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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 148: A Distorted Illusion
Like a ghost, Wang Shou appeared once again, using his cleverness to toy with the relentless police officers pursuing him.
The crime scene was located in Luxi District, adjacent to the suburbs, where a large influx of outsiders provided him with a natural shield. The numerous construction sites offered him an ample stage to showcase his schemes, while the Merchants and Migrant Workers became his most suitable targets for exploitation. No one expected that this time, the Trafficker King would make an even more stunning appearance by disguising himself as a national Postal Inspector. He brazenly established a nationwide Savings Institution, preparing for a month before disappearing after just three days. Ultimately, he managed to pocket over one hundred and four thousand yuan during that brief period.
As with previous incidents, he left quietly, leaving the Criminals unaware of what had transpired. The two savings clerks were fresh graduates from a vocational school and had not suspected the authenticity of the operation. Even if they had doubts, their mouths were sealed by the salary provided by Director Ma. The Merchants who had brought in deposits for the Savings Institution were already terrified and only confessed at the police station that they had received kickbacks from Director Ma, believing all along that he was affiliated with a government agency. The matter eventually reached the district Postal Savings Bureau, where it was discovered that Wang Shou had also operated under the name Ma Yichou, securing contracts for collecting deposits, postal advertising, and magazine subscriptions. Of course, the government agency vehemently denied any involvement, explaining that he was merely a Temporary Worker and not part of their staff.
On the day of the incident, the Luxi Police Station was nearly overwhelmed by victims and their families who had been deceived. As the Case Situation gradually became clearer, it was realized that this Trafficker King might be more cunning than initially thought. During his deposit collection efforts, he always had Postal Savings Bureau personnel accompanying him, and remarkably, no one suspected anything amiss throughout the entire process.
That evening, Xu Jian from the r7 special investigation team followed leads based on descriptions and located Wang Shou's residence in a complex near a Steel Plant in Datong District. The terrain was quite complicated; the alleys were so chaotic that even Car Brands could not navigate through them. It was evident that he had vacated the premises. Forensic investigators quickly examined the scene and collected biological evidence such as hair and skin flakes from the rental property.
That night, the City Bureau urgently dispatched Fourth Group detectives to hit the road. After tracing his movements for over ten hours, they finally found footage of him leaving on a train on the 17th. He had booked a ticket under the name Ma Yichou to Xining. The train conductors along the route from Luzhou to Xining received an alert from Anhui Province's Provincial Department and began reviewing surveillance records at various train stations.
The r7 special investigation team concluded that Wang Shou frequently operated within the province but likely did not hide there. Their repeated searches yielded no results, further supporting this theory; thus, they decided to track him along railway stations in search of a second transfer point.
He certainly would not go to Xining; he would definitely switch trains midway.
The judgment proved correct; he only traveled four stops after leaving Luzhou before slipping away at a small county town near the provincial border named Official Post—a name quite fitting for his escape. The county town lay in a remote mountainous area of an underdeveloped province with minimal surveillance within its borders. Not to mention pursuing him; even detectives from the provincial capital got lost on mountain roads that day.
On the 21st, investigations began in Official Post County, focusing on unlicensed taxis and vehicles picking up passengers at the train station. Before long, there was indeed an unexpected lead: a taxi driver reported picking up a passenger who closely resembled Wang Shou at seven o'clock on the evening of the 17th when his train arrived. He dropped this passenger off at a county guesthouse and noted that they chatted amiably throughout their ride.
However, curiously enough, there was no sign of this individual at the guesthouse despite repeated searches. The detectives combed through guest records again suspecting some sort of assistance might be involved. They simultaneously reviewed footage from both the guesthouse and local police checkpoints along county roads but were left disappointed—the man seemed to have vanished without a trace.
On the 22nd, Fan Saili attempted to trace where any stolen funds might have gone but faced disappointment as well; this fraudster who had set up a Savings Institution had never actually deposited any money at all. Finding electronic records of transactions seemed like nothing more than wishful thinking.
At noon that day, he knocked on the door of Project Leader Zhou Qunyi's office, a glass cubicle. Upon entering, he found Zhou Qunyi frowning at his messages. When their eyes met, Fan Saili shook his head in disappointment.
"There's not a single clue? How did he manage to take away over a million?" Zhou Qunyi asked, puzzled.
"It shouldn't be that much. Given the total case value, the consumption and losses here are significant. The amount he could have taken should be around seven hundred thousand," Fan Saili estimated.
Zhou Qunyi corrected himself and asked, "Just seven hundred thousand? That must be quite a large bag to carry it out like that?"
