Chapter 49: Finally, a Good Night’s Sleep!

Weekend arrived, yet Tang Ye maintained his disciplined routine. He jogged 5.2 kilometers in the nearby park, then returned home, took a shower, and changed into fresh clothes. Just as he opened his laptop to begin work, the door swung open. Qin Lan entered, carrying a heap of groceries, and chided Tang Ye, “While others in civil service spend their weekends entertaining guests, you don’t socialize at all and just stay cooped up at home all day.”

Tang Ye smiled wryly. “Mom, do you find me annoying or useless? You can just tell me, and I'll move out.”

Qin Lan tied her apron, stood behind him with hands on her hips, and said sharply, “Growing wings already? I say a few words and you get upset? If you want to move out, then find yourself a partner quickly.”

Before he could respond, she reached over, attempting to twist his ear.

Tang Ye hastily covered his ears with his hands and chuckled bitterly. “Mom, I understand well enough that a slap hurts but it’s love in disguise. Can you just let me have ten minutes of peace? Let me finish this draft, then I’ll stand at attention and let you scold me for an hour to your heart’s content. How about that?”

Qin Lan shot him a sharp glance and turned toward the kitchen. “You’re as thick-skinned as a city wall. Scolding you is a waste of my energy. For lunch, there’s chicken with edamame and a crucian carp tofu soup.”

Taking the opportunity, Tang Ye sweet-talked, “All my favorites. Truly, my mother is the most beautiful, kind, and virtuous woman in the world. When I find a wife, she must be just like you.”

Qin Lan smiled as she left the room and started preparing lunch in the kitchen.

She felt content with her family.

Though her husband was often busy with work and rarely involved at home, he was upright, diligent, and had steadily risen to become one of Hanzhou’s top surgeons.

Her son, Tang Ye, was also a source of pride—he had excelled academically and in character since childhood, with a sunny and cheerful disposition.

Of course, she had her worries.

Tang Ye was already twenty-seven, soon to be twenty-eight—considered a mature bachelor by societal standards.

She had once believed that with Tang Ye’s qualities, there was no need for matchmaking; a suitable daughter-in-law would come naturally.

But since Tang Ye had moved to Pinghu and devoted himself to his career, where was the time for romance?

Hence, Qin Lan had recently begun arranging blind dates for him, which had become a subtle source of tension between mother and son.

Having finished drafting the transformation plan for the gravel factory, Tang Ye sensed Wan Ming would call soon.

Today was the crucial day for the arrest of Bi Danian!

His phone displayed Wan Ming’s number.

Wan Ming’s voice was brimming with excitement.

“Mayor Tang, your foresight is incredible! Bi Danian disguised himself to escape through Qiongjin International Airport, but we caught him at the boarding gate. The intelligence you provided was critical—not only his forged identity but also his disguised appearance. We met almost no resistance. Surprisingly, Bi Danian remained calm during the arrest, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.”

Tang Ye thought to himself, given Bi Danian’s cunning and experience, he must know who betrayed the details of his escape plan.

Bi Danian had tried to deceive the authorities with forged documents.

But this trick no longer worked.

The only explanation was that he was betrayed by someone he trusted most.

At this moment, Bi Danian must be regretting his choice to support a new faction to rival his godson Hu Mingsheng, which led to his isolation and betrayal.

If only he had handed over the reins of the Haihua Group earlier, Hu Mingsheng would never have been turned against him.

Tang Ye sighed softly, “Justice is served. Bi Danian’s hands are stained with sin and blood—he has brought this upon himself.”

Wan Ming lowered his voice. “The city is paying close attention to this case. I’ve pieced together the clues. It all started with a hit-and-run in Qianjin Village. Because of your sharp insight and persistence, we followed the trail and struck a combination of blows, uncovering a hidden mafia leader in Hanzhou…”

Tang Ye was stunned for a moment, not expecting Wan Ming to praise him so openly. He chuckled wryly, “You’re better suited for publicity than detective work. Your skill at flattery is impressive.”

