The demolition site was clearly not a good place to stay.
As the moon climbed higher, Su Tang used her pitiful puppy-dog eyes to hint to her master, "I'm hungry!"
Heaven and earth are vast, but food is paramount! Although she was a wanted criminal, it wouldn't affect her eating!
Since she had finally come to River Valley District, she had to eat some authentic guokui.
"Boss, give me eight beef guokui! Five sheep trotters! One sheep head without eyeballs! Three bowls of fermented rice! One portion of noodles, no chili! To go!" In River Valley District's most famous guokui shop, Su Tang held three hundred-yuan bills, licked her lips, and said to the proprietress.
"You eat quite a lot, little girl! Wait, I'll get it for you first!" The girl with a small pointed face, big eyes, and a long braid always had a lot of "face" in River City, especially when eating. If she occasionally "passively" cut in line, no one would say anything! If Ping An, with his fawning face, or Hei Dou, with his bitter melon face, came to buy, they'd likely have to wait an hour in line.
Inside the RV, the cardboard with writing was tossed aside. Su Tang held a sheep trotter in each hand, her mouth moving at high speed. The meat on the sheep trotters, simmered in brine for a whole day, was so soft it trembled, the best source of collagen! Although Su Tang was only fourteen, she was at a crucial growth stage and wouldn't dare to compromise her development! Therefore, all five sheep trotters were hers!
What kind of disciple, what kind of master. Ping An held a sheep's head, chewing happily! Hei Dou, chewing his guokui, didn't seem to be focused on eating. He lowered his head and picked up the cardboard to study it further.
"If little Su remembers correctly, the result shouldn't be like this?" Hei Dou muttered to himself.
"Alright! Bring it here!" Ping An put down the sheep's head, snatched the cardboard, and then drew three lines with a marker, saying, "This one doesn't count! We'll think of another way!"
Ping An's action suddenly made Su Tang's eyes light up.
"Master! If Gao Min's written 'three' wasn't the Chinese character 'three', but like yours, was crossed out this way...?" Su Tang said, "I swear, I remember it perfectly!"
Su Tang's words seemed to remind Ping An.
He raised the cardboard again.
"If he crossed out the character before 'three', it would be 'Shi Jiu'? 'Tu Liu'? 'Tu You' - 'Tu You Ta'!" Ping An exclaimed with surprise, putting down the sheep's head.
"Tuyouta! Not Chinese characters! It's Toyota! It's the Tuyouta Building!" Ping An said excitedly, "I know, it's the building that the former Japanese Toyota company rented in River City. Because the building had a huge Tuyouta logo, locals called it the —"
"Tuyouta Building!" Su Tang chimed in, "But Master, that was over ten years ago. Toyota Company withdrew, and the Tuyouta logo was removed!"
"No, the older generation are sentimental, and most people aren't clear about it. That place is now River City Chaoyang Chemical Group's Energy Research Institute. I interviewed there before!" As Ping An said this, he suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "It all makes sense now! I know who's helping Yan Qing purify drugs! You guys don't know, do you? Yan Qing's wife, Wang Li, was a professor at the Chemical College of Shanhe University!"
"I never imagined, so that's the kind of master's wife you are!" Ping An thought angrily.
"What should we do! Should we inform Squad Leader Gao about this information?" Hei Dou looked at Ping An nervously.
"No time to delay, let's go take a look first!" Ping An made arrangements. "On the way, let's drop Su Tang off, and then the two of us will go!"
"That's not appropriate, Master!" Su Tang was unhappy to hear this. "I provided this information, so I must go!"
"Alright, alright, you be quiet!" Ping An didn't have time for anything else and ordered Hei Dou to drive immediately.
In the 1980s, many large Japanese companies entered China, opening enterprises and factories. The "Tuyouta Building" mentioned earlier was a remnant of that era. At that time, Toyota Motor Company had just opened its market in China, and its company in the northwest region was located in River City. After the new millennium, Toyota Company officially withdrew from River City, the "Tuyouta" logo that hung at the top of the building was removed, and the building was renamed "New Energy Building." However, for many older people, this name had become a habit, and they could no longer change it.
As the RV drove into an alley opposite the "New Energy Building," it was already 4:30 AM! Hei Dou, unusually, refused Ping An and Su Tang's request to accompany them. He put on his camera equipment, walkie-talkie, and other devices, repeatedly warned the troublesome "master and disciple" pair, and then, under the cover of night, slipped into the building.
