Chapter 059
Nangong Iren
Shannchyuan looked at his friends one by one. "If everything is clear and you have no other questions, we're leaving now!"
Hopefully everything will go smoothly.
They went back into the house. By then, Tsaehorng had finished speaking to Jinqkang. The young man smiled when he saw them. Jinqkang's expression did not show any significant change. Most likely the things they were talking about weren't that serious.
"Don't forget the things that Songfei left us," said Shannchyuan.
"Take it easy," Jenqyih said. He lifted the blue bag that Shannchyuan had previously prepared.
Except for Yihshyong, Jinqkang, and Juger, they all then left the house and went straight to the car. The car drove away quickly from their home. There were five people in the vehicle, including Tsaehorng, the driver.
"Where are we going?" Iren felt a little surprised when the car that Tsaehorng was driving slid out of their housing complex. They already knew the place where the police had gathered was not far from their house. So, supposedly, Tsaehorng didn't have to drive to a place too far from home.
Perhaps Tsaehorng chose to take a detour. The people-watching over us definitely aren't stupid.
"The police asked us to go to the mall near the station." Tsaehorng smiled. He seemed to be able to read what was in Iren's mind.
Oh! The police may have prepared another vehicle there.
"What a coincidence. I haven't been there in a long time," Chioujen said.
"Do you often go to the mall?" Tsaehorng's voice sounded really curious.
"Of course. The mall is a suitable place to get inspiration," said Iren.
"Even Dahge passed out inside the restroom over there," Jenqyih said.
Shannchyuan laughed. Then he said thoughtfully. "When this problem is solved, please remind me to see a doctor."
"Of course, Dahge. Like you said before, all of us must have a health check," said Jenqyih.
The mall was not far from their house. In no time, they were there. As Iren predicted, the mall was only a transit place. In the car park located underground, they changed vehicles. The police had provided a van, complete with the driver at the site. All of them, including Tsaehorng, then took the car to the house where the police were monitoring the case.
Exactly as they had spoken before. It was very close to their house. The car entered the housing complex through a gate that led to the road behind their housing complex. The vehicle stopped in front of the house, which was directly behind their house. They didn't come down in front of the house. The driver put the car into the garage in the house. After the garage door closed, they all got out of the car and into the house.
There were many people in the house. They were all in civilian clothes. But from their movements, Iren could guess that they were all policemen.
"There are a lot of police here," said Jenqyih. "If I don't know this is a house, I may think it is a police station."
"Then, this is indeed not an ordinary case," said Shannchyuan.
"Beaushu is right. Therefore, we also don't expect that the police will explain as clearly as possible what really happened. We are here to provide information, not to get clarity. The police have no obligation to explain this case to us," Chioujen said.
The house was much bigger than theirs. The width of the land was the same but much longer inward. Iren had walked to the back of the house. He saw that the area of the house's backyard was only half the size of their backyard. Because the building area of the house was much larger, there was more room in the house. Currently, they were sitting in a room that functioned as a living room.
"A moment!" Shannchyuan poked Tsaehorng. "I want to call Yinqyueh first." According to their agreement, Shannchyuan would not call Yinqyueh from their own home. He was worried that their phone lines were being monitored by the criminals.
"Okay!" Said Tsaehorng. He then spoke to a policeman who was there. The police allowed them to borrow a phone there. One policeman led Tsaehorng and Shannchyuan into a room. About ten minutes later, Shannchyuan and Tsaehorng were again sitting beside them.
"What did Miss Liuchiou say?" Jenqyih asked.
"She's a bit upset," said Shannchyuan. "But I managed to calm her down."
"She's still very young. Dahge will have to be patient." Jenqyih laughed.
"What the hell did Dahge tell him?" Iren asked.
"Not much. Apart from saying that I can't go there and sending Yihshyong to replace me to take her to her relatives' house this afternoon, I'm just saying about where I am right now. Then also the fact that we must transit to the mall before going here."
