S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 3 Chapter 93

Lucky Murderer 23 – Cafeteria Fishing Fiasco

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Zhan Zhao advocated putting out a long line to catch a big fish, and although the crowd couldn't figure it out, Zhan Zhao was just like the brain, and SCI has always honoured an advertising slogan – Trust the cat, that's right!

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang carefully arranged the next action, just waiting for the night to capture people, of course… they had to let the wind out in due course, that is to say, they need to put the bait first.

There was still time to eat a meal before leaving for the evening. Zhan Zhao poked Ma Han, "Do you want to go to eat?"

Ma Han was a bit puzzled, and he looked at Zhan Zhao and then at Bai Yutang beside him, "Eat?"

"Oh..." Gongsun walked over with a clear understanding, "The cafeteria is probably guarded by someone waiting to hear the news, it's the most appropriate time for us to release the bait."

"It's not convenient for me and Yutang to go out, as there are people who will be on guard against us." Zhan Zhao had a bad idea, "Wei Ziqiang will not easily make a move in order to avoid suspicion, so he must have his cronies scout for news... His subordinate who can talk to SCI is probably Qian Jiarang. Take Xin Xin with you, that would be most suitable!"

Ma Han nodded "It's fine for me to go... but what should I say?"

"Brother," Ma Xin came over and patted him on the shoulder, "wear a headset, let Dr. Zhan guide you."

Ma Han looked at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, both of whom nodded, "It's settled!"

A while later, Ma Han, Ma Xin, and Gong Sun went to eat together in the cafeteria. Ma Han was wearing a wire and an invisible earpiece, Ma Xin was there to accompany him in his scenes, and Gongsun was there to join in the fun.

The three of them wandered into the cafeteria, while the others listened to the proceedings through the wiretap in the office and refused to go out to eat, so Bai Chi went to buy take-out.

Zhan Zhao nibbled on a slice of pizza while texting.

Bai Yutang watched from the sidelines and asked, "Cat, who are you texting?"

Zhan Zhao blinked, "I'm composing a text message, I haven't sent it out yet, the time is not yet right."

Bai Yutang was puzzled, "What timing?"

Zhan Zhao tsked twice, "Don't send an eagle until you see a rabbit!"

......

At this time, they heard Ma Han in the cafeteria whisper, "The fish is here."

"So quickly, I guess someone has been watching for a long time." Zhao Hu leaned against the window and listened, letting out a laugh, he was still very disgusted with Qian Jiarang.

Zhan Zhao smiled and pressed the send button.

Bai Yutang held his chin, the look on Zhan Zhao's face should be mischievous.

Qian Jiarang didn't actually go to the cafeteria for dinner very often.

The police station's cafeteria was divided into several floors, and everyone went to the floor closest to them. Because police officers are one of the most irregular professions in terms of eating, the police station's internal cafeteria basically serves meals twenty-four hours a day and the food is extremely good, but the higher ranking managers don't often come.

Of course, the people who utilise the cafeteria the most are those in the forensics department... It seems that forensic investigators and forensic examiners love to eat, so presumably the work is more appetising.

Ma Xin knows her way around and asked for several kinds of snacks for dinner.

From pork chop rice to egg drop soup to grilled fish to dessert, and finally a banana and a piece of black rice cake, Ma Han was still watching Ma Xin order food, and helplessly said, "Alas, do not think that you will eat indiscriminately after you get married, be careful of getting fat and Luo Tian not wanting you."

In the office, Luo Tian was drinking tea. Seeing the crowd looking at him, he awkwardly opened his mouth, "It doesn't matter if she is fat or thin..."

Qin Ou laughed at the side.

Ma Xin was still not happy and asked for two pieces of black rice cakes in one go, living up to her title as the police station's queen of a large appetite

"Buying so much, huh?"

Not surprisingly, Qian Jiarang approached Ma Xin and asked, "On night duty?"

Ma Xin sighed, "Ugh... something happened, naturally I have to be on duty."

Ma Xin's words were mostly pre-arranged by Zhan Zhao. Although it's fishing, the egg must not make the fish suspicious while it shows them the bait! After something as big as what happened in the forensic room, it's impossible not to be on duty, it's only natural to be on duty.

"I heard that someone infiltrated the SCI forensics room to destroy the body, is that true?" Qian Jiarang even gossiped.

"Ahem."

At that moment, Gongsun appeared behind him and asked for a grilled fish and then a burger, seemingly having a good appetite.

Zhan Zhao smiled again.

