Chapter 105: Feeling Worthless

The name of the guesthouse was easy to remember, and its location was good. Even if the captain had only caught a bit of the conversation, he could easily match it to the city map in his head.

But as soon as Chen Lie told him the address of the guesthouse, before he could offer to go with him, Chen Lie flatly refused his company and told him to go about his own business.

The captain glared at him in exasperation. “Aren’t you being a bit too cold and heartless?”

After all, they’d been through life-and-death situations together—was he really just going to use him and toss him aside like that?

“Since the reforms, the population’s become more mobile. Public security issues, old and new cases…” Chen Lie paused. “How much of your work have you actually finished?”

The captain cursed, stomped his cigarette out hard on the ground, and—under Chen Lie’s gaze—bent down to pick up the butt and stuffed it in his pocket. Pointing at Chen Lie, he grumbled, “Just you wait! I’m going to work overtime these next few days, and when you want to call me out to meet your wife, don’t even think about it!”

He threw down those harsh words, turned around angrily, stormed off a few steps, but still fuming, he looked back to see Chen Lie waiting for him with a blank expression. That made him even angrier—he jabbed his finger at Chen Lie in silent accusation for a while before finally stomping off.

Heh, Chen Lie wanted to see what he’d do next? Well, he just wouldn’t give him the satisfaction!

Watching his old friend walk away, a hint of a smile flashed in Chen Lie’s eyes. The captain looked a lot thinner, but the light in his eyes was still there. That meant he hadn’t been corrupted by his time here—he’d adapted well…

That was enough.

Chen Lie was no stranger to Jinling. He knew the area and found the place easily.

As he neared the guesthouse, Chen Lie sensed something was off, but he didn’t show it. He kept walking at a steady pace until he reached the entrance, then stopped.

It was already nine at night. He looked up, surveying the few rooms with lights still on in the guesthouse, and finally made a move.

He rolled up his shirt sleeves.

He was clearly planning to climb up to the guesthouse rooms instead of using the front door!

But wasn’t the usual time for shady business between midnight and three a.m.? The two cops staking out the guesthouse hesitated. It was only a little after nine—was something really going down already?

It didn’t make sense!

Looking closer, the man was tall and well-built. Even though they could only make out his profile in the darkness, it was obvious he was good-looking…

With looks like that, if he wanted to do something shady, he could probably just go abroad and be trendy. So… could he really be a criminal?

The two of them whispered to each other, low enough that only they could hear.

“Does he look like one? The timing’s off, too.”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover. Sometimes criminals do the opposite of what you expect.”

After a brief exchange, they glanced back at Chen Lie, just in time to catch a better view of his profile.

“He looks…” One of them muttered, then, incredulously, whispered to his partner, “With a face like that, what couldn’t he do? Even if he just set up a street stall, he’d probably make in a day what others make in a month.”

“Street stalls are hard work. Nothing’s as easy and quick as this kind of ‘business’.” The other lowered his voice. “A man like that, if he went into abducting women and children, he’d probably have a 100% success rate.”

“…You mean, this guy might be sent to seduce Comrade Xiao Su?”

“…”

“No way, right? Isn’t there another female comrade in Xiao Su’s room?”

“…”

“Say something! He can’t possibly seduce both of them at once, right?”

“Shut up. Where’s your professionalism? What did you even learn in school?” The other was annoyed, lowering his voice. “Get ready. Let’s move!”

The guy was already at the base of the wall!

The two of them rushed forward. Chen Lie dodged, controlling his strength and moves, testing them a few times before lowering his voice and saying a name.

It was the captain’s name.

The two showed no reaction on their faces, but their attacks became more hesitant. Inwardly, they started to wonder—this guy really didn’t feel like a criminal.

“I’m the comrade your captain picked up today.”

That stunned them.

Damn, only three or four people knew about that!

“Play along. Grab me.”

Seeing them hesitate, Chen Lie let himself be caught smoothly and naturally.

The two of them: “…”

They exchanged glances, then looked at the man who was practically forcing himself to be subdued. Their minds were a mess.

What was going on? Was this how things were supposed to work?

That’s what they thought, but they still held on tightly. The guy clearly had skills—if he was letting himself be caught, whether it was their own ability or not, they had the upper hand now.

Since they had the advantage, there was no way they’d let go easily.

“Take me away,” Chen Lie said, pretending to struggle but not breaking free, “and do it cleanly.”

The two of them: “…”

Damn, today was just full of weirdness. First there was that pretty, fashionable, fair-skinned female comrade with insane fighting skills—she saw a human trafficker, didn’t say a word, just started beating him up before he could even react.

Now there was this man, apparently their captain’s comrade, who after a few words and a couple of moves, forced them to catch him and was now ordering them to take him away…

Who was actually the cop here?

“Hurry up,” Chen Lie had to remind the two rookies. “You’ve been tailed for a while now.”

The two of them: “!!!”

Tailed? When did that happen?!

They stared at Chen Lie, eyes wide, silently asking: Who are you and how do you know all this? Are you the backup our captain called in?

Nervously, they started escorting Chen Lie back toward their station, glancing around out of the corners of their eyes.

Were they really being tailed? But there was no one around…

“Stop looking. They’re not nearby, but if they come over, they’ll definitely see you.” Their surveillance and disguise skills were so bad it was painful to watch.

The two of them: “…”

For some reason, facing this supposed comrade of the captain’s, they were at a loss for words.

“Just graduated? Or did you get in after two years of conscripted service?” Chen Lie, still letting them escort him, asked, “Didn’t your captain give you any special training after you joined?”

The two: “!!!”

Damn, this guy was infuriating—every word hit a sore spot!

“Looks like both,” Chen Lie mused. “So, the reason your captain didn’t train you is because… he doesn’t think you’re worth it?”

They were about to explode, wanting to stomp their feet and point fingers at each other like the village aunties.

“Even if he looks down on you, can’t you sit in on his sessions? Or learn from those who were trained? Is it really that hard to improve your investigative skills?”

As long as your mindset doesn’t slip, there are always more solutions than problems—that should be ingrained in your bones.

“Enough, Chen Lie!” The captain hurried over, a bit out of breath, and stopped Chen Lie from further tormenting the two rookies, who looked like they were about to explode but didn’t dare say a word. “They’re just here for a job, don’t bother with them!”"