Chapter 123 [VIP] Demons in the Human World (22)

Chapter 123 [VIP] Demons in the Human World (22)

The raid on the Seattle Club was a resounding success, with over a hundred suspects arrested and taken back to the police station for questioning. Meanwhile, the victims were escorted to the hospital in a police-arranged bus for medical check-ups.

The area around the Seattle Club was tightly secured, and despite numerous reporters trying to get footage, they could only take distant shots, unable to capture clear images of anyone’s faces.

As Lu He stepped out of the Seattle Club’s main entrance, he realized it was already golden hour, with the setting sun casting a warm, golden glow over Binjiang Avenue.

The warm golden light bathed a girl’s face, her eyes shimmering like amber gemstones, making her unforgettable to anyone who saw her.

For some reason, Lu He’s gaze immediately landed on Meng Siqi, who was bathed in the golden light. She noticed him too and offered a faint, beautiful smile.

In that moment, she seemed especially radiant to him, reminding him of the rainy night when he had rushed to the banks of the Sujiang River, gazing at the Sujiang Lighthouse. Just like the lighthouse that illuminated the dark, turbulent river, she lit up the stormy depths of his heart.

Lu He always felt there was a shared memory between them, one he hadn’t fully recalled yet, but it was hazy and captivating. He was determined to uncover it.

As Lu He looked at Meng Siqi, she met his gaze. Though he remained outwardly calm, his eyes reflected the warmth of the setting sun. After solving such a big case, he must have been inwardly excited. He was the type of person who would give everything to solve a case.

Meng Siqi aspired to be just like him. When Lu He looked at her, she naturally conveyed her congratulations, hoping he would feel it.

But as she smiled, she suddenly noticed that Lu He’s palm was a deep, blood-red, the kind of color that made her wince just looking at it.

She remembered how he had chased the suspect in the white helmet earlier. After the basement operation ended, Captain Han received a message from Luo Xiaoguo via walkie-talkie, saying that Lu He had returned, but the white helmet suspect had escaped.

At the time, she had mixed feelings—disappointed that the suspect had escaped but relieved that Lu He was safe. Now, seeing his injured hand, she felt a pang of discomfort.

Lu He walked toward them, quickly slipping his hands into his jacket pockets, either to hide them or out of habit. Approaching Team One, he said to Captain Han, “It’s been a tough day for you and the team.”

“It’s been hard for you too, Captain Lu,” Han Changlin smiled.

“Captain Han, did you get hurt on your arm?” Lu He asked, concerned.

Captain Han waved it off, saying, “It’s nothing, just a scratch.”

In reality, Meng Siqi had noticed that Captain Han’s wound looked deeper than he let on. The tear in his clothes revealed a dark red mark, but since he didn’t make a fuss, no one else brought it up.

Lu He nodded in understanding. “I heard the gunfight was intense. Congratulations on the victory.”

Captain Han smiled and replied, “I also heard you found the club’s location using those red threads. Impressive!”

“Not really,” Lu He said. “It’s not as impressive as you guys getting the club’s location from a ‘dead man.’”

The “dead man” Lu He referred to was, of course, Yao Renjun, who had looked as lifeless as a corpse.

“Captain Lu,” Zhao Leiting said with a grin, “You’re right, this was all thanks to Siqi.”

Lu He glanced at Meng Siqi, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, as if praising her.

Captain Han, picking up on Zhao Leiting’s comment, said, “Captain Lu, did you ever regret assigning Meng to our second team?”

Though Captain Han’s words were playful, they carried a hint of pride. Lu He didn’t immediately respond, but after a pause, he replied with a deliberate and certain tone, “Yes.”

Luo Xiaoguo and Yan Chun had just arrived, and Luo Xiaoguo overheard Captain Han’s words. His smile quickly faded, as he had been the one to initially dismiss Meng Siqi, and now Lu He was openly admitting his “mistake” in front of the second team, which felt like a slap in the face. He knew Liang Yunfeng was capable, but clearly, Meng Siqi was even more outstanding.

Meng Siqi felt the most uncomfortable during this exchange. Being praised in front of everyone and having past events brought up again made her feel like she was being put on the spot. She lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment, and didn’t dare to meet their gazes. She had wanted to ask about Lu He’s injury but decided it was best to stay quiet.

