In the alley, Lu Chuan and the two others squatted on a step, just like nearby tenants taking a break.

The chat atmosphere was lively.

"There are twelve rental warehouses in this area, and nine of them are already rented out."

Chen Qing wasn't lying; he really was quite familiar with the situation around Huilong Mountain.

Whose husband was cheating, whose wife was having an affair, who slept during the day and worked at night, the treasure quality and skills at the back of whose red lights were the highest, there was nothing this guy didn't know.

Zhang Hui asked specifically about the nearby warehouses, and this guy knew about those too.

"I've checked out all these places... I've scouted them out... I've been to..."

After shifting some words around, Chen Qing felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward: "Well, the government, you know, hehe."

"Are any of these nine rented warehouses particularly special?"

"Particularly special?"

Chen Qing instinctively wanted to scratch his head, but the handcuffs reminded him once again of his situation.

"Two are rented for supermarket stock, and two are express sorting points..."

"The rest... seem..."

Lu Chuan had a renewed appreciation for Chen Qing's abilities.

This guy was indeed professional, and Lu Chuan could somewhat understand why he could steal over fifty electric scooters on Friendship Road without being caught.

This guy's mastery of his field was not ordinary.

Lu Chuan originally thought Zhang Hui had a future as a private detective, but now it seemed Chen Qing was more suited to the job.

"Do any of these warehouses have people living in them?"

"Yes!" Chen Qing answered decisively: "Two of the warehouses seem to have people living in them. I checked... I've seen people come and go at night, even order takeout."

"Where?"

Ten minutes later.

Chen Qing led Lu Chuan and Zhang Hui through twists and turns in the alley to one of their destinations.

"People live in this warehouse. I've seen people come and go, but I'm not sure how many or what kind."

According to Chen Qing, they only did no-cost business, stealing but never robbing.

This was the first piece of advice given to him by the brother who brought him into the trade.

"Robbery, even if only a dollar is taken, can start at three years if caught," Chen Qing looked rather smug at this moment, "but stealing is different. If I nick an electric scooter, I can only sell it for a few hundred bucks."

"Anyway, it's within a thousand bucks, and I wouldn't take more than that."

"My brother said anything over a thousand might be considered a large amount, and it's not just a matter of spending a few days."

"He also said that when you're out there, no matter what you do, you gotta know the law..."

"Chen Qing, where is that brother you mentioned?"

Huh?

Chen Qing looked a bit downcast: "My brother didn't quite get the law right. He stole forty grand from another colleague and got caught. The amount was enormous, so he got four years."

That law, Lu Chuan recalled.

Stealing public or private property valued between thirty thousand to one hundred thousand is considered a large amount, with a starting point of three years and up to ten years.

So to speak, a year per ten thousand.

And of course, stealing from others who have stolen is still theft.

Lu Chuan and Zhang Hui exchanged glances and both nodded quietly.

Chen Qing was wasting his talents here.

He should switch careers to become a lawyer; he'd definitely do better than now.

The door to the target warehouse was tightly closed. Zhang Hui jotted down the location: "Let's go to the next place."

Another ten minutes of twisting and turning, and Lu Chuan felt he'd get lost even with a navigator.

It was just that Chen Qing had run into Zhang Hui earlier.

Zhang Hui had acted decisively.

If not, in a self-built housing area like this, Chen Qing would definitely be able to escape.

This guy could well work for a map company; with this kind of route familiarity, he'd definitely become an outstanding employee.

Suddenly, a question popped into Lu Chuan's head: "Chen Qing, have you scoped out Chenguang District?"

Chenguang District?

"Government, you mean that villa district owned by Qiangsheng Group?"

Seeing Lu Chuan nod, Chen Qing shook his head quickly: "No, no!"

"That place is full of wealthy people, I haven't been there."

"Besides, I only steal electric scooters. Burglary is a serious crime, I don't do that."

Alright, it seemed Chen Qing did have a good grasp of theft laws.

After scouting two warehouses, verification was now needed.

However, having learned from the Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Team's previous experience, Zhang Hui was very cautious.

"Lu Chuan, you keep watch here, I'll take the person to Huilong Mountain Police Station first."

As police from the Criminal Investigation Team were carrying out the sweep, Zhang Hui had to escort Chen Qing personally.

"Don't act rashly. If anything happens, call me right away."

With Zhang Hui's serious expression in mind, Lu Chuan nodded: "Brother Hui, don't worry, I know my limits."

"Good, stay safe, I'll be back soon."

The area Zhang Hui and Lu Chuan were investigating was quite close to Huilong Mountain Police Station, only a ten-minute walk.

Zhang Hui would be back in less than half an hour.

In the shadow of the eaves, Lu Chuan bought a popsicle, lit a cigarette.

In early October, Haizhou City was still at the mercy of the autumn tiger, the weather dry and hot.

Based on the information provided by Chen Qing, it was uncertain how many people lived in Target Warehouse 1, but definitely more than one, so it was unlikely to be their hideout.

At Target Warehouse 2, Chen Qing only knew people lived there, takeout had been ordered, but he hadn't seen anyone come or go.

So, from current clues, the target at Warehouse 2 seemed larger.

Since they could install remote-controlled cameras in a mistress's house, there was no reason not to install them near their own hideout.

So, Lu Chuan was being very cautious, staying in the shadows over a hundred meters from the target warehouse.

He was monitoring it with his peripheral vision, not staring straight at the door.

Of course, the assumption that the suspect was hiding in the warehouse was only a hypothesis, and that it was this particular warehouse was even less likely.

There were quite a few people renting warehouses at Huilong Mountain.

Though the living conditions were poor, the rent was cheap.

Moreover, the suspect's hiding at Huilong Mountain was a hypothesis derived from mixed soil in footprints discovered by Lu Chuan.

But whether they actually lived here was questionable.

If the suspect had only been here once and got some dirt on their shoes, it was also possible.

Now, all this stakeout and investigation was essentially a manpower tactic.

There was a bit of luck involved.

However, it had to be done this way.

The impact of a criminal investigator being critically injured as a result of a stabbing was similar to a regular homicide case.

If this person were not caught, let alone what would happen to Liang Qi, it would be hard to explain to the injured Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Team's officer.

"Hey buddy, got a light?"

A stranger's voice suddenly appeared next to Lu Chuan.

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