Qiang Min continued, "We recently caught a few addicts. They were using methamphetamine that was a bit darker in color. They call it 'crystal sugar essence,' claiming it's twice as expensive as regular meth but three times more potent."
Li Xinjian asked, "Did you find out where it came from?"
Qiang Min replied, "They said it came from overseas, but according to the drug dealers there, it was sent from our side."
"They're just shifting the blame," Li Xinjian asserted confidently.
"It doesn't seem like it," Qiang Min shook his head. "According to the dealers, there wasn't much of it, and they only managed to buy it once."
Li Xinjian's brows furrowed in thought.
Zhang Xiaohua added, "Imagine an ant nest you've destroyed. Even if you kill the queen, as long as a few ants remain, they'll soon regenerate a new colony and elect a new queen."
Qiang Min thought for a moment. "Director Zhang, you're speaking in metaphors again."
Zhang Xiaohua made a slicing motion. "So, we aren't just dismantling an ant nest; we're excising a tumor. We must completely remove all related lymph nodes and infiltrations!"
Yunhai New Village was a newly constructed residential complex. Except for a few buildings near the road that had sparse lights, the rest were pitch dark.
A black Buick stopped in front of Building 8. Bi Xu and Wang Jingfei climbed to the fifth floor, stopping at apartment 502. Bi Xu took out a key to unlock the door, politely gesturing for Wang Jingfei to enter first. After closing the door behind them, he turned on the lights. It was a simple apartment, mostly empty but reasonably clean. Wang Jingfei looked around and asked, "Where's your wife?"
Bi Xu drew the heavy curtains shut. "At the other house."
Wang Jingfei's facial muscles twitched slightly. "Minister Bi has two homes?"
Bi Xu replied mysteriously, "Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Though I'm a rooster, I have two burrows." He glanced at her bag. "As agreed, I brought the first installment," Wang Jingfei said, opening her bag. Bi Xu held her hand down. "What's the rush? Let's chat for a bit."
To obtain the information, Wang Jingfei forced a smile. "How many children do you have, Minister Bi?"
Bi Xu raised a finger. "A son?" she pretended to be concerned.
"A daughter," Bi Xu replied absent-mindedly.
"Do you love her?" Wang Jingfei made small talk.
"Who wouldn't love a little girl?" Bi Xu grinned.
Wang Jingfei forced a superficial smile.
"We, born in the 1950s, have seen all kinds of misfortune," Bi Xu counted on his fingers. "We experienced the Great Famine while growing up, were sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution, faced the one-child policy when marrying, and now, nearing fifty, we face layoffs and healthcare reforms." Wang Jingfei nodded sympathetically.
Bi Xu continued, "Why do I sell information to you? To save money for retirement? Without money, even your own children will despise you."
Wang Jingfei nodded again, "One must be prepared."
Feeling he'd made his point, Bi Xu's eyes started roaming over Wang Jingfei's body. "With money, you should enjoy life. Relive your lost youth. Don't you agree?"
Sensing his intentions, Wang Jingfei glanced at her watch. "The chairman needs me at ten."
Bi Xu, appearing considerate, said, "If you're in a hurry, let's handle business first." Wang Jingfei took out an envelope.
Bi Xu pointed to a room, "My share is in there."
"Alright, I'll wait," Wang Jingfei said.
Bi Xu winked, "The computer's in there too. You can check my stock quality." Wang Jingfei reluctantly followed him into the room. Inside, there was a large bed, a sizeable safe, a laptop, and an old brass lamp. Bi Xu bent to open the safe, retrieving a disk. Wang Jingfei opened the laptop and inserted the disk, sitting on the bed as there was nowhere else.
As soon as the computer started, Bi Xu suddenly embraced Wang Jingfei from behind. She immediately understood. Struggling, she said, "Don't do this."
Rubbing his stubbly face against hers, Bi Xu said, "I liked you the moment I saw you." Wang Jingfei tried to deflect, "Let's talk it out."
Bi Xu generously declared, "If you comply tonight, you can keep the money."
Wang Jingfei pretended to be serious, "Really?"
Bi Xu eagerly nodded, "I, Old Bi, have plenty of money!"
Wang Jingfei agreed, "Then I'll follow your arrangements."
Overjoyed, Bi Xu released her. When he moved to her side, she stood up too.
Consumed with lust, Bi Xu said, "What, do I need to undress you myself?" He reached for her clothes, "It's normal for leaders to cut the ribbon at an opening ceremony."
Not wanting to escalate the situation, Wang Jingfei pushed his hand away, "We should get to know each other first. I don't want to rush things."