Case 122: Another Affair (Third Update!)

About ten minutes later, Han Bin, Zeng Ping, Zheng Kaixuan, and the others regrouped.

Han Bin approached and said, “Captain Zheng, we didn’t manage to complete the tailing mission. Sorry to disappoint you.”

Zheng Kaixuan reached out and patted Han Bin on the shoulder encouragingly. “If I were you, I’d do the same.”

Han Bin smiled. “Thank you, Captain Zheng.”

“As long as the casino people remain unaware, we still have a chance,” Zheng Kaixuan said before moving aside to confer with the others.

Soon after, Zheng Kaixuan dismissed the police officers from Nanqiao Town Police Station and the members of Team One, leaving only Team Two present.

He pulled out a pack of Hadem cigarettes and passed them around. Turning to Tian Li, he asked with a smile, “Xiao Tian, smoking here isn’t against the rules, right?”

Tian Li gave a wry smile. “Captain Zheng, you’re such a big leader, not holding grudges.”

“Ha ha…” Zheng Kaixuan chuckled, lit a cigarette, and took a deep, blissful drag. “Everyone else has left, now it’s just Team Two. Let’s discuss how to proceed with the case.”

“Captain Zheng, do we have any backup plans?” Zhao Ming asked curiously.

“Wang Deli still has a pinhole camera and a voice recorder on him. If all goes well, he should have captured footage and audio of the casino,” Zheng Kaixuan explained.

“So even if we can’t find the casino’s location, the video and audio can still serve as evidence,” Zhao Ming said instinctively.

“Exactly,” Zheng Kaixuan nodded.

Finding the casino and catching them red-handed would be the best evidence, but if that’s not possible, the recordings and witness testimonies can still convict Zhang Hailong and the others running the casino.

“So, does that mean following the target or not doesn’t really matter?” Zhao Ming, still new, hadn’t fully grasped the nuances.

“Tailing is still necessary,” Han Bin explained, flicking ash from his cigarette. “First, it ensures the informant’s safety. If anything happens, we can rush to their aid immediately.”

“Second, if we catch someone red-handed during the gambling session, the evidence will be much stronger and the case easier to close.”

“Sharpening the axe before chopping wood saves effort later,” Zeng Ping added.

Tian Li found a spot with a light breeze and asked, “We failed to tail this time. What if the informant gets discovered?”

“We stopped tailing in time to avoid alerting the casino people. In a way, we’re protecting the informant,” Zheng Kaixuan, far more experienced than the rest, assured them.

“Captain Zheng, what’s the next step?” Zeng Ping asked.

“There are two cases to investigate: the casino and a robbery. If someone involved in the robbery is also from the gambling group, their next target is likely the person who won the last game,” Zheng Kaixuan analyzed.

“Captain Zheng, do you want to stake out where the bus returns?” Han Bin guessed.

“That’s right,” Zheng Kaixuan replied, showing a hint of approval before continuing.

“According to Wang Deli’s statement, the gambling session ends at five. The bus leaves the mountain at five thirty and returns to the city around six, stopping near Blue Star Meikailong on Jianbei Road.”

Han Bin gave a wry smile—his guess had been right. Once the game ended and everyone dispersed, the winner was very likely to be robbed.

“Captain Zheng, please assign the tasks,” Zhao Ming, eager and fearless, said.

Zheng Kaixuan nodded, pleased with his enthusiasm. “Tonight, let’s work hard. Han Bin and Li Hui will guard the first half of the night, Tian Li and Zhao Ming will take the second half.”

“One more thing,” Zeng Ping warned, “though the bus usually returns around six based on past experience, the time could change.”

“Surveillance shows two robbers working together. If one is from the gambling group, the other might arrive early near Blue Star Meikailong to lie in wait. Stay alert and watch for suspicious people.”

“Yes, sir,” the four answered in unison.

…

Half an hour later, the group returned to the city. Both cars parked near Blue Star Meikailong.

Han Bin and Li Hui shared one vehicle, guarding from eleven p.m. to two a.m.

Tian Li and Zhao Ming took the other, guarding from two a.m. to five a.m.

Zeng Ping and Zheng Kaixuan took a taxi and left.

Han Bin got out to buy some water and snacks at a nearby convenience store. Staying inside the car all night would be tough without some provisions.

Back in the car, Han Bin and Li Hui drank some water and ate.

“Binzi, how do you want to keep watch tonight?” Li Hui asked.

“You decide,” Han Bin replied.

Li Hui glanced at his phone. “You go first. I’ll take over at twelve thirty.”

The first to stand guard could get some uninterrupted sleep later; Han Bin had no objections.

“Then you rest for a bit.”

“No rush.” Li Hui smiled slyly, putting on his earphones and plugging in his phone. “I’ll watch something on my phone for a while before sleeping.”

“Aren’t you tired watching your phone instead of sleeping?” Han Bin asked.

Li Hui, already bobbing his head to the beat, seemed not to hear.

Han Bin glanced at his phone screen, showing a woman in her early twenties—quite pretty—apparently live streaming.

Han Bin shook his head and said no more.

Perhaps the charm of a beautiful woman outweighed the need for sleep.

…

Han Bin wasn’t influenced by Li Hui; he kept a vigilant eye on his surroundings, watching for anything unusual, especially any motorcyclists.

If the robbers struck again, they might use the same mode of transport.

Around midnight, Li Hui turned off his phone and dozed off for half an hour.

At twelve thirty, he relieved Han Bin.

Han Bin reclined his seat, exhausted after a long day, and quickly fell asleep.

…

Five in the morning.

“Knock, knock,” came a sharp tapping on the glass.

Han Bin suddenly opened his eyes and saw a man standing outside—none other than Zeng Ping.

Han Bin opened the door, stepped out, and stretched. “Captain Zeng, when did you get here?”

“Just arrived. Have some breakfast.” Zeng Ping handed over a bag containing a pancake and a small carton of milk.

Han Bin, feeling hungry, took a bite of the pancake. “Two eggs?”

“These eggs are small; one wouldn’t be enough for you all,” Zeng Ping smiled and handed another bag to the just-awakened Li Hui.

“Get some fresh air, then eat back in the car. Don’t let the robbers notice anything unusual.”

After breakfast, they resumed surveillance from inside the car. It was still too early to see anyone outside, and standing out there would be too conspicuous.

Time ticked by, but Han Bin and the others saw nothing suspicious.

“Buzz…”

Around five fifty, Zeng Ping’s phone rang. He quickly checked it. “It’s a message from Wang Deli.”

“What does it say?”

Zeng Ping frowned, hesitating a moment before answering, “He sent a photo of a man, with two words underneath: ‘Sword God.’”

Li Hui was puzzled. “What does that mean?”