Chapter 103
Nangong Iren
Jenqyih patted Yihshyong on the shoulder. It was obvious that there was a hint of worry on his face. "Shyongge, have your emotions cooled down?"
Yihshyong nodded in slow motion. He seemed unsure of himself.
"Rendi, now it's better to go to the next-door neighbor's house to pick up the new bag you got this afternoon." Jenqyih's voice sounded so firm.
"How about the cuffs and the trimmer?" Iren couldn't hide the doubt he felt.
"We will think about that after this," said Jenqyih. "Let's finish our business one by one."
"Okay!" Iren got up from where he was sitting. He immediately walked to the front door.
"I'm going there!" Yihshyong also stood up.
Iren stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at Yihshyong and Jenqyih.
"Are Shyongge sure?" Jenqyih raised his eyebrows.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
"Let's not waste any more time." Iren continued walking. Yihshyong pursued Iren. The two of them walked out of the house at a very fast pace. At the entrance, they met Jinqkang, who had just returned from the gate.
"Where are you going, Sir?" Jinqkang opened his mouth.
"Get the bag at the house next door." Iren said those words with such a fast tempo.
"Ah! I almost forgot about that." Jinqkang patted his forehead. "I'll wait inside, Sir!"
Iren and Yihshyong nodded. They speedily left the house and headed to the next house. Shiuander Janji's gate was unlocked so they could enter the yard easily. Arriving on the front porch, they knocked on the door.
Thirty seconds later, the door opened.
"I've been waiting a long time." Shiuander Janji appeared from behind the door. "Come on, please come in."
Iren and Yihshyong entered and sat down in the living room right away. Shiuander went inside. Not long after, he was came out again with a plastic bag.
"I haven't opened the package yet." Shiuander smiled. He handed the plastic wrap to Iren. Folded and neatly wrapped like that, the bag didn't look that big. But later, after being stretched, let alone filled with goods, the correct size of the bag will be seen.
"You guys look unenthusiastic? Haven't we solved the problem? Are there any other problems?" Shiuander looked at Iren and Yihshyong with worried eyes.
Iren looked at Yihshyong. Yihshyong nodded. After that, Iren told him about the calls they received from the kidnappers. Shiuander listened to Iren's story carefully.
"It's almost six o'clock now," Shiuander said. "It's not easy to find things like that. If we have two or three days, maybe I could try."
"Therefore, we are very perplexed at this time." Iren sighed. He really felt helpless.
"The iron cuffs in the bag, what kind of model are they?" asked Shiuander.
"I can't explain it," said Iren. "But all of these things are now in our house. Would you like to see them?"
"May I see it?"
"Of course you may, Sir!" Iren nodded enthusiastically. He hoped Shiuander could help them one more time.
Iren and Yihshyong then took Shiuander to their house to see Songfei's belongings.
Jenqyih was watching television in the living room when Iren appeared at the door. In his ears attached a pair of earphones connected to a transistor radio. Iren laughed. Sometimes Jenqyih did act weird like that. There were not many people like Jenqyih, who sometimes watched television and listened to the radio at the same time.
"Oh sorry, I didn't hear you guys opening the gate." Jenqyih pointed at the earphones he was wearing. He quickly removed the earphones.
"It's okay," said Iren. "Yihge, you just keep listening to the radio, please."
"Ah! It's just sports matches. I don't listen too seriously," Jenqyih said.
"Here is Mr. Shiuander. He wants to see what kind of handcuffs we are looking for," said Iren.
"Maybe I have a way to help you guys," Shiuander said. But I have to know the model and type of handcuffs first."
Jenqyih nodded. "I am very happy to hear that, Sir. Please sit down first."
"Thank you." Shiuander then sat down on the couch in the living room.
"Where's Jinqkang?" Yihshyong looked around. After a long silence, he finally opened his mouth, too.
Jenqyih laughed. "He's taking a shower. Later, after he's done taking a shower, it's my turn to take a shower."
"We haven't even showered yet!" Iren laughed at Yihshyong.
Yihshyong smiled.
"If you want to take a shower first, that's fine," said Jenqyih. "I'll just take the last turn."
"No need! Have you forgotten that we are all flexible?" Iren smiled so broadly. "In one day, we do bathe twice, but it doesn't have to be like that. Bathing only once, or even not bathing at all, is fine. After all, we have little time right now."
Yihshyong went straight into Shannchyuan's room. Iren knew Yihshyong would put the plastic wrap they brought from Shiuander's house into Shannchyuan's room. In less than two minutes, he was out again. He didn't come out empty-handed. This time, he brought Songfei's iron cuffs and trimmer with him.
Yihshyong walked over with quick steps. He put the two objects on the table in the living room.
"Oh! Handcuffs like these!" Shiuander exclaimed. His face turned very bright.
"What's the matter, Sir?" Jenqyih seemed interested in Shiuander's reaction.
"I have to go home in a moment to get something. I have something important to show you guys," Shiuander said.
"Please, Sir!" said Iren.
