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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 131: Different Paths
At a quarter past seven in the evening, Guan Yiqing hurriedly arrived at the agreed location in a taxi—a movie-themed restaurant. It wasn't overly luxurious, but it had a unique style. From the entrance, there was a long corridor adorned with movie posters that was pleasing to the eye, and the environment was quite tranquil, with no partitions visible from the outside.
This was likely Lin Qizhao's style. Even in her police uniform, she couldn't hide her strong middle-class vibe. When she knocked and entered, everyone else was already there. Apologizing for being stuck in traffic, she sat down and curiously asked, "Hey? Xiao Mu isn't here yet?"
"He's an important person; we have to allow him to play the diva... Did you notify him?" Guo Wei casually asked.
"I did tell him, and he agreed. Oh right, today I noticed he wasn't in a good mood," Guan Yiqing replied, sharing the news about Old Mu's joy of having twin boys with everyone. Lin Qizhao curiously inquired, "How old is his dad?"
"He's in his fifties," Guan Yiqing said, having been running back and forth to Xiao Mu's house these days to pass on messages.
"In his fifties? Xiao Mu's mother passed away over ten years ago; why is he only considering this now?" Lin Qizhao asked with curiosity. Shen Lingchen took a sip and explained, "That's a long story... Old Mu probably wasn't prepared at first, but later on, when his son turned out to be quite useless, his mindset changed; it became necessary... Those two are quite something. Hey Yi Qing, they didn't have a fight, did they?"
"I was just about to mention that! Not only did they not argue, but his dad also asked him to come back. Guess what?" Guan Yiqing teased.
"That's good news; he can inherit the family business," Guo Wei said.
"For safety's sake, I think it's better to send him abroad. This case is too big. By the way, what did he say?" Lin Qizhao asked.
Guan Yiqing looked at Shen Lingchen, who stared wide-eyed and said, "He wouldn't want to give everything up, would he?"
"The master is impressive; he guessed it right away," Guan Yiqing replied.
Everyone was stunned by this revelation. Guo Wei was confused, and Lin Qizhao even more so; he looked skeptical and asked, "Master, he wouldn't be too affected by this, would he?"
"Is that even possible? How thick-skinned can he be?" Guo Wei expressed his disbelief.
Shen Lingchen's thoughts were a bit scattered. He pondered, "It's hard to say. Watching Erhu Lu collapse in his arms after being so close every day must be quite a shock. Being an informant is tougher than any other role. When caught between two choices, it's difficult to decide—either side with the criminals or work with the police to take them down. Both options are challenging."
"He made the right choice, and he executed it beautifully," Lin Qizhao remarked.
"Wrong. There is no correct choice here because choosing one side means betraying the other... In this gang, whether it's Rong Wu or Nie Qifeng, they both hold him in high regard," Shen Lingchen replied. An informant is inherently a traitor; no one can escape that fate.
"Could it be... guilt?" Lin Qizhao questioned skeptically.
"What do you think? If Xiao Zhuoli were truly captured and you saw your former colleague sitting in the defendant's seat, wouldn't you feel something?" Shen Lingchen said.
After a moment of thought, Lin Qizhao fell silent, letting out a long sigh as he concluded the topic with a wave of his hand.
Shen Lingchen began making arrangements. "Don't say anything—just drink more, eat more, talk about happy things. Don't mention Erhu Lu or Rong Wu; instead, discuss ideals and encourage him to go abroad to continue his studies."
As a core member, Guan Yiqing understood that protecting this informant required considerable effort. External communications did not mention the informant at all, while internal records indicated that the informant's name was Li Xiaoyong and had been killed by Nie Qifeng. As for Xiao Mu, all police-related information had been wiped clean. Currently, this wealthy second-generation Mulin Shen was still in the United States.
His identity had reached a provincial department-level confidentiality status. Managing information and identity was straightforward, but completely changing someone's living environment would be far more challenging—perhaps even harder than sending him off to become an informant in the first place.
While arranging everything, their phones rang simultaneously. Shen Lingchen and Lin Qizhao answered professionally, standing up immediately. Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing exchanged glances and quickly understood—there was another significant case situation arising. Lin Qizhao exclaimed anxiously, "Oh no, we won't be able to finish this meal. The special operations team just directed SWAT to capture the involved snakehead."
"It seems Nie Qifeng's orders to eliminate witnesses were indeed correct," Shen Lingchen stated.
