Chapter 156: Ling Feng Seeks Assistance

"What did you say? Liu Zhaoting is dead? How did she die?" Yang Meng was extremely shocked by Ling Feng's words. "Did Zhang Cuijian do it?"

Liu Zhaoting was the woman who played both sides, seeing Ling Feng and Zhang Cuijian at the same time. After the scandal broke, Liu Zhaoting left Handong City.

In truth, although Ling Feng and Zhang Cuijian didn't say much out loud, they hated Liu Zhaoting to the core in their hearts. Upon hearing the news of her death, Yang Meng's very first reaction was that Zhang Cuijian had struck!

"No, no." Ling Feng waved his hand. "Liu Zhaoting committed suicide. She jumped straight down from the balcony of the luxury penthouse suite at the Emperor International."

"Emperor International? Wouldn't she be smashed into pulp after falling from there?" Yang Meng frowned. "Didn't she leave Handong City? When did she come back? How dare she come back? Wasn't she afraid that you guys wouldn't let her off?"

Hearing the news of Liu Zhaoting's suicide, Yang Meng had far too many questions he couldn't figure out! It wasn't unreasonable for him to think this way; Ling Feng was a police officer and many things couldn't be taken too far, but Zhang Cuijian didn't care about any of that.

He played dirty.

When he discovered that Liu Zhaoting was playing both sides and even using him as a textbook example, he launched a fierce counterattack right away!

Despite Zhang Cuijian's chunky, nouveau-riche appearance, he was actually quite resourceful. He fully utilized the power of the internet and completely exposed that so-called "Elite Women's Training Center"! What "Elite Women"? It was just learning how to hook up with wealthy tycoons! Not satisfied with just that, he even carried out a massive human-flesh search on all the enrolled members!

Although those girls who attended the training session all wanted to hook up with tycoons and marry into wealthy families, they couldn't let such things become public knowledge. Well, now it was ruined—their names, photos, and personal information had all been published. They were left completely disgraced, and people pointed at them wherever they walked on the street: "Look, that's the one who's desperate to hook up with a tycoon..." Nowadays, those girls who attended the training classes wouldn't dare step onto the street without wearing a mask! Who would dare sign up for it now?

And so, the "Elite Women's Training Center" went under, and Liu Zhaoting left Handong City. How on earth did she come back? And why did she commit suicide?

Yang Meng asked Ling Feng, "Don't you dare tell me she committed suicide because her conscience was bothering her, because I certainly won't believe that!"

Ling Feng nodded and said, "The forensic results are out. She ingested a large amount of LSD before her death, which should be the primary reason for her suicide."

"Where did she get the LSD?" Yang Meng asked, puzzled.

Ling Feng replied, "That's what we are investigating now. There are many suspicious aspects to this case."

"Suspicious aspects?" Yang Meng looked at Ling Feng.

Ling Feng said, "It's not convenient to show you the investigative files, but I can tell you this much. Liu Zhaoting didn't come back alone. She came back with her foreign boyfriend."

"A foreign boyfriend?" Yang Meng blinked. "Just how many boyfriends did she have? Uh, sorry, pretend I never said that."

Ling Feng waved his hand. "It's fine, it's all in the past now. The problem is this: according to our investigation of the surveillance footage, she and her boyfriend stayed together in the luxury suite at the Emperor. They didn't leave the room for the entire week, and all their meals were delivered directly to the room. Yet, an examination of Liu Zhaoting's remains showed no signs of sexual activity in the near future. We really have no idea what they were doing inside that room."

Yang Meng said speechlessly, "Hey, buddy, you guys are the police. Wouldn't it work just to drag that guy back for questioning?"

Ling Feng rolled his eyes at Yang Meng. "Do I need you to tell me that? But he is extremely uncooperative and plays dumb to everything. Moreover, there are no traces of LSD in his system, and he refuses to admit that the LSD found in their room has anything to do with him. Our investigation has hit a dead end. Besides, that man is a foreigner, and we can't be too heavy-handed or it's easy to cause an international incident. That's why things are quite tricky right now."

Yang Meng handed Ling Feng a cigarette. "Then why did you call me over?"

Ling Feng looked around to make sure nobody was nearby, then lowered his voice and asked, "Mengmeng, what on earth is going on with Chen Yu's matter?"

Yang Meng was actually stunned by the question: "Chen Yu? Who is that?"

Ling Feng wore a speechless expression. "Hey, Mengmeng, don't play dumb with me, alright? It's that female reporter from the Handong Television Station! You pulled off such a massive stunt and you've forgotten all about her?"

Dawning realization hit Yang Meng. "Oh, it's her. I really did forget about her. Why would I remember her? What does her courting death have to do with me? It's as if everything she did was at my command. That matter has nothing to do with me!"

"Nobody is saying she did it at your command!" Ling Feng said angrily. "I'm telling you, Mengmeng, what I want to know is how you pulled it off? Blockhead told me something about 'sorcerers' and 'martial artists'—was what you told him true or false?"

Realization dawned on Yang Meng. "Oh, I get it! You called me here because you want to... Hey, aren't you violating regulations by doing this? Promoting feudal superstition?"

Ling Feng hurriedly grabbed Yang Meng and said in a low voice, "Just tell me whether you can do it or not."

