Quan Shaoteng did not reply right away.
The development of this case was too bizarre and mysterious.
On one hand, it was “The Temptation of the Rich & Famous”, the other was Brother Steel.
How did these two matters get linked to each other?
“The mastermind of the 121 case is Brother Steel? But this doesn’t sound logical to me.”
When he replied, he heaved a sigh.
“I feel that you shouldn’t be rash. Wait at the hotel and see what happens! I’ll contact you again…”
“The kidnapper will not joke about this!”
Xiang Wan was very conscious at that moment. It was not a moment of impulse for her to make that decision.
She was very certain that the one who sent her the message was not kidding.
“If I don’t go to the Vulture’s Mouth, they will kill Yuanyuan, for sure.”
“…”
“The one who planned this must be a psychopath! A cold-blooded animal! We can’t use the usual human thoughts and processes to analyze him—”
Quan Shaoteng took in a puff of breath.
“Have you noticed that this matter is really unusual?”
“Yes!” Xiang Wan spoke calmly, “Myself, Yuanyuan, Xie Wanwan, Bai Muchuan, and more… Whether intentionally or unintentionally, they are being led to Vulture’s Mouth. I know that someone is plotting something big.”
Even if it meant that Vulture’s Mouth was a place full of immense dangers and difficulties, she had to go.
“Besides Yuanyuan, I also have a moderator whom I could not get to as well. Her pen name is Yuan Qianqian. Captain Quan, help me find out if she’s alright? I’m worried that she’s also… dragged into ‘The Temptation of the Rich and Famous’ and got made use of as a scapegoat.”
“There’s another one?” Quan Shaoteng gasped. “Alright! I’ll immediately inform the Intelligence Team…”
“Mm.” Xiang Wan propped her forehead. “My head’s in a mess right now. But I do know—that I must go to Vulture’s Mouth!’
Silence.
He was weighing the options.
About 30 seconds later, Quan Shaoteng gritted his teeth.
“Fine, I’ll come back now!”
He remembered clearly what Bai Muchuan had told him.
But there were different priorities to different situations. Moreover, if he did not agree to her request, what if Xiang Wan left by herself?
As he thought of that, he instructed her once again.
“Wait for me at the hotel and don’t go anywhere else! Okay?”
Xiang Wan nodded her head heavily…
Only to realize that Quan Shaoteng wouldn’t be able to see her nodding away.
“Okay, I’ll wait!” She quickly replied and sounded firm.
Dduu… Dduu…
Quan Shaoteng had hung up.
He was currently on the only road that could lead to Vulture’s Mouth.
At that moment, the road was blocked by a boulder.
The waiting time to get the boulder cleared was enough for him to pick Xiang Wan up.
…
Xiang Wan leaned against the chair weakly at the restaurant as she put down her phone on the table.
Slowly.
She punched each alphabet with her finger.
“You’re a devil. What exactly do you want?”
There was no reply.
Maybe that was a number that could never receive any message.
Nonetheless, Xiang Wan was unable to restrain her resentment and vented her anger by sending that message.
It was just as expected, she did not receive any reply. But when she looked through her book reviews and comments page, she saw a message left by that mysterious ID.
It could be said that the message was really condescending and audacious.
“Don’t bother to struggle. This is fate, the fate of all of you!”
That sure was blinding.
Xiang Wan’s eyes felt sour as she squinted at those words.
“I don’t believe in fate!”
After replying to that message, that message disappeared in less than a second.
If Xiang Wan was not sure that she had seen it and even responded to it, she would most probably think that she must have seen a ghost.
…
The sky was now gloomy.
It would most probably rain soon…
Outside the restaurant, separated by a glass, the people on the streets were still chitchatting with each other and knitting sweaters.
“Meow!”
That cat suddenly jumped over Xiang Wan’s feet.
The cold feeling it stirred up was as though seeped into her bone marrow.
…
Quan Shaoteng did not take too much time to come back.
The way back was smooth.
In the lobby of the hotel, Xiang Wan was waiting for him.
