Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Disappearance of Luo Qianqian (Part 6)

”Based on the surveillance along the road, that car should have last appeared at this intersection.” Zhang Ye, looking at the map and using the dim light inside the car, marked a circle with his pen: ”Next, we’ll split up and search within a ten-kilometer radius. No one is to act alone.”

”Zhang Ye, report back here promptly with any developments, and don’t be rash.” Gao Lin, Zhang Ye’s captain, gave his instructions with utmost seriousness. This was not only a chance for that blockhead Zhang Ye to make a name for himself, but also the best opportunity to investigate ’that matter’ the higher-ups spoke of.

”Yes, sir.”

A dozen well-trained, armed officers spread out to start the search, methodically checking every place within ten kilometers.

However, within the ten kilometers of suburban area, there was nothing special aside from a small fishpond and a bungalow restaurant that owned the pond—only three factories and a forest remained. The row of a dozen rooms at the restaurant was the first to be checked, including a small wooden cabin for watching the pond, which was searched thoroughly. Yet, aside from the bewildered restaurant owner and staff, they found nothing—not even someone shorter than one meter sixty.

”Thank you for cooperating; sorry for the inconvenience.” Zhang Ye waved his hand along with two others and left first.

”What the hell, are they crazy? Can my little fishpond even drown someone? It’s only one meter forty deep—I could stand in it, and my head would still stick out, for goodness’ sake.” The restaurant owner, his sleep disturbed, returned to his room grumbling and complaining, unwilling and annoyed.

The forest, due to its size and complexity, was scheduled to be searched last. Factories, although also large, at least were lit up, so there was no risk of getting lost or disoriented.

”Captain Zhang, we’ve found the suspect vehicle.”

”Go inform the captain. The others nearby should come with me; we must not startle the snake by hitting the grass.”

”Yes, Captain!”

What kind of police, what kind of thugs are these? ’Killer God’ lay hidden in the tree, watching as Zhang Ye and others slowly approached, then looked at the unguarded thugs from the gang, who were drinking and eating as if they heard nothing, speechless.

’Thwack,’ a pebble landed among the thugs, yet...

”Who the fuck threw a bone at me??? Looking to die???”

’Killer God’ thought to himself, you getting caught serves you right.

’Thwack,’ a pebble landed in the ’Pale-faced Scholar’s’ room. As ’Pale-faced Scholar’ looked up at ’Killer God’ outside the window, he spoke, ”I thought you’d just sit back and do nothing; why would you give us bad guys a tip-off for no good reason?”

”...” Was I out of my mind? ’Killer God’ glumly met ’Pale-faced Scholar’s’ peach blossom eyes, staying silent, without moving an inch.

”You’ve been watching for so long, can you at least tell me your purpose for coming here?” ’Pale-faced Scholar’ seemed to stroll to the window leisurely, yet he moved visibly fast, as if shrinking the ground beneath his feet.

”...” Why on earth should I tell you, Pretty Boy? If I answer whatever you ask, won’t I lose face?

”Would you like to come in for a drink or...?” ’Pale-faced Scholar’s’ complexion darkened, ”Maybe next time. My name is Bai Yixian. Please take this child out for me; I believe you have the capabilities. We can’t let those bastards harm all of my brothers. This child was probably taken from the area around Experimental High School. I’m troubling you with this, but I will surely repay you handsomely in the future.”

”Fine.” Whatever your name is, aren’t you afraid I’m someone who trafficks in human organs? And then you’d have to take the fall for me! ’Killer God’ ungraciously took Luo Qianqian, who was sleeping soundly, from Bai Yixian’s hands, his indifferent face revealing not a single ripple of emotion.

”Although you’re not with those people outside, you possess a multitude of times their viciousness and loyalty. There’s no need for me to say anything more, right?” Bai Yixian raised a seductive smile, ”It’s obvious you’ve taken an interest in this child after watching for so long. But there’s not a trace of malevolence on you. If I didn’t have at least this much insight after being in the game for so long, how could I continue to be a boss?”

”...” ’Killer God’ comrade gave the flirty Bai Yixian a cold look and turned to leave.

”Remember to invite me for drinks when you’re free. You better deliver the child safely back home, or I can’t shake off my status as a criminal suspect,” Bai Yixian said waving his hand and then closing the window. He shed his playful grin, his face donning a domineering and prideful expression that seemed out of place on his features.

Expecting me to send her back? I’m not going to do it. It’s not bad being a criminal suspect anyway, after all, it’s not an experience one comes across many times in life. ’Killer God’ comrade looked at the lump in his arms that curled up like a black rice dumpling, his face twitching: I’m roasted under the harsh sun every day and I’m still not as black as you. Were you born a coal miner, or are you just naturally different from the rest, missing the water in the carbon-hydrate mix?

In her sleep, Luo Qianqian only felt a tickle on her nose, and subconsciously scratched it. But, because of the exhaustion from the afternoon, she couldn’t open her eyes and eventually fell back into a deep sleep.

”Wow, the ’public servants’ are coming to my humble abode in the dead of night. What brings you here? Did we evade taxes or run a red light? Surely it’s not because we didn’t pay for a meal? I think I can afford that bit of money.” Bai Yixian opened the door without asking and appeared alone behind the trees where Zhang Ye and several others were hiding. Really unprofessional, look at that big Old Hei who even knows how to climb trees; he’s on his own, and you lot, hiding under a tree, what’s that about? ”Do we need to report to the police for an employee gathering?”

”Boss Bai?”

Zhang Ye was a bit stunned. Isn’t Bai Yixian the owner of Wanhai Tower? What’s he doing out here, a good thirty-forty kilometers from downtown, at a suburban factory? Employee gathering? Boss Bai, are you joking?

”Boss Bai, is this car one of your employees’?”

”Yeah, it was delivered tonight, they said it was more convenient to deliver at night when there are fewer cars, and it wouldn’t be blocked by traffic.” Bai Yixian looked at the car parked at the factory gate, and became exasperated internally. Kidnapping someone and you can’t switch cars? Using your own? Don’t you even know to swap the license plates? How do you manage to survive in the game???

”Delivered tonight? Then, may I know who delivered it and who received it?” Zhang Ye asked, ”This car is now involved in a kidnapping case, and we hope Boss Bai will allow his people to cooperate with our search.”

”My goodness, kidnapping??? Of course, I’ll cooperate, I’m an upstanding citizen. Why wouldn’t I cooperate?” Bai Yixian replied.

”Then we thank Boss Bai in advance. If you could just call the people related to this car to come out and answer a few questions, and afterward help with our officers’ search, that would be great.”

”Sure, sure, I’ll cooperate completely. I’ll call everyone out for you right now. Go ahead with your search.” Bai Yixian’s countenance changed as he replied with feigned trepidation.

Then with a kick, he opened the factory doors wide: ”Quit eating, the police comrades have come to ask questions. Be smart and don’t cause trouble for yourselves! We must cooperate with the police in their investigation! Who bought the second-hand car today? Does anyone remember who the seller was? Get in touch with them quick; this car is involved in a case. Anyone who doesn’t want to die better come out and cooperate!”

Second-hand car? Who delivered it? Wasn’t that car driven here by them? The four brothers huddled at the back of the crowd, not daring to make a sound. After all, those were real police officers, with real guns.

”Boss, I bought it.” A frail man stood up.