SFS Chapter 992 Hiding in the Hotel
Chapter 992 Hiding in the Hotel
For the next few days, the group stayed at the Far East Hotel, but it was much more leisurely than before, at least their personal safety was guaranteed.
However, everyone is still very eager to return to normal life. The first thing they do every morning is to send Dingxiang downstairs to buy the day's newspaper. Since there are four people, they have to buy two copies each time.
Every time they got a newspaper, the first thing everyone did was check for news about Ouyang Bao.
Gui'er knew that Ouyang Bao's body couldn't surface so quickly; it would have to stay in the sea for several more days, becoming unrecognizable before the fatal wounds became invisible. But she was also worried. If it became too deeply submerged, it would be unrecognizable. As a police officer, if Ouyang Bao disappeared without a trace, the Hong Kong police would definitely investigate.
Wu Mingqiang came twice a day, always disguised, sneaking in through the back or side door to bring snacks that the hotel didn't have, or to bring in a few books to keep them entertained.
He said, "Ouyang Bao didn't return home all night, so his wife went to the police station and made a scene at the homes of his concubines, but to no avail. Now they've mobilized everyone they can to search for him. Of course, Gui'er is the one his wife suspects the most, since she saw Ouyang Bao that day and was the last person his men saw with him. Some of Ouyang Bao's men, who have followed him for many years and received a lot of spoils, are also very enthusiastic about searching for him."
Wu Mingqiang specifically instructed Gui'er: "Miss, you absolutely must not go out. Even if the room service staff brings you food, don't let them see your face. Mr. Chen and Mr. Xu are probably not a problem, because those guards seem to be thugs that Ouyang Bao hired outside. After rescuing the people, they couldn't explain to Ouyang Bao, so they ran away first. Right now, his subordinates and family are too busy looking for Ouyang Bao to investigate. But you were seen meeting him by his police officers. If they find you, they will inevitably take you in for questioning, and that will be troublesome."
Gui'er nodded and said, "I understand. How are things at home and at the pawnshop?"
Wu Mingqiang said, "The pawnshop is a mess. They're still taking inventory and don't know how much is missing. Chen De is nowhere to be found either. As for the villa, during the two days we were gone, Ouyang Bao's first wife came with her people and took away everything in the villa that they thought was worthwhile, but they didn't cause any damage. Sister-in-law Aying and her husband Liujin initially ran away, but later, having nowhere to go, they lingered near the villa. The people from the Ouyang family reported this to his first wife, who then told the couple that since they had decided to marry Ouyang Bao, the villa would definitely be considered part of their family's property. She told them to go back and live there to guard the house, and that she would arrange for a few concubines to move in later."
Dingxiang, standing nearby, said indignantly, "This is outrageous! They're shameless! How could Sister-in-law Ying and her husband just listen to them like that?"
Wu Mingqiang sighed and said, "The couple used to have a house in the shantytown, but it was blown down by the last typhoon. Now the rest of his family are staying with relatives. They really have no other choice."
Gui'er frowned and said, "When you went back to take over the villa and pawnshop, didn't Ouyang's family and subordinates make things difficult for you? Didn't they suspect anything?"
Wu Mingqiang said with a smile, "I told them that because you and Ouyang Bao have agreed to a marriage, you need to go back to your hometown to inform your parents so that they will give you a dowry. They didn't make things difficult for me, but his first wife questioned me repeatedly, trying to coax me into telling her about your meeting with Ouyang Bao that day. Of course, I just made up a story, and she was skeptical but couldn't do anything about it. So now everyone is saying that you have gone back to your hometown. That's why you absolutely must not show your face."
Gui'er nodded in relief and said, "Okay, I understand. Go ahead, but be careful."
That day, they finally saw information about Ouyang Bao in the newspaper, but it wasn't about his death; it was a missing person notice issued by his family.
"This is Mr. Ouyang Bao, 45 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, a detective in the Hong Kong Police Force. He has a square face and a broad forehead, with a black mole at the end of his left eyebrow. He has a loud voice and was wearing a light gray suit and trousers on the day he went missing."
He left home on the morning of the 13th of this month and has not returned since; there has been no news of him. His family is worried about his safety and has searched extensively without success. Ouyang Jun is known for his public-spiritedness and diligence; his disappearance may be related to official duties.
If anyone has seen this person or knows their whereabouts, please contact Officer Wong of the Kowloon Police Station, Third Precinct, immediately, or call their home. A reward will be given upon verification.
We eagerly await Ouyang Jun's safe return.
Family members tearfully pleaded
Gui'er, Chen Zhongyu, and Xu Jing all felt uneasy after reading it.
Chen Zhongyu said, "His wife, being a police officer's family member, actually published it in the newspaper, which shows that his subordinates are at their wits' end. Now the only thing to worry about is whether there were any other witnesses when he went to the building where you were hiding that day?"
Gui'er said, "There are too many. He came down with a bunch of his men that day, very conspicuously. He left several on the street to guard against Little Wu and his men coming back, and took two more upstairs. However, since everyone said I went back to my hometown, they can't do anything to me. As long as the body is found and I reappear after a while, everything will be unrelated to me."
After that, they became even more careful. Every time the waiter delivered the food, Dingxiang and Lin Peishan would handle the arrangements. This went on for several days in a row. The waiter thought that Dingxiang and Lin Peishan were two good friends, each staying in a separate room. However, seeing that Dingxiang's clothes didn't seem like those of a wealthy young lady, he became curious and started to inquire.
Dingxiang was quick-witted. She pretended to be mysterious and said to the waiter, "Young man, I'm only telling you this. You mustn't tell anyone else. My young lady and I ran away from our arranged marriage. She's used to having her own room. She can't sleep with someone next to her, so she gave me an extra room. You mustn't tell anyone, or our master will send people to arrest her."
Lin Peishan even gave him a few copper coins as hush money. The clerk, who had seen all sorts of people in this line of work, naturally wouldn't associate a runaway young lady with the missing detective in the newspaper, so he readily agreed.
About a week after they started staying at the restaurant, Wu Mingqiang came over and told Gui'er that yesterday, A'gen had gone underwater and loosened the stones binding Ouyang Bao and the condemned prisoner's bodies. Their bodies should be discovered soon, and everyone should be on high alert to avoid being discovered at the last minute.
Everyone was thrilled to hear this, feeling that they were finally about to be free.
Early the next morning, Dingxiang went downstairs to buy a newspaper and came back up. She excitedly told Gui'er, "Miss, I've got it! I've got it!"