The more Bai Yutang thought about it, the more he didn't understand. Reaching for Zhan Zhao's phone to read the last text message he sent, he was immediately dumbfounded and looked at Zhan Zhao, "Cat, you..."

Zhan Zhao laughed, "A good show is coming!"

Bai Yutang shook his head. From his side, Bai Chi came up to read it with his pizza in his mouth, only to see that this text message from Zhan Zhao was sent to Bai Jintang with the words, "Someone has a crush on Gongsun and is pestering him in the cafeteria and won't let go."

"Heh..." Bai Chi took a deep breath and began to worry if there would be bloodshed in the cafeteria later.

Bai Yutang held his chin up as he continued to listen to the conversation over there.

"Then again, your Captain Bai is too strict." Qian Jiarang continued to talk, "There was an intrusion in the forensic room, does that require field personnel to be on duty, leaving a few of you forensic examiners on guard?"

"Ai, the case is tight and there is not enough manpower." Ma Xin shook her head, "So I, a weak woman, had to eat more, in case something happens, I can at least shout louder if I can't fight."

Qian Jiarang was amused by her and followed the three of them to the dining table to eat. Ma Han, always a man of few words, followed Zhan Zhao's information and found a round table for four and sat down next to Ma Xin.

There were a total of four people at the table, and the fact that Ma Han and Ma Xin were sitting together meant that Qian Jiarang would be next to Gongsun no matter where he sat.

"Shall I lend you some manpower?" Qian Jiarang, oblivious, made it to Ma Han's side and continued to make conversation.

Ma Han looked at him and asked, "Where's the manpower for the loan?"

"I can help with personnel, but I'm afraid your Captain Bai doesn't want them." Qian Jiarang said and asked Gongsun, "Gongsun you are the head of the forensic department, do you want people?"

"Do you offer a live person?" Gongsun asked grimly, chewing on a grilled eel.

Qian Jiarang was startled, did Gongsun want a live person on duty or an autopsy?

Zhan Zhao was in front of the computer, grinning broadly.

Bai Yutang poked Zhan Zhao and pointed at the microphone, signalling - What should they do? Don't just laugh, go fishing!

Zhan Zhao waved his hand, indicating - It's not time yet.

Bai Yutang and the others had to wait patiently.

The crowd had nothing to say as they ate their meals. Gongsun ate the eel and looked at the burger, finding it dry, so he went and asked for another noodle bowl, and ate it with a flourish, muttering as he did so, "Xin Xin ah, why don't we just clean up tonight? Get someone to clean out the freezer, that place will stink even more tomorrow if we don't wash it, the meat sauce is getting hairy."

The other police officers sitting around him had their ears open to listen to the commotion, but they couldn't help but hear them clearly and lost their appetite, so they covered their mouths and ran away.

Qian Jiarang opened his orange juice and took a sip, "I'll arrange the cleaning staff for you."

Gongsun and Ma Xin were not sure whether to answer... because as Zhan Zhao said, it was fishing, this time the fish was hooked, so they did not know how the fire was... For a while, both of them looked at Ma Han, because Ma Han was waiting for Zhan Zhao's instructions.

When Ma Han saw the two of them looking at him, he said in his mind that you two should stop looking and be careful of revealing yourself.

Qian Jiarang was also a bit confused and looked at Ma Han at the same time.

Zhan Zhao spoke to Ma Han, "No, let Lu Fang arrange it."

Ma Han immediately repeated his words. Qian Jiarang looked at Ma Han's expression and had a feeling in his heart that Ma Han probably knew that he was going to transfer him, and that he had some opinions about him. SCI, this group of elites is too self-righteous, upright, and disdainful to be tactful... But this is good, it is easier to talk, and with people who show their displeasure on their faces, you don’t need to be on guard with them.

Bai Yutang poked Zhan Zhao – What's next?

Zhan Zhao smirked at him – There's a trick!

"Lu Fang is looking for external cleaners, right?" Qian Jiarang looked more worried, "There's just been an incident, why don't we have someone in-house do it?"

Ma Han hesitated. In fact he was waiting for Zhan Zhao's instructions, but Zhan Zhao continued to chew pizza on the other end and didn't say anything. Bai Yutang stirred his coffee with his spoon and said, "Is this a new trick to bully honest people?

But in Qian Jiarang's eyes, the reaction seemed normal, reinforcing the fact that Ma Han, who normally looked cool and sharp, was actually quite honest, so he asked, "What's the problem?"

