Seeing Crime Scenes in My Sleep

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Blood Money

Jiang Li looked at the man before her, Xu Yongkang. He had a square face, a slightly chubby build, and a sharp gaze. She smiled and extended her hand. "Hello, Vice Director Xu."

"Miss Jiang, our department really owes you. You’ve helped us with one major accomplishment after another. Are you interested in coming to work for us?" Xu Yongkang asked, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Jiang Li.

’If I can get her on board, it’ll be like having divine help!’

Jiang Li stared at Xu Yongkang, completely baffled. On the way over, she had been wondering what Xu Yongkang wanted with her, what it could possibly be about.

’And this is it?’

Ji Qinghe and Zhou Tiancheng were also baffled. They had thought the vice director wanted to see Jiang Li to get some important information from her.

Jiang Li snapped out of it and looked at Xu Yongkang, politely declining. "Thank you for the kind offer, Vice Director, but I’ll pass on the job. If there’s anything you need help with, I’ll always do my best."

Xu Yongkang looked at the others at the table. "See that? Every one of you should learn a thing or two from Ms. Jiang."

"Yes, yes, of course. We’ll be sure to learn from Ms. Jiang."

Jiang Li gave a strained smile and sat down without saying another word. A moment later, the door to the private room was pushed open.

"Xu Yongkang, that’s not right of you. How could you be having a meal and not invite me?"

Jiang Li looked back to see a middle-aged man enter with his entourage. Zhou Tiancheng and the others stood up and greeted him, "Political Commissar."

’So this is Wang Xiangming, Xu Yongkang’s rival. He has quite an imposing presence. Compared to Xu Yongkang, he definitely seems a bit overbearing.’

After entering, Wang Xiangming looked toward Jiang Li and exclaimed, "Well, well, so this must be Jiang Li, the one who’s helped us solve so many cases, right?

"It’s one thing to hear about you, but another to see you in person. Truly young and promising."

Wang Xiangming couldn’t help but praise Jiang Li as he looked at her.

Jiang Li forced an awkward smile. "Hello, Political Commissar."

"Ah, good. Everyone, don’t just stand there. Please, sit."

Jiang Li glanced back and forth between Xu Yongkang and Wang Xiangming, then decided to just quietly eat her food. Although the atmosphere was tense, she had to admit the food at this restaurant was absolutely delicious.

Her appetite suddenly kicked in. Jiang Li picked up her bowl and chopsticks and began to dig in, her ears filled with the sounds of hollow pleasantries and Xu Yongkang asking about the progress of the case.

Seeing Jiang Li’s hearty appetite, Ji Qinghe quickly poured her a glass of milk.

"Slow down, don’t choke."

Jiang Li nodded, though she didn’t slow her eating. ’This is so good. It’s all my favorite stuff. I wish I had a few extra stomachs.’

Xu Yongkang glanced at Jiang Li and then asked, "Miss Jiang, do you have any thoughts on this case?"

Jiang Li paused her eating and looked up. "Sorry, Vice Director, I don’t have any expertise in this area. I’ll sit out of this conversation."

Xu Yongkang was taken aback for a moment. He thought Jiang Li had seemed quite talented during the previous cases.

Zhou Tiancheng raised his glass to toast Xu Yongkang, then stepped in to smooth things over.

"Vice Director, in the previous cases, Jiang Li just told us what she saw in her dreams. She didn’t study this in college, so don’t put the girl on the spot."

Xu Yongkang nodded in surprise. "Oh, is that so? All right, then."

’Jiang Li had been so exceptional, helping the police departments in both B City and C City so much. He’d assumed she must have had some knowledge in the field.’

’Who would have thought she was just an ordinary citizen.’

For the rest of the meal, Xu Yongkang didn’t say anything more. After Jiang Li finished eating, she got up and went to the restroom. As soon as she came out, she saw one of Wang Xiangming’s men looking like he was waiting specifically for someone.

Jiang Li was about to pretend she hadn’t seen him and walk away, but the man immediately came over and blocked her path.

"Miss Jiang, our Political Commissar said that if you side with him, he’ll guarantee you a life free of worries."

