Chapter 164: “Plainclothes Officers”

Sun Xiaojiu was still dully urging her to drink tea:

“Auntie, have a sip of tea, otherwise it’s going to get cold again soon…”

Mother Lei slapped the table and said angrily:

“Drink what tea? I’ve been sitting here all morning, this is the third cup! Did I come here to drink tea? You guys, each and every one of you, such a big thing happened and you’re still hiding it. Hurry up and tell the truth!”

Sun Xiaojiu trembled with fright, his gaze drifting outside. He happened to see two people walking in from outside, and immediately darted over with a quick stride as if grasping a lifesaver, his voice rising a notch:

“Boss!”

Lei Dongchuan came in and said:

“Mom, don’t make things difficult for him. I told them not to say anything, afraid you would worry.”

Mother Lei said angrily:

“Would I not worry if you don’t tell me? Such a big thing happened, and you guys dared to hide it, planning to solve it yourselves?”

Lei Dongchuan said:

“How could we? We went to the police station to report it yesterday.”

Mother Lei looked at him and asked hesitantly:

“Really?”

This time Sun Xiaojiu immediately followed up by nodding, loudly saying “Yes”. They had formally gone to the police station to give a statement, so he spoke with full confidence.

Lei Dongchuan brought tea and placed it by her hand, smiling:

“It wasn’t a big deal to begin with. Just a few petty thieves. We just set up a new warehouse over there, probably someone saw it when unloading goods and got their eyes on it. I’ll go tell Second Uncle’s side later, and we just need to raise our own vigilance.”

Mother Lei’s expression eased slightly, and she asked:

“That’s good. Have them recount what happened.”

Lei Dongchuan raised his eyes to look at Sun Xiaojiu and called him over:

“Xiaojiu, you tell it. What did you see that night?”

Sun Xiaojiu came over and said honestly:

“It was like this. That night, like usual, we left people on duty. In the latter half of the night, we heard a noise outside, so we… took a lamp out to check, and saw a few people coming to steal things.”

He watched Lei Dongchuan’s expression and only talked about the situation at the warehouse.

“That gang of thieves ran exceptionally fast. They only pried open the rolling shutter door and didn’t even have time to steal anything. We discovered them early, and a few of us went out, so they got scared and ran away.”

Mother Lei asked:

“Did you see how many people came?”

Sun Xiaojiu thought for a moment and said:

“Three or four probably, it was too dark to see clearly. We called the police that very day. Don’t worry, Boss told us that when encountering such things, we must seek the help of the people’s police immediately.”

The few people around nodded one after another in agreement, looking completely honest and sincere.

Mother Lei looked around, knowing they all listened to Lei Dongchuan, and sent them out, calling Lei Dongchuan over to instruct him privately with a few words.

She sighed and said:

“Dongchuan, we’ve built five storage warehouses in one go since the beginning of this year. This is not a small matter, and a lot of money is tied up in it. You must pay attention to these things. Also, tell those guys to raise their vigilance, which is one thing, but if they really encounter it, they absolutely must not meet force with force. Those who rob things are desperadoes with heavy hands… You’ve grown up, you can’t be reckless like when you were little, you hear me?”

Lei Dongchuan went over and massaged her shoulders, comforting:

“Heard you. Mom, don’t worry too much either. They can do the warehouse work well once they take over. You also need to rest yourself, the bags under your eyes are all black.”

Mother Lei patted the back of his hand and sighed:

“Isn’t that right? It’ll be fine once we get past this busy period. When everything is on the right track, I definitely have to sleep properly for three days and three nights.”

Lei Dongchuan stayed there and talked with her for a while, persuading her to leave.

After Mother Lei left, he called Sun Xiaojiu and the others back again and asked:

“What exactly happened?”

Sun Xiaojiu said:

“Boss, it’s roughly what I just said, except there were more people who came, about a dozen or so. They didn’t have local accents, who knows where they were hired from. We had few people that night, and being held up by them, we didn’t end up fighting either. We just watched helplessly as they used wrenches and crowbars to smash the big iron gate and the rolling shutter door.”

Lei Dongchuan: “Didn’t touch the goods?”

Sun Xiaojiu shook his head: “No, it’s damn weird. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] The doors were pried open, but they didn’t take a single thing.”

Lei Dongchuan thought for a moment, got up and said:

“Let’s go, first make a trip to Shifang Town to take a look.”

Sun Xiaojiu immediately agreed and followed along. Probably having suffered a loss last time, about half of the boys from Lei Family Village went this time, all following behind Lei Dongchuan.

When they arrived in Shifang Town and went to the warehouse to look, they quickly noticed something amiss.