"The Provincial Project Team is going to set up an interrogation and conduct a sea search. There might be a few more murder cases coming up," Lin Qizhao said.
"Chen Churang also notified me to return for a meeting," Shen Lingchen replied.
"Then let's go together. You two..."
"Don't go anywhere. Just accompany Xiao Mu for a good meal, comfort him a bit, and persuade him some more..."
"Listen to the master; if he says not to talk, then don't say anything at all..."
"Make sure he stays emotionally stable..."
The two of them urged each other and hurriedly left the table. Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing saw them off outside the hall, watching as they left in silence.
"Could it be that even Xiao Mu isn't coming?" Guo Wei joked.
"From my experience, most of the things you hope for don't come true... Well, here he is," Guan Yiqing chuckled.
As Guo Wei turned around, he saw Xiao Mu getting out of the car, hurriedly paying the fare. Upon noticing the two standing in the hall, Xiao Mu curiously asked, "You can't be serious? Waiting here to welcome me? Did you get stuck in traffic?"
"We really were waiting to welcome you," Guo Wei pretended to say.
"Nonsense! You're standing at the wrong angle. Clearly, you're here to see someone off; the exit is over there," Xiao Mu replied.
"Impressive, you figured all this out. The Lin Department Head has a case situation with the master, so I’ll take my leave first. Sorry, but it seems we can’t accompany you anymore; the standards have dropped," Guo Wei said. Xiao Mu, however, didn’t mind and replied, "Isn’t that just perfect? It saves us from being too formal. Let me treat you; just get the receipt back to Old Shen for reimbursement."
"Is it really necessary? You're making me feel a bit embarrassed," Guo Wei remarked.
"Oh, right. Then you go ahead and treat us. It seems I can't refuse this favor," Xiao Mu continued, pushing the conversation back.
Guo Wei was at a loss for words, while Guan Yiqing chuckled. She led the two back to the private room and sat down. Xiao Mu flipped through the menu and casually ordered five dishes, a soup, and a dessert, speaking smoothly and leaving Guo Wei in awe. Curiously, he asked, "Hey, Mu, how come I feel like you have a special talent for ordering food? You're so efficient!"
"Have you not seen Huaiyang Cuisine? How many dishes can there be? Besides, I’ve been to culinary school... What kind of wine should we get? Alright then, let’s go with yellow wine; it seems you two can’t drink," Xiao Mu said as he handed over the menu, settling everything. Just as he turned around, Guan Yiqing had already poured him some water. Xiao Mu suddenly faced Guo Wei like a hawk, causing Guo Wei to feel a jolt and quickly avert his gaze.
Interesting, Guo Wei thought as he gazed hungrily at Guan Yiqing.
Xiao Mu smiled, making Guo Wei feel a bit uneasy in his seat. He hurriedly said, "Mu, my admiration for you is like the endless flow of the Yangtze River."
"Are you asking me to go easy on you?" Xiao Mu asked with a grin.
"Yes, exactly. Thank you," Guo Wei replied as he raised his cup in salute.
"As a friend, let me remind you: if you lack courage in matters like this, don’t blame others for being rude in the future," Xiao Mu advised.
Guo Wei took this to heart and repeatedly cupped his hands in thanks.
Meanwhile, Guan Yiqing didn’t understand what they were talking about. She looked at the two curiously and asked, "What does that mean? Are you two playing some sort of riddle?"
"You're not going to understand this, after all, I'm the master of your master," Xiao Mu said with a chuckle, changing the subject. When he noticed the two cups, he casually remarked, "Oh, did the two big shots leave before their seats even warmed up?"
"Indeed, a sudden case situation arose, and both were summoned by the Provincial Department," Guan Yiqing replied.
"Is it still not over?" Xiao Mu asked casually.
Guan Yiqing and Guo Wei both nodded helplessly. Guan Yiqing pulled out his phone to show Xiao Mu some photos of the recovered stolen goods from the Wang Zihua and Kang Zhuang case. Out of 27 missing antiques that had been lost for two years, they had managed to recover 15 pieces, including calligraphy, jade artifacts, and ink stones, each marked with its origin.
"Two guarantee companies, an auction house, and a commercial bank managed to recover so much. Who would have thought that the mysterious hand behind it all was one of our own? The stolen goods we couldn't find were right under our noses," Guo Wei said in disbelief.
"A squad leader? I can't even comprehend how someone in such a high position could turn into a thief," Xiao Mu said, still finding it hard to believe.
