I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 129 The Edge of Trust

Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, dappling the city streets. Zhang Wanqing stood at the entrance to the park they had agreed to meet, her eyes warily scanning the surroundings for any possible threats. Her mood was like the unpredictable weather: a mixture of anticipation for the upcoming meeting and fear of unknown dangers.

Zhang Wanqing's gaze finally fell on the park bench where Lin Feng was already waiting for her. His figure seemed a little lonely in the shadow of the trees, and there was a subtle hint of anxiety in his eyes. Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath and walked towards him.

"Lin Feng," Zhang Wanqing's voice trembled slightly as she tried to sound calm. "We need your help."

Lin Feng raised his head, a complex expression flashing across his eyes. "I know, Zhang Wanqing. I need your help, too." His voice was deep, with an undeniable firmness.

Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng sat on a bench, their shadows intertwined on the ground. Zhang Wanqing began to recount what she and Fu Siyuan had discovered, her voice a hint of fatigue.

Lin Feng nodded, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "I know Su Wan. She's a strong woman. She wouldn't join a criminal gang for no reason." His voice was firm.

A glimmer of hope welled up in Zhang Wanqing's heart. She knew that Lin Feng might know something that she didn't. "Lin Feng, you've had contact with Su Wan. Do you know her?" There was a hint of urgency in her voice.

Lin Feng was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. "Su Wan once came to me, hoping I could help her escape the control of a criminal gang. She told me her father was ill and needed a large sum of money, so she was forced to join them. But she's been looking for an opportunity to break free from their control." There was a hint of heaviness in his voice.

Zhang Wanqing was filled with shock and sympathy. She hadn't expected Su Wan to be under such great pressure. "We have to help her, Lin Feng. We can't let her face this alone." There was a hint of determination in her voice.

Lin Feng nodded, a look of determination in his eyes. "I know, Zhang Wanqing. I will do my best to help you." His voice was firm, and Zhang Wanqing felt a little relieved.

At this moment, Fu Siyuan hurried over, his face solemn and his eyes nervous. "Wanqing, Lin Feng, we're in trouble." His voice was low and anxious.

Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng stood up immediately, their eyes looking at Fu Siyuan nervously. "What's wrong, Siyuan?" Zhang Wanqing's voice was trembling.

Fu Siyuan pulled his phone from his pocket and showed Zhang Wanqing a photo. "I was followed on my way here. I managed to shake them off, but I took this photo... See for yourself!" His voice was heavy.

The person in the photo was Li Wei. His eyes were cold and his face was expressionless. "Li Wei? How could he..." Zhang Wanqing's voice was interrupted, her heart filled with doubts and uneasiness.

Lin Feng's expression also grew serious, his eyes tinged with a hint of caution. "This might mean that Li Wei has connections to a criminal gang," he said in a low, uncertain voice.

Zhang Wanqing was overwhelmed by mixed emotions. She didn't want to believe that Li Wei would betray them. "We can't draw conclusions based on just one photo. We need more evidence." Her voice was firm, but her eyes were a little confused.

Fu Siyuan nodded, knowing Zhang Wanqing was right. "We need a plan, a plan that can reveal the truth." His voice was firm and resolute.

Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Lin Feng began to discuss their next move. They had to find evidence to expose the crimes of the criminal group while also protecting Su Wan and themselves.

They decided to act separately, Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng went to investigate Li Wei, while Fu Siyuan continued to investigate Su Wan.

Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng arrived at Li Wei's home, a quiet neighborhood with lush greenery and a pleasant environment. They rang the doorbell and waited for Li Wei's response. However, the door opened, and a strange middle-aged man appeared.

"Who are you looking for?" There was a hint of caution in the man's voice.

Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng exchanged a glance, realizing they might have found the wrong place. "Sorry, we might have gone the wrong way." Zhang Wanqing smiled awkwardly, and the two turned and left.

They walked along the road in the community, their hearts full of doubts. "Isn't Li Wei's home here?" Lin Feng asked.

Zhang Wanqing shook her head. "I don't know either. Maybe I remembered the address wrong." There was a hint of frustration in her voice.

Just then, they heard footsteps behind them. They quickly turned around and saw a man in black walking towards them. Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng immediately became nervous, knowing that they might have been exposed.

The man in black was getting closer and closer, and they could feel the threat emanating from him. Zhang Wanqing and Lin Feng quickly exchanged a glance and decided to flee separately to disperse the other party's strength.

Zhang Wanqing quickly ran to the alley on the left, while Lin Feng ran to the right. The man in black hesitated for a moment, then chased Zhang Wanqing. She could hear the footsteps behind her getting closer, and her heartbeat quickened.

She ran through the narrow alleys and through the bustling market, and she could feel the man in black not far behind her. She knew she couldn't stop, she had to find a way out.

Finally, she reached a busy street, bustling with people and cars. She quickly blended into the crowd, trying to lose her pursuer. She could feel the black-clad figure's gaze searching the crowd, but she had already disappeared into the crowd.

She found a public phone booth and called Lin Feng's cell phone. "Lin Feng, are you okay?" Her voice was trembling.

Lin Feng's voice came from the other end of the phone, a hint of fatigue. "I'm fine, but I couldn't get rid of him. Wanqing, we have to be careful, they've got their eyes on us."

Zhang Wanqing's heart sank. She knew Lin Feng was telling the truth. "We have to find Fu Siyuan. He might be our only hope," she said firmly.

Zhang Wanqing's footsteps were especially heavy on the slippery street. Her heartbeat mingled with the patter of raindrops on the umbrella, forming a tense and chaotic rhythm. The rain blurred her vision, but it couldn't obscure the doubts within her heart. Li Wei, their once trusted partner, was now a mystery. As she and Lin Feng walked toward Li Wei's home, each step felt like a tightrope of fate.