A new rolling shutter door had been installed at the warehouse, but the one smashed previously was still piled in the backyard, covered by a layer of tarpaulin. Lifting it revealed a battered, crumpled rolling shutter door smashed into scrap metal. The iron gate from before had even been taken down, bearing traces of the wire mesh being clipped short by pliers and the bolt being twisted off.

Sun Xiaojiu said in a low voice:

“Boss, a portion of the courtyard wall connected to the iron gate outside was also broken and is still being repaired. We only had time to change the rolling shutter door first. It’s not as good quality as the previous one, just making do for now.”

Lei Dongchuan squatted down and looked for a while, suddenly asking:

“They didn’t smash the things inside the warehouse, nor take a single item?”

“No.”

“Then who did they smash the door open for to take things?”

Sun Xiaojiu was dumbfounded by this question, taking a moment to react, and probed:

“Boss, do you mean they didn’t dare to take these things, but also didn’t want us to do business properly, intentionally smashing the door open to let those real thieves outside see?”

Lei Dongchuan stood up, sneered and said:

“Nine times out of ten it’s like this. Not hurting anyone, not robbing goods, playing this trick.”

Sun Xiaojiu just began to realize the seriousness of the matter, and said somewhat anxiously:

“Boss, if it’s really like this, then we’re in trouble. After the warehouse’s main door broke, we only had time to use some plastic sheeting to cover it. Inside are all household appliances transported from Qindao City, there must be quite a few people who saw…”

Lei Dongchuan waved his hand and asked him:

“Has there been any movement these past few nights?”

Sun Xiaojiu recalled seriously, and hesitated as he shook his head:

“Doesn’t seem to be any movement.”

Lei Dongchuan glanced at the rolling shutter door, calculated the time, and said:

“There were many construction workers the past few days. Tell the workers to go back first today. Leave the main door empty and don’t repair it. We’ll stay tonight and take a look.”

“Alright.”

Shifang Town, nightfall.

In the latter half of the night, the town was quiet. Residents in small places slept early, and by this hour, apart from the streetlights by the street, there were basically no places with lights on.

The economy of Shifang Town had seen some slight improvement in recent years. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Tube-shaped apartment buildings for work units had been built, and streets accommodating vehicles had also been planned out. There were streetlights at a few main intersections; although dim and yellowish, they were already much better compared to the past.

The Baichuan Supermarket on the main street occupied the size of three side-by-side storefronts. The signboard alone was half a story high, very imposing.

Occasionally, there were cargo trucks passing by at night, but they only hurried past without stopping.

A somewhat old minivan drove off the main road, bumping along all the way to a slightly remote area of single-story houses. Nearby were mostly factories and warehouses. The passing of the vehicle triggered the barking of a dog from a steel pipe factory not far away. After a few faint barks, the sound gradually stopped as the minivan drove away.

The minivan stopped in the night, pulling over by the side of the road and turning off the engine.

Three men quickly got out of the car, hunching over and using the cover of darkness to sneak up to a warehouse.

The leader among them went first. Seeing no one around, he waved his hand for the two behind to follow, and lowered his voice:

“When we go in later, if you see anyone on duty, hold them down first and gag them. Don’t use force, just tie them up and put them aside. Hurry up and move the things, hear me?”

The two behind nodded and said:

“Heard you, Big Brother!”

The three of them crept along the wall to the main door and climbed over the wall to get in. When they saw the warehouse, they were somewhat surprised. A person behind asked in a low voice:

“Big Brother, this warehouse is quite big. Do you think there really are…”

Before he could finish speaking, a high-intensity flashlight beamed over:

“Who’s there!”

The leading Big Brother saw a few blurry figures in front, his heart skipping a beat, and shouted:

“Let’s go!”

He already had the intention to retreat, but the two lackeys following behind didn’t know. Still remembering the instructions from just now, plus being momentarily blinded by the high-intensity flashlight, they stubbornly charged forward without even seeing how many people there were!

The three of them exerted force differently, with their own people bumping into each other and tumbling over first. The two lackeys in front were quickly pinned to the ground by a few people. The leading Big Brother was also bagged in a sack, having his arms swiftly pinned behind his back in a few neat moves, folded and lifted. This grappling and arresting motion was too standard, making the Big Brother cry out in pain:

“…It’s the cops!”

The person pinning him down slapped him with a smack, his face sinking:

“What are you shouting blindly for? [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] That’s called Comrade Police!”

“Pol—, Comrade Police…”

As soon as these words left his mouth, he took another hit to the back of his head. The person grabbing him was still unhappy:

“Which eye of yours saw me wearing a police uniform? Is this something you can shout randomly!”

