Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 70: The Agents Were Stunned

Chapter 70: The Agents Were Stunned

Upon hearing Qiu Tu’s words, Jia Shu smiled and cryptically remarked, “No matter. Even if they don’t trust you now, they’ll soon come to rely on you.”

Qiu Tu felt there was more to Jia Shu's statement, as if something significant was happening within the Security Department. However, due to his position, he couldn’t probe further, so he let it pass.

After finishing their conversation, Qiu Tu saluted Jia Shu and left the rooftop garden, holding the two investigative authorization documents Jia Shu had given him. As he walked back to the Interrogation Division, he pondered his next steps.

Even though Jia Shu wanted the female spy’s case fabricated, it had to be done in a way that satisfied everyone involved. To achieve this, the case couldn’t be entirely fabricated; it had to have some basis in truth. This meant he had to conduct a proper investigation, which required manpower. Currently, his team was too small to make any real progress, so he needed to release Cao Dabiao’s group first.

As he considered how to release Cao Dabiao and his team and increase their loyalty to him, a plan started to form in his mind.

Meanwhile, in a large holding cell on the ninth floor of the Political Division, Cao Dabiao and twelve other agents were being detained. Because they were technically still colleagues and not actual prisoners, the guards hadn’t mistreated them. Physically, they were fine, but their spirits were worn down by the uncertainty.

After a long silence, Cao Dabiao’s close associate, Liu, nudged him and whispered, “Boss, do you think we’ll ever get out of here? It’s been days, and no one’s come to see us. Do you think they might just kick us out of the Investigation Department?”

Cao Dabiao glared at him and replied hoarsely, “Don’t be so negative! If you can’t say something useful, don’t say anything at all!”

On Cao Dabiao’s other side, Qi sighed and said, “Being kicked out would be the least of our worries. We lost the Director’s mistress and had that big incident at the Qin residence. The Minister will skin us alive, even if we are colleagues.”

Cao Dabiao hadn’t expected Qi to bring up such a sensitive topic. He slapped Qi’s head and growled, “Watch what you say! Are you trying to get us all killed?”

However, after two days in the holding cell, tensions were running high. Although Liu and Qi were silenced, the other agents started to complain quietly.

“We’re so unlucky. We didn’t even do anything wrong, and suddenly, we’re scapegoats for this mess.”

“Yeah, we’re really unfortunate. Who could have predicted this?”

“I blame Qiu Tu. If he hadn’t suddenly decided to investigate the Qin family and dragged us into it, we wouldn’t be in this mess. He’s fine, but we’re stuck here.”

As soon as this last complaint was voiced, the room fell silent. In situations like this, people often look for someone to blame to vent their frustration. It was only natural for them to target Qiu Tu, the person who had brought them into this situation. However, they were also aware of his recent promotion to Deputy Section Chief, which made him a powerful figure within the Investigation Department. None of them dared to openly criticize him for fear of making things worse.

Deputy Team Leader Li Feng eventually spoke up, his face expressionless. “This isn’t Qiu Tu’s fault. He couldn’t have known this would happen. It’s just our bad luck.”

His words silenced the room again. While many agents were still unhappy, they knew arguing wouldn’t help. Cao Dabiao, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, added, “True, he couldn’t have foreseen the trouble, but he should have known afterward. He dragged us into this, acted like a brother, and now he should find a way to help us out. If he cared at all, he’d do something.”

This sparked a sense of agreement among the agents. Some nodded, showing their dissatisfaction, while others even had tears in their eyes, worried about their future. However, a few, like Li Feng, remained impassive, keeping their thoughts to themselves.

At that moment, the sound of a lock turning at the door caught everyone’s attention. The agents immediately sat up straight, their hearts pounding with anxiety. They had been in this holding cell for two days and nights, receiving regular meals but no visits or news. Their anxiety had been growing with each passing hour.

The door slowly opened, and the agents held their breath, wondering who was finally coming to see them and what fate awaited them.

Finally, someone had come to see them. Whether the news was good or bad, at least they wouldn’t have to endure the uncertainty any longer. The door to the holding cell opened, and a sophisticated woman with two golden stars on her shoulder epaulets walked in, led by the guard.

As she entered, the woman, Liu Fuping, waved a hand in front of her nose in disgust. “Ugh, it stinks in here.”

The agents inside blushed with embarrassment. After confirming the number of detained agents, Liu Fuping pulled out a document and began to read aloud, “I am Liu Fuping, a second-level agent from the Interrogation Division, here under orders to escort you for an internal review. When I call your name, step forward, line up, and follow me.”

“Cao Dabiao.”

“Here!” Cao Dabiao quickly stood up and jogged over to Liu Fuping, smiling obsequiously. “Good day, ma'am. Sorry for the trouble.”

Being a first-level agent, calling Liu Fuping, a second-level agent, "ma'am" surprised her, causing her to glance at him curiously.

“Li Feng.”

Li Feng stood up from the corner, expressionless, and joined Cao Dabiao.

“Ding Liu, Ding Qi!”

One by one, the agents were called and formed a line. Once Liu Fuping confirmed everyone was accounted for, she gestured for them to follow and exited the holding cell with a sway in her step. Outside, six armed guards stood ready, fitting each agent with handcuffs as they exited.

Led by Liu Fuping and flanked by the armed guards, Cao Dabiao and his team were escorted to a large interrogation room. To their surprise, this wasn't a typical individual interrogation but a group session. The agents entered the room and stood in a line against the wall, handcuffed.

One brave agent stole a glance at the interrogation panel. There were three seats, but only the leftmost one was occupied by a young female agent, identifiable as a third-level agent by her shoulder epaulets. She appeared to be a note-taker, given the pen and documents in her hand. The other two seats were empty.

Seeing this setup made the agents uneasy. Their mission had indeed gone awry, but the severity of their punishment was uncertain and depended entirely on the discretion of the interrogating officers.

As they stood, backs straight and heads bowed, hoping to make a good impression, the door to the interrogation room opened. Two individuals entered, and the female agent immediately stood and saluted. “Good day, sir!”

Cao Dabiao and the others subtly glanced up to see who had come to interrogate them. They first saw Liu Fuping, her hair slightly disheveled, cheeks flushed, and eyes glistening as if she had just been through something intense.

Behind her, smiling and exuding authority, was Qiu Tu. Upon seeing Qiu Tu, Cao Dabiao and the others’ eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment, it felt like they were seeing their savior. Joy and relief swelled in their chests.

Author's Note

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM