northernbook Chapter 173 The Final Judgment in Ward 18
Chapter 173 The Final Judgment in Ward 18
The ward was eerily quiet.
The air wasn't filled with the expected smell of medicine; instead, it was filled with the aroma of expensive Cuban cigars, which mingled with the faint white mist from the humidifier in the corner, creating a false sense of tranquility.
Zhao Lichun sat on the large, leather hospital bed.
This old man, who once caused an earthquake with a single stomp in Handong, is now holding a specially made encrypted laptop, his fingers hovering above the keyboard.
The cold light from the screen reflected on his well-maintained but undeniably aged face, illuminating the hint of panic deep in his eyes.
The door opened.
Qi Tongwei stepped in.
He was covered in blood, his police uniform, soaked in seawater, was wrinkled and clung to his body, emitting a strong smell of fishy salt and rust.
That smells like the battlefield.
It's also the taste of hell.
"Secretary Zhao, are you still working so late?"
Qi Tongwei's voice was very soft, yet it had a metallic, grating quality.
He casually pulled over a chair and sat down at the foot of the bed with an air of nonchalance.
The military boots left a black, damp mark on the thick, handmade wool carpet.
Zhao Lichun's fingers trembled slightly.
He slowly closed the computer screen, looked up at Qi Tongwei, and then shifted his gaze to Ye Cunxin behind Qi Tongwei.
The old man's pupils contracted slightly.
Ye Cunxin leaned against the door frame, her posture both languid and dangerous.
Her oversized men's police shirt was already soaked through; the thin white cotton fabric had become translucent after being soaked in seawater, clinging tightly to her powerful body like a second skin.
Her neckline was open, revealing a large expanse of delicate, porcelain-like skin.
With each rise and fall of her breath, the breathtaking fullness of her breasts became faintly visible, the fabric taut against her firm peaks, clearly outlining that proud bulge.
The hem of the shirt barely covered the top of the thighs.
Her two long, straight legs were completely exposed to the air. The few black oil stains and dried bloodstains on her skin did not detract from her beauty; instead, they added a primal and wild allure to her.
She was barefoot.
The white toes stepping on the deep red carpet created a strong visual impact.
There was no hint of a smile in those beautiful peach blossom eyes, only the coldness of a wild beast staring at its prey.
The medical scissors in her hand spun rapidly between her fingers, their cold light flashing.
"Comrade Tongwei."
Zhao Lichun took off his reading glasses and slowly placed them on the bedside table.
"You're a smart person."
"A wise person should know that some doors should not be opened, because once opened, they may lead to an abyss."
Qi Tongwei smiled.
He took the black voice recorder out of his pocket and gently placed it on his knee.
"abyss?"
"When I crawled out of the pile of dead bodies in Millstone Town, even the Abyss would avoid me."
"Zhao Lichun, let's not beat around the bush."
"Ruilong has already made its offer on the 'Poseidon'. 12 billion, overseas trust, the gold beneath Crescent Lake."
Qi Tongwei leaned forward, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Zhao Lichun.
"password."
"Hand over the Swiss bank keys, and I'll let you leave with some dignity."
Zhao Lichun remained silent.
He picked up the purple clay teapot beside him, brought it to his lips, and took a sip.
The tea has gone cold.
"Young man, don't have too big an appetite."
Zhao Lichun put down the teapot and held up three fingers.
"Three hundred million."
US dollars.
"The moment you turn around and leave, this money will be deposited into your overseas account. Although the Ye family girl behind you has a powerful background, the Ye family cannot provide you with this kind of extravagant wealth."
"With this money, you can go to any country without an extradition treaty and become a rich man."
"how?"
Qi Tongwei remained silent.
He simply turned to look at Ye Cunxin.
Ye Cunxin stopped turning the scissors.
She strode forward, barefoot and silent, to the bedside.
The unique scent, a blend of a young girl's fragrance, sea breeze, and gunpowder smoke, instantly drew near, causing Zhao Lichun to involuntarily shrink back.
"Old man."
Ye Cunxin leaned down, her exquisitely beautiful face getting close to Zhao Lichun.
The collar of the soaked shirt drooped with the movement, revealing the deep, snow-white cleavage to the old man without reservation, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.
"Are you getting senile?"
"Someone who tried to bribe the Ye family?"
"The calligraphy hanging in my grandfather's study is worth three hundred million of yours."
