NOVEL NEXT Chapter 605: Clue
"This..." Lin Chuan was at a loss for words.
In fact, the outfit he was wearing wasn't bought by himself, but was a gift from the Queen of the United Kingdom. It was made by court tailors with fine fabrics and designed by a top designer from Van Zhesi. The leather shoes were slightly less impressive, simply purchased directly from an Armani store, just a high-end luxury product.
Lin Chuan looked down at his attire and had to admit, it fitted him perfectly and was quite proper. There's truth to the saying "Clothes make the man, just as gold makes a Buddha." Without these clothes to enhance his demeanor, his image wouldn't have gained as many points.
"I heard you've made quite the splash today?" Tang Yumeng asked with a smiling expression.
"That..." Lin Chuan looked up at the sky, "Sis, the weather is nice today. It's perfect for an outing, why don't we... go for a walk in the countryside?"
"Sure," Tang Yumeng nodded, "Get in the car!"
"Where to?" Lin Chuan asked hastily.
"For our countryside outing."
Lin Chuan was stunned and felt something odd. Since when did Tang Yumeng ever go along with his suggestions so easily? Plus, she clearly seemed to have come to question him today, could there be something fishy? Lin Chuan felt something was off. Nonetheless, he obediently got into the car.
Tang Yumeng promptly slid into the driver's seat.
This Audi had always been driven by Lin Chuan; it was his first time sitting in the car while Tang Yumeng drove.
Lin Chuan felt that something was amiss.
However, Lin Chuan could never have anticipated that on the way, Tang Yumeng wouldn't say a single word and instead, drove straight to the airport.
"Sis, why have we come to the airport?" Lin Chuan asked.
"To go to Hong Kong!" Tang Yumeng declared.
"What?!" Lin Chuan was taken aback before hastily inquiring, "Why are we going to Hong Kong?"
"Just go if I tell you to go! Why so many questions?" Tang Yumeng frowned.
"Oh!" Lin Chuan immediately fell silent.
Tang Yumeng led Lin Chuan into the airport, got the tickets, and printed boarding passes. The Hong Kong and Macau Travel Pass had already been prepared, she handed Lin Chuan his pass saying, "Here's yours."
"What's this?" Lin Chuan asked.
"Hong Kong and Macau Travel Pass," Tang Yumeng replied briefly.
"What is this for?" Lin Chuan inquired.
"It's required for entering Hong Kong and Macau," Tang Yumeng rolled her eyes at Lin Chuan, then said, "Without it, customs won't let you through. Don't tell me you've never been to Hong Kong or Macau. How do you usually travel abroad?"
"Is traveling abroad the same as going to Hong Kong and Macau?" Lin Chuan frowned and said, "Hong Kong and Macau are both territories of our country. Why do our country's citizens need a travel permit to enter them? It feels like going abroad!"
Tang Yumeng was stumped by Lin Chuan's question just as one might be on being asked why one eats—it's such a common activity that you wouldn't know how to respond to the question. After pondering for a while, she said, "It's due to 'One Country, Two Systems'."
"Let's go," Lin Chuan said, not eager to explain such matters.
After boarding the plane, they flew directly to Hong Kong.
Upon disembarking in Hong Kong, they went through customs and had their travel passes checked.
"Now that we are in Hong Kong, aren't you going to tell me why we're here?" Lin Chuan asked.
"I've finally found some clues regarding Tang Hao's murder," Tang Yumeng said urgently.
"What?!" Lin Chuan exclaimed in shock, "Such important news, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"It's a matter of great importance, I feared that walls have ears," Tang Yumeng said earnestly.
"Alright," Lin Chuan said resignedly, "but what about the clue you mentioned?"
"In Hong Kong, in the Kowloon District's Wangcheng Slope, look for someone called Old Wu," Tang Yumeng said.
"Old Wu?" Lin Chuan felt uncomfortable and hurriedly asked: "The key question is, do you understand the whole story behind this matter? Besides, years have passed, are you sure those people still remember these events?"
"Positive!" Tang Yumeng nodded and said, "I will never forget those faces until the day I die."
Lin Chuan appeared more solemn. Though many years have passed, Tang Yumeng never forgot that nightmare. To her, it was like a heavy stone weighing on her, one that could never be moved away, never shifted. If this matter wasn't resolved, she probably would never breathe easily.
The two left the airport, hailed a taxi, and headed directly to the Kowloon District.
Hong Kong's Kowloon District is also quite a bustling area. Although it is somewhat less so compared to Hong Kong Island, places like Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tong, and Mong Kok in Kowloon District are undoubtedly very busy, and are must-visit destinations for tourists from the mainland. Moreover, property prices in Kowloon District are breathtakingly high.
The two of them took a taxi directly to Kowloon Tong.
