Could It Be Him

The thug, still shaken on the way, couldn't help but think that Cuntoucao, that coward, must have been the culprit behind the envelope switch being exposed. His reasoning was that the last time he'd tried to hand over the envelope from Long Wen, Cuntoucao had refused it, only taking it after the thug glared at him menacingly. This unusual behavior had made him suspicious. And Long Wen exposing his petty cleverness could only mean Cuntoucao had told him the truth.

The more the thug thought about it, the more something felt wrong. All these mistakes were Cuntoucao's fault. He gritted his teeth in anger, wondering if the casino leak was also his doing. The thug was convinced Cuntoucao was the informant. His dissatisfaction with Cuntoucao grew severe, even turning into hatred. He was determined to make Cuntoucao suffer and pay the price.

Cuntoucao returned home and thought a lot, sitting on the sofa and chain-smoking. Tong Haojing's face appeared before him. Tong Haojing was someone who genuinely worked for him without any conditions. He felt he had no reason not to report some important clues he knew to Tong Haojing. If he didn't repay kindness, was he even human? Cuntoucao's conscience spurred him on, deeply touched. He couldn't help but recall Tong Haojing's sincere, helpful smile and his earnest requests. He couldn't go back on his word and betray Tong Haojing, his great benefactor. This matter was too important for Tong Haojing, and it was necessary to secretly inform Officer Tong.

However, Long Wen's ferocious and vicious face made Cuntoucao hesitate. That ruthless guy could do anything. Cuntoucao's ashen face made him unable to make up his mind. Just then, Xiao Yanni, who now had a household registration, came home from school, running around the house like a lively butterfly. Seeing his daughter's innocent, lively, and adorable appearance, Cuntoucao knew that without Tong Haojing, his daughter wouldn't be where she was today. Thinking of this, Cuntoucao hardened his heart and resolutely decided to take the risk. This was an important step in Cuntoucao's life transformation, a choice between good and evil. He chose good.

At Yuelai Teahouse, Cuntoucao used the secret contact method, and they met in a secluded room. Cuntoucao informed Tong Haojing about Long Wen's plan to pick up the goods at the Hedong Province border. Upon hearing this, Tong Haojing realized the gravity of the situation. His brows furrowed tightly, and he stared intently at Cuntoucao for a long moment before finally saying, "Is that true?"

Cuntoucao hesitated, "I can't be sure, but this time, even we minor figures saw Long Wen. It was a bit unexpected."

"What was unexpected?" Tong Haojing pressed urgently.

"Long Wen usually never meets us. But this time, for such an important matter, he deliberately showed his face so that we few minor leaders would know. I feel something is not right!" Cuntoucao looked at Tong Haojing with confusion. Perhaps Officer Tong could see through something. Could it be a trap?! Cuntoucao feared something might happen to Tong Haojing. This was also his own psychological drive to repent, be grateful, and start anew, pushing him towards a good meeting gift.

Cuntoucao also told Officer Tong the information he had overheard.

Tong Haojing was silent for a moment. Connecting it to the gambling bust a few days prior, his mind suddenly lit up. Could it be a trap... Are you sure? Tong Haojing asked Cuntoucao about some of the thug's living details. He learned that the thug had a relative named He Dan, and that the thug's birthday was on the fifteenth of the sixth lunar month. Wang Wu was always sent to pick him up.

Tong Haojing had a flash of inspiration. He whispered a few words to Cuntoucao and then smiled.

"Let's do it like this!" Tong Haojing left Yuelai Teahouse full of confidence.

Upon receiving such a secret clue, Tong Haojing immediately reported it to Old Jiang and shared his thoughts. Old Jiang listened, both happy and solemnly contemplating for a moment.

"We need to plan this carefully! Go and report it to the director. We need to consider this thoroughly!"

"Teacher Jiang, can we not tell Director Tang about this yet? The matter hasn't been verified!" Tong Haojing's reluctant expression made Jiang Hongde hesitate a bit. Moreover, Tong Haojing hadn't explicitly stated the source of the clue.

Old Jiang pondered...

"Alright, I'll call Officer Lan and two auxiliary police officers. Then we'll see how you do!" Old Jiang also intended to let Tong Haojing take the lead and gain experience in handling crises. Besides, with his years of work experience, he could control the current situation. Old Jiang reluctantly agreed.

"Thank you, Teacher Jiang!"

"Alas! Who told you I'm your teacher!"

Cuntoucao turned off his phone and went to a newsstand on Chengxi Avenue. Wearing a beanie to cover his face, he used the voice of Wang Wu at the newsstand to call the thug.

Ever since the thug was inexplicably suspected by Long Wen, he had been staying at home in a bad mood, not going anywhere and having little contact with the outside world. Just then, the phone rang. He answered, and a muffled voice came through, "This is Wang Wu. When are we going to pick up the goods (He)?"

The thug was startled. The voice sounded strange, but he could tell it was Wang Wu's. Every year, Wang Wu was sent to pick up He Dan for his birthday. He immediately let down his guard and said, "I'll notify you when the time comes!" Hu Pan hung up the phone.

