Free Web NovelChapter 305: Chapter 305: News
"Su Qing!"
Qiao Wensong was delighted to see Su Qing. He quickly welcomed her into his office and asked, "What brings you here?"
Su Qing replied, "I wanted to ask about Wang Xuehong’s case. I was wondering if there have been any developments, and I also wanted to see if there’s anything I can do to help. You know I’m not without my skills."
Qiao Wensong hadn’t expected Su Qing to come all the way to Yun Province just for Wang Xuehong’s case. He said, "This matter is quite complicated, and the implications are serious. We don’t have many leads at the moment and are still in the process of investigating. A young lady like you shouldn’t get involved. It’s too dangerous. You should go home for now. As soon as we have any definite news, I’ll notify you immediately."
Although Qiao Wensong knew from the incident at Da Hu Mountain that Su Qing wasn’t some defenseless girl, this case was simply too complex. Every aspect of it was fraught with danger, and he absolutely could not stand by and watch Su Qing walk into it.
"Captain Qiao, what leads have you found so far? If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me? To be honest, this elder helped me once, and I need to know what’s going on. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest easy."
Of course, offering to help was just something Su Qing said. She knew Qiao Wensong would never let her get involved. Aside from the fact that she wasn’t part of the police system, the connection to Xiangcheng and drug trafficking alone was enough for him to keep her away for her own safety. Her real plan was to gather some information and then head directly to Xiangcheng to find the person herself.
Qiao Wensong looked at Su Qing’s earnest expression, pursed his lips, and stood up to close his office door firmly. He then said to her, "Alright, I’ll tell you a few things. But this is for your ears only. If you want to look around Chuncheng, you can do so for a couple of days, but then you need to go home immediately. You absolutely cannot get involved in this. It’s just too dangerous, understand?"
Su Qing nodded quickly.
Qiao Wensong sighed and said to Su Qing in a low voice, "This case isn’t just about Wang Xuehong. Before him, quite a few others have mysteriously disappeared, not just in Yun Province, but in Guang City as well. From what we’ve gathered so far, they were all abducted by the same criminal organization. As for what’s involved... on one hand, it has ties to Xiangcheng, and on the other, it involves drug trafficking. So, the situation is extremely complex."
This information was confidential and shouldn’t have been shared with Su Qing. However, Qiao Wensong remembered how she had helped them back at Da Hu Mountain—she had even saved his colleague’s life. Because of that, he decided to tell her a little about the case.
Upon hearing this, Su Qing quickly asked, "Captain Qiao, do you know who the people in that criminal organization are?"
Qiao Wensong shook his head. "Right now, we only know it involves Xiangcheng. But as you know, investigating matters related to Xiangcheng from our side is rather tricky. That’s why we have to conduct our investigation covertly, which slows things down. Honestly, we’re very anxious too. Every day that passes puts those people in more danger. We’re doing everything we can to resolve this as quickly as possible so we can rescue more of the victims."
"So, are people still disappearing mysteriously?" Su Qing asked.
"Yes. The times and locations are random, and their targets seem to be chosen at random as well. It’s impossible to guard against." Qiao Wensong was clearly frustrated by this. "The Yun Province police have already teamed up with the police in Guang City to investigate, but people are still vanishing from time to time. It’s giving us a massive headache."
Su Qing asked a few more questions, but when it became clear she couldn’t get any more information, she said her goodbyes to Qiao Wensong.
Qiao Wensong was busy with the case and had no time to entertain Su Qing. He could only urge her to look around Chuncheng for a bit and then head home as soon as possible. To put his mind at ease, Su Qing agreed with a nod.
As soon as Su Qing returned to the guesthouse, Li Huan joyfully pounced on her. "Qingqing! How long will your business take? Once you’re done, let’s explore Chuncheng! I love it here! I love the scenery and the food!"
Li Huan was ecstatic. It was the first time in her life she had ever traveled so far from home.
Su Qing closed the door to their room, pulled Li Huan over to sit on the bed, and said with a serious expression, "The business I’m here for might take a while. Also, I have to leave Chuncheng soon. I’ll buy you a train ticket back to Beijing for tomorrow. When I have another chance, I’ll bring you back to Chuncheng, okay?"
"What?!" Li Huan’s eyes went wide. "Qingqing, if I go back now, my mom will kill me! I’m absolutely not going back to get a beating! I’m staying with you! Don’t worry, I promise I won’t cause you any trouble!"
As she spoke, Li Huan blinked her big, round eyes, which were now glistening with moisture as she looked at Su Qing like a little doe.
’Are you kidding me? I snuck out behind Her Majesty my mother’s back. She’s definitely still fuming,’ she thought. ’And then there’s my dad. If I go back now, I’ll definitely get a beatdown from the both of them. And don’t even think about calling Grandma and Grandpa for help. If they found out, it wouldn’t just be a doubles match—it would turn into a full-on team sport!’
Looking at Li Huan’s pitiful expression, Su Qing sighed. ’Fine, I guess I’ll take her with me.’
"Let’s go," Su Qing said, standing up.
"Ah, Qingqing, you can’t be so cruel! Are you really going to buy a ticket and ship me back to Beijing?" Li Huan whined, tugging on Su Qing’s sleeve.
"Come on, let’s go call your mom. She must be worried sick by now. You need to let her know you’re safe."
"Oh."
