Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 46 - Stubbornly Insisting on One’s Course

46: Chapter 46: Stubbornly Insisting on One’s Course

46 -46: Stubbornly Insisting on One’s Course

The next day, Gu Fan stood before the police station, sharing his counterattack plan with Su Hui.

He wanted to hear what this seasoned policewoman thought, but received a stern reproach instead, “No, you’re just a bunch of students.

This is too reckless, too dangerous.”

But Gu Fan was resolute, “So what should we do then?

Sit and wait for our deaths or ask for cops to protect us round-the-clock?

I think we can only rely on ourselves.”

Su Hui had no response.

She felt both anger and helplessness—the anger at Gu Fan for such a dangerous plan and helplessness because they indeed had to rely on themselves.

“Gu Fan, listen,” she began, “I know everything is a bit chaotic for you right now, and you’re not calm enough.

You guys lack experience.

You don’t know what to do when faced with a crisis.

This counterattack plan could potentially push your classmates into danger, and indirectly harm them.

You all would feel guilty for the rest of your lives.”

Hearing this, Gu Fan looked gloomy,”I understand what you mean, Sister Su.

If our classmates are kidnapped during their daily activities, it has nothing to do with us.

We bear no responsibility and needn’t be plagued by conscience.

But, if we arrange the classmates in a dangerous situation, then for all the misfortune that happens to them, we are responsible.”

Su Hui nodded at this, but Gu Fan responded with a bitter smile,”I want to ask a question, Sister Su.

Why did you choose to be a cop when being one carries such a huge responsibility?

You are so beautiful, why would you choose this tough job?”

“Because my father was a cop.

He died in the line of duty, and I am proud of him.” After saying this, Su Hui gave a self-deprecating smile.

She understood what Gu Fan meant – who would protect the people’s safety if everyone was afraid of taking responsibility?

Gu Fan spoke again, “Sister Su, I’d be glad if you could help.

If you can’t, maybe you could give me some advice – I’d be grateful.

But if you don’t support me and oppose my plan, I’m sorry, I must do it anyway.

Maybe you don’t know, but we’re almost insane.

Many of us are having nightmares, and we are tormented every day.

So, we must do something to fight back.” After he finished, Gu Fan walked away determinedly without looking back.

Watching Gu Fan’s receding figure, Su Hui felt his stubbornness and perceived the fear in him.

He also seemed uncertain about the safety of his classmates.

So, Su Hui made a decision.

She went to the chief’s office and told him everything, hoping he could issue an order to stop this reckless but helpless act by the university students.

The chief was stunned upon hearing this, then contemplated for a moment and said, “Inform the university.

Let them handle it.

If they can’t, ask the student’s parents to cooperate.”

“But neither the university nor the parents can monitor these students twenty-four hours a day.” Su Hui wished the police could step in to protect these students, but the chief said, “The university or the parents may persuade them against this foolish action.”

Su Hui shook her head,”Even so, without effective measures, there might be another student going missing.”

Hearing her words, the police chief nodded in agreement,”Ah, Su Hui, you’re just like your father, truly caring about the welfare of the people.

This is very good.

Your idea is good, but the reality is that our police strength is limited.

We can’t cover everything, and you need to understand this.”

Su Hui quickly replied,”I understand, I don’t ask for many cops, as long as you approve, I will take three colleagues and secretly protect these students until the case is solved.”

The chief shook his head,”As of now, the disappearances of these students do not seem to be connected.

There’s no evidence to suggest a sinister conspiracy.

I can’t send officers to protect these students around the clock based on your speculation; you should understand this from your years of service.”

“Alright, I get it!” said Su Hui, turning to leave.

She knew further conversation was pointless; she could only try to contact the university and parents.

But Su Hui knew deep inside that this was merely a temporary remedy—it might prevent Gu Fan and his mates from acting rashly but it could certainly not stop the invisible hands from continuing to kidnap the students.

****

Meanwhile, in an abandoned factory, the three suspicious men who had earlier followed Wu Fei and Chen Ying had been released due to lack of evidence connecting the students’ disappearances to them.

But this didn’t mean they could rest easy.

The three men were trembling in fear, waiting anxiously for their uncertain fate.

Upon hearing the sound of an approaching car, their heartbeats quickened.

