Chapter 12: If It

To notice something wrong with the driver, two conditions must be met.

First, you must understand lip-reading.

Second, your vision must surpass normal human ability.

Neither of these two people possessed either ability, so naturally they had no idea how Yu Dazhang had spotted the driver’s anomaly.

Another five minutes passed, and Yu Dazhang grew anxious.

The driver was definitely here to pick up Qu Tuotuo, because earlier on the phone he’d said, “I watched her grow up.”

Since he’d driven all the way here, Qu Tuotuo wouldn’t be long coming out.

Even if a full-time driver arrived early, the early arrival wouldn’t be by much.

Once Qu Tuotuo got into his car, what followed would slip beyond police control.

As Yu Dazhang prayed for his Master to arrive soon, his phone suddenly rang—he checked the caller ID: it was Lu Zhongxin.

“Master, are you here?”

“A few more minutes. I’m calling to tell you—the driver is indeed the mastermind. The two suspects in the hospital have started talking.”

“Does he have a weapon?”

This was what Yu Dazhang truly cared about.

As long as he didn’t have a firearm, he was confident he could take him down.

“The suspects just started talking—we don’t know the details yet.”

Yu Dazhang could tell Lu Zhongxin was afraid he’d act rashly—this call was almost certainly a warning to stay calm.

After ending the call, Zhao Hang looked at Yu Dazhang and couldn’t help asking:

“Is that driver really the suspect?”

The car’s interior was cramped and enclosed—he’d clearly heard Lu Zhongxin’s voice through Yu Dazhang’s phone.

He’d heard every word of the conversation; now there was no room for doubt.

Zhao Hang asked Yu Dazhang because he wanted more information.

Yu Dazhang had no time for him—he just grunted “Mm” and kept his eyes locked on the Qu family gate.

“Alright, you two stay here and watch,” Zhao Hang’s eyes gleamed with excitement:

“I’ll go grab him.”

As he spoke, Zhao Hang reached for his waist to unclip his handcuffs.

This time, not only Yu Dazhang, but even the other rookie in the car understood Zhao Hang’s intent.

If he captured the mastermind, it would be the primary credit!

To Zhao Hang, the driver outside now looked like a piece of meat already in his mouth.

Easy pickings!

Before Yu Dazhang could speak, his phone rang again.

This time, as soon as he answered, Lu Zhongxin’s urgent voice came through:

“Don’t go near him—he’s got a gun!”

Yu Dazhang’s heart sank, but he quickly regained his composure:

“Just a pistol, right?”

He wasn’t surprised—after all, if kidnappers carried guns, it made sense the mastermind had one too.

“Yes. Stay in the car and watch. We’re almost there—I’m in the same car as Wei Qian.”

“Understood.”

Hearing his Master and the First Squad were arriving, Yu Dazhang felt significantly more at ease.

After hanging up, he shoved Zhao Hang:

“Go ahead. Go grab him. Good luck.”

Zhao Hang turned as pale as paper, his body trembling slightly, stammering:

“I—I—I—I…”

His lips quivered—he wanted to say something but couldn’t speak.

He’d heard every word Lu Zhongxin said, especially “he’s got a gun”—it left Zhao Hang stunned.

If that call had come ten seconds later, he’d already have jumped out and charged.

The consequences…

Now he was so nervous his hands shook, his eyes fixed straight ahead, too terrified to glance even once at Yu Dazhang beside him.

“Go on! You were so brave just a moment ago!”

Seeing Zhao Hang’s cowardice, Yu Dazhang’s anger flared—he slapped Zhao Hang hard on the head.

Zhao Hang winced and covered his head but dared not make a sound, afraid the driver outside would hear. “Your petty scheme—do you think you can fool anyone?”

Yu Dazhang shoved him twice more—hard enough to shake the whole car.

“Stop… stop hitting me,” Zhao Hang begged. “If he notices, we’re done for.”

“No problem—we’ll just die together with him,” Yu Dazhang grabbed Zhao Hang’s collar:

“We go out—I’ll hold you up as a shield. See how many bullets he’s got.”

Zhao Hang froze.

He’s going to use me as a human shield!

You call this dying together? So it’s just me who dies, right?

“Let go!”

Zhao Hang struggled to pry off Yu Dazhang’s hand.

If anyone else had said this, he might not believe it—but Yu Dazhang…

He’d actually do it!!

Please… collect… 6…9…Shu…Ba…!

At that moment, the other rookie suddenly spoke up:

“Someone’s coming out of the Qu family house!”

Yu Dazhang immediately released Zhao Hang and turned toward the Qu family gate.

A woman in professional attire emerged—though she’d deliberately dressed mature and composed, her youthful innocence still showed through.

A faint melancholy and helplessness clouded her face, as if burdened by some troubling matter.

Qu Tuotuo!

Yu Dazhang had seen her photo in the case file—this Qu Tuotuo matched it exactly.

Damn. She came out first.

Don’t get in the car… Yu Dazhang clenched his teeth inwardly.

But reality defied his hopes—after stepping out, Qu Tuotuo headed straight for the luxury business vehicle parked at the gate.

The driver also slid into the driver’s seat at that moment.

No—she can’t get in… Yu Dazhang no longer cared about caution—he opened the door and stepped out.

First, stop her!

The two others in the car heard only a loud “bang”—by the time they reacted, Yu Dazhang was already outside.

Zhao Hang’s mouth hung wide open, staring at Yu Dazhang’s back as if he’d seen a ghost.

He just… ran out like that?

In a speeding Jeep nearby,

Wei Qian and Lu Zhongxin had just seen Yu Dazhang leap out and sprint toward the Qu family gate.

“What’s he doing?!” Wei Qian gasped.

Lu Zhongxin was equally stunned, answering instinctively:

“No clue—I just told him not to go!”

Wei Qian stared intently at the scene:

“Didn’t he hear the suspect’s got a gun? Is he always this reckless?!”

“Actually…” Lu Zhongxin replied vaguely:

“I’m not that familiar with him.”

As Yu Dazhang ran forward, he kept watching the driver’s movements with his peripheral vision, his mind racing.

Just as Qu Tuotuo opened the rear door, Yu Dazhang shouted loudly:

“Qu Tuotuo!”

He was still about five meters from the luxury vehicle.

Seeing Qu Tuotuo stop and turn toward him, Yu Dazhang stepped forward without hesitation, grabbed her arm tightly.

Qu Tuotuo was clearly startled by this sudden action, but quickly regained her composure, studying the man before her.

She then recognized Yu Dazhang and asked in surprise:

“It’s you—what are you doing here?”

She tried to wrench free, tugging her arm hard—but it was useless.

Yu Dazhang’s grip tightened further.

“I’m here for you.”

As he spoke, Yu Dazhang deliberately turned his side toward the driver.

Although he appeared to be staring intently at Qu Tuotuo, he was actually watching the driver’s every move out of the corner of his eye.

He had already planned in his mind that if the driver made any motion resembling drawing a gun, he would immediately run to the back of the car to take cover.

Originally, he had intended to get close to the driver and launch a surprise attack while the man was unprepared.

But when he approached the car, he discovered with dismay that the driver had already rolled up the driver’s side window.

(End of chapter)