Chapter 57: Times Have Changed

Chapter 57: The Times They Are A-Changin'

As members of the Organized Crime Investigation Division donned their bulletproof vests in the locker room, they couldn't help but discuss Jian Ruochen's strategy.

"Giving the robbers 50 million... Isn't he afraid it won't be recovered?"

"What if it isn't? With STN creating such a massive media spectacle, are they really worried about today's profits being insufficient?"

"This 50 million not only increases the robbers' sentences, leaving them with no way out, but also enriches his own media company and boosts our clearance rates."

"More than that. He's drawing everyone's attention to this robbery. On the surface, it lets the mastermind behind it get what they want and lowers their guard, but behind the scenes, he's following the trail and might even nab the robbers' handlers."

The more they thought about it, the more astonishing it seemed.

"What a brilliant plan..." Gong Yingjie tightened the Velcro on the side of his bulletproof vest, checked his holster and magazine, and sighed. "You really can't fight getting older. When I was his age, I could never have come up with such a thorough strategy."

"Brilliant, yes, but who knows if it'll actually lead to an arrest?"

"Yeah, boss... I have a weird feeling about this. Do you think Jian Ruochen is trying to set us up?"

Workplace rivalry and backstabbing are common, even in the police force. Those who made it into the CID of the Kowloon Regional Police Station were all seasoned officers, well-acquainted with schemes that, while not affecting the big picture, could definitely hinder promotions.

Gong Yingjie shot him a look. "Didn't you hear the news? He's the owner of STN Media. If he really wanted to mess with us, would he need to take such a convoluted approach?"

"True enough."

They kept talking, but their hands never stopped moving, efficiently preparing their magazines.

"Ah... the young master is just experiencing life. He's got strong backing, so if things go wrong, it's no big deal for him. But we're screwed."

Gong Yingjie kicked the guy in the ass, lowering his voice to warn him. "Why are you so bitter today? Don't you have informants? Jian Ruochen wasn't born with a silver spoon. You have no idea what he's been through."

The locker room fell silent.

After all, Jian Ruochen was the first external Criminal Psychological Consultant. The moment he stepped into the Kowloon Regional Police Station, his past was thoroughly scrutinized.

Gong Yingjie stored ammunition, backup flashbangs, and tear gas in his chest pocket, scanned the room, and lightened the mood. "Anyway, following our usual methods, we'd first analyze the escape route, then take the license plate number and ask around at shops and residences along the way, going door-to-door."

"That approach would never catch them in three hours. Might as well gamble on Jian Ruochen's idea. If we're wrong, we can fall back on our original plan. The pressure isn't on us."

The Organized Crime Investigation Division members exchanged glances.

Right...

The one under the most pressure now was Jian Ruochen.

When Gong Yingjie led the team out, Jian Ruochen and Guan Yingjun were also geared up.

The group sped off in cars toward the area circled on the map.

Gong Yingjie sat in the back seat of Guan Yingjun's car, leaning forward to look at the person in the passenger seat. "If we're wrong this time, the authority you built at the shooting range will vanish, the money you spent treating us to afternoon tea will be wasted. Won't you lose face?"

Jian Ruochen glanced up, meeting his eyes in the side mirror. "Face won't solve cases."

He said calmly, "If I'm wrong, then so be it. Respect has to be earned. Otherwise, what's the point?"

A shiver ran down Gong Yingjie's spine.

The young man's confident, spirited demeanor was utterly impressive.

Sitting behind Jian Ruochen, he suddenly felt as if he had returned to his early days at the Police Headquarters—filled with a fire in his belly.

Gong Yingjie leaned forward to peek again. The side mirror reflected Jian Ruochen resting his chin on his hand, watching the scenery outside.

He withdrew his gaze.

Damn.

How could someone so clever have ever liked Lu Qian?

Thankfully, that's over now. If Jian Ruochen weren't on the police's side, things would've taken a very different turn.

Twenty-five minutes later, five cars parked near the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

Jian Ruochen got out and checked the map against the surroundings. "It's this area. Probably that neighborhood up ahead."

Everyone shifted their gaze from the colorful map to look into the distance.

The disorderly red-brick buildings were a stretch to call a neighborhood.

Most were only two stories tall, crammed tightly together.

Not far away was the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation office. The red-brick buildings were likely employee housing for the KCRC.

The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront was known for its shady businesses, with multiple gangs operating there. Its danger level was second only to the Kowloon Walled City.

The difference was, the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront stretched 1.2 kilometers, covering a vast area with numerous factions.

The Hong Kong police don’t have much pull here.

Gong Yingjie licked his lips, breathing a little faster. "We'd better not alert the KCRC people. This is under British jurisdiction."

He paused, "Looking at the map... it should be the buildings near the beach?"

"Mm." Jian Ruochen pointed. "Four possibilities."

Guan Yingjun added, "It's the last building on the west side."

Gong Yingjie asked in surprise, "Why?"

Did everyone in Team A have some special skill, like a sixth sense?

The kind that made the rest of them feel like they never attended police academy.

