“You mean to say that Du Huan Yue wrote this account?” Lu Hui flipped open the ledger, revealing the childish handwriting of a young girl. “This doesn’t count as substantial evidence.”
“I know,” Liu Huai Zhou said, a bit nervous. “I hope it helps you guys.”
Lu Hui’s finger moved slightly, stopping on one page, and he pointed to a line of text that read: 【W lets R go】. “Interesting. You’re Liu Kai’s son, yet you betray your sister and your father.”
“I just want to keep my distance from them,” Liu Huai Zhou said, frowning in disgust. “If you think I’m colluding with them, that’s too narrow-minded.”
“Call your wife, stay in a safe house during this time, and we’ll assign people to protect you both,” Lu Hui said.
“Our job?” Liu Huai Zhou asked.
“Not for now,” Lu Hui said. “I want to put you in the spotlight. Be careful.”
“Are you saying I’ll be used as bait?” Liu Huai Zhou wasn’t foolish; he instantly understood Lu Hui’s meaning but wasn’t angry. “Well, do you think it’s the fastest way?”
“Yes,” Lu Hui said, somewhat surprised. “You seem indifferent to it.”
“Making them sick to their stomachs is the most satisfying thing for me,” Liu Huai Zhou said, standing up. “I’ll call A Qing.”
“Okay, thanks for your cooperation,” Lu Hui nodded, holding the thin ledger as he walked into the interrogation room. He said to the members of the team sitting at the table, “Our opportunity has come.”
“Do you want Liu Wei to know that Liu Huai Zhou has betrayed them?” Ji Fan Yang asked.
“To disrupt Liu Wei’s defenses,” Rao Fei Fei added, “in her panic…”
“She might revert to her old ways, meaning…” Yang Jie continued.
“Drug trafficking,” Lu Hui concluded. “It’s written in the ledger that she kept a stock, either she converts it to black money, or she hasn’t had the chance to dispose of it yet. We just need to wait for her to make a move. The money laundering process is too complex and requires a long time, so I estimate the likelihood of her disposing the stock is higher.”
“We need to meet with Liu Kai,” Lu Hui said. “Fei Fei and Sister Yang, take Liu Huai Zhou’s statement and escort them to the safe house. Ji Fan Yang, come with me.”
The team dispersed to attend to their respective tasks. Ji Fan Yang followed Lu Hui’s steps and asked, “What have you discovered?”
“I’ve found something significant,” Lu Hui said mysteriously, smiling. “Let’s put some pressure on Liu Wei.”
“Wait, are you going to expose our identities?” Ji Fan Yang pointed at Lu Hui and then at herself. “We’re legally dead, remember?”
“…You’re really a buzzkill,” Lu Hui slumped his shoulders. “Fine, for your safety, old lady, we’ll send a letter.”
“Whether Liu Wei chooses money laundering or disposing of the stock, as long as she takes action, we win,” Ji Fan Yang said.
“Yes, you should praise me. Say something nice,” Lu Hui grinned like a fox sitting next to a tree stump. “Or perhaps, you’re looking forward to meeting your fiancée?”
“Shut up,” Ji Fan Yang patted Lu Hui’s shoulder. “You troublemaker, afraid of a peaceful world.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” Lu Hui walked into the office, sat at the desk, grabbed a piece of paper, and handed the pen to Ji Fan Yang after writing a few words. “I say you write.”
“…What, can’t you read?” Ji Fan Yang, both annoyed and amused, leaned on the desk and wrote on behalf of Lu Hui with a sigh, “Speak up, Mr. Illiterate. Can’t you read?”
“What do you think Liu Wei will feel when she sees her fiancé’s handwriting?” Lu Hui rested his chin on his hand. “I guess she’ll be scared.”
“Fine, fine, it’s all your idea,” Ji Fan Yang wrote the first line, “Dear Father-in-law, greetings.”
In the afternoon, Captain Xu entered the office and immediately asked, “Did you send a letter to Liu Kai?”
“Your sources are quite well-informed.” Lu Hui lazily replied, leaning on the office desk.
“My informant got a message.” Captain Xu knocked on Lu Hui’s desk. “There’s unusual activity at a warehouse along the Three Bends River.”
“Explain.” Lu Hui straightened up, indicating his seriousness.
“The warehouse is located on the south bank of the Three Bends River, with shallow water and small waves, making it easy to dock ships. It was occupied by Fengchao Food Enterprise until three months ago when it went bankrupt. A shell company has since leased the warehouse,” Captain Xu explained. “The warehouse has been empty, attracting our attention. Today, vehicles have been entering the warehouse intermittently.”
Lu Hui thought for a moment and said, “Do you think it’s related to the Liu family?”
“What do you think?” Captain Xu countered.
Lu Hui stared at Captain Xu, like a shark smelling the scent of blood. “If you think there’s a connection, then let’s go take a look.” He stood up, beckoning Ji Fan Yang. “What do you want to eat tonight?”
“Huh?” The suddenly named young man was a bit confused. “Uh, Sichuan cuisine?”
“Sure.” Lu Hui put on his coat, and seeing this, Ji Fan Yang quickly stood up to follow him.
“It’s not time to get off work yet, is it, Team Leader Lu?” Ji Fan Yang asked.
“Yeah, so what?” Lu Hui retorted.
“…Alright.” Ji Fan Yang gave up on trying to bring Lu Hui back to normal and opted to speculate on Lu Hui’s abnormal behavior. “Do you have plans?”
“Yeah.” Lu Hui impatiently hummed, mocking the slow-witted young man. “Come with me for a trip.”
“Are you…going to have dinner with your sister?” Ji Fan Yang speculated.
“And Wei Congjia.” Lu Hui reluctantly admitted, resembling a wolfhound whose tail had been stepped on. “Don’t want to come?”
“Sure, sure, just a meal, what are you afraid of?” Ji Fan Yang laughed, entertained by him.
“…And my parents want to video call.” Lu Hui added.
Ji Fan Yang fell silent, choosing to selectively ignore the matter of Lu Hui’s parents.
“You can invite your parents to join the video call,” Lu Hui suggested provocatively. “That way, it’s fair.”
“Meeting the in-laws?” Ji Fan Yang couldn’t resist teasing.
“If you don’t mind, I don’t mind,” Lu Hui, wanting to ease the awkwardness, started to make up stories. “But let’s make it clear, I’ll provide the betrothal gifts, and you can provide the dowry.”
“Shut up.” Ji Fan Yang ignored him, heading quickly towards the parking lot.
Lu Hui opened the car door, got into the driver’s seat, and said, “Something’s not right with Captain Xu.”
“How so?” Ji Fan Yang asked.
“I don’t trust him,” Lu Hui said, fastening his seatbelt. “Instinct.”
“Do we go check out the warehouse at Three Bends River?” Ji Fan Yang suggested.
“We’ll go, why wouldn’t we?” Lu Hui started the car. “I want to see what medicine he’s selling in his gourd.”
“If we really catch Liu Wei?” Ji Fan Yang posed a hypothetical.
“Hope so.” Lu Hui turned the steering wheel, and the car exited the parking lot, heading towards the overpass.