The leader looked astonished, and Fan Saili had no explanation. It seemed that was indeed the case. More accurately, Wang Shou had been here for less than three days and slipped away on the afternoon of the third day. Until he left, the two girls at the Savings Institution were still foolishly collecting deposits, locked up in the Insurance cabinet.
As Fan Saili prepared to exit the office, Zhou Qunyi suddenly realized something and called out, "Section Chief Fan, wait a moment... Have you discovered anything regarding the counterfeit money electronic versions from previous years?"
"Not yet. The r7 electronic version is quite unique; it hasn't flooded the market but has never truly disappeared either. Except for Northwest and Tibet regions, almost every province has reported sightings. We haven't found the source yet, and this is the largest case we've encountered," Fan Saili replied.
"However, from a purely technical standpoint, I believe the production location isn't in our province. I've handled a few counterfeiting cases and observed several as well. Most high-quality electronic versions and offset prints come from coastal cities in the south where they are rampant—not just large denominations but even coins... However, I've only seen versions comparable to this level from the Taiwan Edition. What do you think..." Zhou Qunyi inquired but left his sentence unfinished.
Fan Saili understood that this implied suspicion that the counterfeiting technology originated from abroad, especially with the discovery of Superb Dollar; this case's significance had increased immeasurably. Yet, Fan Saili dared not make any rash assumptions and cautiously replied, "Team Leader Zhou, I really can't speculate on this. I joined the project team last year, and so far we haven't even caught any peripheral personnel."
"Those detectives are truly useless; it's baffling how they can let someone escape like that," Zhou Qunyi said angrily as he slammed his pen down in frustration over the elusive r7 case.
As Fan Saili turned to leave once more, he heard Team Leader Zhou say:
"Section Chief Fan, why don't you notify Aeming? The method he mentioned might be worth trying."
"Ah, understood." Fan Saili turned his back to Zhou Qunyi and hesitated for a moment before leaving with a smile.
The smile carried a hint of helplessness; even an officer who usually trusted big data was becoming desperate. Fan Saili couldn't feel happy about it; this was not a good sign. It seemed they would soon find themselves back on a fruitless path...
“Right here,” Aeming pointed to the crime scene.
On the left side of the car was the entrance to a building materials market, situated in a prime location. To the right were several construction sites, where the towering buildings of the city could be seen in the distance, though they were still quite far from the city center.
“Huh? You searched high and low, and he’s right here... collecting money?” Ruhua was taken aback. What kind of situation was this?
“Don’t say it like that. I almost want to jump off a building,” Aeming replied, frustrated. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, cursing, “This bastard is incredibly despicable. It’s one thing to scam Merchant out of a little money, but he chose to open on the very day when wages were being paid at several construction sites. All those workers from the countryside were saving up to send money home... and he just swindled them all.”
“Why do it here? Isn’t it easier to transfer money through a bank?” Ruhua didn’t understand.
Aeming didn’t feel like explaining. Xiao Mu turned back and scolded, “You idiot, he’s targeting these people’s money. When sending money back to the countryside, only Postal Savings is convenient; most banks don’t reach down to the town level. Commercial banks can’t even reach county towns.”
“Oh, that’s really something... But this guy is quite clever—setting up his own bank to collect money. Wow, how smart do you have to be to come up with that?” Ruhua marveled. It wasn’t hard to impersonate a government worker, but doing so without getting caught while brazenly collecting money was another matter entirely.
Aeming drove on, intermittently discussing the case's progress. However, it was mostly about what they had discovered after the fact regarding Trafficker King—how he built trust, helped people sell building materials, and established connections with Market Management. Later investigations revealed that he hadn’t been selling at all; instead, he had bought building materials himself and sold them at a low price. Using this clumsy method of buying low and selling high, he managed to present himself as someone with extensive connections.
“This person is quite impressive; he even thought of these details and was very restrained—collecting for just over two days before disappearing... Have we traced where the money went?” Xiao Mu asked.
“We’re investigating. But I doubt we’ll find anything; this guy set up his own bank and probably never even went into a real bank to transfer money. He likely just packed up cash and left,” Aeming said. He glanced at the crime scene in the rearview mirror, feeling even more troubled. When he looked at Xiao Mu, he saw him watching footage from that time. He warned him, “Stop watching; it will test your tolerance limit. Many scammers are driven by desperation and can be understood to some extent, but this one? There’s nothing redeemable about him; he preyed on those with the weakest defenses.”
“That’s because he understands this demographic’s mindset best; all suspects instinctively choose to commit crimes in familiar territories,” Xiao Mu replied as he flipped through pages, closely examining the progress of their investigation.
