061 Thirst for Knowledge

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The three men in jackets, who were being restrained, each struggled a bit, but unfortunately couldn't break free from Xiaogang and the others' grip. Now it was their turn to look alarmed.

The man in the jacket said, "Miss Fang, your people aren't being very friendly. The three of us really are from the Criminal Investigation Bureau."

"Oh, so you know me!" Fang Yuhua sneered coldly. "And yet you still dare lay hands on my friend?"

"We were just doing our job, hoping to invite Mr. Yang back to assist our investigation!"

Yang Tang, clearly annoyed, said, "If it's just to assist with an investigation, why did your colleague try to grab my arm?"

"He's new, it's his first time on a mission, so he got a little overzealous!" The jacketed man forced a laugh. "Xiao Jun, let go already!"

Only then did the square-faced man release Yang Tang's arm.

"Miss Fang, perhaps you could ask your people—"

But Fang Yuhua gave him no face at all, folding her arms and saying, "As far as I know, the Criminal Investigation Bureau doesn't have any new recruits, does it?"

A flash of embarrassment crossed the man's face. "There are always exceptions!"

Fang Yuhua snorted dismissively at this explanation, then waved her hand for Xiaogang and the others to let the three men go.

The man in the jacket rotated his arms a bit, then came to stand before Yang Tang, formally producing his credentials. "Hello, Mr. Yang, I'm Mo Wuwei from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and these are my colleagues, Sun Xiaojun and Yuan Yuan. There's an unresolved case, and we'd like you to assist in our investigation."

Yang Tang was still simmering with anger from Sun Xiaojun's earlier grab, and so he offered Mo Wuwei no courtesy at all, replying coolly, "Detective Mo, assisting with an investigation is a citizen's duty, but I'm very busy at the moment and don't have time to make a special trip to the bureau."

Mo Wuwei, as if expecting this, shrugged. "No problem, we can follow you and wait as long as it takes until you're free."

Yang Tang looked unconcerned. "Suit yourselves." Then he turned to Fang Yuhua. "Didn't you say you wanted to have a few drinks? Let's find a place."

Fang Yuhua hesitated, then raised her delicate chin in challenge, gave Mo Wuwei a contemptuous glance, once again took Yang Tang's arm, and gracefully boarded the Wegardi RV parked by the road.

Back in the Santana, Yuan Yuan, tough as ever, slammed the steering wheel. "Damn, that Yang guy is way too arrogant! He doesn't even show the Criminal Investigation Bureau any respect."

Mo Wuwei didn't seem to mind, chuckling. "He's young, a bit headstrong—understandable. Don't forget, Yang Tang isn't even eighteen until after the college entrance exams! Yuan Yuan, follow that car."

Yuan Yuan immediately started the Santana and tailed Fang Yuhua's convoy.

Only then did Mo Wuwei glance sideways at Sun Xiaojun, who'd been quiet so far. "Well? What did you figure out?"

Sun Xiaojun shook his head. "It's probably not him. At least, in terms of counter-grappling skills, he's not an expert. His struggling was just the instinctive kind any ordinary person would do. The only thing that surprised me was his strength—he's as strong as a young bull."

"Young men, full of vitality, that's normal," Mo Wuwei quipped, then frowned. "So the dangerous person we're after might not be him?"

Sun Xiaojun hesitated. "Hard to say."

Yuan Yuan, driving, interjected, "But, Chief Mo, from all the surveillance footage we've collected, the body type, gait, and the times he wasn't present—they all match this Yang Tang..."

"The problem is, even if the body type matches a hundred percent, that's not admissible evidence, and gait can be imitated," Mo Wuwei said, a bit helpless. "And as for time and place, is there any footage clearly showing Yang Tang's face? What's most infuriating is that inside Tianxing Tower, the surveillance cameras had power cables but no data cables—just for show!"

It was after four in the afternoon, and many bars had only just opened.

Fang Yuhua didn't take Yang Tang to any of her usual places, but instead picked a random bar to share a couple of drinks with him.

"My treat today. Once you get your software payment, it's your turn. Cheers!"

"No problem, cheers!"

After downing their drinks, Fang Yuhua shot a sideways glance at Mo Wuwei and his two colleagues, who had followed them into the bar, and snorted. "Those guys from the Criminal Investigation Bureau really are like shadows that won't go away. By the way, do you have any idea what they want you to assist with?"

Yang Tang paused, shook his head. "No idea." Though in truth, he had his suspicions.

"Want me to help drive them away?" Fang Yuhua asked.

Yang Tang hesitated. "That won't be necessary." After all, Fang Yuhua could only help him for so long.

She seemed to realize this, too. She motioned for Xiao Wu's phone, thought a moment, then dialed a number. "Get me Director Chang."

