Chapter 3: Character Cards

Chapter Three: Character Cards

An Investigator from the Kangyang District Security Bureau? My cousin's workplace? They're looking for me?

Zhang Yuanqing instinctively tensed up. Just as he was about to sneak to his bedroom door to eavesdrop, he suddenly remembered something. He quickly opened his phone and deleted his chat and call records with Bing-ge.

Then, he folded the letter Bing-ge had written to him and tucked it under the potted plant on the windowsill.

Only then did he feel reassured enough to crack open the door slightly and observe in secret.

From the entryway, his grandmother's voice came, answering the question with another question:

"What do you need him for?"

She did not invite the investigators in but instead blocked the doorway.

"We need to ask him some questions. Here are our credentials."

The one speaking was a woman with a sultry voice.

His grandmother glanced at the credentials briefly, then frowned and stepped aside.

Zhang Yuanqing chose this moment to open his bedroom door and scrutinize the investigators who entered the living room.

The leading investigator wore a black suit, paired with a white shirt and a black vest. He leaned on an ebony cane, had a gaunt face, a neatly combed slicked-back hairstyle, and a thin mustache.

This strong British gentlemanly style, along with the mustache, immediately reminded people of those Western-educated intellectuals from the Republican era.

To his left was a young female investigator with striking features, seemingly of mixed descent. She had a perpetual, charming smile, and her large, watery eyes were full of life.

She was about 175 cm tall, with legs comparable to those of a supermodel. Dressed in formal attire, her shirt tucked neatly into her trousers accentuated her slender waist and full chest, exuding a polished and capable demeanor.

The last investigator had a blank expression, wore black-framed glasses, and had slightly messy hair, giving off a strong "tech nerd" vibe.

"I'm Zhang Yuanqing. What do you need me for?"

As Zhang Yuanqing assessed them, the investigators were also scrutinizing him.

The mixed-race female investigator smiled and said,

"We're investigators from the Kangyang District Security Bureau. We have some questions for you and ask for your cooperation."

"Alright..."

Zhang Yuanqing led them to the living room sofa. His grandmother poured the three investigators cups of water, then stood aside, watching her grandson with a puzzled expression.

She couldn't imagine what her lively, sociable grandson—whom she had raised herself—could have done to warrant an investigation by the Security Bureau.

The tech-nerd investigator pulled out a small notebook and pen, unscrewing the cap.

The man with the slicked-back hair sat on the sofa, gripping his cane with both hands, and said solemnly,

"Do you know Lei Yibing?"

So they really are here because of Bing-ge… and so quickly too...

Zhang Yuanqing answered truthfully,

"We've been friends since childhood. Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"

A doubt flashed through his mind. His cousin was the captain of the second squad in the Kangyang District Security Bureau. Since these three investigators had come for questioning, they must have looked into his family background.

Logically, knowing that they were visiting the home of a fellow investigator's family, they should have given him a heads-up out of professional courtesy, right?

But his cousin hadn't made a single move. Clearly, he was unaware of this visit. If he knew, even if he didn't come himself, he would have at least called to notify him.

Are these people ignorant of workplace etiquette, or is something else at play?

"Oh, so he's your best friend!"

The slicked-back man lightly tapped his polished leather shoe and said unhurriedly,

"Lei Yibing has gone missing. The Hangzhou Security Bureau in Jiangnan Province contacted us, saying that on the morning before his disappearance, he sent out a package. The recipient was you."

He fixed Zhang Yuanqing with a deep, penetrating gaze, as if trying to see through him.

"Is this true?"

Zhang Yuanqing put on a stunned and bewildered expression:

"Missing? That's impossible..."

The tech-nerd investigator spoke up and reminded him,

"Just answer yes or no."

"Yes. I received a package just now, but it didn't have a sender's name on it. I was actually wondering who sent it." Zhang Yuanqing nodded with a heavy expression.

Denying it was pointless. If the police had already traced the package, checking the apartment complex's surveillance footage was even easier.

The slicked-back man nodded and asked,

"What was inside the package? Please be honest—this is a very important clue for us."

His grandmother, relieved but also worried about Lei Yibing, listened intently.

Zhang Yuanqing answered,

"The package was empty."

"Empty?" The slicked-back man narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.

I may be lying, but since the black card disappeared, it's as good as empty. You won't find anything anyway.

Zhang Yuanqing maintained eye contact, his expression sincere. He added,

"When I opened the package, it was empty, except for some protective air cushions. The package is still in my room if you want to check."

If Bing-ge had gone missing for the reason he suspected, he had to keep this under wraps for now and wait until his cousin got home to discuss it.

For something potentially dangerous, it was safest to handle it within the family.

The slicked-back man gave the female investigator a look.

She smiled and entered the bedroom. Moments later, she returned and gave a slight nod to her colleagues.

The slicked-back man pondered for a moment before saying,

"If it's convenient, we'd like to check your room and computer. Also, may we see your phone?"

Checking my computer is fine, but please don't look at my browsing history or my study materials on the hard drive...

Zhang Yuanqing handed over his unlocked phone without a trace of nervousness.

The slicked-back man briefly scrolled through it before handing it back. Meanwhile, the female investigator returned to the bedroom for another check.

After about fifteen minutes, she emerged again and shook her head.

The slicked-back man nodded slightly and said politely,

"Thank you for your cooperation. We won't disturb you any further."

Zhang Yuanqing quickly asked,

"Can I ask about Lei Yibing's situation?"

He was genuinely concerned, but he also needed to keep up appearances—if he heard about his best friend's disappearance and didn't ask questions, that would be suspicious.

The slicked-back man patiently explained,

**"Lei Yibing vanished from his dorm. The hallway cameras did not capture him leaving. According to a roommate, he was still in bed when the roommate got up at night to use the restroom. But by morning, he was gone.

After 24 hours without contact, their advisor informed the school, which immediately reported it to the authorities.

If you want more details, you should contact the local Security Bureau yourself."**

This matched what Uncle Lei had said. It seemed the local bureau had no leads. Or maybe this guy just didn't want to tell me anything...

Zhang Yuanqing nodded,

"Got it."

As the investigators headed for the door, the slicked-back man suddenly stopped, turned back, and said,

"If you discover anything, you must inform us immediately. Do not try to hide anything from us."

Just as Zhang Yuanqing was about to nod, the man added with a knowing smile,

"Otherwise, the next one to go missing might be you."