"Tsk tsk, Master, don't take this the wrong way, but with that jump Hei Dou just made, you definitely couldn't have gotten over," Su Tang said, watching the surveillance video and seeing Hei Dou had already quietly entered the building.
"Shut up! Watch!" Ping An was extremely nervous at this moment.
Honestly, Ping An had always believed that Yan Qing had wronged his beloved. Ah, speaking of Yan Qing's beloved, she was such a kind elder! Every time he went to Yan Qing's house for a meal, Wang Li always welcomed him with a smile. Ping An had always respected university professors who researched and created for the country. Every time he saw this "master's wife" holding a glass of red wine and reading a book alone on the balcony, Ping An would despise Yan Qing from the bottom of his heart – old man, how do you deserve such a wife?
After being captured by Yan Qing, Yan Qing revealed his entire private life. At that time, Ping An didn't think in that direction at all, only feeling that his master's wife was a pitiful person, a victim. But now—
"Room 1303 is a large suite with a laboratory. The door is locked, but the lights are on inside! I'm going to sneak in and take a look," Hei Dou's voice came from the walkie-talkie.
"Be careful, and collect evidence! As soon as the evidence is conclusive, I'll call the police immediately!" Ping An nervously rubbed his sweaty forehead.
Through the surveillance video, Ping An saw Hei Dou quietly unlock the door, then open it a crack. After observing that there was no one inside, he then sneaked in. Once inside, Hei Dou walked towards the lit suite. The door to this suite was unlocked. Inside, four people in protective suits were carefully measuring a pile of white powder. After measuring, they poured the powder into a flour bag with the "Da He" trademark.
"It's indeed here! Found it! Hei Dou, keep filming the evidence, I'll make the call now!" Ping An said excitedly.
"Master!" At that moment, Su Tang tugged on Ping An's sleeve uneasily.
"What is it!" Ping An turned around and suddenly saw Gao Min's devilish face appear on the RV's windshield.
"Bang!" The RV door opened, and Gao Min walked into the cabin, pointing a pistol at Ping An.
"Not bad, found it so quickly. If I hadn't gone downstairs for a late-night snack, I wouldn't have found you!" Gao Min said. "Put down what you have, and then walk out slowly."
Under the muzzle of the gun, there was nothing to argue about.
Ping An gave Su Tang a look, then obediently got out of the car.
In the alley at night, besides Gao Min, there were three or four thugs. In such a situation, Ping An and Su Tang had no chance of escaping.
"I heard you took this girl surnamed Su as your disciple?" Gao Min asked curiously.
"The child is innocent. Let her leave, and I'll cooperate with you!" Ping An said.
"That won't do! Say your goodbyes, and then I'll send you both on your way!" As he said this, Gao Min raised his pistol.
It was over! Just as Ping An was thinking this, a familiar voice suddenly reached his ears.
"Pidan! Can't you leave your uncle and aunt some way to live?" a gentle voice called out. Ping An's heart tightened—the inevitable had arrived!
A middle-aged woman in a black tracksuit walked over from the other side of the car. Ping An knew without looking or thinking that it was Wang Li. But in all of River City, only Yan Qing and his wife knew his childhood nickname "Pidan."
"Auntie! Old Yan is confused, but how can you be confused too!" Ping An looked up at Wang Li and said, "It's not about me letting him go, it's about the law not letting him go!"
"Pidanzi娃, Old Yan said that as long as you don't interfere, no one will do anything to you!" Wang Li said. "You've fallen into Old Yan's hands several times, and he hasn't killed you. Why? Isn't it because of the friendship between our two families? He just wants to lock you up so you don't get in the way!"
"Alright, Auntie! How much mind-altering drug has Yan Qing given you? Do you know how many people have died at his hands? Do you know how many women he has outside?" Ping An was completely distraught. How had this kind-faced aunt turned into this?
"Pidan, husband and wife, eventually become like family. Whatever he does, he does. He's sincere towards me," Wang Li said. "My uncle and I have lived a poor life for a lifetime, why can't we enjoy some comfort? If it weren't for your uncle stopping me back then, I would have immigrated to Japan. But it's not too late! I'll tell you, my uncle and I have already obtained fake identities and applied for immigration to Japan. We just need a little money to live! Pidan, for the sake of our families' relationship, let my uncle and me go!"
"Auntie, turn back! I'll support you in the future, won't I? How many lives will it take to earn that little bit of money you have?" Ping An said hysterically.