After a moment, someone else came on the line. Fang Yuhua said, "Uncle Chang? It's Fang Yuhua. My cousin has a bit of trouble and needs to go to your place. Could you keep an eye on him for me?"

After the person responded, Fang Yuhua gestured for Xiao Wu to hand the phone to Mo Wuwei. "It's for you."

Mo Wuwei seemed to guess what this was about, took the phone with a wry look. "Hello, who's this? This is Mo Wuwei from Division Three. Yes, Director Chang. Don't worry, we'll handle everything properly. Of course, no problem. All right then, see you, Director Chang." He handed the phone back to Xiao Wu and said quietly, "Please tell Miss Fang this is just a routine investigation. We won't give Mr. Yang any trouble."

When Xiao Wu relayed this, Fang Yuhua sneered. "Is that so? Then why did that Sun guy grab him by the arm right away? Is that standard procedure?"

That was what annoyed her most. Sun Xiaojun's move had clearly been meant to intimidate. If she hadn't been there, Yang Tang would likely have been "escorted" away without resistance.

Other than shooting those criminals and robbers before, Yang Tang considered himself law-abiding. But Sun Xiaojun's excessive handling left a lasting impression—he treated others by reason, but others didn't treat him the same. What sort of justice was that?

Feeling stifled, Yang Tang ordered another drink, downed it, then approached Mo Wuwei and his colleagues. "All right, I'll go with you to the Criminal Investigation Bureau for your investigation."

Mo Wuwei caught a whiff of alcohol and frowned but couldn't say much, only nodding to his colleagues. "Let's go."

"Xiao Wu, you drive Yang Tang to the Bureau, then pick him up afterwards."

"Yes, boss!"

Mo Wuwei and his team had no objection to such arrangements—after all, Yang Tang couldn't run. In China, unless the police don't know your background, even fleeing to America wouldn't help; you'd still be wanted and spend your days in fear.

Arriving at the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Xiao Wu waited outside in the parking lot while Yang Tang followed Mo Wuwei and the others up to the fourth floor, turning into an interview room.

The furnishings inside weren't as severe as a typical interrogation room—no heavy chairs bolted to the floor, just two joined desks facing each other. Mo Wuwei sat on one side, Yang Tang on the other.

Yuan Yuan leaned by the door like a sentry, while Sun Xiaojun fetched tea, handled the computer, and took notes.

After Yang Tang took a sip of hot tea, Mo Wuwei asked, "Mr. Yang, may I begin with some questions?"

"Please go ahead."

"The day before the Peony Festival opened, that is, the afternoon of the 29th—did you go to the Flower Tower?"

Yang Tang replied, "Yes, I went with Fang Yuhua by car. We were attacked with heavy firepower in the parking garage, barely escaped, and then called the police."

"And after that?"

"After what?" Yang Tang looked puzzled.

"After the police arrived and you and Ms. Shen Chen gave your statements, where did you go?"

"Nowhere really, just wandered around the nearby shopping street," Yang Tang replied honestly, omitting the most critical details.

Mo Wuwei pressed on, "Did you buy anything while strolling?"

"I did. Bought a couple of pancakes—is that a crime?"

"Just pancakes?" Mo Wuwei was laying a trap.

Yang Tang hesitated. "Oh, right, I also bought a toy bow for children at a second-hand stall, but it didn't have any arrows. So, on a whim, I bought some fishing rod segments to use as arrows, but they could barely shoot a few meters. In frustration, I stuffed everything into a trash bin by the road."

His explanation was flawless. Even if Mo Wuwei produced photos of rod tips used to kill criminals, Yang Tang could simply claim that some hero must have picked up what he threw away.

Yet at the same time, Mo Wuwei was increasingly convinced that the terrifying archer was indeed Yang Tang.

"All right, Mr. Yang, that's all we need. Please review the statement, and if it's accurate, sign your name."

After Yang Tang signed and left the room, Mo Wuwei caught up with him in the stairwell.

"Detective Mo, is there something else?"

"Mr. Yang, perhaps we can talk as we walk?"

Yang Tang wasn't interested. "If you have something to say, just say it."

"Heh, Mr. Yang, there are things we both understand without words. In the future, leave the business of taking down murderers to the police, all right?" Mo Wuwei said gravely.

A chill ran through Yang Tang, but he hid it well. "Detective Mo, I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's fine if you don't. Just remember to keep a lower profile from now on. Even without evidence, it wouldn't be hard to pin something on you."

A cold sweat broke out on Yang Tang's back. He realized the authorities were watching him closely, and a surge of anger rose in his heart. He suddenly yearned for access to the kind of intelligence that agencies like the Criminal Investigation Bureau possessed. If only he could always know their every move.

And with that thought, a realization dawned: what he needed was real-time monitoring of all kinds of information.