Chapter 2009: Crackdown
“Let me tell you, your sister has a will, which is legally binding. Even if you deny it, it won’t change anything. If you accept our mediation, there’s a chance for a compromise, and your sister might even give you some money. But if you refuse, this will go through the judicial process. Think carefully about how you want to proceed.”
“Don’t try to scare me.”
Zhang Guoping didn’t seem intimidated at all. It was clear he wasn’t easy to deal with and retorted.
“She forced my dad to write that will. Otherwise, he could have lived a few more years. I’m working with a lawyer now and planning to sue her. This case has to go to court!”
“You shameless scumbag, how can you say that?” Li Qiao couldn’t hold back and cursed.
“You know my grandpa’s condition, yet you’re lying through your teeth, you money-grubbing jerk!”
“I’m your uncle! How dare you talk to me like that?!” Zhang Guoping shouted, feeling insulted.
“Don’t pull that uncle card on me. I don’t see you as my uncle at all!”
“Fine, let’s see who wins!” Zhang Guoping sneered.
“If you don’t return the money in a few days, I will sue you!”
“Go ahead, we’re not afraid!” Li Qiao pointed at Zhang Guoping.
“You two scumbags, watch out! You might get struck by lightning or hit by a car!”
“Enough, watch your language,” Zhang Peng intervened.
“Since neither of you wants to reconcile, there’s no point in continuing this discussion. This matter will proceed to the judicial process. Both parties should be prepared, and we will conduct a thorough investigation.”
“I’m not afraid,” Zhang Guoping said confidently. “I just want to get our money back as soon as possible!”
“Alright, for now, everyone should go home and wait for further instructions.”
With that, Lin Yi and Zhang Peng left Zhang Guoping’s home and returned to their car.
“Brother Lin, what do you think about this?”
Lin Yi rested his head on his hand. “Zhang Guoping and his wife seem straightforward; they just want money. Their arguments revolve around that point. It’s Zhang Lixia who might need more investigation.”
“Do you think the will might be forged?”
Lin Yi nodded. “In today’s society, there are plenty of cases where elderly people are coerced into signing documents for money. We need to investigate to determine the authenticity of her claims. Only then can we decide how to handle this case.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the townhouse community, the two didn’t return to the precinct but instead began investigating Zhang Lixia.
Lin Yi felt that the system task assigned to him might not be related to the inheritance dispute.
Having said that, at the moment, he had nothing else to do.
He decided to take it one step at a time. Perhaps clues for the task would eventually apear.
Lin Yi assigned tasks: he and Zhang Peng would investigate Zhang Lixia, while Zhang Zixin would look into Zhang Guoping.
This two-pronged approach would speed things up.
Their first stop was Zhang Lixia’s neighborhood, which was also within the jurisdiction of Xinshan precinct. However, the area was quite old.
Upon arrival, it was hard to connect the bustling Zhonghai with the modesty of this place.
It felt like stepping back twenty years in time.
Despite it being just past 4 p.m., many elderly folks were out for a stroll.
This aided their investigation.
After over two hours of work, they concluded their investigation of Zhang Lixia.
“Brother Lin, the neighbors’ accounts match Zhang Lixia’s story. She seems genuinely filial,” Zhang Peng said.
“And her financial situation is indeed dire. I’ve heard she even collected cardboard and cans to sell. If she had other options, she probably wouldn’t have called the police.”
“It looks good so far. Next, we should check the hospital records where her father stayed and her workplace. We need to gather as much information as possible.”
Lin Yi thought for a few seconds and added, “Also, have the will verified by the technical department. If everything checks out, the will can be legally enforced.”
“Got it.”
Their day’s work concluded, and the two drove back to the precinct.
On the way, Lin Yi received a call from Qin Han, inviting him for drinks. Qin Han was already waiting at the precinct entrance.
“You guys have no conscience. I’m still recovering, and you want me to drink?” Lin Yi grumbled.
“It’s not a gathering without you,” Liang Jinming said.
“Besides, our lifespan is determined by fate. When it’s your time to go, you can’t change it. So let’s enjoy while we can.”
“What kind of twisted logic is that?”
The four of them, chatting and laughing, arrived at a bar called Modu.
Luxury cars filled the bar’s entrance, making their Alphard seem less impressive in comparison.
“You usually go to Metropolitan, why come here?”
Lin Yi knew all the bathing houses in Zhonghai but rarely visited bars.
He only knew that Modu was a very good bar, but he had never been there before.
Liang Jinming grinned. “Old Gao and I invested 70 million yuan in this place, and now own 55% of the shares. This is our turf now.”
“No wonder you took a detour to come here,” Lin Yi said, glancing at the bar. “I’ve heard about this place. It’s very popular, a cash cow. Why did it sell? Not to mention 70 million for 55% of the shares isn’t too expensive.”
“The former owner, Deng Guoli, had a shady past but tried to clean up his act. However, some people were caught selling illegal substances here recently, and with the current crackdown, he couldn’t cover it up. So, he sold it to save himself.”
Lin Yi nodded thoughtfully.
He knew all too well about crackdowns.
The crackdowns were not just talk, they were serious business.
Anyone caught during this period would face severe punishment, regardless of their status.
Deng Guoli, with his criminal record, would be scrutinized heavily for illegal activities.
If Liang Jinming and Gao Zongyuan hadn’t taken over, Deng Guoli would likely have spent the rest of his life in prison.
“However it was managed before, I don’t care. But from now on, avoid illegal activities. They harm others and bring no benefit,” Lin Yi said earnestly.