Kowloon Tong is located in the northern part of Hong Kong's Kowloon, with the majority of the area within the Kowloon City District. It is positioned to the south of Lion Mountain, north of Boundary Street, east of Shek Kip Mei, and west of Kowloon City and Lok Fu. This district is one of the rare low-density development areas in Hong Kong's urban zones, mainly comprising Kowloon Tong houses and villas, and aptly attracting many middle and upper-class residents due to its tranquil environment. Moreover, the area is a hub of prestigious schools and is famous for its hourly hotels and nursing homes.
Wangcheng Slope is a place name in Kowloon Tong.
Finding a person here is easier said than done. All Tang Yumeng had was a Hong Kong phone number and a name associated with Wangcheng Slope. To avenge Tang Hao, Tang Yumeng spent a significant amount of money every year here, often for just a small clue. However, Tang Yumeng never gave up on even these tiny leads. This time, a detective organization helped her find some clues and connected her with someone willing to help. The clues were slightly more substantial this time.
However, upon arriving at Wangcheng Slope, Tang Yumeng called the number more than ten times, but no one answered.
"No one's picking up," Tang Yumeng said with a look of disappointment.
"Maybe the underground informant isn't willing to come forward anymore," Lin Chuan sighed and said, "In court, many key witnesses tend to fail at the most critical moments. I guess this guy named Old Wu is one of them."
"How could this be?!" Tang Yumeng appeared a bit despondent.
"Don't worry, there's always a way," Lin Chuan said with a smile.
"How can we resolve this?" Tang Yumeng asked despondently, "We had a good talk yesterday. As long as he helped me find those people, I would give him a million. I've even paid an advance of two hundred thousand. Could it be that he's just swindled my two hundred thousand?"
"It seems like it from what we have now," Lin Chuan nodded.
Beep beep beep...
As soon as Lin Chuan finished speaking, Tang Yumeng's cellphone immediately rang.
Tang Yumeng glanced at the number and it was actually Old Wu's mobile number. She answered the call impatiently.
"Hello, where are you now?" Tang Yumeng hastily said, "I'm already at Wangcheng Slope, please tell me where those people are?"
"Heh heh, want to know?" A sleazy uncle's voice came through the phone as he chuckled, "Give me another three hundred thousand and I'll tell you."
"You!" Tang Yumeng gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, but I will hand you the money in person."
"Impossible," Old Wu shook his head, "If you don't give me the money, I won't return the two hundred thousand, and you can forget about finding those people."
"No!" Tang Yumeng hurriedly said, "The money can be negotiated. As long as you tell me where those people are, I'm willing to give you two million."
"All I want now is three hundred thousand from you, and then I'll tell you where those people are," Old Wu said, "How about that? It's a good deal."
"I want to conduct the transaction in person," Tang Yumeng insisted.
"I've said it's not possible," Old Wu snickered, "If you're not willing, then forget it."
"Don't hang up," Tang Yumeng pleaded, "I'm begging you, any amount of money is fine, but please tell me where those people are."
Lin Chuan, who was beside her, couldn't watch any longer and promptly took the phone from Tang Yumeng, saying, "Old Wu, three hundred thousand is not a problem. Give me the account number and I'll transfer it right away."
"At last, someone sensible is talking," Old Wu snickered.
After hanging up, Old Wu immediately sent a string of bank account numbers through the phone. The text message even included a note: Transfer the money within thirty minutes, or I'll close the account.
Lin Chuan frowned and immediately took out his own cellphone and dialed a number.
"Yo, Lin Chuan, you still call me?" Miss Lan's coquettish voice came through, "Is it because you suddenly realized how beautiful I am? You can't bear to leave me? Come back already, stop wandering outside."
"Xiao Lan, help me check a Hong Kong phone number and a bank account number," Lin Chuan started, "Find out who the owner of this phone number and bank account is. Also, monitor the flow of money in this bank account at all times for me."
"Is this a mission?" Miss Lan asked.
"No, personal matters," Lin Chuan said.
"Alrighty," Miss Lan nodded, "Since it's your matter, then it's my matter too. I'll help you right away."
After hanging up, Miss Lan quickly used the National Security system to conduct the search. The owner's name, ID card number, and even residential address were swiftly uncovered.
At this moment, Lin Chuan felt confident.
"Lin Chuan, how's it going?" Tang Yumeng asked.
"Go to the bank and transfer the money to him," Lin Chuan said with a smile.
"But what if he takes the money and doesn't provide us with information?" Tang Yumeng asked.
"Then that's his problem," Lin Chuan said with a cold laugh.
Tang Yumeng didn't quite grasp the situation, but still, she transferred three hundred thousand through her UnionPay card to the other party's account. Not long after, the other party's phone call came through immediately.