

Vice Director Hu wanted Zhou Huixin to issue the arrest order. Once apprehended, authorities would organize transport back to Binjiang overnight, leaving a few police officers in Jiangcheng to collect and secure other evidence, freezing the bank accounts of the involved companies and personnel.

However, Zhou Huixin's words held some logic. Arresting without notifying Jiangcheng Police Bureau, the leadership there would definitely not be pleased, and seeking their aid in the future would be difficult.

After weighing the options, Vice Director Hu took out his phone: "I'll call Director Li at Jiangcheng Police Bureau; a smuggling case is different from other cases, Director Li should understand."

Zhou Huixin promptly opened her briefcase and took out a stack of official documents: "Director Hu, I've brought the paperwork for requesting collaboration."

"Give it to me; I'll ask where Director Li is and find him to discuss in person."

"Thank you, Director Hu."

... 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The neon lights of Jiangcheng Hotel shone bright and splendid at night.

Wang Changjiang had passed by its entrance more than once but had never entered.

Tonight, he went inside twice, and it was eye-opening.

But now, he wasn't in the mood to marvel at the luxury of the five-star hotel; he frequently checked his phone, anxiously waiting for orders.

"Brother Wang, there's a bathhouse upstairs; they've gone up to shower."

"What floor is the bathhouse on?"

"The twelfth floor; Xiao Wu went up to take a look but didn't dare go inside."

"Why didn't he dare?"

"The consumption inside is very high; if you go in without showering, they'll be suspicious."

"Call Xiao Wu and tell him to wait in the bathhouse lobby; if asked, say he's Director Wang's driver, waiting to pick up Director Wang after the shower."

"Which Director Wang?"

"How should I know? I don't know, so the bathhouse staff definitely won't know."

Investigator Xiao Ding caught on and, smiling, took out his phone: "Got it!"

Meanwhile, Zhang Baoqing's team was staking out the entrance of a karaoke lounge.

Investigator Xiao Xiao and Old Liu, a police officer from Changhang Jiangcheng Branch, just made a round inside and confirmed the target is singing karaoke inside with a hostess. With no arrest order issued yet, they could only wait outside the front and back entrances.

Zhang Baoqing checked his phone to confirm it had power, looked up at the second floor of the karaoke lounge and asked, "How many people are in the private room?"

"Including the hostess?"

"Who asked about the hostess? What are you always thinking about?"

Xiao Ding chuckled and quickly said, "Not including the hostess, there are six people; the fat man from dinner earlier sang for a while and then left."

Zhang Baoqing lit a cigarette and coldly said, "They're showering over there, singing here, living luxuriously at hotels every day—this is the legendary lavish lifestyle. Too bad their good days are over; they'll only be able to sing in the cell next."

"Captain Zhang, do they organize singing in the detention center?"

"They do; you didn't know?"

"What songs do they sing? They certainly wouldn't let them sing 'Unity is Strength,' right?"

"How could they let them sing 'Unity is Strength'?"

Zhang Baoqing flicked ash off his cigarette, smiling at the karaoke lounge entrance: "Last time I went to the detention center to interrogate suspects, it happened during mealtime. Before meals, they played pure music, seemed like something called 'Piano Song of the Night.' As for singing, they mainly organize singing Chi Zhiqiang's 'Worry and Worry,' 'Wandering Song,' and Liu Huan's 'Start Again.'"

Xiao Ding nodded: "Singing those songs does fit the mood."

While chatting, Old Liu from Changhang Jiangcheng Branch approached, tapped on the car window, and calmly asked: "Captain Zhang, there are some cadres inside; if they obstruct when we take action, what should we do?"

"Obstruction counts as interfering with official duties, and interfering with official duties means arrest."

"Alright, that reassures me."

...

The general manager of Su Shun Company, Jiang Youwei, was feeling dizzy from drinking, hugging a scantily clad young lady, singing his favorite "Miss You in the Storm" together with her.

"Countless sorrows are hard to solve, deep feelings are known!"

"The love sea turns desolate, a devoted heart encounters a cold wind."

"Separated on each horizon, could it be that we will meet again someday?"

He was a regular of the young lady, every time they sang this song they matched perfectly. The young lady looked up, gazing at him affectionately, holding the microphone and singing, "The sound of the howling wind weeping in the storm!"

"Floating and wandering in the sea of people, yet it is a dream..."

The more Jiang Youwei sang, the more emotional he became. Instead of hugging tighter, his hand slipped inside from the hem of her clothes, singing while caressing.

The private room was dimly lit, and everyone who came had female companions, so no one would laugh at anyone.

As the song ended, applause erupted instantly.

