That night.
Qingmu City, Rongxin Grand Restaurant.
Several black cars bearing the Security Department's insignia pulled into the restaurant's underground parking lot. The doors opened, and agents in Security Department uniforms stepped out. Security Minister Liu Wansheng emerged from one of the cars.
The middle-aged man, who was already fifty-three that year, adjusted his clothes slightly before walking toward the elevators.
At the elevators, the restaurant manager and a group of executives lined up to welcome him.
Given Liu Wansheng's status, he should have gotten out at the restaurant's main entrance and accepted the restaurant's welcome. However, since the restaurant was one of his own businesses, he had chosen to travel discreetly.
As the Security Department's minister, Liu Wansheng's salary was naturally substantial, but it was not enough to open a restaurant.
Moreover, the restaurant was not the only business under Liu Wansheng's name. The reason he possessed so many businesses was naturally that he had other sources of income.
Illicit income.
Taking advantage of his authority, he had provided his brother-in-law, Ji Xing, with enormous convenience. The profits Ji Xing earned were given to Liu Wansheng's sister—in other words, Liu Wansheng's wife—in the name of gifts, according to a fixed proportion.
Through this method, Liu Wansheng had amassed a huge fortune and acquired various businesses, including the restaurant.
However, all of these were registered under his wife's name.
On the surface, Liu Wansheng appeared to be an incorruptible official who owned nothing but the clothes on his back.
"Mr. Liu, good evening."
"Your wife has already arrived. She's waiting for you in the Heavenly Character Private Room."
The restaurant manager bowed and scraped as he personally opened the elevator door for Liu Wansheng.
Tonight was Mrs. Liu Wansheng's fiftieth birthday. Not wanting to make too much of a display,