"He had arrested You Bisheng's people when he was a police officer. Earlier on at the Ghost Market, Suzhou and Hangzhou were almost interconnected; their relationship has been established for some time," Guo Wei continued. These case situations didn't need to be kept secret from Xiao Mu. You Bisheng's gang had nearly taken down He Shi but was thwarted by Xiao Zhuoli's intervention. Later on, Xiao Zhuoli discovered an even more sophisticated group of thieves who quietly collaborated on numerous major cases. If it weren't for the nationwide anti-corruption campaign, there might not have even been anyone to report these crimes.
"Actually, we should have thought of this earlier. Knowing precisely where corrupt officials reside and hide their loot is something that streetwise characters can't manage, but it's not difficult for a black sheep within the police force. Just checking social connections and registered residences is merely a matter of identifying a few locations... Tsk, you can't say this target was poorly chosen; it's just unfortunate that no one can control their own greed," Xiao Mu remarked.
Thieves are thieves; they not only take the big spoils but also don't spare the small ones. Nie Qifeng gathered He Shi's gang, operating on one end as thieves while dividing the spoils on the other. The stolen goods sold through Nie Qifeng amounted to hundreds of thousands.
"By the way, there's another thing—can you guess how Rong Wu and Nie Qifeng met?" Guo Wei asked Xiao Mu as if testing him.
"You can't predict such coincidences through psychology. They've known each other for quite some time now; their rise hasn't been long either. After He Shi fell from power, did they take his place?" Xiao Mu inquired.
"See? You can piece it together without even looking at the case files," Guo Wei praised. Guan Yiqing explained with a smile that Nie Qifeng had once competed while Rong Wu was always his sidekick. Initially, it was He Shi who gathered Nie Qifeng's gang of thugs. After He Shi's downfall, these two turned against him and took hostage You Bisheng's gang.
But no matter how skilled Rascal was, he couldn't provoke the Official Enforcer. You Bisheng had played Xiao Zhuoli's trump card well enough to save his life, but he never expected that this card would be played even better in Rong Wu's hands. Thus, he both hated these people and dared not provoke them.
"He plays very cleverly, leaving no handles in his hands, and he operates discreetly. His reputation in the Suzhou and Hangzhou police circles has always been good, unlike our master who is so aggressive," Guo Wei commented.
"Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent," Guan Yiqing said with a sense of relief.
At the banquet, while eating and talking, Xiao Mu was lost in thought. Guan Yiqing discreetly kicked him under the table, and the two exchanged glances as the topic gradually shifted.
"Come on, Mu, let me toast you with a drink."
"I'll toast you too."
"Another drink; this wine is mild."
"I'll join you; after all, I'm not driving."
The two urged each other to drink several cups. Xiao Mu reminded them, "Hey, you two should think it through. I may not be a chef anymore, but I grew up in the kitchen; I won't get drunk from drinking."
"True enough; there's no chance to drown sorrows in drunkenness... Hey Mu, there are a few points I need to remind you about," Guo Wei said as he took out his phone to read. These were several notes he had organized: when the case concludes, try to avoid any indirect contact; it's best to never have contact at all. The informant's file has been upgraded; as a result of this upgrade, even Mulin Shen's name has been removed from the police records and will now show that he has become a foreign national.
At this point, Guo Wei solemnly handed Xiao Mu an envelope. When Xiao Mu opened it, he found an ID card, household registration booklet, resume, Graduation Certificate, and more. He asked in astonishment, "You guys also make fake documents?"
Guan Yiqing smiled and replied, "Real documents made fake for your safety; our master has considered every possible detail."
"Yes, you can use this identity, but it's best not to come into contact with anyone you know," Guo Wei said, watching Xiao Mu act foolishly. He added, "We can even help you solve your work problems if..."
"Forget it, you're just worried I'll step out of your sight," Xiao Mu retorted, packing up his things. "As long as it can be used for real, that's fine. But I guess you guys will be keeping an eye on this certificate... Mu Wanbo, that's a nice name."
"Not just nice, it's very nice," Guo Wei replied.
The smirk on his face made Xiao Mu wary. "Be clear, don't screw me over."
"Do we dare to screw you over? This identity is that of a Mental Patient, and there’s a family history of mental illness... Simply put, it's like a cloned car; there is a record of this person, but no trace of them," Guo Wei explained.
