[02/23, 08:00, Haijing Municipal Public Security Bureau]
In the early morning, the team dispatched from Haijing’s Criminal Investigation Division gathered at the municipal bureau’s entrance. Lin Heyu counted the heads to make sure everyone was present before preparing to head to Nanyi.
Yuan Kang came to see them off, his face serious, hands clasped behind his back. He instructed, “I have already reported the latest developments in the case to the Provincial Department. The higher-ups have issued a strict order: the police forces from both cities must work together and make every effort to catch the criminal within a week.”
“A week?” The team exchanged glances. The deadline was so tight? No wonder it was the higher-ups who were making such a bold decision.
It had been nearly a month since the case began. They had sealed roads, searched mountains, and conducted investigations without rest. The bureau was short-handed, having pulled numerous people from the grassroots levels. Despite the significant police force mobilized, they still hadn’t caught the Tu Laogui, and only a portion of the hostages had been rescued.
Out of the 15 children, 4 had been killed, 6 had been rescued by the police (excluding Xiao Shitou); parents of the hostages had privately contacted the kidnappers and paid a ransom, resulting in only 2 being released, one of whom was seriously injured and still in the ICU. In total, the Tu Laogui still had 3 children and 2 teachers in his hands. The “mobile army” had significantly reduced, and it was highly likely that someone was helping to hide them, making their escape smoother.
The criminals might still be in Haijing, could have moved to the neighboring Dengchang following the mountain range, or even fled to Nanyi. The wider the search area, the more difficult it became, requiring more police force. With the added help from accomplices and the coordination of a two-front battle, the leaders had given them only 7 days. Did they expect them to have supernatural abilities?
The members of the Haijing Criminal Investigation Division looked troubled. The fearless Yuan Maoqiu spoke up, “I really wish the leaders could demonstrate how to capture the criminals and give the hostages a bright future within a week. We, the incompetent ones, would certainly learn diligently and humbly.”
“……” Yuan Kang shot him a stern look. His son was always the first to argue and never listened. It would have been better to have a piece of char siu.
Zou Bin cast an admiring glance. Haijing’s great yin-yang master, Zhang Rui, had two prominent disciples, the gardener and the chef. Now, one of them had finally inherited his mantle.
—
Lin Heyu nodded decisively, “Yes, understood.”
Yuan Kang’s expression softened a bit, “I know it’s tough, but it’s an order! No matter how difficult it is, we must go all out. Heyu, it’s up to you now. Let me know if you encounter any difficulties.”
Lü Kanshan rushed out of the bureau, out of breath, holding a document, “Hey! Heyu! This, this… just came in!”
He handed the file to Lin Heyu, panting, “Luckily—you haven’t left yet. Huff… it’s a fax from the bomb disposal department. Take a look.”
Lin Heyu opened the file, which contained a detailed analysis report from the bomb disposal department about the explosives on Jiang Dongliang, including components, detonation methods, and materials used. The content was thorough, evidently completed under tight deadlines, with the report timestamped at 4 a.m. It was still fresh.
He stood by the car, carefully reviewing the document. Lü Kanshan caught his breath, joking with Yuan Maoqiu until Lin Heyu closed the file, “Thank you. I’ll take this to Nanyi for further investigation.”
After dealing with a few more minor details, Zou Bin opened the door of the minibus, and everyone loaded their luggage and boarded. Yuan Maoqiu was the last to get on, giving his father a stylish wave. Yuan Kang looked at his outfit and rolled his eyes, “Dressed like this, are you going to investigate or attend a fashion show?!”
Yuan Maoqiu was taken aback. Their whole group wasn’t in uniform, so why was he the focus? Besides, this was what Lin Heyu had instructed—cooperate with Nanyi, alternating between overt and covert investigations. They had their uniforms with them, packed away in their bags.
He looked down at his painted, ripped jeans and the black-and-white color-blocked bomber jacket. Sure, he looked trendy, but he hadn’t dyed his hair or pierced his ears, and he had no flashy decorations. Wasn’t he just a bit too casual?
Wen Huanbei, peering out the car window, whispered to Zou Bin, “Brother Yuan’s natural good looks make anything he wears look like he’s going to a modeling contest.”
“Exactly, if I had his face, I’d dare to go out in a burlap sack.”
Yuan Kang pointed at Yuan Maoqiu’s pants, “Planning to pick up some extra cash after work? Which house needs you to do their renovations?”
Yuan Maoqiu: “……”
He wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he smiled and said to his father, “A girl’s heart.”
With that, he hopped into the car. Lin Heyu was the last to board, sliding the door shut and instructing the driver, “Xiao Zhao, let’s go.”
Xiao Zhao had already started the engine and, with a press of the accelerator, they sped off, leaving the city bureau’s sign behind in no time. Jin Ru, peering out the back window, remarked, “Chief Yuan’s expression looked so grim.”
Yuan Maoqiu leaned back comfortably in his seat, arms behind his head, “My dad’s always nitpicking. If he’s displeased, he’ll find trouble for me.”
“I guess it’s because Chief Yuan wants grandchildren.”
“Brother Yuan’s romantic issues are a major concern for his parents.”
“My romantic issues are also a big concern for my parents. But with my looks, my love life is quite pure. Compared to Brother Yuan… drought or flood, I’m in a different league.”
The young members of the team discussed Yuan Maoqiu’s romantic problems. Yuan Maoqiu was too lazy to respond, putting on his sunglasses and sleeping until they reached their destination.
