Chapter 16

Xu Mo's face changed. Liu Qian glanced at Ma Wu indifferently and said, "Of course we are in the dormitory. As for you, you've been out of the dormitory for three to four hours these past two days. Where did you go?"

Ma Wu threatened in a low voice, "You guys are tracking me, don't think I don't know. Hand over the stuff, and we'll let this go. Otherwise, hum! You know the consequences."

Xu Mo remained silent, glancing at Liu Qian. Liu Qian, who had more experience in this, took over the conversation. He shrugged and smiled faintly, "Hand over the stuff? I don't understand what you're talking about."

Ma Wu gave the two a cold look, a fierce expression flashing across his face. "Good, very good..." Then he fell silent.

Xiao Chen counted the people and, seeing that everyone was present, said, "Not long ago, something was missing from the inn. The owner saw the thief's face and suspects one of you. However, I believe this has nothing to do with any of you, so please cooperate and let the owner identify the person."

There was a stir in the crowd, and someone immediately objected, "We are just part-time workers. Why should we be suspected just because something is missing? Why should we be identified among us?"

Xiao Chen smiled, "If you weren't guilty, what's the problem with being identified?"

"Guilty! Am I guilty? If I didn't do it, what will you do?" The person was being stubborn, the type who wouldn't let go once he got involved.

Xiao Chen noticed this and turned away, not responding.

Another person said angrily, "Can't we wait until dawn to identify the person? Why do we have to be called in the middle of the night? I've never done such a part-time job before. You treat us like we're not human. I won't do it anymore when it gets light, hum! What's the big deal?"

Xiao Chen replied, "Do one more day tomorrow, and this part-time job will be over." He didn't finish the sentence, but the hidden meaning was clear: even if you want to, you won't get the chance.

The person had been speaking out of anger, but upon hearing this, his face showed unmistakable disappointment. After all, such an easy part-time job wasn't easy to find.

There was another stir in the crowd.

At this moment, Shen Bancheng's daughter entered the courtyard with a few people, and the crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes on her. After a moment, a few low whistles broke out, clearly in admiration of her beauty.

She had changed her clothes and was now wearing a black windbreaker. The people around her were all burly, likely her bodyguards. The man in the black suit who had gone up the mountain with her during the day was not among them.

Xiao Chen hurried forward, respectfully calling, "Miss Shen."

Miss Shen asked casually, "Is everyone here?"

Xiao Chen replied, "Yes."

Miss Shen's expression didn't change as she approached and began to look at each part-time worker's face. When she saw Liu Qian, he couldn't help but smile and greet her, "Miss Shen."

Miss Shen's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded slightly, and Liu Qian's face lit up with joy.

"I know who stole the stuff," Ma Wu suddenly shouted loudly, pointing at Xu Mo and Liu Qian. "It's them. They weren't in the room just now, so they must have stolen it."

Miss Shen turned to look at Ma Wu. Her intention was just to identify the person, and the missing items were just an excuse. She hadn't expected such an unexpected turn of events.

Xu Mo couldn't help but feel a shock. "Is Ma Wu shouting like this because he doesn't want those items anymore?"

Xiao Chen tried to stop Ma Wu with gestures, but Ma Wu ignored him and shouted, "If they stole it, a search will reveal it." He stepped forward and reached out to grab Xu Mo's clothes.

Miss Shen watched the three of them, saying nothing.

"Get lost!" Xu Mo growled, slightly dodging to avoid Ma Wu's hand. Seeing Miss Shen watching him, he felt another shock, knowing she was now suspicious.

The items were already buried, so he wasn't afraid. He took off his jacket, held it with both hands, and shook it upside down, letting everything in the pockets fall to the ground. He looked at Ma Wu and sneered, "Which item is stolen?"

Ma Wu glanced at the ground and pointed at Liu Qian, "And him."

Liu Qian laughed and, mimicking Xu Mo, took off his jacket, shook it upside down, and let the items fall to the ground, mixing them with Xu Mo's. He then asked, "We've been searched. Aren't you going to prove your innocence?"

Ma Wu said nothing, bent down to check the items, then 'humphed' and took off his own clothes, shaking them to show his innocence.

Miss Shen looked at the three of them and suddenly waved her hand. The bodyguards approached, and she pointed at Xu Mo and the others, instructing in a low voice, "Search them."