As they drove toward their residence after quite a distance, Xiao Mu relaxed slightly and seized the opportunity to ask, “Do we have any clearer information? Can you provide anything?”
Before Xiao Mu could speak, Ruhua interjected, saying, "Bald Brother, he has already led you into a trap, and you still believe him?"
"Then I'll believe you. Go ahead and tell me," Aeming replied.
"What else is there to say? We can easily gather over a hundred thousand and find a place to eat, drink, and gamble," Ruhua said.
"I'm asking where that place is. There are too many places in the world for eating, drinking, and gambling," Aeming pointed out.
Ruhua bit his finger and thought for a moment before saying, "Well, that's your area of expertise. Don't they often show it on TV? Just hit a few keys on the computer, and with something like Skynet's positioning, you'd know where people are?"
"That's why it's called television; it's not real. The reality is that we currently have over seven hundred fugitives being pursued in our province alone. The ratio of police to residents in China is the lowest in the world—less than three in ten thousand. Many things simply can't be done due to lack of energy or capability," Aeming admitted candidly.
"So, you should let me join you. One more person means one more strength," Ruhua said. His wish had changed; he no longer wanted to find a wife but instead wanted to become a police officer.
Aeming smiled and said, "Then help me catch this person, and I'll recruit you as a detective."
Ruhua bit his finger again and fell silent. Xiao Mu chuckled and said, " Ruhua, I just don't understand you. A few days ago, you were crying and threatening to jump off a building; how come now you're so eager to seek justice?"
"Tsk, what's wrong with that? I just think wearing a police uniform looks pretty cool," Ruhua replied. He leaned forward and added, "But after watching for a few days, it seems really tough—eating like pigs, working like dogs, busy as livestock. Oh man, it hurts my heart just watching."
This unconventional expression amused Aeming, who laughed and asked him, "That sounds harsh but it's the truth. So I don't get it—do you really want to live such a miserable life?"
"Of course I want to try it! I've been poor and I've been rich, but I always feel like something's missing inside me. Unlike you guys, even when you're this broke, you're still so spirited," Ruhua explained.
The only difference between Sun Qinghua and Xiao Mu was that this adorably ugly former Tycoon was understandable to Aeming. He chuckled and explained, "You're empty because you're lacking vitality—simply put, it's called faith... Xiao Mu will probably scoff at me for saying this again, but even he can't deny that faith is indeed something real; it's a person's spiritual support."
Xiao Mu indeed scoffed: "Idealists and materialists can never resonate with each other."
"Yes, Bald Brother, it's so dark now. There are too many criminals out there, and even us stock traders have been taken advantage of. Just one insider tip or a rat's nest can clean us out completely. I know you feel sorry for me, but I'm really not the most pitiful one. In our big trading room, three have jumped off buildings, two are mentally ill, and among the rest, I'm the most normal one," Sun Qinghua said with a hint of pride.
"I'm not here to judge you. Our philosophies differ. As police officers, our duty is to uphold the law and protect justice. We cannot be disheartened by the darkness of society or fear the harshness of reality... Just like this Trafficker King, someone has to catch him, right? And for those victims who have been scammed and cheated, someone has to stand up for them and seek justice, don't you think? Can you imagine what would happen if even the police started shirking their responsibilities?" Aeming said, his teeth grinding together.
"Ah, Bald Brother, you speak so well," Ruhua said, moved by Aeming's words. "I feel the same way; I just want to wipe out all those bastards who prey on retail investors."
Aeming shook his head slightly in frustration; it seemed he and Ruhua were not on the same wavelength. Xiao Mu remained silent, smiling as he looked down at Aeming's tablet.
The next stop was at a residence that had already been investigated. It was a one-bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom. The other tenants had been scared off after being questioned. Xiao Mu squatted there like he was entranced for a while before sitting in the already messy room, staring out the window as if lost in thought for a long time.
After Aeming stopped him several times, Ruhua finally couldn't hold back anymore and shouted at him from the doorway, "Stop pretending! The person left ages ago."
"Hehe, no one can see me anyway; I might as well keep pretending," Xiao Mu laughed. Aeming walked over to him and looked out at the obstructed view curiously asking, "What are you looking for?"
"Feeling," Xiao Mu replied.
"Feeling?" Aeming asked in confusion.
"Yes, feeling. The choice of environment reflects a person's mindset. If he doesn't lack money, why would he choose such a shabby place? For safety reasons? It doesn't make sense to pick such a dirty environment. By the way, did you find anything at the scene?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Don't mention it. We collected various hairs and skin flakes belonging to different people. The rental situation is too chaotic; there's no proper management or registration at the police station. This old district is about to be demolished; two-thirds of the residents are newcomers who come and go without any trace," Aeming explained.
