Free Web NovelChapter 555: Chapter 525: Ambushed_1
The few people waved their hands dismissively and even started to laugh.
"Don’t mention it, Mr. Liu told us about the seriousness of your case, it involves a very wide range of issues. Just find us a place to do the follow-up work; we will definitely hand in the report before eight o’clock tomorrow morning," they said.
Zhou Ning felt somewhat embarrassed, and Mr. Zhao came over.
"Teachers, do you prefer to work at a hotel or here? If you want to stay here, we can go straight to the technical department. There are plenty of offices and rest areas. If you prefer a hotel, there’s one right across the street when you exit the building," he offered.
The group gestured their refusal again.
"No need for a hotel, just find us an office. We’ve already had some sleep on the road. Once the report is out, we can rest however we like," they replied.
Zhou Ning glanced at Mr. Zhao.
"You’ll have to trouble yourself to follow them, get some late-night snacks for the teachers, and head to Office 302. There’s a rest room next door if you’re tired," he instructed.
Mr. Zhao led the group away. The results Mr. Qu had searched for were also sent to Xu Dayuan. The two of them went downstairs and got into their cars. It was already past eleven at night. Zhou Ning started the car and drove towards home.
All the way, his mind was occupied with the details of the case. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Fang Jinquan’s rise, and even the way he raised Fang Shengping, was not something he was unaware of but rather something he indulged. This indulgence had led to what Fang Shengping had become today.
As he was pondering, the car arrived at the front of the small building. The living room light was on, while the other rooms had their lights off. Zhou Ning knew that his aunt had left the light on for him.
He parked the car and quickly walked to the front door. The night air of early May was mild but an unexpected cold chill seemed to attack him. Zhou Ning’s fingerprint had already unlocked the door when he suddenly turned around.
With a whoosh, something shot past his ear and struck the door, bouncing off it.
Zhou Ning reflexively fell back into the room and tried to shut the door forcefully.
Just then, a black object flew at Zhou Ning. It grazed the door frame, slightly altering its path, and directly plunged into Zhou Ning’s chest. Zhou Ning lay flat on the ground, watching the door close and let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, at least his house wasn’t blown up like in his dream. Zhou Ning’s consciousness began to fade, and his eyes slowly closed. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
...
Inside the interrogation room.
Xu Dayuan’s phone began to flicker and vibrate in circles. Glancing at it, he saw He Shancun’s name and was a bit surprised. He gestured to Fang Mu to continue the questioning and hurriedly grabbed his phone, stepping out of the room.
"Hello, Doctor He, what’s the matter calling so late?" he asked.
"Director Xu, there’s been an incident! Ten minutes ago, I heard a noise, went downstairs, and found Zhou Xiaozhou lying on the ground with a metal rod impaling his chest. It looked like a crossbow bolt to me. I’ve just arrived at the hospital; we are about to start the emergency rescue. Could you send someone to check my house?"
Xu Dayuan’s face turned pale as he struggled to control his emotions.
"I’ll arrange it right away. How’s Zhou Xiaozhou doing?"
"It’s not looking good. His blood pressure is undetectable. I suspect the bolt was coated with a toxic substance. I can’t talk now; we’re starting the emergency rescue here," he hurriedly explained.
After hanging up, Xu Dayuan punched the wall hard and then dialed Hu Guangjian’s number, as he pushed open the interrogation room door.
"Fang Mu, take over here. Whatever you can get out of them, just get it; if they don’t confess, have them sign and throw them into the detention center. I’m heading to the Central Hospital. Zhou Ning has been attacked and his life is hanging by a thread," Xu Dayuan said, then turned and left, calling for Zhang Ping and the others. Their eyes red, they ran wildly downstairs.
Ma Liang led a team to Zhou Ning’s house, as they weren’t sure whether the surrounding area was safe. Ma Liang immediately called Mr. Zhao.
Xu Dayuan had since gotten a response from Hu Guangjian.
"Just got home, what’s happening now?" Hu Guangjian asked.
"Leader, you need to get to the Central Hospital immediately. Zhou Xiaozhou has been attacked and is in critical condition," Xu Dayuan relayed the urgent news.
"Got it!"
...
May 4, 2013, 1:22 AM
Outside the emergency room, many people gathered. The aunt was holding a child, Zhou Xiaoyu was helping the old patriarch sit on a chair, and Hu Guangjian was continuously consoling them.
"Old patriarch, don’t worry. In addition to the leading professors from the Central Hospital, I’ve also brought in Elder Cao from thoracic surgery. He’ll be alright. If you get too worked up and something happens, Zhou Ning will be even more worried," he reassured.
The aunt was terribly anxious but tried to remain composed, gently patting the old patriarch’s arm.
"Dad, look how much Zhou Ning’s superiors care. Everything will be fine, rest assured," she soothed.
The old patriarch waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t comfort me; I’m okay. I just regret not being firmer back then. I should have forbidden him from applying to the forensic doctor program. The second child didn’t stop him either but actually covered for him. I have let down my eldest and his spouse!"
These words silenced everyone. Xu Dayuan anxiously punched the wall and dialed Ma Liang’s number, speaking in a hushed voice.
"How is the investigation going on your end?"
