Chapter Twelve: If Anyone’s Brave, It’s You After All

To suspect that the driver was involved, two conditions had to be met.
First, one had to understand lip-reading.
Second, one’s eyesight had to be extraordinary.

Neither of these two possessed either skill, so naturally, they had no idea how Yu Dazhang had discovered the driver’s suspicious nature.

Another five minutes passed, and Yu Dazhang grew a bit anxious. The driver was definitely here to pick up Qu Tuotuo, because he had said during a phone call earlier, “I’ve watched her grow up.”

Since the driver could arrive here by car, it meant Qu Tuotuo would emerge soon. Even if a professional driver arrived early, it wouldn’t be by much. Once Qu Tuotuo got into his car, what happened next would slip beyond the police’s control.

Just as Yu Dazhang was silently praying for his mentor’s swift arrival, his phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the caller ID, it was Lu Zhongxin.

“Master, have you arrived?”

“Still a few minutes away. I called to tell you—the driver is indeed the mastermind. The two suspects in the hospital have already spoken.”

“Does he have a weapon?”

This was Yu Dazhang’s true concern. As long as there was no firearm, he was confident he could take him down.

“The suspects just started talking; details are unclear.”

Yu Dazhang could tell Lu Zhongxin feared he might act rashly. This call was mostly a reminder to stay calm.

After ending the call, Zhao Hang looked at Yu Dazhang and couldn’t help but ask, “The driver really is a suspect?”

The cramped, enclosed space inside the car made it clear to him that the voice on Yu Dazhang’s phone definitely belonged to Lu Zhongxin. Even the conversation was unmistakable. There was no room for doubt anymore.

Zhao Hang asked to glean more information. Yu Dazhang, however, had no time to indulge him and simply responded with a grunt as he fixed his gaze on the Qu family’s gate.

“Alright then, you guys stay here and keep watch,” Zhao Hang’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ll go arrest him.”

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

Not only Yu Dazhang but even the other rookie in the car understood Zhao Hang’s intent. If they could apprehend the mastermind, it would be a major achievement!

At that moment, the driver looked like a fat piece of meat already within Zhao Hang’s grasp—ripe for the taking!

Before Yu Dazhang could respond, the phone rang again. As soon as he answered, Lu Zhongxin’s anxious voice came through:

“Don’t go over there! He has a gun!”

Yu Dazhang felt a chill in his heart but quickly regained his composure.

“Probably just a pistol.”

He wasn’t surprised. After all, even kidnappers could be armed; it was only natural the mastermind would carry a gun.

“Right. Just keep an eye from inside the car. We’re almost there. I’m in the same vehicle as Captain Wei now.”

“Understood.”

Hearing that his master and the squad were about to arrive, Yu Dazhang felt much more at ease.

After hanging up, he nudged Zhao Hang.

“Go on, go catch him. Stay safe.”

Zhao Hang’s face went pale as paper, his body trembling slightly. Stammering, he said, “I…I…I…”

His lips quivered, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Lu Zhongxin’s warning, especially “He has a gun,” had left Zhao Hang utterly stunned. If that call had come ten seconds later, he might have already jumped out and charged. The consequences would have been disastrous.

Now, his hands shook nervously, and his eyes stared straight ahead, not daring even a glance at Yu Dazhang beside him.

“Go! Weren’t you brave just now?”

Seeing Zhao Hang’s cowardice, Yu Dazhang burst with anger and slapped him hard on the head.

Zhao Hang winced in pain, clutching his head but dared not make a sound, fearing the driver outside would notice.

“With those little tricks of yours, who do you think you’re fooling?”

Yu Dazhang struck Zhao Hang twice more with force, shaking the car to show how hard he was hitting.

“Stop, please! If we get noticed, it’s over,” Zhao Hang begged.

“No worries. If worst comes to worst, we’ll go down together,” Yu Dazhang said, grabbing Zhao Hang’s collar. “We’ll charge out, I’ll shield you with my body and see how many bullets he has.”

Zhao Hang was stunned.

He was to be a human shield?

Is that what you call going down together? So only I die, huh?

“Let go!”

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

If anyone else said this, he might not believe it; but Yu Dazhang… he really would do it!

Just then, another rookie suddenly spoke up:

“Someone’s coming out of the Qu residence!”

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

A woman dressed in professional attire appeared, styled to look mature and composed, but her youthful awkwardness was hard to hide.

A faint sadness and helplessness shadowed her face, as if troubled by some vexation.

Qu Tuotuo!

Yu Dazhang had seen her photo in the case files; she looked exactly the same now.

This was bad—she had come out first.

Please don’t get in the car… Yu Dazhang clenched his teeth in silent anguish.

But reality ran contrary to his hopes. After stepping out, Qu Tuotuo headed straight for the luxury business van waiting at the gate.

At the same moment, the driver slid into the driver’s seat.

No, he couldn’t let her get in. Yu Dazhang abandoned all else and opened the car door to get out.

He had to stop her first!

The others inside the car only heard a loud bang, and when they reacted, Yu Dazhang was already outside.

Zhao Hang’s mouth dropped open, staring at Yu Dazhang’s back in disbelief.

He really just rushed out like that?

Not far away, inside a rapidly moving jeep, Wei Qian and Lu Zhongxin happened to see Yu Dazhang sprinting toward the Qu family gate.

“What is he trying to do?!” Wei Qian exclaimed.

Lu Zhongxin was also stunned, instinctively replying, “I don’t know. You heard me tell him not to go.”

Wei Qian’s eyes stayed fixed on Yu Dazhang.

“Didn’t he hear that the suspect is armed? Is he always this reckless?”

“Well…” Lu Zhongxin replied vaguely, “I’m not that close to him, either.”

As Yu Dazhang ran forward, he kept a corner of his eye on the driver’s every move, 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 van.

Seeing Qu Tuotuo stop and look toward him, Yu Dazhang didn’t hesitate and quickly approached, firmly grasping her arm.

Qu Tuotuo was clearly startled by the sudden action but soon regained her composure and carefully examined the man before her.

Then she recognized Yu Dazhang and asked in surprise,

“It’s you. What are you doing here?”

She tried to break free, shaking her arm forcefully, but to no avail.

Yu Dazhang only gripped her tighter.

“I’m here to find you.”

While speaking, Yu Dazhang deliberately angled himself to face the driver.

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

He had already planned that if the driver made any move like drawing a gun, he would immediately dodge toward the back of the vehicle.

He had intended to launch a surprise attack once close to the driver.

But as he neared the van, he was dismayed to see that the driver had already rolled up the window.