Lu He said calmly, “Actually, Xiao Liang is also very capable.” It was as if he was defending his team member as a captain while also offering some comfort to Luo Xiaoguo.

These words were a relief to Meng Siqi. She didn’t want to be overly praised, knowing that she still had much to learn and needed to remain humble, just like her excellent colleagues in both Team One and the second team.

"Alright," Lu He said, "Let's call it a day, Captain Han. We still have a lot on our plate tonight."

Indeed, there were over a hundred suspects waiting to be interrogated. Compiling the entire incident into a case report would be a tedious process, requiring more patience and stamina than the adrenaline-fueled manhunt.

As Lu He turned to leave, Meng Siqi hesitated but finally asked, "Captain Lu, are you sure your hands are okay?"

Lu He paused, glanced back at her, and with a faint smile, replied, "I'm fine. Thanks, Siqi."

Meng Siqi smiled softly, knowing that Lu He would never admit to being in pain, especially when it came to work.

Luo Xiaoguo, trailing behind Lu He, urged, "You should get that bandaged at the hospital, boss. What if it gets infected? You won't even be able to hold a gun properly later."

Watching Lu He’s retreating figure, Meng Siqi wondered how he would manage with both hands injured, especially after such a sweaty day. Taking a shower would probably be a challenge. She then reminded herself that she might be overthinking it. After all, there were plenty of colleagues from Team One who could assist Lu He with his daily needs.

"Siqi, what's going on with Captain Lu?" Zhao Leiting asked.

At that moment, Han Changlin, Feng Shaomin, and Tang Xiaochuan turned to look at her. They likely hadn’t noticed the brief moment when Lu He’s injured hand was exposed. Meng Siqi had no choice but to explain, "Captain Lu appears to have injured both hands."

Tang Xiaochuan voiced his concern, "Will it affect his ability to hold a gun?"

Zhao Leiting added, "Relax, Old Tang. It’s probably just a minor injury. But I do have a question—won’t Lu He’s daily routine be a bit difficult for the next few days?"

As he said this, Zhao Leiting looked at Meng Siqi, who was puzzled as to why he was looking at her. She furrowed her brows and asked, "Are you asking me?"

"No, just discussing," Zhao Leiting said.

Han Changlin, in good spirits, teased Zhao Leiting, "‘Director Zhao,’ shouldn’t you be concerned about our captain’s well-being? Maybe we should assign you as Lu He’s personal assistant for the next few days."

Everyone laughed, and Zhao Leiting, pretending to be offended, remained silent. Han Changlin laughed and said, "Let’s wrap it up! Chuan, order extra snacks for tonight. We’re working through the night. And Zhao Leiting, if you’re not planning to be a personal assistant, you can drive Meng home."

Zhao Leiting slid into the back seat and asked, "Captain Han, should I drop Siqi off now or later?"

"You still want to rest? After dropping her off, you’d better come back for the interrogation."

Meng Siqi got into the car and closed the door. "Captain Han, I’ll join the interrogation too."

"You’re all sweaty. It’s not appropriate. Go home and freshen up first."

"I have a change of clothes in the office."

Feng Shaomin, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, "Meng, the interrogation will take a while. Listen to Captain Han. You need to conserve your energy for tomorrow’s sessions."

Meng Siqi understood that Feng Shaomin was concerned about her, but he was also stating the reality. With so many people involved, the interrogation would definitely be troublesome, and they only had twenty-four hours. They needed to conduct the interrogations in shifts.

Ever since she took down a criminal earlier that day, Feng Shaomin had been lost in a mix of emotions—pride in her, but also an unspoken sorrow. She remembered when she first met Feng Shaomin; he always wore a serious expression. But now she understood that he carried a heavy burden in his heart. Perhaps it was the deep bond between master and apprentice. If she had been the one shot today, her master would have been devastated. She could understand that kind of emotion, especially the almost frantic state he was in today.

She had promised to listen to her master, so this time she agreed. "Master, I’ll listen to you. I’ll join the interrogation tomorrow."

"Good," Feng Shaomin nodded, his expression lightening slightly.

