Chapter 298: Deadly Music (1/2)

Xiaotao and I waited outside for Captain Zhang to pack up. ”Don’t think that we get along just because SWAT officers and criminal investigation policemen are both members of the public security system,” said Xiaotao. “There are actually a lot of contradictions between the two departments, and we both look down on each other. We at the criminal investigation department think that they’re all armed men who only know how to use brute force while they think we’re all talk!”

”This sort of conflict exists everywhere,” I remarked. “At university, my department and the mechanical engineering department can’t stand each other as well.”

“Now that the three targets have been found, I'll get the SWAT team to send snipers to strategic locations around the city bureau to protect them. As soon as we hear any suspicious sounds, the snipers will take out the player.”

”What if a street performer comes?” I laughed. “Now that would be a real disaster...”

At this moment, I suddenly heard a melodious tune, sorrowful and aggrieved, filled with anguish. Although I didn't know much about musical instruments, I could tell which traditional Chinese musical instrument it was–the xun!

Xiaotao and I felt our blood run cold. ”Plug your ears!” I cried.

However, blocking our ears was of little use; the music was almost intrusive. At this point, Xiaotao took out her gun, pulled me close and fired three shots into the sky right beside our ears. The thunderous gunfire shocked my ears into ringing, and for an instant, I couldn't hear any sounds.

We immediately turned around, bumping into Captain Zhang along the way back to the dormitory. Without warning, Xiaotao whipped a leg at his head, intending to knock the man out but Captain Zhang’s defensive abilities proved too strong. He stood there, solid as a rock as he stared at Xiaotao with a look of bewilderment.

The ringing in my ears gradually subsided around the time the music ended. ”Was Long Bangguo playing that stupid tune that sounded like a crying ghost?” asked Captain Zhang. “And here I thought it would be some terrifying demonic tune,” he mocked.

”Did you hear all of it?” Xiaotao asked in consternation.

”I did! Aren’t you guys making a big fuss out of nothing?” scoffed Captain Zhang. “Look at me! Can’t you see I’m fine and dandy?!”

Xiaotao grabbed her handcuffs and said, ”I’m sorry, we’ll have to handcuff you to prevent you from committing any self-harm.”

”Nice job! Handcuffing me instead of going after the suspect!” snickered Captain Zhang. “Alas! The efficiency of you criminal police!”

Despite the reluctance, he obediently reached out both hands and allowed Xiaotao to handcuff him. ”If we’re seen by my colleagues, you’ll have to explain the situation,” cried Captain Zhang, somewhat distraught. “Or they might think I’ve committed a crime.”

”There’s no need for that,” Captain Zhang shook his head. “Our building has good sound insulation.”

In spite of that, Xiaotao wasn’t willing to take the risk. She called the city bureau and immediately dispatched officers to restrain anyone nearby who might have heard the music in order to prevent unnecessary deaths.

We took Captain Zhang's car back to the bureau, with Xiaotao in the driver’s seat while I sat beside her, keeping an eye on the man in the back. On the road, Captain Zhang chattered endlessly, insisting that we were making a mountain out of a molehill and aggrandizing how strong his willpower was.

But at some point, I noticed an odd change in his eyes as he fell silent at once. ”What's wrong with you?” I shook him hard.

”I’m a bit sleepy,” smiled Captain Zhang. “Can I take a nap?”

Before I could reply, Captain Zhang had fallen asleep slumped in his seat, breathing out soft, rhythmic snores much to my relief. When we arrived at the entrance of the public security bureau, Director-General Cheng was already waiting for us with a team of officers. ”Lao Zhang, why are you handcuffed?” he asked.

”You’ll have to thank Officer Huang and Consultant Song for that. They’re so afraid I’ll commit suicide, hence the handcuffs,” chuckled Captain Zhang. “But you know me, why the hell would I commit suicide?”

But his microexpressions told another story–the stiff smile that took less than the required twenty-six muscles on his face indicated he was pretending. Keeping my voice low, I turned to Xiaotao and proposed Captain Zhang be given a sedative with officers watching him round the clock.