Zhang Xue walked out of the airport with her child. There were no flowers or warm embraces as she had imagined. She searched for a long time but couldn't find the familiar stranger she had in mind. She was a little disappointed, but then she remembered Leng Yan was doing business in Hong Kong and must be very busy. So, she forgave Leng Yan in her heart and then called him. The person who answered was not Leng Yan, but a girl who introduced herself as Leng Yan's secretary. The secretary received Zhang Xue, arranged for her to stay at a good hotel, and politely took the antique that Leng Yan had asked Zhang Xue to bring from Beijing.
Unable to see Leng Yan, Zhang Xue felt dejected. She spent two days with her child playing around the hotel. When the hotel staff urged her to renew her stay, she finally came to her senses and quickly called Leng Yan again.
The phone was switched off and couldn't be reached.
At that time, Zhang Xue did not realize she had been scammed. She still worried that Leng Yan might have encountered some business difficulties or an accident. Zhang Xue was very anxious and reported the case to the police in Hong Kong.
After the Hong Kong police got involved, they confirmed to Zhang Xue that three other girls had reported cases, claiming that their online boyfriend, Leng Yan, had met with an accident, making it clear that this Leng Yan was a scammer.
Upon hearing the police, Zhang Xue still refused to believe it. She thought the police were lying to her, making up stories to avoid the trouble of investigating. She made a scene at the police station, as if she didn't care if Leng Yan was a scammer, she just wanted the police to help her find the thoughtful man she would never forget.
...
I truly admire Leng Yan's ability. He could ensnare women he didn't know with invisible chains on their hearts through the virtual world of the internet.
"How is Zhang Xue doing now?"
Chang Dachun sighed, "My poor cousin is dead."
"Dead? How did she die?"
"After returning from Hong Kong, she had mental problems. Because she was scammed, she lost her house and her job. Her husband learned of this and, through a lawsuit, regained custody of their son. Her former in-laws also prevented her son from seeing his mother. Zhang Xue's depression worsened, and one day, she slit her wrists and committed suicide in the bathroom."
"Suicide? Are you sure it was suicide?"
"The police ruled it as such."
Being scammed and having severe mental problems, suicide is a normal phenomenon. Perhaps because of my personal experiences, I don't believe Zhang Xue committed suicide.
"Can you take me to see the scene of her suicide?"
Chang Dachun gave a wry smile, "Officer, my cousin has been dead for nearly half a year, and that house has already been sold."
"It's been almost half a year, why are you only looking for Leng Yan these past two months?"
"Fatty was reported to the police two months ago for filming someone's private life. At the police station, he met a woman who was reporting a case, and her experience was extremely similar to my cousin's. Once while drinking, Lin Han suggested setting a trap to lure out this bastard. So, we formed a team."
Hearing Chang Dachun say this, I glanced at Fatty, who looked embarrassed. Fatty said sheepishly, "Peeping."
I didn't care about Fatty's actions, but I was very interested in the woman who reported the case. I asked them, "Is that woman still alive?"
"Probably."
"You don't know?"
"We haven't met that woman either!"
What kind of team is this? They act impulsively without knowing anything. Old Ghost probably saw that these people weren't significant in this matter, so he handed them over to me. I stood up to leave, but then I remembered that Old Ghost wouldn't do things without reason. If these people had no use or potential, he wouldn't bother talking to them for two months.
Lin Han saw my intention, knocked a cigarette from the pack, and placed it in her mouth. "Uncle Police, if you want to go, then go. We will continue to look for Leng Yan."
I said in a police-like tone, "Don't act on your own. Leng Yan is very dangerous. Leave professional matters to professional people."
Lin Han found a lighter and lit the cigarette. With the cigarette in her mouth, she looked at me disdainfully and said, "How dangerous can a scammer be? Uncle Police, don't scare us. If we know he's a scammer, would we still be deceived?"
I walked up to Lin Han, snatched the cigarette from her mouth, and put it out in the ashtray. "Smoking is harmful to your health."
"Do I need you to mind my business? Do police have the right to control whether people smoke or not?"
Chang Dachun stopped Lin Han and said with a smile, "Officer, we'll listen to you. If you tell us not to go, we won't. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, we'll stay home and play cards obediently."
I thought for a moment. "I'll go back and understand the situation. I'll find you tomorrow. Leave me a contact number."
"Okay!" Chang Dachun readily agreed. I turned to leave, but at the doorway, I came back. I pocketed the cigarettes on the coffee table and took the lighter. I also advised Lin Han, "Don't smoke anymore in the future."
Lin Han snorted and gave me a roll of her eyes.