She had changed into a set of lightweight clothing and tied up her hair into a ponytail. In this way, she looked like she was out on a mission with Bai Muchuan back in Jin City.
When Quan Shaoteng saw her attire, he recalled that this was a woman whom Little Bai had trained.
Hence, his worry went down by a notch.
“Actually, it’s a risk for me to bring you there.”
This was the first sentence he said after Xiang Wan got on the vehicle.
Xiang Wan was different from what Quan Shaoteng had thought. Instead of being in a panic and her face stained with tears, Xiang Wan appeared to be very calm when he saw her.
“I won’t affect your work and certainly won’t act rashly,” said Xiang Wan.
“I’m not worried about this…” Quan Shaoteng puffed a sigh. “I’m worried that Little Bai may beat me to death.”
“…”
Xiang Wan did not reply as she looked at the seemingly never-ending green trees on both sides of the road.
To her, it was not important if Little Bai would be angry anymore.
The important thing was they would be able to see a safe Little Bai.
Quan Shaoteng drove the police car at high speed. They needed to quickly meet up with their Nanmu peers in front.
While on the road, his phone wouldn’t stop ringing.
He was being updated with the latest news of the situation.
The bad news was that the road was still being blocked by the boulder.
The good news was that Captain Zhang and team who was right in front couldn’t wait anymore and borrowed a few motorcycles from the civilians to get past the boulder…
The rest of the police officers were assisting the workers from road administration to remove the boulder.
Every minute counts.
Everyone’s heart was taut and tense.
However, there was still nothing from Bai Muchuan.
“Not in service area…”
While Quan Shaoteng was driving, Xiang Wan would dial Bai Muchuan and rest of the team’s phone numbers.
However, Bai Muchuan and his team were as though disappeared, all of them lost contact.
“Don’t call them anymore.” Quan Shaoteng took a glance. “You should have confidence in Little Bai. You must.”
Xiang Wan was slightly surprised.
She held her phone tightly.
It took her a long time to detect the clamminess in her hands.
“I have confidence in him. I always have.”
One by one, the mountains of Nanmu went past them. There was an unspeakable feeling of remoteness in the green pines on the green hills.
Xiang Wan looked at these scenes, thinking of Bai Muchuan’s mood when he passed by here to Vulture’s Mouth. Her heart was beating wildly, she felt she was about to collapse.
“That time, we were soldiers in the same squad.”
Quan Shaoteng, who was driving conscientiously, started to tell a story like a storyteller.
“When we were recruits, me and Little Bai were assigned to the same platoon. Three months after the recruit training, we went to Red Thorn together as well… I know him very well. This fellow is dauntless and unyielding, he survived many trials and hardships and certainly will continue to do so in Nanmu!”
He was consoling Xiang Wan.
But weren’t these words also meant for himself?
“I know.” Xiang Wan knew that he probably didn’t feel too good about the mission as well, and consoled him instead. “He did tell me about the days when he was in Red Thorn, that you’re his best buddy…”
“Hah! He really said that?” Quan Shaoteng seemed elated.
“Yeah,” smiled Xiang Wan. “He said you both are the best in the whole platoon!”
“I’m referring to the earlier sentence—” Quan Shaoteng replied, “If fighting every day can be considered his best buddy, then that is true.”
“…”
Fight every day?
She seemed to have made a wrong guess.
In actual fact, Bai Muchuan never told Xiang Wan about his life in the military.
As for his past, he had been keeping it a secret.
Xiang Wan did not ask about it either.
She and Bai Muchuan had as though simultaneously chosen to avoid that topic.
“Captain Quan, you said you know him. So did you… know how was he like in the past?”
Quan Shaoteng’s eyes were focused on the curvy road ahead.
“In the past? That depends on how far back you’re talking about.”
“Umm…” Xiang Wan did not know how to answer him.
Quan Shaoteng laughed and raised his eyebrows. “I only know how he was like during the days in the military. I didn’t know about his matters ever since he left Red Thorn—”
“!” That reply was considered ingenious.