The thug, still angry, didn't think much of it. He knew that he usually contacted Wang Wu through public phones and was convinced it was Wang Wu.

Wu De, who was monitoring from the telecommunications room, happened to overhear the thug's phone call discussing "picking up the goods." He immediately informed Long Wen, who was sleeping.

When Long Wen heard this, his face turned ashen, and he flew into a rage. So there really was someone betraying him and passing information. To further confirm his judgment, he continued his investigation according to his plan.

One kilometer before the provincial highway toll station. Ma Shaokang followed the agreement. At 4 p.m., Ma Shaokang, along with Cuntoucao and the thug, hid in a bush by the provincial highway, waiting for the delivery person. A luxurious Mercedes-Benz drove up and stopped in the emergency lane. A man got out of the car, lit a cigarette, took off his jacket, and waved it in the distance.

Ma Shaokang understood this was the signal for the transaction. He immediately gestured for the thug and Cuntoucao to go and make contact. At this moment, Tong Haojing, Old Jiang, Officer Lan, and two auxiliary police officers, who had been ambushing not far from the transaction site, immediately emerged and surrounded the area with weapons in formation.

Cuntoucao and the thug saw the situation and bolted. However, the man who got out of the Mercedes-Benz showed no fear, stood his ground, and loudly questioned, "What are you doing?"

"Get down, don't move! We are the police!" Tong Haojing sternly warned.

"So what if you're the police? We're legal citizens, and we haven't done anything illegal. What can you do to us?!" The man in the Mercedes was arrogant and dismissive of Tong Haojing and the approaching police officers.

Tong Haojing stepped forward, identified himself, and apprehended the man from the Mercedes. He searched the car for suspicious items but found nothing. He had no choice but to let him go on the spot.

Tong Haojing and Lu Tong returned empty-handed.

"Was the intelligence wrong?" one auxiliary police officer said loudly on purpose.

Ma Shaokang, who was hiding in the bush, happened to overhear this. He thought to himself, "Fortunately, this was a fake transaction this time. Otherwise, we would have been wiped out." He was now certain that the police had received leaked information. Ma Shaokang returned to the company and explained the situation. Long Wen was so angry his face turned green.

"If I don't teach them a lesson, they won't know who's boss!"

Long Wen immediately notified Hu Pan, who had fled back to the company, and Cuntoucao and other hoodlums to meet at the company.

Hu Pan received the notice and smiled, arriving first.

Long Wen sat upright. The difference was that two men in black, dressed in short jackets, were now by his side. One held a short iron bar, and the other held a gleaming knife. The atmosphere was clearly different from usual.

"Is there any situation?" Hu Pan asked eagerly, acting like a helpful accomplice. He guessed that Long Wen might have found clues about the informant, and the fox's tail was finally showing.

Long Wen gave him a cold glance, forcing a stiff smile without expression.

Cuntoucao arrived, followed by the other hoodlums. The company office was suddenly crowded, yet silent, with a chilling atmosphere.

Cuntoucao sat motionlessly next to Hu Pan, waiting for events to unfold. However, he still harbored a sliver of worry about the predicted trend Tong Haojing had mentioned.

Long Wen finally spoke.

"Close the doors!" With a clang, the two doors shut tightly. Two young men in black stood on either side, their eyes sharp and fierce, glaring at everyone in front of the desk.

Everyone unconsciously glanced towards the doors, then timidly lowered their heads, not knowing what had happened.

"What should we do if someone breaks the rules and becomes a traitor?" Long Wen asked, looking at everyone present. The answer was hidden in his words, the warning was self-evident.

"Chop off hands and feet!" The thug was the first to respond, thinking he could finally clear his name and improve his impression in Long Wen's eyes.

Cuntoucao remained silent.

The other hoodlums exchanged glances, their doubtful eyes all falling on the silent Cuntoucao, whom they now considered the suspect traitor.

However, the direction changed.

"Hu Pan, you've done a fine job. You look human on the outside, but you're a devil on the inside. It's true you can know a person's face, but not their heart!"

The thug froze, his expression shifting to one of fear.

Two youths in black clothing swarmed forward, pinning Hu Pan down without asking any questions. A knife was pressed tightly against his neck, rendering him immobile.

"Long Wen, there's been a mistake! A mistake!" The thug's face was pressed against the tabletop as he let out a pig-slaughtering howl.

"By the time you figure it out, I'll have already been sold. Who told someone else about the pickup?"

"I swear, I didn't tell anyone!" the thug argued.

"A dead duck still has a stiff bill!"

With a look from Long Wen, one of the black-clad youths on either side grabbed Hu Pan's left hand. The other brought down his blade, and the thug's thumb was instantly severed. A thick smell of blood filled the room, and the thug's hysterical wails and pleas left the henchmen stunned.

"Brother Long, there's been a mistake..."

The bewildered and helpless henchmen were all dumbfounded. He actually was