"Director Xu, don’t panic. Mr. Qu, Mr. Zhao, they are all here. We found a crossbow bolt outside the door and have already sent it to Mrs. Cui for toxin analysis. I think we’ll have the results soon. We’ve checked the surveillance and found a man in a hoodie, wearing a cap.
Mr. Zhao said that Director Zhou had noticed this person running at night in the area before. At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but later, he might have sensed something was off, so he had Mr. Qu install a separate security system. However, that person didn’t trigger it at all. We found four sets of footprints and some knitted fabric fibers at the scene."
"You mean Mr. Zhao told you that Zhou Xiaozhou had mentioned this person before. When was that? Hand the phone to Mr. Zhao, I want to ask him."
"Hey, boss, don’t rush. Zhou Xiaozhou just had a bad dream back then and felt uneasy, so he installed the alarm system. We had just returned from Xinghua City at the time, and Zhou Xiaozhou even called you, probably around Labor Day.
I think the person has been lying low here because they discovered the alarm system and didn’t get close. We found the footprints in the bushes of the small park and obtained some video footage, but we haven’t yet identified which vehicle is the suspect’s.
However, the investigation can’t be completed in a short time. Mr. Qu and his team are here. Give them a little time. I see the patrol team; they are here.
Although there’s no one at home right now, they will need to come back to rest later. We don’t know whether the culprit has left or not, so how about telling them to stay nearby for the time being? Can you do that? Has Zhou Xiaozhou woken up yet?"
"Fine, I’ll arrange the patrol. Zhou Xiaozhou hasn’t left the operating room yet. Call Cui Lili and ask if the toxin test results are out. If they are, send them to He Shancun first thing; I think it will help with the rescue."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Dayuan heard two beeps on the phone.
"Did the results come out?"
"Oh no, the results are in, boss. I’m contacting Mr. He right now; it’s a nerve toxin."
After Mr. Zhao hung up, Xu Dayuan, desperate yet mindful of Zhou Ning’s grandfather being there, didn’t show any particular expression but stepped back twice. Hu Guangjian, being extremely shrewd, had heard part of the conversation and got up without showing any reaction, walking towards Xu Dayuan.
The two exchanged glances and quickly moved to a corner, where Xu Dayuan shared the findings from the scene.
"The situation is like this; I don’t know what kind of nerve toxin it is. I haven’t asked Cui Lili yet, but Mr. Zhao should have contacted Mr. He. Boss, this isn’t just ordinary revenge. What’s the guarantee of our bureau’s case resolution rate, right? I don’t need to emphasize this to you.
We can’t help with the hospital’s rescue efforts, but Zhou Xiaozhou’s life is threatened. You can’t ignore this. Let me tell you, I suspect it’s related to Wang Guanli’s death. Based on what Zhou Xiaozhou shared about his experience before, there are still two people out there who have escaped justice. Can’t you get someone to pull up the old files?"
Hu Guangjian was silent for a long time before nodding seriously.
"Focus on the rescue first. The area outside their residential complex is just north of a school. Set up a permanent police station there. After all, there are many specialists living there now. About that security system, implement full coverage. Regarding what you mentioned, I’ll look into it later. It’s also my neglect."
While they were talking, they heard a rapid succession of footsteps. Turning around, they saw three people running from the elevator. Hu Guangjian quickly straightened his collar and approached them with an extended hand.
"Mr. Xia, you’ve arrived!"
Xia Shouchang nodded and briefly shook hands, glancing in the direction of the operating room. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
"How is Zhou Ning? What exactly happened? Was it a targeted revenge attack?"
Xu Dayuan bowed his head slightly, the question weighing heavily, with no easy follow-up. Hu Guangjian quickly said:
"We can’t confirm that yet. We’ve sent people to investigate and have some leads. Thanks to Zhou Ning who had a security system installed at home, otherwise, today’s incident could have been much worse, even threatening his family."
Xia Momo looked anxious.
"Has Zhou Ning’s rescue finished yet?"
Xu Dayuan shook his head and bit the bullet.
"Mr. Zhao and the others are at the scene. They found another misfired crossbow bolt, which has been sent to the lab for testing. Just now, while I was pulling Mr. Hu over here, Mr. Zhao received the test report and sent it to Mr. He, hoping it will help with the rescue."
Mrs. Xia came over, pulling Xia Momo and subtly shaking her head, signaling her to stay calm.
"Come, let’s go over. I think Zhou Ning’s grandfather has arrived. He’s the one most worried about Zhou Ning. Control your emotions, all right?"
Xia Momo nodded and followed Mrs. Xia. Mrs. Xia also secretly signaled Mr. Xia with a look.
Mr. Xia exhaled and pulled Hu Guangjian and Xu Dayuan back a bit, asking in a serious tone:
"Tell me the truth. How serious is Zhou Ning’s condition, really?"
Hu Guangjian looked towards Xu Dayuan. Xu Dayuan sighed; he was the earliest arrival and had seen He Shancun, knowing he had to speak the truth.
"Very serious. The crossbow bolt pierced him from the front, very close to the heart, grazing past the aorta. The key is that there was a toxic substance on the bolt. Just now, Mr. Hu contacted Elder Cao. The best doctors in Qindao are inside. We can only wait for news now. Luckily, we now know what the toxin is on the bolt; I think it will definitely aid in the rescue."
Mr. Xia nodded.
"I understand. I’ll leave the investigation to you. I’m going to see old Mr. Zhou."
