Chapter 25: More Surprises

However, Hou Yong never expected that the surprises Zhu Da Dong brought him would go far beyond this. The next day, Hou Yong went to the township government office and found Zhu Da Dong, who was helping set up an exhibition, to have a drink. This was both to thank him for his help last night and to give him an update.

"Brother Zhu, I'm really sorry, but because our chief asked, I had to tell him your name. But you can rest assured, only he knows, and it won't be spread. Our chief also promised that whenever you need help, you can go to him; this is a rare opportunity," Hou Yong explained as soon as he sat down.

"It's fine, I appreciate your honesty, Brother Hou," Zhu Da Dong smiled. In fact, he had heard everything that happened at the police station last night. He was curious about how the police worked, so he secretly used the Turtle Breath technique to listen to everything that Hou Yong and the others did. He didn't miss a single word of the conversation between Chen Shijie and Hou Yong.

Zhu Da Dong didn't really care about the bonus, but from the conversation between Chen Shijie and Hou Yong last night, he gained some insights into human nature, how to handle situations, and even how to be a good official. Before, he thought Hou Yong was just a rough but shrewd person, but after last night's "eavesdropping," he realized that Hou Yong was actually very wise and humble.

It seems I need to be more careful in the future, especially when talking to my superiors. A slight mistake could offend them without me even realizing it. Hou Yong handled it well; he didn't seek credit or rewards, and he didn't gloat. Instead, he attributed everything to Chen Shijie's wise leadership. If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to say those words.

As for the police officers' interrogation of the gamblers, he didn't pay much attention. It was just the same few sentences repeated over and over, and he was already tired of hearing them.

"I've already wronged you, so I have to be honest. Otherwise, you might look down on me," Hou Yong smiled. After not seeing him for a night, he noticed that Zhu Da Dong seemed more mature, spoke more calmly, and exuded a confidence that made him feel almost inferior.

"From what you said, it seems my help last night was useful?" Zhu Da Dong smiled. He was in a good mood today, as this was the first time he realized his ears could actually help others and even earn him some extra money.

"Useful? It was a huge help. Brother Zhu, I'm curious, how did you know they would be gambling in those places?" Hou Yong had wanted to ask Zhu Da Dong this question last night. Not knowing the answer was really bothering him.

"I can predict the future. Do you know the Three Pure Temples? I learned a few tricks from the old Taoist there," Zhu Da Dong smiled. Of course, he couldn't reveal the real reason, or Hou Yong might think he was a monster or a lunatic.

"Brother Zhu, you're joking," Hou Yong, though more curious, finally held back from asking more. No matter how Zhu Da Dong got the information, he was clearly trying to help. Why would he go to so much trouble otherwise?

Hou Yong didn't realize, nor could he imagine, that Zhu Da Dong knew everything just by listening. If Zhu Da Dong had told him the truth, he would have really thought he was a monster.

"Come, Brother Zhu, thank you for your help last night. I won't say more, but everything is in this drink. I'll drink first as a sign of respect," Hou Yong knew Zhu Da Dong's drinking capacity was at least as good as his, so as long as he could still drink, he kept encouraging him to drink more.

"Sure, Brother Hou, I'll help you again tonight. Let's see if I can predict anything else," Zhu Da Dong drank the wine in one gulp and smiled.

"Phew!"

Hou Yong still had half a mouthful of wine when he heard Zhu Da Dong's words. He was so surprised that he spat out the wine.

"What, don't you believe I can predict the future?" Zhu Da Dong deliberately wiggled his fingers and smiled.

"Can you really predict it?" Hou Yong asked in surprise. He was an atheist, but at that moment, he couldn't help but doubt his beliefs. If what Zhu Da Dong said was true, he really could predict the future.

"I was just joking. Actually, I have an informant, but I can't tell you who it is. I hope you understand and keep it a secret," Zhu Da Dong said seriously.

"Don't worry, even if the heavens themselves asked, I wouldn't reveal it," Hou Yong looked convinced. This explanation made sense.

"Of course, I can't guarantee there will be a gambling session tonight. It depends on their intentions. The police station is watching closely, and they might have moved to the countryside," Zhu Da Dong didn't want to make promises he couldn't keep. He could hear everything happening in the township, but if the gamblers were afraid of the police and decided to stay in bed, he couldn't do anything about it.

"Alright, let's meet at the same place as last night, at ten o'clock," Hou Yong asked.

"No, we need to change the location. Come to the school. I live in the dormitory behind the teaching building, the third room on the left on the first floor. Look for the room with the light on," Zhu Da Dong thought for a moment. He didn't want others to know about his information-gathering, especially since the police officer who followed Hou Yong last night seemed interested in him. The meeting place from last night was no longer a secret, and it might be discovered today.

"Alright, I'll be there at ten," Hou Yong didn't think much of it. He assumed Zhu Da Dong didn't want to go out, as the cold northern wind was howling, and not everyone wanted to suffer through it.

After dinner at the township government canteen, Zhu Da Dong took the food he bought and went to the Three Pure Temples. The old Taoist now had enough white liquor to last until the New Year, but Zhu Da Dong was worried that he might not eat and only drink. Although the old Taoist was confident in the Turtle Breath technique, Zhu Da Dong would still bring him some food if he could.

It was already nine o'clock when he left the Three Pure Temples, which was just right for Zhu Da Dong. Most people in the township had already gone to bed, as it was too cold to stay by the stove.

But there were always some people looking for entertainment, and playing cards or dice was one of the best. As Zhu Da Dong walked, he adjusted his hearing to "high-definition," and the sounds within a few hundred meters were clearly transmitted to his ears. The environment in the township was very quiet, which helped him hear the police station from the school last night.

These people were really determined, Zhu Da Dong thought as he walked down the street. He heard that the gamblers had placed a layer of cloth inside the dice shaker to make it harder to hear the dice. Of course, this didn't affect Zhu Da Dong at all.

These people really don't know when to quit. The news of the three gambling dens being caught last night had already spread. Even at the township government, he heard people talking about it. He couldn't believe that people were still daring to gamble tonight, as if they had the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard. Zhu Da Dong detested gambling and thought it was a waste of time. If they did something else, it wouldn't be his problem.

When he arrived at the school, he met Hou Yong, who was right on time, exactly at ten o'clock. Seeing Zhu Da Dong return, he believed his explanation even more.

"I won't go with you tonight. I'll draw you a map, and you can follow it," Zhu Da Dong said softly.

"Great," Hou Yong said happily. When he heard Zhu Da Dong's first sentence, he thought the operation was off for the night, but now he realized Zhu Da Dong just wanted to take it easy.

The streets of the township were not long, and the terrain was not complex. Zhu Da Dong knew the exact locations of all the gambling dens, so as soon as he drew the map, or even just described them, Hou Yong immediately knew where they were. As a police officer, he was very familiar with the township's layout. Later, Zhu Da Dong didn't even draw the map, just told him the specific corners of certain places.

"Brother Zhu, I don't know what to say. If tonight's operation is successful, you will truly be a hero of our station, a well-deserved hero," Hou Yong said excitedly after Zhu Da Dong described each gambling den.

"Hero? You're exaggerating. I just did what I could. Go ahead and get to work. There might be more people tonight, so be prepared," Zhu Da Dong smiled. There were four places gambling tonight, and just at the place with the cloth-covered dice shaker, there were over ten people. Adding the other three places, Zhu Da Dong counted the breathing sounds and found there were thirty-two people in total.

After leaving the school, Hou Yong's steps were almost floating. The cold wind couldn't cool the fire in his heart. After tonight's operation, the whole station would have a prosperous New Year.

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End of Chapter 25