"Nothing." Zhan Zhao chewed pizza, and Ma Han immediately repeated it on his end. Qian Jiarang secretly laughed in his heart, he was really making a scene.

"Hey, Xiao Ma," Qian Jiarang seriously gave Ma Han a thought, "why are you squeaking? You know I admire you the most in the whole SCI, why, what is it that you can't tell me?"

Ma Han smiled, but there was only the sound of Zhan Zhao chewing pizza in his earpiece, so he didn't know what to say, so he just smiled and didn't say anything.

When Qian Jiarang saw the expression on Ma Han's face, he felt that he had brought the right high hat, and that people really liked to hear good things, so he should continue to do so.

Bai Yutang and Bai Chi both felt a bit stuffy and tugged at Zhan Zhao at the same time - Quick!

Zhan Zhao coughed, and Ma Han, who was not sure if he should repeat this, hesitantly coughed as well.

Qian Jiarang knew that the box had been opened and the conversation would be easier afterwards!

Zhao Hu suddenly burst out laughing... Zhan Zhao knew Ma Han too well. Ma Han is a very defensive person, probably due to his occupation as a sniper. Qian Jiarang let him talk. Once he says it, it's too fake, and if he refuses to talk about it, he will not be able to catch any fish.

Zhan Zhao deliberately let Qian Jiarang go through such a small twist. He asked first, but Ma Han did not answer, appearing to be in disagreement with him, and Ma Han spoke a few beautiful words... Qian Jiarang, a rather conceited character, would not suspect deception, but would only be complacent about his own abilities. A young man like Ma Han would not be able to win by playing tricks on him, and would therefore be convinced by the words he would 'set' afterwards.

When Zhan Zhao saw that the situation was almost over, he said, "Let's eat, we all have missions for SCI tonight. If someone from the outside comes, Lu Fang will ask someone to keep an eye on them, but not necessarily for the people on the inside."

Ma Han lost his temper. He knew what method Zhan Zhao used, so he told the truth.

Qian Jiarang nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Oh... I see, ah, it should, it should, hehe."

The SCI crowd also naturally understood Zhan Zhao's method and were speechless at his ability to ‘play’ with people's hearts. Fortunately, he was not a bad guy, but someone who specialized in treating bad guys, or else they would have been in trouble.

Ma Xin ate her meal, and when she saw that Gongsun was eating eel, she went to buy a chicken roll, thinking to herself that recently, Brother Bai might be in greater demand, and that Gongsun's calorie intake was a bit more than usual!

When Gongsun saw her expression, he picked up the corner of his mouth and smiled - So you are eating this much as preparation?

Ma Xin, who has a thick skin but is also a woman, blushed and glared at Gongsun, who laughed.

At that moment, Zhao Hu, who was leaning against the window, saw a black car speeding into the parking lot below and said, "Shit! Big Brother Bai's car is here."

Zhan Zhao immediately looked at his watch, smiled, and ran to the microphone to say to Ma Han, "Ma Han."

Ma Han was eating, and when he heard Zhan Zhao call him, he guessed what Zhan Zhao would ask him to do next, and listened nonchalantly.

Zhan Zhao looked at his watch and counted about fifteen seconds before saying to Ma Han, "Pretend to go get more dishes."

Ma Han froze, but did not hesitate, and stood up to get more food. The table was not too big, so when Ma Han wanted to get up, Qian Jiarang moved his chair to the side and got closer to Gongsun.

Gongsun chewed on his chicken roll and watched him, waiting for Ma Han to return from getting more dishes and resume fishing.

And across the table sat Ma Xin, who was facing the main entrance, and saw a figure appear at the door... Ma Xin almost bit her tongue, thinking - Good boy! Wonderful ah!

Ma Han walked to the place where the additional dishes were and looked back, and also drew a cold breath. He worked out what Zhan Zhao meant, because Bai Jintang had come at some point and was standing behind Gongsun.

"Xiao Ma, what kind of dish?" The older lady who served the food saw that Ma Han hadn't eaten much of his food and asked in confusion.

"Bai..." Ma Han opened his mouth, and the older woman immediately gave him a spoonful of cabbage, accompanied by lion's head. (Angel: Lion’s head is a Huaiyang cuisine.)

Ma Han wiped his sweat and walked back with the food.

Qian Jiarang saw Ma Han come back, so he continued to move aside, leaning quite close to Gongsun, so that Ma Han could sit down easily. Ma Han saw Bai Jintang's face darken a few more times, and said to himself - Finished.

