"Boom!"
The tremendous explosion struck again.
This time, the blast was clearly audible throughout the southern part of the city, and a faint tremor could be felt on the ground.
Flames and thick smoke billowed from the location of the old cosmetics factory.
The shockwave from the explosion turned the glass windows of nearby residential buildings into fragments.
The previously deserted street was now crowded with residents and tenants from the surrounding areas.
Everyone stood on the street, looking at the old cosmetics factory with stunned expressions, their eyes filled with confusion, astonishment, and indifference...
"A celebrity-owned cosmetics factory has exploded. After tonight, this will likely be front-page news!"
"Judging by the current scale of the explosion and the fire, the losses are definitely in the tens of millions. The factory hasn't even started production or operations yet, and it's already on fire. Comrade Xiao Gao might have lost everything this time."
"I wonder how the fire started. It feels like Comrade Xiao Gao's fate is clashing with fire. The fire at the express delivery warehouse hasn't been long ago, and now the cosmetics factory is also on fire. Could it be arson?"
"Gao Fei is a star. He can recoup his losses by filming a few more movies or TV shows. We common folk who earn just one or two thousand yuan a month shouldn't worry ourselves sick about it. We should focus more on our own families."
"What are you talking about? Gao Fei opened a factory here. Once it starts production and operations, he will definitely hire a lot of employees. At that time, he will prioritize hiring residents and tenants from the southern part of the city, providing employment opportunities for us."
"Some rich-haters just can't stand to see others do well. If you had the ability, why not be like Gao Fei? Lead China's movies and songs to the international stage. If you're incapable, then shut up. You deserve to earn only two thousand yuan your whole life."
Initially, everyone was discussing the fire and the losses incurred.
But as one or two envious and resentful individuals appeared, the discussion on the scene immediately turned into a rally of condemnation and education.
Seeing that they were about to incur the wrath of the crowd, these few individuals, who were like real-life 'internet trolls,' quickly shut their mouths and retreated to the back.
As someone shouted for "firefighters, police, and ambulances," the onlookers orderly made way, clearing the path for official vehicles.
Inside the old cosmetics factory.
When the vehicles from the three departments arrived at the scene, the fire brigade immediately began their firefighting efforts.
Upon learning that all the flammable and explosive materials in the warehouse had detonated, the firefighting work proceeded smoothly.
Meanwhile, medical personnel confirmed the condition of the injured and took the wounded security guards to the hospital for treatment in ambulances.
Five security guards on duty tonight were severely injured, and six were lightly injured.
Detailed information about the injuries would require a medical assessment.
When the police from the Southern District Police Station and the Sub-bureau arrived, they found that Captain Wang from the Municipal Bureau and Director Ge from the General Administration had arrived even earlier.
Upon learning that the two were on another assignment and had come to check on the cosmetics factory explosion en route, the comrades from the southern district began their standard questioning procedures.
Factory office building, conference room.
Gao Fei, Wang Desheng, Ge Qing, Director Qiu of the Sub-bureau (Qiu Chen), and Station Chief Tang of the Police Station (Tang Limin) were gathered.
According to normal procedures, the old cosmetics factory falls under the jurisdiction of the Southern District Sub-bureau.
However, the fire and explosion tonight were a deliberate act of arson, escalating it into a major criminal case.
Therefore, in less than twenty minutes, after multiple layers of reporting, it had become a priority investigation case for the Municipal Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division.
The Southern District Sub-bureau and Police Station were responsible for assisting in the investigation.
Now, with everyone gathered in the conference room, Gao Fei began to describe the entire incident.
Ge Qing, Wang Desheng, Qiu Chen, and Tang Limin, all having risen through the ranks in criminal investigation, understood the suspect target after Gao Fei's general account.
According to Gao Fei's statement, the target was Feng Kunlin.
However, even knowing that Feng Kunlin was the mastermind behind tonight's arson, they lacked strong evidence and could not arrest him.
As they were talking, the captain of the Municipal Bureau's First Criminal Investigation Team entered the conference room.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Wang Desheng immediately asked, "How is it? Did you catch them?"
The captain of the First Team, Huang Xin, shook his head and said, "These people are definitely seasoned criminals. Their methods and escape routes were meticulously planned.
We chased them from the southern part of the city to the outskirts. Just as we were about to catch them, these people scattered caltrops on the road.
By the time we reached the final location, only two burnt-out vans were left, and the culprits had vanished."
Upon hearing Huang Xin's description, everyone frowned slightly.
With the perpetrators having escaped pursuit, they would definitely not show themselves again in the short term, making their capture even more difficult.
Just then, a police officer from the station hurried into the conference room and announced, "Dear leaders, we made a significant discovery while taking the on-site statements.
Two paparazzi... media reporters, were following the criminals while they were committing the crime. These two captured the entire process of their actions on camera."
Wang Desheng and others' eyes lit up. They hadn't expected such a bonus; the paparazzi had inadvertently performed a great service.
A moment later, Gao Fei, accompanied by Ge Qing, Wang Desheng, Qiu Chen, and Tang Limin, left the premises.
As they reached the factory gate, a group of reporters holding cameras and microphones were already waiting outside.
Seeing more than a dozen reporters outside, Ge Qing and the others smiled helplessly. As soon as Comrade Xiao Gao made any move, almost the entire media circle in the capital would be there.
Especially tonight, with a large-scale arson case.
Wang Desheng, as the person in charge of the case, had to step forward to deal with the reporters.
He did not disclose specific details but informed the reporters that the fire tonight was a criminal case and that the police would swiftly investigate and apprehend the suspects.
After dealing with the reporters, Wang Desheng and the others quickly got into their cars and left.
Once the police had all departed, it was Gao Fei's turn to face the reporters.
Standing under the flashing lights, looking at more than ten cameras pointed at him like long guns, he put on a facade of dejection, despair, and helplessness.
He displayed the simulated abilities of his Film Emperor profession to their fullest extent.
Seeing Gao Fei's disheveled appearance, the reporters felt a pang of sympathy and were unsure how to proceed with their questions.
This young and incredibly popular Comrade Xiao Gao was only nineteen years old this year and had just led China's music and film industries to amaze tens of thousands of foreigners on the international stage.
His career was originally going smoothly, but now he had suffered a major blow with losses of tens of millions. The reporters felt sorry for him.
One reporter asked the cameraman to turn off the camera and said, "Xiao Gao, I won't ask you any questions. When your factory reopens, I, on behalf of Qunle Media, will advertise for you free of charge."
With one leading the way, the others quickly followed suit, offering to advertise for the cosmetics brand for free.
Gao Fei expressed his gratitude with a dejected expression and stated that he hoped the police could bring the criminals to justice.
He spoke a few brief words before turning and walking back into the compound.
Watching his forlorn and lonely figure under the dim streetlights, the photographers couldn't help but capture photos.
Once Gao Fei was out of the reporters' sight, he shed his look of dejection, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.
Upon connecting, he said with a smile, "My first step is done. How about your side?"
"Everything is ready. I'm waiting for your second move."
"Don't worry, I'll make my second move within three days. Once the game is played, he will definitely contact you within a week!
Mess with me, and I'll make sure he loses everything."
"You... you're such a schemer!"