Special Forces Medic-Chapter 681 - 645: Northern Palace

"Secretary Luo, when did Young Master Hua arrive in the North District and where was his last known location?" Yao Zheng's hand trembled slightly as he held the document, unsure if it was due to emotional instability or a physical reflex, but one thing was clear; his mind was in chaos at the moment.

"The last known location was the North District Police Station." Secretary Luo packed his bag, having almost achieved today's goals. Pushing someone too hard is counterproductive. "I've been to the North District Police Station; it seems like there's nobody stationed there. Has it moved elsewhere?"

Secretary Luo's first destination upon entering the North District was to head to the police station, where a few patrol officers lingered around, but there was no one in charge to be found. Attempting to inquire, he received indifferent responses. However, he managed to gather from nearby locals that there was news about a doctor who had died after being arrested, but as for the disappearance of the so-called police station chief, there was no inclination to disclose it.

Yao Zheng sighed once again, looking like he wanted to speak but stopped himself. Secretary Luo noticed and intentionally glanced at the large clock on one side. "Oh, it's already so late. Brother, if you're not feeling well, rest early. As for Madam Han's matter, I hope it can be arranged soon."

"It's fine! Let's have a casual meal together later, and I'll see if I can invite the other party out."

"That would be best, but I'm worried that Madam Han's current mood might affect your state of mind."

"Secretary Luo is always so considerate of me. Alas, as the mayor of the North District, I truly have no face to meet Secretary Hua. My understanding of public sentiment is too lacking. Fortunately, Secretary Luo is here to enlighten me; otherwise, I wouldn't even know what my subordinates have done. Alas, alas!" Yao Zheng's voice choked with emotion as he spoke, frightening Secretary Luo, who immediately stood up, intending to comfort him.

"Rest assured, Secretary Luo. I will definitely find Young Master Hua and thoroughly investigate Han Fei's case and the case of the North District Police Station chief. No matter how many officials are implicated this time, I will conduct a comprehensive investigation, living up to the old secretary's esteem for me."

"Then I'll wait for your news, brother."

"Where is Secretary Luo staying in the North District?" Yao Zheng asked, wiping the corners of his eyes with a tissue, as he suddenly recalled Secretary Luo's accommodation.

"North District Hotel."

"How can you stay there? It's too much of an imposition. If you don't mind, my brother, perhaps you could stay at my place, and I'll have my wife cook some home-style dishes for you?" Yao Zheng extended an invitation to Secretary Luo.

"No, brother, I came with a few others, and it wouldn't be convenient to disturb you."

"That's fine, too. Please wait a moment, and I'll connect you to Madam Han right now." With that, he quickly found Madam Han's number on his phone and dialed her.

Secretary Luo watched his familiarity on the sidelines, and he couldn't help but doubt that there was nothing between the two. After the call connected, Yao Zheng retreated to an adjoining room, deliberately avoiding Secretary Luo.

A few short minutes later, Yao Zheng returned with a smile. "Madam Han is very happy to hear that you've come to the North District and hopes to meet with Secretary Luo. So, how about this, you can take my car to go over there. I wonder if Secretary Luo has time?"

Realizing that such an arrangement might disrupt Secretary Luo's schedule, Yao Zheng added, "If you can't find the time now, we can arrange another day."

"Brother, you decide."

"Then I'll change my clothes and depart immediately."

Madam Han was not a woman of striking presence, perhaps due to the passage of time which had left deep marks on her face, making her appear several years older than her actual age. Along the way, from Yao Zheng's words, he learned some basic personal details about this woman and formed a rough impression.

Madam Han's original name was Yan Juanjuan, born in a small village in the northeast. To trace her connection with Yao Zheng, one must look back to their university days. They were in the same department but different classes, having a slight acquaintance. However, Yan Juanjuan, due to her family's poverty, dropped out in her sophomore year and started engaging in commerce with people from the community, specifically smuggling, which at the time was not considered illegal due to the exchange of goods with neighboring countries at border posts. Despite the difficulties, she managed to avoid serious trouble.

Yan Juanjuan was a bold woman, and her acquaintance with Han Fei was tied to a smuggling case, which established their connection. By this point, Secretary Luo already had a significant hypothesis in his mind, explaining why Han Fei ended up in his current situation; it was all interconnected.

North Palace! In the entirety of the North District, it was not an outstanding building, not even better than the North District Hotel where he was staying. From the outside, it appeared ordinary and nondescript, like a residential house, with two sections of glass doors and a protruding lightbox featuring the words "North Palace." There were no hostesses at the entrance.

If you say it's a small restaurant, there are no signs promoting today's special dishes at the door, nor are there displays of fresh seafood or river fish to showcase the freshness of their ingredients. In short, if you were to walk by on the street, you would never notice such a store.

Yao Zheng noticed Secretary Luo's puzzlement about North Palace and couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder. "Young brother, once inside, you'll see; it's a world of its own!" Yao Zheng spoke mysteriously, arousing Secretary Luo's curiosity.

Yan Juanjuan had arrived slightly earlier than Yao Zheng. Her outfit, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, accentuated her figure, retaining its charm. She might be attractive to older men, but solely judging by her figure and not her face, where lack of maintenance had left her skin in poor condition.

Upon entering, there wasn't the expected large hall with tables and chairs, nor enthusiastic service staff—just an interior space decorated with warm-colored curtains. While still marveling, Yao Zheng led Secretary Luo across a small concrete bridge. In the more than a meter-wide ditch below, there was actual water.

"Secretary Luo, be careful. This ditch is deep. Once, a drunk man fell in and couldn't even retrieve his body." Yao Zheng warned Secretary Luo about the ditch beneath their feet, though it was unclear if this was intentional or simply an explanation. His smile always seemed insidiously witty.

"Isn't this man-made?" Secretary Luo curiously pressed his hands against the stone wall to look down. The dark water showed nothing due to the lack of light, though occasional ripples indicated there was life below. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it. Your support is my biggest motivation.)