"The medicine I gave you will help heal your wounds. At least enough so you can speak clearly. Otherwise, if I mishear what you say and something irreversible happens because of it, that wouldn't be good, would it?"
After several dozen seconds, Pan Youguang felt most of the swelling in his face had subsided, and the pain in his chest had eased a little. Only then did he finally relax.
"District Chief Pan, I'd like to ask, why did this matter get leaked?"
Pan Youguang hesitated for a moment, "You suspect me?"
"The operation was executed by you personally. Isn't it reasonable for me to suspect you?"
"Captain Han, if I were the one who leaked it, would I have any reason to follow you here?"
"Even if it wasn't you, it could've been the two men you hired."
"Their parents, wives, and children are all in your hands. And you paid them more money than they could make in a lifetime. What would they gain from betraying you?"
When Han Lingye stared at Pan Youguang with suspicion, Pan didn't show the slightest hint of fear. He met Han's gaze head-on.
"Captain Han, even if there was a leak, it definitely didn't come from me or my side."
Han Lingye thought for a moment. Indeed, he couldn't find any motive for Pan Youguang to betray him.
Beep! Beep!
At that moment, Han Lingye's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, and a flicker of guilt flashed in his bright blue eyes. He cursed silently under his breath, "Damn it."
Then he picked up the call.
"Hello, Uncle? What's wrong?"
"The thing you asked me to do, something went wrong... It failed because word got out early."
"I'm sorry. I arranged it poorly. I didn't expect there to be a mole around me. I'll conduct a strict investigation once I'm back."
Just moments ago, Han Lingye had been arrogantly talking down to Pan Youguang. But now, he was obedient and submissive, like a servant, all apologies and self-blame.
After about a minute of being reprimanded from the other end, Han Lingye finally found a chance to speak, "Uncle, I don't understand why you insist on using such a complicated method, swapping the exam papers. Why not just have someone kill that Wen Shu outright instead?"
"I guarantee there won't be any trace left behind."
This time, Pan Youguang clearly heard the person on the other end bark two harsh words, ["Absolutely not!"]
Then, the voice softened, continuing to explain something to Han Lingye.
Han could only nod repeatedly, murmuring agreement.
Eventually, he hung up, looking frustrated and defeated.
Seeing Han Lingye get chewed out on the phone, Pan Youguang felt secretly delighted.
Of course, he didn't let the satisfaction show on his face. Instead, his expression was one of mild concern. As if he was genuinely troubled on Han Lingye's behalf.
Han Lingye glanced at Pan, thoughtful, as if weighing something.
Then he said, "We've worked together now. The outcome wasn't ideal, sure, but we've fought side by side. That means we know each other pretty well."
"I'll take you back to the Han Corps and introduce you to my father. That'll be your mark of protection, proof that you're one of my people. Then, when you return to your district, no one will dare mess with you."
"If you keep doing well in the safe zone and build up some solid results, I can find someone to set up a promotion path for you. It'll be easier that way."
Pan Youguang hadn't expected Han Lingye to make such an arrangement.
He thought that once he completed this mission, Han Lingye would just dump him and leave.
"T-then... thank you, Captain Han. But... my family?"
"They can stay with the Han Corps for now. The facilities there are far better than in this rundown area. As for your kid's schooling, I'll handle it for you."
"If you miss your family, you can come visit them anytime."
Pan Youguang sighed, "I understand. Thank you for the arrangement, Captain Han."
The armored vehicle sped down the street, leaving two faint tracks behind.
———
Meanwhile, after Han Lingye left, Chen Zhongming immediately called Qin Siyang.
He recounted everything that had happened here in detail.
When Qin Siyang learned that Wen Shu's exam papers had been safely delivered, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, his attention turned to the military man who had killed to cover his tracks.
"Han Lingye, from the Han Corps?"
["He claimed to be the grandson of Han Huizhi, the commander of the Han Corps. It's probably true, Pan Youguang left with him."]
"Han Huizhi?", Qin Siyang chuckled, "That old bastard really picked himself a fine name. Might as well tattoo the word 'traitor' across his forehead, what's the difference?"
Chen Zhongming laughed, ["Hahaha! Looks like young Qin has read some history books, eh?"]
["They say Commander Han's ancestors emigrated to the Rat Kingdom generations ago for business. They didn't retain much of our Huaguo culture or naming traditions, so he ended up with a name like that."]
["After he became famous, someone told him his name sounded like that of the great traitor Qin Hui. But by then, his reputation was already established, and changing it would've caused too many complications, so he just kept it."]
Qin Siyang sneered, "Well, considering what his grandson just did, the name fits the family perfectly."
"To kill someone in broad daylight just to silence them... unbelievable."
He was about to curse more, but then realized that he himself had killed someone in broad daylight before.
So he swallowed the rest of his words.
"Director Chen, please keep an eye on the college entrance exam situation in Zone 14121."
["Don't worry, I won't let something like this happen again. By the way, this incident is too big to cover up. I'll have to report it to Governor Jonathan. Qin, do you want to give him a heads-up first?
Qin Siyang immediately understood. Chen was reminding him to get in touch with Jonathan early, to avoid any misunderstanding later.
Chen Zhongming's subtle sense for politics was something Qin always learned from.
"Got it. Thanks, Director Chen, I'll do that."
["Good. I'll start compiling the full case report. Should be ready for the state office in about two days."]
"Understood. Goodbye, Director Chen."
["Goodbye."]
After hanging up, Qin Siyang sat quietly, lost in thought.
'Han Huizhi?'
He had no dealings whatsoever with the Han Corps. No past grudges, no current conflict.
'So why stir up trouble like this?'
'And not even against me directly, but against Wen Shu?'
'Utterly baffling.'
'Han Lingye?'
'The old commander's grandson?'
'Sending his grandson to handle this? That's almost insulting.'
He could have casual conversations with the commanders of the Qin Corps and the Chu Corps, and yet, they send a grandkid after him?
The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.
Han Huizhi's motives were too strange to guess.
'Forget it.'
'If something doesn't make sense, just leave it for now, collect more information later.'
Qin Siyang dialed Wen Shu's number.
"Hey, it's all taken care of. You can focus on your exam now."
Wen Shu gave a sweet laugh, ["Thanks. I knew you'd clean up the mess you made yourself."]
"...Can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult. Anyway, I just hope this doesn't mess with your mindset."
["It won't. Don't worry."]
"Good. Bye."
Afterward, Qin Siyang called Jonathan and reported the exam cheating incident.
Jonathan took it very seriously and immediately sent a team of elite special police officers overnight to Zone 14121 to oversee the situation, ensuring nothing like that would happen again.
No one caused any more trouble.
And so, in calm and peace, the college entrance exams came to an end.