Chapter 33: Who Is Setting the Trap

"Second Young Master, are we really just going to let him take the man away like that?" One of Qin Lang’s trusted men walked in as Zhou Sen left with Ye San’er, visibly puzzled.

Qin Lang shot him a sharp look. "Otherwise what? You plan to detain him yourself?"

The subordinate lowered his head sheepishly. If even Qin Lang didn't dare to keep the man, how could a small fry like him have the nerve? It would be akin to a fool seeking his own death.

"Jin Suying, that woman, really knows how to use others to do her dirty work... ruthless indeed..." Qin Lang murmured to himself, a sly gleam flashing in his eyes.

Still, he wasn't going to swallow this loss for nothing.

Everyone said Qin Lang was reckless and impulsive, nothing compared to his elder brother Qin Xiong. But that was all wrong. His rashness was just a facade, a means of protection.

…

"San’er, can you walk? If not, let Wun carry you out."

"Brother, I can do it. I walked in on my own, and I’ll walk out on my own!" Ye San’er said through gritted teeth, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Good, now that's a real man!"

Time was nearly up; outside, Gu Laoliu paced anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. If they didn’t come out soon, would he really have to storm in with his men?

If things escalated to a direct confrontation, there’d be no turning back. He didn’t want to see that happen.

"They're coming out! They're coming out!"

Someone shouted, and Gu Laoliu looked up toward the gambling den’s entrance. Sure enough, Zhou Sen and Wun were helping Ye San’er out through the main doors.

A heavy weight finally dropped from his heart. Drawing a cross on his chest, Gu Laoliu quietly murmured, "Amitabha, limitless heavenly lord."

"Boss, quickly, let me have him..." Gu Laoliu nearly leapt over, for getting someone out of the Taiping Gambling Den was no ordinary feat.

Zhou Sen had been inside less than an hour, and actually managed to bring Ye San’er out. Gu Laoliu had been prepared to fight his way in if necessary, and had even made arrangements for his own aftermath.

"Laoliu, where’s the carriage I told you to hire?" Zhou Sen panted, still wondering how someone as skinny as Ye San’er could be so heavy.

"Over there," Gu Laoliu pointed at a black carriage not far away.

"Help San’er onto the carriage, and find a hospital to treat his injuries," Zhou Sen ordered. "The others, pay them and have them disperse."

"Understood."

"Brother, there's no need for a hospital. Just a clinic to patch up the wounds..." Ye San’er protested weakly.

"Go to the hospital and get checked. If there are serious injuries that aren’t treated, you could end up with lasting problems. You’re still young, haven’t even married. I don’t want you regretting it for the rest of your life," Zhou Sen’s stern gaze silenced him.

Ye San’er said no more.

Gu Laoliu kept silent too, knowing this wasn’t the time for questions. They’d find out everything once they got back.

"Songshan Surgical Hospital—let’s go there!"

It wasn’t a large hospital, but it looked clean and orderly. In any case, treating Ye San’er as soon as possible would spare him further pain.

A male doctor in his forties, Chinese and with a strong northeastern accent, examined Ye San’er.

"Looks like someone beat you up pretty bad, but it’s not too serious—no broken bones. Whoever did this knew their limits," the doctor commented as he dressed the wounds.

"Is there a chance of internal injuries?" Gu Laoliu interjected before Zhou Sen could speak.

"If you’re worried, get an X-ray," the doctor replied.

"Let’s do it for peace of mind," Zhou Sen said.

The doctor had no objections; it was up to the patient to decide whether to spend the money.

After tending to the external wounds, Ye San’er was wheeled off for an X-ray. After some fuss, he emerged with a clean bill of health.

It seemed Qin Lang had indeed held his men back. Ye San’er’s injuries were more superficial than they appeared.

"Once you’re home, keep the wounds dry, no alcohol, eat light—just follow these instructions. Pay at the pharmacy for your medicine," the doctor advised, handing over a prescription.

"Thank you, doctor."

The four of them left the hospital and returned to the warehouse on Haicheng Street.

Behind closed doors, it was time for a council of three.

"Speak—what happened?" Zhou Sen asked.

"Brother, I went to Old Bator Tobacco Factory as you instructed, to find Ding Ran and get information on Balov. Everything went smoothly. On the way back, I ran into an old acquaintance, Little Hei. He insisted I join him for a few rounds of cards. I couldn’t refuse and went with him..."

After hearing Ye San’er’s account, it was obvious he’d been set up. Someone had orchestrated this to target him.

Who would go to such lengths? Qin Lang was the executor and clearly in the know; otherwise, he’d have no reason to pick a fight. There was nothing in it for him.

