Chapter 4, Transactions

Su Mei suddenly screamed from the side: "Shameless person, give me back my phone..."

Compaq shrugged: "What's so unusual? Bringing it back is just out of curiosity, not because I like it. Besides, I can't really figure anything out; perhaps going back would allow me to directly discover what they are up to."

Kang Bo smiled: "Why not, however, we must strike a deal."

Compaq waved his hand: "That is secondary; I want you to find a way to let me participate in the auction."

This fellow is simply a narcissist, boasting about himself has become a habit, and I roll my eyes at him

Oh? I am astonished that with Su Mei's skills, there is actually someone who dares to have designs on her!

***

Not wanting to appear overly clever, he chuckled and simply said, "I know it myself, Miss Gu. Up to this point, I owe you a favor."

On the way back to the detective agency, Su Mei asked about Shao Kangwen's matters no less than twenty times, to which I responded with silence. As we were nearing our destination, I suddenly remembered: "Su Mei, did you forget to bring your phone?"

A man in a suit sat down beside me, unfolded a newspaper, and after a while, he said to me in a very low voice: "Green Lawn Café, Table 6"

Oh, I raised one eyebrow

Su Mei whistled: "Cheng Cheng, you remind me of the time we spent at the academy, when we would sneak out to dance. You complained about not having a proper dance skirt, only a pair of torn jeans..."

I am eager to know the whereabouts of the Aquarius, but he is playing a guessing game with me. I frown and say, "I don't know."

His expression resembled that of a child who refuses to admit defeat, a big child

Su Mei guessed on the other end of the headphones: "Professional thief"

I sat down by the fountain, and in my handbag was a stack of magazines and a German Lilliput . 25 caliber automatic pistol, loaded with six rounds. I opened the bag and took out a copy of "Urban Beauty" to read.

Kang Bo lowered his head a bit awkwardly and took a big sip of coffee

Compaq completely ignored my reaction and continued speaking: "The most outstanding cybersecurity consultant should be fully aware of the techniques of cyber attacks in order to implement appropriate defensive measures, and I, before this job, was an excellent computer hacker"

Who is it

Kang Bo hesitated: "This ... ... is something I recently did on a whim ... ... "

I am a bit annoyed: "You are all in cahoots."

Then let's meet at Central Park at 7 o'clock in the evening. " Kang Bai laughed on the other end, " Hehe, I hope you recognize me.

The Su Mei interface: "Unless his own troubles become exceedingly severe, requiring our assistance"

Originally, such a club was not easy to infiltrate, but I did not know where the security guards had gone. I pushed open the glass door and saw that the two security guards at the bottom of the stairs were unconscious. I knew something was amiss, and then, suddenly, a gunshot rang out in the hall.

Kang Bo actually felt a bit embarrassed: "I don't have enough cash on hand... However, I plan to return it to the auction house after I finish my research. But it seems that someone is quite resourceful and wants to deal with me."

The two fellows actually spoke in unison: "The newly added security guard."

Su Mei fully understood what I was thinking and stepped forward to pat my shoulder: "Buddy, one cannot always look back. We must strive to live in the present. We're just a little bit away from being able to buy the large courtyard where we lived back then. We can hire the best caregivers to take care of those homeless children..."

I suddenly looked up, and Kang Bai's gaze was piercing: "I would like to have another match with you."

Gu Qingcheng

I paused for a moment; that was a long, long time ago, during our last year at the orphanage, when we lived in the large courtyard. We were so poor, yet so happy, that we would have preferred never to grow up

I quickly thought to myself: "Are you saying that you learned about the information of the treasure vase through hacking?"

Of course, it is the escaped Kangbai.

"Got it," Kang Bai snapped his fingers loudly, "You are indeed a clever woman, quite intimidating. Yes, I learned about it from a very peculiar cipher box. At first, it was only the extremely difficult code that attracted me; I spent three sleepless nights deciphering it. Inside was an invitation to an auction, addressed to some unidentified individuals. I became interested in the items being auctioned, and that is how I ended up purchasing that bottle"

I really laughed: "A con artist wants us to assist, but it is truly not a good thing"

I murmured to myself: "What identity would be suitable for him?"

