Kong Ping leaned back in his chair, his head lolling so far it nearly fell off. His face was turned toward the ceiling, his body swaying slightly, on the verge of toppling over.
Just as he was about to go down, Hou Qi’an reached out and steadied the back of the chair. Kong Ping jolted awake.
He let out a long yawn, sat up straight, and glanced at Hou Qi’an. "Thanks."
Hou Qi’an turned back to the monitors without a word.
They had been staring at these screens for three days straight, yet they still hadn't found any footage of Bai Shi and Pei Cangyu entering the area. They had initially spotted a license plate when the pair left the border, but Bai Shi had clearly swapped the plates afterward. Their only remaining hope lay in the car model, but the problem was that it was a very common type—it had some collector value, sure, but it didn't exactly stand out in a crowd.
Kong Ping turned to look at Fei Zuohua, who was frowning, a cigarette clamped between his teeth, his eyes tracking the surveillance feeds. He noticed Fei was scanning the footage much faster than anyone else and couldn't help but marvel. "Is this what you cops do all the time?"
Hearing him, Fei Zuohua shifted his gaze from the monitor. He looked at Kong Ping, whose eyes were rimmed with dark circles from exhaustion, and took the cigarette out to flick away the ash. "Maybe you should go get some sleep."
Kong Ping shook his head. "I don't know what's wrong. Ever since I got sick, I just haven't had any energy."
Fei Zuohua’s expression softened slightly. "You’re a student, after all."
Kong Ping sighed, looking down as he rubbed his hands together. "I just don't know how much use I am right now. I really thought I’d be able to help."
Fei Zuohua wasn't much for comforting people, so he remained silent. Hou Qi’an had overheard as well; he tilted his head toward them but said nothing.
Shi Yuanchen looked between them, then grabbed his jacket and stood up. "Come on. Let’s go for a walk. We’ve been cooped up in this room for too long. I haven't seen the sun in days."
The group looked at one another before slowly standing up. When they stepped outside, the glare of the sunlight made Fei Zuohua turn his face away.
"At this hour," Shi Yuanchen said, checking his watch, "we should have afternoon tea."
Seeing the time, Fei Zuohua quickly pulled out his phone and called Lu Mingyue to check in.
"Are you still at the hotel?"
The voice on the other end was lazy. "Yeah. Where else would I be?"
"Did you go out?"
"I went to buy some condoms. Why?"
Fei Zuohua’s brow furrowed instantly, his voice rising. "What the hell do you need those for?"
"What do you think? To blow up balloons?" Lu Mingyue raised his voice in return.
Noticing the others looking at him, Fei Zuohua lowered his voice. "Did you meet someone?"
Lu Mingyue’s voice sounded a bit wistful. "Don't get excited. It wasn't Bai Shi."
"Who was it?"
"Ugh, why are you asking... fine. I saw a woman from my window, she saw me, and then... well." Lu Mingyue yawned. "Anything else, Officer? I need to take a shower. I’m feeling pretty sticky."
Fei Zuohua’s brow didn't unknot for a long time. Finally, he said, "Clean the room thoroughly."
Lu Mingyue gave a lazy grunt of affirmation and hung up.
Shi Yuanchen had stopped to wait for him. "How is Lu Mingyue?"
"Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave him unsupervised? Should we install some surveillance on him or something?"
Shi Yuanchen chuckled softly. "Do you even have that kind of equipment?"
"Back then, my mentor..." Fei Zuohua started, then stopped himself. "He always kept those things ready, just in case."
They walked toward a coffee shop on the corner. Just as they reached the entrance, someone called out to Fei Zuohua.
The group turned as one and saw a tall, golden-retriever-like police officer waving at them. Fei Zuohua raised a hand in greeting.
Ansel jogged over as soon as the traffic cleared. Perhaps because of his long limbs, his bright smile, and his tall, handsome frame, the sunlight seemed to linger on him. Passersby couldn't help but steal glances at him, and someone even let out a whistle.