Xiao Mu rolled his eyes, while Guan Yiqing felt embarrassed. She explained, "The master said this identity suits you well; we just made a suggestion."
"This old bastard has no good intentions. I can't use my real identity, and giving me this one is useless. With a history of mental illness, how am I supposed to find a job? You clearly don’t want me to become a normal person," Xiao Mu fumed.
Guo Wei laughed, and Guan Yiqing shyly suggested, "How about you wait a bit longer? We can get you another one."
"Forget it, I'll make do with this one. It doesn't matter what the identity is... um, that." Xiao Mu hesitated as he looked at the two of them, seemingly weighing whether to speak. Guan Yiqing seemed to read his mind and said, "You want to ask about Rong Ying?"
"If something happens to her, I'll come to you for help... It might be tough at first; I think she'll gradually get used to it," Xiao Mu said as he poured wine into his glass, trying to mask the awkwardness in his expression.
The two nodded silently but felt an extra pang of sympathy in their hearts.
The clash between black and white never leads to a happy ending for everyone. Whether it's rejection or revenge against mediocrity, when you cease to be mediocre yourself, you'll realize that mediocrity is actually a truth and norm of life that cannot be sought again once lost.
Xiao Mu seemed to be just that way. Guan Yiqing occasionally glanced at him, with less of the usual playfulness and more composure; there was less joy and more worry. Those experiences, whether joyful, sorrowful, or troubling, lingered not on his brow but in his heart.
During dinner, a call came in from Shen Lingchen. It seemed he had found a moment to check in on Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu responded lightly, saying nothing more. Even if he felt happy, it seemed to be an act. When he called Guan Yiqing, she could no longer hold back and softly suggested, "Actually... you could go abroad, or have your master arrange something for you."
This person would be easy to arrange for; the project team would surely spare no effort. His identity and experience were not issues. Lin Qizhao would probably be the first to try to snatch him up. Guo Wei looked at Xiao Mu expectantly, but the words of advice remained unspoken.
"I'll think about it," Xiao Mu replied, giving an uncertain answer.
"Mu, your eyes are brighter than ours. I believe in you and envy you even more. Here’s to you... I won’t say anything else; you’ve solved our problem, while we probably lack the ability to solve yours," Guo Wei said, raising his glass.
"Ha ha, congratulations! Not acting smart anymore is progress... Thank you," Xiao Mu said as he clinked his glass gently with Guo Wei's. When he turned to look at Guan Yiqing, she was examining him with a strange gaze—one that didn’t seem as doubtful as usual. Xiao Mu asked, "What’s wrong?"
"You've already made up your mind," Guan Yiqing said.
"Congratulations to you too; you've improved significantly," Xiao Mu replied with a smile.
"Made up your mind? Mu, we’re friends; you wouldn’t keep this from us, would you?" Guo Wei asked.
"The reason I'm keeping it from you is precisely because we’re friends," Xiao Mu answered.
"Alright then, I won’t ask anymore... Let’s pretend we know nothing," Guan Yiqing said.
Xiao Mu looked at Guan Yiqing in surprise and nodded appreciatively, saying, "Thank you."
"What does that mean?" Guo Wei asked, puzzled.
"Are you stupid? I just realized what the Master intended. He wants to keep Xiao Mu as a guinea pig without considering how this little guinea pig feels... Without saying anything, I support you," Guan Yiqing said, unexpectedly siding with Xiao Mu.
"Thank you... Thank you... It's worth it to have friends like you. When I have time, I'll quietly invite you all out for a meal, chat, find places to have fun, and explore different areas. There are so many things we can do together, right?" Xiao Mu said with a smile.
Guan Yiqing could tell that the smile was not natural at all.
After the banquet, parting felt very natural. Xiao Mu hailed a taxi and left, while the two of them took separate rides—one going home and the other back to the dormitory.
In fact, many things can be predicted from subtle clues, just like Guan Yiqing's worries. She was concerned that Xiao Mu would vanish like many informants in major cases for various reasons, and what happened afterward confirmed her fears.
Months passed after that night without any news of Xiao Mu. Neither Mulin Shen nor Mu Wanbo had any information. Shen Lingchen, Lin Qizhao, Chen Dingli, Zhang Hulin, Zheng Kegong... many high-ranking officers in the police force had inquired through various channels and even utilized the omnipresent Skynet but found no trace of her. This time, she had disappeared completely, even cutting off contact with her family.
This informant had actively severed all ties with everyone...
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