So ingenious that Xiang Wan felt a slight throbbing pain in her heart.
What exactly happened to Bai Muchuan that even his friend did not know his story?
“Teacher Xiang, don’t think too much!” Quan Shaoteng’s clear eyes took a glance at Xiang Wan with a half-smile. “Although I don’t really understand Little Bai, there’s something that I do know… That guy is a paper tiger when it comes to romantic relationships.”
“Mm?” What did he mean?
Xiang Wan did not understand what Quan Shaoteng was trying to tell her.
Unexpectedly, the corners of his eyes lifted upwards where he broke into some low laughter.
“I’ll guarantee you with my honor that he didn’t have anyone else before you… There’s a very high chance that he’s still a virgin!”
“…”
Xiang Wan knew nothing about his past, so she was not sure.
But Quan Shaoteng knew that both Bai Muchuan and her stayed together in a room!
And he was actually so sure that—Bai Muchuan was still a virgin?
Was he trying to say that there was a problem with Bai Muchuan or did he actually looked down upon her charm?
…
Well, it was not suitable for her to talk about this topic with another man.
Xiang Wan concealed her doubts, acted dumb and looked at the scenery outside of the window.
Mm, when I see Bai Muchuan, I’ll ask him personally, she thought.
…
In less than an hour, they could not continue on their journey.
They had caught up to the Nanmu police force.
And same as the Nanmu police, they got stuck on the road.
On the road that twisted like a snake, besides their car, there were also a lot of other vehicles in front of them.
Police cars, ambulances, and others—
Quan Shaoteng was driving a police car with a Nanmu car number plate. They were at the back of the fleet.
“D*mmit!”
He was agitated and cussed in a low voice.
After they stopped their car, a man walked over from a side of the road.
When Xiang Wan saw that man’s face, she was a little baffled.
Cheng Zheng?
Why did Cheng Zheng appear here?
Was the manipulator trying to gather all the characters together with this Nanmu trip like a card game?
Quan Shaoteng did not reply right away.
The development of this case was too bizarre and mysterious.
On one hand, it was “The Temptation of the Rich & Famous”, the other was Brother Steel.
How did these two matters get linked to each other?
“The mastermind of the 121 case is Brother Steel? But this doesn’t sound logical to me.”
When he replied, he heaved a sigh.
“I feel that you shouldn’t be rash. Wait at the hotel and see what happens! I’ll contact you again…”
“The kidnapper will not joke about this!”
Xiang Wan was very conscious at that moment. It was not a moment of impulse for her to make that decision.
She was very certain that the one who sent her the message was not kidding.
“If I don’t go to the Vulture’s Mouth, they will kill Yuanyuan, for sure.”
“…”
“The one who planned this must be a psychopath! A cold-blooded animal! We can’t use the usual human thoughts and processes to analyze him—”
Quan Shaoteng took in a puff of breath.
“Have you noticed that this matter is really unusual?”
“Yes!” Xiang Wan spoke calmly, “Myself, Yuanyuan, Xie Wanwan, Bai Muchuan, and more… Whether intentionally or unintentionally, they are being led to Vulture’s Mouth. I know that someone is plotting something big.”
Even if it meant that Vulture’s Mouth was a place full of immense dangers and difficulties, she had to go.
“Besides Yuanyuan, I also have a moderator whom I could not get to as well. Her pen name is Yuan Qianqian. Captain Quan, help me find out if she’s alright? I’m worried that she’s also… dragged into ‘The Temptation of the Rich and Famous’ and got made use of as a scapegoat.”
“There’s another one?” Quan Shaoteng gasped. “Alright! I’ll immediately inform the Intelligence Team…”
“Mm.” Xiang Wan propped her forehead. “My head’s in a mess right now. But I do know—that I must go to Vulture’s Mouth!’
Silence.
He was weighing the options.
About 30 seconds later, Quan Shaoteng gritted his teeth.
“Fine, I’ll come back now!”
