Chapter 134: The Mastermind

Lin Dongxue hugged Chen Shi tightly, her voice almost breaking, “We were so worried these past few days!”

“I’m fine, really,” Chen Shi patted her back but didn’t let go, savoring the comforting warmth.

“Alright, alright, save the PDA for later. We have work to do!” Xu Xiaodong interrupted.

Lin Dongxue released Chen Shi with an embarrassed smile, then gestured to a nervous-looking man standing nearby, “This is Mr. Li, the insured in this case. Chen Shi here is our undercover agent sent to ‘kill’ you.”

“Nice to meet you!” Mr. Li extended his hand, shaking Chen Shi’s. “You’ve been working hard.”

“It’s nothing. Once I ‘kill’ you, my job will be done.”

“Officer Lin has explained everything to me. It’s heartbreaking that my wife of seven years wants to kill me. Thankfully, you discovered this in time and saved my life!”

“The gang’s plan was for me to tamper with your brakes, making it look like an accident. But that’s too risky—it’s uncontrollable and might harm others.”

“So, how are you planning to ‘kill’ me?” Mr. Li asked.

Lin Dongxue said, “We’ve got it all set. Xu Xiaodong will dress like you, wearing a wig and glasses, and stage a ‘car accident’ on Jiefang North Road by hitting a roadblock. He’ll jump out before the crash, and a dummy will be in the car.”

“But a crash like that won’t be convincing enough,” Chen Shi said.

“Making it more dangerous is risky,” Lin Dongxue added.

Realistically, making it more dangerous would put Xu Xiaodong at risk. Chen Shi said, “Let’s go with this plan. The tailing men will be watching me. I’ll follow up and make it look real with a piece of glass. At that point, the traffic police must intervene to prevent the gang from inspecting closely.”

“We’ve already coordinated with the traffic police.”

“And no matter how fake it looks, the insurance company must pay out. That’s the only way they’ll trust me.”

“We’ll handle that.”

Mr. Li exclaimed, “And arrest my wife too!”

“Don’t worry, she will face justice along with the other fraudsters,” Lin Dongxue assured him.

Chen Shi said, “I’ll try to contact you once I meet the mastermind. If I say ‘let’s eat out tomorrow,’ it means go ahead with the operation. If I say ‘when should we eat out,’ it means abort.”

Lin Dongxue nodded, “Let’s hope this case wraps up soon.”

“Agreed!” Chen Shi smiled. “Afterwards, we’ll go see a movie.”

“I promise.”

“Here they go again!” Xu Xiaodong teased. “Chen, it’s almost time to go.”

“Wait.” Chen Shi took off his jacket, smeared some engine oil on his shirt, put his jacket back on, grabbed his tools, and left.

In the bushes nearby, a face was peeking out. Chen Shi smiled and gave a thumbs-up. The watcher remained expressionless.

Chen Shi disposed of the tools in a sewer and returned to the bookstore to wait. Around eight, Xu Xiaodong drove out, disguised as the target. The car was dark inside, making it hard to see clearly.

The watchers quickly got into a car and followed.

Chen Shi ran after them, banging on the car door, “Let me in! Let me in!”

“Get lost!” the thug inside shouted.

“Come on, I don’t have a car. You expect me to run there?”

“Not your concern. Head back.”

“Screw you, who do you think you are talking to me like that?” Chen Shi grabbed and broke the side mirror.

The car stopped, and the thug got out, pushing Chen Shi, “What’s your problem?”

Chen Shi scowled, “Touch me again, I dare you!”

The passenger got out to mediate, “Uncle, Yang’s task doesn’t include this. Head back.”

“I need to see it through myself to be sure. Are we not on the same team?”

The thugs conferred, “Alright, get in.”

By the time they got in, Xu Xiaodong had driven far. The thug cursed, “We lost him.”

“Head to Jiefang North Road. I told him his wife was cheating on Fushun Road. He must be heading there,” Chen Shi said.

The peacemaker praised, “Smart thinking!”

They arrived at Jiefang North Road to hear screeching brakes and a crash. The peacemaker clapped, “It’s done!”

“Wait, did he die?” the thug asked.

The car was filled with smoke, obscuring the view.

Chen Shi said, “Let me check!”

“You’ll be seen!” the thug warned.

“Let me worry about that. It’s my task, remember?” Chen Shi shouted.

The thug opened the door. Chen Shi ran to the car, leaned inside, and saw the dummy’s head on the airbag. He pretended to check but realized he needed blood on his hands to make it believable.

He grabbed a piece of glass, cut his hand, and smeared the blood on both hands before exiting.

Back at the car, he shouted to the onlookers gathering, “The driver’s unconscious! Call 120!”

While they called for help, he hurried back to the car.

“Is he dead?” the thug asked.

Chen Shi showed his bloody hands, “Barely alive. I stabbed him with glass. He won’t make it to the hospital.”

“Tough guy, respect!” the thug said with a thumbs-up.

Two days later, Brother Yang called Chen Shi to his office, holding a document and smiling. “Good job. The client got the payout.”

“Easier than I thought,” Chen Shi said.

“Easy? We did all the groundwork. Insurance money isn’t easy to get.”

“Do I get paid?”

“Patience. You’ll get your salary and bonus at the end of the month… Now, I need you to meet a client.”

“A client?”

“In this business, communication skills are crucial. Consider this special training.”

“I don’t know much about insurance.”

“Who said you’re handling it? I’m going. You’ll just observe.”

Chen Shi scratched his neck, looking annoyed. Yang asked, “Don’t want to go?”

“I’m not into desk jobs.”

“Business is business. Like money? Then go… Prepare and let’s head out.”

Joining them were the thin guy and King Kong. Chen Shi felt they might be meeting the mastermind.

Hours later, they arrived at a luxurious residential area. Chen Shi said, “What kind of client lives here? Must be wealthy.”

The thin guy laughed, “Client? We’re meeting the boss!”

Chen Shi feigned surprise, secretly sending the pre-written text message from his pocket.