Chapter 103: The Gift
Everyone immediately tensed up, quickly moving things behind Xu Xiaodong to prevent the other side from noticing that they were in a police station.
Xu Xiaodong asked, “What should I say?”
Chen Shi replied, “Say whatever you want, just remember you’re a rich second-generation kid. Don’t be too stiff.”
Xu Xiaodong, nervous, pressed the accept button. The video connected, and he awkwardly greeted, “Hello there, beautiful.”
The others held their breath. The woman on the other side asked, “What do you do?”
“I… I’m a rich second-generation kid.”
Chen Shi covered his face, thinking this was a disaster.
“Don’t you work?” the woman asked.
“I… My family is so rich, why would I need to work?” Xu Xiaodong laughed awkwardly.
“What does your family do?”
“We own a mine.”
“Haha, liar. Get lost!” the woman said before hanging up and blocking Xu Xiaodong. Xu Xiaodong looked dejected. “Brother Chen…”
“Can you chat properly? Don’t try to lead her on!”
“She blocked me. What now?”
“Did you see her face?”
“Yes, she looks about the same as in her photos. Probably used a beauty filter.”
Chen Shi looked around and said, “There are so many of us. Each of us should register an account and chat with her. Send her some small gifts, she’ll definitely take the bait.”
So, everyone in the office started chatting with the target, making small talk for half the day. Finally, one officer caught her interest. Excitedly, he said, “She wants to meet tomorrow night.”
“Why tomorrow night?” Chen Shi pondered. “Is she meeting someone else tonight?”
“Seems like someone else is going to be in trouble tonight,” Xu Xiaodong said.
“Not necessarily!” Lin Dongxue walked in. “We contacted those guys. One of them said he just had dinner with her last time and nothing happened. He planned to meet her tonight. When he found out she has HIV, he was shocked and agreed to cooperate with the police.”
Everyone was invigorated. Chen Shi said, “Let’s get ready.”
Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue went to meet the man, Wang Shilun, an ordinary white-collar worker, who took leave to meet them at a café. Wang Shilun said, “Luckily, you informed me in time. That woman is terrible, knowing she has a disease and still wanting to harm others. You really saved my life.”
Lin Dongxue noticed he wore a wedding ring on his left hand and looked at him disdainfully. She asked, “Where are you meeting?”
“Eight tonight.”
“I mean the place.”
“‘Eight Tonight’ is a KTV. We planned to meet after work.”
Chen Shi asked, “Did you notice anything unusual about the girl?”
“No, she seemed like a normal girl. Pretty average looking, nice skin. You wouldn’t think she had a disease.”
“Did she seem eager to sleep with you?”
“No, we just had dinner and a walk. I suggested going to a hotel, but she said she wasn’t feeling well, so we postponed it.”
“Do you know her name or where she lives?”
“I only know her name is Kong Tingting, not sure where she lives.”
“Alright, let’s exchange contact info and meet there after work,” Lin Dongxue said.
After they left, Lin Dongxue asked Chen Shi, “Why did you ask all those questions?”
“I’m wondering how the CDC got this information. Could it be a rumor?”
“Impossible, two people have already been infected… Looks like we have to work tonight.”
“No problem, after we catch her, we can have a meal. This is easier than solving a case.”
“So, do you prefer solving cases or doing this?”
Chen Shi smiled, “Solving cases.”
In the evening, Chen Shi picked up Tao Yuanyuan, made dinner for her, and said, “I have something to do tonight.”
“Going on a date with that auntie?” she said disdainfully.
“No, catching a criminal.”
“Pfft, I don’t believe you!”
“Tomorrow is the weekend, you can play games, but you have to sleep by ten. I’ll try to be back by then.”
Tao Yuanyuan made a face at him.
All the officers dressed in plain clothes, wearing radios, and headed to the KTV in the city center. The Christmas Eve crowd was bustling. Chen Shi took half an hour just to find a parking spot. Lin Dongxue texted him that she was in a cake shop.
Chen Shi joined Lin Dongxue and Xu Xiaodong at a window table, from where they could see Wang Shilun standing at the KTV entrance, dressed in new clothes and holding a rose.
Lin Dongxue joked, “I wonder how this guy will explain himself to his wife.”
Xu Xiaodong said, “Helping the police with a case?”
“If his wife asks what kind of case, wouldn’t he give it away? These married men, always misbehaving. They deserve to get sick.”
Chen Shi said, “Miss Lin, that’s a very biased opinion.”
“Can’t I have a personal opinion? If my future husband dares to fool around, I’ll… cough, never mind.”
Chen Shi received a text, “Honey, come keep me company tonight?”
Xu Xiaodong, sitting nearby, saw it and exclaimed, “Brother Chen, you have a girlfriend?”
“You little brat, it’s Tao Yuanyuan,” Chen Shi laughed.
Xu Xiaodong said, “Brother Chen, forgive me for being blunt, but living with a little girl seems inappropriate.”
“I have no choice. Her family is gone, I can’t just send her to an orphanage. I’m considering boarding school.”
“Don’t do that!” Lin Dongxue said, her expression turning somber. “I grew up that way. Childhood only happens once but affects a lifetime. Take good care of her.”
“You’re absolutely right!” Xu Xiaodong agreed. “I was often beaten with a belt by my dad for bad grades, it left me traumatized.”
“At least you have a dad.” Talking about her parentless childhood always made Lin Dongxue feel sad.
Chen Shi changed the subject, “Let’s order something to eat!”
He ordered three tiramisus and coffee. Xu Xiaodong said emotionally, “This is the first time Brother Chen has treated me to food.”
“I forgot to mention it’s split the bill.”
“No, no, let me enjoy this moment.”
Something happened outside. Wang Shilun suddenly left their sight. Xu Xiaodong quickly went out to check. Taking the opportunity, Chen Shi pulled out a small, exquisite box and handed it to Lin Dongxue, who looked surprised.
“For you.”
Lin Dongxue opened it to find a necklace. She was very embarrassed. “A gift this expensive?”
“Actually, it’s re-gifting. I won some money from your brother last time… Take it, it’s not expensive, just over a thousand.”
“You seem more generous lately.”
“Really?”
Lin Dongxue pushed the box back. “I appreciate the thought, but I can’t accept it.”