Chapter 486: Lies

Sun Shifu explained: "Manager, the person who brought this watch over is Zhao Si, a staff member at 'Hutong Yi' Antiques. This watch is likely not his; he has been hanging around our Qianmen area for several years. Before, he ran errands for Hu Yunbin, and after the Public-Private Partnership, he became a formal employee."

"Keep him steady for now." Manager Sui stood up, "I will call the Municipal Bureau First Division immediately."

Half an hour later, Zhao Si had waited until he was a bit impatient, tapping on the counter: "Mate, hasn't Sun Shifu returned yet? He wouldn't have gone to swap my watch, would he?"

The clerk smiled apologetically: "Look at what you're saying, we are an old-established shop, how could we do such a thing? Foreign watches must be appraised carefully; depending on the year, the price difference is vast." As he spoke, he poured Zhao Si another cup of tea, "Please wait a little longer."

Zhao Si took a sip of tea and said: "The sun must be rising from the west today, you're actually brewing Longjing for me?"

"Who else would it be for if not a distinguished guest like you today!" the clerk joked.

Just as the two were talking, the copper bell on the door rang "ding-dang," and three police officers walked in.

The leader was a young woman with ear-length short hair and delicate features, but her gaze was sharp.

As soon as Zhao Si saw her, his heart skipped a beat. Isn't this Tian Dan? A few years ago, when her daughter was getting married, Tian Dan had disguised herself as a waitress to catch spies; could she be here to catch him today?

"Uncle Zhao Si?" Tian Dan was also taken aback when she saw him, "Are you the one here to pawn a pocket watch?"

Zhao Si reacted extremely quickly and immediately stood up to explain: "Comrade Tian, this watch is not mine; it belongs to the Yan Bugui family at Nanluoguxiang 95. His leg is broken, and the family is in difficulty, so they entrusted me to ask about the price."

Tian Dan took the watch handed over by the clerk, looked at the back, and said: "Uncle Zhao Si, there is a problem with this watch. I'll have to trouble you to come with me and find Comrade Yan Bugui to verify the situation."

Zhao Si groaned inwardly, but still had to smile on the surface: "Comrade Tian, can I go back to the shop to ask for leave first?"

Tian Dan shook her head: "After we finish verifying, I will issue you a certificate."

Zhao Si knew this matter was serious, sighed, and followed Tian Dan outside.

When Tian Dan and her group arrived at Nanluoguxiang 95, Yang Ruihua was chopping vegetables at the entrance.

The weather was no longer cold, so she had moved her honeycomb coal stove to the doorway, chopping vegetables and cooking while facing the main gate; whenever anyone returned from buying groceries, she would shamelessly 'borrow a little' from them.

She saw three police officers following behind Zhao Si, and her heart skipped a beat: that watch the second boy gave her was likely obtained through improper means.

Tian Dan walked up and asked directly: "What is your name?"

"Yang Ruihua."

"Did you ask Zhao Si to go to the pawnshop to pawn the watch?"

Yang Ruihua nodded, her voice somewhat weak: "That watch... what's wrong with it?"

Tian Dan did not answer her question and immediately asked: "Where did the watch come from?"

Yang Ruihua originally wanted to make up an excuse, but then she thought that this matter was likely not small and couldn't be hidden. So, she tremblingly confessed: "My second son recognized a master who wanders the world and performs street arts, and he often runs errands for him. This watch is, is the reward that person gave."

"Is everything you said the truth?" Tian Dan stared at her with sharp eyes.

"I didn't lie!" Yang Ruihua smiled awkwardly.

"Where does your second son's master live?" Tian Dan continued to ask.

"No, I really don't know. I usually manage him quite strictly, but recently my Lao Yan's leg was broken, and I, I suspect those people did it. Now, we don't really dare to manage the second son's affairs anymore. Comrade, if you can catch those people, I would raise both hands in favor..." Yang Ruihua was still talking incessantly.

Tian Dan realized the situation was a bit serious; there were actually people who dared to hurt others so blatantly, and the victims didn't even dare to report it to the police. Even if these people weren't spies, they were evil forces, and she had to handle it!

"Where is your second son now?"

"At school..." Yang Ruihua blurted out.

"Which school? What grade?"

"Hongxing Primary School, fourth grade..."