"Are Dahge sure that today, Shyongge can escort Miss Liuchiou?" Iren asked. "I'm afraid there's not enough time."
"After we get home, Yihshyong can go right away," said Shannchyuan.
"The past few days, the unexpected has always happened. Everything that we had planned in advance has gone haywire. So in these few hours, something might happen. Of course, I didn't expect that anything unexpected would happen. But we must be prepared for all possibilities," said Iren.
"I know what you mean," said Shannchyuan. "I also told Miss Liuchiou earlier that there is always the possibility of a change of plans."
The door to one room opened. From behind the door came a familiar figure. One policeman also came out of the room. The policeman then guided the man into another room.
"The police also called him?" Iren muttered.
"Who is he anyway?" asked Chioujen.
"He's our new landlord," Jenqyih said.
"That nephew of our old landlord who just passed away?" asked Chioujen.
"Right! That's the person," said Iren.
Before their landlord died, the nephew did not live in that city. So Shannchyuan and his friends had never met that person before. That was why Chioujen, who had just returned from another city, had only had the opportunity to see that person this time.
"The police have spoken to him. I think we'll get a little extra time to occupy our house," Shannchyuan said. He smiled.
"Obviously, this is not an ordinary kidnapping case. Maybe even after Shinnshiow is released, the police won't necessarily close the case immediately. So there is a possibility we can stay in the house a little longer," Jenqyih said.
"You mean, he's going to let us live for free in that house?" asked Chioujen.
"If it isn't for free, maybe not at the new price he unilaterally set last month," Shannchyuan said.
Two policemen then approached them. One policeman said that he would take Songfei's belongings that they were currently carrying. He said they would only identify and document the items. Soon after that, the police would return the items. Shannchyuan instantly gave the blue bag they were carrying to the policeman. The policeman then walked into one room, holding the bag.
The other policeman said that Shannchyuan and his friends would take turns giving statements. Shannchyuan got the first turn. After that, it was Jenqyih's turn. Chioujen would provide information after Jenqyih. Shannchyuan promptly stood up and walked after the policeman.
"So I'm the last one? Why?" Iren asked. "The order of summons based on what? Chioujen hasn't even lived here all this time?"
"I don't know. The police have their own consideration. Maybe, according to the police, Chioujen can add some things we don't know," Jenqyih said.
Tsaehorng just smiled.
Ah! Yesterday he had already given a statement to the police.
Shannchyuan was only in there for a short time. Maybe only about ten minutes. Jenqyih was longer than Shannchyuan. He was likely telling them about the incident where people were following Shinnshiow and him.
"You've been inside for a long time," said Iren to Jenqyih when Jenqyih was back sitting beside him.
"They asked quite a bit of detail. So I had to explain."
"Did you also tell them about your friend?"
"Of course not. If I tell them that, it's going to be a long and complicated thing." Jenqyih laughed.
Chioujen was in there a long time. Iren couldn't guess what kind of information the police got from him. After almost half an hour, Chioujen finally came out of the room. His face looked normal. Gently, Shannchyuan patted Chioujen's shoulder. Iren looked at his two friends.
Maybe there are things that Chioujen actually knows. And Dahge realized that too! Was there a case in Yuehjao related to the issue that occurred here?
Soon after, one policeman called out to Iren in a friendly manner. He wasn't the cop who had told them who should make a statement first. The policeman asked Iren into the room to give the statement. With firm steps, Iren stepped into the room.
There were three policemen in the room. They said they were recording the statement-taking process. The police asked Iren to tell the things he knew. When Iren opened his mouth, several times, the police interrupted his story. They asked Iren to skip some parts. Apparently, the police thought there were parts of Iren's statement that were unrelated to the case they were facing. Iren realized that the police might have a point. Sometimes, when he was telling something, it was not uncommon for Iren to digress by telling other less relevant things.
