"Mr. Cui, we meet again."
Che Changmin set down a cup of tea and pushed it over.
"The last time I saw Prosecutor Che must have been four or five years ago, when you were still stationed in Gwangju, before you transferred to Seoul."
Cui Zaiye’s smile was gentle as he spoke.
"You have a good memory, Mr. Cui."
Che Changmin sat down.
Cui Zaiye picked up the teacup, "Prosecutor Che invited me here for what matter? You know, I am quite busy and I’m afraid I don’t have much time."
Che Changmin’s attitude was friendly, "Then I’ll get straight to the point. A couple of days ago, there was a riot where over a hundred thugs completely disregarded the law and engaged in a brazen, bloody battle, resulting in quite serious casualties."
Cui Zaiye, who had been lowering his head to drink, lifted his eyebrows in surprise, "That happened?"
"Mr. Cui is a prominent figure in Seoul. How could you have not heard about such a major incident?"
"Ha ha, I’m just a simple businessman. Everyday, I’m thinking about how to manage the company well and make more contributions to society. Prosecutor Che must understand that the amount I to welfare institutions every year is not an insignificant sum. I worry incessantly, out of fear that if I slip up, those poor people won’t get help and will go hungry and cold. Where would I find the extra energy to worry about unrelated matters?"
Holding the teacup in his hands, Cui Zaiye answered unhurriedly, "I really hadn’t heard about the incident Prosecutor Che just mentioned."
Che Changmin smiled amiably.
"Mr. Cui claims to know nothing, but why do many of the thugs we arrested seem to know Mr. Cui? Could you explain that?"
The expression on Cui Zaiye’s face immediately turned serious, and he put down his teacup, nearly furious, "That’s slander. I, Cui Zaiye, conduct my affairs with integrity. How could I possibly have contacts with these criminals? Prosecutor Che, you must investigate this thoroughly."
Che Changmin’s smile remained unchanged.
In this job, you come to realize one thing.
The real Best Actor is never on TV.
The higher their status, the better they act.
Just like the Cui Zaiye before me.
The portrayal is impeccable, penetrating deeply, the very picture of a law-abiding, serious businessman.
"Mr. Cui, the reason we invited you here is to thoroughly investigate this matter. Since Mr. Cui says he doesn’t recognize them, then please answer me one question: why are so many of these thugs employed by your company or companies you’ve invested in?"
Cui Zaiye’s face did not betray any emotion, and he quickly replied, "Prosecutor Che, you’ve never done business. I’ve invested in so many companies, and there are so many industries we manage that even I am not entirely clear about them, let alone those employees. Many I have never even met. Are you suggesting that if they commit crimes, I have to be responsible? There’s no such thing as guilt by association in the laws of our country, right?"
Che Changmin had long been mentally prepared.
If it were so easy to deal with, the head of this criminal organization seated before him would not still be out and about.
"Mr. Cui, there’s no need to get agitated, I’m just gathering information."
Cui Zaiye was no longer smiling, his gaze fixed on the prosecutor who was quite likely to advance further in his career.
Che Changmin pursed his lips.
"Prosecutor Che, any other questions? If not, I’ll have to leave. I have an engagement later."
"Then I won’t delay Mr. Cui’s work."
Che Changmin didn’t make it difficult and readily stood up, politely extending his hand.
But Cui Zaiye seemed not to see it, pulled out his chair, and ignored it.
"He’s too arrogant, Prosecutor Che, why didn’t you detain him?"
As the assistant watched his composed departure, they felt indignant and discontented.
"By procedure, we could detain him for at least twenty-four hours to take him down a peg!"
Che Changmin remained calm.
"If we had kept him longer, there would likely have been calls coming in, demanding his release."
The assistant turned their head.
"The roots of darkness spreading are never in the darkness itself. Darkness is not to be feared; what is fearsome is when there are clouds overhead, blocking out the sun."
The assistant was taken aback.
"Interrogate those thugs one by one."
Outside the Prosecutor’s Office.
A subordinate respectfully opened the car door.
Cui Zaiye, who emerged unscathed, bent over and stepped into the vehicle.
"Boss, that Che guy didn’t give you a hard time, did he?"
Two cars flanked Cui Zaiye’s, protecting him in the middle,
"He doesn’t have the capability."
Cui Zaiye no longer sported the pleasant demeanor he had in the Prosecutor’s Office; his gaze was cold and scornful.
"This Che really doesn’t know what’s good for him. Boss, should we..."
The subordinate’s words were laced with a hint of murderous intent.
"Do you know why he’s still alive after offending so many people? Because everyone is waiting for someone else to take action. Do you want me to end up being the fall guy?"
The subordinate fell silent immediately.
"Make sure those on the inside keep their mouths shut. I’ll take good care of their families."
Cui Zaiye’s tone was mysterious.
The subordinate didn’t feel comforted; instead, they felt a chill.
A top wealthy district in Seoul, on par with Cheongdam-dong and Gangnam, it attracts middle and high-income residents, and many film companies are based there.
Three black Mercedes stopped in front of a luxurious villa.
The driver got out and bent over to open the door.
Cui Zaiye stepped out of the car and walked towards the villa.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong..."
The villa’s door opened.
A middle-aged woman resembling a housekeeper looked out, then said reverently, "Mr. Cui."