25. Subconscious

Night had fallen, and the distant urban circle once again turned into a dazzling Sleepless City, like the embodiment of light itself.

Although it was already ten o'clock at night, vehicles on the highway still flowed unceasingly.

A black, extended Patrol vehicle sped down the highway.

Inside the vehicle.

Lin Qing sat in the back row, with Teng Feiyu sitting beside him, and opposite them were two girls, Han Ying and Zhao Jiayi, and Ruan Bing sat in the front passenger seat.

"Since today is Group Seven's first patrol, the Patrol Team has assigned Group Two to work with us in the search," Lin Qing glanced around and said, "Let me repeat the mission for tonight—

"The location we're searching is near Changshui Street in the New Century City where Teng Feiyu resides, based on the traffic flow of people. The Red Oak Boxing Gym and Qingtai Hotel, which are relatively close, have the most mixed crowds, and they're the focus of tonight's search.

"In addition to our Group Seven and Group Two, we've also assembled twenty temporary Patrol Officers to maintain order at the scene. We'll inspect Qingtai Hotel first, then the Red Oak Boxing Gym.

"The search is classified as 'Order Level One,' and unless it involves suspicious individuals, we cannot intrude on privacy throughout the process."

…

Before long, two black Patrol vehicles parked in front of the Qingtai Hotel, one after the other.

The officers from Group Two and Group Seven had met before departure and without much exchange, started the night's search.

Although the Qingtai Hotel was not considered particularly luxurious in Lin'an City, it still had Five Star Level status, and most of the vehicles coming and going were expensive.

Both groups, totaling ten people, were dressed in black Patrol uniforms. As they stepped into the hotel, their imposing presence immediately caught every guest in the lobby off guard, and the lobby manager hurried over.

"I am the leader of Group Seven from the Xiao Shan District Patrol Bureau; please cooperate with our search."

This search was led by Group Seven, so Lin Qing was in charge of commanding the operation. After showing their identification, Qin Qin from Group Two and Han Ying from Group Seven began to check the hotel's guest registration list.

"Leader."

Teng Feiyu said, "I'll head to the hotel's underground parking garage to check the vehicle entry and exit records."

"Parking garage?" Lin Qing looked at him and did not refuse, simply telling the leader of Group Two, "Han Uncle, please send someone from your group to accompany him."

Group Leader Han looked at one of his men and said, "Wang Hengyi, go with him."

Once Teng Feiyu and his companion had left, the other team members also picked up their work phones and started identifying and verifying the hotel guests passing by.

Hotel search operations were generally quite relaxed and usually not dangerous.

Lin Qing, having the rare chance to lead a group, finally got to experience what it felt like to watch the team work while he could leisurely wait on the sidelines.

Oh, this was called overseeing the scene, responsible for command.

He then sat down with Group Leader Han on the sofa in the lobby's resting area.

"That Patrol Officer from your group, Teng Feiyu, has sharp eyes."

Group Leader Han suddenly said, "The hotel's parking garage may indeed have some issues."

"Some issues?" Lin Qing feigned confusion.

"You don't have much experience with searches, so it's normal that you didn't notice," Group Leader Han said. "From the time we arrived, it's only been a few minutes, but I've observed that three private luxury cars have already driven into this hotel's parking garage."

"I've noticed that too," Lin Qing said. "But this is, after all, a Five Star Level hotel. It's not strange for guests to be wealthy, right?"

Group Leader Han shook his head and said, "This sort of high-end business hotel usually has a majority of guests from outside the area. But the three luxury private cars that just entered all have local plate numbers."

"That is a bit strange," Lin Qing nodded slightly.

What kind of clues did Teng Feiyu have on hand, and what kind of merit could he uncover?

Half an hour later.

"Report to the leader."

Teng Feiyu stood in front of Lin Qing. "I've found an issue with the hotel's underground parking garage. Can I request a 'Level Two' search warrant?"

"Let's hear it," Lin Qing said, looking at him.

"I checked the vehicles in this hotel's underground parking garage, most of which are local, privately owned luxury cars."

Teng Feiyu said, "According to the hotel registration list, many luxury car owners are locals, and they've had multiple stays recorded. However, what's strange is that even when the hotel's top-tier and high-end suites are fully booked, these owners prefer to stay in regular suites rather than choose another hotel."

"Oh?"

Lin Qing said, "It does sound a bit strange, but this hotel hasn't been suspected of illegal activities, nor has it been involved in any cases. Solely based on this suspicion, even if I apply for a 'Level Two' search warrant, I'm afraid it won't be approved from above."