Straight away, Shiuander got up and ran outside. Yihshyong, Iren, and Jenqyih waited for the old man to return. Just then, Jinqkang came out of the bathroom. He had changed clothes.
"I'm done, Sir! Please Mr. Dongfang, you can use the bathroom." Jinqkang said that while approaching the three people who were in the living room.
"Later," said Jenqyih. "I'm curious about what Mr. Shiuander will show. Right after seeing what Mr. Shiuander has brought, I will go into the bathroom."
Jinqkang looked at the handcuffs and trimmer on the table. After that, he turned to Yihshyong and Iren questioningly.
"We are waiting for Mr. Shiuander. He said that maybe he can help us," said Iren.
"Mr. Shiuander has handcuffs that look exactly like this?" asked Jinqkang.
Jenqyih shook his head. "I don't know. He was here earlier. Now, he's on his way home for a while to get something. He was going to show us it. The man didn't go into details."
Iren nodded. "You just sit back and see what he will show."
Jinqkang obeyed. He sat beside Jenqyih. They didn't have to wait too long. About ten minutes later, Shiuander appeared from the other side of the door.
"I'm sorry it took me a while. I have to find this stuff first." Shiuander brandished the book he was carrying.
"What book is that, Sir?" Iren looked sharply at the object in Shiuander's hand.
"This is a catalog of objects that are props for film production."
"Have you ever worked in the film industry?" Jinqkang asked.
"As I once told Mr. Shimen, I have worked in various fields. But I have never made a film. At that time, I was only a kind of supplier of properties used in film production. In fact, I wasn't really the supplier, because I was only connecting those who made the film with the original supplier. You could say that I was just a kind of broker. I got this catalog from that supplier."
Iren had caught Shiuander's point. This old man had tried various kinds of work. It wouldn't be strange if he had a great deal of experience.
After sitting on the couch, Shiuander immediately opened the catalog book. He flipped through the pages in the catalog.
Ah! Hopefully, this is the bright spot we need!
"Take a look at this page." Shiuander pointed at one of the catalog pages.
The catalog book contains pictures of items that people who want to make films can order. The page Shiuander showed them was a page that contained descriptions of the types of handcuffs offered by the supplier.
"These handcuffs are very similar to Mr. Gongyang's," said Jenqyih. He pointed to a picture of handcuffs on the page.
"The details are on another page," Shiuander said. He turned a few pages and showed everyone. On that page, the pictures were bigger and taken from different angles. The specifications were also written in full. It was exactly the same as Songfei's handcuffs lying on the table.
Iren breathed a sigh of relief.
"How about a trimmer like this one?" Jenqyih frowned.
Shiuander flipped through the pages in the catalog. He couldn't find a mustache trimmer there.
"Maybe it's in another catalog," Shiuander said. "When I moved here, I didn't take all my stuff with me. I left a lot of things in the old house. So it was only a coincidence that I took this catalog with me."
"Is the supplier of these things still active in business?" Jenqyih's face looked hopeful.
"As far as I know, he is still active. But I don't know whether he is currently in this city or not. I have to contact him first."
"We have to hurry," Jenqyih said. "Our time is very limited."
"All right! I'm going home now to contact the supplier," Shiuander said. After that, he stood up and walked out straightway.
"Now, what are our plans?" Jenqyih asked after Shiuander had left their front yard.
"Is there anything else you forgot to say?" Yihshyong glared at Jenqyih. He noticed the look on Jenqyih's face.
"I see..." Jenqyih winced. "Not that I forgot. The police just called us again."
"When will the police contact us again?" asked Iren.
"Right after you left the house to pick up the bag that you left at Mr. Shiuander's house earlier."
"What did the police say?" Iren asked.
"The police said that the replacement items that the police could get hold of were already at the police station in Yuehming. They didn't send the items to the temporary police station behind this house because the risk is too big."
"So we have to go to the police station in Yuehming to pick up the things?" asked Iren.
"Right!"
"In that case, after getting the handcuffs and maybe also the trimmers, we will go to Yuehming," said Yihshyong.
"You have to take the two bags with you because the police will install a tracking device on the two bags," Jenqyih said.
"But we can't say for sure what time we will get there," said Iren.
"That's fine. The police said earlier that the police station would be open twenty-four hours. All you have to do is say that you will meet a police inspector named Chuanchyi Shanqmi."
"Chuanchyi Shanqmi?" Jinqkang looked interested when he heard the name mentioned by Jenqyih.
"Right. Do you know him?" Jenqyih looked a little surprised.
"I've heard of that name, but I can't remember where," Jinqkang said.
"Later after this, through Huahshianq, I will tell the police that tonight you will definitely go to the police station in Yuehming," said Jenqyih.
"Now let me take Songfei's bag first," Yihshyong said.
"Shyongge, don't forget to take out the bag we just got," said Iren.
Yihshyong nodded. He went back into Shannchyuan's room. Less than a minute inside, he was out of the room. He came out carrying two objects. A big blue bag that was entrusted by Songfei and a plastic bag containing the big bag that they just got this afternoon.
