Chapter 643: He Had Prepared for This Day Long Ago

"Even when preparing this hideout, I didn't know the school bus driver yet."

"That's right. The further back in time, the more concealed this hideout becomes."

Yu Dazhang's eyes slowly lost focus as his mind churned:

"No need for three burrows for a crafty rabbit. The more hideouts, the more loopholes."

"So, I will prepare only one shelter. Only then can I eliminate human traces as much as possible."

His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he continued:

"Going out of town carries the greatest risk. Even in a neighboring city, accents differ; go to a farther city, and one word reveals you're an outsider."

"Rather than take such a risk, I might as well hide right here in this city."

In a familiar environment, people blend in more easily and go unnoticed.

Besides, he knew the city's geography better and could handle any situation that might arise.

Xicheng has a permanent population of over seven million; against that base, the police cannot screen the entire city.

"But how should I hide?"

Yu Dazhang's voice carried doubt:

"Or rather, how can I hide to evade the police investigation?"

Process of elimination.

He paused, then continued:

"Buying a house is out of the question. Any property under my name will surely be found by the police search."

"Renting won't work either. Even now, renting requires an ID card; no landlord would rent to a suspicious person without one."

"Hotels and inns are not even worth considering; the police screen such places first."

Yu Dazhang unconsciously shook his head:

"Living in the remote wilderness isn't realistic either; that would only raise more suspicion. Hiding in the city is my safest option."

"But how to solve the housing problem?"

His brows knitted tightly, then his gaze fell on the notebook.

After lingering on the name "Xie Wei" for a moment, he looked at the notes below:

Meticulous, skilled at exploiting human nature, fond of using small favors to build relationships.

"I know!"

Yu Dazhang's eyes lit up:

"Actually, renting doesn't require me to appear personally. I can have my relatives or friends rent the place for me, and I'll just cover the cost."

"In that case, even if the police check my relatives' or friends' property records, they'll find no loopholes."

The more he thought, the more likely this seemed.

There was another issue.

How to make relatives and friends willingly do this favor?

Very simple.

Exploit human greed, then offer small favors.

For example, the money given to relatives or friends should far exceed the actual rent.

Agree on the rental conditions with them, and treat the rest as a labor fee.

No one works for free. As long as a suitable house is rented, the remaining money naturally goes into the helper's pocket.

Each gets what they need.

The longer the time span, the more concealed the house becomes.

In other words, the lease term for this house will be extremely long.

Why must relatives or friends handle the rental?

When money is involved, outsiders won't do.

Without a deep enough relationship, without knowing each other well, the other party could easily take the money and run.

Money tests human nature most severely; those who take money but do nothing are everywhere.

Xie Wei, a master skilled at exploiting human nature, naturally knows human nature is the least reliable.

Only relationships built on deep, mutual knowledge can make the money-taker feel some restraint.