Group Leader Han also nodded slightly, "It definitely won't get approved."

"That reason isn't sufficient," Lin Qing said, looking toward Teng Feiyu.

Teng Feiyu looked around and then spoke, "Leader, I suspect this hotel is just a front, and those luxury car owners are only pretending to stay here. They merely register but actually go elsewhere."

"Why do you say so?" Lin Qing asked.

"I just noticed a suspicious circumstance."

Teng Feiyu said, "A guest entered the underground parking lot's VIP elevator, but never came out from the hotel's first-floor elevator entrance. I suspect there's some kind of mechanism in that elevator, possibly leading to another place."

Lin Qing thoughtfully said, "Elevators are public spaces, and even a first-level search warrant can grant us access. Have you checked it out?"

"I have."

Teng Feiyu nodded and said, "There's nothing special about that VIP elevator. It only leads to the hotel's first-floor lobby. So, I suspect there might be manual controls that allow the elevator to reach other floors, like... underground."

Lin Qing pondered for a moment, then turned to Team Leader Han and said, "Uncle Han, do you think we can apply for a second-level search warrant?"

"It is quite strange."

Team Leader Han nodded and said, "We can try to apply, but I'm not sure it would get approved. After all, such hotels may be just protecting the privacy of their guests. Unless we find indications of illegal or criminal activities, it's normal for the request to be denied."

Lin Qing hummed in agreement, said no more, and immediately took out his mobile phone to apply for a second-level search warrant through the Patrol Bureau's system.

He also wanted to seize the opportunity to earn some merit, naturally not refusing the endeavor.

In no time at all.

"Done." Lin Qing put down his phone, looked up at Teng Feiyu, and said, "I've submitted the application. It's up to the deputy team leader now."

Five minutes later.

"Ding."

The work phone vibrated, receiving a response.

Lin Qing picked up his phone, looked at it, and couldn't help but frown slightly. "Xiao Peidong has rejected the second-level search warrant application."

"Rejected?" Teng Feiyu frowned, fell silent for a moment, and seemed to be deep in thought.

"Let's wait until we find substantial evidence."

Lin Qing subtly hinted with a half-statement and added, "The Patrol Team is only responsible for patrolling and searching, not for solving cases. No matter what doubts we have, this is a matter for the police."

Teng Feiyu took a deep breath and did not speak further.

"Alright."

Lin Qing opened the command mode on his work phone and said, "Everyone, gather up. Get ready to search the next location."

...

Red Oak Boxing Gym.

When the two Patrol Teams arrived, there were not many people left in the boxing gym, just a few boxers and coaches still training, and some who were eating late-night barbecue.

"I am the team leader of Patrol Team Seven from the Xiao Shan District Patrol Bureau, here's my ID. Please cooperate with our search."

After Lin Qing showed his ID, the person in charge of Red Oak Boxing Gym immediately cooperated, allowing the Patrol Officers to carry out identification and verification.

They checked boxers, coaches, and employees, with nothing out of the ordinary found.

He noticed that Teng Feiyu was not paying attention to those people, but was observing his surroundings, occasionally tapping on walls or floors as if looking for some mechanism.

Suggesting to search Red Oak Boxing Gym and the Qingtai Hotel were both Teng Feiyu's ideas.

Could there be a connection between the two?

Suddenly, Lin Qing noticed that the person in charge's eye movements were somewhat strange; he seemed to be paying close attention to Teng Feiyu's actions and appeared rather nervous.

"Everyone has been checked."

Lin Qing purposely said, "We still need to inspect the gym's facilities to ensure there are no illegal constructions or equipment."

The person in charge fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Please go ahead, search as necessary."

The Patrol Officers began searching the place thoroughly.

Lin Qing also walked around while observing the boxing gym.

The gym didn't seem very big, but the changing room was quite spacious. Did this boxing gym have so many members?

Without realizing it, he had walked into one of the changing rooms and stood in front of a row of lockers against the wall.

For some reason, Lin Qing intuitively felt there was something wrong with this changing room, even feeling that these lockers were a bit awkward.

This was purely an intuition, as if his subconscious was suggesting it, and he didn't know where this intuition came from.

But then, who wouldn't trust their intuition?

Lin Qing immediately stepped forward and opened one of the locker doors.

Nothing to be found; it seemed to be just an ordinary locker.

Should he move it and try?

As this idea emerged in Lin Qing's mind, he braced himself against the side of the locker, ready to exert force when—

[Order Level has decreased by 0.6]

At that moment, a line of striking red characters suddenly appeared before his eyes!