Chapter 95: Quick Wit

Chapter 95: Quick Thinking

Jian Ruochen was utterly dumbfounded.

The most rebellious thing he had ever done in both his lives was cooking instant hotpot in a small pot in his university dorm.

Falsifying a search warrant was certainly wrong, but it was a necessary evil.

After all…

These were extraordinary times.

Jian Ruochen’s gaze drifted, following Team A as they marched in formation toward the elevator.

Their steps were perfectly synchronized, yet almost silent.

They looked rather surreptitious.

Just as they reached the elevator, it chimed open.

Jian Ruochen flinched, then looked up to see a man emerging: pot-bellied, with slicked-back hair, graying temples, and an air of authority.

Guan Yingjun greeted him, "Superintendent Tao."

Tao Hongyun smiled warmly. "Detective Guan, off to conduct interviews?"

Guan Yingjun, without a flicker of expression, fabricated, "Yes."

*Good thing Superintendent Tao isn’t an expert in microexpressions,* he thought to himself.

He turned to Jian Ruochen and introduced, "This is Chief Superintendent Tao Hongyun of the West Kowloon Regional Police Headquarters."

The "fake" search warrant flashed through Jian Ruochen’s mind. His palms grew sweaty, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Yet, meeting Tao Hongyun’s gaze, he feared that any misstep might jeopardize their upcoming operation.

So, he forced a smile, extended both hands, grasped the Chief Superintendent’s hand, and shook it vigorously, exclaiming, "I’ve heard so much about you! Your legendary reputation in the force—I’ve been hearing stories since I was a child!"

Guan Yingjun raised an eyebrow.

Tao Hongyun chuckled. "Oh, really?"

As he shook Jian Ruochen’s hand, he clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "Good lad. I came today specifically to commend you."

Jian Ruochen felt a rush of heat, his words coming out instinctively: "Ah… it’s all just part of my duty."

Tao Hongyun waved a dismissive hand. "Promoting the West Kowloon Regional Police Headquarters isn’t exactly in your job description, is it?"

"Now everyone outside is praising our West Kowloon Headquarters for being responsible and dependable. You’ve truly brought honor to the Major Crimes Unit."

Zhang Xingzong, standing behind, grinned foolishly, puffing out his chest as if basking in reflected glory.

Jian Ruochen, however, swallowed hard.

The words sounded complimentary, but they were a test.

It seemed Uncle Luo had already instructed STN to praise the Chief Superintendent of the West Kowloon Regional Police Headquarters.

Tao Hongyun knew STN was his, and this was a probe to see if his "praise" was genuine or merely a tactic.

"Haha, my joining the Major Crimes Unit is also thanks to your open-mindedness, Superintendent Tao, and your willingness to try new investigative methods. Without your support, Detective Guan wouldn’t have been able to bring in an external consultant."

Jian Ruochen spoke, his eyes crinkling with a smile, then added to Tao Hongyun, "Of course, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a police officer, but if Superintendent Tao hadn’t allowed me to be a consultant, I certainly wouldn’t have come to the station so early. I’m truly grateful for your generosity, Superintendent Tao~"

Tao Hongyun glanced at the Major Crimes Unit’s signboard, then back at Jian Ruochen.

He recalled Ms. Lin Yazhi, who had slammed her hands on his desk and nearly pointed a finger at his nose while scolding him.

And Mr. Guan Yingjun, who acted with such assertiveness, relying on his powerful uncle’s influence.

He now deeply understood the vast difference between people.

*See, this is what you call being sensible.*

*His words are so comforting.*

Jian Ruochen’s background wasn’t insignificant either.

For someone of his standing to speak so gracefully, and to be so agreeable in appearance—

For a moment, Tao Hongyun felt a little lightheaded with pleasure.

He felt as though he was finally experiencing the respect due to a Chief Superintendent within the Major Crimes Unit.

Tao Hongyun’s smile deepened the wrinkles on his face as he patted Jian Ruochen’s arm. "It’s all part of the job. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to come to me."

The "fake" search warrant again floated through Jian Ruochen’s mind.

Having a real one would certainly be better, but he absolutely couldn’t take these polite words at face value right now.