"Sorry, Mr. Nangong." One policeman cut Iren's sentence politely. "I don't think the argument between the two people you witnessed when you stopped by a shop to buy something had anything to do with this case. I think you'd better move on to the next thing." It was the umpteenth time that the police had to ask Iren to focus more on matters directly related to the case they were working on.
In fact, the conversation between those two people is crucial. It is to guess the background of the kidnapping incident. But if the police think it's useless. I can't do anything either.
"You've been in there a long time." Jenqyih widened his eyes at Iren when Iren had left the room.
"Am I longer than Chioujen?" Iren was a little surprised. Time passed quickly without Iren knowing.
"A little longer, Uncle," Tsaehorng smiled. "But if it's necessary, that's fine."
About two minutes later, another policeman came up to them. He asked Shannchyuan and Tsaehorng to follow him. The police would talk about what Shannchyuan should do when he received the next call from the kidnapper. As for Tsaehorng, Iren didn't know what the police wanted from the young man. The room they entered was not the same as the room where they had previously given a statement.
About fifteen minutes later, the two men came out of the room. Shannchyuan and Tsaehorng's faces looked very serious. Iren couldn't imagine what the police had said to the two of them.
Either way, I'm sure things are getting more and more complicated.
The policeman who had been asking for Songfei's belongings was approaching them at a fast pace. He was carrying the blue bag he had taken from Shannchyuan.
"Mr. Duanmuh, here I return these things," said the policeman.
It is true that they will only borrow the things briefly.
"So I can bring these things home?" Shannchyuan asked.
"That's right, Sir! Today, we only recorded and identified these items. We have taken photos of all of them. But it is possible that we will still need these items again in the future."
"When do you think you guys will need this stuff again?" Iren asked.
"We don't know yet, Sir. Everything depends on the results of further investigations. But if our investigation results lead to other causes, it's very likely that we don't need these items anymore," the police officer said.
"Thank you," said Shannchyuan.
"You are welcome, Sir!" The policeman bowed respectfully.
"Is there anything more we need to do?" Shannchyuan looked at the police officer.
"Please wait a moment, Sir. Someone is coming here," said the policeman.
Who else should we meet? This person hasn't appeared here yet. Is he an important person?
They all then sat back down. It wasn't long before someone approached them. He was carrying a large bag.
"I'm sorry for making you have to wait so long here." That person's voice was similar to that of their old landlord. “My name is Borbae Reniau. I have something to give you, gentlemen." The man opened his bag right away. He took out two much smaller bags. He opened one of the small bags and showed its contents to Iren and his friends.
What else do they want us to do?
"This is a new telephone. We want you to replace your telephone with this one."
"Will our phone lines be secure after that?" Iren asked.
"Not necessarily, Sir. If the wiretapping took place in another place, such as a telephone pole or other places, your conversation will still not be safe."
Shannchyuan nodded.
"Does the telephone at your house use a splitter?" asked Borbae Reniau.
"We only have one phone, so there's no splitter," replied Shannchyuan. Except, of course, tools like the splitter that the police sent us yesterday."
"The device is already anti-tapping, but it would be even better if you added a splitter before connecting the telephone cable to the device," said Borbae Reniau.
"So you suggest we install a phone splitter?" Iren asked.
"That's better, Sir," said Borbae Reniau. He took a phone splitter out of his pocket and quickly put it in the small bag he had just opened.
"What if it turns out that the bugs are in other parts of our house? Not the telephones?" asked Chioujen.
"Good question," said Borbae Reniau. He then took out another small bag from the big bag beside him. He opened the small bag and took out its contents. They saw an instrument they had never seen before.
"What is that, Sir?" Iren asked.
"I think it's a tool to detect if there are bugs in the spot that we're going to check." Jenqyih preceded Borbae Reniau in answering Iren's question.
"You're right! How to use it has been explained in full in the manual that we have also provided."