"Little Gao, drive him onto the elevated highway, notify your master to block the way! Let the police catch him!" Seeing that persuasion was useless, Wang Li grabbed Su Tang and turned to leave.
"Auntie, let the child go, come at me!" Ping An had a bad premonition and waved his hands, about to rush forward. He had been waiting for Hei Dou to come down for a while, but so much time had passed, why hadn't he appeared?
Gao Min naturally didn't know what Ping An was thinking. He raised his pistol and pointed it at the Second Ring Elevated Highway behind Ping An, saying, "As Master's wife commands, you go up the elevated highway! Or I'll shoot you dead now!"
"Keep going straight, don't look back. If you dare to run back, I'll turn the girl into a medical specimen!" Wang Li's kindness finally turned into a dark scowl.
The Second Ring Elevated Highway, a landmark on River City's Second Ring Road, stretched 9 kilometers in total, serving as a fast lane from River Valley District to the city center. There were only two entrances and exits on the entire elevated highway, with no intermediate ramps or diversions. Wang Li wanted to trap Ping An on the elevated highway and then have the police come from the other exit to arrest him, thus protecting the location and situation of the laboratory. And if Ping An were arrested, with Yan Qing's methods, no one would listen to whatever he said.
Under the muzzle of Gao Min's gun, Ping An could only turn around and run towards the elevated highway. Gao Min, riding a motorcycle behind him, slowly followed.
However, just as Ping An was about to ascend the elevated highway, he saw Hei Dou standing by the roadside making hand gestures to him. "Now it's good, with Hei Dou here, at least Su Tang is safe!" Ping An thought, and then started running, wondering what method he could use to get rid of Gao Min.
Seeing Ping An run onto the elevated highway, Wang Li, who had been holding Su Tang hostage, suddenly loudly ordered the few thugs left beside her to leave first. Hei Dou, hiding in the distance, had already quietly drawn his pistol and was waiting for an opportunity to act. No matter what, he had to rescue the little girl.
"Child, you can go! Don't get involved in adult matters!" Wang Li suddenly changed her demeanor towards Su Tang. "The adult world is complicated, you don't understand!"
"Where's my master?" Su Tang saw Hei Dou cautiously moving forward at this moment.
Su Tang hurried and said, "Ay! Hurry up and drive!"
Hei Dou said nothing, pulled Su Tang into the car. However, after the car started, it didn't drive towards the elevated highway but chased after the departing van.
"You're going the wrong way! Where are you going?" Su Tang, sitting in the back, frantically patted the driver's seat.
Hei Dou didn't explain. He pointed to his earpiece and then to the microphone that had been on in the car.
Only then did Su Tang remember that her earpiece had fallen out during the chaos and she had been holding it. At this moment, she quickly put it on, and immediately heard her master's panting curses from the earpiece.
"Squad Leader Gao? It's Hei Dou, I have important information..." At this moment, Hei Dou's voice came from in front of the driver's seat.
In the early morning, there weren't many vehicles on the elevated highway. Occasionally, a car would pass by, and the driver would glance at Ping An, who was running, and naturally think to himself: This person is risking his life running on the elevated highway!
The 9-kilometer route was a major undertaking for Ping An, who rarely exercised. He couldn't run any further after only covering half the distance.
"Gao Min, damn you! Why don't you just shoot me dead. What is this? A physical punishment? Let's make a deal, I'm hungry! Can I make a phone call to order takeout?" Ping An placed his hands on his hips, indicating he really couldn't run anymore. It turned out that Ping An, running on the elevated highway, had been listening to the situation over the RV's open microphone. He had heard Wang Li's every word. Afterwards, after Hei Dou asked if he should take action, he immediately whispered to Hei Dou to contact Squad Leader Gao for support and to take Su Tang to track the drugs. As for himself, he didn't need to be managed for the time being; he had a way to save his life and could also attract Yan Qing's attention.
"Don't try any tricks. What time is it? You still have the mind to order takeout!" Gao Min said vigilantly. "Run quickly, and after another kilometer, I can call the police!"
"Gao Min, how much money do you think Yan Qing and his wife will give you to escape?" Ping An said maliciously.
"Escape? Why would I escape? After Master and Mistress leave, River City will be mine. I can continue selling drugs!" Gao Min said disdainfully.
"Fool, I've been their godson for decades, have they shown me any pity?" Ping An continued.
