In one of the rooms in the office, a room that is for one person only. Many pictures hang on the walls. A familiar warm cozy big room as there is someone sitting beside the window on a chair with a book in his hand. Black hair but the sides of it already changed color. *Cough.. Cough..* It’s Quan’s Boss, Han Guanting. After those coughs, he turns around and stands up. Walking toward the table to pour some warm tea into his cup from the tea pot. While he is pouring it, there is someone knocking on his door. “Coming.. “ *cough**cough* He manages to reply dryly before watering his throat. “Excuse me. Sorry to bother you, Sir.” That person shows up and it is none other than his right hand who he gave the biggest responsibility to, Quan. Hearing that, Han waves his hand, signaling him that there is no need to be worried about and calling him to come closer. Quan approaches the desk and puts all of his documents on it quickly. “Are you okay, Sir? Please don’t push yourself.” Quan says worriedly. “Nah… ekhem! It’s alright.” Han answers and sits down on his chair. “So, what can I help you with?” “Hah… these past few days, I’m trying to keep up with all the ongoing projects and contracts we have, sir.” Quan answers with a heavy sigh at the beginning, looking like he desperates of catch things up. “Okay.. and then? Are there any difficulties that I can help you with?” Han replies while looking down all of the documents that Quan just brought. “Well, as you know we have a lot of projects ongoing with one partner, right? With Mister Dwei’s Company, the most impactful partnership of ours.” Hearing this, Han’s eyebrows twitch and his expression changes in an instant. “I honestly still have no idea either.” Han answers before Quan manages to ask his questions to him. “It’s just so sudden that I can’t even figure out what’s on his mind. It’s just like he just got hit by a truck.” He continues while rubbing his chin. “About that, I also haven’t found anything yet, Sir. I even already tried to convince him another time but still no luck.” Quan says and lets out a sigh in defeat. “But, when I meet him at that time, something is bothering me, Sir.” This continuation draws Han’s attention as he looks at him with squinted eyes. “Do you know his right hand? Have we met him somewhere before?” Quan asks while showing his phone screen where he took Enlai’s picture secretly when he is in the car. It’s not completely clear since the picture only shows his side face. Before Han answers the question, his expression looks more gloomy. “Sooner or later, I guess you’ll have to know this since you accepted my offering, Quan.” Han replies and sighs heavily. Hearing how Han’s voice tone changes, Quan notices that something critical happened between them. “We used to be partners ever since we started our own businesses.” He continues and takes a photo from his right drawer.
“Exactly like what I have heard about you guys, the unstoppable duo.” Quan gets in, expressing his amazement which makes Han chuckles hearing it. “Indeed. Unfortunately, it only lasted until a third party got in. The one that is more powerful, better wealthiness, best of the best in everything. Remember the big project we had five years ago?” Han says and receives an instant nod from Quan. “That is the beginning where our distance was made.” He continues and Quan twitches his eyebrows. Looks like a lost puppy who has no idea and is curious. “The greed penetrated him since he almost got half of the cake from it. When this thing gets into you, you’ll get more but you’ll also lose some. Just like a glass, if it's already full but you still want some more, you need to take away some of it in order to make it fit inside.” Han explains the big picture which is easy to understand by Quan as his eyes grow wider in realization. “People changed, Quan. Nothing is permanent. Be careful of your surroundings, especially the closest ones, because they are the ones who know you the most.” That is the end of Han’s messages of the story which leaves Quan speechless. He blinks his eyes a few times and nods slowly. Something kicks in inside of him but he doesn’t know what that is. Quans looks like spacing out for a few seconds until Han speaks up. “And to answer your question, I’m really sorry that I can’t help you with that.” He says sadfully with his sorrowful expression. Hearing that, nothing else Quan can do as he just slowly nods his head. Mind is still full of what Han warned him about. “So… Is there anything else you want to talk about or discuss?” Since no words come out from Quan, Han speaks up once again. “Nothing for now, Sir. I’m just confused. Should we just cut Dwei’s contract? Then only focused on the other contracts we have with others?” Quan lets out all of his worries. Han’s expression reminds the same as he leans forward and rumages the papers in front of him. “That should do, I suppose. Just because we lost him, we’ll be completely devastated, right?” Han replies with a smile of encouragement toward Quan which boosts his energy as well. “With that settled,” Quan starts to sort out all of the papers then stands up “Today, I’ll run for a thousand miles.” He says jokingly which makes Han chuckles hearing it. “Good luck, Quan. I know you’re the right person for it.” Another encouragement from Han to give Quan a head start. With that being said, Quan bows down and quickly turns around to leave the room. Once he leaves the room, it gets back to the previous atmosphere. A complete silence where the sound only comes from the clock that is hanging on the wall as Han’s eyes are still looking to the closed door. He closes his eyes for a