Chapter 58
Handshake

Director’s Office.

Director Yan asked, “Why choose an assistant forensic doctor? Don’t we have suitable candidates among our police force?”

Lu Qiyuan replied, “Director Yan, it’s like this. First, there aren’t many suitable female officers in the sub-bureaus. Second, most of them were involved in the pre-New Year operations and are recognizable. Third, Xiao Xie has a good appearance, looks like a young girl, and has a meticulous mind. The task is quite dangerous, and sending a regular female officer might be even riskier.”

Director Yan frowned, his gaze fixed on a teacup. After a long pause, he cautiously said, “No matter who goes, this job is extremely challenging. Any slight mistake could ruin that child’s entire life.”

Lu Qiyuan also hesitated and then exchanged a glance with Huang Zhengyi.

Huang Zhengyi tentatively suggested, “Maybe we should postpone this matter?”

Director Yan sighed in distress, “If we don’t act, so many children have gone missing—we can’t just ignore it. If we do act, we’re worried about losing another person. This decision is difficult to make. You go back first, I’ll discuss it with Director He and we’ll decide in the afternoon.”

After leaving Director Yan’s office, Huang Zhengyi said, “Honestly, I really admire Xiao Xie and don’t want her to take such a big risk. If Director He rejects this, I’ll actually feel relieved.”

Lu Qiyuan replied, “Old Huang, we can’t let emotions affect our judgment. We’re police officers. Xiao Xie is a forensic doctor, but she is still part of our team. The missing children and girls are waiting for us in endless fear.”

“That’s true, sigh…” Huang Zhengyi sighed deeply, returning to his office with a heavy heart.

In the afternoon, Xie Qing, along with Lu, Huang, and Tan, was called to Director Yan’s office again.

Director Yan asked Xie Qing, “The previous answer doesn’t count. Xiao Xie, think it over again. Do you agree to join this plan as an undercover agent?”

Xie Qing had thought about it multiple times, from morning to afternoon, for over seven hours. She still wanted to do it.

In this era, the internet was not advanced, information was scarce, and most people were unaware of the real situation of such cases. But as a police officer, she knew the inside story.

At this time, human traffickers were not only numerous but also cruel. They operated in “brigades,” robbing infants from homes and abducting young girls from the streets.

They worked in a division of labor—buying, transporting, and selling in one go. A single criminal gang could traffic over 200 people.

Nationally, the numbers were staggering.

If her involvement could dismantle this gang, it might save dozens of broken families and prevent dozens of young girls from falling into brothels and being forced to have children for some scumbags.

Every action has risks, but she trusted the bureau’s thorough planning, Tan Yi’s capability, and her own ability to adapt and protect herself.

Xie Qing said, “Director Yan, I’ve thought it through. I’ll join.”

Although she agreed, Director Yan’s brows remained furrowed.

Lu, Huang, and Tan were equally concerned, their moods heavy.

Xie Qing added, “Director Yan, let’s focus on the plan. The key is me, but even more so the plan.”

Director Yan clicked his tongue, “Xiao Xie, I admire your courage, but I’m worried for you. Xiao Xie, do you know what you’re about to face?”

Xie Qing replied, “Abduction, beatings, airtight confinement, loss of freedom, and even potential assault.”

Director Yan looked at her in surprise, “Since you know all this, why agree? You’re a forensic doctor from Beijing University and one of our bureau’s key trainees. You have a bright future. If something happens, it could be disastrous.”

Xie Qing looked at Tan Yi and the others, “Then please work hard to eliminate that ‘if.’ You cover ninety percent, and I’ll handle the remaining ten percent.”

Lu Qiyuan said, “Director Yan, even if it means abandoning the entire plan, we must ensure Xie Qing’s safety.”

Tan Yi and Huang Zhengyi both nodded.

Director Yan nodded, “Having such preparations is good. Director He has made it clear that we must ensure the safety of our own people. That’s the bottom line.”

Lu Qiyuan replied, “Yes.”

Director Yan lit a cigarette, “Alright, since we’ve clarified the bottom line, let’s move on to the plan. How do you intend to proceed?”

Lu Qiyuan said, “Director Yan, we plan to…”

On the evening of the third day, after work, Xie Qing took a leave of absence, citing a leak in her family home.

Cao Haisheng seemed to have guessed something. As he was leaving, he said earnestly, “Safety first, come back soon.”

Xie Qing felt anxious but forced a smile, “Don’t worry, Master, trust me.”

Cao Haisheng shook his head, “Sometimes being too outstanding isn’t a good thing.” He patted Xie Qing’s shoulder, shouldered his backpack, and left the office.

Xie Qing turned off the lights, emptied her mind, and quietly looked out the window.

If nothing happened, she would be a heroine, an elite in law enforcement.

If something went wrong, she would be a young martyr, honored posthumously.

A fine line between heaven and hell.

She was determined, but fear still lingered.

A person should always have reverence, whether for nature or for the human heart—we cannot imagine the ferocity of nature or the greed and malice of the human heart.

As the sky darkened, Xie Qing, enveloped in the shadows, felt her emotions stabilizing.