As I walked out, Chang Dachun still called out, "Officer, what brand of cigarettes do you like? I'll buy you a carton later."
...
When I got back that evening, I went to find Old Ghost. I wanted to ask him what was going on. However, Old Ghost was not there. He left me a note: Tang Nan, some friends know I'm in Beijing and have invited me to play for a few days. I won't be with you for the Mid-Autumn Festival. You know, it's impossible to walk in this world without friends. I can't refuse, so I'll have to trouble you.
He went drinking and abandoned me, disappearing again.
I thought I would be very angry, but to my surprise, I accepted Old Ghost's disappearance with a clear conscience. The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I went to the Criminal Investigation Bureau early in the morning. I expected it to be empty because it was a holiday, but I mainly wanted Wang Zeyyi's contact information. To my surprise, Wang Zeyyi was indeed a workaholic and was still working overtime on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Wang Zeyyi was overjoyed to hear that I had made progress so quickly. Yu Xiaoluo couldn't come for a few days as Wang Zeyyi had ordered her to rest. Haozi's funeral couldn't be held for a while as his body was undergoing an autopsy at the police station. Therefore, Wang Zeyyi had no mood to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Upon hearing that a woman had been scammed and reported it, he personally called the police station to inquire. The case was accepted two and a half months ago. The reporter was named Situ Lin, also known as Lina, an overseas returnee. Wang Zeyyi gave me the address and I told him about that small team.
Wang Zeyyi frowned and thought for a long time. "If that Leng Yan is in danger, we need to consider personal safety."
I smiled helplessly, "Team Leader Wang, I'm just an ordinary citizen. How is it that you readily accepted me here?"
Wang Zeyyi was taken aback. "Oh, I forgot about that. You're still not officially recognized. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will formally invite you to sign a temporary contract with the Criminal Investigation Bureau and join the 'Black Gold' task force as a special police assistant."
"Can I think about it?"
"Not for now!"
I left reluctantly. As I was leaving, Wang Zeyyi reminded me, "Individual heroic actions are not impossible, but there should be limits. Your team can investigate along the line of Situ Lin. If there's any danger, immediately hand it over to the Criminal Investigation Bureau's task force."
"Yes!"
...
If this were my old job, I would definitely be unwilling. But Leng Yan really angered me. Now I can officially find trouble with him, so why not?
Beijing is truly a peaceful city, especially during the holidays. The streets are so lively. There isn't a single empty taxi. I have to call Chang Dachun first.
"Brother Chang, I'll come see you later to discuss our visit to the police station tomorrow. But you'll have to wait for me for a while; I can't get a taxi now."
"Officer, where are you? I'll send Da Huang to pick you up. He has a car."
"Criminal Investigation Bureau."
"Alright!"
Da Huang has a car, an electric scooter, with a cabin in the back that can carry people. I had ridden in this kind of vehicle once before, and now I truly appreciate its benefits. It's not afraid of traffic jams. Da Huang took me through streets and alleys, weaving through traffic, and we soon arrived at Da Huang's home.
Several people were there. The windows were open, and a cold wind was whistling in.
"Aren't you cold?"
"We didn't know you were coming, so we opened the windows to let out the smoke smell."
I got straight to the point and placed ten thousand yuan in cash on the table. "I have already sought approval from higher authorities. Starting today, you will cooperate with me to find the scammer Leng Yan. This is operating capital."
Chang Dachun looked at the stack of money and swallowed. "What is all this money for?"
"We are a team now. Da Huang needs the best computer, and Fatty needs to buy professional photography equipment. The rest will be managed by Brother Chang. We'll need money for clothing, meals, and setting up scenes. There will be plenty of expenses in the future."
Chang Dachun grinned, "Police are so rich now."
"I'm the one who's rich, not the police."
Lin Han picked up the cigarette pack and, seeing that I wasn't smoking, asked softly, a little self-consciously, "Then what do I do?"
"Watch TV."
Lin Han immediately threw the cigarette pack at me, her voice returning to its normal tone. "Tang Nan, who do you think you're looking down on?"
I smiled gently, stood up, and said, "Everyone has a role to play, otherwise, it wouldn't be called a team. Today is a holiday, and we'll take action tomorrow."
As I was leaving, Chang Dachun called out to me, "Officer, the four of us are celebrating the holiday together today. If you have nothing else to do, please stay."
Da Huang said nothing, and Fatty chimed in, "Aren't we already a team?"
I noticed Lin Han looking at me. When I glanced at her, she averted her gaze and snorted, "If you want to stay, then stay. It won't cost you an extra drink."