Chapter 710: Don’t Even Think About Using Me as Bait

Lin Qiupu assured the man that the police would definitely find his father. Only then did he relax a bit and sent people to investigate near Concord Hospital.

As night fell, Lin Qiupu received a call on his mobile phone. Xu Guolong’s voice came through ominously, “You haven’t released anyone yet, so you’ve successfully killed another innocent civilian.”

“Help…” A voice of an old man came through the phone.

Lin Qiupu suddenly understood. The hostage in Xu Guolong’s hands was the old man who had disappeared from the hospital entrance. He said, “The person has been released. Don’t break your promise. Is it okay for your conscience to harm an old man? Don’t you have a father?”

“No, you haven’t released them!” Xu Guolong hung up after saying that, and that number never contacted Lin Qiupu again.

Looking at the time, it was exactly midnight. They had unconsciously spent the whole night outside. He felt extremely frustrated and called back to the station to ask if the person had been released.

A policeman helplessly said, “Captain Lin, the writer refuses to leave, saying he’s scared. Even though we processed the release, he’s been stubbornly squatting at the entrance. We’ve tried everything to get him to leave.”

“Why didn’t you notify me?” Lin Qiupu shouted.

“We called ten times, but you never answered…” The policeman explained.

Lin Qiupu checked his phone and indeed found over a dozen missed calls. He was furious and kicked the nearby street lamp hard.

After hanging up, he said, “Dongxue, Xinbai doesn’t want to be released. You and Chen Shi go back and handle it.”

Chen Shi said, “There’s no way to save that old man now, but you shouldn’t blame yourself. The murderer’s intention was to shift blame to the police. He killed the person; no one needs to take responsibility for this lunatic’s actions.”

Lin Dongxue said, “You’ve been busy all day, brother. You should go back and rest!”

Lin Qiupu hesitated. He was full of anger now and just wanted to find Xu Guolong and end him with a bullet. Since joining the police, he had never been so infuriated by a criminal.

“Go back quickly and get that writer to leave. We can’t afford to have a third victim,” he waved weakly.

When Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue rushed back to the police station, it was already 2 AM. They saw Xinbai squatting in the hallway, clinging to a bench leg like a sulking child, with leftover food and bottled water on the bench.

A policeman said, “Thank goodness you’re finally back. This guy refuses to leave no matter what. We bought him a meal and water, and he’s been squatting here for six hours. He’s so determined.”

Xinbai was already half-asleep and was startled by the conversation. “I’m not leaving! You want to use me as bait, no way!”

“Who said we’re using you as bait?” Chen Shi asked.

“Nonsense, can’t I see through it? I’m not an inexperienced writer. You suddenly released me; it must be his condition. No one can convince me to leave!” Xinbai held the bench leg tighter.

“I’ve read your story. The protagonist in your story cooperates with the police and catches the bad guy in the end. Isn’t that a happy ending?” Chen Shi reasoned.

“Novels are all lies!” Xinbai replied.

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances and smiled bitterly. “Okay, let me be clear. Xu Guolong is still out there killing people…” Xinbai shuddered at the name, “His condition to stop is your release. However, the police have taken every precaution. Captain Lin has arranged for people to monitor and protect you every step of the way.”

“See, just as I expected. You want to use me as bait. I don’t care what he does. I’m not leaving!” Xinbai clung even tighter to the chair leg.

“What should we do? Should we force him out?” Lin Dongxue asked softly.

Xinbai seemed to hear, “No, if you force me out, I’ll commit a crime as soon as I go out, like smashing a car or doing a scam. See if you can catch me. Why are you police officers so incompetent? Can’t catch the criminal, so you use me as bait?”

“You’re not quite right about that. Long’an City is so big, finding one person is already very difficult. We will find him, but it takes time. We don’t have time. You are the key to buying us time!” Chen Shi persuaded.

“Yeah, did you know a woman was killed today? Then an old man went missing. It’s likely things will get worse. For those you don’t even know, make a little sacrifice, show some maturity?” Lin Dongxue advised.

Xinbai wavered slightly, but then stubbornly said again, “How many sacrifices have I made? How much suffering have I endured? Why does it have to be me? I just want to peacefully write novels, watch movies, play games occasionally, get paid for my manuscript and go for a good massage. Why can’t you let me have my wish!”

After talking for so long, Xinbai was still unmoved. Chen Shi said, “Call your brother and explain the situation.”

“Sigh, I don’t even know how to start.” Lin Dongxue picked up her phone.

Chen Shi said to Xinbai again, “You shouldn’t be squatting here. It’s not good for your health. Why not go to the detention room to sleep? Do you want something to eat? I’ll buy it for you.”

Hearing this, Xinbai silently stood up and followed the police, but did not go to the detention room. Instead, they found him a conference room, brought him a blanket, and bought some food for him. He found it boring and insisted on turning on the projector to watch a movie, which finally satisfied him.

At three in the morning, Xinbai lay on the conference table eating snacks and watching “Edward Scissorhands”, thoroughly enjoying himself. Lin Dongxue was speechless, and Chen Shi said, “Let’s not stay here any longer. It’s so late; let’s go to sleep!”

“It’s three o’clock. It will take so much time back and forth. Shall we sleep here? Lao Zhang has a folding recliner.” Lin Dongxue suggested.

“One recliner isn’t enough for two people to sleep. I think we should get a room to sleep.” Chen Shi suggested.

“Good idea, but… only sleeping!” Lin Dongxue teased.

“Nonsense, I’m so sleepy I could collapse right now.”

After spending the night, when the police arrived at work the next morning with dark circles under their eyes, they were surprised to find an uncle sleeping in a meeting room, filling the room with the smell of sweaty socks. It felt refreshing to say the least.

Lin Qiupu asked what was going on. Lin Dongxue explained the situation, and Lin Qiupu sighed, “Why is this guy so unreasonable? Find a way to get him out.”

“Even if we drive him out, he’ll come back on his own. He’s sick. Today, I plan to persuade him to cooperate with us.” Lin Dongxue replied.

“What kind of sick person? I think he’s just taking advantage of his illness. Today, you don’t need to do anything else. You must make him leave before dawn.” Lin Qiupu said.

“Understood! I’ll take on the task of protecting him, and I’ll bring Lao Chen along. Xinbai seems to like Lao Chen better.” Lin Dongxue replied.

Lin Qiupu thought it was too dangerous, and he didn’t want to agree, but seeing that Lin Dongxue was no longer the young policeman she used to be, he said, “Be sure to stay safe.”

That morning, everyone was dominated by negative and exhausted emotions, dragging their sleep-deprived bodies to continue searching for the missing old man. Around ten o’clock in the morning, they finally found him under a bridge. The old man’s condition was shocking!