He ran up, his fair face flushed pink and his eyes bright as he looked at Fei Zuohua. "Where are you all going?"
Fei Zuohua smiled. He pointed to the cafe behind them. "Just taking a break. What about you?"
Ansel adjusted his messenger bag. "I just got off work."
Shi Yuanchen cleared his throat softly beside them. Realizing his lapse, Fei Zuohua quickly made the introductions. "Oh, this is my friend, and these two behind me."
Kong Ping and Hou Qi’an didn't even move; they just leaned slightly to the side to acknowledge him. Ansel gave them a sunny wave.
"This is the officer Terrio introduced, Ansel Elliot."
Shi Yuanchen shook his hand.
Ansel scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "I should have been helping you, but I’ve had some things on my plate lately."
Fei Zuohua spoke up quickly. "It’s fine. We’re going for coffee. Do you want to join us?"
"Can I?" Ansel’s eyes lit up, making him look very much like a beautiful dog.
Fei Zuohua glanced at Shi Yuanchen, who stepped aside slightly. "Of course."
Kong Ping and Hou Qi’an followed them inside. Kong Ping glanced at Hou Qi’an. "So the guy who introduced you is pretty close with him? That’s interesting."
Hou Qi’an waited for the two to enter before closing the door. "So, are we going to start gossiping about people like we used to?"
Kong Ping threw an arm around his shoulder. "My friend, let’s relive the old days. Yesterday once more? How’s my English lately?"
Hou Qi’an shifted his shoulder to move away, giving him a helpless look. "Whatever you say."
Kong Ping was still low on energy from his illness. Hou Qi’an was like a ruler—always straight and serious. Shi Yuanchen, meanwhile, always seemed at ease, possessing the face of a handsome older man and a mysterious "I see all but say nothing" smile. Fei Zuohua felt that compared to the others, Ansel made him feel more comfortable. Perhaps there was a theory that guarded people preferred those who were simple or direct.
It was clear that everyone had a good impression of Ansel.
He possessed all the qualities of a nurturing soul—enthusiastic, curious, and frankly, he didn't seem particularly brave. According to his own introduction, he was mostly responsible for desk work. When he heard that they had found buried bodies at the residence in Montenegro, his face actually turned pale. "That’s... that’s terrifying."
For a moment, one almost forgot he was a policeman.
To calm his nerves, he downed several glasses of juice—because he didn't drink coffee.
Ansel spent ten minutes arguing the harmful effects of coffee on the human body, especially regarding the nervous system. He even said he had been taught from a young age never to drink coffee, or something terrible would happen.
He spoke with such earnestness that Kong Ping had to stifle a laugh.
Still, for them, this was a form of relaxation. They had been far too tense lately.
Hou Qi’an got up to bring over more coffee. When he went to set it down, Ansel reached out to help and accidentally burned himself. The tall boy let out a small "Ah!", clutched his finger, and quickly shrank back into his seat.
It was so childish that Kong Ping finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, though he quickly added, "Sorry, sorry."
Ansel blushed and slowly sat back up. "I’m actually just a trainee officer."
Fei Zuohua looked at him with a smile. "Haven't graduated yet?"
Ansel nodded. "I missed a period of classes because I was sick—last year."
Perhaps because they were fellow officers, Fei Zuohua felt the urge to chat more. "Have you handled any cases here?"
Ansel shook his head. "That’s why I actually wanted to ask... once you find that person, what happens next?"
Fei Zuohua’s expression turned serious. "As long as Pei Cangyu—the boy he kidnapped—hasn't..." He paused, bypassing the thought. "Then he can testify."
Ansel asked again, "What if he’s unwilling to testify for you? Because if he really wanted to escape, he shouldn't have waited this long. Is it possible he’s already succumbed mentally? I mean... Stockholm Syndrome is actually very common, especially if the kidnapper is as heinous as you described."