The leading Big Brother was almost in tears. Being bagged in a sack, he couldn’t see anything at all! Furthermore, the strength of the person beating him was simply too damn strong; just with these two slaps, he was already beaten until seeing stars! Hearing someone vaguely call this person “Boss” through the sack, he hurriedly followed suit:

“Boss, Boss, please loosen your grip, we’re on the same side…”

Lei Dongchuan lifted him up with one hand, first searching them to ensure they had no weapons, before pulling the sack off:

“Bullshit, who’s on the same side as you.”

The leading Big Brother couldn’t see clearly under the moonlight. Before he could take a close look, his world spun, and he was pinned to the ground by Lei Dongchuan, getting a mouthful of mud.

Lei Dongchuan pinched the back of his neck. With slight force, he heard the other party let out hissing sounds of restricted breathing. Squinting, he asked him:

“Speak, who sent you?”

“Boss, Boss, let’s talk this over properly! Don’t, don’t use force… We came on our own, just for money, no other intentions…”

“A few days ago, people came here to smash the door and scout the way. Were you among them?”

“No! Absolutely not. Today is our first time coming to Shifang Town!”

……

Lei Dongchuan interrogated for a few sentences. His hand strength was great; with slight force, the other party’s face turned completely red from oxygen deprivation, spilling everything without even needing a beating.

These three petty thieves came from out of town, roaming around and making a living by stealing. They also heard the news saying a warehouse full of household appliances and DVD players was stored here. These things were highly sought-after goods even in coastal areas, especially the DVD players. Being small, light, and convenient to fence, one could sell for about a thousand yuan. If they stole a truckload, it would be enough for the three of them to eat for half a year.

“Really, everything I said is the truth. If there’s a single false word, may I get hit by a car.”

The leading Big Brother’s cheek was pressed against the ground, gasping heavily. He hadn’t seen Lei Dongchuan’s appearance clearly, only vaguely seeing the other party’s tall and mighty figure. He asked cautiously:

“We’re all brothers mixing in the underworld, how should I address this Boss?”

Lei Dongchuan didn’t utter a sound.

The leading Big Brother said:

“This little brother has eyes but fails to recognize Mount Tai, not knowing this area is under your protection, Boss. Don’t worry, starting from today, our ‘Three Heroes of the Liu Family’ will absolutely not set half a foot in Shifang Town again…”

Lei Dongchuan turned his head and shouted to Sun Xiaojiu:

“Go get a towel and gag his mouth. Once they’re tied up nicely later, send them all to the police station.”

Sun Xiaojiu agreed nimbly, turning his head and running off to get a towel.

Sweat poured down the leading Big Brother’s forehead. They had already been to prison three times; if they left a record again this time, they’d probably really have to eat prison food for a few years. In a flash of thought, he suddenly shouted:

“I can help, I can atone for my crimes with meritorious service!”

Lei Dongchuan let out a sneer and asked him:

“How do you atone for your crimes with meritorious service?”

“Boss, look at this, you release me first… Ouch! Don’t hit, don’t hit, I didn’t mean it that way. I mean, after you release me, I can help you draw out the others who want to rob this warehouse. I know where they all go to inquire about news. I’ll help you ‘draw the snake out of its hole’, solving it once and for all!”

The leading Big Brother took two kicks and spoke two idioms in one breath.

Lei Dongchuan thought for a while and felt it was doable.

He didn’t have that much time to keep watch over here. If there really were others wanting to make a move, drawing them out and dealing with them together would be good too.

Sun Xiaojiu tied the three people on one string and let them lead the way first to take a look at the minivan they drove over. The minivan was parked by the roadside. Sun Xiaojiu swept his flashlight over the car body and laughed first upon seeing the words pasted on it:

“Qianlima Moving Company? Hey, I say, you guys are quite professional. No matter where this car drives to move something, no one can really tell.”

The three people laughed awkwardly. Just as they wanted to get in the car, they were detained by Lei Dongchuan. Lei Dongchuan pulled out their car keys and detained the Big Brother among them and another person, only letting the shortest and scrawniest one step forward. He got up and said:

“You go. Giving you one day to find people for me. Don’t think about playing any tricks, just walk there. If I don’t see you come back by nightfall, I’ll break one of your Big Brother’s legs first.”

Lei Dongchuan imitated lines from movies to scare him. His face was already fierce, and now lowering his voice, he scared the short man opposite him into shivering, nodding like a chicken pecking at rice.

Lei Dongchuan let one go, and guarded Shifang Town for another day.

By dusk, the short man returned. He had no choice; he relied entirely on his two legs to walk and inquire. His pockets had also been searched clean, without a single cent. Having starved for a day and not drinking a mouthful of water, he truly had no other way but to come back early to eat a bite of food.

Lei Dongchuan had someone give him two steamed buns. Watching him devour them ravenously, he asked:

“Did you find people?”

The short man said honestly:

“I did ask two brothers in the underworld, but once they heard it was Shifang Town, they wouldn’t come.”

