Chapter 26: Are You Enjoying It?

Lu Xingzhou only wanted to follow from a distance, keep track of Yao Haichuan’s location, and leave the rest to his older sister.

He never expected to attract the attention of a "walking 100,000-yuan bounty." Now, leaving was no longer an option.

Lu Xingzhou pretended to be very familiar with Yao Haichuan, pushing aside the floor manager blocking his way without a second thought.

"Brother Hai, what are you doing here? It’s been quite a while since we last saw each other."

Yao Haichuan eyed Lu Xingzhou with great suspicion: "Who are you?"

The reason Yao Haichuan remained in Shanhe City after committing murder was to play a game of "hiding in plain sight." He figured the police would be blocking the bus stations, train stations, and every exit out of the city, so he decided to do the exact opposite: hunker down in Shanhe City and wait for the heat to die down before making his getaway.

Lu Xingzhou maintained a breezy, nonchalant air: "Brother Hai, have you forgotten? Back at the… reservoir…"

Yao Haichuan was suddenly startled. The only place he had any connection to the word "reservoir" was the Reservoir Prison.

Yao Haichuan quickly played along: "Oh, so it’s you, little brother! It has been many years. Come on, come up with me."

His psychological profile noted that unlike the gangsters in movies, Yao Haichuan despised people publicizing his time in prison. He had even gotten into a violent brawl over it once, leading to a few days in detention.

As soon as Lu Xingzhou mentioned the reservoir, Yao Haichuan cut him off and led him up to the second floor.

The second floor was dimly lit, and the hostesses moving about wore sheer, black-silk outfits.

Yao Haichuan led Lu Xingzhou into a room with a blank expression, then quickly spun around, intending to subdue Lu Xingzhou and interrogate him about his identity.

However, Yao Haichuan found that Lu Xingzhou was much faster. He grabbed Yao Haichuan’s arm, executed a reverse naked choke, and with a dull thud, pinned him directly to the floor.

Compared to the average person, Yao Haichuan certainly had the ruthlessness of someone willing to risk his life, but his combat skills were not strong.

Yao Haichuan had never imagined that a mere punk who looked to be around twenty years old could instantly immobilize him.

Lu Xingzhou spoke with a hint of disdain: "Brother Hai, attacking a brother the moment we meet again—that’s not very nice, is it?"

Yao Haichuan’s mind raced. Since the other man had him completely under control but hadn’t arrested him, it meant he wasn't a cop. He might actually be a former cellmate from the Water City Prison.

"A misunderstanding, brother, it's all a misunderstanding. I’ll pay for your tab today, and I’ll get you two of the best girls."

Hearing this, Lu Xingzhou slowly released him.

Yao Haichuan stood up, didn't hesitate, picked up the room phone, and immediately ordered four women.

Yao Haichuan turned to ask tentatively: "Brother, where are you making your fortune these days?"

Lu Xingzhou, having been tempered by several cases, was no longer a novice: "Doing some high-stakes business. Brother Hai, are you interested in joining?"

Yao Haichuan paused, then suddenly realized something: "You aren't connected to that crowd selling powder at Zongyong Temple, are you?"

Lu Xingzhou’s pupils flickered, and his heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Yao Haichuan to know about the Zongyong Temple situation.

"Oh? You’re well-informed?"

Yao Haichuan let down his guard. In this country, dealing with drugs was no different from forfeiting one's humanity.

"To tell you the truth, little brother, the only reason I have the money to hide here is because I made it working as a mule for them. Otherwise, with just the money I made at that trash company, how could I have stayed hidden here for half a month?"

A "mule" was someone responsible for transporting drugs.

Lu Xingzhou narrowed his eyes. He had assumed Yao Haichuan was just well-informed, perhaps learning about the drugs at Zongyong Temple through other criminal contacts. He hadn't expected Yao Haichuan to be part of the play himself.

Just how much did he know?

Lu Xingzhou feigned curiosity: "Oh? So when you took action this time, it wasn't because of a verbal spat that led to the killing?"

Yao Haichuan leaned back on the bed and spilled everything without reservation: "Who would get into a fight over that kind of garbage? Unless they were crazy. I ran them over because they found the drugs hidden under the trash cans and tried to extort two million from me! After I killed them all, the cost of running away didn't even total two million, so I just finished them off."

Lu Xingzhou gasped inwardly; this way of thinking was terrifying.

However, he remained silent, watching the other man quietly, because he realized that Yao Haichuan had perhaps been cooped up here for too long, creating a rare desire to vent.

Especially upon meeting Lu Xingzhou—an "acquaintance" who had been in the same prison and was now doing the same work—the emotions suppressed inside him for days had finally erupted.

Yao Haichuan continued to boast: "Actually, I didn't just take care of them. A while back, I killed two other people—they were rival mules trying to steal my jobs! Hmph! I only spent a few years in prison, I didn't die. Now every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can steal my business."

Lu Xingzhou’s brain worked rapidly, recalling the lessons his sister had forced him to memorize about psychological breakthroughs in interrogation. He realized he had an advantageous position to coax a confession, and he wasn't a cop.

As long as he wasn't wearing that uniform, he wasn't a "good guy," and as long as he wasn't a good guy, he didn't need to worry about being held at gunpoint—he could do as he pleased.

While alone with a criminal suspect, he could play the role of a low-educated, uncultured high school dropout who didn't know what "coerced confession" meant; no one could hold that against him.

Lu Xingzhou said softly: "Brother Hai, do you need a brother’s help dealing with any more trouble?"

Yao Haichuan waved a hand: "I threw them in the river. By now, the bodies are probably in the Pacific Ocean."

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A series of knocks sounded, and four women in bunny girl outfits walked in.

Yao Haichuan immediately changed the subject: "Two for me, two for my brother. Get to work."

Two women nodded, took off Lu Xingzhou's jacket, and helped him into a soft white robe.

After he was dressed, the women told Lu Xingzhou to lie on the bed; one began to massage his feet, the other his back, relaxing his muscles.

Gradually, a sense of euphoria began to spread from the soles of his feet throughout his entire body.

Before long, Lu Xingzhou felt his robe being torn open at the seams, and a cool essential oil was poured onto his skin. It felt like being handed an ice-cold cola after playing basketball for half an hour on a summer noon—a sensation that made his muscles tremble with excitement.

"Boss, you don't come to our shop often, do you? Next, I’ll let you experience our shop's signature service."

The woman leaned over Lu Xingzhou, her voice long, melodic, and charmingly seductive.

Just as Lu Xingzhou wondered what this signature service might be, he suddenly felt a pair of warm, gentle hands pass across his waist, exploring toward his "root."

Wait!

Something was wrong—very, very wrong.

If this woman messed with his "little brother," he’d end up throwing up from the shock.

How could they go straight to the "main course" like this?

Shouldn't it be "vegetarian appetizers at meat prices" to build a rapport before heading to a hotel?

Before Lu Xingzhou could stop her, a loud "bang" erupted.

The room door was kicked open.

A squad of criminal police officers immediately pinned Yao Haichuan to the floor.

Lu Xingzhou, still lying on the bed, locked eyes with Lu Jiangying, who had followed right behind them.

Lu Jiangying stepped onto the head of Lu Xingzhou's bed, tapping her baton against her palm, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth: "You certainly look like you're enjoying yourself!"