Kang Bo smiled and said softly, "Do not leak my secret"

Shh, I interrupted her, "Is your phone number."

I just got in touch with a friend at the newspaper and wanted to call you, but I happened to see people coming out of your club looking flustered, so I stopped the car to take a look

"Hehe, the thing I fear the least in life is evil people. I just laugh it off. Of course, the chance encounter of Newton being hit on the head by an apple, Mr. Compaq, I suggest you buy a lottery ticket. Will you meet a benefactor when you go out?"

I suddenly laughed, realizing the true identity of this individual, a professional hacker disguising himself as a cybersecurity expert.

Su Mei continued, "I couldn't stop him, yet I wanted to keep him, so I threw what I had in my hand at him, and as a result... that was my mobile phone"

Oh, I raised one eyebrow

Compaq shook my hand, his eyes sparkling: "It seems we need to add another clause to our agreement."

I thought about it: "However, you mentioned that you used to be a hacker, and the auction of the bottle is a recent event, so there seems to be a discrepancy in the timeline here"

I am a bit irritated and coldly said: "Of course, you could send a skilled person to break my heel again. Oh, I’m truly sorry, but I’m currently wearing sneakers, so you could very well break my bones instead."

Kang Bai stared at me, and I returned his gaze. We held this standoff for a quarter of an hour, when suddenly, I heard Su Mei's voice softly coming from my earring: "Stay calm, don't let it get too tense; the other party values their pride too much."

Kang Bo furrowed his brow: "One could say it is not the case, yet it is inextricably linked. Oh, we did not arrange to meet at that place; he happened to be there and saw my misfortune..."

I also lowered my voice: "Compaq"

I am somewhat surprised, not because he has once again used the adjective "outstanding" in a graphic manner. To be honest, I never imagined that a computer hacker would look like this. I thought such beings should be described as sleazy, underdeveloped, and pale, as they are likely to lack physical activity and prefer to hide in their burrows like groundhogs, engaging in disreputable activities.

That guy has taken the line

I rubbed my temple: "Alright, I promise you, but you must promise me that there will be no unforeseen circumstances. At the very least, you must guarantee that no unforeseen circumstances caused by you will occur."

I suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Oh, so it is Mr. Shao Kangwen. I actually didn't know that you two were acquainted."

I nodded slightly; indeed, it is not easy to deal with Kang Bai's skills, especially since he is eager to extricate himself, which may have caused Su Mei to suffer a minor setback

Kang Bai suddenly blurted out a nonsensical remark: "Kang Wenzan, your skills are extraordinary. It is said that the two punches you threw at me, the cannon punch and the horizontal punch, transform fire into earth, and water flows naturally, deeply embodying the essence of Xingyi Quan..."

I extended my hand: "Alright, Mr. Hacker, I wish us a pleasant collaboration."

I stared, not knowing what this had to do with the scam

A quarter of an hour later, Kangbai appeared

I fixed my gaze on his eyes: "A portion of the money you contribute will be fully returned to you"

Suddenly, my phone rang, and Su Mei nervously exclaimed: "Damn it, why is it still this song 'Casablanca', such an old-fashioned tune..."

Hello

I hesitated, as it concerns the issue of our detective agency's credibility

I casually asked: "It's just a trivial matter, who has the time to tell you that?"

Su Meina's remarkable news sense makes it a waste of talent for her not to continue as a journalist

I waved my hand and said, "Don't say anymore; you didn't take such a great risk to meet me just to reminisce, did you"

Compaq did not wait for my objection and said: "What should the most outstanding cybersecurity consultant be like?"

"It is a deception..." I corrected him

Hehe, the other party smiled and said, "It's me, haven't you been looking for me all along?"