After Meng Siqi went home to rest, Feng Shaomin felt a surge of emotion. He was proud of Meng Siqi’s performance that day. Not only had she taken down the criminal with courage and quick thinking, but she had also cracked Yao Renjun’s “iron fortress.”

Yao Renjun, a cunning and wily man, had ended up like a cornered dog, lying on the ground and ranting that Meng Siqi was a devil.

Feng Shaomin believed Meng Siqi must have used some unconventional method to provoke Yao Renjun, though it might not have been by the book. He decided to cover for her and, when reporting her accomplishments, would simply state that she had used meticulous reasoning to expose Yao Renjun's deception.

That evening, after returning home, Meng Siqi soaked in a hot bath, letting the water wash away the day's exhaustion and stress. She planned to get back to the station early the next morning to take over the interrogation, giving the others a chance to rest.

As she reached for the soap, it slipped through her fingers and hit the floor. Hours had passed since the shooting, but the adrenaline still coursed through her, leaving her hands trembling with residual panic.

She didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if she had missed or been just a second too slow. Could one of her teammates have been shot? The thought was unbearable. She tilted her head back, letting the warm water cascade over her, trying to find some peace.

However, early the next morning, when Meng Siqi arrived at the station, Zhao Leiting broke the news to her: the middle-aged man who had plummeted from a high-rise the previous afternoon was none other than Jia Longhui, the general manager of the Seattle Club.

She had initially suspected that the man in the white helmet who escaped was Jia Longhui, or that he might have been hiding among the suspects. But now, with Jia Longhui having jumped, the case had become even more complex.

Jia Longhui must have known all the club’s darkest secrets. With his death, uncovering the full truth would be far more difficult.

They might be able to piece together some answers by interrogating the suspects, but it wouldn’t be as close to the truth as what Jia Longhui knew.

She knew that Captain Lu must be feeling troubled, but he was likely more composed than she was and probably had a plan to handle the situation.

Additionally, Zhao Leiting dropped another bombshell: Ding Yinghong and the five missing textile factory workers were not among the rescued women.

Yet, Meng Siqi had clearly overheard Yao Renjun and Jia Longhui talking about sending the "Five Golden Flowers" from the textile factory to the club. So why were they nowhere to be found now?

Zhao Leiting explained, "Commissioner Liu returned last night. The Seattle Club is connected to the Ruan Mengying case. Captain Lu will be handling the follow-up. If those five workers were indeed taken to the club, given the conditions there, it’s likely they’ve already suffered a terrible fate."

Meng Siqi felt a heavy sigh rise in her chest. This was the most likely outcome—five young lives lost in the hands of those monsters.

Moreover, she had heard rumors that the club had been holding young girls captive, forcing them into prostitution. The club had been operating for over eight years, long enough to commit unspeakable crimes. How else could they have kept their secrets hidden for so long? The abused girls likely didn’t survive.

Meng Siqi didn’t dare to dwell on it. Commissioner Liu had likely assigned Captain Lu to lead the investigation into the Seattle Club, given his involvement from the start. But Meng Siqi was determined to stay on top of the case. She needed to uncover the truth about the Seattle Club, the fate of the Five Golden Flowers, and the other girls who had suffered the same fate.

Aside from the Seattle Club case, Yao Renjun was now in custody, and questioning him was the second team’s top priority. With his Alzheimer’s act exposed, today might finally reveal some of the Dandelion Textile Factory’s secrets.

Sure enough, Captain Han soon came over to give her instructions. "Meng, you'll be interrogating Yao Renjun this morning," he said, yawning widely. His eyes were puffy, clearly from a sleepless night.

"Got it, Captain Han. Don’t worry."

Captain Han forced his heavy eyes open. "Have Zhao Leiting assist you with the notes. He managed to catch a couple of hours of sleep yesterday. I sent your mentor to bed in the early morning; his body couldn’t handle a full night without rest. He should be here by mid-morning."

"Got it, Captain Han. Don’t worry."

"I’m going to grab a couple of hours of sleep," Captain Han said, covering his mouth as he yawned again. "Thanks for stepping up, Meng."

In the office, Captain Han called out, "Chuan, go get some rest. I’ll wake you up later."

Meng Siqi quickly grabbed her notebook and motioned for Zhao Leiting, who was still yawning, to join her for the interrogation.