“Knock, knock!” The office door was knocked twice, “Xiao Xie, are you there?”

Tan Yi had arrived.

Xie Qing got up, quickly went over, turned on the light, and then opened the door.

Tan Yi was wearing a dark blue jacket typically worn by middle-aged men, black trousers, and black-framed glasses, looking even more like an old cadre.

She smiled and said, “Are the preparations ready?”

Tan Yi replied, “Everything is ready. Come with me.”

Xie Qing grabbed her things, locked the door, and went downstairs with Tan Yi to the parking lot.

Tan Yi grabbed a package from the passenger seat and handed it to Xie Qing, “Check if everything is there.”

Xie Qing opened it and checked.

It was a complete set of new, yet unfashionable, clothes—printed underwear, thermal underwear, padded clothing, outerwear, a pair of old cotton shoes, and a pair of poor-quality cotton socks.

Xie Qing said, “Thank you, Captain Tan. Everything is very well prepared.”

The word “very” carried a significant weight.

Tan Yi didn’t reply, quickly taking out a cigarette, placing it in his mouth, and lighting it with a lighter.

Xie Qing returned to her car, sat in the driver’s seat, and changed into the clothes Tan Yi had given her.

The new underwear wasn’t washed, but there was no choice; she had to wear it. The underwear fit well, but the bra was a bit large.

Xie Qing adjusted it, trying to fill the cups, and internally joked that Tan Yi’s eye for sizes wasn’t great. BC cups weren’t discernible. Tsk, this was the first time she wore underwear bought by a man, and it happened under such circumstances. She quickly dressed in the entire set, packed her own clothes into her backpack, took out her mobile phone, pager, and wallet, then placed the backpack in the trunk, covering it with a cloth.

Next, she checked the tips of the cotton shoes to confirm the position of the blade and practiced taking it out and putting it back. The eavesdropping device was securely sewn inside the padded clothing.

She also had two black hairpins she prepared herself, deeply buried in the hair at the back of her head.

After checking everything, a car pulled up and honked.

Xie Qing got out, locked her car door, and got into the slightly used Xiali car with Tan Yi as the driver. He glanced at Xie Qing—she had let her hair down, and because it wasn’t long enough, it stuck messily around her neck. Her clothes were bright and bulky, but she carried it off effortlessly, and even though it was unfashionable, it couldn’t conceal the innate elegance that permeated her being.

With knowledge and culture comes an aura of elegance, and Tan Yi believed it.

Xie Qing said in a rustic voice, “Brother, where are we going?” She emphasized the word “where,” sounding just like a country girl who had just arrived in the city.

Tan Yi laughed, “In my opinion, you shouldn’t be called Xie Qing; you should be called Drama Queen.”

Xie Qing retorted, “If Captain Tan doesn’t mind me calling you Spittoon in private, you can call me Drama Queen.”

Tan Yi said leisurely, “Deal. I’ve been called that for over twenty years, my ears are used to it.”

Xie Qing: “…” She realized that although Tan Yi wasn’t as chatty as Chai Yu, he was actually quite cunning and sharp-tongued.

“Alright then.” Xie Qing decided to take a step back to move forward, “Being a Drama Queen is fine. Hopefully, I can play my role well in this big drama.”

Tan Yi’s smile faded, “Don’t worry. Everything will be centered around you. As soon as you feel any danger, we’ll abort the mission immediately. Don’t try to be a hero, understood?”

Xie Qing replied, “Don’t worry, I won’t risk my future.”

Tan Yi looked at her, “Being smart is good, but it can also lead to mistakes. I hope you always remember my words.”

Xie Qing responded seriously, “Don’t worry, Captain Tan, I’ll remember.”

The car sped out of Anhai City, heading north. An hour and a half later, they stopped at a small station— the local accent here was slightly different from that of Anhai City. As long as Xie Qing mastered a few tricks, she could successfully play her undercover role.

Before getting out of the car, Tan Yi reminded her again, “I won’t be more than 500 meters away from you. Please don’t take any unnecessary risks, understood?”

Xie Qing replied patiently, “Don’t worry, Captain Tan, I know my limits.”

Tan Yi extended his hand, “Deal!”

Xie Qing shook it, “Deal.”

Both their hands were cold, but holding each other’s made them both feel calmer—Xie Qing was nervous, Tan Yi was worried.

Xie Qing could almost feel Tan Yi’s hand trembling slightly. She patted his hand with her left hand, “Don’t worry, Captain Tan, we’ll be fine.”

Tan Yi placed his left hand over hers, “I believe in you. I know you won’t take risks with your safety.”

Xie Qing nodded, withdrew her hand, glanced outside, saw no pedestrians, quickly got out of the car, and headed towards the station without looking back. Her figure was thin but resolute and determined.

Tan Yi watched silently until she disappeared from sight, then lowered his head and carefully collected the items she left behind in a large bag—a plain mobile phone, a regular men’s wallet, and a pager with a sticker of a male celebrity.

“What’s so good about him?” Tan Yi shook his head slightly, stepped on the gas, and drove back to Anhai.