"What if it turns out later that there is indeed a bug in our house?" asked Shannchyuan.
"Actually, we are not sure that a sound-tapping device is installed in your house. But to be sure, we provide this tool. So, if later it turns out that you really did find a wiretapping device, we have prepared other things."
"What other things?" asked Shannchyuan.
"You should report it."
"How to report it?"
"By saying a secret code as certain words when the police contact you later."
"What kind of secret code?" asked Shannchyuan.
"You just say that your family is sick. So, for example, you can say that you have to call your family because you got the news that a relative of yours is sick. Of course, it doesn't have to be like that. That's just the outline."
Shannchyuan nodded. "Thank you, Sir! We'll do that as soon as we get home."
Borbae Reniau bowed respectfully. "I hope all this trouble passes soon, Sir."
"We all hope so, too," said Iren.
"Sorry, Sir! I have to go. I still have to meet someone here." Borbae Reniau bowed his head respectfully.
"Please, Sir," said Jenqyih
Borbae Reniau then hurried away from them.
"Who is he supposed to meet here, anyway?" Jenqyih looked at Shannchyuan.
"I don't know. Maybe someone important is here."
"Important person?"
"I think he has to meet the police chief in this place," guessed Iren.
"What police chief?" Jenqyih smirked. "This isn't a real police station."
"I mean the police with the highest position and rank here," said Iren. "The one who is in charge here."
"I think so." Shannchyuan looked at his friends. "Whoever he's going to meet doesn't really matter to us. Our business is done here."
"So, shall we go back home now?" said Tsaehorng.
Shannchyuan and the company nodded.
They returned to the garage. The driver was ready to take them back to the mall. On the way to the mall, no one spoke. Each one was busy with his own thoughts. They didn't realize they had arrived at the underground parking lot of the mall near Jongharng Station. The car stopped right beside Tsaehorng's car.
They all got out of the van right away. After dropping them off, the van didn't leave. It turned out that the police had assigned the driver to be on standby at the mall parking lot.
"Where are we going now?" Jenqyih asked.
Shannchyuan looked at his watch. "I think we still have a little time before the kidnappers call again."
"Are Dahge worried Shyongge hasn't cooked lunch yet?" Iren smiled.
"That's right! I think the ingredients in the fridge have run out. And right now, he can't go out to buy groceries at all," Shannchyuan replied. "There's definitely no way Yihshyong would have gone out of the house and left Juger and Jinqkang."
"So, now we stop by the food shop to buy lunch? Said Iren.
Shannchyuan nodded.
"Is there still time? Chioujen looked doubtful.
"We only buy food. After that, we go straight home," said Shannchyuan. "Later, we'll have lunch together at home."
"If that's the case, it's better if we just buy a little more. So, we don't have to buy any more food for dinner," said Jenqyih. "We'll just have to heat it up later."
"I agree, Uncle," said Tsaehorng. "But we'd better put these things in my car first." He pointed to Songfei's bag and the two small bags the police gave them.
Shannchyuan nodded. They then put the items in the car's trunk. After that, they left the car park and entered the mall.
As usual, the atmosphere was very crowded in the mall. There did not appear to be any concern that the 'explosion of light' that occurred a few days ago would be repeated. The faces of the mall visitors were so cheerful.
"Did you two talk to our landlord earlier?" Iren asked.
"Earlier, when you were giving a statement to the police, we did speak to him," said Jenqyih.
"What did he say?" Iren asked.
"As we expected. The police asked him to let us stay at his property until the case is over," said Jenqyih.
"Then?"
"I don't think he has any other choice. He's allowed us to stay there for free." Jenqyih smiled. His expression was exactly like a child who had just got the new toy he wanted so badly.
"Is he aware that this matter might drag on?" Iren asked.
"I think he's aware of that, too. But he has a lot of property. One unproductive property won't have much effect on him," said Shannchyuan.
