The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 885 Chen Xiaoyu as a mistress

In the following days, the police split into two groups: one went to Zhang Feng and Chen Xiaoyu's hometown, while the other continued to investigate Zhang Feng's social circle in the city. In their hometown, the police learned from villagers that Zhang Feng and Chen Xiaoyu had grown up together and had a deep bond. However, as they grew older, the gap between them widened, and conflicts gradually emerged.

"Zhang Feng is a very honest kid, but he's not very capable. Xiao Yu is pretty and educated, and her family has always disapproved of them being together," a villager said.

Meanwhile, officers investigating Zhang Feng's communication records made a new discovery. "Captain Li, Zhang Feng was frequently in contact with an unknown number a week before Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance. An investigation revealed that this number was a temporary number and is currently disconnected," Officer Wang reported.

Li Ming's eyes lit up: "This is an important clue. Let's dig deeper and see if we can find the user of this number. At the same time, investigate whether Zhang Feng has had any recent contact with strangers."

Li Ming clutched the temporary phone number he'd obtained from the technical department in his hand. The string of numbers resembled a mysterious combination lock, holding the key to unlocking the case's mysteries. "Xiao Li, this number is a crucial breakthrough in the investigation. We must find out its origins," Li Ming said, turning to his assistant, Xiao Li, beside him.

Xiao Li nodded in response, quickly typed on the keyboard, and entered the telecommunications operator's database to make a query. After some operation, Xiao Li frowned and looked at Li Ming: "Team Leader Li, this number was registered with Zhang Baofeng's ID card, but it has been cancelled. I found Zhang Baofeng's address and contact information."

Li Ming stood up and decisively ordered, "Let's go, let's go directly to Zhang Baofeng and ask her directly."

Li Ming and Xiao Li quickly found Zhang Baofeng's residence. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged woman with a haggard face opened it and looked them over warily: "Who are you? What do you want?"

Li Ming showed his identification and politely said, "Ms. Zhang, we are police officers investigating a case. We would like to inquire about a phone number registered with your ID card."

Zhang Baofeng's expression changed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Officer, I don't remember registering any phone number with my ID card. Is there a mistake?"

Li Ming patiently explained, "Ms. Zhang, the information we obtained through official channels is accurate. This phone card is crucial to our investigation, and we hope you can cooperate."

Zhang Baofeng hesitated for a moment before letting the two into the house. As she poured water for Li Ming and Xiao Li, she said, "It's possible that my husband registered it using my ID card. He said he needed it for work."

Li Ming pressed further, "What's your husband's name? Where does he work now?"

Zhang Baofeng replied, "His name is Li Baoguo, and he is a director at the Chen Group."

Li Ming and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes. Li Ming then asked, "Is your husband home now? We'd like to ask him a few questions in person."

Zhang Baofeng shook her head: "He went to the company early this morning and probably won't be back until tonight."

After leaving Zhang Baofeng's house, Li Ming and Xiao Li went straight to Chen's Group without any delay. After stating their purpose at the company's reception desk, they met with the administrative manager. Li Ming went straight to the point, asking, "Manager Wang, we are investigating a case and would like to know about Li Baoguo. How is he performing at the company? What are his relationships with his colleagues like?"

Manager Wang pushed up his glasses, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Director Li is very capable in his work, but his personal life... he has ambiguous relationships with several female colleagues in the company, and his reputation isn't very good."

Li Ming astutely grasped the key information and pressed further: "Do you have a close relationship with a female colleague named Chen Xiaoyu?"

Manager Wang nodded: "Yes. After Chen Xiaoyu joined the company, Director Li took special care of her. The two often worked overtime together and also had frequent private interactions."

Just then, a female employee passing by overheard their conversation and stopped. Seeing this, Li Ming walked over and asked, "Hello, do you know anything about the relationship between Chen Xiaoyu and Li Baoguo?"

The female employee glanced around and lowered her voice, saying, "I heard from Chen Xiaoyu's best friend that Chen Xiaoyu and Director Li are together. But recently, Chen Xiaoyu has been in a bad mood, and it seems like she and Director Li have a conflict."

After leaving the Chen Group, Li Ming and Xiao Li immediately visited several of Chen Xiaoyu's close friends. One of the friends recalled, "Some time ago, Xiaoyu told me that Li Baoguo had agreed to divorce his wife and be with her, but later he changed his mind, and the two had a big fight. Xiaoyu was very heartbroken at the time."

Li Ming continued, "Before Chen Xiaoyu disappeared, did she tell you that there might be danger?"

Her best friend frowned and thought for a moment: "Xiaoyu didn't say there was any danger directly, but she was particularly anxious during that time, and she said that Li Baoguo had become very strange and was always following her."

Back at the police station, Li Ming convened a case analysis meeting with his team. He reviewed the information they had gathered: "Currently, it appears that Li Baoguo and Chen Xiaoyu had a complicated relationship and emotional entanglements. The phone card registered with Zhang Baofeng's ID card was likely used by Li Baoguo to contact Chen Xiaoyu privately. Furthermore, the two may have had a heated argument before Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance. Our next focus will be on investigating Li Baoguo's whereabouts and communication records before and after the incident."

Subsequently, Li Ming arranged for police officers to retrieve Li Baoguo's communication records and driving routes before and after the incident. After several days and nights of investigation, the police discovered that Li Baoguo had driven to the outskirts of the city on the night Chen Xiaoyu disappeared. The outskirts of the city were precisely in the direction of the pork processing plant.

"Captain Li, Li Baoguo went to the outskirts of the city on the night Chen Xiaoyu disappeared. This is definitely not a coincidence," Officer Zhang reported excitedly.

Li Ming stood in front of the clue board at the police station, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the files of Zhang Baofeng, Li Baoguo, Wang Qiang, and others. The newly discovered clues were like a complex web, making the case increasingly perplexing, yet also making the truth seem within reach.

"Captain Li, we've made more discoveries regarding Zhang Baofeng!" Officer Liu rushed into the office, holding a stack of investigation documents. Li Ming turned around, took the documents, and gestured for Liu to give a detailed report.

“Our investigation revealed that Zhang Baofeng caused a scene downstairs at Li Baoguo’s company a month ago. Although they didn’t find the mistress, everyone in the company knew about it. In addition, Zhang Baofeng’s meat products company has a long-term business relationship with the pork factory where Wang Qiang works. More importantly, Wang Qiang’s creditors, Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng, admitted that Zhang Baofeng paid off Wang Qiang’s gambling debts.” Xiao Liu finished speaking in one breath, a hint of excitement on his face.