I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 211: Catching the "Shadow"

The shadow finally chose to confess, his eyes filled with despair and helplessness. "Okay, I'll tell you. But you must ensure my safety."

Li Wei knew this was an important turning point. He nodded slowly. "As long as you confess, we will do our best to protect your safety."

The shadow took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "I don't know 'Shadow's' real name, but he often conducts transactions in the factory basement. He has a special communication device that he uses to communicate with his subordinates."

Li Wei's heartbeat quickened. He knew this was a major breakthrough. He quickly recorded the shadow's words while remaining calm. "Can you take us to the basement?"

The shadow nodded. "Follow me."

Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing followed the shadowy figure through the factory to a hidden basement entrance. The shadowy figure opened the door, and a beam of light illuminated the basement's interior. Inside, there were communications equipment and computers, their screens displaying complex transaction records and communication information.

"This is the command center of 'Shadow'." The shadow's voice trembled and his eyes were full of fear.

Li Wei quickly entered the basement and began to examine the equipment and records. A flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes. This information was enough to bring Shadow to court.

"Wanqing, you stay here and protect the scene. I'll go find Fu Siyuan and ask him to come and analyze the data." Li Wei's voice was calm and firm.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her pistol already loaded, ready to respond to any emergency. "Be careful."

Li Wei quickly left the basement and returned to the conference room. He knew that this operation had made significant progress, but their mission wasn't over yet. They needed to use this information to find Shadow as quickly as possible and completely dismantle this criminal network.

Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing quietly entered the basement, their steps light and cautious, trying to avoid making any noise. The basement was dark and damp, with a musty smell hanging in the air. Rows of computers and communication equipment were neatly arranged, their screens displaying complex transaction records and communication messages.

Li Wei's heartbeat quickened, and his eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any possible clues. He knew that this might be the command center of Shadow, and any negligence could lead to the failure of the entire operation.

When Li Wei returned to the conference room, Fu Siyuan was working intensely in front of his computer. His eyes were focused and nervous, and his fingers were tapping rapidly on the keyboard.

"Fu Siyuan, we have found the command center of 'Shadow'. You need to go there immediately and analyze the data." Li Wei's voice was quick and firm.

Fu Siyuan immediately stood up and picked up his laptop. "Let's go."

They quickly returned to the basement. Zhang Wanqing was still guarding the door, her pistol loaded, and she was observing her surroundings vigilantly.

"What's the situation?" Li Wei asked in a low voice.

"Everything is normal, no one is coming in or out." Zhang Wanqing replied, her voice calm and firm.

Li Wei and Fu Siyuan entered the basement and began to check the equipment and data. Fu Siyuan quickly connected his laptop and began to analyze the data.

"This data is very complicated, but I will find out the key information as soon as possible." There was a hint of anxiety in Fu Siyuan's voice, but his eyes revealed determination.

Suddenly, the basement door was flung open, and several men in black rushed in armed with weapons. Zhang Wanqing immediately raised her gun and blocked the door. "Don't move, police!"

The men in black didn't stop. They quickly dispersed and formed a circle. Li Wei and Fu Siyuan quickly retreated, their backs against the wall, their pistols loaded.

"Put down your weapons, we don't want to hurt you." Li Wei's voice was calm and firm, but his eyes were full of vigilance.

The men in black did not respond. They continued to advance, pointing their weapons at Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing.

"You have no way to escape, put down your weapons!" Li Wei warned again, with a hint of majesty in his voice.

The men in black still didn't respond, their eyes filled with murderous intent. Li Wei knew they had no way out and could only fight hard.

"Zhang Wanqing, get ready for battle!" Li Wei whispered, his pistol already pointed at the nearest man in black.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her pistol already loaded. "Understood!"

The two sides confronted each other, and the atmosphere was extremely tense. Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing knew that they had to protect the scene and not let the men in black destroy the evidence. The men in black also knew that they had to quickly eliminate Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing before they could destroy the evidence.

Surrounded by police, the man in black was finally captured.

The air in the basement was tense and heavy. Fu Siyuan's fingertips danced rapidly across the keyboard, his eyes focused and tense, as if the entire world was concentrated on the computer screen before him. Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing stood guard at the door, vigilantly observing their surroundings, their pistols loaded, ready to respond to any possible danger.

"This data is too complex, and Shadow's methods are very covert," Fu Siyuan whispered, a hint of anxiety in his voice, "but I believe I can find a breakthrough."

Zhang Wanqing nodded, his eyes full of trust. "Siyuan, you are the best. We believe you can do it."

Fu Siyuan took a deep breath and continued to analyze the data intently. His fingers tapped faster and faster on the keyboard, as if racing against time. Li Wei knew that every minute was crucial; they had to quickly uncover Shadow's true identity and whereabouts.

As time ticked by, the atmosphere in the basement grew increasingly tense. Suddenly, a flicker of excitement crossed Fu Siyuan's face. "I've found it! There's a pattern in these transaction records. After each large transfer, a specific account receives a small amount. This account might be the one the 'shadow' uses to receive information fees."

"Quick, track this account and see if you can find the true identity of 'Shadow'." Li Wei said.

Fu Siyuan worked quickly, his fingers pounding away on the keyboard. A few minutes later, a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "I found it! This account belongs to someone named 'Zhou Ming,' who owns a property in an upscale residential complex in the north of the city."

Li Wei stood up immediately, his eyes filled with determination. "Alright, let's act now. Zhang Wanqing, you come with me. Fu Siyuan, you stay here and continue analyzing the data to see if you can find any more clues."

"I understand!" Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan answered at the same time, with serious expressions on their faces.

Li Wei and Zhang Wanqing quickly left the basement and returned to the conference room. He knew that this operation had made significant progress, but their mission was not over yet. They needed to use this information to find "Shadow" as soon as possible.