Chapter 12
For the first time, the Lu Detachment used its privilege to reserve a high-end single room for him. The sterilized and dried sheets and quilt covers were white and soft.
Lin Xian leaned against the head of the bed, looking at the dusk outside the window.
The VIP ward is different after all. Outside the window is not a high-rise building, but an artificial lake. In the center of the lake stands an antique octagonal pavilion, surrounded by large reeds. Waterfowl fly by from time to time, leaving gentle folds on the water surface that reflect the orange halo.
Lin Xian felt the long-lost feeling of peace and tranquility, and was even a little dazed for a moment.
He reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out his crushed cigarette case, but couldn't find his silver lighter, which he had used for many years. He thought it must have fallen during the fight, so he gave up.
Unable to find the lighter, he took out the dull dagger engraved with a cobra pattern from his other pocket, and then thought of the bullet that directly caused the wall to collapse.
If it weren't for Lu Chengtian, he would probably have ended up in the ruins waiting to be demolished in the suburbs today.
Lu Chengtian clearly didn't trust him, but why was he willing to risk his life to save him at the critical moment? The broken glass on the back of his hand was almost a subconscious attempt to protect him, and to take the blame for killing the assassin on his behalf.
He doesn't really believe in him, but he also really wants to be nice to him.
If Lu Chengtian wasn't there when the killer sent by the "Spirit Snake Gang" said his last words, perhaps he wouldn't have been so impulsive and would have crippled the other person at most - he didn't want Lu Chengtian to hear the word "plaything".
The medicine dripped silently, and you could hear a pin drop in the empty ward. Only the setting sun cast a honey-colored light on the soft bedding.
Lin Xian pulled out the needle on the back of his hand almost roughly, and liquid spurted out from the needle.
He stood up and took the gray coat that Lu Chengtian had hung for him, then took out the Wrangler keys and left them on the bedside table.
In order to avoid meeting Lu Chengtian, he did not take the elevator, but walked down 19 floors to leave the hospital.
He took a taxi back to his 100-square-meter luxury apartment at Guanhu No. 1, took a quick shower to avoid the wound on his shoulder, changed his clothes, and drove a low-key SUV into the night that was gradually turning blue.
Three voice calls rang on his phone, but he didn't answer. Looking at the star-lit Chengtian Temple Pagoda in the profile picture, Editor-in-Chief Lin felt a sudden pang of guilt. While waiting at a red light, he sent a message: "Sorry, something urgent has happened. I'll contact you later."
After completing the hospitalization procedures, Lu Chengtian went to the restaurant across the street and packed a bowl of tofu and fish soup for Lin Xian. He didn't know why Lin Xian had such a strong reaction to the meat, but even if he wanted to nourish him, he didn't dare let him eat meat again.
Lin Xian was right. Lu Chengtian was indeed thinking about the killer's last words. He was a little absent-minded when crossing the road with the fish soup in his hand. The car owner who almost hit him honked his horn several times angrily.
Who is the "captain"? Could it be Zhou Mubai? If not, what role does Lin Xian play? "Plaything"?
The killer's words echoed in his ears again like a whisper: "Officer, you know, these drug dealers all like this, it's so exciting-"
Lin Xian appeared gentle and amiable on the outside, but within her heart lay an impenetrable wall of steel. He pictured Lin Xian, a black long knife in hand, his face splattered with scarlet blood.
He looked obviously fragile and vulnerable, but when he was in a group fight, he was like a person possessed by the god of death. His attacks were fierce and ruthless, without any unnecessary movements.
Let him be someone's "plaything"? Are you sure he won't chop someone's head off while he's asleep?
But Lu Chengtian soon realized that Lin Xian possessed a charm that even his own sex couldn't resist. Zhao Yiqing, who couldn't possibly be straight, had told him that Zhou Mubai truly had great taste.
The faint scent of clear sandalwood seemed to linger in his memory again, and he thought of the graceful curve of Lin Xian's mouth when she smiled.
What are you thinking? Are you crazy?
He forced the thoughts out of his mind and pressed the hospital elevator button.