He remembered clearly what Bai Muchuan had told him.
But there were different priorities to different situations. Moreover, if he did not agree to her request, what if Xiang Wan left by herself?
As he thought of that, he instructed her once again.
“Wait for me at the hotel and don’t go anywhere else! Okay?”
Xiang Wan nodded her head heavily…
Only to realize that Quan Shaoteng wouldn’t be able to see her nodding away.
“Okay, I’ll wait!” She quickly replied and sounded firm.
Dduu… Dduu…
Quan Shaoteng had hung up.
He was currently on the only road that could lead to Vulture’s Mouth.
At that moment, the road was blocked by a boulder.
The waiting time to get the boulder cleared was enough for him to pick Xiang Wan up.
…
Xiang Wan leaned against the chair weakly at the restaurant as she put down her phone on the table.
Slowly.
She punched each alphabet with her finger.
“You’re a devil. What exactly do you want?”
There was no reply.
Maybe that was a number that could never receive any message.
Nonetheless, Xiang Wan was unable to restrain her resentment and vented her anger by sending that message.
It was just as expected, she did not receive any reply. But when she looked through her book reviews and comments page, she saw a message left by that mysterious ID.
It could be said that the message was really condescending and audacious.
“Don’t bother to struggle. This is fate, the fate of all of you!”
That sure was blinding.
Xiang Wan’s eyes felt sour as she squinted at those words.
“I don’t believe in fate!”
After replying to that message, that message disappeared in less than a second.
If Xiang Wan was not sure that she had seen it and even responded to it, she would most probably think that she must have seen a ghost.
…
The sky was now gloomy.
It would most probably rain soon…
Outside the restaurant, separated by a glass, the people on the streets were still chitchatting with each other and knitting sweaters.
“Meow!”
That cat suddenly jumped over Xiang Wan’s feet.
The cold feeling it stirred up was as though seeped into her bone marrow.
…
Quan Shaoteng did not take too much time to come back.
The way back was smooth.
In the lobby of the hotel, Xiang Wan was waiting for him.
She had changed into a set of lightweight clothing and tied up her hair into a ponytail. In this way, she looked like she was out on a mission with Bai Muchuan back in Jin City.
When Quan Shaoteng saw her attire, he recalled that this was a woman whom Little Bai had trained.
Hence, his worry went down by a notch.
“Actually, it’s a risk for me to bring you there.”
This was the first sentence he said after Xiang Wan got on the vehicle.
Xiang Wan was different from what Quan Shaoteng had thought. Instead of being in a panic and her face stained with tears, Xiang Wan appeared to be very calm when he saw her.
“I won’t affect your work and certainly won’t act rashly,” said Xiang Wan.
“I’m not worried about this…” Quan Shaoteng puffed a sigh. “I’m worried that Little Bai may beat me to death.”
“…”
Xiang Wan did not reply as she looked at the seemingly never-ending green trees on both sides of the road.
To her, it was not important if Little Bai would be angry anymore.
The important thing was they would be able to see a safe Little Bai.
Quan Shaoteng drove the police car at high speed. They needed to quickly meet up with their Nanmu peers in front.
While on the road, his phone wouldn’t stop ringing.
He was being updated with the latest news of the situation.
The bad news was that the road was still being blocked by the boulder.
The good news was that Captain Zhang and team who was right in front couldn’t wait anymore and borrowed a few motorcycles from the civilians to get past the boulder…
The rest of the police officers were assisting the workers from road administration to remove the boulder.
Every minute counts.
Everyone’s heart was taut and tense.
However, there was still nothing from Bai Muchuan.
“Not in service area…”
While Quan Shaoteng was driving, Xiang Wan would dial Bai Muchuan and rest of the team’s phone numbers.
However, Bai Muchuan and his team were as though disappeared, all of them lost contact.
“Don’t call them anymore.” Quan Shaoteng took a glance. “You should have confidence in Little Bai. You must.”
Xiang Wan was slightly surprised.
She held her phone tightly.
