"Xiaolin," Wang Shen called out to Xu Xiaolin. "If you have something you want to talk to someone about, I can listen. But some things are better left to the police."
Xu Xiaolin stopped walking, didn't turn around, and raised her voice to reply, "Thank you for your kindness, Officer Wang."
Watching Xu Xiaolin's departing figure, Wang Shen felt a strange mix of emotions. Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang. "Okay, thanks for your help. Just send it to me." The results of the investigation into Sang's call records, which Wang Shen had requested, were in. Wang Shen jogged to his car, stepped on the gas, and the entire shantytown receded further and further behind him.
Wang Shen rushed into his office, turned on his computer, and downloaded Sang's call log. His eyes meticulously scanned the caller ID and contact information. Besides Zheng Wu, another number frequently contacted Sang, registered under the name Liang Li. Wang Shen wrote Liang Li's name down in his notebook. The most valuable aspect of this call log, besides identifying frequently contacted individuals, was something strange. In the two weeks before Zheng Wu's accident, Sang received several calls from unknown numbers, not from mobile phones, but from public phones. It was clear the caller was very cautious, as each call came from a different IP address. And each call occurred in the middle of the night. Although the IP addresses were different, a strong voice in Wang Shen's head told him that the callers were likely the same person.
Wang Shen glanced at the night view outside the window, and suddenly remembered a place. The car merged back into the city's neon lights. The same alleyway never lost its color just because someone was missing. Wang Shen stood under the brightly lit "Wu" sign and entered the bar where Zheng Wu had been arrested last time.
"Oh? It's you? Come on in, I specially saved you a good seat." The waiter from last time greeted Wang Shen warmly as he walked into the bar.
"You still remember me?" Wang Shen looked at the waiter in surprise.
"Of course. My memory is excellent. Please, have a seat here." The waiter led Wang Shen to the same spot as last time.
"Huh? Where's that pretty girl from last time? Why isn't she here?" The waiter asked Wang Shen while glancing at the door, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Do you have any recommendations this time?" Wang Shen smiled.
"You really should try this vodka. It's okay if you can't finish it; you can keep it at our store and drink it next time you come." The waiter flipped open the wine list and placed it in front of Wang Shen, his face still bearing a malicious yet obsequious smile.
Wang Shen glanced at the price; it was higher than the usual price, but not outrageous, so he readily nodded.
"Okay!" the waiter called out happily, closing the menu and preparing to leave.
"Wait a minute." Wang Shen gently grabbed the waiter's wrist and pointed to the seat opposite him.
“We have a rule here that I can’t sit down, or the boss will dock my pay. Just say what you want to say, I can stand as long as I’m standing.” The waiter declined Wang Shen’s offer, but patiently stood still because Wang Shen had bought the wine.
"Do you know a wine seller named Sang?"
“Yes, I know. She comes to our shop often, always with that scoundrel with the scar on his face,” the waiter readily answered Wang Shen’s question. “But it’s strange, though. Ever since you went to see that scoundrel last time, they haven’t shown up again.”
"I..." Wang Shen was about to explain when the waiter interrupted him.
"It's a relief that that scoundrel isn't here. You really have no idea how annoying he is." The waiter frowned and shook his head. "But you know what, lately, that scoundrel has been paying very readily. I've never seen him so quick to pay before. But that's not quite right either." The waiter shook his head again. "It seems like that woman has been paying all the bills lately."
"Is that woman Sang?" Wang Shen interrupted the waiter.
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