Chapter 25: Stop pretending, I know you

The kidnapper's live broadcast view screen lights up again!

The screen that had been pitch black finally receives long‑awaited light.

The Water Friends are still hanging inside.

They froze, then clattered away at the keyboard, wildly spamming Danmaku!

"WTF? Why did it suddenly light up? Is there any diao big coming out to explain?"

"Brother has been staying in the Big Brother Live Broadcast Room, never leaving, a hardcore fan! You still don't realize the Program Crew has already cleared up the misunderstanding; it seems the Program Crew Chief Director Song Yixue has reached some sort of deal with Xu Mo."

"Shit, hardcore fan, listen up, don't be fooled by him. He's Liang Zhichao from our dorm, I'm his roommate, this guy's nickname is lsp. Not long ago we heard rumors of Yang Jingxuan's clothes being torn by Xu Mo, and then we moved into the Live Broadcast Room, even skipping afternoon classes, waiting for the broadcast to resume."

"OMG! This guy's a talent! You ask if he got any important info; I have a friend who wants to borrow a speech."

"Finally connected to Big Brother, not easy!!!!"

"Wuwu… Big Brother, you have no shame, I actually thought you were serious, I even took off my pants and bought popcorn."

"Hey brother, you damn little chick eating popcorn? Even the best of Ti‑hua isn't as excellent as you."

This pinhole camera.

It was installed at the collar of Yang Jingxuan's coat; besides that, she held a pen in her hand, biting it between her ruby‑red lips and white teeth, her gaze fixed on the back of the man in front.

The figure appeared in the live broadcast screen; the setting seemed to be a café?

He looked around for a while.

He raised his hand and waved.

"Do you want to learn how to earn five pleasures a day?"

The Water Friends in the Live Broadcast Room were stunned.

Then the Danmaku went crazy—'Want!'

Xu Mo couldn't see what the Water Friends were saying.

He smiled.

"Want to eat crap."

The Water Friends were stunned again.

They didn't expect Big Brother to play tricks on them together.

They voiced dissatisfied protests.

That figure couldn't see the Danmaku; even if he saw it, he didn't want to bother.

And at this moment.

A deep, resonant voice came from the Live Broadcast Room.

It was Xu Mo's voice.

"Stop pretending, Send One Blood—I know you're also watching the Live Broadcast Room."

Song Yixue in the Chief Director's office was stunned.

The other staff nearby wanted to laugh but dared not make a sound.

She furrowed her brows, her gaze staying on the screen.

"Want to know how I took the ten million RMB you sent?"

"Then don't blink from now on."

"Don't let any detail slip by, otherwise you won't know how the Program Crew's money disappeared."

Provocation.

Bare‑faced provocation.

Xu Mo did it right in front of the live viewers.

Openly provoking Chief Director Song Yixue.

As if fearing that others wouldn't know what his next action would be.

He even specifically urged everyone watching.

To keep their eyes wide open and watch carefully what follows.

"Damn… Big Brother is awesome!!!!"

"Hehe… This Xu Mo is bragging, who doesn't? Don't think that teasing the Investigation Team members a few times makes you something; they haven't shown their strength yet! If you have the guts, confront them tonight; when you're caught, I hope you can still laugh."

"Big Brother, we won't take this money; we can scrape by one day at a time, I don't want to see the program end hastily. The years I fled with a female star, I still need to draw inspiration from you all."

"I'm going to the front, the shop has no books to smash, understand?!"

Because of Xu Mo's overly confident words.

It provoked the disgust of everyone in the director's room.

"This Xu Mo seems a bit ignorant; hasn't anyone told him the true strength of the Investigation Team?"

"Hmph, exactly! The last few times were just luck, why be so smug?"

"No need for him to say, we have equipment here to replay any live video at will, don't treat people like fools!"

Between Song Yixue's brows, a strong interest showed.

She won't go home for dinner.

She directly ordered delivery.

She isn't leaving.

She wants to stay, to personally see Xu Mo's alleged method of crime.

How awesome!

Is it really as Xu Mo claimed?

Or is it all show, just pretty talk?

Soon, it was already night.

Night fell.

Yangcheng officially entered its vibrant nightlife.

The skyscrapers lit up with multicolored lights, the streets glowed with neon and wine, and pedestrians came and went.

Vehicles streamed by nonstop.

It was incredibly lively.

And in one corner of this bustling city,

a tight arrest operation was underway!