One of the bodyguards, seemingly the leader, responded and waved two of them forward to search Xu Mo and the others.

Xu Mo was calm, spreading his hands to let them search. Liu Qian and Ma Wu did the same.

The two bodyguards searched the three of them but found nothing suspicious. Miss Shen said nothing, and without waiting for the search to finish, she left the courtyard. The other bodyguards followed her.

After the bodyguards dispersed, Xiao Chen waved his hand, "Dismissed." The part-time workers returned to their rooms to sleep.

Xu Mo, Liu Qian, and Ma Wu were the last to leave. Xu Mo bent down to pick up his items, which were mixed with Liu Qian's and Ma Wu's, making it hard to distinguish.

Ma Wu 'humphed' and suddenly pushed Xu Mo, causing him to stumble. Liu Qian kicked Ma Wu in the chest. Ma Wu took a step back, clenched his fists, and was about to attack.

"Stop!" Xiao Chen shouted, stopping them. He walked forward, put his hand on Liu Qian's shoulder, and stared into his eyes, saying coldly, "I don't care where you hid the stuff. Hand it over now, and I'll spare your lives."

The off-road car driver, Old Li, stood to the side, his eyes constantly moving between Liu Qian and Xu Mo, making the atmosphere tense.

Liu Qian glared back, remaining calm, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Xiao Chen seemed extremely angry, his face darkening. He laughed coldly but said no more, instructing Ma Wu, "Keep an eye on them."

Ma Wu's eyes moved between Xu Mo and Liu Qian, and he gritted his teeth, "Don't worry, they won't escape."

Each word seemed to be forced out through his teeth.

Xiao Chen nodded but then glared at him, blaming him for acting rashly and causing Miss Shen to become suspicious.

Ma Wu said awkwardly, "I know they won't carry the stuff with them. I just wanted to try."

Xiao Chen said no more and left with Old Li, not looking at Xu Mo and Liu Qian again. In his mind, he had already marked them as dead.

The three of them gathered their things and returned to their rooms without further conflict. Ma Wu didn't sleep, sitting on the bed and watching Xu Mo and Liu Qian. When they went to the bathroom, he followed closely, and Xu Mo was secretly worried.

The next morning, Ma Wu didn't go to work, following Xu Mo and Liu Qian at a distance. Wherever they went, he followed. When they separated a few times, he ignored Liu Qian and only watched Xu Mo, clearly thinking Xu Mo was easier to deal with.

Xu Mo and Liu Qian also stopped working, wandering around the mountain, looking for a way to escape but finding no opportunity.

Xiao Chen made over a dozen phone calls, gathering people to intercept them on their way back after the part-time job ended.

The two became even more worried. Liu Qian sighed, "This is it. If they catch us, we're dead for sure."

Xu Mo thought of the ferocity of Zhao and Qian from the previous night and had no doubt about their determination to kill. He thought for a moment and asked, "Is there no other way?"

Liu Qian said helplessly, "Unless Shen Bancheng's people help us. We know these three are spies, but Shen Bancheng's people don't. Even if we tell them, they have to believe us. But at this time, these three won't easily reveal themselves."

Xu Mo, not giving up, said, "We have to try. Shen Bancheng's daughter might recognize you. Go talk to her and see what happens."

Liu Qian hesitated, "If she asks how we know, how do we answer?"

Xu Mo was silent for a long time before saying, "If there's no other way, we'll have to tell the truth. The items weren't stolen by us, so we can return them."

Liu Qian shook his head, "Shen Bancheng's business is a big secret. Feng Lao Da and He Lao Da tried everything but couldn't find out. If Shen Bancheng's people know we know this secret, they'll kill us."

Xu Mo, hearing this, agreed. "You have more experience in this. What do you suggest?"

"We need to be flexible. We can make up a story to cover it up. The items Ma Wu stole must not be returned or mentioned," Liu Qian said.

This was Xu Mo's strength. He thought for a moment and came up with an idea: say they overheard Xiao Chen's phone call, which sounded suspicious. They were too far away to hear clearly, but they caught words like 'Madam,' 'Zombie,' 'Black Eagle,' and 'Handgun.' Liu Qian had worked under Hu San, so he was loyal and came to report the news. This story was vague but, given Miss Shen's experience, she would have to believe it.

"Good, let's synchronize our stories," Liu Qian said.

The two discussed the details and then headed for the villa on the hill.

Ma Wu followed closely.

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