Ma Qiang suddenly called, still talking at a rapid pace.
"Captain Lu, the identity of the killer you shot in the head has been discovered. He's from Myanmar, named Tun Qin. He attacked police officers at the border before and is wanted." After a pause, Ma Qiang continued, "The men lying in the hospital have also confessed. They were usually working as prostitutes. They received an order on the dark web to assist Tun Qin in killing people. They don't even know who the employer behind the scenes is. These men all have criminal records, including fighting, prostitution, gambling, and drugs."
Lu Chengtian hummed, his thoughts racing.
Ma Qiang then continued, "Captain Lu, how did you discover that something was wrong with Tunqin and why did you follow him? Who was their original target? Because Tunqin is a member of the Golden Triangle drug trafficking organization. Now, not only our detachment, but also the anti-drug detachment next door is involved in the investigation. Even Director Guo has personally inquired about it. And Liu Yaoyao's parents came to the bureau."
All of this was within his expectations. However, he hadn't expected the assassin's employer to be so secretive. Aside from Tun Qin, the others were all unaware thugs. This made things much easier. As long as he and Lin Xian could get their confessions right, no one would know that Tun Qin's target was Lin Xian.
Arriving in the ward, Lu Chengtian was greeted by an empty bed and a syringe dangling from the floor. Seeing the empty clothes hanger and the car keys left on the bedside table, Team Lu, who had gone to great lengths to protect Lin Xian, was furious.
Sitting on the still-warm hospital bed, he made three voice calls to Lin Xian, but no one answered.
Just when he was overwhelmed with emotions, the other party seemed to have a change of heart and replied, "Sorry, I have something urgent to do, I'll contact you later."
Lu Chengtian threw the thermos bag of fish soup into the trash can, picked up the Wrangler keys on the bedside table, and drove back to the Municipal Bureau.
The night grew darker.
·
In the underground garage of Zhou Group's subsidiary, Lin Xian parked the car at the usual place, opened the door, got out, and locked the car with a "click".
In the adjacent parking space, a low-key gunmetal grey Ferrari was parked. Zhou Mubai rolled down the window and glanced down at his Patek Philippe watch, his dark green eyes etched with a smile. "You're on time today, Ah Xian."
Lin Xian ignored him and got into the passenger seat. "Let's go, Master Zhou." He closed his eyes and began to rest.
Zhou Mubai did not go crazy like last time. He just looked at Lin Xian's neck covered by the turtleneck sweater with some dissatisfaction and started the engine.
The Ferrari quickly drove away from the noisy city traffic, drove onto the cross-sea bridge, and then stopped in a deep mountain.
The mountains were dark, foggy and humid. From time to time, there was the sound of the night wind blowing through the pine trees. I couldn't tell whether it was a crow or some other bird calling hoarsely, but it sounded particularly sad and eerie.
Only the five-story building in front of me was lit with warm lights.
This is a high-end private club, very secluded, with creepers growing all over the walls. In the summer, when the trees are lush and green, even a drone might not be able to spot it.
Those who are eligible to spend money here are the most powerful people in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Some transactions and topics that are difficult to discuss in public are much more convenient here.
Even in such a secure place, Zhou Mubai didn't swipe his card to enter through the main entrance. He led Lin Xian to the back door, through several dimly lit, intricately designed corridors, and finally to an elevator entrance inaccessible from the main entrance. He then pulled out a glossy black card and swiped it, and the elevator silently opened.
Zhou Mubai pressed "-2" and then shook Lin Xian's hand, feeling the warmth of that bony hand. He leaned close to his ear and spoke in a low, lazy voice, "Xian, don't be nervous. They asked you to come here just to get an explanation."
"How can you tell that I'm nervous, Master Zhou?" Lin Xian calmly shook off his hand and moved to a corner.
Master Zhou, dressed in a British plaid suit, was not angry. He put his hands in his trouser pockets as if nothing had happened and chuckled softly, "I'm just worried about you. After all, the old man and my brother are both shrewd people. They wouldn't be as gentle and considerate as I am, you know."