Before he could finish speaking...
A flash of cold light.
"Duh!"
The sharp medical scissors were plunged deep into the bedside table next to Zhao Lichun, the blade still vibrating with a buzzing sound.
It was less than a centimeter away from Zhao Lichun's hand.
Zhao Lichun trembled with fright, and the purple clay teapot in his hand fell to the ground with a "crack," shattering into pieces.
"What...what do you want to do?!"
"I am the former Party Secretary of the Provincial Committee! I am..."
"You are a patient."
Ye Cunxin straightened up, reached out and brushed her wet long hair, the water droplets from the ends of her hair splashing onto Zhao Lichun's face.
A cruel smile curved her lips as she lightly traced the tubing through which Zhao Lichun was receiving an IV drip.
"I am a veterinarian."
"In the military, I was specifically responsible for performing sterilization surgeries on military dogs."
"Sometimes when we don't have enough anesthetic, we just start the procedure directly."
"I've heard that kind of pain can make you remember everything that happened in your life."
"Click."
A soft sound.
Ye Cunxin used the other spare pair of small scissors in her hand to cut the IV tubing.
The medicine mixed with the returning blood gushed out, splashing onto the white sheets like blooming red plum blossoms.
"what!"
Zhao Lichun covered the back of his hand in horror, blood seeping out from between his fingers.
"Don't move."
Ye Cunxin placed one hand on Zhao Lichun's shoulder.
The seemingly slender arms suddenly unleashed astonishing strength, pinning the usually aloof old man firmly to the bed.
In her other hand, she held scissors, the cold metal tip pressed against Zhao Lichun's Adam's apple.
"Last chance."
"Where is the key?"
"If you don't talk, I'll cut your vocal cords first, so you can only whine like an old dog for the rest of your life."
There was no joking in those eyes.
She really dares to take action.
Zhao Lichun's psychological defenses collapsed.
He looked at the crazy woman, then at Qi Tongwei, who was watching coldly from the side.
He knew that the situation was hopeless.
No one can save him.
Those subordinates who used to fawn over him have probably already distanced themselves from him by now.
"On...the bookshelf..."
Zhao Lichun's voice was hoarse, like a broken bellows being pulled.
"That copy of *Das Kapital*... has a hole cut out in the middle..."
"That's a physical key, not a password..."
Qi Tongwei stood up and walked straight to the bookshelf.
The second layer.
The thick, red hardcover book stood there quietly.
What an irony.
A corrupt official who believed in the monetization of power throughout his life actually hid the evidence of his crimes in classic works that criticized capitalism.
Qi Tongwei took out the book.
It's very light.
Opening the cover, the pages were neatly cut out, revealing a black velvet groove.
A titanium alloy key with a faint blue glow lay inside.
It has a complicated Swiss bank number engraved on it.
Qi Tongwei picked up the key and weighed it in his hand.
Cold and heavy.
This weighs 12 billion.
It is also the weight of blood and tears for countless families in Handong.
"Is this all the money you wanted for your funeral?"
Qi Tongwei closed the book and put the key into his jacket pocket.
He turned around and looked at Zhao Lichun, who was slumped on the bed, looking ashen-faced.
"Secretary Zhao, have you read this book?"
"As Marx said, capital comes into the world dripping from head to toe, from every pore, with blood and filth."
"This isn't just a drop of blood."
"You are bathing in the blood of the people of Handong."
Zhao Lichun closed his eyes and stopped speaking.
Just then.
A series of hurried and orderly footsteps came from outside the corridor.
Immediately afterwards, the door to the ward was pushed open.
Sha Ruijin strode in.
He was followed by Tian Guofu, and four middle-aged men in dark blue suits with serious expressions.
The badges pinned to the chests of the four men gleamed under the lights.
Special investigation team of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The moment Sha Ruijin entered the room, his gaze swept over the messy ward.
Broken porcelain shards on the ground, bloodstained sheets, and Ye Cunxin, disheveled yet exuding a murderous aura.
Finally, the image focuses on Qi Tongwei.
And Qi Tongwei's bulging shirt pockets.
"Comrade Tongwei."
Sha Ruijin's voice was steady and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Leave the rest to the organization."
He stepped aside, making way for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection staff behind him.
A staff member stepped forward and showed a piece of A4 paper stamped with a bright red seal.
"Zhao Lichun, with the approval of the organization, you are now subject to 'shuanggui' (a form of internal party discipline)."