"What about tracking?" Xiao Mu inquired.
"We traced it to Official Post but hit a dead end there; they're still investigating... Oh, on the way, Fan Saili mentioned that there’s been no trace of the stolen money. It seems this guy used the most primitive method—just carrying cash away. In the surveillance footage, he was seen boarding a train with a large bag," Aeming said.
Xiao Mu smiled while Ruhua grew angry and exclaimed, "What’s so funny? I feel like this guy is just as despicable."
"He's a bit more cunning than I am; he's teasing you," Xiao Mu said.
"Teasing?" Aeming was taken aback.
"With a name that outshines, and skills that surpass; if the Official Post steps down, does that mean the Official Enforcer will stop pursuing him?" Xiao Mu chuckled as he stood up, moving to the window. "This person is fundamentally proud. He looks down on you strategically, but tactically, he's quite shrewd. He chose the most dangerous place to commit his crimes, yet because you misdirected your pursuit, it became the safest place... This guy is quite pleased with himself."
"Help me think of a way out. I rarely ask for help, but if asking can solve the problem, I don't care what I have to do," Aeming said, a hint of despair creeping into his voice as he realized this hopeless situation was nearing its end.
Ruhua curiously stared at Xiao Mu, momentarily puzzled about why Xiao Mu's identity was so highly regarded here, especially after having made a mistake once already.
Xiao Mu pondered for a moment before saying, "I've already made you lose face once; do you still trust me?"
"A thousand-mile horse can stumble too. Losing face doesn't matter to me as long as we can find someone," Aeming replied.
"I might continue to make outrageous mistakes, and you might lose all your dignity. Are you sure you want to try?" Xiao Mu tilted his head and asked.
"Let's give it a shot. It's all part of the trial-and-error process. If we try once, it will help the brothers behind us make fewer mistakes," Aeming said.
"You’re not an idealist; you're an opportunist. Go ahead and try. I believe this person hasn't gone far; he's still in this province and certainly isn't hiding in some remote area with few people around. He must have left many clues here but has covered them up in ways you've overlooked. The time between this crime and the last one is less than a year; he's already getting impatient—not only is he short on cash, but he's also proud... Proud people are always prone to making mistakes. Let's go; maybe we'll get lucky and catch this Trafficker King."
Xiao Mu walked with his hands behind his back, trying to appear mature beyond his years but failing miserably; he resembled a mischievous Rascal sneaking around from the upper floor, surveying the surroundings as if the Trafficker King were still hiding nearby.
Ruhua and Aeming followed at a distance, unable to contain themselves any longer. Ruhua curiously asked Aeming, "Do you believe him?"
"And what about you? Do you believe him?" Aeming countered.
"I don't know why, but I feel like I'm starting to believe him," Ruhua replied, her thoughts wavering again.
"Is there a reason?" Aeming asked.
"Of course, this guy has tricked even me before, and his father too. There's no one he hasn't scammed. Damn it, he once conned me out of a million when I was with Lezi, and he even got me to sign an investment agreement. I was so embarrassed to confront him after losing everything," Ruhua recalled the past, speaking in a low voice, filled with anger.
Aeming chuckled and said, "That's right. As long as you pique his interest, he can scam gods and ghosts alike; I've seen it happen."
"Interest? What interest could he have in an Old Trafficker?" Ruhua asked, puzzled.
"Wrong. Actually, he's just like the Old Trafficker—forgotten and marginalized by society—but that doesn't mean he lacks the instinct to seek validation and fulfillment. Everyone needs a sense of achievement. I refuse to believe he would willingly fade into obscurity," Aeming replied with a smile. He knew that Xiao Mu had already successfully fallen into the trap; often, the more challenging the proposition, the more it piques the interest of clever people.
Thus, this Trafficker King's unfathomable methods had successfully lured in his opponent. Aeming laughed as he patted the bewildered Ruhua and strolled downstairs.
Perhaps there was more than one. After a moment, Ruhua understood and chased after Aeming, pulling at him as he said, "Bald Brother, Bald Brother, actually I'm interested too! Yes, I have experience; I discovered that Pink Lady myself... I really have a lot of experience! I've been scammed and tricked since I was little; I'm very sensitive to con artists... You have to take me along; otherwise, it'll be so boring alone..."
His earnestness made Aeming's teeth ache in annoyance. He couldn't be bothered to respond and hurried after Xiao Mu instead.
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