Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 205: Won’t Shed Tears Until Seeing the Coffin

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Won’t Shed Tears Until Seeing the Coffin

Chen Ningxi, after obtaining the party’s consent, turned on her portable recorder to capture evidence at the scene. Determined by Director Zhao and others, the brick-making machinery inside the brick kiln was recently operating. From the conveyor belt to the machines, the prolonged operation caused the body to overheat, and the water on the ground was for cooling purposes.

Liu Shaojun said, "According to my preliminary calculations, these three production lines alone consume nearly 3,000 kilowatts of electricity daily, estimated at 90,000 watts per month."

Xiong Chengbin commented from the side, "Is whatever you calculate the final amount? My machines are energy-efficient."

Fan Xia chimed in, "Exactly, we bought energy-saving machines."

Chen Ningxi anticipated they would say this, "For fairness, we brought professional equipment for on-site electricity consumption testing."

Tian Quan carried a large toolbox through the crowd, setting it next to the motor. Opening the toolbox revealed precise instruments, with a display screen showing incomprehensible numbers and a swaying pointer.

Chen Ningxi aimed the camera at the detector and said to Xiong Chengbin, "You can have your workers turn on the machines now."

Seeing she was serious, Xiong Chengbin realized that although this woman seemed gentle, her methods were uncompromising—few words but ruthless actions, leaving no room for loopholes. He knew better than anyone that these machines, far from being energy-efficient, consumed even more over time.

Xiong Chengbin said, "It’s broken; it won’t start."

Zhao Zhengyu couldn’t stand it anymore, "How come it wasn’t broken before we came in? Now it’s broken as soon as we want to test it?"

Fan Xia stretched her neck and said, "These machines break down from time to time. Who knows when they’ll break? Just our luck today."

Junior Officer Yu Yanchuan said, "Enough. We’ve all been watching. The belt and machine are hot to the touch, clearly just turned off. Who are you trying to fool? Quit the act. Turn the power back on." He looked at the workers standing in the corner. "Who among you will go flip the switch?"

The workers looked at Xiong Chengbin, seeing he remained silent, and none dared to move.

Zhao Zhengyu, experienced in these matters, knew that if you wanted them to volunteer, no one would take the lead. He pointed at one worker in a red vest, who looked honest and persuadable, saying,

"You, go turn the power on. You have an obligation to cooperate with the police."

The worker in the red vest hunched his back and walked toward the small side room. It wasn’t long before the machine slowly started up.

Accompanied by loud noise and flying red dust, the readings on the detector began to fluctuate rapidly. Tian Quan pointed to the numbers on the screen for everyone to see, explaining, "According to the test data, this production line consumes about 125 watts of electricity per hour, and that’s on standby. With loaded bricks, the consumption will be even higher."

Chen Ningxi recorded the readings from the on-site tester and the machine’s operation, then asked the couple,

"Do you agree with the test data?"

Fan Xia was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I don’t understand your machines. Who knows if the test is accurate?"

Xiong Chengbin frowned, "I don’t understand it either."

Chen Ningxi replied, "This instrument is used for nationwide power system testing, undergoes annual maintenance and calibration, and is only usable after passing inspection. The detector is still within the inspection validity," she pointed to the inspection sticker nearby, "Here is the test date."

Xiong Chengbin wanted to refute, but found no loopholes.

"Do you now agree with these results?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Xiong Chengbin opened his mouth, hesitant to assent but unable to find an excuse, and nodded.

Fan Xia turned her face away, no longer engaging.

Zhao Zhengyu pointed at the detector and asked Fan Xia, "Do you acknowledge the test results?"

Fan Xia, guilty, said, "...I acknowledge."

If the electricity consumption of the brick-making machines was shocking, it was nothing compared to the upcoming large blowers.

The manufactured bricks were sent to the next workshop, where large blowers dried the bricks. Technical inspections showed that the blowers consumed a massive amount of electricity, resulting in staggering electricity bills.

After concluding evidence collection on the factory machines, it was time to search for the electricity theft tool.

Chen Ningxi asked Tian Quan, "Did you find any issues with the electric meter box?"

Tian Quan said, "We found a hidden yellow wire in the electric meter box. Based on its path, it should lead to the distribution room."

Chen Ningxi asked Xiong Chengbin, "Where is the distribution room?"

Upon her asking about the distribution room, it was evident that Xiong Chengbin was starting to panic, his rough fingers continuously rubbing together. He pointed outside, saying,

"It’s next door. I’ll take you there."

Chen Ningxi filmed the entire time, following Xiong Chengbin’s steps to a small dark room.

Pressing a simple switch by the door, the light illuminated the scene of cobwebs hanging from the cement walls and settled dust accumulated over years without cleaning. The air was tinged with a moldy smell. In the corner stood a rusty iron cabinet, its door half open, showing assorted wood and other miscellaneous items inside. Next to the iron cabinet was another small iron door, shaded over the years, moisture causing the green paint to peel off, crumbling with the slightest touch.

"Check it out," Xiong Chengbin made way.

Chen Ningxi and two colleagues began inspecting the distribution room. Tian Quan focused on examining the power distribution equipment, while Liu Shaojun was responsible for the wiring. They did not find the entry point for the yellow hidden wire.

The three of them looked at the iron door. Chen Ningxi asked, "What’s inside this?"

Fan Xia, without a hint of guilt, replied, "Just junk, nothing of significance."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Can you open it?"

Xiong Chengbin shook his head like a rattle drum, "It won’t open. Don’t you see the lock is rusted?"

Without him prompting, Chen Ningxi handed her recorder to Liu Shaojun, crouched down, and examined the lock.

The door was indeed old, appearing seldom used. But closely inspecting the lock, it seemed it had recently been opened with a key.

She placed her ear against the door, listened quietly for a few seconds, then stood up and firmly said, "Open the door."

Xiong Chengbin said, "There’s no key—lost it ages ago."

Zhao Zhengyu called Chen Ningxi aside, "Do you think there’s electricity theft equipment inside?"

Chen Ningxi nodded, "Tian Quan found a yellow hidden wire in the electric meter box. It should lead into the distribution room, but during our check, we didn’t find it. The wire might be running into this room. I heard an unusual electrical sound inside. I suspect the electricity theft equipment is here."

Zhao Zhengyu said, "I’ll contact a locksmith."

Chen Ningxi replied with gratitude, "Thank you, Director Zhao."

Zhao Zhengyu asked the couple, "Are you both sure you can’t find the key?"

Both nodded vigorously, speaking in unison.

"Alright, if you can’t find it, I’ll contact the locksmith," Zhao Zhengyu took out his phone, dialed a number, and reported the address of the brick kiln.

Hanging up, he spoke sternly, "If we find electricity theft equipment here, your current actions constitute obstruction of justice. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. At that point, you’d be violating the law."

Fan Xia looked at Xiong Chengbin. The latter was silent for a few seconds, still hesitating when Chen Ningxi said, "If you actively cooperate, we will also take discretion in handling any issues found later."

The couple stood silently in the corner. Zhao Zhengyu sternly said, "You truly need to see the coffin to weep."