Snail Senior Brother

Chapter 109 Legendary Figures

Who is Jiang He, really? That was indeed a mystery. He had assumed a false identity. In this school, it seemed only Gao Qiang had any recollection of Jiang He, while everyone else knew absolutely nothing about him.

"You think Jiang He is the mastermind?"

"I think Jiang He is a pawn for Chang She Gui within the 'Logical Paradox' organization, or more boldly, he might even be Chang She Gui himself."

Luo Bo looked at me with some bewilderment and surprise, asking softly, "Pawn?"

Yu Xiao Luo, standing nearby, dismissively explained, "Those scammers all call themselves 'schemers,' and each scheme has a designated pawn, much like a shill."

Luo Bo was from Hebei, the captain of a county's criminal investigation detachment. Due to his outstanding performance, he was transferred to the Beijing Municipal Criminal Investigation Bureau last year. His work capability was exceptional, and he quickly became the captain of a special task force subdivision. His exposure to 'Logical Paradox' was limited to reports. Yu Xiao Luo, on the other hand, had gone undercover in Qin Si Si's celebrity scheme, so she had a clearer understanding of the schemers' setup and mindset.

At that moment, I noticed a spark in Luo Bo's eyes. Even in his exhausted state, such a look revealed him to be a police officer with a detective's blood running through his veins.

"If Tang Nan's analysis is correct, then a figure as important as the leader of 'Logical Paradox,' or perhaps the leader himself, is in Hohhot."

Luo Bo was speaking to Yu Xiao Luo, who was considering the bigger picture: "Captain Luo, haven't we even concluded the multi-billion yuan fraud case yet?"

"This multi-billion yuan fraud case was only taken over by the special task force because of 'Logical Paradox.' Isn't everything we're trying to do aimed at dismantling 'Logical Paradox'? If Chang She Gui is here, how can I let him slip away under my nose?"

"You're the captain, what you say goes."

Luo Bo chuckled, "It's settled then. I'll cooperate with Tang Nan to catch that Chang She Gui. Xiao Luo, you and the others will continue to follow up on the 107 major fraud case."

"Alright!"

After they finished speaking, Luo Bo then smiled at me, "Tang Nan, before we cooperate, let me apologize to you."

"Apologize?" I was completely confused.

"Regarding the money in your Swiss international account, Old Man Gao himself admitted he transferred it to you, 107 million yuan, as the proceeds from the jade you helped him select and sell."

I didn't know if I could control my expression; I was astonished. Back then, I had spoken casually to get Old Ghost's help, never expecting it to come true. Who was this Old Man Gao? Was he that powerful?

"Judging by your expression, you don't seem to know who Old Man Gao is?"

I shook my head, "Frankly, I really don't. I only met him once by chance in Ruili, and I only remember him as a thin old man."

"Then let me introduce you to this legendary elder."

Old Man Gao, as he was known by some high-ranking figures from Hong Kong. Old Man Gao's original name was Gao Ji. His ancestral bloodline was connected to British royalty. Because his mother was Chinese, he looked like a Chinese person. In fact, Gao Ji spent most of his life as a British national. In 1997, when Hong Kong returned to China, Gao Ji naturally obtained Chinese nationality.

After becoming a Chinese national, leaders from that side approached him and asked if he wished to retain dual nationality.

According to the law, China does not permit dual nationality. Although Gao Ji was a low-key individual, he was immensely wealthy, capable of influencing Hong Kong's economy. Therefore, the consideration at the time was to resolve this matter peacefully. However, what the leaders did not expect was that Gao Ji stated that since he had joined China, he would abide by Chinese law. If China did not allow dual nationality, he would give up his British citizenship.

Because of this, the British who left Hong Kong in '97 considered Gao Ji a traitor. At that time, the Hong Kong media also created a stir, attempting to turn Gao Ji into a traitor. Gao Ji only addressed this issue once at a press conference, silencing everyone. He said to the camera, "Look at me, do I look like a British person? Media friends, I advise you, Hong Kong has returned to China, please do not act as lapdogs for Britain. If you like Britain, please leave Hong Kong and practice your so-called freedom of speech in Britain."

After that, Old Man Gao also left Hong Kong. Because he loved jade, he came to Ruili. But such a person brings financial fortune wherever he goes. It is said that Old Man Gao bought a ton of raw jade stones for 8 million yuan in Ruili and cut them to over 100 million yuan.

That move shocked everyone and made the news. Old Man Gao couldn't continue playing around and had to return to Hong Kong discreetly. At that time, Hong Kong's stock market had crashed due to the Asian financial crisis.

The head of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority found Old Man Gao, who did not refuse. He established a battlefield in the stock market, cooperating with the Monetary Authority to invest a large amount of funds, successfully repelling the international speculators who were shorting the market.