The minibus with Haijing plates arrived at Nanyi Municipal Bureau. The Criminal Investigation Division team was already waiting downstairs, greeted by Shao Shiqing and Shen Ruirui. Yuan Maoqiu, sitting near the door, stepped out first, wearing sunglasses and chewing gum.
He stood there with broad shoulders and long legs, looking like a celebrity standee, his impressive aura immediately catching attention. The simple colleagues behind him were almost dazzled, mentally agreeing with Chief Yuan’s critique. This guy wasn’t here to solve cases but to stun Nanyi’s female police officers.
Sure enough, Shen Ruirui’s eyes widened as she looked him up and down, “…Handsome guy, who are you?”
Shao Shiqing also stared for a few seconds, unsure if he knew this person, then bypassed him and nodded to Lin Heyu, “Captain Lin, you’re here. Our Captain Sheng, the Political Commissar, and the Deputy Chief are all waiting upstairs.”
“Wow, it’s almost noon,” Yuan Maoqiu waved his wristwatch, “Skipping meals just to wait for us? I’m flattered.”
Shen Ruirui was stunned for three seconds, then recognized him by voice, “…Yuan Maoqiu?!”
Yuan Maoqiu was about to strike a pose when Lin Heyu grabbed him by the neck and pinched the back of his neck. Lin Heyu, with a serious face, threatened, “Act up again, and I’ll cut off your peacock feathers.”
Yuan Maoqiu: “……”
Isn’t that my dad’s job? So harsh.
Lin Heyu pulled him behind him, greeted Shen Ruirui and Shao Shiqing briefly, then looked up, “Let’s go.”
With that, he led his team upstairs to the meeting room, following Nanyi’s personnel. They were efficient with their work; as soon as they arrived, a meeting started. After the meeting, tasks were assigned, and they got straight to work without any fluff.
Those formalities, like welcome parties, were only for when there was free time. In this special period, two-thirds of Nanyi’s Criminal Investigation Division were out on fieldwork. Those left in the office were busy familiarizing themselves with materials and checking surveillance. Everyone too busy to bother with superficialities.
What’s going on? What did I do to upset him? Lin Heyu wondered.
“There are a total of 7 small teams operating in the next few days, divided into pairs. Three teams will check the businesses and residents of Qiantang Town; two teams will inspect vehicles at the highway exit and national road; and the remaining two teams, along with the K-9 unit, will conduct a search in the mountains.”
Lin Heyu nodded, “Thank you for your hard work. We’ll drop off our luggage at the hotel first, and join the search operation in the afternoon.” He pulled out a report from his bag, “This is the detailed analysis report of the explosives found on hostage Jiang Dongliang. The detonators and fuses used are crudely made, produced by a small workshop. We found a half-piece of a trademark embedded in the detonator.”
Sheng Guoning looked at it and immediately nodded, “Yes, this small workshop is indeed in Nanyi.”
Shen Ruirui, curious, asked, “Captain Sheng, how can you be so sure?”
Sheng Guoning pointed to the half-dissolved trademark. Shen Ruirui stared at it for a while and struggled to identify, “Is that a banana peel…? No, a starfish? I can only see three corners…”
Other team members joined in with various guesses. Shao Shiqing turned the image and handed it back to Shen Ruirui, “Try looking at it like this.”
“Oh? This looks much better, like a flower!” Shen Ruirui tapped her forehead, frustrated, “I kept feeling something was off, turns out it was just the wrong angle!”
Sheng Guoning sighed softly, “How did I recognize it right away?”
Lin Heyu remained silent. Honestly, he felt the same way. Even though the half image was reversed and the petal shape was abstract, he recognized it instantly and even identified the flower.
“What flower is it? The shape looks a bit like a cherry blossom.”
“No, cherry blossoms have triangular notches in their petals, this one doesn’t. Long and thin, could it be a chrysanthemum?”
“Not likely, chrysanthemums are curved, like little hooks.”
“……”
Yuan Maoqiu also looked at the blurry trademark and asked Lin Heyu, “Hey, Heyu, what do you think?”
Shen Ruirui guessed a few types, and Sheng Guoning shook his head each time. She gave up, sighing, “Captain Sheng, what is it?”
“Orchid.”
Both answered in unison.
The office fell silent for a few seconds. Shen Ruirui exclaimed, “Oh! It’s an orchid! Orchids have three petals!”
Sheng Guoning and Lin Heyu exchanged a glance, their eyes sparking with friction. Yuan Maoqiu shivered; this was no romantic spark but a hostile clash!
“No wonder Captain Lin brought it up immediately. I see you were also thinking of Nanyi,” Sheng Guoning said with a smile.
“Mm.” Lin Heyu nodded, not at all modest, “The city flower of Nanyi is indeed the orchid. It’s easy to guess.”
Shen Ruirui and Shao Shiqing, both from Nanyi, felt embarrassed; they had not realized the connection between the orchid and their hometown.
Sheng Guoning closed the report, “According to the original plan, our focus is on tracking down the kidnapper’s whereabouts. Captain Lin, with this new lead, are you suggesting we investigate this line as well?”
“Yes, you continue with the search, and I’ll assign people to follow up on this lead,” Lin Heyu paused, “If we can locate this small workshop, we can trace back to the buyers of the detonators and fuses, and find out who the Tu Laogui’s accomplices are.”
