Chapter 54

Hearing this, Gu Changzheng and Hu Feng exchanged a glance, both hearts stirred with excitement! Gu Changzheng suppressed his agitation and feigned a stern expression: “You’re sure it’s Xiao Fang? If you’re wrong, we won’t let you off easy!”

“No mistake! If the features you described are right, it’s definitely him! He’s been buying stuff on credit from me every day—how could I mess him up?”

Hu Feng suddenly asked: “Have you seen him these past few days?”

Bao Dating gave a strange look, glancing between Gu Changzheng and Hu Feng: “Who exactly are you looking for? You two don’t look married—girlfriend, right? Did Xiao Fang run off with your girlfriend?”

Only then did Gu Changzheng understand why he’d looked at them with that peculiar expression.

He immediately put on an angry face: “Never mind who we are—just tell us, have you seen him these past few days?”

Bao Dating smirked slyly: “Haven’t seen him in a few days.”

“You’re sure?”

“He always rides that red motorcycle—vroom-vroom-vroom, loud enough to kill you—how could I forget? Besides, he still owes me for several packs of cigarettes. How could I not keep an eye on him?”

“Do you know where he lives?” Gu Changzheng pressed on.

“Honestly? I don’t know. Anyone who comes here probably doesn’t even use their real name—why would they tell you where they live?” Bao Dating frowned impatiently: “I’ve told you everything I know. Don’t waste my time—I’ve got business to do!”

Gu Changzheng smiled: “Where does Xiao Fang usually hang out? Any dance halls? Or do you know which girl he’s close to?”

Bao Dating rolled his eyes: “Kid, the info fee’s used up! Ask anything else, you pay extra!”

Gu Changzheng smiled: “What if we find him and help you collect the money he owes you? You don’t even have time to chase him yourself.”

Bao Dating thought for a moment: “Deal!” Seeing Gu Changzheng nod, he pointed to a neon sign across the street: “Go ask at Luhua Dance Hall—he shows up there almost every time.”

Gu Changzheng and Hu Feng exchanged a glance, thanked Bao Dating, and slowly walked toward Luhua Dance Hall.

Inside, the dance hall was quiet. A few waiters in red vests and black bow ties sat at a side table. When Gu and Hu entered, one male waiter stood up: “Who are you looking for?”

The two froze. What? Do we look like we’re not here to spend money?

How were they to know these young waiters had sharp eyes? They could instantly tell regulars from outsiders—and Gu and Hu clearly weren’t here to party.

After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Changzheng straightened his face, tucked his briefcase under his left armpit, and announced loudly: “We’re from the Public Security Bureau’s Public Order Unit. Call your boss out!” He flashed his officer’s ID.

He knew pretending to be a customer wouldn’t work—better to claim they were from Public Order. These people weren’t afraid of Criminal Investigation, but Public Order could make them tremble.

True enough—no sooner had he spoken than a young man who looked like a manager hurried over, smiling and offering cigarettes: “Oh my, gentlemen, why didn’t you let Ma Dui know you were coming? We’d have prepared!”

Gu Changzheng knew this was a test. He ignored the young man and didn’t take the cigarette, instead scanning the room. Hu Feng immediately understood and chimed in: “What? This is our Chief Gu—do we need Ma Dui here too? Should we call him?”

Hu Feng knew the young man meant Ma Junchi, the Public Order Captain from the branch bureau—he’d just invented “Chief Gu” for Gu Changzheng on the spot.

The young man had no idea how many captains were in Public Order. Seeing the ID, he dared not take chances and bowed respectfully: “Oh, Chief Gu and this officer—same thing! Please, have a seat. I’ll go get our Qiang Ge.”

After showing them into a small office-like room, the young man ordered tea and rushed off to summon his boss.

Five minutes later, a booming male voice came from outside: “Oh my! Gentlemen, what an honor! You came to inspect our work—why didn’t you give us a heads-up? We’d have prepared properly!”

A gust of alcohol-laced air swept into the room as a burly man entered, wearing only a black shirt and a garish patterned belt.

“You’re Chang Huaqiang?” Gu Changzheng studied the man.

Chang Huaqiang smiled at them: “Oh, you two are new faces! Just transferred to Public Order? I wonder what business you have with me today?”

His words were artfully phrased: I don’t know you, and I know every Public Order officer—so if this is official business, show me paperwork. If it’s personal, I won’t expose you—just to save face.

Gu Changzheng understood his subtext perfectly—he never intended to use his fake Public Order identity.

He glanced at the young man who’d called him in. Chang Huaqiang said: “Xiao Jiang, close the door and get back to work.”

The young man nodded and shut the door. Gu Changzheng pulled out his ID again and opened it: “My apologies—we’re from the Jiangdong Branch Criminal Investigation Unit. I’m Gu, here’s my ID. This is my colleague, Hu.”

Chang Huaqiang’s cheerful expression vanished instantly. Criminal Investigation? Had he done something serious enough to draw them?

Gu Changzheng gestured for him to sit: “Mr. Chang, don’t be nervous. We didn’t reveal our identities in front of your staff because of investigation protocol—please understand.”

Chang Huaqiang sat down, reassured he hadn’t committed any major offense, and calmed down. He hurried to say: “Of course I understand! Officer Gu, anything you need to know—I’ll tell you everything!”

He was no stranger to trouble. One sentence from Gu Changzheng told him: this was a major case—and it involved someone who came and went from his dance hall.