Meng Chao and Tong Hao had just reached the halfway point up the mountain when they spotted police officer He Yuan from the local station supporting a limping security guard as they made their way down. The guard's clothes were disheveled, and he clutched his left face, groaning incessantly.
"What happened?"
He Yuan, who had been focused on the path, was startled by the voice. She relaxed when she saw it was Meng Chao and forced a bitter smile. "This is the night shift security guard. He got beaten up—took a rock right to the face."
"Damn, that guy played dirty," Tong Hao said casually as he stepped forward to inspect the guard's injury, only for the latter to shy away in pain. "Did you catch the guy who did it?"
"He was long gone by the time we got there. Only the guard was left lying on the ground."
He Yuan glanced at Tong Hao, and Meng Chao took the opportunity to introduce them.
"This is Tong Hao, a new transfer. And this is Xiao He, He Yuan, a veteran officer from our district station. You should call her 'Jie'."
"Cut it out, I'm still young," He Yuan said, stopping Tong Hao mid-bow. "Why is the Criminal Investigation Team here? Something happen?"
"There might be a situation. We're here to check it out." Meng Chao turned his attention back to the guard, noting the deep gash on his forehead and the bloodied mess covering half his face. "This looks like intentional harm. Did you get a look at who hit you?"
"Too dark. Couldn't see," the guard mumbled, wincing as the movement tugged at his wound. "Oww... Who the hell did I piss off to get this for no reason?"
"Captain Meng, you go ahead. I'll take him to get patched up, then head back to the station for the report." He Yuan started to help the guard down, but he suddenly stopped and pointed to a narrow path on the left. "Officer, I really need to use the bathroom first."
"Need help?" Meng Chao asked, turning back.
"No, no," the guard waved awkwardly. "I can handle peeing by myself. Would be embarrassed if you watched."
"I think the restroom is at the next intersection," Tong Hao scratched his head. "Saw it on the way up—pretty sure it's to the right."
The guard looked around blankly before realization dawned. "Ah, with all this blood in my face, I can barely see straight. Almost got turned around. Thanks."
"No problem. Take it slow going down," Tong Hao said, steadying the guard as they navigated the frost-slicked steps. "Dark and slippery—don't want another fall."
Meng Chao watched as He Yuan and the guard inched their way downhill, an odd feeling creeping up in his chest—like he was brushing past something significant.
"Captain Meng?"
Yet he couldn't pinpoint what exactly felt off.
"What's up?" Tong Hao nudged him with an elbow. "Altitude sickness or something?"
The jab scattered Meng Chao's thoughts, leaving him standing still.
"Here’s a trick—spread your legs, squat like a horse stance, then rub your stomach clockwise—"
Ignoring him, Meng Chao shoved his hands into his pockets and strode purposefully toward the summit, as if trying to prove something.
According to street surveillance footage, Ni Xiangdong had driven up the mountain with a suitcase, and they had indeed found his van parked at the base.
The problem was there were no cameras further up, and Floating Peak Mountain spanned over 20 square kilometers—jagged rocks, dense forests, and towering heights made it an ideal place to hide. A thorough search wouldn’t be easy. By the time reinforcements arrived, Ni Xiangdong might have already escaped via one of the many winding paths."Captain Meng, do you think the person who attacked him could be Ni Xiangdong?" Tong Hao jogged a few steps to catch up. "I've got a hunch that Ni Xiangdong is connected to this case. He must have killed Cao Xiaojun and came here to dump the body, only to be spotted by the security guard. So he tried to silence him, but the guard survived against all odds."
"Hmm."
"But where could Ni Xiangdong have gone?" Tong Hao gazed at the undulating black mountains stretching into the night. "These mountains are so vast—he could be hiding anywhere. How are we supposed to find him?"
"Looks like we already have."
Meng Chao picked up a cigarette butt from the ground and pointed upward. About thirty paces ahead stood a small concrete shack, its dirty, broken windows reflecting the beam of their flashlights.
When they entered, a chubby officer in his forties was bent over examining footprints on the floor.
"Lao Chen."
