Chapter 099
Dongfang Jenqyih
They exchanged glances. Jinqkang got up from the chair. He walked into the living room. From the dining room, Jenqyih could clearly see the young man peeking out of the large window there.
"That's Mister Mingju's car," Jinqkang exclaimed. His voice was so loud.
"They got here already?" Yihshyong seemed unable to hide his astonishment. The man, whose appearance was similar to Shannchyuan, was still sitting in his seat. Like Jinqkang and Jenqyih, he had just finished the food on his plate.
"Maybe things went smoothly so things could finish earlier." Jenqyih smiled happily. "I hope they return with great news."
"That kid looks really excited." Yihshyong looked at Jinqkang's figure, who was still peeking behind the windowsill.
Jenqyih smiled. He got up and walked after Jinqkang to the living room. At this time, Jinqkang did look very excited. Arriving next to Jinqkang, Jenqyih opened the living room door right away. Tsaehorng was already standing in front of the fence. He smiled when he saw Jenqyih. Jenqyih stepped onto the terrace located in front of the living room. He stood there. Jinqkang followed Jenqyih out of the living room.
Tsaehorng was just about to start opening the gate when a taxi pulled up in front of the house. Chioujen came out the back door of the taxi. They arrived at almost the same time.
Eh? They didn't come together?
The two of them then together entered the courtyard of the house. Jenqyih stood on the living room terrace and waited for the two people to enter the living room. After that, he just followed in.
In the living room, there was already Yihshyong. The middle-aged man who had just finished his lunch was already sitting on the couch. Just as Jenqyih stepped into the living room, Yihshyong turned on the television. But he turned off the sound. Jenqyih suspected his housemate would say something. But he guessed wrong. Yihshyong did not announce anything.
"Has the thing Shyongge handled went smoothly without a hitch?" Chioujen's face and voice were so serious.
"Depends on what definition of smooth you mean," Yihshyong replied. "But if you mean did I manage to get the bag? Yes, I did get it."
Chioujen and Tsaehorng sat down on the sofa at once. Jinqkang's face turned a little strange. Then he ran into the bathroom. Turned out he was dying to go to the restroom. It was strange that he could suddenly feel that way. Previously, he was fine. Not showing any signs.
"The important thing is that Uncle Shimen has got the bag," Tsaehorng said.
"Earlier we went to Mr. Shiuander's friend's house. After that, we went to the warehouse where that person kept the Mhaushyongwoei branded product. It turned out that goods that were exactly the same color, shape, and size as that were not available. Luckily, today there was a scheduled delivery of goods."
"That means everything is so smooth," Chioujen said.
"Not really," said Yihshyong. "Even though the truck was supposed to arrive at half-past twelve, in reality, the vehicle only arrived at the warehouse at one o'clock. Unloading the truck turned out to be not as easy as I imagined. It was only two o'clock, I managed to get the bag. After that, we're went home quickly."
"Indeed, it took a long time to unload the cargo, Uncle. One hour is already quite fast," said Tsaehorng.
"You are absolutely right," said Yihshyong. "Today I got new knowledge and experience."
"Where's Uncle Nangong?"
"Ah. Just by chance, we met Iren's friend. Then Iren went with his friend."
"Did Renge just walk away?" Chioujen asked. "Just like that?"
Chioujen asked the same thing I asked. Such a thing is hard to believe. That's not Iren's character.
"No. I was the one who told him to leave. I don't think looking for a bag is a task that needs to be handled by many people. If Iren has other important business, of course he can go."
"What business does Renge have?" asked Chioujen.
"Earlier, Iren's friend said that there was a job vacancy for him. But he had to come directly to the place that offered the job today."
Chioujen frowned. "But he didn't bring the papers he needed to apply for jobs or interviews."
"I don't know about that. Maybe Iren previously handed over the necessary documents to his friend. So today he just needs to come for an interview."
"Have they agreed to meet before?" Chioujen looked still dissatisfied.
