The high-tech industrial park of Haizhou spread out expansively. A brown marble gate bore the golden letters: Haizhou Pharmaceutical Group. A newly erected banner welcomed the provincial and city leaders and the CPPCC delegation for their inspection and guidance.
A police-escorted convoy of luxury cars drove through the gate, stopping in the plaza before the headquarters. Guo Xiaopeng, now impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, led the company leaders in welcoming the guests. The mayor of Haizhou, Jin Bin, was the first to step out and introduced Guo Xiaopeng to Vice Governor Yu. "Vice Governor Yu, this is Mr. Guo Xiaopeng, Chairman and President of Haizhou Pharmaceutical Group. Since the Southeast Asian financial crisis, our city's exports have significantly declined, but Haizhou Pharmaceutical's exports and tax contributions have not only held steady but have actually increased. They are now the leading private enterprise in our city."
Vice Governor Yu humorously replied, "Let's see how the leading enterprise looks."
Guo Xiaopeng bowed slightly, "Please, Vice Governor, provide your guidance." He then led the leaders and CPPCC members on a tour.
Meanwhile, Liu Mei hurried back to Haizhou Tower in her reclaimed red Ferrari. Seeing Li Xinjian waiting in the lobby, she approached with a radiant smile, "Deputy Captain Li, I apologize for keeping you waiting!"
Li Xinjian lightly shook the hand she extended, "No problem. You're a busy executive after all." Liu Mei seemed unfazed by his sarcasm, warmly inviting him to a window seat in the bar and instructing the waiter, "Two Colombian coffees, make them strong." Li Xinjian continued to tease, "Despite your busy schedule, you don't seem tired at all. Truly, success brings energy."
Liu Mei calmly retorted, "When Deputy Captain Li summons, I dare not delay even a second." Finding the banter with her tedious, Li Xinjian switched to the main topic, "What do you think about Lu An's death?"
Liu Mei remained composed, "It was sudden and unfortunate."
"Do you know your deputy well?" Li Xinjian switched to a more indirect approach. Liu Mei smiled calmly, "Understanding is relative. I don't know every detail of my employees' private lives."
"And his work? How did he perform?" Li Xinjian probed further.
Liu Mei shrugged, "His work was as you've seen, repetitive. I didn't notice anything unusual. Lu An had a good reputation."
Li Xinjian cut to the chase, "He was involved in the Yang Qiu murder case and had deep connections." His gaze was piercing.
Liu Mei responded with surprise, "He was involved in a murder? How is that possible?"
"What makes you so confident? Can you explain your disbelief?" Li Xinjian asked pointedly.
"It's simple. I trust my colleagues wouldn't commit such crimes. But, since you seem certain, I can only question my instincts. I'm quite curious about this," Liu Mei replied.
Li Xinjian took a sip of coffee, "After killing Yang Qiu, it was Lu An's turn. Do you understand?"
Liu Mei, sensing the danger, asked, "Has the murderer been found?"
Li Xinjian smiled slightly, "I never said Lu An was murdered."
Liu Mei countered smoothly, "Your use of 'rabbit dies, dog is cooked' implies it wasn't suicide, doesn't it?"
Li Xinjian couldn't help but respect her intelligence, "Can you provide any leads?"
Liu Mei smiled and quickly wrote down several names, "These people were close to Lu An. You might want to ask them." Li Xinjian took the paper, "Thank you for your help." He stood to leave.
Liu Mei escorted him to the lobby entrance, "If you need further cooperation, please don't hesitate to ask." As if remembering something, Li Xinjian turned back, "Do you know Yang Qiu's twin brother, Yang Chun?"
Liu Mei answered calmly, "No, I've heard of him."
Li Xinjian said meaningfully, "If he contacts you, please inform us. Reliable sources say he's in Haizhou now." With that, he smiled and left.
Liu Mei stood there, stunned, feeling a chill rising within her.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Yu and Mayor Jin were touring the modern factory with Guo Xiaopeng. The fast-moving production lines were impressive, with staff in white coats operating computers in an orderly manner.
Vice Governor Yu nodded in approval, "This young chairman is quite capable." Mayor Jin responded proudly, "Xiaopeng has a PhD in Chemistry from Princeton. After returning from the US, he acquired a small state-owned pharmaceutical factory and developed it into today's enterprise in just six years. Now he has over a billion in net assets and nearly two thousand employees, with more than twenty PhDs and Masters among them. Seventy percent of the staff have college degrees or higher. He's also a PhD supervisor, a national model worker, a provincial CPPCC member, and a guest professor at Haizhou University."
Vice Governor Yu, recalling something, asked, "You mentioned his father earlier. Who is he?"
Mayor Jin explained, "Former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC, Lin Zilie."
Vice Governor Yu adjusted his glasses, puzzled, "Wasn't Lin's son sentenced to prison?"
Mayor Jin quickly clarified, "You might not be fully informed as you recently transferred from Beijing. Lin's biological eldest son, Lin Xiaoqiang, was the one sentenced. Guo Xiaopeng was brought by his second wife. They also have a younger son, Lin Xiaoliang, who works here as well."
Vice Governor Yu laughed, "It's quite complicated." As a seasoned official, he deftly switched topics, "I heard they recently developed a new drug for addiction treatment?"
Mayor Jin, not knowing the technical details, called over Guo Xiaopeng. "Xiaopeng, Vice Governor Yu is interested in your new addiction treatment drug. Please explain."
Guo Xiaopeng introduced, "Vice Governor, our addiction treatment drug has passed expert evaluation. Once it receives approval from the Ministry of Health, we'll begin mass production."
Vice Governor Yu asked, "How are the clinical results?"
Guo Xiaopeng replied, "Frankly, it's the best among similar drugs in the country."
Vice Governor Yu nodded in praise, "You've done a great job, Comrade Guo Xiaopeng!" Encouraged, Guo Xiaopeng continued, "We also plan to invest in building a rehabilitation center, offering the first treatment course for free."
Vice Governor Yu looked at Guo Xiaopeng with interest, "Not many private entrepreneurs have your vision." Guo Xiaopeng, slightly shy, said, "Wealth comes from the people, and it should be used for the people. That's the only rightful destination of wealth."
Vice Governor Yu patted Guo Xiaopeng on the shoulder, satisfied.