A Breakthrough Under Pressure

The deputy director's office was filled with smoke, almost to the point of being choking. The ashtray was overflowing with cigarette butts, like a small, blackened grave, a testament to the anxiety and pressure felt by the two people inside.

Deputy Director Wang leaned back in his large office chair, his brows furrowed into a deep frown. The cigarette between his fingers was almost burned down to the filter, but he seemed oblivious. Sitting opposite him, Captain Li was in a similar situation. He leaned forward, his arm resting on his knee, also with a cigarette between his fingers, his eyes fixed on the floor as if trying to see a hole through the smooth tiles.

The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and the city's neon lights, filtering through the gaps in the blinds, cut faint streaks of light through the pervasive smoke. The main lights in the office were off; only the old desk lamp cast a dim, yellowish glow, projecting the two figures onto the wall, their shadows appearing longer and shorter, adding to the somber atmosphere.

"The calls from above keep coming in," Deputy Director Wang finally spoke, his voice hoarse from staying up all night and smoking. He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "Deadline! Another deadline to solve the case! This media frenzy has us on the brink of disaster!"

Captain Li raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth:

"Director Wang, we understand the logic. But the evidence right now... Qin Ming is incredibly stubborn. He insists it's a diagnostic discrepancy, a possible temporary equipment malfunction, and that preventing the transfer was a professional consideration for the patient's safety. ICU medication, changes in the patient's condition discovered during surgery... he can find medical justifications for all of these. And procedurally speaking, many procedures are indeed documented and signed, which he exploited."

He took a deep drag on his cigarette and continued, "We checked Ankang Hospital's accounts, and at least on the surface, they're as clean as a blank sheet of paper."

All fees, even those that are unreasonable, have a designated name and follow proper procedures. Zhang Hongyuan's threatening remarks were harsh, but legally it's difficult to directly classify it as a criminal threat.

We're holding Qin Ming in custody mainly because of his violent assault on the police. But if we ultimately can't prosecute him for medical malpractice, the sentence for assaulting a police officer alone is limited, and... it won't shake the foundation of Ankang Hospital."

This is what makes them most powerless. They know perfectly well that the other side is a man-eating beast, but because it wears a veneer of "compliance," its fangs are hidden beneath thick layers of fat and legal provisions, leaving them nowhere to strike. Public opinion is raging, and public resentment is boiling; all the pressure is being transmitted to those of them who are handling the cases, but they have very few cards to play.

Deputy Director Wang remained silent, then took out another cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled smoke from his nostrils. "Ankang Hospital is a much tougher nut to crack than we imagined. They have a well-established response mechanism, from diagnosis and treatment to legal matters, all linked together."

The two fell silent again, the only sound the faint crackling of cigarettes burning. Under the lamplight, the smoke swirled and tangled slowly, like their tangled thoughts.

Time ticked by, and the pressure weighed heavily on everyone's hearts like an invisible boulder.

Suddenly, Captain Li abruptly raised his head, a sharp glint in his eyes. He seemed to have grasped something crucial, and his speech quickened:

"Director Wang, I have a direction we might be willing to try!"

"Hmm? Speak!" Deputy Director Wang perked up and sat up straighter.

"Money!" Captain Li said decisively. "They've gone to such lengths; it can't be just for that little bit of performance-based pay! There must be some huge profit motive involved! Where there's profit, there must be bribery!"

The more he spoke, the clearer his thinking became, "Ankang Hospital's accounts are clean, so we won't find any problems right now. But we won't check the hospital's accounts; we'll check Qin Ming's personal finances! He's an attending physician, and even if his income isn't low, if his spending and assets far exceed his legal income, then there's a problem!"

Deputy Director Wang's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh forcefully. "That's it! Bypass their fortified strongholds and go straight to the core! Investigate his bank statements, his and his close relatives' properties, vehicles, stocks, and large-scale spending records! As long as we find a huge amount of unexplained wealth, we can pin him down on 'unexplained wealth' or other economic crimes! Once we get him to talk, we'll surely uncover the truth!"

This is a classic investigative approach. Sometimes, the strongest fortresses are breached from within. The barriers of the medical profession may be difficult to overcome, but the flow of money is the most universal and the most difficult to completely conceal.

"I'll immediately arrange for manpower, in conjunction with the brothers from the Economic Crime Investigation Department, to launch a comprehensive investigation into the assets of Qin Ming and his immediate family!" Captain Li instantly regained his energy, stubbed out his cigarette, and was about to get up.

"Wait a minute!" Deputy Director Wang called out to him, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Evidence alone isn't enough. A man like Qin Ming won't have a weak mental defense, and the people behind him have definitely prepared a plan for him. We need someone who can pry open his tight tongue."

He picked up the secure internal phone on the table, dialed a number, and said to Captain Li, "Go and handle the asset investigation immediately. Be quick and thorough! I'll get an 'expert' over here."

The call was quickly connected. The seriousness and anxiety on Deputy Director Wang's face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm yet measured smile, and his tone became more tactful:

"Hey? Old classmate, it's me, Old Wang!... Haha, can't I think of you even when there's nothing wrong?... Yes, yes, I'm sorry to disturb your rest so late... Sigh, to be honest, I've run into a tough nut to crack, it's really tricky..."

He briefly explained the case and the difficulties they faced, emphasizing the suspect's stubbornness and the case's sensitivity to public opinion.

"... Yes, the pressure is immense. The higher-ups are watching, and the people are observing... We've found a potential breakthrough and are preparing to investigate his economic problems."

But this kid seems like a tough nut to crack, so interrogation probably won't be very effective.

So, that's why I thought of you, my 'super detective'!... Yes, yes, I was hoping you could send a top expert to help out, preferably someone skilled in tackling tough cases and breaking through psychological barriers... Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!... Don't worry, the arrangements will be perfect!... Okay, I'll wait for your reply!"

After hanging up the phone, Deputy Director Wang's smile faded, replaced by a serious and sharp expression. He nodded to Captain Li: "Our old friend from the provincial department has agreed to send their best interrogation experts first thing tomorrow morning. A two-pronged approach, using both the chain of evidence and psychological warfare!"

Captain Li nodded emphatically, his fighting spirit rekindled. "Understood! I'll arrange it right away. Even if we have to dig up Qin Ming's ancestral graves, we'll get to the bottom of where this ill-gotten money came from!"

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a do-or-die determination in each other's eyes. The smoke in the office seemed to thin out a bit, and the dim yellow light from the desk lamp seemed to brighten slightly.