Gu Bin frowned: “Grandpa knows?”
“Absolutely!”
Secretary Li said righteously: “Otherwise how could we mobilize people from the criminal police team so quickly.”
“Didn’t you say…”
Gu Bin was somewhat speechless: “That you know their station chief, so there’s no need to bother Grandpa?”
“Well.”
Secretary Li laughed awkwardly: “It just happened to be a coincidence? When I answered the phone, the bureau chief happened to be visiting the old leader, and he overheard it.”
“Why did he come to the house?”
Gu Bin’s frown deepened: “Grandpa has already retired and has no connections with government departments anymore.”
“Old Gu is highly respected and has extensive connections even after retirement.”
Secretary Li responded smoothly, with a hint of flattery: “Several current senior leaders in the province were all promoted by him. Who would dare not show him some respect? If the old man stamps his foot, the entire officialdom would tremble three times.”
“Stop exaggerating.”
Gu Bin glanced at him coolly, feeling extremely regretful: “It was my oversight. It’s just a bicycle – if it’s lost, it’s lost. Causing such trouble and expense for this, potentially affecting Grandpa’s reputation, really isn’t worth it…”
“Xiao Bin, you can’t blame yourself for this.”
Secretary Li changed his expression as quickly as flipping a page, stopping his flattery and quickly self-reflecting: “It’s my fault for misunderstanding your intention. Don’t worry, if Old Gu asks about it, I’ll take full responsibility and won’t put you in an awkward position.”
“Forget it, since they’re already here, let them conduct a thorough investigation. It might serve as some deterrent to those with ill intentions.”
Gu Bin sighed helplessly, giving up on arguing with him: “Tell them to finish the investigation quickly and wrap this up. Whether they find it today or not, let this matter end here.”
“Alright, I’ll go tell the team leader now…”
Secretary Li made an OK gesture and walked toward the leading officer with his briefcase tucked under his arm.
“Gu Bin.”
Lin Xiyu watched Secretary Li leave, only now coming to her senses enough to express her shock: “Who is that person? He looks quite full of himself…”
“Grandpa’s secretary.”
Gu Bin sighed lightly, massaging his forehead: “I called him to ask for help, but I didn’t expect this guy to be so unreliable, making such a big scene.”
“Your grandpa still has a secretary after retiring?”
Lin Xiyu was extremely surprised: “What kind of high position must he have held before retirement?”
“Not that high of a position…”
Gu Bin averted his gaze, casually brushing it off: “He’s just older and has more seniority.”
“What you’re saying…”
Lin Xiyu blinked, looking at him suspiciously: “Somehow makes people feel so untrustworthy?”
“In your heart…”
Gu Bin raised an eyebrow, turning the tables on her: “Am I really such an untrustworthy person?”
“Forget it.”
Lin Xiyu stared at him for several seconds before giving up on pursuing the matter.
“What do you mean ‘forget it’?”
Gu Bin gave a scheming smile, feeling the urge to tease her again: “What does that mean? Could it be that you really think that way?”
“There’s nothing for me to do here, I’m going home.”
Lin Xiyu’s ears turned red as she turned and ran toward her own courtyard.
“Heh, you ungrateful little thing, not even inviting me in for some water.”
Gu Bin watched her run through the gate, chuckling softly. Though his words sounded like complaints, there was an unconscious tenderness in his eyes that even he hadn’t noticed.
The Criminal Investigation Division truly lived up to their reputation as the elite of the police force, with investigative capabilities that could not be underestimated.
In less than an hour, they uncovered clues, followed the trail, and apprehended the suspect.
As expected, the suspect lived on Donghua Street, not far from Compound No. 9.
The motive for the crime aligned precisely with Gu Bin’s deduction: seeing the phone booth unattended, the suspect had gone to the residence to call for someone, spotted the bicycle, succumbed to greed, and seized the opportunity to carry it back home unnoticed.