As the man spoke, he pulled a check from his pocket. "This is a small token of gratitude from our Political Commissar to thank you, Miss Jiang."

Jiang Li looked at the check in his hand curiously and glanced at the number written on it. ’One million?’

Jiang Li’s expression darkened. "Thank the Political Commissar for his kind offer, but I won’t be accepting this."

Jiang Li said this as she began to walk away. ’No wonder they call him an "air-drop,"’ she thought. ’So this is how he operates. It’s no surprise Xu Yongkang is so bitter.’

"Jiang Li, you can do this the easy way or the hard way."

The threatening voice sounded from behind her. Jiang Li stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him, her face emotionless.

"May I ask your name?"

"Zou Zhiye." Zou Zhiye stared at Jiang Li, whose expression had changed in a flash.

Jiang Li’s eyes scanned him up and down for a few moments before she turned and walked away.

Back in the private room, Xu Yongkang was already drunk and muttering to himself.

Jiang Li glanced at Wang Xiangming.

Wang Xiangming smiled at her. Zou Zhiye went to his side, leaned in, and whispered something in his ear.

Wang Xiangming’s expression instantly darkened. He frowned as he looked in Jiang Li’s direction. ’This girl really doesn’t know what’s good for her.’

’Turning her nose up at one million.’

Jiang Li watched Wang Xiangming’s expression go from sunny to stormy, then silently averted her gaze.

Ji Qinghe saw the look Wang Xiangming was giving Jiang Li and felt a sense of unease. "Zhou Tiancheng, you should drink less."

"Ahem, right." Zhou Tiancheng coughed twice and looked at Xu Yongkang. "Vice Director, it’s getting late. Why don’t we call it a night?"

"Alright!" Xu Yongkang stood up, his face flushed from the alcohol, and his aides quickly rose to support him.

Xu Yongkang looked at Jiang Li and slurred, "M-Miss Jiang, if you ever... get interested, you can come by anytime."

"Okay, thank you, Vice Director." Jiang Li walked beside Ji Qinghe as they saw Xu Yongkang out.

Wang Xiangming left with Zou Zhiye, passing by Jiang Li from behind.

Jiang Li heard a soft, cold snort. She watched the backs of Wang Xiangming and his group as they left, lost in thought.

"Jiang Li, what’s wrong?" Ji Qinghe asked, looking at her. Behind them, Zhao Shuo was propping up a slightly drunk Zhou Tiancheng.

"That Wang Xiangming offered me a million."

"What!" Zhou Tiancheng sobered up instantly. He frowned, narrowing his eyes at her. For a public official, offering a bribe was a punishable offense.

’Even if Wang Xiangming was an air-drop, he’s got some serious nerve. One million! If Jiang Li had taken it, that would be bribery. And if the funds weren’t legitimate, it would be a case of corruption.’

"You didn’t take it, did you?" Ji Qinghe asked, looking at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li shook her head. "That’s blood money. I wouldn’t dare take it.

But you guys could investigate this Wang Xiangming and his backers."

Ji Qinghe and the others exchanged a look. Without any leads or evidence, they would have to file a written report to the disciplinary inspection committee and then act according to their superiors’ orders.

Sensing their stiffness, Jiang Li quickly spoke up. "Hahaha, I’m just talking nonsense. Don’t mind me."

Zhou Tiancheng waved a hand dismissively. He leaned in and whispered a few words to Zhao Shuo. Zhao Shuo turned and headed back into the restaurant.

A few minutes later, Zhao Shuo came running out. "Captain Zhou, the security camera didn’t catch Zou Zhiye and Jiang Li. The spot is a blind corner."

"It’s fine," Zhou Tiancheng said. "If he’s really dirty, he’ll slip up eventually."

Zhou Tiancheng looked at Jiang Li. "Jiang Li, I’ll have Zhao Shuo take you home. Be careful these next few days."

"Okay." Jiang Li got into Zhao Shuo’s car and went home. Once there, she checked for news from B City.

Seeing no new developments, she fell right asleep.

In her dream, Jiang Li found herself looking at a scene that resembled a hidden paradise.

’Is this even my dream anymore?’