Chapter 418: Song Xingchen Is Sho (1/2)

Their hands were tied regarding this matter so I could only look to Bingxin for help.

”Song Yang-gege, I’m in the university laboratory right now. The soil sample has been analyzed. I found coal and lime,” reported Bingxin.

”Coal and lime?” I mused. This didn’t narrow the range at all. There are many heavy industrial factories around Nanjiang City.

It was getting late so Song Xingchen and I said goodbye to each other and agreed to meet early next morning.

The next day, I was awoken by a call from an unfamiliar number. Since part of the number was hidden, I couldn't see the caller ID. The voice of the Dog Trainer came from the other end of the line, ”Little Detective, come out for breakfast. I’m waiting for you at Yonghe Soymilk near your home!”

I got dressed at once and woke Dali up, reminding him of the busy day ahead.

Downstairs of our apartment, Song Xingchen leaned against a telephone pole with his favorite bubble tea in his hand. He pulled out a metal expandable baton and handed it to me. Waving it in the air, I found it rather nifty so I kept it in my pocket.

”Let's go!” I said, turning to him. Thus, we both headed to Yonghe Soymilk.

There were few customers around this time. The Dog Trainer stood at the counter, ordering soymilk, fried dough sticks and steamed buns. He kindly reminded the cashier that their shirt buttons were undone, to which the cashier whispered thanks.

If I passed this plain-looking man in the streets, I never would have imagined he was a vicious criminal.

The Dog Trainer brought us breakfast, ”Come on, let's go out for a walk!”

With him leading the way, Song Xingchen and I followed him to the park. Wiping the bench with a paper towel, he sat down and opened the takeout boxes. ”I don't know what you like so I bought a bit of everything.”

”There’s no need for courtesies. Let’s get down to business!” I sneered.

He bit into the steamed bun and smiled, “Mmm, these pickled veggie and pork steamed buns are delicious! Would you like to try one?”

We stood there, watching him finish breakfast by himself. Then, he cleaned his mouth with a paper towel and began, ”Yesterday, you made me lose an important customer on top of a lot of money.”

“I finished the task you gave me,” I retorted.

”Little detective, you’re not very sincere. Stop with your little tricks. Here’s a bit of punishment for you!”

”Xingchen!!!” I shouted, rushing over to check his injury. It turned out that a bullet hit him and the sniper had used a silencer. I looked up and saw a reflection on one of the buildings in the distance which seemed the perfect location for a sniper.

Song Xingchen crouched on the ground, using his Tang Sword to prop himself up. Cold sweat dotted his forehead though he feigned composure, ”I-I'm fine.”

Gritting my teeth, I glared at the Dog Trainer.

”There’s the punishment if you don’t behave. This shot is just a warning. Your task today is relatively simple. I need you to escort a client out of Nanjiang safely. Don't you dare touch a hair on his head. Do you understand?”

The Dog Trainer stood up with the cup of soymilk in his hand. ”Send your friend to the hospital first. My people will be waiting for you here at eight o'clock.”

As I watched him leave, I could hear my own teeth rattling from the suppressed rage. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed 120. Fortunately, the bullet hit Song Xingchen’s abdomen and wasn’t anywhere near his spine. The sniper’s marksmanship was excellent. The purpose of the shot wasn’t to kill him but to isolate me.

A while later, the ambulance arrived and the paramedic carried Song Xingchen into the vehicle. In the ambulance, he grabbed my hand and said, ”Young Master, let me go with you later.”

”No,” I shook my head. “Take good care of yourself. The Dog Trainer won't kill me. He wants to use me. I owe you for this. I promise to pay my debts!”