An alarmingly powerful figure

Ji Yanzhi's heart pounded violently, his entire body as rigid as stone.

He took a deep breath. "Did you run the test alone?"

"Yes." Wang Bin understood what he meant. "Don't worry. You're the only person I've told about this discovery."

"Don't tell a third person, and don't leave the Laboratory until I contact you."

"All right."

After ending the call, he called Lawyer Liu.

"How are things going with Xu Ren?"

"The couple's testimony is very unfavorable to him," Lawyer Liu said. "And the police have already recovered some of the stolen property. If I'm right, they'll find Xu Ren's fingerprints on it."

Ji Yanzhi's gaze darkened slightly. "Arrange a drug test for Xu Ren immediately. I suspect there was something in the meal he ate at his advisor's house."

"All right. I'll apply for one right away."

Lowering the phone from his ear, Ji Yanzhi told the driver, "Go to Shang'an Road Police Station."

He decided to go there himself. Of course he trusted Lawyer Liu's abilities, but they could not afford a single misstep in Xu Ren's case now.

Ji Yanzhi looked out the car window, his brows tightly knitted, Wang Bin's words echoing over and over in his mind.

Xu Ren's social connections were simple enough to list on half a sheet of paper. That was why he had always assumed the person was most likely a professor at Capital University of Science and Technology, or perhaps an exceptionally gifted classmate.

But Wang Bin's discovery had overturned all those guesses.

Not only was that person affiliated with the military, but they could also use a supercomputer for their own work whenever and however they pleased. That alone demonstrated an extremely high level of clearance, which meant their standing could hardly be ordinary.

But the question now was, if Xu Ren really knew someone that influential, why would he work as a private tutor?

Xu Ren was no fool like Ji Ting. A single word from that person would be enough to get him into a research institute without any effort.

Ji Yanzhi lowered his eyes slightly. As he pondered, his gaze abruptly fixed on something-

Could Xu Ren have started tutoring first, and only met that person afterward?

Ji Yanzhi's long fingers curled slightly. If that really was the case, it narrowed the possibilities considerably, and investigating would not be difficult.

Forget it. I'll think about that later. First, get him out.

Half an hour later.

Liao Kai, who was waiting outside the police station, bent down and opened the car door. "President Ji."

Ji Yanzhi stepped out of the car. "Is Xu Ren still giving his statement?"

"Teacher Xu had already gone for the drug test before I came out. Since the fingerprint results won't be ready until tomorrow, Lawyer Liu plans to arrange bail first."

"What about the couple? Are they still here?"

They headed inside as they spoke. Liao Kai replied, "They're both sitting in the police reception hall."

A cold smile curled Ji Yanzhi's lips. "Good. They haven't left."

He entered the reception hall with Liao Kai. The officer on duty looked up from his computer. "Hello. How can I help you?"

Ji Yanzhi glanced at the two people sitting a short distance away and said evenly, "Hello. I'm here to see Xu Ren."

At those words, the couple immediately lifted their heads.

"He's still inside. Please wait a moment," the officer replied.

"Thank you."

Ji Yanzhi turned and walked toward the waiting chairs, then took a packet of disinfectant wipes from his coat pocket. Just as he was about to wipe down a chair, Liao Kai hurriedly said, "President Ji, let me."

President Ji?

Xu Ren's advisor, Wang Jianming, paled. Taking another look at Ji Yanzhi's bearing, he began to feel uneasy.

This man seemed to be someone of considerable standing. How did he know Xu Ren?

Just then, his wife leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, do you think that lawyer might be..."

Wang Jianming quickly shook his head, signaling her to keep quiet.

While the two were fretting, Lawyer Liu came out from inside.

He froze briefly at the sight of Ji Yanzhi, then hurried over. "President Ji, what brings you here in person?"

Ji Yanzhi's expression was cold, as though he was deeply displeased. "Why did you only just report something this serious to me?"

Lawyer Liu's brow twitched as he immediately caught on. Playing along, he lowered his head slightly and said nervously, "I'm sorry, President Ji. I didn't expect things to be this serious. I truly apologize."

Listening to their exchange, Wang Jianming felt an ominous premonition rising relentlessly within him.

Ji Yanzhi remained silent for a moment, his face expressionless, before asking, "Can Xu Ren's computer be recovered?"

Lawyer Liu looked troubled. "They're still looking for it, but I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what? Are you saying they won't find it?" Ji Yanzhi's tone did not even change, yet it carried immense pressure. "You understand what the consequences will be if the contents of his computer are leaked."

Lawyer Liu raised his head as if to explain, only to "happen" to catch sight of the couple out of the corner of his eye. Instantly, he looked as though he had found his salvation.

"President Ji." He walked over to them in a few quick strides and introduced Wang Jianming loudly. "This is Mr. Wang Jianming, Xu Ren's advisor. Xu Ren's computer was stolen from his home."

Wang Jianming stiffened. Before he could react, Lawyer Liu gestured in the other direction. "And this is Mr. Ji Yanzhi, president of the Shili Group."

The Shili Group-?!

It was as though a thunderclap had exploded in Wang Jianming's head, leaving it buzzing. His eyes widened in shock, his pupils trembling.

Even the two officers on duty looked over curiously. No wonder the man with the buzz cut had looked trained. He was a bodyguard protecting someone important.

Ji Yanzhi turned to face Wang Jianming. "Hello, Mr. Wang."

Panic left Wang Jianming numb all over. He tried to force himself to remain composed, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching.

Ji Yanzhi had no time to wait for him. He went straight to the point. "Lawyer Liu told me you suspect Xu Ren of stealing from your home. Is that correct?"

Things had reached this point, and Wang Jianming had no way to back out. He drew a strained breath. "The police have already checked the residential compound's surveillance footage. No one entered my home last night except Xu Ren."

"Mm." Ji Yanzhi nodded thoughtfully. "So you're saying Xu Ren staged the theft of his own belongings to clear himself of suspicion?"

"The police are still investigating, so I can't draw any conclusions." Wang Jianming sounded perfectly high-minded, but he never once met Ji Yanzhi's eyes. "But he's my student. Of course I don't want him to turn to crime."

Beside them, Liao Kai could not help curling his lip. Some role model for his students. He really knows how to put on an act.

Ji Yanzhi sneered inwardly and turned to Lawyer Liu. "I heard some of the stolen property has been recovered. Was Xu Ren's computer among it?"

"No. Almost everything they found belonged to Mr. Wang."

Ji Yanzhi's face instantly darkened. "The data on his computer concerns a group project worth hundreds of millions. I don't care who did it. Once the police identify the culprit, file charges for infringement of trade secrets immediately."

"Rest assured. The amount involved is enough to warrant the maximum sentence-at least eight years."

Before Lawyer Liu had even finished speaking, Wang Jianming's wife suddenly shuddered, her face visibly beginning to turn pale.

They had originally only intended to borrow Xu Ren's paper temporarily. Once their son published an SCI paper in a journal, his future would be secure.

After all, Xu Ren was so clever. If he could discover a new material this time, he would surely have plenty more opportunities in the future.