"I'm different from you!" Gao Min said angrily. "You're just putting on a show, I'm the master's other hand!"
"I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm really calling for takeout!" Ping An, who couldn't run anymore, squatted by the roadside, took out his phone, and under Gao Min's gun, dialed the takeout number.
"Call it, call it! It's come to this, and I wonder if anyone can still help you!" Gao Min seemed a bit worried about Wang Li's situation. He glanced at his watch and made a phone call.
"Ping An is now in the center of the Second Ring Elevated Highway, come block him immediately!" After saying a few words into the phone, Gao Min said to Ping An, "According to my instructions, throwing you off this elevated highway would be the end of it. But the boss's consultant's plan is to send you to prison! Ping An, did you provoke someone you shouldn't have? You could have been eliminated long ago, but every time they send you to prison! And they have to make sure the evidence is conclusive! What kind of person are you?"
"I also want to know why they insisted on framing me and sending me to prison!" Ping An said, panting. "If you don't kill me, I'll still escape this time. Don't regret it."
"I don't want to hand you over to the police at all, nor do I want to see you for the last time this way. It's just that the boss has a request, and I'm just following orders!" Gao Min said helplessly, spreading his hands.
"Alas! Old Gao, answer me one question, and I'll tell you a secret, okay?" Ping An suddenly smiled.
"What question?" Gao Min looked at the person about to be arrested with suspicion.
"The boss you mentioned is naturally Yan Qing. Is the boss's consultant someone named Mr. Ke?" Ping An asked.
"Seeing as you helped me deal with some punks before, I can tell you that the boss's consultant is indeed Mr. Ke. At least that's what I heard the boss call her," Gao Min said honestly.
"Have you seen her? Does she have a beard? What does she look like?" Ping An asked curiously.
"Are you kidding? Mr. Ke is a woman! She's quite beautiful and her age is hard to tell!" Gao Min looked at Ping An as if he were an idiot. "I've only seen her once, about a year ago. I accompanied the boss to Japan, and she was helping the boss conceive business ideas. Oh, she also mentioned you, saying that putting you in prison would be enough! At first, I didn't know she was talking about you. I only found out later that your childhood nickname was Pidan! Hahahaha!"
Ping An's face gradually turned from rosy to pale!
Does so many people in this world know his childhood nickname? How could Mr. Ke be a woman?
"It seems I'll have to trouble that old rascal Yan Qing again later!" The fear in Ping An's heart came quickly but also went quickly.
"Alright! I'm leaving!" Gao Min casually shook the gun in his hand and said to Ping An, "Don't think about going back the way you came, you'll run into me. Then, it won't be as simple as being arrested! Now, tell me the secret you mentioned!"
Ping An looked at Gao Min and said a few simple words.
Gao Min was silent for a moment, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Watching Gao Min leave, Ping An calculated the time, opened his phone, hesitated for a long time, and dialed the number "5" on the speed dial.
"I've spent a lot of money during this time. I hope the little money left in my account is enough for me to stir things up one more time!" Leaning on the railing, Ping An slowly stood up.
"Master! Are you okay!" Su Tang's voice suddenly came from the earpiece.
"I'm fine, that damn Gao Min is gone! Tell Hei Dou to be careful, hand them over to Squad Leader Gao's people when they arrive, and don't put yourself in danger!" After speaking, Ping An took off the earpiece. He was getting further and further away from the RV, and the communication system was no longer usable.
How could Mr. Ke be a woman?
Who else knew his childhood nickname?
Why did they insist on sending him to prison?
Was his involvement in Yan Qing's case accidental or inevitable?
Did Wang Li have some unspeakable difficulties?
Transactions on live streaming platforms! Online casinos collecting money! As expected of an old policeman, leaving no trace of evidence!
It seemed that only the actual drugs were the only breakthrough.
If those two words hadn't trembled, I wouldn't have discovered it, I would be in pain...
What are the two words at the beginning of "Ten Years"?
Huh?
Slap!
Ping An suddenly slapped himself.
"What the hell time is it! I still have the energy to be sentimental here?" Ping An muttered to himself.
"No! If it was her, she would not only know my nickname is Pidan, but she would also hate me! And she would be very capable of defeating me!" Ping An suddenly thought vigilantly of someone, someone who, upon thinking of her, would involuntarily hear the song "Ten Years" in his ears.
Her name was Peng You, his girlfriend ten years ago.
A genius crime novelist.