It took her a long time to detect the clamminess in her hands.
“I have confidence in him. I always have.”
One by one, the mountains of Nanmu went past them. There was an unspeakable feeling of remoteness in the green pines on the green hills.
Xiang Wan looked at these scenes, thinking of Bai Muchuan’s mood when he passed by here to Vulture’s Mouth. Her heart was beating wildly, she felt she was about to collapse.
“That time, we were soldiers in the same squad.”
Quan Shaoteng, who was driving conscientiously, started to tell a story like a storyteller.
“When we were recruits, me and Little Bai were assigned to the same platoon. Three months after the recruit training, we went to Red Thorn together as well… I know him very well. This fellow is dauntless and unyielding, he survived many trials and hardships and certainly will continue to do so in Nanmu!”
He was consoling Xiang Wan.
But weren’t these words also meant for himself?
“I know.” Xiang Wan knew that he probably didn’t feel too good about the mission as well, and consoled him instead. “He did tell me about the days when he was in Red Thorn, that you’re his best buddy…”
“Hah! He really said that?” Quan Shaoteng seemed elated.
“Yeah,” smiled Xiang Wan. “He said you both are the best in the whole platoon!”
“I’m referring to the earlier sentence—” Quan Shaoteng replied, “If fighting every day can be considered his best buddy, then that is true.”
“…”
Fight every day?
She seemed to have made a wrong guess.
In actual fact, Bai Muchuan never told Xiang Wan about his life in the military.
As for his past, he had been keeping it a secret.
Xiang Wan did not ask about it either.
She and Bai Muchuan had as though simultaneously chosen to avoid that topic.
“Captain Quan, you said you know him. So did you… know how was he like in the past?”
Quan Shaoteng’s eyes were focused on the curvy road ahead.
“In the past? That depends on how far back you’re talking about.”
“Umm…” Xiang Wan did not know how to answer him.
Quan Shaoteng laughed and raised his eyebrows. “I only know how he was like during the days in the military. I didn’t know about his matters ever since he left Red Thorn—”
“!” That reply was considered ingenious.
So ingenious that Xiang Wan felt a slight throbbing pain in her heart.
What exactly happened to Bai Muchuan that even his friend did not know his story?
“Teacher Xiang, don’t think too much!” Quan Shaoteng’s clear eyes took a glance at Xiang Wan with a half-smile. “Although I don’t really understand Little Bai, there’s something that I do know… That guy is a paper tiger when it comes to romantic relationships.”
“Mm?” What did he mean?
Xiang Wan did not understand what Quan Shaoteng was trying to tell her.
Unexpectedly, the corners of his eyes lifted upwards where he broke into some low laughter.
“I’ll guarantee you with my honor that he didn’t have anyone else before you… There’s a very high chance that he’s still a virgin!”
“…”
Xiang Wan knew nothing about his past, so she was not sure.
But Quan Shaoteng knew that both Bai Muchuan and her stayed together in a room!
And he was actually so sure that—Bai Muchuan was still a virgin?
Was he trying to say that there was a problem with Bai Muchuan or did he actually looked down upon her charm?
…
Well, it was not suitable for her to talk about this topic with another man.
Xiang Wan concealed her doubts, acted dumb and looked at the scenery outside of the window.
Mm, when I see Bai Muchuan, I’ll ask him personally, she thought.
…
In less than an hour, they could not continue on their journey.
They had caught up to the Nanmu police force.
And same as the Nanmu police, they got stuck on the road.
On the road that twisted like a snake, besides their car, there were also a lot of other vehicles in front of them.
Police cars, ambulances, and others—
Quan Shaoteng was driving a police car with a Nanmu car number plate. They were at the back of the fleet.
“D*mmit!”
He was agitated and cussed in a low voice.
After they stopped their car, a man walked over from a side of the road.
When Xiang Wan saw that man’s face, she was a little baffled.
Cheng Zheng?
Why did Cheng Zheng appear here?
Was the manipulator trying to gather all the characters together with this Nanmu trip like a card game?
