Chapter 3 - The Character Card
An investigator from the Kangyang District Public Security Office? They work where my cousin does and they're looking for me?
Zhang Yuanqing felt a chill instinctively and was about to eavesdrop at the bedroom door when he suddenly remembered something. He opened his phone and deleted the chat logs and call history he had with Brother Bing.
Then he took the letter Brother Bing had written to him, folded it neatly, and hid it under the potted plant on the windowsill.
Only then did he open a crack in the door, secretly observing.
The sound of his grandma's rhetorical question came from the entryway:
"What do you want with him?"
She didn't invite the investigators in but blocked the doorway instead.
"We need to ask him a few questions. Here are our credentials."
The voice belonged to a girl, with a sensual tone.
Grandma's gaze lingered on the credentials for a moment before she frowned and stepped aside to let them in.
Zhang Yuanqing chose that moment to open the door and scrutinize the investigators entering the living room.
The leading investigator was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and black vest, leaning on an ebony cane. His face was lean, with a meticulously trimmed small mustache, and his hair was combed back perfectly.
The strong British flair and the small mustache unconsciously reminded one of a returned scholar from the Republic of China era.
To the left of the scholarly gentleman was a beautiful young female investigator with very three-dimensional features, possibly mixed-race, her corners of the mouth lifted in a smile, her eyes sparkling and lively.
She stood about 175cm tall, with legs that could rival those of a supermodel, wearing a suit with the hem of her ladies' shirt tucked into her trousers, highlighting a slender waist and a full chest, both efficient and exquisite.
The last investigator, with an expressionless face, wore black-rimmed glasses, and his hair was slightly disheveled, exuding a strong engineering nerd vibe.
"I'm Zhang Yuanqing. What do you need me for?"
As Zhang Yuanqing was assessing them, the investigators were also sizing up the young man.
The mixed-race female investigator said with a smile:
"We are investigators from the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau. We have some questions for you. Please cooperate with our investigation."
"Sure."
Zhang Yuanqing led them to sit down on the living room sofa. Grandma poured a cup of water for each of the three investigators, then stared at her grandson with a puzzled face.
She couldn't fathom why the cheerful and sociable grandson she had raised would need to be questioned by public security bureau investigators.
The young investigator with disheveled hair and a blank stare took out a notebook and pen, unscrewing the cap.
The man with the combed-back hair sat on the sofa, his hands resting on the cane, and said seriously:
"Do you know Lei Yibing?"
It was indeed about Brother Bing's matter, and they had come so quickly. Zhang Yuanqing answered truthfully:
"We've been friends since childhood. Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"
A question flashed through his mind; his cousin was the captain of the Second Team at the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau. If these investigators came for a home visit, they must have checked his family background.
In theory, knowing that they were visiting a family member of the captain of the Public Security Bureau's Second Team, who are all colleagues, shouldn't there be some communication, a heads-up?
Not even understanding this basic social etiquette?
But there was no sign from his cousin's side, obviously, he was unaware, otherwise he would have at least called to inform him.
"Oh, bosom buddies!"
The man gently tapped his shiny leather shoes and said at a measured pace:
"The thing is, Lei Yibing has gone missing. The Public Security Bureau in Hang City, Jiangnan Province contacted us, saying that Lei Yibing had sent a package the morning before he disappeared, and the recipient was you."
His gaze, deep as a pool, was fixed on Zhang Yuanqing as if he could see through people's hearts. "Is this true?"
Zhang Yuanqing showed a look of shock and confusion: "Missing? How is that possible?"
The techy-looking investigator with the messy hair reminded him:
"You just need to answer yes or no."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded gravely, "Yes, just now, I received a package, but there was no sender's name written on it. I was puzzled as to who would send me a package."
Denial was futile; if the police could trace the delivery, checking the neighborhood's surveillance was a piece of cake.
The slicked-back hair man nodded and asked:
"What was in the package? I hope you'll answer truthfully; it's a very important clue for us."
Grandma breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she couldn't help worrying about Lei Yibing.
After all, she had watched the boy grow up, even though he had moved away years ago.
Zhang Yuanqing replied:
"There was nothing in the package; it was empty."
"Empty?" The slicked-back hair man narrowed his eyes, his gaze, which seemed to see through people's hearts, scrutinized Zhang Yuanqing.
Although I lied, the Black Card had vanished without a trace, just as if it was empty. I'm not afraid of your search. Zhang Yuanqing didn't dodge the gaze, looked back sincerely, and said:
"When I opened the package, I found it empty, just some bubble wrap to prevent damage. Oh, and the package is still in my room, you can go check if you don't believe me."
If Brother Bing's disappearance was what he suspected, he would have to keep it under wraps for now, waiting for his cousin to come home from work before explaining everything.
For potentially risky matters, it was naturally most prudent to discuss them with family.
The slicked-back hair man gave a signal with his eyes to his female subordinate.
She entered the room with a smile, and after a short while, she returned to the living room, nodding slightly to her colleague.
The slicked-back hair man pondered for a moment, then said:
"If it's convenient, we would like to inspect your room and your computer. Also, please let me see your cell phone."
Checking the computer is fine, but please don't open the web browsing history or the study materials on the hard drive. Zhang Yuanqing unlocked his phone screen without blushing or panicking and handed it over.