Tian Dan turned around and ordered: "Xiao Li, keep an eye on this family. Until the case is investigated clearly, no one is allowed to leave. Uncle Zhao Si, you stay here for the time being too."

Just as she finished speaking, Ershuan walked out from the inner courtyard. Seeing Tian Dan, he was startled and asked with a smile: "Sister Tian, are you here looking for Zhuzi? He went to Guangzhou, didn't he tell you?"

Tian Dan didn't answer him and asked directly: "Do you have the key to Zhuzi's house? I need to make a phone call."

"Yes, follow me."

Ershuan led Tian Dan quickly into the East Cross Courtyard and used the key to open the living room door.

Tian Dan immediately dialed the Municipal Bureau: "Xiao Tian, hurry and have Li Xiangxiu's Second Team transferred to me. Wait for me near Hongxing Primary School."

"Yes, I will arrange it immediately!" Xiao Tian said.

Ma Shouyi had been squatting at the entrance of Thirteenth Middle School for the whole morning, but he never found that boy who had kicked him.

He had no choice but to return to the medical clinic, sit on that official's hat chair, and brew a cup of tea.

The tea steam swirled, and the more he thought, the more afraid he became. No matter what background those children had, the lost pocket watch would definitely bring him trouble.

He couldn't stay any longer. Ma Shouyi decided on the spot to avoid the limelight and go to his hideout to lay low for a few days. He spread out paper and picked up a brush, hurriedly writing a few lines:

"Due to returning to my hometown to visit relatives, the medical clinic is temporarily closed

starting today. The date of reopening will be notified separately."

After sticking up the notice, he packed a few essential items and left without looking back.

On the other side, Tian Dan found Yan Jiefang.

"I heard you have a master?" Tian Dan asked straight to the point.

Yan Jiefang nodded.

"Did he give you a gold watch?"

Yan Jiefang nodded again, but his brain was spinning fast. Should he say he stole the watch, or insist that his master gave it to him?

He had seen this female police officer at Zhao Yingzi's wedding banquet; she was very formidable.

If he took all the blame himself, he might be able to protect his master for a while, but all the trouble would fall on him.

Even if he took the blame, the police would sooner or later ask who he learned his skills from, and his master would be dragged out sooner or later...

In just a few moments, his thoughts raced: he must have been betrayed by Xu Damao in the first place, because he knew that many of his master's stolen goods were fenced by people Xu Damao found. From this, it could be seen that the relationship between them was unusual. That General Jar he smashed was definitely a trap set by his master... His master hadn't hit him less while he was learning his craft; he had already learned the skills he needed to learn, so now it would be better to hand his master over... Perhaps, after his master went in, he could find his master's vault, and then he would be rich.

With his mind made up, Yan Jiefang immediately put on a terrified and aggrieved expression: "Sister, you must save me! I was framed by someone... My master, Zheng De, he initially set a trap to make me owe a mountain of debt... Now, he is still forcing me to scout locations for them. But I, I really haven't done anything bad!"

After hearing this, Tian Dan remained calm: "In that case, you take me to find your master Zheng De, and from now on, no one will be able to control you!"

"Sister, I will definitely cooperate with you. To tell you the truth, that Zheng De is very evil; if I don't listen to him, he hits me."

Tian Dan nodded: "I heard from your mother that it was very likely they who broke your father's leg. These people are indeed hateful. Tell me quickly, where do they live?"

Yan Jiefang thought for a moment and said, "If we go to catch them separately, it's easy to alert the enemy. They have a habit; almost every night, the three of them gather for a meal to discuss their next move. It would be better to follow Zheng De... and catch them all in one net."

Tian Dan could not help but look at him with newfound respect: "Kid, you're not bad! You have both courage and strategy!"

"Sister, actually I know you. You are He Yuzhu's friend, right! The kids in our courtyard all envy you; they think you are both beautiful and heroic."

"Stop the flattery!" Tian Dan scolded.

"Sister, after I help you catch Zheng De, can you let me go back? I'm afraid my mother will be worried waiting for me!" Yan Jiefang choked out.

Tian Dan nodded: "You are still a student; as long as we catch them, I will let you go."

Yan Jiefang's tears fell in a rush: "Sister, can you not tell my Siqiang that it was me who led you to catch him?"

Tian Dan thought for a moment and said: "I can."

Only then did Yan Jiefang reveal a smile.