Chapter 1929: The Nighttime Visitor
Xu Huo seemed to have just realized this matter. "I didn't bring it when I went downstairs last night, and I forgot this morning. Can I go over now to get it?"
"It's fine, I've put it away for you. You can just tell the team leader tomorrow. But I'm off tomorrow, so I won't be there, that's why I'm telling you in advance." Lin Guang also told him about the two new arrivals today. "One is called Han Cong, the other is Wang Kai. You and Han Cong will most likely be grouped with me, so it's better to get familiar beforehand."
Xu Huo brought up the matter of his lost luggage. "In a situation like this, where would I usually go to look for it?"
"Oh, why didn't you say something yesterday? By now, I'm afraid even the suitcase is gone." Lin Guang said quickly. "Did you have anything particularly valuable in your suitcase, like precious metals or something with a specific destination? Those have channels to find. Clothes and shoes are basically gone for good."
"What did your suitcase look like? I'll talk to the team leader and see if he can keep an eye out for you."
Xu Huo roughly described it, adding with a hint of regret, "Actually, there wasn't anything too valuable. It's just a shame to lose it."
His wallet "hadn't been lost," so his identification and money were safe. Having only clothes in the suitcase was the most normal thing.
Lin Guang promised to relay the matter to the team leader but advised him not to get his hopes up. Losing clothes wasn't a big deal; he had the uniform anyway, and he could buy more when he got paid next month.
Xu Huo thanked him and hung up. Seeing a cookie shop on the next street, he went over and bought some cheap, filling ones. When he pulled out his wallet to pay, he asked the owner to change a large bill into smaller ones.
Ignoring the tail following him, he returned to his rented room and spent the entire afternoon sleeping with the door closed. He got up again at dinner time, still didn't cook, grabbed his keys, and went out.
After nightfall, the West District began to get lively. The incessant rain couldn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm, and most people didn't use umbrellas, even though the rainwater here was heavily polluted.
People who were invisible during the day now flooded out. Besides those running nighttime businesses and those who liked evening entertainment, groups of young people gathered on the streets. Many rode modified vehicles—not quite aircraft anymore, but much faster than the ordinary bikes in District 014. From time to time, someone would recklessly ride through the streets.
Red and yellow lights intertwined on the wet streets. Xu Huo, holding his umbrella, planned to go to the small restaurant he'd visited during the day for dinner. Before he'd taken two steps, a young woman ran out from the side and knocked his umbrella away. It was the neighbor he'd seen during the day. She pulled him towards the shop where she worked, talking about giving him a "discount" while leaning against him.
Xu Huo awkwardly dodged. Having no choice, he folded his umbrella and quickened his pace towards the restaurant.
The restaurant owner served his food and whispered, "Better not use an umbrella at night. It's inconvenient to see the road... especially since you're holding an Enforcement Department umbrella."
Xu Huo thanked him, but in that short time, several young men with spiky hair had entered the restaurant. They sat at the next table, shouted their orders to the owner, and then fixed their gazes on Xu Huo at the adjacent table.
The group chewed gum lazily, exchanging glances. After a while, one of them prepared to get up and walk over to Xu Huo.
Just then, Xu Huo looked up at them.
The young man who was about to stand involuntarily stiffened, then sat back down with an unnatural expression.
His tablemates were baffled and urged him on with their eyes, but the young man glared fiercely at his companions and hissed, "Eat!"
As if completely unaware that he had narrowly avoided trouble, Xu Huo finished his meal, paid, and walked back with his umbrella.
In such a crowded and complicated place, news spread very quickly. He had moved in that morning and was now parading around with an Enforcement Department umbrella at night. Many people in the surrounding streets already knew that a new Enforcement Department member had moved in.
The looks he received now were far more complex than in the morning. Most people's attitude towards Enforcement Department personnel was a mix of fear and hatred. Therefore, most people on the street avoided him. There were also those who deliberately provoked him, pretending to be drunk and bumping into him or trying to pick his pocket.
Xu Huo didn't want trouble and quickened his pace back.
He probably wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight. So, after waiting until late, he turned off the light in his room, climbed out the back window, and entered a rented room on the third floor. The tenant hadn't returned yet; the room was empty.
Not long after, the first batch of guests arrived at his room. Not finding him, they were somewhat annoyed, smashed a few things in the room, and left.
Then came the second batch, two people, carrying knives. Seeing the room already ransacked, they still cautiously checked the bathroom.
The third group was the one Xu Huo was waiting for. It was the thief he had encountered during the day. While talking to Lin Guang, this shifty-eyed man had been in a tavern across the street, bragging to others about the suitcases he had stolen the night before.
The description of the suitcase Xu Huo had given Lin Guang was what he had overheard from this man.
After buying the dry goods, the man had tailed him for a while, confirmed his residence, and then left.
Sure enough, he came calling that night.
Xu Huo created a slight illusion, making the man crash into the wall. While he was dizzy, Xu Huo used the hypnosis he had recently learned, implanting a vague impression. After asking about the general contents of the suitcase and how they were disposed of, Xu Huo let the man go.
By morning, he climbed back through the back window into his own room, tidied up his belongings, and went to work.
Some early risers were surprised to see him come out, but when Xu Huo greeted them, they didn't dare respond and hurried away with their heads down.
Xu Huo took a bus to the Enforcement Department. Team Leader Jiang saw him arrive unscathed and said with a smile, "Not bad. Come, let me introduce you to two new colleagues."
Han Cong and Wang Kai. On the surface, neither looked any different from ordinary people, and neither wore any props. After the three of them introduced themselves, Team Leader Jiang told them that Han Cong and Xu Huo would follow Lin Guang to form a patrol squad under his command, while Wang Kai would follow Bald Head and his group. Bald Head Hao, Big Han Liao, and Tall Li Song were all off today, so other inspectors had come in.
The Enforcement Department was quite busy during the day. As newcomers, Xu Huo and the other two weren't going out on patrol today. Their main task was to familiarize themselves with the various case-handling procedures. Of course, those procedures were the official ones; actual operations were much less cumbersome. As long as it wasn't a major incident, no one would be held accountable afterwards.
However, what the newcomers were most concerned about were the attacks on inspectors. After all, they were new and also potential targets.
"I've looked through the files," Han Cong said. "The ones attacked were all lone inspectors. The attacker probably counted on that. As long as we stick together, it shouldn't be a problem."
"I looked at the case-solving records for the past month," Wang Kai lowered his voice. "Hundreds, even thousands of cases, and not a single one was solved. And so many of our own people have died. I'm really worried we might die without even knowing why!" (End of Chapter)