Yang Meng stared at Ling Feng for a long time before finally nodding. "I actually can do it. Can you tell me why?"

Ling Feng took a drag from his cigarette. "People are truly strange creatures. When I first found out Liu Zhaoting's true colors, I wanted to kill her with my own hands. Yet now that she's really dead, my memories of her somehow consist entirely of the happy times we spent together. I don't want her to die with her death unexplained."

Yang Meng thought for a moment and said, "Ling Feng, I can indeed help you, but you need to think this through. You've just passed your probationary period, and allowing someone else to intervene in an interrogation like this is against the rules. If you get caught, the consequences will be severe. Aren't you guys cracking down hard on law enforcement discipline right now?"

Ling Feng said solemnly, "I know all that, but I just want to give Liu Zhaoting some closure. It's the least I can do for the time we spent together. How bad can it get if I'm caught? I'll just get a disciplinary mark. Even if they fire me, I'm not afraid. Didn't you want me to join you guys in running a barbecue restaurant? Isn't the opportunity right here?"

Though he spoke lightly, his expression was somewhat conflicted. Yang Meng could understand; after all, being a police officer had been his dream since childhood.

"All right, I understand," Yang Meng said. "Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you this time. But remember, this is the only time, and this matter must be buried deep in your heart! I don't want anyone else to know!"

Joy lit up Ling Feng's face. "Definitely, definitely! I won't bother thanking you! When are we going to do it? Do you need to set up an altar and perform some rituals?"

A dark shadow crossed Yang Meng's face. "Are you out of your mind? What altar and what rituals?"

"Don't magical arts on TV always require those things?" Ling Feng asked, puzzled.

Yang Meng said speechlessly, "Just let me see that foreigner, and you don't need to worry about the rest!"

"It's that simple?" Ling Feng found it hard to believe.

Yang Meng nodded. "It's that simple! Just as long as you let me see him."

Ling Feng beamed with joy. "You should've said so earlier! I thought you were going to set up an altar right here in the police station, and I was even prepared to take off this police uniform and throw caution to the wind!"

Yang Meng, however, said, "All right, don't be so nervous! Where is that foreigner?"

Ling Feng said, "The reason I was in such a rush to have you come over is because we've asked him to come in to assist with the investigation today, so I wanted to see if you could find a way!"

"When is he arriving?" Yang Meng asked.

Just as he finished speaking, someone called out, "Ling Feng, what are you doing here?"

Ling Feng looked back and exclaimed, "Master!"

"Oh? Little Yang? You're here too? I was wondering why that big motorcycle at the entrance was such an eyesore. You rode that here, didn't you?" The person who approached was none other than Kou Yunzong, a deputy county-level detective nicknamed the "Old Madman." He was the one who handled the case when Wang Xingnuan's mother accused Yang Meng of rape last time, so naturally, he recognized Yang Meng.

Furthermore, he had witnessed Yang Meng's capabilities during that previous incident. Although he himself was a deputy county-level detective, who in the system didn't want to climb higher? Maintaining a good relationship with someone like Yang Meng could only do good.

What if Yang Meng could help him out someday? He wasn't a stubborn man.

Yang Meng smiled and greeted Kou Yunzong, "Officer Kou has a sharp eye. I was just passing by and realized I hadn't seen Ling Feng in a long time, so I came over to chat with him. This guy Ling Feng hasn't been home in ages; if I didn't come take a look, I'd forget what he even looks like."

"Little Yang, are you complaining about me? This really isn't my fault; Ling Feng works even harder than I do!" Kou Yunzong laughed. "They call me the Old Madman, but I'm getting older after all. Ling Feng has surpassed his master, and sooner or later, this nickname will be passed on to him!"

Yang Meng glanced at Ling Feng. He understood why Ling Feng was acting so "crazy" now. After all, when a man's emotions take a hit, he needs an outlet to vent. And work happened to be a good choice.

Kou Yunzong said, "All right, Little Yang, we really can't talk with you much longer. A foreigner is coming in to assist with the investigation shortly, and we still need to record his statement. That foreigner is such a damn pain in the ass!"

"What's wrong?" Yang Meng asked curiously.

Kou Yunzong bluntly cursed, "What's that bastard's name again? Oh, I remember! His name is Menoeceus! Can you believe how much of a tongue-twister that wretched name is? What makes me most angry is that this bastard speaks Mandarin more fluently than I do, yet when he assists with the investigation, he insists on having an interpreter present. During the investigation, he acts completely oblivious to everything, and right after it's over, he starts chattering away in all sorts of Mandarin. I've never seen anyone so infuriating." Right as Kou Yunzong finished speaking, a horn sounded at the entrance of the police station. He tilted his head to look. "Well, look at that, the troublesome fellow has arrived! Ling Feng, you need to pay attention today. Based on my years of experience as a police officer, this kid is definitely not telling the truth!"

At that moment, Yang Meng saw a BMW 7 Series drive in. An older foreign man stepped out of the car. He was in his fifties, bald, with a full beard. Although he was heavily built, he was very short, only around 1.6 meters tall. At first glance, he looked like a dwarf from World of Warcraft.

This was Liu Zhaoting's boyfriend? Good grief, his taste was certainly heavy!

Well, come to think of it, that's just how things were these days—plenty of women were willing to keep foreigners company, so Liu Zhaoting wasn't the only one, was she?