Jenqyih shook his head. Chioujen was acting really weird today.
"No. As I said before, it was just a coincidence that Iren's friend was in an area very close to Mr. Shiuander's friend's warehouse."
"So actually Renge's friend didn't mean to offer Renge the job? It was just because they happened to meet that Renge's friend offered the job?" Chioujen continued to bombard Yihshyong with various questions.
Chioujen couldn't believe Shyongge's words. What is this? Shyongge's words were a little strange, but Chioujen's behavior was too much. I may be the dumbest person here, but I can clearly see that the two of them have something to hide. Maybe I'm the only person in this house who doesn't have any secrets. Ah! Not really. I myself also still have one or two things that I don't need to reveal yet.
"Look. Earlier, we ate at a restaurant. When we were almost finished eating, Iren's friend also entered the restaurant. He was not alone. There was someone else with him. Iren's friend then called Iren to come join their table. Iren then joined with them. After a few minutes, he came back to my table and told me about the job offer from his friend."
"So there were two people who met Renge?" asked Chioujen.
Yihshyong nodded with a slightly strange expression.
"Is there already a guarantee that he will definitely get the job?" Chioujen stared.
Jenqyih laughed inwardly at Chioujen's question.
Except for Dahge, Chioujen wasn't very close to the other residents, so if I asked him why he was so curious, then he likely wouldn't answer my question candidly.
Yihshyong laughed. "I don't know. But I don't think there's such a guarantee. But there's nothing wrong with him trying, right?"
"That's right, Uncle," said Tsaehorng. "Opportunities like this are worth trying."
Chioujen nodded.
Surely later he will ask Iren directly!
"What time will Renge be home?" Chioujen still seemed so curious.
"I don't know." Yihshyong shrugged his shoulders. "Iren's friend didn't say what time they would finish their business. But Iren should have been home before dark. So I think he'll probably be home in about an hour or one and a half."
"Hopefully Uncle Nangong can get the job," Tsaehorng said.
"I hope so," Yihshyong said. "By the way, have you had lunch yet?"
"We have lunch, Uncle," Tsaehorng replied. "But I don't know if Uncle Jongharng has eaten lunch, too."
"I've had lunch too," Chioujen said. "Even if it's only two slices of bread, I can already consider it as lunch."
"Two slices of bread? How can you consider that as lunch? Of course, in a pinch, it's lunch. But after that, you have to eat a real lunch." Jenqyih refuted quickly.
"It's almost half past four. Maybe at four, the kidnappers will contact us again. So we have to get ready. That's why I'll eat later, when all matters are settled," Chioujen said.
"Okay!" Yihshyong said. "But later, after the kidnappers give us a call, you really should fill your stomach with proper food."
Chioujen nodded.
"Talking about the kidnappers." Jenqyih opened his mouth. "I wonder if they will change plans again?"
"The kidnappers are a bit strange. They like to change plans. I suspect they are not well organized, so that there is no synchronization between one part and another," said Tsaehorng.
"I think the way they work is really great," Chioujen said. "It's like a cell system. The people in one cell don't know what's going on and what the people in other cells will do. If one cell is caught, it will be difficult for the police to uncover their plans."
"Even though they wrote down their plans in great detail in the package we received yesterday, there is still a possibility that they will contact us again. They may not contact us just because of a change in plans. They may just want to make sure we have everything we need. For example, the new bag. So we have to be prepared for all eventualities," said Yihshyong.
Jinqkang, who had just come out of the bathroom, nodded. Apparently, he also heard the words. It seemed that he agreed with the opinion Yihshyong had just put forward.
"Chioujen, it's only half past four. Why are you home already? Didn't you intend to conduct your investigation until dark?" Yihshyong asked.
"Actually, around five o'clock, I'll be going again. I'll just come home to shower and change clothes?" Chioujen said.
"And to fill the stomach," said Jenqyih.