His reputation was made, and Hong Kong's economy was saved.

...

This was the Old Man Gao I knew. I could hardly believe my ears. I understood stock trading, buying low and selling high! However, the Old Man Gao didn't need to buy or sell; he single-handedly saved an intercontinental financial crisis. How much money did such a person have? Could I imagine it? Anyway, I couldn't.

And I, inexplicably, had a connection with such a person. Of course, he probably didn't think much of me. But I knew that this Old Man Gao was Old Ghost's friend.

...

This was firsthand information. Yu Xiao Luo also showed a pleased expression, looking at me, "Oh, Tang Nan, if that's the case, you'll be a billionaire from now on. Don't ignore us when you see us."

"How could I? Sister, my money is your money."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiao Luo blushed, "Nonsense, what relationship do I have with you?"

I was about to explain when Luo Bo waved his hand to interrupt me, "Let's continue with the news from Commander Wang's team. Old Man Gao is a collector. He not only likes jade but also famous paintings and antiques. It's said that when 'Woman 3' was in Beijing, he took experts there overnight. After expert appraisal, the 'Woman 3' that Interpol took back was a fake."

"A fake?"

Both Yu Xiao Luo and I were stunned. Yu Xiao Luo giggled, "These foreigners are really embarrassing themselves in my great China. How do they explain it?"

"They apologized in Beijing, saying their investigation direction was wrong. Interpol will also withdraw today."

Yu Xiao Luo's expression changed, "Leaving just like that? They arrested Tang Nan and haven't even apologized yet?"

"Sister, let bygones be bygones," I said with a smile.

"You shut up. Why should we let them off? Who knows when we'll meet them again?"

After speaking, Yu Xiao Luo packed her things and left, "I'm going to find them. No apology, no leaving."

...

After Xiao Luo left, Luo Bo chuckled, "Tang Nan, I didn't realize you had such powerful connections."

"Brother Luo, don't tease me. My family records show three generations of poor peasants. Where would I have any connections?"

Although Luo Bo apologized to me, his mention of connections made me realize he still believed his judgment. He likely trusted his instincts, and his guesses were correct; he was a genius in this area.

At this moment, Luo Bo was already packing his things, signaling the end of this matter. I looked at Luo Bo and, after some thought, made a decision: "Brother Luo, can I tell you the truth?"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Hearing my words, Luo Bo put his things down. I looked at the serious atmosphere and smiled, "Why don't we go somewhere else? I know a very authentic lamb offal restaurant."

"What about Xiao Luo?"

"Brother Luo, there's no need to ruin international relations over a 'sorry,' right?"

"That's true!"

However, as we were leaving, we saw Xiao Luo bringing two foreigners. They were quite polite; they apologized for their mistake. Just as I was about to bow and smile apologetically, Yu Xiao Luo secretly kicked me: Tang Nan, you don't just represent yourself.

Hearing this, I straightened my chest and accepted the international police's apology with a clear conscience.

...

Afterward, Luo Bo and I went to the bungalow area where Tie Zhi Shan used to live. In Hohhot, this is called a "ban," roughly meaning a suburban village or town. The house where Tie Zhi Shan lived was already occupied by someone else, but I still pointed out Tie Zhi Shan's former residence to him. Then, after a few streets, we arrived at the lamb offal restaurant.

It was still quite crowded. I grabbed two small stools and sat with Luo Bo in a corner. At that time, Tie Zhi Shan and I reunited here. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, due to our mutual understanding, we telepathically knew about the plans each of us was making.

I had not committed a crime, but in a sense, I could not escape responsibility. Regarding the international art case, someone had targeted me with a scheme. This time, I was lucky to have Gao Qiang's timely help and Old Ghost's icing on the cake.

Perhaps the next time it wouldn't be like this. I understood a principle: hiding the truth and not speaking it can turn a partner into a weapon for an enemy at critical moments. Therefore, I decided to tell Luo Bo everything here.

After hearing me out, Luo Bo poured himself a glass of white wine and said, "Do you know? Your behavior has a classification in psychology. Psychologists believe that some people are born with characteristics closer to their primitive ancestors than ordinary people. These people represent independent species that have not yet evolved into higher-level Homo sapiens. The cognitive characteristics of such people lie between modern humans and primitive humans. Psychologists consider such people to be mutations among civilized beings."

I was completely bewildered, seeing Luo Bo already drink a glass of white wine. I could only grin and say, "Brother Luo, have you had too much to drink? I was just explaining things to you, and you're turning me into something less than human."

Luo Bo laughed heartily, "That's what the doctor told me when I was getting treated!"

"You? Getting treated?"

"Since you've told me your story, let me tell you mine. You know, for a long time, they called me a born criminal."