1993, Pengcheng Police Affairs

Chapter 73 The Extraordinary Ren Qi

Looking at Ren Qi's ambiguous smile, Gu Huai had a multitude of thoughts running through his mind in that instant.

He suddenly asked me to make this call in front of him, which means he definitely doesn't trust me.

But Gu Huai recalled his actions after entering the room and felt that there should be no flaws.

If we're talking about other roles, Gu Huai might not be able to pull it off, but when it comes to impersonating a businessman, he's practically playing himself.

If we rule out the possibility that her own exposure led to suspicion, then it can only mean that this is simply Ren Qi's habit.

He just habitually suspects someone.

With that thought in mind, Gu Huai stopped thinking and immediately took the mobile phone from Ren Qi with a smile, curiously examining it.

"I've only ever seen this in movies before, this is the first time I've ever used a real one," Gu Huai said while playing with it. "I originally wanted to buy one too, but my dad said it's too expensive and wouldn't let me."

At that time, most mobile phones were Motorolas, which were as big and heavy as bricks, and the average price was 20,000 yuan.

"Your dad is right," Ren Qi said in a condescending tone. "This thing is expensive to use for making calls, and the signal is always bad. It's only because this teahouse is close to the signal transmitter that there's no signal at all."

Don't be fooled by Ren Qi's words, which make it sound like this mobile phone is just a brick and not very useful.

But the rather smug tone in his voice betrayed him; it was clear that he would often show off this mobile phone.

On the surface, Gu Huai was playing with the mobile phone while listening to Ren Qi brag.

In fact, he was using this time to mentally plan who he should call.

If I were to call the municipal bureau, I would naturally be able to find someone to cooperate with me in this charade.

However, this leads to a very serious problem: given Ren Qi's cautious nature, he is very likely to investigate the destination of the phone call he made afterward.

With just a little investigation, he could find out that the call was made to the Pengcheng City Public Security Bureau.

Although I had already left this place by then and my safety was not threatened, this clue that was right in front of me was completely cut off.

After much deliberation, Gu Huai finally decided to call his father.

He believed that if he guided his father properly, his father should be able to understand what he meant.

Thinking of this, Gu Huai slowly exhaled, picked up his mobile phone, pulled out the antenna, and pretended to clumsily make a phone call home.

At that moment, he silently prayed that his father was not home, so that he could call at a different time.

However, contrary to expectations, the phone was answered after ringing three times.

"Dad, it's me."

There was a second of silence on the other end of the phone, then a deep voice said, "Oh, what is it?"

He could confirm that it was Gu Guoliang's voice.

However, upon hearing this voice, he did not relax; instead, he became even more nervous.

It was simply because her father's voice sounded too strange.

Gu Huai even detected a hint of estrangement in the voice, something he had never encountered before.

However, despite his thoughts, Gu Huai couldn't stop talking. "Dad, I have something urgent here and I need five thousand yuan. Could you please transfer some money to me?"

"What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?" Gu Guoliang's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of anger.

What's going on? What exactly happened?

"I didn't cause any trouble," Gu Huai replied instinctively. "Don't ask about business matters, just transfer the money."

"Money, money, money! You brat, all you ever do when you call is ask for money!" Gu Guoliang cursed into the phone.

Gu Huai was so angry at being scolded that he kept wiping his sweat with his hands.

After cursing for a while, Gu Guoliang finally stopped. "Your mother will transfer the money to you later. You better be careful with it."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Gu Huai, looking completely bewildered, handed the mobile phone back.

Ren Qi took the mobile phone, placed it on the table, and glanced at Gu Huai.

"Your dad is pretty fierce."

"That's how it is in business." Gu Huai shrugged, reverting to his earlier rich kid persona. "The banks are probably closed by now, how can I give you the money?"

"Just give it to the shop owner later."

"I can give you the money first, but when can you find the person?" Gu Huai asked.

"Three days." Ren Qi held up three fingers. "I'll definitely get back to you within three days. Uncle Jian will contact you then."

Gu Huai nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

After reaching an agreement, Gu Huai stood up and walked out of the private room.

After Gu Huai left, the tea server who had been pouring tea suddenly spoke up, "Brother Huan, is this kid reliable?"

Ren Qi picked up his teacup and took a small sip. "I don't care if he's reliable or not. It would be best if he were a cop, so he could take care of that guy."

"Well..." The tea server opened his mouth, then closed it again as if remembering something.

Ren Qi seemed to know what the tea vendor wanted to say, and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, we haven't committed any crimes on the mainland, so there's nothing to be afraid of."

-----------------

As Gu Huai stepped out of the private room, a night breeze blew, and he felt a chill run down his back.

He glanced carefully behind him, and only after confirming that no one was following him did he hurriedly walk out.

Xia Wanying was baffled by Gu Huai's actions and quickly caught up, asking, "How is it?"

"Let's go first, we'll talk later."

Gu Huai finally let out a long sigh of relief after walking all the way to the outside of the tea market.

"Who is that person?" Xia Wanying asked.

"I don't know," Gu Huai shook his head and said, "but he's definitely not a nobody."

Ren Qi.

Gu Huai had no recollection of this name, but this person didn't seem like an ordinary smuggler.

That aura, that way of speaking, that air of superiority—that can't be cultivated through smuggling and sudden wealth.

"Gu Huai? What happened just now?" Xia Wanying asked anxiously.

This finally pulled Gu Huai out of his thoughts.

He briefly recounted what had just happened inside.

After listening, Xia Wanying nodded slightly, "That situation is indeed quite dangerous."

Seeing that Xia Wanying didn't have any extra expression, Gu Huai didn't say anything more. He hailed a taxi on the roadside and drove towards the hotel.

The two got out of the car at the hotel entrance, but Xia Wanying did not go in because she had to go back to school.

Just as the two were parting, Xia Wanying called out to Gu Huai, "Officer Gu."

"Um?"

"Have you ever done anything like this before?" Xia Wanying whispered, "Undercover or something?"

"No," Gu Huai said. "This is the first time."

Xia Wanying looked at him, her eyes filled with something indescribable. "You're not like the first time. Your whole demeanor has changed since you changed into this outfit."

Gu Huai smiled and pointed to Xia Wanying's outfit, "You too."

After Gu Huai said that, Xia Wanying looked at her outfit and blushed with embarrassment. She turned around and walked towards the taxi parked in front of the hotel.

After watching her get into the car, Gu Huai was about to turn around and go into the hotel when he heard Xia Wanying calling out to him.

Goodnight, Gu Huai.