“Mn?”

“Really not lying to you, the word in the underworld is—”

“What word?”

“Saying that starting from the Shifang Town area heading west, no one can go. There’s a group of plainclothes police over here, opening shops as cover and secretly catching people.”

The short man braced himself and recounted everything he inquired about, “They also said the boss here isn’t quite loyal. After catching those who cross the line and beating them up, he then hands them over to the police station. I feel they probably aren’t talking about you…”

Lei Dongchuan: “…”

Lei Dongchuan waited until he was full, then had Sun Xiaojiu tie him up and sent them to the police station.

When they arrived at the Shifang Town police station, an older police officer saw it was Lei Dongchuan and said exceptionally enthusiastically:

“Big Lei, here again?”

Lei Dongchuan nodded and handed the people over to him:

“Brother Wang, there’s also a minivan outside that belongs to them, here are the car keys.”

The older police officer took them:

“Alright, we’ll interrogate them thoroughly later. Is the witness still Little Sun?”

“Yes.”

Lei Dongchuan let Sun Xiaojiu follow along to give a statement, and asked again:

“I want to use the internal line to make a call to my Second Uncle, is it convenient?”

The older police officer said:

“Convenient, come, come, I’ll take you inside to call.”

The three thieves walking behind had ashen faces. After waiting for a day and a night, the other shoe finally dropped—just as they thought, the Boss Lei before them was indeed a “plainclothes police officer” opening a shop. Simply put, this was absolutely entrapment.

They regretted it extremely in their hearts, even holding some grudge against the person who leaked the news, always feeling the other party intentionally harmed them. If they knew Boss Lei’s territory here was managed so strictly, let alone DVD players, even with a warehouse of gold they wouldn’t dare come! Wasn’t this tantamount to walking right into a trap?

Lei Dongchuan made a call to Second Uncle Lei, explaining the situation a bit, and added:

“Uncle, can you help me check on out-of-towners who recently came to Dongchang? There should be at least a dozen people in such a scale, with heavy accents, looking like they’re from the north.”

Second Uncle Lei said:

“Alright, I’ll give the bureau a heads-up. We’re currently making an example of people anyway. You be careful yourself too. If they really are roaming criminals from out of town, they won’t hold back when striking.”

Lei Dongchuan nodded and said: “Okay.”

Second Uncle Lei wasn’t at ease and instructed again:

“If you encounter them, be lighter with your hands yourself too. Your strength is too great, hold back a bit.”

“I know. Don’t hit the face, don’t hit the stomach, can’t injure the internal organs. Focus force on the arms and legs, at most break a few ribs, send them to the hospital for easy treatment… Uncle, you’ve told me this many times.”

“…”

Second Uncle Lei was rendered speechless by him, and could only say:

“As long as you remember. Right, when are you coming back?”

Lei Dongchuan said:

“The matters are resolved today, I’ll be back a bit later, there’s still a shuttle bus.”

Second Uncle Lei said:

“That works. When you come back, remember to bring Zimu along. Our unit is having a dinner gathering tomorrow, family members are allowed. You two go together…”

Lei Dongchuan was stunned for a moment, and asked:

“Small Bowl came over?”

“Yes, Master He’s disciple came today to deliver a box of crab paste for him, saying he went to look for you around noon. You didn’t run into him?”

Lei Dongchuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said:

“He must have gone to Grandpa’s house. Uncle, I won’t talk to you anymore, I’m heading back to check first.”

He hung up the phone and couldn’t even wait for Sun Xiaojiu and the others. Leaving a few people here to act as witnesses together with Sun Xiaojiu, he rode his bike back first himself.

From Shifang Town to Lei Family Village was neither far nor close. After the asphalt road was paved, riding a bike became much more convenient. Lei Dongchuan rode the bike extremely fast all the way, drafting several explanations in his mind, pondering how to explain later, and quickly arrived at the old Lei family house.

After entering the gate, he threw the bicycle at the door, ran into the backyard, and upon passing through the archway, he saw Bai Zimu standing with his back to him.

Bai Zimu was bending over feeding the little sheep. His little sheep had grown up but was still a picky eater. Holding green grass in its hand, it ate lazily, and was flicked on the forehead by Bai Zimu.

Lei Dongchuan’s heartbeat was exceptionally fast. He didn’t know if it was because he rode the bike too fast just now, or a heartbeat like a drum. The moment Bai Zimu turned around and their eyes met, it reached an extreme, and he even swallowed unconsciously.

Hearing the commotion at the door, Bai Zimu turned around, saw him, and asked:

“Brother, where did you go?”

Lei Dongchuan’s Adam’s apple rolled, and he said drily:

“Just, went out to ride a bike.”