The slicked-back hair man took the phone, and the female investigator re-entered the room.
Holding the phone in one hand, the slicked-back hair man swiped his thumb across the screen a few times before returning it to Zhang Yuanqing, then waited patiently.
Half an hour later, the female investigator emerged, striding out with her long legs. This time, she shook her head.
The slicked-back hair man nodded slightly and said warmly:
"Thank you for your cooperation. We won't disturb you anymore."
Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly asked:
"May I ask about Lei Yibing's situation?"
His question was both sincere and a means to "cover up" his lie; if he heard about his childhood friend's disappearance and did not inquire further, it would be too suspicious.
The slicked-back hair man patiently responded:
"Lei Yibing disappeared from his dormitory, and the hallway surveillance didn't capture him leaving. According to information provided by a roommate, he saw Lei Yibing in bed when he got up to use the bathroom late at night.
"But by morning, he was gone. After 24 hours without contact, their instructor notified the school authorities, who immediately called the police.
"For more detailed information, you'll need to call the local Public Security Bureau."
This was the same as what Uncle Lei had said; it seemed that the local Public Security Bureau had made no progress. Well, it might also be that this guy didn't want to tell me. Zhang Yuanqing nodded:
"I understand."
The slicked-back hair man, along with his two subordinates, headed towards the security door and stopped halfway, turning around to say:
"If you come across any clues, you must inform us in time, and don't hide anything from us."
Zhang Yuanqing was about to nod when he heard him say with a meaningful smile:
"Otherwise, you might be the next one to disappear."
The next one to disappear is me?
What did he mean by that? Was it a threat? If I don't hand over the Black Card, will I vanish just like Brother Bing?
But thinking about it, what exactly was that card about? It disappeared into thin air... Even if I wanted to hand it over, I couldn't.
"Thank you for the warning!"
He returned a smile, which held little mirth.
No matter what, I decided to wait for my cousin to get off work before discussing it further.
Brother Bing definitely wouldn't want his card to fall into the hands of the Public Security Bureau, or he wouldn't have mailed it to him.
Besides, as a childhood friend and sworn brother, he trusted that Brother Bing wouldn't set him up.
Off to the side, grandma's face darkened as she said coldly:
"Don't bother."
What's with this person, cursing her grandson for no good reason?
The slicked-back hair man chuckled, pulled a business card from the left pocket of his suit, and handed it over, "Contact me anytime if you need anything."
After Zhang Yuanqing took it, the man left with his two subordinates.
"How could A Bing have disappeared? Sigh, I'll take some time to visit A Bing's mom." Grandma said, worried, after they left.
The two families were neighbors for over a decade, accustomed to seeing each other regularly, and there was a sense of camaraderie.
Zhang Yuanqing, looking exhausted, said:
"Grandma, I didn't sleep well last night; I'm going to rest in my room. If I don't wake up by noon, don't bother calling me.
"Tell Grandpa about this when he returns, and ask him to contact Uncle Lei."
He had stayed up until the wee hours playing with his younger aunt, and was startled awake in the morning by an old ailment. Already sleep-deprived and having overtaxed his mind searching for Brother Bing and the black card, his brain was now throbbing with fatigue.
Once grandma nodded, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his room.
Closing the door, he kicked off his shoes and flopped onto the bed for a deep sleep.
Inside the black business car, Li Dongze sat in the soft leather seat, his gold-trimmed cane leaning against the chair, and a goblet cradled in his palm swirling with crimson wine.
"Guan Ya, did you find anything in the room just now?"
He turned his head to look at the Mixed-race Beauty sitting beside him.
Guan Ya leaned lazily in her seat, her long legs pressed tightly together, and said with a serious face:
"I've made a significant discovery."
"Speak," said Li Dongze earnestly.
The techie guy in the back seat also shifted his attention from his mobile and looked over.
Guan Ya spoke gravely:
"That guy has a thing for mature, black-stockinged women. His study materials are all about mature ladies, yet his trash bin is so clean, it's unreasonable."
"His social circle is extensive; he's in all sorts of groups, but only active in gaming and NFSW groups, with message notifications blocked on the others. His room has nothing but gaming consoles, no other entertainment---this guy's real personality is a bit reclusive... Oh, Division Leader, you do know what NFSW stands for, right?"
The Mixed-race Beauty made a playful gesture with a mischievous smile.
The two companions were taken aback, but Li Dongze quickly raised his hand to interrupt, exclaiming angrily:
"Oh my God, I'd love to kick your ass with my boots. I'm talking serious business here, and you bring up this nonsense. I've told you many times, don't be vulgar, don't make crude jokes, it's not a good habit, it's not elegant."
The tall beauty was not at all intimidated by her angry boss, smiling:
"Don't be so dull. A bit of fun can lighten the mood."
Her smile slowly faded as she continued:
"I didn't find anything suspicious on his computer, but I found a letter from Lei Yibing to him underneath the pot on the windowsill. Lei Yibing did send him something, likely a character card, but I'm unsure of the profession or class."
Li Dongze was silent for a few seconds, then closed his eyes to rest:
"Come back again tomorrow, heh, if he hasn't disappeared."