"Yes, and to eat proper food," said Chioujen.
"How about you just explain what you found out today," said Yihshyong.
"Okay. I'll explain what information I got today."
Yihshyong glanced sharply at Chioujen. His face looked very serious. Much more serious than before. Jenqyih felt something different from before.
"At first I went with Tsaehorng to the hospital, where Juger was being treated. I will not elaborate on Juger's condition. Let Tsaehorng explain that later."
Tsaehorng nodded slowly.
"There we met the production director of a TV show Tsaehorng mentioned yesterday. He gave me a photo of a girl he printed from yesterday's shooting."
"Ah, you mean the girl who was caught on camera when there was shooting the event in front of the mall," said Yihshyong.
"That's right," Chioujen said. "I've never met Miss Liuchiou, so I don't know if the girl in the photo is really Miss Liuchiou. But Tsaehorng confirmed that the girl in the photo is indeed Miss Liuchiou."
Everyone turned to Tsaehorng.
"Are you sure that she is Miss Liuchiou?" Asked Jenqyih.
Tsaehorng nodded. "That's right Uncle! That girl is indeed Miss Liuchiou. Her face and body shape were clearly caught by my friend's camera."
"Armed with the photo, and also the Beaushu photo, I started asking some people at some hospitals that I hadn't had the chance to visit yesterday," said Chioujen.
"Has anyone seen Dahge or Miss Liuchiou?" Asked Jenqyih.
"None of the people I asked said they had seen the people in the photos I showed them. There were already a lot of victims who were home from the hospital, so there weren't many people there for me to ask. I was about to give up when suddenly someone approached me," Chioujen said.
"That person approached you without you asking?" Yihshyong leaned his body as he said that.
"That's right. That person introduced himself as Hertyan. He was one nurse working at the hospital. He heard from someone else that I was wondering. So he came up to me to see who I was looking for."
"Then what did he say?" Asked Jenqyih.
"I showed him photos of Miss Liuchiou and Beaushu. When she saw Miss Liuchiou's photo, he just shook his head. But when he saw Beaushu's photo, he said that yesterday he saw a man who looked exactly like Beaushu. He even described the clothes the man was wearing. The clothes he described were very similar to the clothes that Beaushu was wearing yesterday."
Yihshyong looked at Chioujen with a strange look. Jenqyih could hardly believe what he saw. Yihshyong's eyes were exactly like the look in someone who had just received a shock. He didn't seem to have expected Chioujen to say something like that.
"I asked him where he saw the man. Then he replied that yesterday afternoon he saw the man when he was in front of a building which is currently being used as an exhibition of paintings painted by some novice painters."
"Did he tell you where the building that held the painting exhibition was?" Tsaehorng asked.
The gigantic city they lived in was a very busy city. At this time, maybe there were dozens of painting exhibitions were being held. Jenqyih glanced at Jinqkang. He suspected Jinqkang knew about the places where the painting exhibitions were currently being held. While Jinqkang was helping Tsaehorng, it's not impossible that he's also looking up information on the schedule of all the painting exhibitions that were being held this month throughout the gigantic city.
"He wrote down the address of the building." Chioujen took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolded the paper and gave it to Yihshyong.
"Eh! This is the address of the building where you held the painting exhibition," said Yihshyong. He held out the paper to Tsaehorng.
Tsaehorng's eyes widened as he read the writing on the paper. He looked at Jinqkang.
"You didn’t know about this before either?" Jenqyih looked straight at Tsaehorng’s face. The young man’s facial expression caught Jenqyih’s attention.
Tsaehorng nodded quickly. "I also just found out about this, Uncle! Earlier when Uncle Jongharng called me to the hospital where Juger was being treated, he only said that he had very important news that the other friends needed to know immediately. Then I immediately returned to here."
"How was Dahge when that person saw him yesterday?" Yihshyong asked. He seemed to have gotten himself under control. Yihshyong looked calm again. At least that was the conclusion Jenqyih drew after observing the change in his housemate's expression.