The elevator opened again, revealing a luxurious reception room. To one side of the antique leather sofa stood a finely carved golden nanmu wine cabinet, filled with the finest vintages from renowned wineries around the world, for the host and important guests to savor.
Across the hall, several men were playing cards. Even if they were smoking underground, there was no smell of smoke—the indoor ventilation system was expensive.
At the end of the hall, there was a dark red wooden door with a combination lock. Lin Xian knew that behind it was a long corridor that stretched as far as the eye could see. On both sides were rooms arranged like a hotel, where guests with room cards could do things that were not allowed to be seen in public.
But even for him, it was difficult to know who was in the room and what they were doing.
Hearing the footsteps, the man at the table wearing a floral shirt and a side-parted hair stood up and called Zhou Mubai "Second Young Master". The old butler in a Zhongshan suit beside him also stood up and bowed to Zhou Mubai and Lin Xian.
A man in a white suit, holding a card, turned his head and greeted the two with a smile. His gaze lingered on Lin Xian's face for a few seconds before pretending to look away. This man was Zhou Mubai's brother, Zhou Xinzhang, a shareholder of the Zhou Group.
The old man with white hair, wearing a neatly buttoned shirt with dragon embroidery, never took his eyes off the cards in his hand, and everyone had no choice but to play with him to the end of this round.
Zhou Mubai and Lin Xian stood aside with their hands hanging down, waiting quietly.
"A pair of kings—a straight flush—three—that's all. Ah Xin, clear the table and pour the guests some tea." Having won, the old man seemed in a good mood. He finally realized there were two other people in the room. He walked over to them and said briefly, "Sit down."
As he spoke, he sat down on the large antique leather sofa and sank into it comfortably.
Zhou Mubai didn't sit down, but called out "Dad," with a barely perceptible coldness in his eyes. Lin Xian bowed slightly and called out "Zhou Dong" in his leisurely pace.
"Alright, bring the person up," the old man known as Jay Chou said sternly, caressing the white jade ring on his thumb. The carving wasn't the usual dragon and phoenix, but an anchor with thorny roses entwined around it.
Jay Chou is the de facto leader of the Zhou Group, Zhou Yaohui, who has retired to the back seat. He has a slightly plump figure, a rosy complexion, and a youthful appearance, but his face doesn't suggest he's easy to get along with. Even a smile from him can send a chill down your spine.
For example, the man before him. He was brought up by a group of thugs in black, twisted his hands behind his back, and kicked to the ground. His face was bruised and bloodied, and he didn't even dare to look up at Zhou Yaohui.
"Lao Hai, look up and look at me." Zhou Yaohui's tone was kind, like a grandfather talking to his grandson. But the man kneeling on the ground was shaking like a sieve.
Then, the man called Lao Hai cast a resentful glance at Lin Xian. Because several of his teeth had been knocked out, he said to Zhou Yaohui in front of him with a thick tongue, "Brother, I've followed you for over twenty years. Even if I haven't made any contributions, I've worked hard. How could you doubt me for an outsider?"
Zhou Yaohui took off the Buddhist beads from his wrist, rolled them up carefully, and looked at the person in front of him with cloudy and cold eyes, as if observing every subtle change in his expression.
His voice sounded much younger than his actual age, yet it was deep and subdued, and every word he spoke carried weight, weighing down anyone who could raise their heads. "Besides Xin Zhang and Mu Bai, only you and Xiao Lin knew about that shipment. How did the police find out about it so quickly? If it weren't for Xiao Lin's cleverness in putting some of the shipment on a speedboat just in case, would you or he, if caught, have betrayed me? I don't even dare to think!"
The Buddhist beads broke with a "snap" and the red sandalwood beads rolled all over the floor.
"It's not me! I have long suspected this bastard named Lin. How could he, an undercover reporter, be so on the same side with us after being drugged in the Golden Triangle? Brother, think about it carefully and investigate him thoroughly!" Lao Hai's voice was a little out of tune because of the heartbreaking sound.
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