while and takes a deep breath. When his eyes are opened, he glances at the photo that he just took out before which is still on his hand. “Right… You’re the only one who can do this, Quan Bèi.” He says while his thumb slowly caresses the photo, especially on the part where Dwei is. Moving on to the other side, not a big room but it’s fit for four people inside. They are on their seats, busy with their own business. Steel cupboards, desks, overall of the room look messy and full with papers. There is another separate room but it has a half wall with windows above it. Even the door is made with glass which makes it visible in and out but soundproofed. The separate room only fits with one person with a name plate on it’s desk. A chief. One of the four people suddenly bursts inside the chief’s room after hanging up her phone with a folder on her right hand. “Sir, I just got another report of the missing girls.” She reports firmly. At that moment, the chief is busy looking at something that can’t be seen by his co-worker because it is covered by his back. Before he turns around, he puts down the thing on his hand and closes the cupboard. Turning his body around, it reveals that the chief is one of the men that met Wuying two days ago. It’s Kang Jun, The Chief Detective. He doesn’t say anything as he just approaches her with furrowed eyebrows and confused face. “What is this?” He asks and the co-worker hands out the folder to him. “These are the information we got from the previous report. The two girls.” She answers briefly that Kang can understand it right away what it’s referred to. On the cover of the folder, there are the photos of the girls. They are the girls who were with Xiao. It’s not the photo of where they are with Xiao, it’s just some photos of them personally for the report. “Thanks, Lin. You may leave.” Kang simply replies as his co-worker, Lin, bows and leaves the room. Kang slowly walks back to his seat while opening the folder to read the reports that they got for it. The report said that these girls were last seen Saturday night at a bar. No sight of seeing them off from the bar so he checks at which place it was taken. His eyes squint when he reads the name of the bar. The Swan. Rings like a bell in his ears, knowing exactly to who this bar belonged to. Ping Dishi. That’s the last report they got, Kang stands up from his seat with the folder on his left hand while the other uses it to bring his coat. He bursts out from his room which drags the four co-workers’ attention. “Sir–” One of the men tries to call him but Kang walks across the room in a rush and leaves the room in no time. This makes the co-worker confused and worried at the same time. However, they can’t do anything about it as they look at each other then get back to their work.
**Same time, other place**
A man in a bathrobe, seems to just get out of the shower with his wet hair. The room is full with music as he dances lightly and flicks his fingers to the beat while brushing his teeth. The music suddenly stops because the phone buzzes, a phone call. He picks it up right away and holds the phone close to his ear with his shoulder. “Whassup?” A familiar voice, wiping off the steam on the mirror, reveals its Xiao. “I felt like I was on cloud nine! They were amazing!” He replies excitedly and spurts out the toothpaste foam. Since he is going to clean up his mouth, he turns on the speaker on his phone so he doesn’t need to hold it close next to his ear. “Heh, I take that as an excellence.” A cocky reply comes from that man. “So, whatcha say? Second round?” Xiao doesn’t answer the offering right away because he is busy cleaning up his mouth with such an audible voice that the man from the other side can hear it. Well, not a surprise, it’s not one person but there are four others beside him. They have different expressions but share the same feelings, a cocky one with a smirk on it. Based on what they hear of Xiao’s behavior from the other side, he is just like a sitting duck. “Second round ehh? Hmm…” Xiao finally replies while rubbing his face with the towel. “I want it to be… more challenging, you get it?” He continues after removing the towel and gets a closer look of his face in the mirror, checking his beard. At first they look at each other, wondering if they get the same idea, until the person who is holding the phone nods his head. “I believe that two were not enough to play with, I suppose? Or maybe you want to let your friends get into the pool?” He answers cautiously. “HELL, YEAH! RIGHT ON THE SPOT, MY DUDE!” Xiao answers enthusiastically and slams the sink’s wall out of excitement. Hearing such a reaction, it makes the people scoff as their smug faces gather once again. “But.. the second option is nuh uh.” He continues lazily while putting some of the beard foam on his left hand. “Why would I want the other to feel such much pleasure as mine? They shouldn’t be above me, right~?” So that’s the meaning, the drug dealers have nothing to be worried about then. “Certainly, Great Xiao. Unfortunately, it’s Monday night and I’m afraid that any bar might not be as packed as before.” The drug dealer replies calmly. “Nahh… I’m not done with them yet. Adding one more later would be just fine~” Xiao replies playfully while applying the foam on his beard area. “Alright then, tonight at the same place?” Smoothly ask confirmation for their next transaction. “Yea.. yea..” Xiao replies lazily and rolls his eyes in annoyance then hangs up the phone right away without hearing any other word from the other side. “Who do they think they are? Heh.” He talks to himself cockly and turns on his trimmer.