"That person said that Beaushu looked fine. At that time Beaushu was talking to someone."
"Does this person know the person Dahge spoke to?" Yihshyong asked.
"That person, Mr. Hertyan, said that Beaushu was talking to someone he knew. The person's name was Juhrong Jeni. In fact, Mr. Hertyan was there because he had business with that person named Juhrong."
"What were they talking about?" Asked Jenqyih.
"Mr. Hertyan didn't know what they were talking about. Mr. Hertyan said after he appeared, that person, who looked exactly like Beaushu ended his conversation with Mr. Juhrong and left."
"We should immediately ask that Juhrong person," said Tsaehorng.
"Mr. Hertyan said that he could arrange a meeting with that person. But that person is at work. He most likely won't be able to come until after sundown."
"Did Mister Hertyan then contact that person?" Asked Jenqyih.
"That's right. I saw it myself when Mr. Hertyan called in one room in the hospital. That person said he would come around six in the evening. But he also said that there is a possibility that he wouldn’t come on time."
"Where is the meeting place?" Asked Jenqyih.
"Same as yesterday. At the place where he spoke to Beaushu," Chioujen replied.
"In front of the painting exhibition building?" Ask Jenqyih.
"That's right. Right in front of the building," Chioujen said.
"This is very interesting," said Jenqyih. "So, after this, you’re going to meet that person?"
Chioujen nodded. He turned to Yihshyong. "Does Shyongge have any other opinion on what I should do? I also have to adapt my plans to those of you all."
"What you have planned is correct." Yihshyong took a deep breath. "As you said earlier. Later you will leave here to meet that person. Regarding our plans related to the Shinnshiow’s kidnapping, let’s wait to see if there is a change in plans by the kidnappers. So now we just have to wait for the call or package from them. If there is a change in plans, of course we have to discuss again what we will do tonight."
"Mr. Shimen," Jinqkang said. "I think there is something else you should explain to Mr. Mingju and Mr. Jongharng."
Of course! That mysterious wallet issue is also an important thing!
Tsaehorng and Chioujen glanced at Yihshyong
"It's a good thing you reminded me," Yihshyong said. He then recounted a phone call from a person who found a wallet.
There was silence for a moment as soon as Yihshyong finished telling his story. Each seemed to try to analyze the event in their own minds.
"We have to call that person immediately. We have to make sure whose wallet it is. If it's not a Beaushu or Shinnshiow wallet, then it doesn't really matter. I mean, it doesn't matter to us. But if it turns out to be the wallet of one of them, then this can be used as a starting point for further investigations," Chioujen said.
"Before contacting that person, I want to hear Iren's opinion first," said Yihshyong.
"We don't know what time he'll be home, do we?" Chioujen said that while clenching his right palm. Even though his voice sounded slightly raised, his face still didn't reveal a particular emotional turmoil. Jenqyih was a little surprised to see that. The people Shannchyuan gathered here each had their own uniqueness.
"I think he'll be home soon, too. Let's just wait a bit." Yihshyong said those words calmly.
Ring!
Their phone rings.
It was very likely that this was a call from the kidnappers. Yihshyong walked over to their phone. He didn't pick up the phone right away.
Ring!
The second ring rang.
Yihshyong still didn't pick up the phone. He waited a moment. Jinqkang seemed to take the initiative. He approached Yihshyong. Most likely, the kidnappers wanted to talk to Duanmuh Shannchyuan again.
Shyongge is really living his role. This time Shyongge imitated Dahge's habit. He is about to pick up the phone after the third ring!
For the umpteenth time today, Jenqyih shook his head.
Ring!
Third ring. This time, Yihshyong firmly picked up the receiver. Jinqkang was already prepared. He stood beside Yihshyong.
"Hello!"
Yihshyong's voice was firm and dignified. He listened carefully to the words of the person on the other end.
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