"Please come with us."
Zhao Lichun seemed to have had his last ounce of soul ripped out.
He did not resist, letting two staff members grab his arms and drag him off the bed like a dead dog.
As Zhao Lichun passed by Qi Tongwei, he stopped in his tracks.
A final trace of resentment flashed in those cloudy old eyes.
"Qi Tongwei".
"It's hard to be a loyal minister."
"You won by half a point this round, but you've created a huge hole in the sky. Sooner or later, you'll be crushed by a rock."
"I'll be waiting for you in Qincheng."
Qi Tongwei looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes as if he were looking at an ant.
"Then you have to live well."
"Live to see the day I mend the sky over Handong."
Zhao Lichun was taken away.
The ward suddenly felt much emptier, with only Sha Ruijin, Tian Guofu, Qi Tongwei, and Ye Cunxin remaining.
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
Sha Ruijin looked at Qi Tongwei and extended his hand.
"key."
Just two simple words.
Yet it weighs as much as a thousand pounds.
This was a transfer of power, and also a test of stance.
If Qi Tongwei does not hand over his troops, it would be seen as him holding military power and disregarding the organization.
If it is handed over, the right to dispose of this 12 billion yuan will completely belong to the provincial party committee.
Ye Cunxin stopped playing with the scissors.
She leaned forward slightly, blocking Qi Tongwei's side, her wet hair clinging to her cheeks, and a hint of wariness in her peach blossom eyes.
In her view, this key was a trophy that Qi Tongwei had risked his life for.
Why should we do the work for someone else?
With just a glance from Qi Tongwei, she dared to stab anyone who dared to steal her things with these scissors.
Qi Tongwei laughed.
He reached out and patted Ye Cunxin's shoulder, signaling her to relax.
Then, he took the titanium key out of his pocket.
"Secretary Sha."
"This is no ordinary key."
"This is the Zhao family's death warrant, and also the money to buy life for Handong."
Qi Tongwei stepped forward and slammed the key into Sha Ruijin's hand.
"I have only one request."
Sha Ruijin gripped the key tightly, his palm aching from the sharp metal edges.
"you say."
"The money must be recovered and used entirely for the construction of education and medical infrastructure in the impoverished mountainous areas of Handong."
Qi Tongwei's voice was resolute.
"Every account must be open and transparent."
"If it's even a penny less, I'll come to your office for tea."
Sha Ruijin looked at the unruly young man in front of him.
Covered in blood and grime, yet his upright character remained undiminished.
At that moment, he finally understood why the old man from the Ye family would take a liking to this grassroots policeman with no background.
This is an exceptionally fine knife.
Even if the blade is covered in blood, the blade remains straight.
"it is good."
Sha Ruijin took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
I promise you.
"On behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, I also thank you."
Qi Tongwei did not salute.
He is too tired.
The rage that fueled his rampage through Luzhou Port and into the provincial hospital finally subsided with Zhao Lichun's downfall.
What remains is endless exhaustion.
"Let's go."
Qi Tongwei turned around and put his arm around Ye Cunxin's shoulder.
"go home."
Ye Cunxin obediently leaned against him, her aura as a female killing god vanishing instantly, transforming back into a lazy cat.
She looked up at Qi Tongwei, her eyes both dreamy and burning.
"Feed".
"Um?"
"Do you still stand by what you said in the elevator?"
The two talked as they walked out of the ward.
They left behind two dashing figures, Sha Ruijin and Tian Guofu.
The elevator doors slowly closed.
In the enclosed space, the atmosphere of ambiguity instantly intensified.
Ye Cunxin was practically hanging on Qi Tongwei.
Her soaked shirt was already ice-cold, but her body was surprisingly hot.
The soft touch came through Qi Tongwei's police uniform, with a heart-fluttering elasticity.
"Director Qi."
Ye Cunxin tiptoed, her red lips close to Qi Tongwei's ear, her breath sweet as orchids.
I'm hungry.
"Want some grilled fish?" Qi Tongwei looked down at the enchanting woman in his arms.
Water droplets slid down her slender neck and disappeared into the bottomless neckline.
"No."
Ye Cunxin stuck out the tip of her tongue and gently licked the corner of her mouth.
Those peach blossom eyes seemed to be overflowing with tears.
I'd like to eat something else.
"High in protein, the kind that replenishes energy..."