"If we do find handcuffs and a shaving kit that matches the originals, then we'll shove them straight into the bag. All sorts of problems will be sorted out." Iren felt thrilled when he said those words.
"What if it turns out that the items are no longer available?" Jinqkang showed a very serious face. "Shouldn't we prepare another plan?"
"I haven't thought that far yet," Yihshyong said. "But I think we'll improvise as hard as we can to find items that are close enough."
"That's right, Sir," Jinqkang said. "Now that I think about it, Mr. Jongharng's opinion made a lot of sense. The delay in handing over the ransom items doesn't seem to be because they want us to deliver goods that are exactly the same as the originals, but because they are not ready to hand over ransom goods at the agreed time."
"That's right," said Iren. "We're still trying to get exactly the same stuff, but it doesn't absolutely have to be that way."
"Hopefully, the supplier where Mr. Shiuander's acquaintance is not too far from here. I'm not comfortable if we have to keep asking Mr. Shiuander for help," said Yihshyong.
"All right! We're leaving now," said Iren.
"Wait a minute! Now you must take a good look at this mustache trimmer. We have no photos of this thing. So please keep in mind the shape and size of this thing." Jenqyih pointed at the mustache trimmer lying on the table.
Yihshyong and Iren nodded. They watched the mustache trimmer carefully.
"I think that's enough," Yihshyong said. "Jenqyih, is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"So far, nothing!" Jenqyih said.
"Jinqkang, we are going out now," said Iren.
"Be careful on the road," Jinqkang said.
"Jenqyih, see you soon!"
"See you tonight," Jenqyih said.
Iren and Yihshyong followed Shiuander, who had left for the next house a few minutes earlier. Neither the gate nor the door to Shiuander's house was unlocked, so the two of them could easily enter the house.
When they got inside, they saw Shiuander had just hung up the phone.
"I called his house, but he's out of town," Shiuander said.
"So what next, Sir?" Iren didn't know what to say. He felt disappointed.
"The people at the house already know me. So it doesn't matter. They'll call the warehouse where the stuff is stored. The guard there will let us in."
Iren breathed a sigh of relief.
"Regarding the payment...." Yihshyong seemed reluctant to continue his words.
"You guys just calm down. Don't worry. About that, let me take care of it." Shiuander comforted Yihshyong and Iren.
"Thank you, Sir," said Iren. "But, there is something else, Sir"
"What's the matter, Sir?" asked Shiuander.
Iren then informed Shiuander that the police asked them to come to the police station in Yuehming.
"Then we'll go to the police station right after we get those things," Shiuander said.
"Thank you, Sir." Iren said.
"Let's go now," Shiuander said. "Or do you two want to have a drink first?"
"No, Sir," said Iren. "We shouldn't waste time."
They then left the house. Shiuander's car was still in the driveway, so it only took them a moment to get the car out of the driveway. Before leaving, Shiuander did not forget to lock the door of the house and the gate. Iren sat in the front next to Shiuander, while Yihshyong sat in the back, like an employer.
"We're leaving now!"
After saying that, Shiuander instantly stepped on the Accelerator pedal. The car sped away from their housing complex in a flash.
This trip takes about half an hour. Unlike the warehouse they visited earlier this morning, this time it was just a house. But not an ordinary house. The house was a large and magnificent building. The house, which comprised three floors, was located on land which, according to Iren's estimation, must have an area of more than three thousand square meters.
The guard at the place already knew they were coming. He motioned for the three new arrivals to enter. The person was very tall. His face looked scary.
He gave several catalog books to Iren and Yihshyong. One of the catalog books was the same as the one Shiuander had shown them earlier. Iren and Yihshyong flipped through the catalog books promptly.
"Ah! Shyongge, isn't this the same mustache trimmer as Songfei's?" Iren pointed at a picture in the catalog book he was reading.
Yihshyong looked at the picture. He smiled. "You're right! This is indeed exactly the same size and color."
They then approached the guard.
"We want handcuffs like these and this trimmer," Yihshyong told the guard.
The guard nodded. "I'll take you to the second floor."
"I'll just wait here, okay?" Shiuander said.
"All right, Sir! Let the two of us go up there," said Iren.
The guard then led them up to the second floor via a beautiful staircase. As Iren had predicted, the house was enormous. The area of the building on the second floor was approximately the same as the area of the building on the first floor. The guard led them to the front of a room. He opened the door of the room.
"Please gentlemen, look for the things you want yourself. I'll wait here." The guard pointed at a couch outside the room.
"Is this where the metal cuffs and the shaving kit are kept?" Yihshyong asked.
"The iron handcuffs are here. But the shaving kit is in another room. After you get the handcuffs, I will take them to a place where you can get the thing."
Yihshyong and Iren looked at each other. Iren didn't know that this guard was a lazy person or that it wasn't his job. No wonder Shiuander had refused to go upstair. Maybe he already knew that person's character. They had no other choice but to look for the items themselves.
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