The moment the young man stepped into the building a cold solemn aura enveloped him, meaning nothing but business. He got instantly recognized by the staff. They all spoke up and warmly greeted him as he made his way inside.
There was not only friendliness in their tones, but there was also respect and recognition in the policemen's eyes. Li Minghao may have been a kid, but he has shown promise over the course of years. He deserved being treated like one of them. He earned it.
At the highest floor of the building, the elevator's door opened up and Li Minghao was met with a bustling scene.
Unlike the first floor, this floor was filled with police officers dealing with paperwork and solving cases. They were also processing a few perps. Or they mulled over the bulletin board with the tasks for the day.
Li Minghao didn't stay for too long before going to the Chief's office.
Right outside the Chief's office, sitting behind the desk there was a pretty woman whose wish was granted. After a long time thinking about him, he finally came by again!
Ay... If only he worked full-time... every day would be a good day. The pretty woman sighed. She would get to see him every day... and capture his heart.
And live the life she always wanted.
Of course, she had a plan which she took from the undying useful thirty-six stratagems. Specifically, the honey trap.
It always worked out for her.
She will be the beautiful fisher who was on the chief's secretary's desk. Working hard every day as she gained prestige and connections. She only had to cast the line, lure him out with honey-filled bait, and wait for him to fall hook, line, and sinker for her.
She just had to wait for an opportunity, a ripple in the water, and reel her big catch!
Not everyone was aware of Li Minghao's identity, but she was crystal clear.
Once upon a time... no, scratch that. This isn't a fairytale!
Ahem!
It all began almost two decades ago when a woman founded a small company. Due to her gender and that time's prejudice against women's leadership, she faced constant rejection and laughter to her face. They even told her to give up and go work for them instead.
She only smiled, and silently worked behind the scenes. While they bid their time, she was already aiming for the future.
Ten years later, under her leadership, the company became one of the highest-earning companies in the country that also created jobs for the citizens. All thanks to their wise investment and technological research projects.
The country was never the same after Kong Corporation took the lead.
The woman who made it happen was Kong Lin.
Strangely, after reaching the top, she managed everything behind the scenes. There were too few public appearances of her. And everything that was known about her was what she decided to let the people know.
One time another corporate leader reached out to her in a public setting and expressed his interest in her. Kong Lin was an exceptionally beautiful woman and one of the most intellectual persons he ever met.
He greatly admired her and would love to have the chance to get to know her more.
However, she rejected him and said she already had a loving husband and son!
And with that, she left a trail of broken hearts of big corporation leaders.
Later on, talk about the young master going to the Kong Corporation surfaced. Rumors about his personality and appearance were on about. The people were especially curious about how would the son of such a beautiful woman looked like.
Rumor has it he was too handsome, a heartbreaker for sure. People that have sworn to have seen his face had said the boy could go on to become a model and live off his face the rest of his life.
Rumor also has it that he was such an impeccable young gentleman. His manners were truly unmatched amongst men. He was also said to be knowledgeable, willing to learn, and subtly charming by the way he carried himself.
Hearing all this. anyone in the public would have their interest piked by such a talented boy.
However, If Madam Kong didn't want to let people know her son's face, who would be dumb enough to go against her wishes?
Who would want to risk going against such a big and influential company with big opportunities for job and business deals?
This of course didn't stop many young girls and women anticipate the day of his official reveal. It also didn't stop them from trying to get into Kong's Corporation just to see the young master's face.
Even if it was ridiculous to sign up for a job just to see someone's face, at least the pay was high and the job came with prestige.
While the public struggled to obtain information, the elitist families didn't have any problem with it. In fact, it came easy to them.
How?
Social parties.
Tell me which elitist family didn't try to pair up their daughter at least once at a social gathering?
None!
And who doesn't want such a good son-in-law?
None!
This proved competition for Li Minghao's hand was fierce!
However...
Ha! Those elitist families will never know what hit them!
A young pretty woman, working as a secretary in The Fist Police Departmen bagged the most wanted bachelor?
Ay, it started out as a fantasy, but she really made it to the first phase of her plan.
She pulled every string she knew just for this kind of moment, and she would not pass it up.
All those women in the Kong Corporation looked like drops in the ocean while she looked like the spring flower in a sky-blue uniform sea.