In an instant, the four people across from him looked at him with grave eyes. Ansel grew nervous and licked his lips, adding, "I just mean 'if'."
Fei Zuohua lowered his gaze and looked at him again. "No. That person is very strong."
Ansel might have been timid, but that didn't mean he knew when to quit. "But what if he’s determined not to let the kidnapper get hurt? Don't blame me for asking too much; I’ve been organizing case files on this subject lately. Maybe he’s fallen in love with the kidnapper. If the kidnapper is forced away, it might cause him a massive psychological blow."
No one across from him answered, but everyone’s mood had soured. Hou Qi’an, in particular, found the idea unspeakably disgusting. Kong Ping simply felt that Bai Shi had been a jinx since childhood, and the curse was holding true. It was impossible to tell what Shi Yuanchen was thinking.
Fei Zuohua looked up at Ansel and said, "Then there’s nothing to be done."
Ansel blinked, startled. "Huh?"
Fei Zuohua shrugged and took a sip of his coffee. "Even if he’s unwilling, he can see a psychologist afterward. Bai Shi must not escape."
The smile vanished from Shi Yuanchen’s face. He stopped using English and turned to Fei Zuohua in Chinese. "So you still think that way."
Fei Zuohua set down his cup. "What else? Just let them be? We might as well just act as their bodyguards then."
Shi Yuanchen sighed. "That’s not what I meant. I just think there should be another way."
"Then take your time thinking about it." Fei Zuohua turned his head away. "As long as we catch Bai Shi, Pei Cangyu will have all the time in the world to heal."
"Psychological issues..."
Fei Zuohua cut him off quickly. "Psychological issues aren't my specialty. I can only handle one thing at a time."
"Are Pei Cangyu and Bai Shi two separate things?"
Fei Zuohua stared at Shi Yuanchen. "If it truly comes to that, I have no choice."
Shi Yuanchen fell silent. He knew this question would eventually arise. After all, the only reason Fei Zuohua had crossed the ocean to do this was for revenge.
Ansel watched them speak for a long time in a language he didn't understand. When they finally stopped, he thought he should change the subject. "Well, I can come over the day after tomorrow. I can work with you over the weekend, too, but I have to take Friday off."
Shi Yuanchen and Fei Zuohua were still silent. Kong Ping, hoping to lighten the mood, asked Ansel what he was doing on Friday.
"The Town Mayor is hosting a party at his house on Friday. The City Mayor is coming. A portion of the police force has to go, so I have to stay behind and pull duty at the station."
Fei Zuohua took a sip of coffee and asked casually, "Just the two of them?"
"No, quite a few people. Some local socialites as well."
Shi Yuanchen also asked, "Even the police have to go?"
Ansel nodded. "Even though it looks peaceful here, it’s not all sunshine and roses. I don't know if you’ve heard, but the Town Mayor’s previous reforms offended quite a few people. Some gangs are looking for a chance to retaliate. Especially the 'Red Hair Party.' Those people aren't in the same political camp as the Mayor. They were quite radical in the past—they even set off a bomb once. So we’re very concerned about the Mayor’s safety, not to mention the City Mayor will be there."
The others hummed in acknowledgment, appearing interested but not truly caring, as they prepared to leave.
Kong Ping finished his coffee in one gulp. "Local socialites? Do you guys think Bai Shi might go?"
Shi Yuanchen glanced at him. "Didn't the Town Mayor say he hadn't seen Bai Shi?"
Fei Zuohua said, "Maybe Bai Shi is planning to introduce himself at the banquet?"
Shi Yuanchen disagreed. "That’s not usually how these things work."
Hou Qi’an finally spoke his tenth sentence of the day. "Regardless, it wouldn't hurt to go take a look. We can park the car at the intersection and watch the people entering."
Fei Zuohua agreed. "Fine. It’s another lead to follow."
***
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Stolen Jade | Chapter 137 | The Mayor's Party | Novela.app | Novela.app
