"I've heard about that too. Weren't you collaborating with the Gui Jia family before? Now you have another one, he's probably too busy."
"He just provides us with material. By the way, that Mr. Gui is my master."
"Oh? So you three know each other? Do you know He Sheng's whereabouts then?" Liu Yuning changed the subject, as if intentionally.
I coughed. "Didn't you notice my expression earlier? And my words? I said I didn't know he was missing, so of course I wouldn't know his location!"
"That's just what you're saying. Besides, micro-expressions can be controlled," Gao Mingqiang questioned, while opening a file on our desk.
"But micro-movements can't be faked, Officer," I said, shrugging confidently.
"It seems you're quite the professional detective," Gao Mingqiang retorted sarcastically.
Liu Yuning immediately followed, "In our country..."
"Officer Liu, I know what you're going to say. You want to say that private investigators are not allowed in our country, right? This is a legal consulting firm, can't you see?"
"A clever change of name, but you people do love exploiting legal loopholes," Gao Mingqiang continued his sarcasm.
I ignored him, my attention focused on Liu Yuning. A hint of doubt flickered in her pupils.
"He Sheng hasn't been here?" She looked confused for a moment, then suddenly asked me this. I admit I was caught off guard.
I shook my head, held my breath for a moment, and then said, "No, we mostly met outside, and it was just about providing materials. Sometimes I'd offer him some suggestions, but he didn't seem to like listening. Still, he has a proper position, unlike the boss of a private… legal consulting firm like me."
"You're quick to change your tune. But whatever you have, don't hide it. We'll continue investigating this 'company'," Gao Mingqiang deliberately emphasized "company" with clenched teeth. He was being intentional; I could tell they were hostile towards me. I suspected they had a search warrant.
Indeed, Liu Yuning produced a search warrant and approached me, "You say he hasn't been here, so may we search the premises?"
I couldn't let them search now. But they had legal documents. If I refused, the consequences would be even more severe. I was afraid they'd collect the skin cells and hair I'd shed and compare my DNA. Although it wasn't in the database, if they found any used items from my courtyard or dorm to compare, it would prove it. A human forensic professor I'd met abroad once told me that people constantly shed skin cells and hair.
That doctor knew Professor Huo, and had visited China a few times. I'd met him several times and learned some knowledge about human osteology. He was the one who taught me about mitochondrial DNA technology, as well as the principles of autopsy and laboratory testing.
My identity would be exposed then, and this firm would lose its purpose.
Seeing my inaction, Gao Mingqiang let some officers in. I noticed Dao Zhi Yong and Su Ya Xin were among them. After entering, they began a large-scale search of my company. Many forensic technicians were on the ground, bent over, using side lights to inspect. I leaned against the wall, appearing relaxed, but in reality, I was quite tense. I wondered if the Minister had spoken to them beforehand.
After a while, everyone packed up. I didn't see them collect anything in evidence bags. Liu Yuning, seeing that the inspection was complete, approached me, "Well, Mr. Cao, sorry to have disturbed you. We'll be back if needed, Officer Liu!"
"Then I won't see you out, Officer Liu!" Although it felt awkward saying this, I forced myself to play my role.
Liu Yuning didn't say much and left with her team. After the police left my company, I went outside and watched their retreating figures. What were these people thinking?
All I could do now was pray that they wouldn't expose me, because the Minister's plan still needed some time.
That evening, I received a message from him: "He Sheng, I heard Captain Liu and her team visited you."
"That's right. Is this your doing?"
"Heh, of course not. Don't worry, no matter what, I won't let them do anything to you. For now, just continue being Cao Daming. Have you noticed anyone monitoring your company recently?"
"Yes, that's Cang Xuesong's man, right?"
"Exactly. Be careful with Liang Xiaoxia, that child's head isn't quite right..."
I was quite surprised when I read those words. In fact, I had never worried about this little secretary.
Seeing my lack of reply, the Minister continued typing, "Be careful. I won't control her for now. You need to keep playing along with her."
So that's how it was. Fortunately, I had the Minister. Otherwise, I might have ended up playing Cao Daming forever.
After contacting the Minister, I used the software He Xin had given me to completely delete the chat logs from the cloud, as I worried the police might be monitoring me. However, Liu Yuning underestimated me. Before leaving, she left something in my company.
It was a 360-degree surveillance and eavesdropping device that He Xin had used against other criminals.
I removed it and turned off its switch.
Of course, this little secret was only known to He Xin and me.
...
At the same time, He Xin was busy in the information technology office. When she noticed the signal suddenly cut out, her nerves tensed. She didn't speak, only muttering to herself, "How could this happen? Could it be that you..."
"I knew you wouldn't give up so easily. Hey, be careful. I really don't like it when you're in trouble. The entire police force suspects you now."
"But I'm a technician. I'll cooperate with you and do my best. Keep it up! Don't disappoint my caution."
He Xin was thinking this when Yuan Hezheng, beside her, noticed movement on the computer. "What the heck! It all disappeared? Section Chief He, did your... thing break?"
He Xin didn't react immediately, still contemplating her earlier thoughts. Yuan Hezheng patted her shoulder, "Boss, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He Xin shook her head slightly, shrugged, and then turned around, "Do you think I'm a god? That I never make mistakes? I didn't check that equipment, so it must have malfunctioned. Let's see if I can fix it remotely, but it'll take some time."