Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*, ---

Uncle Rong asked, "Who is Chu Jie?"

The way it was highlighted only meant one thing.

I typed. "After Liao Chuntao, maybe he is the next target. But what do they do with them?"

Everybody was silent.

Then I remembered. I typed. "Uncle Rong, have you heard of the FriendsChat forum?"

"If you young lads don't know about it, then how would we old men do?"

It wasn't Uncle Rong who spoke. It was Guard Wu.

"Nice to meet you all again."

I smiled and nodded.

Bai Li also recognized his voice and said, "Enjoying your retired life?"

He grinned. "It has been just a few hours, but it's awesome."

"So, what is this about FriendsChat?"

Bai Li took over. "We don't know as well. It was some sort of an application opened in the computer in Gen Gen's base."

"Why don't you search it in the app store?"

I typed. "I already did. There is no such app in Android or IOS app stores. It looked like a chatroom."

I looked at Fu Biyu questioningly, but she also shook her head.

"So, what now?"

"Langfang." Bai Li said.

I typed. "Langfang."

Well, that was the only option left. Fu Meili disappeared from there, and Liao Chuntao's body was also found there.

Bai Li smiled. "Yes. And through Andingzhen because that's where Liao Chuntao was last seen alive. Maybe we can get a clue."

Then my phone buzzed. It was a number I didn't see before. I got alert. Wait a minute.

Is it Dad?

Oh God, I really hope that it is him. I held my phone in anticipation.

Bai Li said, "Keep it on speaker."

I picked it up.

"Hello, is it Xin Lei? Is Bai Li there?"

I recognized the voice. It was from Lin Zhihao.

I sighed. I thought that since Dad escaped, he would be trying to reach me.

"Yes, Goofy."

"What the fuck Bai Li!?"

His loud voice gave a ringing sensation in my ears.

Bai Li said with a poker expression. "I can hear you even if you don't shout that loud."

"Shut up. What did you do? Your and Xin Lei's sketches are circulated everywhere! It wasn't difficult for the cops to trace that you were in the Army. Major General and General were shocked to know that the cops wanted your information."

"The cops have framed us. This call is not being traced, right?"

"Obviously not. It is a secure line."

Bai Li told everything we got to know about this point.

Lin Zihao said, "Alright. You go to Langfang. Su Weiyuan and I will have your back here."

"Thanks. I need you to do a thing."

"Shoot."

"I have got some payment receipts here. While we check in Langfang, you and Su Weiyuan try to find out about these consignments. What is this payment for? What is the nature of the deals? The latest receipt is an advance of fifty million dollars. Something is going to be shipped off from Tianjin Port."

"It's an advance, so that means it's not completed yet. We will look into it. Send the receipt photos."

I nodded.

"Xin Lei will send it. And also find out about Chu Jie."

"Who is he?"

"We think he is the next target. Find out if any Chu Jie has recently disappeared."

Lin Zhihao said dryly, "There are thousands of Chu Jie in Beijing, you do realize that, right Bai Li?"

"Yes. I leave it to you."

Bai Li said without much emotion.

Ah…I felt bad for him.

I heard him sigh. "Alright. And I don't have to tell you that you have to be careful while traveling. They have issued an arrest on sight order."

Damn, they went this far?

"We will be careful."

I cut the call.

Guard Wu said, "It's already going to be dark."

I typed. "We can leave tomorrow early in the morning."

Bai Li nodded. "Sounds like a good plan. We need to find a place to stay."

Uncle Rong snorted. "Do you think you will find one when you are hunted like this? Stay here."

Guard Wu looked at the barmaid. "We have some rooms, right?"

My mood dampened just a little bit.

Why did I think that Bai Li and I were going to stay in the same room again? That was just one time.

"We have only one room available," she said. But I noticed her eyes smiling at me.

I brightened, but I realized that it would look odd. I coughed.

"But Lei Lei can stay-"

Uncle Rong was going to say something, but then he suddenly stopped. His face was contorted in pain.

Eh? What happened?

Guard Wu laughed. "We indeed lack rooms. Your Uncle and I are staying in one. Fu Biyu, Jun and," he pointed at the barmaid, "will stay in another. So you have to share with Bai Li."

I could only awkwardly smile.

I sneakily looked at Bai Li, but he seemed expressionless.

I frowned.

Really? Was I overthinking? It doesn't seem to affect him that much.

Bai Li turned his head towards where the barmaid was standing. "Are you sure you aren't pulling our legs?"

The barmaid mysteriously smiled. "Do you want me to pull yours? Literally? I don't mind."

"No, thanks."

For some reason, I looked away. I don't know why but I didn't like Bai Li talking to her now.

Was she hitting on him?

She seemed a little... flirtatious. I felt annoyed. She always had that provoking smile, especially when talking to Bai Li.

Did she have a thing for him? I wondered.

But then why was I feeling so anxious about it?

---

Rodey climbed down the pipe onto the ground after escaping from Gen Gen's base. His phone buzzed.

The voice on the other end said, "Gen Gen's gang is-"

"I know. Dead. I just finished off Gen Gen."

"You?" It sounded clearly shocked.

"What else could I have done? Let Gen Gen spill all the beans? He had to be dead."

There was a beat of silence.

"This will surely reach the boss's ears."

Rodey said, "I know. The boss is not going to be happy with this meddling."

"I think Bai Li and Xin Lei know something. It seems that they have printed some papers."

"Follow them, Neal."

"Roger. What about Xin Nianzu?"

He squinted his eyes. "He had already escaped. But I will find him. Don't worry about that."