The car door opened, and out walked a beautiful but cold lady.

She took off her sunglasses and looked accusingly at the three men.

A tall, strong man named Hai also stepped out of the car.

“Si…Sister Leng!” The three men were terrified and dared not meet Sister Leng’s gaze, feeling the strong discontent radiating from her.

Sister Leng said in a detached tone, “You three have been far too careless.

You allowed a university student to stumble upon your tracks, nearly revealing yourselves.

Do you realize the trouble that would create for us, for the big boss?”

The three men immediately defended themselves, “We know we’ve made a mistake, but it’s not entirely our fault.

That Gu Fan is accompanied by a policewoman, Su Hui.

We’re no match for them.”

“I have said this before — no matter the reason, anyone who has been exposed cannot continue their mission in this city.

They have to be relocated.

It is said that our help is much needed elsewhere.

You should go there.” Having said this, Sister Leng put her sunglasses on and returned to the car.

The three men sprang forward, hoping to plead further, but were stopped by the towering figure of Hai.

They could only plead with him, “Brother Hai, we’ve followed you for so long.

Please, help us find a solution.”

Hai sighed, “Rules are rules.

Anyone who breaks them will have to face the consequences, myself included.

Start packing up your things.

I will arrange for your departure soon.” Right as Hai finished his sentence, three minibuses drove in.

Each minibus carried four individuals, all looking like they were not to be messed with.

“One person per bus.

Go now.

As long as you follow instructions, you’ll be safe over there.” As Hai spoke, his face remained expressionless, his stony demeanor signaling to the three men that there was no more hope.

Once the three had boarded the minibuses, Hai returned to his sedan, glancing at Sister Leng, who was chatting and laughing on the phone.

“Alright, I understand.” Sister Leng hung up the call then turned to Hai, “Those university students are rather interesting.

They’re planning a counterattack.

Perhaps we should join in the fun.”

Hai remained unresponsive to her enthusiasm, solemnly retorting, “Though their identities were exposed, there was still some gain.

They saw the two university students enter the haunted house and picked up their backpack.

It’s a lead for our investigation.

Why can’t success forgive failure?”

Sister Leng responded with nonchalance, “Whether good outweighs bad depends on context.

Exposure is exposure, and you should fully understand what exposure entails.

Their mistakes outweigh their successes.

We must clearly reward and penalize to properly manage this team, just like the big boss always says.”

“I have no objections to the big boss’s rules.” Hai could only say this, but inside, he felt disgruntled.

Those three were abandoned on a whim.

Could the same fate befall him one day?

Sister Leng added, “I know what you’re thinking.

If you don’t want such a situation to happen to you, then be extra cautious with whatever you do.”

“I understand.

I will be careful.

Thank you for the reminder.” Hai replied with a lukewarm expression, seemingly having a gulf between himself and Sister Leng.

However, Sister Leng appeared nonchalant.

She asked, “What’s the situation in the old town?

Any discoveries?”

Hai answered, “Fewer people around.

Some shops are still open, but fewer pedestrians.

I can sense it.”

Sister Leng cracked a rare smile, “Your instincts have always been sharp.

They’ve allowed you to make many correct judgments.

Coupled with your military training, it’s no surprise that the big boss values you.”

“What about you?

You’ve also got skills.

Where did you train before joining the big boss?” Hai’s question was met with nothing but a slight smile from Sister Leng.

Given the circumstances, Hai decided to end the conversation.

“Alright, I should return to monitoring the old town.

Now that we have a direction in our investigation, we should focus on that.

My advice is that since those students have noticed they’re being followed, you should try to refrain from any activities for now.

Don’t let anyone continue to trail the students due to your orders, and then end up inadvertently revealing themselves, to be sent to another location by you.”

Sister Leng’s brow furrowed, “Are you blaming me?

I ordered them to track the university students.

They ended up exposing themselves due to their incompetence.

As per the rules, they have to be sent elsewhere, while I, the order-giver, can continue living here without worry.

You think it’s unfair, don’t you?”

“You can think that way, but I didn’t say that.” After uttering this sentence, Hai, appearing impatient, left the car immediately.

Choosing to avoid any further arguments with Sister Leng, he decided to hail a cab back home.

“I don’t need you to micromanage what I do.” Sister Leng huffed, already planning her next move in her mind.