People in the underworld rarely provoke the authorities without cause. No matter how brash Qin Lang was, he understood this. Otherwise, why would Master Qin trust him with the Taipingqiao Gambling Den?

So, who was targeting him?

"San’er, you were lucky the boss saved you this time. What about next time? Can’t you be more careful?" Gu Laoliu scolded harshly.

Ye San’er was so ashamed he nearly buried his head in his lap. He’d learned a hard lesson this time. If Zhou Sen hadn’t rescued him, his days as a policeman would have been over.

"By now, every gambling den in Ice City knows you got caught cheating. That might not be a bad thing—you’ll always be watched when you gamble. And if you win, they’ll accuse you of cheating and refuse to pay. With your record, no one will believe you," Zhou Sen laughed. This ordeal might actually be a blessing in disguise; if it cured Ye San’er of his gambling habit, it would be a great good.

Ye San’er’s expression grew even gloomier.

"Wun, go back to the inn. Laoliu, take Ye San’er home and let him rest tomorrow—he can come back to work the day after."

"What about tomorrow’s patrol?"

"I’ll cover for him," Zhou Sen waved it off. "I’ll think of something. But I doubt I’ll be chief for much longer, Laoliu. Be ready—I want you to take my place if I can swing it, but I can’t make any promises."

"Thank you, boss. Honestly, as long as I work for you, rank doesn’t matter," Gu Laoliu replied sincerely.

"I know. Go on, I want to ask Ye San’er about Balov," Zhou Sen nodded.

"Alright," Gu Laoliu said, changing clothes and heading out.

Since Akizawa had tasked him with verifying Susanna’s identity, he needed to start somewhere. Investigating her social circles was the logical first step.

"Brother, from now on, my life is yours. Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!" Ye San’er dropped to his knees, moved to tears.

"Enough, get up. A man kneels only to heaven, earth, and his parents. Why kneel to me?" Zhou Sen pulled him to his feet.

He truly hoped Ye San’er would change his ways and start anew. If this ordeal cured his gambling, risking his own neck at the Taipingqiao Gambling Den would be worth it.

"I’ll find a way to repay you," Ye San’er added.

"Forget it. I sent you out for this, and even though they set you up, their real target was me. Don’t let it weigh on you. Now, tell me about Susanna’s uncle, Balov."

"Balov is forty-eight, came to Ice City about twenty-three years ago. He lived in Vladivostok for a while before settling here. At first, they lived in the Thirty-Six Shelters. After Balov got a job at Old Bator Tobacco Company, they moved to Gongcheng Street, and life improved. He got married, and after several years, had his first child. Balov’s hometown is a small rural town near Khabarovsk in Soviet Far East. Balov is the eldest son. Susanna is his third sister’s daughter. Three years ago, Susanna’s mother died. Her stepfather remarried, and Susanna was forced to marry as well. She refused and fled here, since she had relatives in Ice City," Ye San’er summarized Susanna’s family background and her journey to the city.

"I also heard Balov and Susanna don’t get along well. Balov has two children—his eldest, a daughter, attended Ice City Medical College and became a nurse at a hospital. His younger son, though, is a troublemaker—already fighting, smoking, and drinking at fourteen or fifteen, running with a gang of White Russian punks. He even helped outsiders bully Susanna. That’s why she moved out of Balov’s house."

"It seems I’ll need to speak with Susanna again," Zhou Sen mused, feeling a surge of sympathy for her. Still, a troubled past didn’t mean she was above suspicion. Sometimes, people’s stories were just a carefully crafted façade.

Why had Akizawa claimed Susanna was a Soviet intelligence agent? A man like him wouldn’t say such a thing lightly.

And why entrust Zhou Sen with the task of verifying her identity? Was it a test, or did he have some other motive?

Everything felt shrouded in mist, the truth hidden beyond reach.

And then there was Ivanovich, Anthony’s most trusted brother, who had suddenly torn off his mask of civility and moved against Anthony’s businesses. Did he know something about that top-secret mission that led to Anthony’s death?

Zhou Sen puzzled over these questions, but even coming from the future, many secrets of the past lay buried too deeply, hidden forever from later generations.

He told Gu Laoliu to take Ye San’er home.

Only he and Gu Laoliu knew he had sent Ye San’er to Old Bator Tobacco Factory—not even Wun had been informed.

Could it have been Gu Laoliu? He’d always been annoyed by Ye San’er, but not enough to collude with outsiders and set up such a trap—especially one aimed at Zhou Sen.

As for Cui Laonian, he didn’t have the brains, nor any connection to Qin Lang. Anyone who could manipulate the Qin family’s second son was no ordinary man.

To find the answer, he needed to locate Little Hei, the one who’d lured Ye San’er to the Taipingqiao Gambling Den.

After tidying up, Zhou Sen closed the door and headed home.