"So we're not moving house anytime soon." Jenqyih nodded with satisfaction.
"Isn't that great?" Shannchyuan said.
"In a way, it's good." Jenqyih took a breath. "But on the other hand, we don't have a chance to try living in Tsaehorng's apartment."
Tsaehorng laughed at those words. "That's not true, Uncle."
"So we can still stay at your apartment from time to time?" Iren looked at Tsaehorng.
Tsaehorng nodded. "Of course, Uncle! Don't worry. The door to my apartment is always open to you, Uncles."
"Thank you." Iren cupped his hands about ten centimeters in front of his chest.
"You're welcome, Uncle. But Miss Liuchiou will still be there, right?" Tsaehorng asked.
"That's for sure." Shannchyuan's voice was steady. "It's for her safety. I hope you don't mind."
"I see, Uncle!" Tsaehorng smiled.
By now, they had left the parking lot and entered the mall. Tsaehorng, who was walking in the front, looked back. "Uncles, what would you like to order?"
"Eh! You don't have to spend money. This time, we buy lunch with our own money." Jenqyih seemed to feel bad that Tsaehorng had helped them so much.
"It's okay, Uncle. While I'm still in this city, then I can treat you guys. After the exhibition is over, I will most likely return to the city where I have lived for the past six months," said Tsaehorng.
"Ah! Why don't you just stay here? I don't think that gang of delinquents will dare to bother you anymore," said Jenqyih.
That's not the case, Uncle. There, I also have a few activities that I need to pay attention to as well. Even now, every day, I have to call there at least twice a day to monitor the activities of my business unit there. Maybe later, when I can delegate everything permanently, I will move here again. But I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon because I haven't started a business there for a long time."
"What an extraordinary young man like you. Very young, but very active," said Shannchyuan.
"Ah, it's not much, Uncle. I just started it."
No more debate. Shannchyuan didn't seem to mind letting Tsaehorng spoil them one more time. They followed Tsaehorng into a diner. The restaurant was quite big. It even had its own restroom. So, restaurant visitors did not need to leave the restaurant if they wanted to go to the restroom.
"Uncles, what would you like to order?" Tsaehorng looked at them with a bright face.
"That's up to you," said Shannchyuan. "We'll just go along with it. We'll agree to whatever you order."
Tsaehorng looked like he was about to say something. But the young man did not open his mouth.
Actually, he definitely wanted us to order whatever we wanted. But, it took a lot of time to persuade us. Instead of arguing at length and wasting time, he chose to order food according to his wishes.
Tsaehorng called the waiter. He ordered takeout. Carefully, the waiter took notes. There were lots of drinks in the house. So, Tsaehorng only ordered food.
They then sat around chatting while waiting for the food. While they were talking, Shannchyuan suddenly stood up. He looked out of the restaurant. Even though they were sitting inside the restaurant, they could still see outside because only a glass wall separated the front part of the restaurant from the corridor in its front.
They followed in the direction where Shannchyuan looked. Outside the diner, a girl was standing. She stopped while opening what appeared to be a notebook. After looking at the note, she put the notebook into his bag. Soon after that, she walked away.
Shannchyuan stepped out of the diner. At first, he just walked fast, but then he ran. In an instant, he had disappeared after the girl. Tsaehorng turned to Iren and the others with a questioning look.
"We also don't know who she is," Jenqyih said. He turned to Chioujen. "Do you know who she is?"
Chioujen tried to remember. But in the end, he just shook his head.
Iren took a deep breath. After all his friends looked at him, Iren let out a word for word at a slow tempo. "That's the woman I saw Dahge talking to on the side of the road."
"Isn't that the same woman that Dahge chased into this mall a few days ago?" Jenqyih said.
Iren nodded. "But I don't know more than that."
Everyone looked at Iren. An enormous question mark crossed Chioujen and Tsaehorng's faces. Three seconds later, they showed sad faces as if begging him to tell them more.
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