"One of my undercover agents is missing?!"

This sentence exploded like a thunderclap beside Song Jiangguo and Qin Yong’s ears.

The undercover work done by the Drug Squad is something Song Jiangguo and Qin Yong are extremely aware of.

In fact, after these people are sent out, all related files are secretly sealed, with only a very few knowing who exactly went undercover.

During the undercover operations, even the contact person responsible for communication with the agent is on edge.

For instance, Cai Yongqiang, as the head of the Drug Squad, is the direct and sole line of contact for many undercover officers sent out by the squad.

He must monitor these individuals’ movements around the clock and provide feedback and processing for any information relayed back.

Because while working undercover, it’s impossible to adhere to an eight-hour work schedule, transmitting information during work hours and not during off hours is not viable.

It’s uncertain when the information will be relayed back from the undercover side, and missing the timing could be disastrous.

In the entire Public Security Bureau meetings, Cai Yongqiang’s phone is the only one allowed not to be set on vibrate mode.

He is also the only one who can leave the venue to handle work at any time.

Some of Cai Yongqiang’s work cannot be questioned by his direct superiors without proper reasoning.

Especially when it involves undercover operations, Cai Yongqiang reports directly to Song Jiangguo.

Speaking of who is most reliable in the entire Public Security Bureau, Cai Yongqiang undoubtedly ranks at the top, because if there’s an issue with him...

The consequences would be unimaginable.

Song Jiangguo is quite clear on the undercover agents sent out by the Drug Squad.

There are long-term and short-term undercovers, some have been undercover for over ten years.

"Who’s gone missing?"

Cai Yongqiang glanced at Qin Yong; technically, Qin Yong is not qualified to know about this matter.

But for this case, Qin Yong’s help is needed. Cai Yongqiang didn’t respond directly to Song Jiangguo’s question but spoke to Qin Yong first: "Captain Qin, what I’m about to say next..."

Song Jiangguo understood Cai Yongqiang’s intent and looked at Qin Yong: "Qin Yong, you’ve worked as the head of the Criminal Investigation Team for many years; you’re well aware that the highest secret in the Drug Squad is the identity of the undercover agents."

Snap!

Qin Yong stood up straight and saluted!

"Rest assured, I, Qin Yong, swear on the police badge, will never leak any secrets!"

Song Jiangguo waved his hand: "Alright, it’s not that we don’t trust you, it’s mainly about you recognizing the seriousness of this matter."

"Yongqiang, go on."

Cai Yongqiang took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"Wang Feng!"

Wang Feng?!

Song Jiangguo’s brows furrowed; this name was familiar to him, he’d known it since last year.

"The one who went undercover right after graduation...Wang Feng?"

"Yes, that’s him. After graduation, Wang Feng joined the Drug Squad, and at that time, it was by means of feigned dismissal that he went undercover."

"To avoid exposure, we agreed to communicate via meetings; the 13th of each month was the designated time, but three days ago, we didn’t wait for him. We waited at the appointed place for two days and still didn’t see him."

"That night we initiated an agreed emergency contact method, a phone that’s never been used."

"Wang Feng wouldn’t carry this phone with him; it would be hidden in a secret location, and he would check this hidden phone daily. A missed call would mean we have an urgent situation to find him."

"But after three days, there’s been no news."

"Was Wang Feng with Number Four?"

"Yes, he was close to Number Four last year."

Qin Yong remained silent; he didn’t know who Number Four was, nor did he know who Wang Feng was.

"What’s your opinion?"

"Report it!"

"Report it?"

"Yes, Number 4 lives in Haizhou City, and Wang Feng operates in Haizhou City too. He hasn’t contacted his family for such a long period; we should report him missing as his family, investigate through the Criminal Police, and find Wang Feng’s whereabouts."

"Also, with Wang Feng missing for so long, it wouldn’t make sense if the family didn’t report it."

Song Jiangguo understood Cai Yongqiang’s meaning.

By reporting the disappearance to find Wang Feng, having the Criminal Police handle it, the exposure of Wang Feng’s undercover identity can be maximally avoided.

Because right now, Wang Feng is just missing. Whether the other side intentionally created the illusion to test Wang Feng or some other reason is still unknown.

If the Drug Squad steps in directly now, Wang Feng’s undercover identity will be exposed.

With the Criminal Investigation stepping in, it’s different.

Police investigating a missing person case is normal; any missing person would be checked by the police.

"Qin Yong, prepare on your end; investigate this as an ordinary missing case, deploy your best forces, but it’s best if you choose young officers who aren’t often seen."

Cai Yongqiang suddenly said: "Old Qin, there’s a connection between this Wang Feng and your team’s Lu Chuan."

"Hmm?"

"How is he connected to Lu Chuan?"

"They were classmates at the Public Security University, and even in the same dormitory."

Before Wang Feng went undercover, all his information was clear to Cai Yongqiang.

In recent years, Lu Chuan has made quite a name for himself at the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau, and Cai Yongqiang knows him; he even attended his commendation ceremonies several times.

So that’s how it is.

Returning to the Criminal Investigation Team, Qin Yong felt heavy-hearted.

Generally speaking, missing person cases are reported to the police station; if the Criminal Investigation Team gets directly involved, it could easily arouse suspicion.

However, if it really were left to the police station, given the officers’ capability there, solving the case isn’t guaranteed, and there could be dangers involved.

As for the so-called Number Four, Cai Yongqiang and Song Jiangguo didn’t tell Qin Yong who it is.

It’s not that they’re deliberately concealing the identity from Qin Yong; one reason is secrecy requirements, another is so that Qin Yong, investigating a missing persons case blind, not knowing anything is actually optimal, as this way won’t cast suspicion on him, only focusing on Wang Feng’s disappearance itself.

Because they cannot confirm if Wang Feng’s disappearance means death; he might still be alive.

Or probably alive because Cai Yongqiang had encountered several similar situations before.

The other party, to test the undercover agents, would completely sever all connections to the outside in certain situations, creating a fake disappearance.

If the Drug Squad were to make a rash move now, the undercover’s identity could be exposed, failing not only to save Wang Feng but also pushing him into the abyss of death.

It’s a scenario no one wishes to see—a sacrificed undercover agent without solving the case.

As the night descended, Qin Yong sat in the office pondering the candidate for the mission.

Zhang Hui seemed like a solid choice; Task Force Two, under Ren Qiang’s command before, had Zhang Hui appearing relatively less often.

Moreover, among the young officers in the Criminal Investigation Team, Zhang Hui stood out for his considerable experience.

He would be a suitable leader.

Others...

Lu Chuan?

There’s no doubt about his abilities, but since Wang Feng is his classmate, could emotions cloud his judgment?