Chapter 382: Brothers Infighting

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

After concluding the meeting, Chen Liangdong had another phone call with Mr. Zhang. When it came to the matter of Lu Zhiyuan’s disappearance, Chen Liangdong made sure not to reveal any inside information to Mr. Zhang despite his repeated inquiries.

Lately, Chen Liangdong found himself in a somewhat delicate situation. Many people were discontented with his involvement in the underworld dark web, whether they were part of his camp or from elsewhere.

Unlike Chen Liangdong, Gu Ziyu was still relatively young and lacked Chen Liangdong’s experience in navigating the complexities of such situations. When Gu Ziyu sought Chen Liangdong’s help, they had a conversation, and Chen Liangdong realized that getting involved would mean offending a significant number of people.

Chen Liangdong had been a department head for four years, and he was on the verge of becoming a director. His department was meant to remain neutral and not get involved in the disputes of others. He needed to balance many relationships and wielded significant power, which also meant facing various constraints.

The Ministry of State Security didn’t require the power of the underworld dark web; they had their own channels for overseas operations. Although the dark web was involved, it wasn’t the most critical factor.

However, Chen Liangdong still got involved in this matter, even though he knew it would bring more harm than good, and that it was a path he shouldn’t tread.

When Ziyu came seeking his help, Chen Liangdong hesitated. He had already declined his family’s arranged marriage and opted for a more challenging path. His choice went against his family’s wishes, and his relationship with them had become strained.

Ziyu was more like family to him, and Chen Liangdong couldn’t bear to refuse his request. He reluctantly decided to wade into this murky waters.

Since he had committed to it, he couldn’t stay on the sidelines.

“Chen Fei, prepare a car. We’re going to the prison,” he said to his assistant. He hadn’t seen Lin Qing for many years, and at one point, he had even thought they would never meet again.

“Yes!”

Chen Liangdong arrived at the prison in the evening. Lin Qing’s case had yet to be resolved, and he was being held in a comfortable detention center, with a private room that could rival a hotel suite. Chen Liangdong noticed a prison guard leaving with a takeout bag from a five-star restaurant.

“It seems you’re living quite comfortably,” Chen Liangdong remarked as he sat down, interrupting Lin Qing’s dinner.

“How long has it been since we last saw each other?” Lin Qing asked casually.

“More than a decade, I think.”

Chen Liangdong and Lin Qing had been childhood friends, but their personalities were quite different. Lin Qing was quiet and bookish, while Chen Liangdong was mischievous and prone to causing trouble. Despite their differences, they had been close friends for many years. Chen Liangdong often rebelled and got into trouble, and it was always Lin Qing who cleaned up the mess. When Lin Qing was seriously injured on the front lines, Chen Liangdong defied his family’s opposition to bring him home from abroad. Their friendship was as solid as iron.

They had both believed they would be lifelong friends, but they had drifted apart for many years. Apart from necessary meetings, they had no personal contact, and they had heard about each other’s lives from colleagues.

“Lin Qing, you’ve already obtained everything you wanted, and you had the Zhang family’s protection. Why did you still want to get involved with the underworld dark web?” Chen Liangdong asked.

Lin Qing burst into laughter. His greed had been widely criticized, and people said he had brought his downfall upon himself by trying to take on Jiang Junlin, a task far beyond his abilities. The Zhang family had also abandoned him, and his wife had filed for divorce. His child had bitterly asked why he had chosen to ruin himself, which ultimately led to her own downfall. His actions had left him isolated, and everyone said he deserved it.

Lin Qing sneered and said, “You act all righteous, but aren’t you involved too? 1 want it, but does National Security not want it? Don’t pretend to be so concerned. You must be delighted with my current predicament, finally getting your revenge.”

“Your extremism and narrow-mindedness have remained unchanged over the past ten years. Ever since Uncle Lin passed away, you’ve become a different person, always seeking quick success and using any means necessary. If 1 wanted to kick you when you’re down, would you be living so comfortably here? Even though the verdict hasn’t come down yet, your guilt is a foregone conclusion,” Chen Liangdong spoke calmly. “This isn’t solely your doing. Who’s behind you?”

“I’d love for you to find out. Go investigate it yourself!” Lin Qing smirked, his malice showing through. “You seem to know everything. I’m curious how you found out that Jiang Junlin returned to the country and that I framed him. How did you convince others to bring Jiang Junlin to National Security? If it weren’t for you taking him away, none of this would have happened.”

Chen Liangdong was stern as he said, “You’ve broken the law, do you realize that? Jiang Junlin was dedicated to his duties, with slightly more authority, but he did nothing wrong. It was your elaborate scheme that pushed him into a desperate situation, resulting in the deaths of numerous people. Do you see those lives as insignificant?”

“You’re talking about me breaking the law now? Haha, Chen Liangdong, have you committed any fewer violations and indiscretions?” Lin Qing’s eyes reddened as he stared at him. “Back then, you were involved in a disciplinary breach with a woman, leaked our whereabouts, and caused our mission to fail. I helped you clean up and provided a safety net, but you turned against me for her and severed our relationship. I’ve had the misfortune of having you as a brother in my life!”

They had once had a heated argument and even got into a physical fight.

Lin Qing had initially thought that it was just a typical argument and fight, and they would reconcile after a few months. Little did he realize that the severance of adult friendships could be so quiet, graceful, and decisive.

Chen Liangdong’s heartache was touched, and he suddenly stood up, his chest heaving, and veins bulging on his forehead. “Don’t slander me like that! I was clear and honest in that matter, and my conscience is clear. If it weren’t for your interference, she wouldn’t have died. It was a human life, yet you speak so self-righteously, distorting the truth. We severed our ties because of differing paths, nothing else!”

“You speak so nicely, but you never married and even clashed with your family. You’re quite the paragon of virtue, Chen Liangdong!” Lin Qing taunted. “So hypocritical!”

“I don’t want to dig up the past with you. Let’s focus on the present. Mr. Zhang has nothing to do with this, so who’s pulling your strings?” Chen Liangdong said sternly. “Stop resisting, you can’t handle this alone. Confess voluntarily, and perhaps there’s a chance for leniency. Your ill-gotten wealth for your two children has already been frozen!”

“Why should they freeze their assets?” Lin Qing was indignant.

“That’s ill-gotten wealth!” Chen Liangdong retorted. “You have two young children to support. If you confess your crimes voluntarily, you might get a plea deal with a lighter sentence than the main culprit.”

“If you’re so eager to know, why don’t you ask your brother?” Lin Qing laughed uproariously, his eyes still red.. “1 guarantee he’ll tell you everything in great detail!”