"She's actually just like me. The Guizuo had already appeared back then, it's just that you didn't know about the existence of Guizuo in this world. Gao Meng's handling was similar to mine at the time, but she was swapped. I didn't know the specifics before, but when I saw her again, she told me about being swapped in the lab. So, the Gao Meng who was terrifying and could control people with fish scale disease back then wasn't her. The real her had already been taken away by the organization!"
"But, Gao Mingqiang, are you sure you haven't betrayed us?" After all, Gao Mingqiang had been involved with the organization. We had good reason to suspect that his return might be part of a conspiracy, and Liu Yuning just stated it directly.
With that said, we would have no secrets between us, and our conflicts would be directly exposed.
However, Gao Mingqiang burst into laughter: "Haha! I knew you guys would suspect me. Don't worry. Think about it, I could have escaped with that guy at any time just now because controlling the mice was up to me. You guys had no ability back then!"
"That's true. It seems you've been undercover in Lest for a long time, otherwise, how would you know so much about the characteristics of those mice?" Liu Yuning asked.
"No, the scientists told me!"
"So you've met? Then you must know who he is!"
"No, after I arrived at Lest, he kept sending me messages. This guy is very cautious, as if he doesn't trust me much. Maybe he suspects me a bit. Otherwise, when I came to his room and deliberately told him your location later, he wouldn't have suddenly attacked and held me hostage. His combat power is terrifying. Even I am no match for him now, so I was subdued."
"I see." As Gao Mingqiang answered, I observed him closely. I felt he was probably telling the truth.
It's not that I wanted to suspect my good brother Gao Mingqiang, but he had been involved with the organization. Both Polaris and Guizuo are extremely difficult criminal organizations to deal with.
Seeing my suspicious gaze gradually ease, Gao Mingqiang patted my shoulder and said, "You still kept that pack of cigarettes?"
"Yes, but how did you notice?"
"You don't smoke anymore, but your pocket has a rectangular bulge. I figured you must have kept a pack of cigarettes, and a very memorable one at that. I'm guessing it's the one I gave you."
"Heh, I didn't expect you to get smarter after not seeing you for a while."
"Actually, I learned a lot from Guizuo and gained the power of rebirth. That's right! I, Gao Mingqiang, have completely reborn. I'm not the same person as before! But I haven't used my newly acquired knowledge to commit crimes. That's the difference between me and criminals."
Gao Mingqiang took a deep breath, looking reborn, and watched the sunrise over Lest with us. That dazzling red sun...
Upon learning that Gao Mingqiang was safe and listening to his account of his experiences, everyone felt as if they had woken up from a dream. However, more importantly, Gao Meng was still with Guizuo, and we had to save her!
Theoretically, Gao Mingqiang had been observing this case from the shadows. Now that he knew so much about it, along with his call and message records with the scientist, He Xin immediately connected to his phone and began searching.
During the process, Liu Yuning said, "Mingqiang, that guy definitely knows you've returned with us, so he won't reply to this communication!"
"Of course. If he's not online, we can't find his specific physical IP address. Now we can only see what else He Xin can find."
"I see you've learned a bit of everything from Guizuo, besides hacking skills?"
"Ahaha, you've seen through me, Director He."
I noticed that Gao Mingqiang seemed happier than before. I wasn't sure if it was because he had come to terms with things during this time, but I had heard the saying before that knowledge and learning could completely change a person. This was probably what Gao Mingqiang was like now.
A moment later, He Xin said as she tapped on the keyboard, "The last time that guy was online was a day ago, right when you guys escaped Lest. He hasn't been online since. Just as we suspected, Gao Mingqiang, you've been exposed. Guizuo probably considers you a traitor now. If they encounter you again, they'll definitely kill you."
"I expected this long ago, but I couldn't possibly stay there, could I? If it weren't for my sister, I would have left long ago. Don't think I couldn't have left under those circumstances. If I wanted to leave, I had a hundred ways to escape."
"Good! Good! Brother Mingqiang, you've truly changed completely from before. Sigh..."
Gao Mingqiang didn't reply. At that moment, Xiao Yuande and Xiahou walked in. Seeing Gao Mingqiang this time, their eyes were a bit teary. Other colleagues had probably told them about Gao Mingqiang's situation. As the three of them approached, they clapped each other on the shoulders. Xiao Yuande said heavily, "I never thought I'd see you again, but Mingqiang, you actually deceived both the criminal organization and us police. Even I couldn't have done this!"
"It was okay. Actually, I was very dangerous at the time. It was just good luck."
Good luck?
That was unlikely. Gao Mingqiang was too deeply hidden. Before, he always seemed like a coward, a burden to our Punishment Squad. Yet, I only realized now that I had completely underestimated him. This guy was definitely not simple!
And then there was Liu Yuning. She was by no means a naive and clueless person. Her incompetence before was all an act!
This person might be even better at pretending than Gao Mingqiang. Although she is my wife now, I still feel like she has many secrets that I don't know about. Could these two come from the same master?
Last time I was at the iron tower, I saw her move with astonishing skill. That kind of technique was not something an ordinary police officer could possess, not even armed police or SWAT. It was even better than special forces. Sometimes I even feel like my two partners were acting intentionally. What have they been doing all these years?!
I looked at them with a hint of confusion, but I didn't show it, keeping it hidden in my heart.
I continued to watch these two with vigilance.
Just as I was deep in thought, He Xin suddenly slammed the table: "Damn it! This guy actually sent a message to Gao Mingqiang's account!"
"What?" At that moment, we all instinctively leaned our heads towards He Xin's screen. Indeed, we saw a message on it...