He simply smiled. "Then I’ll thank you in advance, Superintendent Tao."

Tao Hongyun said, "Your strategic vision is excellent. Keep up the good work; your future is boundless."

He then looked suspiciously at Liu Sizheng and Bi Wanwan, and suddenly asked, "Are you all carrying firearms for this visit? Such a large display?"

Liu Sizheng’s smile instantly froze.

*Damn it…*

*This old man has been upstairs for so many years; how has he not lost his detective instincts?*

Bi Wanwan replied, "Things are chaotic out there right now."

Jian Ruochen smoothly continued the fabrication. "Superintendent Tao, it’s mainly for my protection. Ah… I’ve… I’ve offended quite a few people lately. It wouldn’t be good to bring bodyguards to work; it would scare the public, and they might think we’re making a mountain out of a molehill."

Tao Hongyun considered this and agreed, his stern expression relaxing. He pressed the elevator button for Team A. "Then I won’t disturb your work. I’m going to check on Superintendent Lin."

"Understood. Goodbye, Superintendent Tao." Jian Ruochen waved as he stepped into the elevator with Team A.

Everyone was tense, fearing that Chief Superintendent Tao might sense something amiss at the last moment and ruin everything.

Three seconds later, the elevator doors closed, cutting off Tao Hongyun’s view.

"Whew—" Everyone collectively exhaled, their shoulders slumping in relief.

Liu Sizheng pulled at his sleeve to wipe sweat from his brow. "Damn, that scared me half to death."

Ding Gao asked, "Superintendent Tao just said he could help if we needed anything. Why didn’t we apply for a real search warrant?"

Bi Wanwan shot him a look. "Do you know why you’re still a regular officer? Leaders who’ve been detached from the grassroots for a long time aren’t on the same page as us. You can’t trust their words."

Ding Gao only half-understood, letting out a confused "Oh."

Silence fell in the elevator.

Zhang Xingzong finally caught on, smacking his lips. "I thought he was really here to praise Consultant Jian. Ah… too bad there’s no video camera. Otherwise, I’d have recorded that exchange to study frame by frame."

He was truly eager to improve.

Everyone exited the elevator, dispersed, and drove through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel to Hong Kong University.

Jian Ruochen took a book from the storage net pocket on the passenger side, pressed down the bookmark, and continued reading from where he had left off.

In his previous life, conditions were limited. The police academy’s departmental structure had been reformed, advocating for specialists to handle specialized tasks, with clear and strict divisions.

He had only studied criminal psychology, neglecting forensic science and drug identification.

Now, with Guan Yingjun by his side and a teacher named Li, hailed as an all-rounder in criminal profiling, he naturally felt a ravenous need to catch up.

The field of criminal investigation was profoundly deep.

Future criminals would only grow smarter, and relying solely on criminal psychology wouldn’t suffice.

Bi Wanwan, sitting in the back seat, glanced at the storage net pocket in the passenger seat and recalled the identical scent on Jian Ruochen and Guan Yingjun the other day.

Detective Guan was a bit of a neat freak with OCD—territorial, disliking others' belongings in his car, and dead set against eating in the vehicle.

That’s why the Toyota had hardly any storage space.

But now?

A net pocket had been added, better-quality tissues replaced the old ones, and inside the net were a book with a bookmark, along with small biscuits, bread, and candy.

Bi Wanwan counted them silently, clicking her tongue to herself.

*What a coincidence?*

Even if Detective Guan wasn’t with Consultant Jian, he was definitely smitten.

*Wow, is Detective Guan trying to win over the Little God of Wealth by helping him?*

*Not a bad plan.*

Bi Wanwan raised a hand to her cheek, covering a smirk in her palm.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the single-occupancy dorm at Hong Kong University.

Guan Yingjun called Lin Jiacheng, who was keeping watch nearby: "Any updates? Has the security guard left your sight? Could the codebook have been moved?"

Lin Jiacheng’s voice was hoarse. "No, we’ve been taking shifts. No gaps."

"Alright." Guan Yingjun hung up and turned to the group. "The moment we act, the British Hong Kong authorities will catch wind. They’ll be here to verify the search warrant in 15 minutes tops. We have to find the codebook before they arrive."