He glanced at Guan Yingjun several times but got no answer. "Fine, let's scope out the one you mentioned first."

The last building on the west side stood against the beach, with a road in front, sand and a small port on the side, and jagged ocean rocks behind.

Jian Ruochen trudged unevenly on the sand, and his sneakers quickly filled with sand.

If it were just soft fine sand, it would be manageable, but the beach was littered with broken shells and rough pebbles, grinding uncomfortably against his feet.

He frowned, gradually bringing up the rear.

Guan Yingjun walked beside him.

Jian Ruochen held back for a moment, feeling genuinely uncomfortable, and had to distract himself by talking, "Why the last building on the west side?"

Guan Yingjun's lips curled slightly, "When the robber kicked your suitcase, I noticed cement dust and scrape marks from reef rocks on his shoes."

Jian Ruochen made an understanding "Oh," "So that's it. Among these buildings, only the last one on the west side has tetrapods (coastal defense structures) stacked near the beach, and tetrapods are usually placed in reef areas."

Why would the second robber have marks from reef rocks and tetrapods on his shoes?

The question had just surfaced when Jian Ruochen immediately answered it himself, "They must have hidden the loot they hadn't processed yet near the tetrapods along the coast. That spot is both hard to detect and convenient for transportation."

Guan Yingjun lowered his gaze to the person beside him. The sound of waves echoed in his ears, each wave swelling his feelings.

Jian Ruochen could always quickly follow his train of thought. Not only that, but he could also build upon it, his mind working rapidly...

Jian Ruochen turned his head, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Guan Yingjun chuckled softly, "You've covered it all. I have nothing to add."

The youth walked alongside him, his fresh, sweet pomelo fragrance faintly overpowering the salty sea breeze, making one feel at ease.

Jian Ruochen blinked and added, "It's all thanks to Detective Guan's great start."

The back-and-forth praise felt almost like it canceled each other out.

As they spoke in low voices, the police officers arrived in front of the target building.

Jian Ruochen immediately fell silent, enduring the discomfort of the jabbing debris in his shoe, and quickly moved to the front of the group.

A gray van was parked outside the building, its license plate number... AA1223!

They were really here!

The officers of the Organized Crime Investigation Division looked at Jian Ruochen with newfound respect in their eyes.

Jian Ruochen's marksmanship proved his physical skills were qualified, meeting the essential criteria to become a plainclothes police officer. His affluence and people skills meant working with him would be pleasant.

But that wasn't the main point...

The most crucial thing was that he could pinpoint the robbers' hideout in just three minutes by drawing four circles.

This mind, these skills!

He was a natural-born cop!

A thought flashed through Gong Yingjie's mind: Once this case is closed, he had to find a way to snatch Jian Ruochen away from the Major Crimes Unit!

He crouched down, clenched his fist, raised it, and signaled downward, then changed his gesture to form a "2," pointing two fingers directly at the front window.

"Go stealth."

"Two guards at the front window to prevent the robbers from breaking through and escaping."

Two officers immediately split off from the rear.

Just as Gong Yingjie was about to move, Guan Yingjun suddenly grabbed his gun grip and slowly shook his head.

The man's hand gestured backward, pointing toward the rear of the house.

"There's a back door."

Two more officers split off from the rear to block the back door.

Jian Ruochen held his breath, his gaze still fixed on the gestures Guan Yingjun had made, when he was abruptly shoved back by Guan Yingjun and Gong Yingjie working together.

Guan Yingjun glanced back at Jian Ruochen and formed a "C" with his hand.

"Magazine."

The A-team had secured the entrance, and the key to the locker room was with Madam Lam, making it impossible to access the regulated ammunition.

But Jian Ruochen's bulletproof vest contained the four magazines Guan Yingjun had loaded during their last trip to Kowloon Walled City.

He pulled one out and handed it over, watching as Guan Yingjun smoothly inserted it into the gun handle, racked the slide, and chambered a round.

Longing gleamed in his eyes.

He’d have to wait until after the New Year to get his own service weapon...

Gong Yingjie signaled: "Prepare to breach."

His gun aimed at the lock, his finger just pressing the trigger when laughter erupted from behind the wooden door.

"—Hahaha! Fifty million to exchange for the hostage's life—these rich people are so stupid. Boss, we’ve hit the jackpot this time!"

"Let's drink! We’ll leave after this meal!"

Gong Yingjie pulled his foot back.

All eyes turned to Jian Ruochen again.

Knowing both the tangible and intangible returns Jian Ruochen would gain from spending those fifty million made the robbers inside, who were being played without even realizing it, seem especially foolish and laughable.

Jian Ruochen, unaware that ten people were staring at him, tilted his head to listen.

From behind the door came the sound of clinking glasses and voices, "Boss, the Hong Kong police are getting stupider all the time. I can even figure out their investigative techniques."

Another voice chuckled lewdly, "They’re probably asking about our escape routes bit by bit. Even though there’s only one road toward the waterfront, we always loop around, lose them, and then come back. Haha!"

