Zhang Zhenhua's Secret

According to Zhu Zhenbiao's description, Zhang Zhenhua found himself on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Originally, Zhu Zhenbiao had planned to go see Zhang Zhenhua that day.

On their way to Yinhu Village, they happened to run into Zhang Zhenhua.

"What did you say back then?" Gu Huai asked. "It couldn't have been him who brought it up first, could it?"

"No, that's not it." Zhu Zhenbiao scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I told him that if he didn't pay us, we wouldn't do any more work for his family."

Judging from Zhu Zhenbiao's expression, Gu Huai knew that he definitely had something else to say.

So he pressed on, "Is it really that simple?"

"I also said..." Zhu Zhenbiao stammered, "Not only will we refuse to work for his family, but we'll also tell all our colleagues about their failure to pay, so he'll never be able to find a construction team again."

Although Zhu Zhenbiao's words contained a threatening tone, strictly speaking, it was within the normal range, and Gu Huai couldn't really pursue the matter.

"And then?" Gu Huai pressed. "Did you see Zhang Zhenhua again after that?"

"No, no," Zhu Zhenbiao waved his hands repeatedly. "After that, I heard that Zhang Zhenhua had disappeared."

"You didn't even think about looking for him after he went missing?"

Zhu Zhenbiao said aggrievedly, "Even the police can't find it, so what's the use of us looking?"

"How much did he owe you in the end?"

"Twenty thousand, twenty thousand yuan!"

Gu Huai nodded slowly and did not ask any further questions.

Although a house in Pengcheng only cost 20,000 to 30,000 yuan at that time, Zhang Zhenhua was going to build an entire house.

According to Gu Huai's estimate, building that entire building would cost at least 200,000 yuan.

Although Zhu Zhenbiao wasn't particularly honest at first, he liked to say only half of what he meant.

Based on the information currently available, Zhu Zhenbiao had no motive whatsoever to kill Zhang Zhenhua.

After all, his conflict with Zhang Zhenhua was purely about money, and killing Zhang Zhenhua would bring him no benefit whatsoever.

Thinking of this, Gu Huai turned his head and gestured to Ling Yue.

After understanding, Ling Yue followed Gu Huai to the side, while Hou Hao stayed behind and watched Zhu Zhenbiao.

Reaching the base of the wall beside the construction site, Gu Huai spoke first, "Sister Ling, what do you think about this?"

The reason for asking this question was not because Gu Huai had no ideas at the moment.

The only reason he was able to come out and conduct investigations today was because of Ling Yue's influence.

Under these circumstances, he naturally had to give Ling Yue some face and let her feel involved.

Otherwise, if this situation happens again, Lingyue won't help me anymore.

Of course, all of this was just Gu Huai's own little scheme.

Ling Yue gave the impression that she hadn't thought about it at all, or that she didn't care about such things at all.

When Gu Huai asked her a question, she assumed it was a discussion about clues.

After some thought, Ling Yue finally spoke up: "I've reviewed the case file. Given Zhang Zhenhua's income level, 20,000 yuan isn't a particularly large sum."

"Yes," Gu Huai replied, "If his family situation weren't so complicated, it wouldn't be difficult for him to come up with 20,000 yuan with his income."

"But the reality is that even if they have a good income, it would be difficult for them to come up with that amount of money all at once."

"Yes! That's what I think too." Ling Yue nodded in agreement with Gu Huai's speculation. "If Zhang Zhenhua was planning to borrow money, he should have done so long ago, instead of dragging it out until the New Year."

He must have already tried to borrow money, but hasn't received it yet.

"I agree." Gu Huai and Ling Yue exchanged a glance, which was considered an agreement.

"If that's the case, then where did the money Zhang Zhenhua mentioned come from?" Ling Yue asked, voicing the question that had been on her mind.

"I think there are a few possibilities," Gu Huai said after a moment's thought, expressing his guess.

"First, this money never existed; Zhang Zhenhua tricked him."

However, in Gu Huai's view, this possibility is the lowest.

Since Zhang Zhenhua's ultimate goal was to build his own house, and given the tight construction schedule, he certainly couldn't tell a lie that would be exposed immediately.

His actions will only bring harm, not benefit.

"Secondly, that is, organizing the bidding meeting and becoming the bidding leader."

A so-called rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) is a group of people organized by an organizer, where each person contributes a fixed amount each month, and the recipient of the payment for that period is determined by drawing lots or bidding.

The game continued until everyone had had their turn.

This kind of thing is called "biao hui" in Guangdong Province, while in Gu Huai's hometown it is called "yao hui" or "jinqian hui".

It can be considered a long-term, regular fundraising activity conducted privately among the public.

However, such rotating credit associations usually require the head of the association to be a highly respected person or to have someone of equal status act as guarantor.

Otherwise, the footer below would never trust the header.

But it is obvious that Zhang Zhenhua is not that kind of person.

Ling Yue had obviously heard of this organization before, and nodded slowly, "I didn't expect you to know so much."

Gu Huai didn't interrupt Ling Yue's praise but continued speaking.

"The third one, which I personally think is the most likely, is that Zhang Zhenhua is planning to make a fortune through shady means, and he's planning to make a big profit in one go."

In 93, if a taxi driver wanted to make money quickly, he would resort to shady dealings.

There are many kinds of so-called shady ways to make money, and the best way to make quick money is smuggling.

That is, to assist those who fly big.

The ability of taxis to roam freely without arousing suspicion helps those who drive large vehicles to sell goods.

"You're right, but even someone doing shady business couldn't make that much money in just a few days, unless..." Ling Yue frowned and said, "Unless he's involved in drugs..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Huai's expression immediately turned serious.

The image of two lions stepping on the earth immediately popped into his mind.

And following this image, he also imagined Zhang Zhenhua helping someone transport drugs and then being silenced.

"Drug smuggling?" Gu Huai muttered to himself. "It's certainly possible. They send someone to deliver the goods first, and then silence them afterwards. That's something drug dealers are capable of doing."

Although given Zhang Zhenhua's apparent social connections, the probability of him knowing drug dealers is low, but this is still a lead for the investigation.

After a moment's thought, Gu Huai said, "I suggest that we report all the possibilities we just came up with together, and let Captain Wu make the final decision on the direction of the investigation."

Ling Yue nodded slightly, acknowledging Gu Huai's words.

After reaching an agreement, the two walked together into the construction site.

As they walked, Ling Yue suddenly spoke up: "Xiao Gu, I've noticed that you're not as reckless and self-centered as you seemed before. You do understand social etiquette."

"Really?" Gu Huai was somewhat surprised by Ling Yue's assessment. "Is that how you see me?"

"Of course," Ling Yue smiled and said, "What newcomer dares to talk to the leader like that right away?"

"What should the newcomers be like?"

"I don't know..." Ling Yue slowly shook her head, "But at least you should be like Haozi, honest and afraid of making mistakes. At last night's case analysis meeting, you gave me the feeling that you didn't take everyone seriously—you and I are a bit similar in this respect, that's how everyone evaluates me."

"Is that so?" Gu Huai smiled slightly. "It's an honor to work with Sister Ling. Maybe I was born to do this."