If they failed, it would all be for nothing.

Jian Ruochen felt his heart racing. He clenched his fingers. "I’ll stay in the car for backup. To handle any surprises."

His face was too recognizable; showing up would tip off the target.

Guan Yingjun nodded and led the team toward the single dormitory.

Jian Ruochen watched him hold up the search warrant, escort the security guard upstairs, and disappear into the hallway.

Out of sight.

He checked his watch.

Five minutes, ten minutes…

Jian Ruochen pursed his lips, glanced at the light reflected in the car window, and smoothed his hair, which was tied back.

Once Lu Qian was executed, he’d cut his hair shorter—a farewell to his past self.

His hair was too long now, always getting tangled while sleeping, too conspicuous during investigations, and too thick to wear a wig comfortably.

It would make the wig bulge too much.

Jian Ruochen checked his watch again.

Thirteen minutes.

Why weren’t they back yet? Was the codebook that hard to find?

He was getting antsy, his hand already on the car door when he heard a "Bang."

A gunshot!

His eyes widened slightly, followed by a series of successive gunshots.

Hong Kong police had strict rules about firing weapons—continuous shots were only permitted against armed robbers or fleeing drug dealers.

Their search warrant was already questionable, so Guan Yingjun would be especially careful.

So, was it the dorm supervisor who fired?

How did he get a gun?

Jian Ruochen pushed the car door open. As soon as his foot hit the ground, he heard approaching sirens.

He turned to see a black police car pulling up beside the Major Crimes Unit’s vehicles. A brown-haired British superintendent stepped out.

He scanned the area, quickly locked eyes with Jian Ruochen, and strode over, holding up his badge. "I’m Kevin Chris. We received a report that you forged a search warrant. Is this true?"

Jian Ruochen checked his watch—fifteen minutes had passed, and Guan Yingjun still hadn’t emerged.

Worried someone in Team A might have been shot, he forced himself to concentrate entirely on the British superintendent. "Forged search warrant?"

Jian Ruochen sneered. "How could that be? Our search warrant is completely legitimate."

Kevin smirked coldly, revealing teeth stained from sweets. Before he could speak, another gunshot echoed from the dormitory.

Then, a figure jumped from the second floor.

He crashed into a trash can below the dorm, a blood-stained book falling from his person.

He snatched it up and bolted.

The British superintendent remained unmoved.

Jian Ruochen cursed under his breath, "How utterly shameless."

Kevin raised his eyes. "We're here to investigate the search warrant. Anything else is not our responsibility."

His expression made it clear he knew exactly what had fallen.

Jian Ruochen's face turned cold.

This person must not escape, otherwise Guan Yingjun would be in trouble.

Without the codebook, the secret files couldn't be deciphered, and it would affect Interpol’s National Central Bureau.

The contents of the secret files were of unknown danger. If it were only targeting him, that would be one thing, but he feared it concerned larger operations. Once problems arose, more people would suffer.

No time to waste!

Jian Ruochen stepped forward, suddenly looking behind Kevin. "Hey! What are you doing here?"

Kevin turned back suspiciously. "Who's there?"

Seizing the moment of distraction, Jian Ruochen reached out and drew Kevin's service weapon, then turned and aimed at the fleeing man, quickly pulling the trigger.

"Bang!"

The bullet hit the security guard in the lower body, and he collapsed with a grunt.

Kevin turned back in disbelief. "You? What are you doing?"

Jian Ruochen took out a handkerchief, wiped the gun clean, and swiftly slipped it back into Kevin's holster: "Thank you, Mr. Kevin Chris, for your righteous act, bringing honor to West Kowloon."

He smirked, mimicking Kevin's tone. "We'll make sure this gets in the report."

Guan Yingjun vaulted from the second floor, opened the book in the man's hand, flipped through it, and nodded slightly in Jian Ruochen's direction.

Kevin's face instantly turned stormy.

The West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit was a pack of damn thugs!

Shameless!

How could Jian Ruochen move so fast!

So nimble!

Gave me no time to react!

Jian Ruochen gave a knowing smile at Kevin. "Why are you so nervous? Do you know what kind of criminal evidence he was hiding?"