Chapter 343: Reunion
Tao Yueyue frantically signaled Gu You to stay quiet, pointing towards Chen Shi, who was connected to the internet. Gu You smiled and said to Chen Shi, “There are no bugs in this room.”
“Thank you.”
Suddenly, a faint noise came from outside. They held their breath, and ten seconds later, KK burst in, laughing, “Caught you two alone! What are you up to? This place looks nice. Did you buy it or rent it? Is this our temporary command center? Can I smoke here?”
KK pulled out some Furong Wang cigarettes, tossing one each to Chen Shi and Gu You. Chen Shi reached for one but pulled his hand back, remembering he had quit smoking.
Soon after, Sun Zhen entered with a briefcase in hand. KK joked, “Going to work?”
Chen Shi said, “Bug, can you use this computer?”
Sun Zhen checked it out, “It’s too old. I brought my own. You can get rid of this one.”
“No need,” KK said, running over with a cigarette in his mouth, “We can use two computers to play League of Legends later.”
Chen Shi grabbed KK by the collar, “You’re not here to play. Get to work.”
Chen Shi thought he heard Tao Yueyue giggling. He released KK and looked at a large cardboard box. He lifted the lid to find Tao Yueyue hiding inside, looking embarrassed.
“Who’s this little beauty? Your daughter? Damn, you already have a kid!” KK said.
“Go home,” Chen Shi said.
“I want to stay here!” Tao Yueyue whined.
Gu You said, “It’s fine if she stays.”
KK added, “Afraid we’ll corrupt your daughter? You’re bad enough yourself, always saying inappropriate things.” He winked exaggeratedly at Chen Shi, who was disgusted.
Grinding his teeth, Chen Shi finally relented, “Only for one night.”
“Yay!” Tao Yueyue jumped up, ecstatic.
After everyone introduced themselves formally, Chen Shi sat at the head of the table and discussed the case. He said, “This case is very clean. Regular police methods are almost useless. The justice system relies on evidence and procedure. It’s time for some unconventional methods. I suspect Yi Qing is connected to Zhou Xiao. If we arrest her, it might lead us to him.”
KK mimicked Sun Zhen, “About Zhou Xiao… I have a theory. From the wanted notice, it’s clear he’s killed many and even harmed a cop. It’s not the work of one person. They use one name for a group! Isn’t that brilliant?”
Nobody was amused by KK’s joke, except Tao Yueyue who giggled.
Chen Shi said, “I already told the police about this.”
“Did you? Did you mention us?” KK asked, disappointed.
“No, and I won’t. The police think we’re all criminals. But…”
“Criminals can be good or bad, like Chen Haonan and Chicken are good punks, while Ko Chun is a bad punk,” KK said seriously, making Tao Yueyue laugh again. He winked at her, his only appreciative audience.
“Stop interrupting me!” Chen Shi said.
“Okay, okay, you’re handsome. Go on,” KK pretended to be submissive.
“Some people take disrupting order as their identity. Such people are destined to be losers,” Sun Zhen said disdainfully.
“But I have something you don’t…” KK said slowly, running his fingers through his thick hair.
Sun Zhen slammed the table, “Is it fun to mock someone’s flaws? Spiritually, I’m a hundred times higher than you!”
“Yes, yes, you’re noble. Look at you staring at Sister Gu,” KK retorted.
“You!”
“What? What?”
Chen Shi, unable to bear it, poured a cup of water on KK’s face. KK was stunned. Chen Shi said, “I hope you control yourself. We’re not here to play. If you don’t understand, think of me as the boss here. If you’re not convinced, I’ll beat you up now!”
Such a direct threat worked better on someone like KK. He reined in his playful demeanor and said like a repentant schoolboy, “Chen, I’ll behave.”
Chen Shi calmed down, forgetting where he left off. He paused and continued, “There are a few flaws in this case. First, the doctor clearly lied. The surgery records are fake. We need to find out if he had any dealings with Yi Qing. Bug, you handle this.”
Sun Zhen nodded, “If they communicated on any social media, I can find it.”
Chen Shi continued, “Second, the little girl who is very dependent on Yi Qing. I suspect she’s the killer A. They share an alibi, but she lives in an orphanage with almost no records. Gu You, use your psychology skills to break her down.”
Gu You said, “It will be difficult, but I’ll try.”
Chen Shi turned to KK, who looked apprehensive after the water incident. “KK, you’ll tail Yi Qing and gather evidence.”
“Great! Boss, what will you do?” KK asked.
“I still have to deal with the police. Our methods are unofficial. Even if we get evidence, we can’t show it to the police. I need to use legal means to turn it into real evidence…” Chen Shi looked around, softening his tone, “And since we’re all old friends, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight.”
KK slapped his thigh, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I already ate!”
Sun Zhen said, “I’m good. I just woke up.”
“Where are we eating?” KK asked.
“Here.”
Chen Shi had prepared some dishes himself. While not restaurant quality, they were good. He reheated them in the microwave.
Sun Zhen tinkered with the computer, while KK chatted with Tao Yueyue about her grades. When he learned she was in the top ten at school, KK changed the subject, “Want to learn some tricks from Uncle?”
“Sure!” Tao Yueyue said excitedly.
“Don’t teach her weird stuff!” Chen Shi shouted from the kitchen.
“Encouraging learning is good…” KK whispered to Tao Yueyue, “Get a bowl of water and a bar of soap. I’ll teach you some basic thief skills.”
Sun Zhen scoffed, “That’s all you’ve got to teach.”
“Believe it or not, I can steal your underwear right now.”
“Try it!”
KK quickly pulled Sun Zhen’s pants, and a cigarette butt fell out of his pant leg. Sun Zhen jumped up, enraged, “I’ll kill you!”
“Come on!” KK taunted, running around the table.
Gu You suddenly grabbed KK by the neck, staring into his eyes, “You can only hear my voice now. You feel very sleepy…”
With a few short, powerful suggestions, KK collapsed to the ground, hypnotized. Chen Shi came out of the kitchen, shocked, “When did you learn that?”
“Recently,” Gu You smiled, “Now he’s finally quiet.”
Tao Yueyue laughed, feeling delighted to be among such extraordinary people.