The night is deep, yet the second-floor meeting room remains brightly lit.

The interrogation continues; after all, the suspect has committed many crimes, and every case needs to be clarified. We also need to supplement the investigation based on the suspect’s confession.

Han Yu felt terribly hungry, snuck out to grab some food, and then came to Director Wang’s office to chat with Director Wang and Director Qi from the Changhang Bureau.

"He’s just a wanderer in the underworld, dealing in coal, steel—luck favored him in ’92 and ’93, and he made a bit of money, developed a taste for eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling, so no amount of money is enough for him to squander. When the money ran out, he made up all sorts of lies to borrow from others, borrowing from everyone around until he was deep in debt."

"Then he took the risk and used his swimming skills to steal on the river?"

"At first, he didn’t think of this money-making method. For the first two years, he just patched things up by borrowing new debts to pay the old ones, even setting up traps to lure others into gambling, and using romantic relationships as a pretense to swindle Wang Xiaoyan’s money. He claimed he owed too much external debt and could hardly sustain himself through borrowing alone. One day while driving across the river from a ferry, he saw cargo ships anchored by the riverside, his eyes lit up, and he conceived the idea of river theft as a way to make money."

Director Qi was "shocked" and curiously asked, "He went into the water in November; wasn’t he cold?"

Han Yu chuckled bitterly: "Director Zhao asked him, and he said it was very cold, but he had no choice; cold or not, he had to do it, otherwise he wouldn’t have money, and life would be unbearable."

"Salted Fish, did you ask him why he hasn’t committed any crimes recently?"

"We asked. He said the water was too cold. The last time he went in, he was so numb from the cold that he couldn’t bear it. If he went into the water again, he might freeze to death in the river." Han Yu paused and added, "He said he planned to wait until spring, for warmer weather, to continue, but we caught him unexpectedly."

Wang Wenhong lit a cigarette and jokingly asked, "Did he confess anything else?"

"He mentioned a few gambling addicts, all bosses from over in Wujiang, with one owning a car repair shop, another a clothing factory, and another a hardware factory. His extravagant spending is closely related to regularly carousing with those bosses."

"Is there an underground casino over in Wujiang?"

"That depends on how one defines an underground casino. He often gambled with those wealthy but unscrupulous bosses and even set traps for others with a few of them."

"To catch him, we invested so much police force and funds. The gambling connection must be thoroughly investigated, and any illegal acts must be pursued regardless of whether they’re bosses!"

"Leaders, this matter is between your two departments. Our Water Anti-Smuggling Department will not participate." Han Yu stood up, walked to Director Wang’s desk, and picked up the phone, smiling, "The river thief has been caught; you two can relax and sleep well. I can also report to Secretary Lu."

"Salted Fish, are you going to report to Secretary Lu?" Wang Wenhong asked in surprise.

"Secretary Lu instructed me to pay close attention to this case. Now that it’s solved, I must report."

"Is it appropriate to call Secretary Lu this late?"

"I know Secretary Lu’s secretary’s phone number. I wouldn’t call Secretary Lu directly."

"Calling Secretary Lu’s secretary is fine."

...

After making the call, Wang Wenhong remembered Director Chen was also concerned about the case and quickly called to report to Director Chen.

The case that had the Water Police Station and the Changhang Bureau at their wits’ end was finally solved.

Wang Wenhong, uplifted by the good news, saw Han Yu preparing to go home and rest, and quickly said, "Salted Fish, wait. Let me call Old Chen first, and have him bring the New Year’s goods to you."

"Are there New Year’s goods?"

"Isn’t that obvious? Over the years, every time the bureau hands out New Year’s goods, you’ve never received any!"

"That’s true. Thank you, Director Wang."

Han Yu grinned foolishly, and Director Qi pulled out his phone, smiling, "Our bureau is distributing New Year’s goods these days, too. Let me call logistics and have them sent over. You can take them home together."

The Binjiang Water Army Commander and the Secretary-General of the Binjiang Water Fire Fighting Association are unofficial positions, without salary or subsidies. At the end of the year, receiving extra New Year’s goods is possibly the only perk of these part-time roles.

Thinking of the combined New Year’s goods from both bureaus, Han Yu smiled bashfully, "Director Wang, Director Qi, I came on a light motorcycle today; I might not be able to take them all at once."

"I’ll arrange a vehicle to send them to your place."

"That works. Thank you in advance."

"No need to thank. You’re essentially part of our bureau."

"Director Wang, what do you mean by that?" Director Qi instinctively asked.

With no outsiders around, Wang Wenhong didn’t need to hide anything and said earnestly and seriously, "How many more years can I be the director? If Salted Fish doesn’t come back, who will take over for me? If we don’t actively fight for this, would the superior just send an outsider to lead the experts?"

Han Yu didn’t expect the old boss would say this and quickly replied, "Director Wang, I’m not as important as you think, and besides, the bureau isn’t short-staffed."

"Old Ma transferring over is almost like retiring; the superior won’t consider him. Zhao Hongxing once had hope, but things are different now. For bureau director selection, the superior also looks at age, education, and experience."

"Director Zhao is a veteran of the bureau; shouldn’t his experience be sufficient?"

"This experience is different from what I mean. By experience, I mean whether someone has worked in different positions. Zhao Hongxing has been with the bureau for many years, long in tenure, but not enough experience."

"I’ve only been at the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau for a year; I don’t want to transfer around anymore, and frequent transfers are quite frivolous."