Gongsun chewed on his chicken roll and was ready to move on to the next part of the action, but he felt his eyes twitching. A cold shiver ran down his back, and a shadow in his dinner plate.

And at that moment, the SCI crowd was gathered in front of the computer because Jiang Ping just couldn't help himself and pulled up the surveillance footage from the cafeteria to watch, which was now in full volume.

Bai Jintang was seen walking behind Gongsun with a black face, looking at Gongsun and Qian Jiarang's arms almost touching each other.

"I bet Big Brother will be furious." Zhao Hu bet twenty dollars.

"No way, Brother has been a lot more sensible lately." Bai Chi also bet twenty dollars.

The crowd took out money to bet on the two sides.

Zhan Zhao, however, suddenly coughed into the mic, waking up Ma Han who was staring at Bai Jintang in a daze, "Big Brother Bai."

Ma Han complied with Zhan Zhao and called out for Big Brother Bai.

"Ahem..."

This was followed by Gongsun's cough, and Qian Jiarang turning around to see Bai Jintang.

He did know Bai Jintang, who donated more than half of the new police equipment in the police station, especially that futuristic, ultra-luxury forensic room. The fact that he and Gongsun are legally married is also well known in the police department. It's just that... he doesn't know why this elder brother of the Bai family is looking at himself so ‘coldly', or is it that the Bai family is always so ‘cool'?

Bai Yutang held his forehead and waited for the tragedy to happen.

Gongsun understood, jumping to his feet and cursing in his heart - Damn cat, dare to backstab me!

Zhan Zhao smirked, took out twenty dollars, and pressed it between the two piles, "I bet on the leopard, the fight won't start and Brother will be dragged away by Gongsun."

Sure enough, they saw Gongsun dragging Bai Jintang, who was about to kill Qian Jiarang, away, "What are you doing here?"

"To catch the adultery." Bai Jintang replied, and Gongsun kicked him and dragged him away by his tie. He was so shrewd that he instantly understood that Zhan Zhao was making a nasty move to screw with someone, and at the same time giving a reasonable reason for him not to show up tonight.

It's just that not being in the forensics room tonight and going home is even worse. Bai Jintang is definitely going to want to toss and turn, so he should have eaten an extra chicken roll.

Ma Han and Ma Xin, the two siblings, one carrying a dish tray and the other holding a milk tea, were sweating for Qian Jiarang, this is considered a dodge, huh?

"What's wrong?" Qian Jiarang was still at a loss.

Zhan Zhao told Ma Han through the microphone, "Nothing, let's eat."

Ma Han repeated the sentence in the same way and sat down to eat.

Ma Xin, on the other hand, was gossiping, "Officer Qian, you got Gongsun killed oh!"

"Huh?" Qian Jiarang opened his mouth

Zhan Zhao nodded in satisfaction, most women would gossip, but a woman who gossips when she should is a smart woman.

Afterwards, Ma Xin told him in graphic detail that Brother Bai was a jealous man, and if Gongsun hadn't dragged him away in time, he would have had to shed his skin today!

Qian Jiarang wiped his sweat, thinking that the scene just now might be easily misunderstood. He had heard that Bai Jintang was an eccentric person, but there are no normal people in SCI, including their relatives!

Zhan Zhao picked up the microphone and said to Ma Han, "Xin Xin, Gongsun can't come tonight, is it okay for you to do it alone?"

Ma Han immediately repeated.

"Well..." Ma Xin was so smart, she wrinkled her nose and answered, "what can I do, you all have to go out."

"You go up to the office and stay there, Jiang Ping and Luo Tian are there." Ma Han said following Zhan Zhao's words.

"But the captain said there should be someone in the forensic room." Ma Xin answered.

"Or we can ask Captain Bai to get someone to fix the glass and clean up later." Ma Han followed Zhan Zhao's words, "That way there will be someone, so you don't have to stay."

"Oh, that's fine, I'll find Luo Tian." Ma Xin smiled back. She liked Luo Tian, which was something that was known all over the police station. Ma Xin's condition was good, and there were many people chasing after her, but she was afraid of trouble so she let the word out. All the boys in the police station were quite opinionated, saying that SCI was fattening the water.

After a quickly finished meal, Ma Han and Ma Xin went back to the office, Qian Jiarang only said goodbye to the two before he hurried back to his own place, probably to report the situation.

Ma Han and Ma Xin entered the elevator and gave each other a high five - The fish was caught!

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: June 9, 2022 by Angel