**Back to Kang Position**
In front of a fancy bar, named The Swan, there is a black car coming and parking right in the front area near the entrance, VIP spots. When the person comes out, it reveals none other than the one of the chiefs in Lijiang, Kang Jun. Since his car is parked there, the bodyguard approaches him. Obviously not a pleasant view by seeing Kang raises his ID card, showing his badges and his position on it clearly. Without any second, Kang walks past the bodyguard and gets inside in a rush. The first step he gets inside, Kang looks around, it’s still at noon which is obviously not as packed as at night. Nothing, the person he is looking for is nowhere to be found so he walks to the bar. There is someone standing there while busy wiping off the glass, the barista. With those quick footsteps, it draws that man's attention in an instant. “How fancy to see you here, Chief. What may I help you with?” He says and puts down the glass under the counter. “Ping Dishi.” The only answer Kang gives to the barista as he leans with his left arm on the bar’s front counter. After that the barista bows and goes to the nearest telephone behind him. Not long after making a call, he comes back to Kang. “Ping Dishi is in his office on the third floor. Allow me to lead you the way.” The barista informs and gets out of the bar area. Without any follow up question from Kang, he is tailing the barista to the destination room. In a couple of minutes, they are already right in front of Ping’s wide door. “Excuse me, Sir. The chief is here.” The barista greets and knocks on his door before opening it. Both of them get inside as they see that Ping is standing next to the window, seeing the town view from there with one hand in his pocket while the other one is holding a glass of beer. “Thank you, Sunghyun. You may leave.” Ping replies without turning around then the barista leaves right away. Leaving the room in a cold atmosphere. “So, wanna have some, Chief Kang?” Ping greets and turns around with a face that Kang always finds annoying while raising a glass of whiskey in his hand. “Don’t waste any time and let me check your CCTV’s recordings.” Kang says annoyedly while approaching Ping’s desk and taking out a folder from his suitcase. “You’re barking at the wrong tree, dog. Why would I–” He gets cut off from Kang’s who is throwing the folder to Ping’s desk. The title that is shown on the folder is enough to give Ping the reason why Kang needs to look at his CCTVs. Missing people. “For real? Accusing my place as a crime scene?” Ping growls in annoyance as he opens the folder. “Look at it first before talking, you moron.” Kang growls back irritatedly and takes off his coat then puts it on the chair next to him. Ping spreads the papers first and scans it thoroughly, seeing all of the photos taken for the last footage of the missing girls. Those are the photos of where they were getting inside Ping’s bar but no sign if they got out from the bar. “So, you tell me. Where are those girls now?” Kang introgrates with his intimidating voice and those sharp eyes while leaning his body forward with his hands on the desk. No words coming out from Ping as he still looks back to back from one paper to others. He seems to be making sure of the reports Kang’s group got. Until finally, he sighs loudly and shakes his head lightly. “This way.” Ping says and walks toward the racks of alcohol bottles on the right side. Kang follows him from behind with the papers on his hand and Ping pushes one of the racks, the one on the right corner. There is a hidden door which he can access by inserting his finger print. The rack opened, revealing the security room of the bar that looks completely dark and the lights are only coming from the screens. Seeing the light that comes from a door that is different from other employees, it drags the attention of who is assigned there. “Hello, Boss! What can we help you with?” The employee greets Ping with a bright smile until a person shows up behind him. A person with a golden badge on his left chest which sends him chills in an instant. By seeing Ping’s expression as well, the atmosphere between them is just the opposite of friendly. “Open the recordings last Saturday night.” Ping orders as the employee nods and turns around right away. It doesn’t take long for him to operate it and he can show the recording with the right time selection to both of them for continuing the investigation. The two girls were there with her group of friends. There was nothing suspicious as they were just hanging around, sitting at a round table with all of them filling the whole seats. Until at one moment, there were two guys approaching them. Kang squints his eyes and takes a closer look but Ping doesn’t react much, it’s not his business anyway. However, those two guys just looked like they were flirting with them but none of the girls were interested in it. Instead, they seemed like shooing them off from their table which made the guys leave. They were still looking and joking around, talking with one another, until the other two, the missing girls, stood up from their seats. Once again, Kang focuses watching the whole situation, following where these two were going that night. Just luck, a place where it is impossible in CCTV’s sights. Toilet. Not completely lost hope, though. Toilet only has one access to enter, the front door. “Get back from the last ten minutes first.” Kang orders and the employee obeys it. He wants to make sure first who gets in or out in that particular area. Nothing suspicious, people come in and out casually but there are two women who get inside first before the missing girls. Here is where something skeptical happened. The other two women that got in three minutes before the girls came hadn’t left yet. Based on the recording, they had been there for more than five minutes which means the girls were there for two minutes already. Kang’s eyes are starting to turn red and dry because of watching the recording near that place as well without blinking. Until suddenly the toilet’s door opened but just at the right timing, the service janitor cart passed across the door which was covering the whole door. “Shit.” Kang curses and slams the table out of frustration which makes Ping’s employee startled. After that, he turns around and scratches the back of his head, looking completely pissed off by the timing. Meanwhile the owner of the Bar seems to be too focused on something that Kang doesn’t realize the whole time. It is when Kang asked the employee to move backward the recording. His eyes locked at one of the cameras that showed the person he knew there, in a location that most likely took the crime scene. A person that is sitting on one of the bar’s stools, to be more precious the edge of it. He looked a bit tipsy as the woman with him waved goodbye and another guy came approaching him. Xiao Bèi. No words coming out but a smirk is forming on Ping’s face behind everyone’s back. A cunning smile that wants to trap a mouse with a majestic and flavorful cheese. He locks his target.
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