Chapter 472 — The Gang's Hideout

Could this be the hideout of that organ-trafficking ring? Surely it couldn't be such a coincidence?

Wei Zhao recalled what Qiu Lingshan had told him earlier — that the gang preyed specifically on beggars, vagrants, and the disabled — and it struck him all at once. Wasn't Xiaofen disabled? And the people in the shantytown were hardly well-off; it was entirely possible they'd been marked by an organ-trafficking ring.

Wei Zhao kicked the basement door open, but Kang Xiaofeng rushed in ahead of him. Wei Zhao shook his head — Kang Xiaofeng was far too impatient. There was no telling whether any of the enemy were still down there, but the jade pendant on Wei Zhao's body gave no warning, so presumably there was no danger inside. That was why Wei Zhao didn't stop him.

Xiaofen had never expected Kang Xiaofeng to appear here, and gave a start. "You—how did you get here?"

Her first thought was that Kang Xiaofeng had been captured too, but on second thought, the basement door just now had been kicked open. Could Kang Xiaofeng have come to rescue her?

But there were four burly men standing guard here — how had Kang Xiaofeng gotten in?

As Xiaofen was puzzling over this, she looked up and caught sight of Wei Zhao's figure in the basement doorway. Understanding dawned on her at once: Kang Xiaofeng must have come with Wei Zhao's help!

Yet Xiaofen's heart was also deeply moved. Even with Wei Zhao's help, the fact that Kang Xiaofeng would rush to save her regardless of his own safety was enough to fill her with comfort. To have a man who loved her and cared for her like this — Xiaofen felt she could live out her whole life without regret.

"Heh heh, I saw you being dragged into a car, so I grabbed a taxi and chased after you, and then I called the boss—" Kang Xiaofeng scratched his scalp, a little sheepish. "If the boss hadn't shown up in time, I'd probably be locked up in here too!"

Wei Zhao waved a hand dismissively. He had already accepted Kang Xiaofeng as one of his own, so no matter how much he helped the young man, Wei Zhao would bear no grudge over it.

Right now, however, Wei Zhao's mind was on other things. Xiaofen was not the only one in the basement — two others sat in the corner, their eyes darting evasively. They had no idea who Kang Xiaofeng and Wei Zhao were, and did not dare ask.

One was a boy of sixteen or seventeen; judging by his clothes, he was probably a beggar. The other was a man of about thirty, also disabled, plainly dressed, and missing both arms.

If Xiaofen had been the only one here, Wei Zhao might have suspected a plot aimed at her, or at Kang Xiaofeng, or even at himself. But seeing the others, and coupling that with what Kang Xiaofeng had said earlier about "cutting out organs," Wei Zhao was fairly confident this was indeed a base of the organ-trafficking organization.

Feng Xiaoxiao followed behind Wei Zhao, her heart a mix of fear and excitement. In her eyes, Wei Zhao was without a doubt a great hero smashing a criminal gang!

Although Feng Xiaoxiao was always dabbling in things that skirted the edge of the law — brawling, street racing, and the like — she admired heroes at heart. It was only because she could never be one herself that she sought thrills in other ways.

Now, seeing Wei Zhao single-handedly bring down an entire criminal gang, she was beside herself with excitement. "Wei Zhao, is this a criminal syndicate?"

"Probably." Wei Zhao intended to call Qiu Lingshan and hand the matter over to her. He was no chivalrous hero; his sole purpose in coming here was to rescue Xiaofen. As for why he'd left one man alive earlier, that was simply to find out why these people had abducted her. Everything else was none of his concern — whether the trail could be followed to the interests behind it all was not his problem to solve.

It was only then that Kang Xiaofeng noticed Feng Xiaoxiao following behind Wei Zhao. He couldn't help giving Wei Zhao a thumbs-up. How many days had it been, and he'd already won Feng Xiaoxiao over?

Wei Zhao saw right through Kang Xiaofeng's dirty mind and shot him a helpless glare. "My car was too slow, so I drove Feng Xiaoxiao's."

"Oh—" Kang Xiaofeng sounded a little disappointed. He'd assumed Wei Zhao and Feng Xiaoxiao were already together.

"Hold on, both of you. I need to make a call." Wei Zhao gave Kang Xiaofeng and Xiaofen their instructions, then turned and left the basement. He dialed Qiu Lingshan's number.

When Qiu Lingshan saw Wei Zhao's name on the caller ID, she very nearly hung up on the spot. She had troubles enough of her own — and here was Wei Zhao bothering her with trifles!

"Hello! What is it now? I already squared things with the traffic police earlier — haven't the patrol cars been pulled back?" Qiu Lingshan barked furiously. She didn't want to take the call, but she knew better than to offend Wei Zhao too badly. Surely she was allowed to vent a little, though? So she kept shouting: "Do you have any idea how busy I am? I've barely slept for days because of this recent case!"

"Oh. I've found what looks like an organ-trafficking ring's hideout. But since you're busy, never mind — I'll be going." Wei Zhao hung up as soon as he finished speaking.

"What?" Qiu Lingshan was stunned. A suspected organ-trafficking hideout? Wei Zhao had found it? She sprang to her feet without thinking, excitement surging through her. "Wait—"

But Qiu Lingshan discovered that Wei Zhao had already hung up on her. She was so furious her teeth itched, yet her heart was pounding with excitement. If what Wei Zhao said was true, then weren't all the clues that had been plaguing her now answered?

Everyone in the police team stared in bewilderment at Qiu Lingshan, who had suddenly risen to her feet, trembling with excitement. Their eyes asked the question for them, but Qiu Lingshan offered no explanation, saying only, "I'm just stepping back to my office."

With that, Qiu Lingshan hurried back to her office, shut the door, and only then quickly dialed Wei Zhao's number again.

"Heh, I thought you weren't interested," Wei Zhao said with a laugh as he picked up.

"Oh, come on, don't be angry. I just got excited all of a sudden, so my mood turned sour! Good sir, hurry up and tell this brain-dead girl where that hideout is." Qiu Lingshan was herself creeped out by the simpering tone of her own voice, but she had no choice. Wei Zhao responded to sweet talk and not to hard words; if she wanted his help, she would have to swallow her pride.

"Heh, Number 7B Dunmeng Street. You'd best come yourself, and bring a big car," Wei Zhao said, giving her the address.

"All right, wait for me, I'll be right there!" Qiu Lingshan hung up, went downstairs, got in her car, and shot off toward Dunmeng Street. Since Wei Zhao wouldn't let her bring anyone, she had no choice but to go alone.

To be continued)