Wan Ming sighed with emotion. “Mayor Tang, this case couldn’t have succeeded without you. Bringing down General Bi has been a personal burden for years. I’ve felt so wronged, powerless, and angry all these years. I never imagined I’d get to arrest this villain with my own hands.”

Tang Ye clenched his fist. “A great vendetta avenged, a wish fulfilled—life is exhilarating! After years of storms and snow, I smile as if the wind and snow were as soft as cotton. It’s all behind us now. From here on, the road ahead is broad and bright.”

Wan Ming laughed. “I’ll take your good wishes!” Then his tone grew wistful. “It’s ironic—I see him as a mortal enemy, yet after revealing myself, the old bastard didn’t even know I existed.”

Tang Ye was silent for a few seconds. “From up high, everyone looks like ants. To earn others’ respect, we must climb to the summit. No one helps me in my ambition; I tread alone through snow to reach the peak. Old Wan, we want to do more—we have to become stronger.”

Wan Ming felt blood ignite in his veins. “Yes! I’ll work harder so those who look down on me will look up in awe. So those who kick us when we’re down or seize the opportunity to harm us will regret it. We’ll catch every last one of these criminals.”

Tang Ye smiled. “In ten years, let’s see if you’re just blowing hot air!”

Wan Ming was completely fired up today.

Having recently achieved multiple successes and now playing a decisive role in arresting Bi Danian, he was surely on the cusp of a turning point in his life.

After hanging up, Wan Ming sighed deeply.

Since meeting Tang Ye, his luck had turned. He knew to stride boldly toward his dreams, he had to align closely with Tang Ye.

This young deputy mayor possessed countless admirable and trustworthy qualities.

Tang Ye then called Cai Meifen.

Her unmistakable voice came through.

“You can sleep well tonight. Bi Danian was just caught.”

“Really?” Cai Meifen had been living in constant fear these days.

Though Wan Ming had stationed officers around for protection, she barely dared leave her home and spent half her time watching anxiously outside.

Any slight noise would startle her like a frightened bird.

“Absolutely. You can confirm with Wan Ming later.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m finally free. These past days felt like madness. I’ll go out later and have a proper shopping spree. Oh, Mayor Tang, is there anything you need? I can bring it to you.”

Tang Ye nearly strained his back at her last remark. “Are you trying to ruin me? I know how much you love keeping accounts!”

Cai Meifen smiled softly. “My little tricks are no match for you.”

Tang Ye moved to the main point. “I’ve finished the gravel factory transformation plan and will send it to you later. The factory was originally in the red. How much say you have depends on how much you’re willing to invest.”

Cai Meifen understood his meaning.

Having survived such a crisis, her outlook on money had changed.

Compared to life and death, money was trivial.

“Mayor Tang, I have two apartments I can sell. Together with my savings, I can raise over a million.”

“That’s enough!” Tang Ye knew she had some assets. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet at the Pinghu Town government to sign the contract. Also, I’ve found you a partner—Sun Hai, my high school classmate.”

Cai Meifen caught on and laughed. “Great. When can we all have a meal together? Last time, we ordered a whole table of dishes but didn’t even get a bite—a waste. Of course, if you think dining is a waste of time, we can skip that. There’s a hotel in Hanzhou with a lovely view from the balcony—especially romantic on rainy nights.”

Tang Ye smiled faintly. “Don’t lump me in with Bi Danian! From today, hold your head high and don’t walk the streets at night anymore. Otherwise, you’ll see my cold side.”

Cai Meifen shivered.

Even that ancient fox Bi Danian had been outwitted by him!

Playing tricks against him was just asking for trouble.

***

The next morning.

Just as Tang Ye arrived at the office, he received a call from Wan Ming.

“Officers from the municipal police bureau have come to inquire about the case.”

Tang Ye went downstairs to wait.

Before long, two police cars pulled in, one following the other.

Captain Wu from the city bureau and Deputy Director Cao from the county bureau stepped out, smiling as they approached.

Behind Captain Wu walked a graceful and slender figure, radiant and poised...