She was in the brightest spot and she will take full advantage of it.
The secretary stood up from her seat in a graceful manner. She was angelic and pure. A pretty flower in the field. If it was possible, she would have had the universe to play her scene in slow motion.
She elegantly greeted Li Minghao who grew increasingly dashing and handsome as he walked closer and closer.
The man of her dreams.
"Good morning, Mr. Li." Her clear and soft feminine voice filled the silence. She was honeying it up. "The Chief is expecting you at his office."
Li Minghao only gave her a brief glance and nodded as acknowledgment before proceeding to the chief's office. His eyes directed to the front. He didn't even notice the color of her hair...
As he left, the young pretty woman shuffled on her work as if she had much to do, making herself look busy.
When he entered the Chief's office room, she stopped. A small smile played on her face. One day she would get him to stay longer.
Meanwhile, inside the chief's office, a different scene was brewing.
Behind the desk, there was a grey-haired old man who looked like he had many years to go.
Around him was the proof of his years of hard work and service to the country, certifications, and newspaper articles showcased in frames.
He was known to be one of the sternest and scariest officers thanks to his strength and talent at fighting. He also had one of the finest marksmanship and was applauded for his leadership.
He was admired by many.
Chief Li Yang.
At the sight of this man, Li Minghao only bowed slightly.
"Grandfather."
The old man nodded and motioned Li Minghao to sit.
Both, grandfather and grandchild stared at each other's cold expressionless faces. Neither one uncomfortable by the silence or their staredowns.
Anyone who entered the room at this moment would retreat and never come back.
It was only when the old man's eyes turned into crescent moons that the office slowly adopted a cheerful mood.
"What brings you here? You rascal." Li Yang sported a big smile. Not a shadow of harshness or coldness was shown. In front of his grandson, he turned into an easygoing grandpa. In fact, he seemed more like a child.
Such an exceptional grandson, who would be able to not smile and feel proud? Chief Li Yang puffed his chest. He was already itching to go and boast it to his old buddies!
As for his little grandson...
Li Minghao calmly poured the tea ignoring whatever idea could be going through his grandpa's mind.
Instead, he focused on the two things he came for.
First.
"I want to know about the new case." Li Minghao calmly requested, breaking Chief Li Yang out of his thoughts.
"Bah! Of course, you wouldn't visit me without any other intentions." Chief Li Yang quickly turned resentful, giving him dirty looks as he went for the archives behind his desk. "Don't want to know about me?" He looked back with a sad face.
"I already arranged for us to have lunch at your favorite restaurant." Li Minghao easily shut down the fire. He was all too familiar with this play.
"Ah, my grandson really loves me! Your grandmother is going to be jealous!" Li Yang threw away his sadness and went back to being an easygoing grandpa.
Li Minghao: "..."
Typical grandpa...
It wasn't long before Chief Li Yang slid a thick portfolio towards his grandson. Inside, information of fourteen cases was displayed.
It all began fifteen years ago when the first victim received a red-colored envelope carrying a death threat. The victim contacted the police, but the perpetrator was not found. A few weeks later, the victim died.
From the first to the fourteenth victims, it all started with a red-colored envelope.
It was always one victim per year.
And they all matched one description.
Rich. Upper class. People that had a history of abusing their powers whether explicitly or not.
At first, everyone thought they were targeted for their money. Threaten, and get money in turn to spare their lives. However, in each case, not a single cent was taken.
Only lives.
These crimes were classified as an organized crime with no leads, no faces, no voice, no fingerprints.
A case of personal vendetta.
It was obvious the mastermind was both meticulous and precise when planning a crime. It left no proof behind and only questions for detectives to wonder.
Each case was turning cold and getting dust.
However, a new case turned up and it was the only one that could provide leads and solve all the previous cases.
In the last section of the portfolio, a young girl's personal information was displayed with a photo on the side.
The photo displayed a beautiful long-haired swan-like girl smiling demurely at the camera showcasing an innocent and elegant aura. But her eyes showed her pure clarity and energy. She looked to be much more than just an elegant lady. More than just a beautiful picture.
Li Minghao furrowed his eyebrows as he softly swept his fingers over the photo.