I took a deep breath and turned my gaze away to drink my coffee

Kang Bo smiled and said softly, "Do not leak my secret" wwwhetushucom.com

Cough, I choked on my coffee

Kang Bo said proudly: "If you can't guess, there's no need to feel embarrassed. Actually, my profession is that I currently serve as a security consultant for the government network."

I extended my hand and said, "Alright, Mr. Hacker, I wish us a pleasant collaboration."

I took a breath: "Are you saying to return it to us?"

A sudden flash of inspiration struck me: "You didn't deceive the treasure vessel just for the sake of others' praise, did you"

At the detective agency, I changed into a loose white shirt, jeans, and sneakers. On the collar, a small beetle-shaped pin, the size of a pinky nail, concealed a tiny wireless microphone. In my ears, diamond studs were embedded with radio receivers. My long hair... After some thought, I tied it into a ponytail

Cough cough I have once again choked on coffee

"Yes, I have been commissioned to investigate the bottle in your possession." I remained calm.

I furrowed my brow, unable to understand what the other party was up to. "After escaping, he could easily hide away and wouldn't need to contact us, unless..."

I rushed in, and a man ran out from inside. We nearly collided, and he looked somewhat familiar. Guess who I saw

Table 6 is right behind the piano. I sat down and ordered a cup of black coffee

The other party actually knows my identity, which should not be underestimated

Compaq raised his head and frowned: "Your imagination is too vivid. Well, this has to start with my profession. What do you think I do?"

Compaq shook my hand, his eyes sparkling: "It seems we need to add another clause to our agreement."

I got off at the corner of the street and spent ten minutes browsing the items in the glass display windows. Once I was completely sure that no one was following me, I headed towards Central Park

This time it was Compaq's turn to be furious, as he glared at me: "I did not arrange for any assistance; we just happened to meet."

I made no indication; ten minutes later, I yawned, packed my things, and headed towards the café

Kang Bo smiled: "Of course, I do not like antiques; I merely wish to know the secret"

Su Mei kept whispering in my ear: "Promise him, promise him..."

Wait, he doesn't have eyes on the back of his head, how would he know that I once saved his life, unless he has an inside informant

I was thinking sarcastically when Kang Bai, with a smiling gaze, sat down and cheerfully said: "Miss Gu, we meet again. My surname is Shao, Shao Kang Bai. We just encountered each other at the club last time, and I didn't expect that we are truly fated to meet again so soon"

Su Mei glared at me: "If you want to laugh, go ahead, but be careful not to suffocate yourself... Alas, my newly replaced Samsung..."

I waved my hand and strode out. The wind blowing towards me was a bit cold, so I raised my hand and called out: "TAXI"

As night falls and the city lights begin to shine, the night scene of this metropolis is so beautiful, so unreal. Memories resemble the highway in a rearview mirror, so beautiful, so desolate, so far away. And ahead, in a place very far away, lies a vast darkness

"Kangbai? Who is that? What I saw was the person we need to apprehend! I thought he looked somewhat familiar, so I intended to stop him to confirm and ask what was happening inside. However, he ignored me and just rushed out. I recognized his silhouette and wanted to catch him, but... he got away."

I raised my eyebrows and said, "You still owe me a pair of shoes"

A very ordinary pullover ski sweater paired with sports pants, yet even in such a low-key outfit, his striking handsomeness still attracts the attention of many in the café. Some people are simply born to be stars; with looks reminiscent of those in movies who hand a flower to a cabaret dancer and perform a lively tango, it seems a bit of a waste for him not to pursue this path.

I truly want to laugh heartily, but I cannot bring myself to do so. It is also because this guy threw away my own shoes. To be honest, I am indeed more unfortunate than Su Mei.

I forced a smile: "Is it just because he did not praise you? Do you think we should compete again in the arena?"

He still wore that damned smile: "Someone told me you once saved my life, so I came specifically to express my gratitude"

Are you planning to return to the auction? I was surprised again

Ah. Su Mei immediately became agitated, "My phone has been stolen."

Oh, someone has already returned it for me

Compaq lazily said: "Danger? I don't think so... Since I was able to escape once, I can certainly do it a second time"