"By the time those police figure it out, we’ll have already abandoned the hideout and left by boat! Just let those police stare at our left-behind evidence in confusion! Haha!"

Jian Ruochen listened, then turned to Gong Yingjie, "You all..."

Were you really planning to ask about the escape routes bit by bit?

Gong Yingjie: ...

The members of the Organized Crime Investigation Division: ...

Before Jian Ruochen joined, that was exactly what they had planned.

Everyone investigated cases that way—it was how the police academy taught them. Not everyone was like Detective Guan, skilled in deduction or induction.

Everyone was more accustomed to inferring conclusions based on social relationships and eyewitness testimonies.

The robbers' reason for mocking Jian Ruochen was absurdly laughable.

Yet the reason for their mockery struck like a sharp arrow, piercing straight through the knee.

It hurt—hurt so badly.

The members of Team B from the Criminal Investigation Division decided to vent this frustration on the robbers.

Gong Yingjie raised his gun and fired a sharp shot at the lock.

Guan Yingjun followed up with a powerful kick, slamming his foot into the door.

Bang!

The door swung open violently, crashing against the white wall behind the frame, splintering on one side instantly.

Before Jian Ruochen even stepped inside, he caught the scent of spicy red oil hot pot.

This wasn’t a typical taste for Hong Kong locals—here, seafood hot pot and chicken soup were more popular.

It had been a long time since he’d smelled authentic spicy red oil hot pot.

Guan Yingjun and Gong Yingjie bellowed in unison, “Don’t move! Everyone on the ground!”

The bank robbery scene was repeating itself.

But this time, it was the robbers who dropped to the ground.

The leader tried to grab his gun to fight back, but Gong Yingjie didn’t hesitate—he shot him in the hand.

Bang!

“I said on the ground!”

Jian Ruochen narrowed his eyes suddenly. Near the back door, someone was reaching for a gun leaning against the doorframe!

He couldn’t let them get it.

Jian Ruochen raised his voice, “Behind!”

Gong Yingjie turned, “What?”

At the same time, Guan Yingjun immediately reacted, raising his gun and pulling the trigger without hesitation, shooting the henchman by the back door in the arm.

The robber yelped in pain, dropping the automatic rifle in his hand.

Gong Yingjie was stunned. Guan Yingjun’s reflexes were so fast!

Jian Ruochen strode quickly over, kicked the back door open, and kicked the gun on the floor outside. After making sure no criminals could reach the firearms, he turned back to face the robbers.

The robber leader had a scar running across his face.

The moment he saw Jian Ruochen, he exclaimed in shock, “It’s you!”

The Criminal Psychology Consultant from the West Kowloon Regional Police Headquarters!

“How did you know we were here? How did you get here so fast?”

The officers swiftly handcuffed the five subdued robbers.

Jian Ruochen glanced at the spicy red oil hot pot.

The small table was a mess, but he could still make out the tripe floating in the pot.

In 1990s Hong Kong, tripe was worth next to nothing—no Hong Konger would eat this to celebrate making a fortune.

He averted his gaze and sneered, “Did you plan to finish this meal before leaving?”

Jian Ruochen bent down, picked up a glass from the table, and walked over to the robber who had been kicked to his knees by Guan Yingjun. He jammed the rim of the glass against the man’s mouth, prying it open. “We at West Kowloon are big on humanity. I can grant you that wish.”

He tilted the glass sharply, the rim preventing the robber from closing his lips, leaving him gaping helplessly. The first sip caught him off guard, and he choked—whether he drank or not was no longer up to him.

The robber forced himself to finish the liquor, tearing up from choking.

After pouring it all down, Jian Ruochen tapped his cheek lightly with the base of the glass. “Times have changed. Cops don’t nab perps by asking for directions these days.”

Gong Yingjie winced guiltily, his eyes darting away.

Jian Ruochen tossed the glass aside and picked up a liquor bottle from the table. “Tell me, who’s the one bankrolling you to hit five banks?”

Even though Detective Guan had informants keeping an eye on Kowloon, he still had to ask.

Informants were only human, and humans had their own agendas—what they said was far less reliable than hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth or from surveillance footage later.

He slowly crouched down, staring the robber down. “Right now, I’m the butcher, and you’re the meat. Answer my questions properly. If you hesitate, I’ll offer you another drink.”

Guan Yingjun watched Jian Ruochen, his heart hammering in his throat.

His mind reeled as if he were the one drinking.

Gong Yingjie stared, bewildered, for a moment before turning and asking, “What does this mean?”

Why was he forcing the robber to drink?

Guan Yingjun explained in a hushed tone, “He’s asserting dominance through action, making it clear who’s in charge. It helps with applying pressure.”

Sir Gong understood.

Consultant Jian wasn’t physically imposing, so he needed methods like this to back up his authority.

He looked at the criminal.

The robber’s expression remained defiant, stubborn as a mule.

Jian Ruochen gave a low chuckle. “Robbery involving 1 to 3 million gets you 10 to 20 years. For 50 million or more, it’s life in prison.”

“These days, money doesn’t come as easy as you think.”