Wanda Plaza beside Erxian Bridge on Yangcheng Avenue.

More than ten police officers were in plainclothes.

blending among the pedestrians.

From all directions, personnel were deployed.

A human-shaped cage formed in this small area.

Some even stood on rooftops with binoculars, observing the ground.

Because today was the weekend,

the foot traffic surged to several times the usual.

"Did anyone spot any suspicious individuals?"

The intercom crackled.

"Report! Group A found nothing."

"Report! Group B did not detect any suspected target."

"Report! Group D found nothing."

"Report! …"

All clear.

Han Fei lifted his wrist and glanced at the time.

It was almost eight o'clock.

They still hadn't seen Xu Mo's whereabouts.

Han Fei felt something was off.

In theory, more than a dozen police officers participated in this arrest operation.

Dozens of eyes were watching.

Even the tall buildings had people keeping watch.

Any rustle of wind or movement couldn't escape their eyes.

How could they not have seen Xu Mo's silhouette?

Unless that kid is a ghost!

Otherwise, he's just a human!

Any action would inevitably leave traces.

Li Chen, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask.

"Han Team, do you think Xu Mo is too scared to come?"

Hearing that, Han Fei shook his head.

"That guy even dares to toy with us; he's really showing off his awesomeness."

"It's fine he doesn't come; he's the one who's embarrassed."

"But I think there's a high chance Xu Mo will show up; stay alert. He definitely knows we have eyes on him. Either he won't come, or if he does, he'll go straight to his goal. If he doesn't come, this is just a gimmick; his real aim is that bank card—are we watching the card?"

Li Chen replied, "The money has already been transferred to Xu Mo's bank card; the tech team is monitoring it. As soon as that card shows any activity, we'll know exactly where Xu Mo is."

"Very good!"

Han Fei, after hearing that, shifted his gaze back to the Black Travel Bag on the trash can.

Nearby, Shen Manni and Chen Ke did the same.

Everyone on the scene turned their eyes toward the trash can!

The viewing spot was perfect!

There were virtually no obstructing buildings around.

The Black Travel Bag, swollen with five million hundred‑yuan notes,

was placed above the trash can.

Xu Mo isn't a magician.

He can't make things vanish into thin air.

Even if he had that ability,

the distance would still be an obstacle!

At this moment, everyone held their breath and focused.

They stared anxiously over there.

Anyone who approached the trash can,

would be noticed by them.

It was now eight o'clock at night!

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Not only that, the Water Friends in the Investigation Team's Live Broadcast Room saw their Danmaku thin out.

They likewise stared here with full concentration.

They wanted to see where Xu Mo would emerge from.

Time passed minute by minute.

They didn't know if it was because they were too focused.

Originally, time passed at the usual rate.

There was no particular feeling.

But at this moment everyone felt it was moving very slowly.

They were tormented.

8:01.... 8:02... 8:03....

Xu Mo's figure still did not appear.

Psychological warfare?

When they become lax.

Suddenly emerge and catch them off guard.

Even if a two‑person police team got tired.

Other police teams also helped keep watch.

Han Fei thought this kind of psychological attrition war.

Was too stupid.

As night fell, pedestrians increased, and this area was part of a bustling market.

After a while, pedestrians increased again.

The passing pedestrians occasionally blocked the plainclothes officers' sight.

But even so.

Everyone dared not relax at all.

Fearing a misjudgment.

At exactly 8:22.

The Program Crew's phone in Han Fei's pocket rang suddenly.

This sudden sound.

Startled Han Fei and Li Chen.

The colleagues nearby thought something had happened here.

Han Fei waved to tell the colleague who came to check the situation that everything was fine, then picked up the phone; it was Xu Mo's voice.

"It seems you haven't fully followed my instructions; I have a female star as a hostage in my hand."

"You..." Han Fei heard, felt a bit annoyed, looked around, "We've fulfilled all the demands you made."

"Is that so?"

Xu Mo's mocking voice sounded.

"Tsk tsk... Follow my orders? Did I tell you to put the Black Travel Bag on this trash can? To put it inside the trash can!"

Having said that.

"Du du du…"

The phone transmitted a dead tone after hanging up.

Han Fei furrowed her brows tightly, her gaze darted wildly around the surroundings.

"What's wrong, Han Team?" a plainclothes officer nearby asked.

Han Fei lowered her voice, suppressing it, and said, "Dammit, that kid Xu Mo is nearby watching us!"