Zhao Leiting looked apologetic. "I don’t think I can take notes. I can’t stay focused."

Meng Siqi could see how exhausted he was, but they needed at least two people for the interrogation. "Captain Han said you got some sleep last night," she urged.

"I only got about two hours of sleep," Zhao Leiting said, holding up three fingers. "My vision’s still blurry. I can handle the interrogation, but I don’t think I can take accurate notes."

"Then I’ll handle both the questioning and the notes," Meng Siqi decided. "It’s the only option."

"There’s a solution," Zhao Leiting suggested. "We can call Lin Minjia. She’s fast with both typing and writing."

"Hmm, Zhao Leiting, you seem pretty familiar with Lin Minjia."

Zhao Leiting yawned and leaned in close to her ear, saying, "She was the one who initiated things with me."

"Sure, Zhao Leiting," Meng Siqi said, feeling awkward for him but teasing with a smile. "I'll check with her later."

Zhao Leiting suddenly perked up, "Hey, Siqi, do we even have anything in common anymore?"

Meng Siqi could sense Zhao Leiting's feelings for Lin Minjia and smiled warmly. "We definitely have a lot in common. I'll make sure to keep an eye on Lin Minjia from now on."

Zhao Leiting: "..."

At the door to the interrogation room, Meng Siqi saw Lin Minjia. She had two small ponytails, her hair was glossy and black, her eyes were large, and her face still had a touch of baby fat, giving her a youthful and adorable appearance.

Actually, Lin Minjia had joined the bureau a year before Meng Siqi. Maybe because she had started school earlier than most, she was a few months younger than Meng Siqi. Being young and looking it, Lin Minjia called almost everyone "sister." At that moment, she sweetly called out, "Sister Siqi," though they hadn't become very close yet.

It was hard not to like someone like her at first sight. Besides, Lin Minjia was a top computer science major, and in this era, computer science was a cutting-edge field. Age didn't matter as much as talent, and younger, driven individuals often knew more.

Meng Siqi smiled and said, "Minjia, we're short-staffed today, so we brought you in to help. Thanks for your hard work—I'll treat you to a meal later."

Lin Minjia smiled, her dimples showing, "No problem, Sister Siqi. We can grab a meal together later."

During their conversation, Meng Siqi noticed that Zhao Leiting kept glancing at Lin Minjia, his face lit up with a joyful expression. She thought the two of them looked quite alike, both appearing younger than their actual age.

Meng Siqi wasn't usually interested in office romances, but when it came to Zhao Leiting, she hoped he would find someone he genuinely liked. Though Zhao Leiting always wore a sunny smile around everyone, including her, she wished this time his smile meant something different.

As they pushed open the door to the interrogation room, the three of them instantly shifted their expressions. Their smiles disappeared as if erased by an invisible hand. Even Lin Minjia, who rarely looked serious, became somber.

Everyone knew the type of person sitting in the interrogation room. Calm, selfish, and cold-blooded, he had managed to stay unscathed while others suffered, even earning a good reputation. During the textile factory's darkest days of bankruptcy, he had ruthlessly sacrificed the lives and well-being of the female workers for his own profit.

In his old age, to evade justice, he had gone to great lengths, enduring physical and mental strain to fake severe Alzheimer's disease. That level of determination wasn't something an ordinary person could manage.

However, when they entered the interrogation room, Meng Siqi saw a different side of Yao Renjun. She had expected him to be as confident and cold-faced as he was in the nursing home, ready to face any danger.

But at that moment, he looked much older. He lacked energy, his hair was disheveled and stuck to his forehead, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to have deepened, making him look even more weathered.

His eyes were hollow, different from the vacant gaze of an Alzheimer's patient. While Alzheimer's patients' eyes reflect forgetfulness, his hollow gaze revealed a deeper despair—the despair of someone who had once been "glorious" but now found himself imprisoned, with no one to rely on in old age.

Meng Siqi now understood why Yao Renjun had gone to such lengths to pretend to have Alzheimer's. He wanted to cling to the good reputation he had built for as long as possible.

But the moment he saw Meng Siqi, his hollow eyes flickered with panic. His face twitched, and he weakly spat out, "Devil... you're a devil..."