Chapter 20: The Impoverished Town

Feng Ming stood to the side, explaining the purpose of the object to Shi Yi. Gu Han Sheng tapped his fingers lightly and looked at Shi Yi.

“Shi Yi, do you have any thoughts?”

Shi Yi set the documents aside. “We know too little at this point. Once we arrive, we’ll have to communicate with them extensively. I have a feeling they’re hiding something from us.”

Shi Yi was not one to base her decisions on intuition, but this time, she felt it strongly. Once they reached Nan City, something unexpected was bound to happen.

“As before, once we get to Nan City, everyone is to follow my orders. No acting on your own.”

“Yes, Captain,” the others responded in unison.

“Alright, it’s still early. Everyone get some sleep, rest up. We don’t know if we’ll get another chance to sleep after we arrive.”

Shi Yi was already yawning—she was exhausted. Now, she simply lay down and fell asleep. Sleeping on the plane was always uncomfortable, even in first class with all its space; she ended up twisting her neck.

After disembarking, she rubbed her neck with a look of frustration.

“Did you sleep funny?” Gu Han Sheng asked softly, watching her massage her neck.

Shi Yi nodded. Gu Han Sheng stepped forward, familiar and practiced, and massaged the back of her neck with his large hand.

“Better?” he asked.

Shi Yi was a bit dazed, unused to his earnest expression. “Oh… yes, a little better.”

Tang Yu, frowning at his phone, spoke up. “Weren’t we told someone would meet us in Nan City? We’ve been waiting forever and no one’s come. Could something have happened?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer,” Gu Han Sheng replied.

Nearly half an hour later, their contact finally arrived. A middle-aged man pulled up in a minivan, wiped the sweat from his brow, and hurriedly got out.

“You must be the officers Director Wang sent. Pleasure to meet you. Sorry to keep you waiting. The car broke down on the way, so I had to borrow this one. Please forgive me.”

The man wiped his brow again. This was a small city, with hardly any taxis, so getting around was difficult.

Gu Han Sheng shook his head, picked up Shi Yi’s suitcase, and opened the trunk.

“It’s fine—”

But as soon as the trunk opened, a wave of stench hit them, making their eyes water.

“What is that smell? Is it chicken manure?” someone exclaimed.

“Uncle, what kind of car is this? Did you use it to haul manure or did it fall in a cesspit?” Mi Chen spoke bluntly, pinching her nose, her face scrunched up.

Shi Yi also felt sick from the smell, and the middle-aged man’s face turned even redder.

“Sorry, really sorry. The car broke down, and this one belongs to someone who raises poultry—just finished delivering chickens, didn’t even have time to clean it. We hardly have any cars here, mostly private ones. Please forgive me…”

His voice trailed off, growing smaller and smaller.

The group looked at each other in dismay. Bracing themselves, they surveyed the desolate surroundings, heaved a sigh, and resigned themselves to the minivan.

Mi Chen couldn’t stand the smell and sprayed perfume all around, making the air a nauseating mix of foul and sweet. Some of them vomited, others got carsick.

The town was surrounded by mountains, and the winding roads made things worse. By the time they reached the hotel over an hour later, everyone felt half-dead.

Shi Yi leaned against a tree, feeling as if she’d thrown up everything she’d eaten for days. The others didn’t fare much better; everyone looked listless.

The middle-aged man parked, got out, and helped with the luggage. “Officers, just call me Zhou. I’m the mayor’s secretary. The mayor is overwhelmed with this case, so I’m in charge of hosting you. I apologize for the poor arrangements. Let me take your luggage up.”

Though Secretary Zhou was middle-aged, he was used to dealing with people, and his manners were impeccable.

After taking a moment to recover by the trees, they caught a whiff of the chicken manure still clinging to their clothes and immediately turned pale.

“Go clean up in your rooms, then we’ll head to the scene,” Gu Han Sheng said, stepping into his role as captain.

He didn’t look well himself; the stench in that van could have killed a person.

After more than an hour in that cramped, fetid space, everyone wished they could have jumped out and walked instead.

Mi Chen wiped the sweat from her face, looking dazed as she dragged her suitcase. “Got it, Captain. I’m going to lose so much weight from this. I probably won’t be able to eat for days.”

Shi Yi crouched on the ground, retching until her stomach was empty, finally feeling a little better.

Gu Han Sheng glanced down at her and lifted her up with one hand.

Shi Yi had already realized that this city was poorly developed. Even the hotel they’d been put in was run-down, though at least they each had their own room and it was basically clean.

After everyone had showered and changed, they gathered in the hotel lobby right on time an hour later.

Secretary Zhou was waiting in the lobby, now in a fresh set of clothes. Seeing the group come down together, his eyes brightened.

“Officers, you’ve come a long way and haven’t been properly received. Why don’t we eat first? I’ve already arranged the restaurant.”

Feng Ming hesitated, “But shouldn’t we go to the crime scene first?”

Secretary Zhou checked his watch and waved his hand. “No need to rush, the missing girl’s school is still being searched and questioned. It’ll take a while. You came a long way, you should eat first. Once things get busy, you won’t have time, and if you get sick from exhaustion, I’ll be in trouble.”

His words were thoughtful, and the group glanced at Gu Han Sheng, clearly waiting for his decision.

Gu Han Sheng checked the time. It was still early. After the overnight flight and all the vomiting, everyone’s stomachs were empty, and they really were hungry.

“Alright, let’s go.”