Monday, students return to school.
Right in front of the entrance of the Seventh Middle School, on the rooftop of a twenty-story building.
Previously, Blood Wolf and his associates, who were pursuing Shen Zuimo, were watching every move at the entrance of the Seventh Middle School from the rooftop. However, another key figure in this matter was also present, and that was the hotel owner.
Indeed, the hotel owner recognized Ye Xiaofan.
Originally, the police intended to have him come to the school to identify people, but the day after the incident, the hotel owner was so scared that he fled back to his hometown.
To quickly find clues, the police had to spend a lot of time bringing the hotel owner back. However, unexpectedly, the day after he was brought back, the hotel owner was abducted, and it wasn't discovered until fifteen hours later.
Under threat to his life, the hotel owner had to do what they said, and they also promised that once they found the student they were looking for, they would release him. So, the hotel owner was diligently searching with binoculars.
On the police side, chaos ensued, and more than fifty officers were urgently assembled, ready to be deployed at any moment. The chief continued an emergency meeting. The final conclusion was shocking: there was an internal mole in the police station.
Only those in the police station knew about the secret retrieval of the hotel owner, and for the other party to abduct him so quickly meant they had received advance notice.
Now the problem arose: the other party certainly wanted to find that high school student first, and if they succeeded, then Shen Zuimo and the high school student would probably be in grave danger. Preventing this would be more difficult, not only because of the mole but also because the adversaries were in the shadow, likely close to a breakthrough already.
Time is of the essence; full preparations must be made.
Finally, the chief issued orders: among the fifty officers available, two would follow each of the twenty-seven screened high school students. Once cleared, police forces would concentrate to continue protecting those who might become targets.
"Hello, headquarters? This is Shen Junjie. I need reinforcement from headquarters. My sister is in great danger..."
"Junjie, the team supporting you will arrive in five hours. Hang in there."
"Understood."
Five hours, huh? Glancing at the time. Eight in the morning. Until one in the afternoon, this period must be used to safeguard the student.
"Damn it." Shen Junjie angrily kicked a trash can. His family was so close to him, yet they missed each other time and again. As a brother, he felt utterly useless.
'Ring ring ring...' Suddenly, the phone rang. Shen Junjie answered promptly.
"Hello, who is this..."
"Junjie, I'm aware of the situation over there." On the other end came an old yet authoritative voice.
"Elder Ren. How... how did you..." Upon hearing the voice, Shen Junjie asked in surprise and respect.
"No need for formalities. Let me tell you, since they abducted that hotel owner, they must also try to have him identify people. The police are out in the open, so they can't openly approach the school. Their best bet is to use binoculars. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Thank you so much, Elder Ren. I understand. Time is tight; I'll go handle it with my partners right away."
"Be careful. The adversary is not to be underestimated."
"Understood."
Let's switch perspectives and look at our main character.
Ye Xiaofan, having received Shen Zuimo's promise, was particularly cheerful. Being able to see openly, what does that signify? Just thinking about it brought an elegant curve to Ye Xiaofan's lips.
With a joyous heart, he arrived at the school, unaware that he was already being watched.
"Hey, this one looks like him. No, it's definitely him." Upon seeing Ye Xiaofan, the hotel owner on the rooftop immediately spoke.
"Where?" Upon hearing this, Blood Wolf immediately grabbed another pair of binoculars and looked over. Sure enough, he spotted Ye Xiaofan riding a bicycle amidst the crowd.
"Very well. Attention everyone, prepare to act. Remember, I want him alive... Wait, damn it, the police are here." Blood Wolf had already considered Ye Xiaofan a sure catch, but unexpectedly, the police arrived much sooner than anticipated.
"Captain, what should we do?" one assassin asked.
"Observe the situation. Our insider already informed us that the police don't know who the target is. They'll definitely spread their attention across over twenty students. When they finish school, we just need to quietly follow the target. At that time, even if there are police, it'll just be a couple, easy to take down." Blood Wolf's thoughts were very adaptable.
"Hey, boss, I've done everything you asked. When will you release me?" the hotel owner asked tremblingly.
"Don't worry. Once it's confirmed that the student is the one I'm looking for, you'll be released immediately." Blood Wolf's smile seemed gentle on the surface, but was actually sinister. Once Shen Zuimo was found, the hotel owner might not be kept alive.
Time slowly passed. To avoid causing panic at the school, and to buy more time, the chief ordered all officers to wait outside until students were dismissed.
Meanwhile, in class, Ye Xiaofan felt an intense pressure enveloping the entire campus. After three classes, he couldn't resist getting close to the school entrance.
Police presence wasn't unusual; last week, they patrolled and investigated daily. However, today's police cars were more than triple the usual, with ten cars, along with some private cars obviously belonging to plainclothes officers.
Could I have been discovered? No, if exposed, the police would have openly had a teacher call me out and quietly taken me to the station. It doesn't seem like that now.
Thus, with doubts, Ye Xiaofan held on until the fourth class ended and purposely stayed near the school building, watching the entrance.
Sure enough, some students riding bicycles were quietly taken aside by police, then led away. If I go over, I'll likely receive the same treatment.
Ye Xiaofan remained calm, since the police weren't sure it was him, he still had a chance to pass unnoticed.
Should I call Shen Zuimo to tell her to hide? No, if discovered, the call logs will surely be investigated later. The same applies to messages. What about trying something else?
Ye Xiaofan took out his phone, opened QQ, and sent himself a message. Afterward, he closed it, pushed his bicycle, and walked toward the gate.
The time was now 12:10 PM. School had been out for over half an hour, and Ye Xiaofan was the last of the twenty-seven students to leave the school gate.
"Hello, Ye Xiaofan, correct? I'm Lin Miaoke from the Municipal Public Security Bureau. I have something I need your cooperation with." Lin Miaoke, the captain, stayed until the end.
"Yes." Ye Xiaofan nodded.
"Have you ever seen this woman in the photo?" Lin Miaoke handed over a photo.
Taking the photo, it was indeed Shen Zuimo they were looking for. However, the Shen Zuimo in the photo appeared much younger, not that Shen Zuimo wasn't young now, but the one in the photo seemed more youthful, at least her chest was not as well-developed as it is now.
"No." Denying was essential. After answering, Ye Xiaofan returned the photo.
Clearly, Lin Miaoke seemed disappointed by Ye Xiaofan's answer. But this wasn't the last question.
"Who do you live with? Where do you stay?" Lin Miaoke asked again.
"Southwest Avenue, Guanghai District. I live alone for the time being; my parents are working in another city." Ye Xiaofan replied calmly, his eyes faintly revealing a hint of nervousness.
"Would it be convenient for us to check it out?" Lin Miaoke continued.
"Um..." Ye Xiaofan hesitated for a moment, then slightly nodded.
However, Ye Xiaofan refused their offer to ride in their vehicle, opting instead to ride his bicycle. The goal was to buy time for Shen Zuimo to prepare. After all, that message's effectiveness was uncertain. Even if she saw it, hiding would take time.