I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 127 Crisis 4 lurks

As night fell, the city's neon lights flickered in the drizzle, as if hiding countless secrets. Zhang Wanqing walked home alone, the rain soaking her hair and trickling down her cheeks. Doubt and unease filled her heart, and Su Wan's warning weighed like a heavy stone on her heart. She knew that since she became involved in this case, her life had ceased to be peaceful. Every corner, every passing car, could hide an unknown threat.

Late at night, the lights in the newspaper office were still on, and Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan were busy at the window. They knew they were racing against time, and they had to reveal the truth as soon as possible, otherwise there might be more victims.

Suddenly, the office door was flung open, and two men in black rushed in. Their movements were swift and skillful, clearly not their first time doing something like this. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan immediately stood up, ready to respond.

"Who are you?" There was a tremor in Zhang Wanqing's voice, but her eyes were firm.

The men in black didn't answer. They rushed directly towards Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan. Zhang Wanqing quickly picked up the folder on the table and threw it at one of the men in black, then turned and ran away. Fu Siyuan picked up a chair and fought with the other man in black.

The office was in chaos, with documents and photos flying everywhere. Zhang Wanqing ran around the office, trying to find a way out. She knew she had to escape, otherwise her life would be in danger.

At this moment, she saw the window, and she decided to take a risk. She rushed to the window, pushed it open, and then jumped out.

Fortunately, there was a trash can under the window, and Zhang Wanqing fell on the trash. Although she fell hard, she was not seriously injured. She quickly got up and ran into the darkness, her heart filled with fear and anxiety.

Zhang Wanqing ran frantically in the rain, her heart pounding like a drum. The mixture of rain and sweat blurred her vision. Her lungs felt like they were on fire, but fear kept her from stopping. The newspaper building behind her had disappeared into the night, but she could still sense the imminent danger.

She weaved through the narrow alleys, her footsteps echoing on the wet ground. Graffiti and posters adorning the walls were stained by the rain, like the city's hidden secrets. Zhang Wanqing's breathing quickened, and she glanced behind her, checking for anyone following her.

Turning a corner, she came to a slightly wider street. Under the streetlight, her shadow was stretched out. Her pace slowed down. She needed to rest and think. She leaned against a wall, breathing heavily. The cold wall made her back feel a bit cold.

Just then, she heard footsteps. They weren't her own, but someone else's. Her body tensed instantly, and she held her breath, listening intently. The footsteps grew closer, and Zhang Wanqing's heartbeat quickened. She quietly peeked over the wall and saw a man in a black raincoat walking toward her.

His gait was calm, seemingly unfazed by the chill of the rainy night. Zhang Wanqing felt a strange premonition: perhaps this person wasn't just a random presence. She quickly retreated behind the wall, her heart pounding as she pondered her next move.

The man's footsteps stopped in front of her. She could feel him standing just a few steps away. Time seemed to freeze, with only the sound of rain and her heartbeat echoing in her ears. Suddenly, the man spoke: "Zhang Wanqing, I know you are here."

Her body trembled. The name coming out of his mouth carried an indescribable weight. She took a deep breath and slowly walked out from behind the wall to face this mysterious man.

The man took off his rain hat, revealing a sharp-edged face. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything. "You don't have to be afraid. I'm not your enemy." His voice was deep and powerful.

Zhang Wanqing looked at him warily, not knowing whether she should believe him. "Who are you? How do you know my name?" Her voice trembled, but she tried her best to remain calm.

The man smiled slightly and said, "I'm Lin Feng, a private detective. We've dealt with each other before. Do you remember me? I've been investigating that criminal group, and I know you and your friends are doing the same thing."

Zhang Wanqing's gaze lingered on Lin Feng's face for a moment, then she looked him straight in the eye. "Why did you come to me? What do you want from me?"

Lin Feng's eyes were frank, and he did not avoid Zhang Wanqing's question. "I want to cooperate with you. I have some information, and you have some information, and we can help each other."

Zhang Wanqing was silent, her heart full of contradictions. She didn't know whether she should trust this private detective who suddenly appeared, but she also knew that she needed help now. She took a deep breath and made a decision. "Okay, we can work together, but you have to tell me what you know first."

Lin Feng nodded and took out a photo from the inner pocket of his raincoat. "Do you know this person?"

Zhang Wanqing took the photo, and her pupils shrank instantly. The person in the photo was Su Wan, but this was not the Su Wan she was familiar with. Su Wan in the photo was standing among a group of strangers, her eyes cold and indifferent, completely different from her usual appearance.

"This is..." Zhang Wanqing's voice was interrupted, and countless questions surged in her mind.

Lin Feng's voice rang out again, breaking her contemplation. "This photo was taken during a secret transaction. Su Wan's relationship with that criminal group is much deeper than you think."

Zhang Wanqing's heart was filled with shock and pain. Her friend had hidden so many secrets. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. "We need a safe place to discuss this information."

Lin Feng nodded and took Zhang Wanqing to an abandoned warehouse filled with old furniture and boxes, with only a dim light swaying on the ceiling, casting mottled shadows.

They found a relatively clean place to sit down, and Lin Feng began to tell everything he knew. His voice was low, and every word was like a bombshell, shaking Zhang Wanqing's heart again and again.

"This criminal group is involved in more than just drug dealing and human trafficking. They have a much bigger plan. Su Wan is their key figure. She is responsible for liaison and coordination among all parties."

Zhang Wanqing was filled with doubts. She didn't understand why Su Wan did this. "Why would Su Wan join them? She's not that kind of person."

Lin Feng sighed, "Everyone has their own story, and Su Wan is no exception. Her father was ill and needed a large sum of money, so she was forced to join them. But she is not without conscience. She has been looking for opportunities to break free from their control."

A glimmer of hope surged in Zhang Wanqing's heart. If Su Wan really wanted to break free from the control of the criminal group, then they might still have a chance. "What can we do to help her?"

Lin Feng's eyes were firm. "We need to find evidence, enough evidence to expose the crimes of this criminal group and protect Su Wan at the same time."

As the night deepened, the lights in the warehouse grew dimmer.