Jiang Youwei had a great sense of achievement, compared to his old colleagues in government departments, he was doing the best now. He had everything he wanted and indeed had reason to be proud.

He burped and handed the microphone to his old colleague, "Old Fan, it's your turn."

"I can't, I can't, I'm not good at singing."

"It's not like I haven't heard you sing before. How can you say you're not good? Come on, everyone sings a song, you can sing solo or duet with the little sister."

"Director Fan, what do you want to sing? I'll help you choose."

"Brother Fan, I'll sing with you."

The slim, heavily made-up young lady hugged Old Fan coyly, which Old Fan was not quite used to, but somewhat enjoyed. He was contemplating what song would be good to sing when a phone rang on the coffee table.

"President Jiang, phone call."

"Oh, you all keep singing, I'll go out to take the call."

"Brother Jiang, you drank so much tonight, let me help you."

"Alright, my dear Lanlan does care about me." Jiang Youwei habitually hugged the young lady and gave her a kiss before picking up the phone and walking out of the private room with her.

Xiao Yu, an investigator from Changhang Jiangcheng Branch Criminal Investigation Team, was pretending to talk on the phone in the corridor. Upon seeing the target come out, he quickly turned around, back facing the target, observing where the target was heading through the mirror ahead.

Jiang Youwei was unaware of being watched. He pressed the receiver and held the phone to his ear.

"Xiao Li, what's up?"

"President Jiang, I just called and asked the freight forwarder and customs broker in East Sea. They said our goods were randomly checked, and the inspection has been completed."

"I told you there was nothing to worry about, our goods aren't problematic!"

It would surely seem fine to outsiders; even if there were problems, they wouldn't see anything wrong.

What if we encounter someone knowledgeable?

What if customs finds suspicion and collaborates with an expert for inspection?

Xiao Li, working at Su Shun Company, was increasingly afraid anyway; having earned enough, he decided to make a few excuses and resign after this month's salary.

Jiang Youwei burped again, drunkenly asking, "Anything else? We're singing at the usual place, are you coming over?"

"President Jiang, I'm feeling a bit unwell today, so I won't be coming over. Almost forgot, the freight forwarder said there's a fee for the inspection, but it's not much money, and I told him it's not a problem."

"These minor matters you can decide on your own, no need to tell me. Feeling unwell, right? Rest early, come to the company early tomorrow, and prepare the export customs materials."

"Alright, I'll hang up then."

As soon as Jiang Youwei hung up the phone, the young lady asked him expectantly, "Brother Jiang, when are you going to Hong Kong? You promised to take me!"

"I'll be going in a few days, definitely taking you, I guarantee I'll take you. Without you, my little enchantress, I'd really feel uncomfortable."

"Who's the little enchantress?"

"You, hahaha."

Just then, a tall, burly middle-aged man and a tall, skinny young man approached.

The young lady hadn't seen the middle-aged man's face clearly before she was suddenly pulled aside by someone from behind.

"What are you doing? Who are you?"

"Police conducting a case, shut up!"

"What police?"

Zhang Baoqing presented his ID and said coldly, "Jiang Youwei, look closely, we are police from Jiangnan Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau Binjiang Branch. You should have a clue as to why we're seeking you. Cooperate and come with us."

Upon hearing the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau mentioned, Jiang Youwei sobered up halfway, terrified out of his mind, his hands were immediately cuffed with cold handcuffs.

Immediately, he was escorted out by the case officers.

The "Internal Security" at the staircase and a server noticed something was wrong. They were about to stop and ask for clarification when Old Liu, a criminal police officer from Changhang Jiangcheng Branch, lifted his jacket, revealing his handgun.

Xiao Ding, an investigator from Binjiang Branch, pulled out his police ID and glared at them.

The "Internal Security" and server were startled and instinctively stepped back.

At that moment, the young lady, who had regained her composure, quickly ran into the private room to alert everyone.

"What, President Jiang was arrested?"

"Yeah, just got taken away, just now!"

Old Fan had no idea why his old colleague had been arrested, only knowing that Party cadres shouldn't be in such places and certainly shouldn't be taken by the police.

Not caring about Jiang Youwei's fate, he bent down, grabbed his briefcase, and planned to leave.

Those who had joined the dinner and singing earlier likewise wanted to leave this troublesome place promptly. But as soon as they stepped out of the private room, they were stopped by the "Internal Security" and server who had been startled earlier.

"What's this about? Please let us through!"

"Sorry, bosses, President Jiang... President Jiang had some matters and left. Who's covering tonight's bill?"

The young lady, who had referred to him sweetly as Brother Jiang not long ago, now grabbed Old Fan: "Brother Fan, what about our tips? Who's paying the tips?"