The officer named Lao Chen had a kind, round face. Tong Hao guessed he must get along well with the elderly folks in the neighborhood.
Lao Chen let out a surprised "Oh!" and wiped his hands on his pants before reaching out to shake Meng Chao's hand.
"Old Meng, what brings you here? Surely a simple assault case doesn't require your expertise?"
"I'm investigating another case." Meng Chao glanced behind Lao Chen.
"You noticed it too, didn't you?" Lao Chen pointed at the bloodstains on the floor. "The blood spatter is uneven—there's clearly a missing section in the middle. The scene's been rearranged."
Meng Chao put on gloves and carefully examined the shattered metal thermos on the ground.
"Captain, the box isn't here."
"Right, where's the box?" Lao Chen crossed his arms. "Where could it be hidden?"
At this, Meng Chao and Tong Hao both turned to look at him.
"How did you know there was a box?"
"The old man who reported it mentioned it. He said someone was carrying a box up the mountain late at night, which seemed suspicious, so he asked us to check. He also said the guy had a fierce look, with pockmarks all over the left side of his face. But when we got here, we just saw the bloodied security guard running down the mountain—"
"Wait," Meng Chao suddenly interrupted Lao Chen's account. "What did the old man say about the person carrying the box?"
"His face looked waxy, covered in bumps—probably severe burns."
"Which side?"
"The left."
"And where was the security guard injured?"
"Also the left." Lao Chen blinked. "Why?"
They'd been tricked!
Meng Chao finally understood the source of his unease. Of course—if it had really been the security guard, why would he have gotten the direction to the restroom wrong?
He just hoped it wasn't too late.
"Don't touch anything in this room. Call the homicide team."
With that, he sprinted down the mountain, Tong Hao close behind, though still confused.
"Hey! What's going on?" Lao Chen called after them. "Why are you homicide guys always so jumpy?"
Tong Hao quickly overtook Meng Chao and reached the restroom first. Seeing He Yuan standing guard at the entrance, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Where is he?"
"Inside. What's wrong?"
Tong Hao braced his hands on his knees, panting as he waved weakly.
"No idea."
"Then why the rush?"
Meng Chao arrived moments later, clutching his side as he gasped for breath.
"Where is he?"
"Inside," He Yuan said, eyeing them both with confusion. "What's going on?"
"Yeah, Captain," Tong Hao straightened up. "What's happening?"After steadying his breath, Meng Chao raised a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence, signaling the other two to gather close.
"I suspect the person inside isn't a security guard."
"Not a security guard?" He Yuan asked. "Then who is he?"
Tong Hao had already grasped the captain's implication—the ill-fitting uniform, the conveniently injured left cheek, the unfamiliarity with the restroom's location. He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the public restroom door.
"How many exits are there here?"
"Just this one."
"Good." Meng Chao motioned for Tong Hao to follow him inside. "You guard the exit. We'll go in and check."
The two lifted the plastic door curtain and entered the men's restroom one after the other.
It was colder inside than outside. The fluorescent light above flickered with a buzzing sound, casting erratic shadows. On the right, the plastic doors of four stalls were tightly shut. Meng Chao pretended nonchalance, whistling as he walked over to the urinal on the left.
"Hey, kid, you done in there?"
No response.
"Kid?"
Creak—
While speaking, Meng Chao quietly approached and pushed the first stall door open. It was empty.
He swiftly checked the second and third stalls—still no one.
Now, he and Tong Hao stood on either side of the last stall. A push confirmed it was locked from the inside. Someone was there.
After a nod, Tong Hao kicked the door open with a loud crash that echoed down the hallway.
"Freeze!"
But the stall held neither the security guard nor Ni Xiangdong.
Before them was only a squat toilet stained with pale yellow urine. Two bloody handprints stretched upward on the white tiles, leading to a wide-open rear window.
"Captain Meng, he climbed out the window."
Meng Chao rushed to the window, the cold night wind hitting his face.
In the endless darkness, he thought he glimpsed Ni Xiangdong's panicked fleeing figure, vanishing into the 20-square-kilometer expanse of mountains.
OpenNovel