Chapter Eleven: Astonishing the Companions Nearby

Yu Dazhang remembered clearly that in his previous life, his mother had been very supportive of his work. So what had gone wrong this time around? Why did his parents seem so afraid of losing him?

What puzzled Yu Dazhang the most was that he had no memory of ever gaining weight himself. This was over three hundred pounds! Frost does not form in a single day; neither does a triple-layered belly appear overnight. Could this have been caused by a short period of overeating?

He had asked his parents many times, but their answers were always vague and evasive.

“What else could it be? You ate it yourself.”

“Don’t remember? That’s normal. We eat every day; who can recall every single meal clearly?”

After too many questions, the old couple would scold him outright. As a son, Yu Dazhang couldn’t argue with his parents over this, so he just kept quiet.

For the next two days, Yu Dazhang continued his usual anti-pickpocketing duties. With Master Lu Zhongxin around, he didn’t have to worry much—he just followed his master’s arrangements. Lu Zhongxin also took the blame for the hostage incident. It was something a master should shoulder. Had it fallen on Yu Dazhang, he would have faced disciplinary action at the very least.

Fortunately, Qu Tuotuo didn’t make a fuss, and Lu Zhongxin only received a few reprimands from the leadership.

The first squad had been extremely busy these past two days. They heard that the detachment had issued a strict order: they must find the missing person within the deadline. Yu Dazhang understood—this person was like a ticking bomb for the Qu family, liable to explode at any moment.

Qu Tuotuo had already been kidnapped once. If anything happened again, Captain Wei Qian would definitely be held accountable, and the entire first squad would face punishment.

Yu Dazhang felt relieved to be working in the third squad. In his previous life, he had been transferred to the first squad late in his career. Had he not been moved, he wouldn’t have investigated that series of disappearances, and he might not have died.

Two more days passed, and the first squad remained at a loss. Interrogations revealed that out of the four kidnappers, two injured ones were the main suspects, while the other two were temporary recruits. The two injured men in the hospital refused to say anything, biting their tongues no matter how they were questioned. Due to their injuries, they couldn’t be pressed further.

The other two were cooperative but knew little. They had never heard of anyone secretly embedded in the Qu family.

Qu Tuotuo herself couldn’t provide any valuable clues. At the airport, the kidnappers accurately stated her name and claimed they had been sent by her father to pick her up. Yet as soon as she got in the car, a gun was pressed against her head.

By the fifth day, the first squad was exhausted. The constant high-pressure work was wearing them down.

After a meeting, the detachment decided to send reinforcements from the second and third squads. Yu Dazhang was among those dispatched. The third squad sent five people: Captain Zhang Dong, Lu Zhongxin, and his three apprentices.

Yu Dazhang’s task was simple—along with two other rookies, he was to stake out in front of the Qu family estate. This was a common detective technique called “stakeout surveillance.” Since the suspect was confirmed to be at the Qu residence, police needed to closely observe the area.

This kind of work was usually assigned to newcomers.

“You two keep watch and call me if anything happens,” Yu Dazhang said, leaning back in the car seat with his eyes closed to rest.

“Why should we?” Zhao Hang snapped.

Among the entire criminal investigation detachment, Zhao Hang was the one Yu Dazhang disliked most. The fat guy always picked fights, and Zhao Hang often ended up furious.

“Because my fists are bigger than yours,” Yu Dazhang shot back, glancing at him. “Looks like you’re begging for a beating.”

In his previous life, he hated Zhao Hang the most—sly, sneaky, and a bootlicker who loved tattling to the bosses. One moment he’d be joking with you, the next he’d sell you out without hesitation.

Yet Zhao Hang had done well in life: respected by leadership, a happy family, and married to a well-off woman.

Seeing Yu Dazhang ball his fist, Zhao Hang immediately shut up. He knew this fat guy wasn’t bluffing. During their internship, Yu Dazhang had caught him reporting on others and had beaten him badly in front of their colleagues. Zhao Hang had been out cold for over half an hour.

Just as Yu Dazhang was dozing off, another rookie suddenly tapped him.

“A car’s coming.”

Yu Dazhang sat up straight and looked toward the gate. A luxury business vehicle was slowly pulling up to the Qu family villa.

A middle-aged man in his early forties stepped out from the driver’s seat. Suit, tie, white gloves—no doubt the Qu family’s dedicated driver.

Owners of luxury cars usually sat in the back. Even if they drove themselves, they wouldn’t wear white gloves.

“Looks like someone from the Qu family is heading out,” Yu Dazhang said, eyes fixed on the gate.

He planned to close his eyes again, but the driver’s movement caught his attention. The driver turned around, presenting his side to the gate, his head slightly turned, glancing sideways.

Yu Dazhang saw clearly—the driver’s posture was noticeably tense. Why wait at the gate like that? This was clearly a defensive stance, an unconscious reaction.

Did the Qu family’s own driver need to be on guard against his employer?

Yu Dazhang quickly found the answer.

Once he confirmed no one was nearby, the driver took a phone from his suit pocket, tapped a few buttons, and raised it to his ear. He was about to make a call.

Yu Dazhang guessed the driver didn’t want anyone overhearing the call, hence the defensive posture.

Interesting.

Yu Dazhang focused intently on the driver’s lips. Thirty meters apart, it was impossible to hear clearly, even with his sharp hearing. Now he had to rely on his eyes.

In his previous life, he often communicated with colleagues using lip-reading—during meetings when badmouthing the boss or discussing the attractiveness of a female officer.

Practice made perfect.

Yu Dazhang had some skill in lip-reading. Unless the words were too obscure, he could basically understand by watching.

The driver’s first sentence made Yu Dazhang’s heart skip a beat.

“I’ll bring the person over soon. Be ready.”

That didn’t sound good.

“Control the dosage of the anesthetic carefully. I’ve watched her grow up. Don’t let her die...”

Not good!

Yu Dazhang stopped watching further. This was enough to make a judgment.

The driver was the insider suspect!

Time was tight. Yu Dazhang immediately pulled out his phone and called Lu Zhongxin. As soon as the call connected, he spoke quickly:

“Master, the suspect hiding in the Qu family is their dedicated driver. He’s at the Qu gate now. Bring people over quickly!”

“Are you sure?”

“Tell Captain Wei to notify the hospital guards. Use the driver’s name to trick the two suspects there. No doubt about it.”

“Got it. I’m heading to you now. Don’t act on your own before I arrive!”

Inside the car, Zhao Hang and the other rookie stared at Yu Dazhang as if he were a monster.

“What? You’re so sure? How did you figure he’s the suspect? You two must be in cahoots. Otherwise, it makes no sense!”