Chapter 68: Miao Miao Gets Hooked

  The special investigation team lured Tian Miao away under the pretext of a competition. After everyone left, Gao Xiang walked into the captain's office to ask questions. Zhou Bin patted his shoulder and said: "Can't reveal where she went, don't think wildly. We are police officers, obeying orders is our top priority." Yes, after all, we are now people's police officers. If there really is a case that requires it, wearing this police uniform means you have to go up.

  The original detective branch was just an inconspicuous small unit when it didn't separate from the criminal police. In the municipal bureau, there were only two offices. At that time, even dogs didn't want to go there.

  Who knows that with China's economy getting better and better, especially with the recent surge in economic cases, the importance of the Economic Investigation Brigade has become prominent.

  The current residence has long been moved to the most prosperous area of the development zone. Almost all the city's high-tech equipment is concentrated here. The new building that was completed two years ago is towering into the clouds. The parking lot downstairs is like a car show, dazzling. Tian Miao got out of the car and took a look, sighing endlessly. Compared to others in the economic investigation team, the criminal investigation team is just a mess...

  She went upstairs into Ye's office, and Tian Miao was even more furious. The 50-square-meter large office had only two desks, all of which were imported from abroad. The laptops were all Apple Airs. The air conditioner was warm and cozy. The windows were bright and clean. There was a humidifier in the room that occasionally sprayed mist. There were potted plants and fish tanks everywhere. Tian Miao looked enviously at the large floor-to-ceiling window, which was much brighter than her own armory.

  "Hey, you're all police officers. Why compare with us? Our whole team is like a black workshop." Tian Miao Miao said irritably to Ye Dafu.

  Ye's words made Tian Miao Miao laugh so hard she couldn't straighten her waist. Xia Zhi, who arrived later, heard this and couldn't stop holding his belly in laughter. The more he looked at this girl, the more pleasing to the eye she became. He couldn't help but speak out to probe: "How about it, Tian Miao Miao? I heard you're interning in the first brigade. When you get converted to a regular position, directly submit a report and apply to be transferred here. In our office, I'll reserve a single room for you. A girl like you being stuck in the criminal police team is really...".

  "Ah, really? I think so too. I also feel like this is where I should be. This way, my talent won't go to waste." Tian Miao Miao's heart was racing with anxiety. What's going on here? How can participating in a competition lead to poaching people? But... the special investigation unit is really much better than the first squad, right? That armory is like a small black room, right? But if someone gets poached and immediately betrays their team, wouldn't that be too disloyal? The captain has been good to me. Would this hurt his feelings? Tian Miao Miao's mind was filled with worries, and the consequences of her anxious thoughts were that she felt guilty about what she had said, and even she couldn't stand her own insincere words.

  Ye Dui was quite familiar with her. With a hint of annoyance, she joked: "Come on, you're still more suited to living in the dark corners of a big team." Tian Miao Miao was so angry that she wanted to pinch her. The two girls laughed and struggled together. Watching them, Xia Zhi chuckled and said: "I'll go take a look at how the preparations are going. Ye Dui, take good care of your old classmate."

  Xia Zhibi left, and the two women laughed and made a fuss again. After they had enough, Ye helped Tian Miao tidy up her clothes. In terms of combat power, Tian Miao was still at a disadvantage. Naturally, she was no match for this veteran female hooligan. After calming down, Ye asked her while biting her ear: "I really didn't expect that you and Gong Qian could get along peacefully for so long. What's going on with you two now?"

  "What's wrong?"

  "Don't pretend to be stupid with me. I asked you what's going on between you and Gong Qian now."

  "It's tense. We two live in one house. Fighting every day. Almost came to blows."

  After hearing her words, Ye said with concern: "Miao Miao, you should not always target her either. She really didn't interfere with the distribution of tasks. To prove her own innocence, I heard that she almost quarreled with her father and was transferred from a well-placed unit to a large team for internship. If it weren't for her family background, which unit couldn't she go to? After all, you are classmates. In the future, who knows if you will still need to take care of each other? Don't make your relationship too awkward."

  Tian Miao Miao sincerely said thank you to Ye Dui, then explained: "Don't worry about us two anymore. If we were going to fight, we would have fought to the death long ago. How could we wait so long? In the first squad, we two are together every day. Whatever grievances we had have been cleared up long ago. Now she can't leave me behind. Otherwise, only she will be left alone in the first squad and die of loneliness."

  Looking at Tian Miao's mischievous smile, Ye finally put his mind at ease. This time when he went to the big team, he also asked Gong Qian. Who is Gong Qian? A dead duck with a hard mouth. He said: "Anyway, being idle is just being idle. Having this little villain Tian Miao to accompany me and relieve my boredom is also the best..."

  "You've asked me so many questions, now it's my turn to ask you. Someone often sneaks around and changes into casual clothes to meet a man at the entrance of our dormitory. But she has never thought of coming in to visit her other two old classmates. Hmm."

  "Ah, what? What's going on with the man?" The leaves below were red with excitement. Originally, she had gone to the big team twice to find Gao Xiang, but hadn't paid attention to Gong Qian and was now being questioned by Tian Miao Miao, making her feel even more guilty.

  "Whatever. I'll deal with you later. What's so great about this Gao Xiang? You're all making me feel like I'm being handed a death sentence."

  "Tian Miao Miao, you just sent your head over. I hear what you mean. Gong Qian and he have become one."

  "Hey, what's with the tension? Want to make a move soon. Recently there's this joke that if you like someone, just go for it, even if she's 17...". Before Tian Miao could finish speaking, Ye covered her mouth and gave her two hard pinches.

  Looking at Ye Dui's reddened face, Tian Miao Miao exclaimed in surprise: "Tsk tsk, you're not actually falling for her, are you? You, who have been through a hundred battles, have a red face. Don't worry, don't worry. The two of them don't know what's going on. After joining the big team, it seems like they didn't have much interaction."

  "What's going on?" Ye Du also curiously asked.

  "What else can be done? Gao Xiang is hiding from her, isn't he? You have a great opportunity, you female rogue! Just don't let me catch you sneaking into the village again, or else I'll take drastic measures to steal him away!" Tian Miao Miao said with a pretentious smirk, teasing Ye Dui.

  "You're just a little thing, even younger than my sister. You haven't even sent off the first blood yet and you're already asking me to compensate for your knife." Tian Miao's face turned bright red with shame and anger. It seems that compared to this professional female rogue, she was still far, far inferior...

  The time Ye Dui spent in the office was not long. The two girls hadn't seen each other for a long time, and there were many things to talk about. They would whisper a few words to each other, then Ye Dui would tease Tian Miao Miao, or it would be the other way around, with Tian Miao Miao getting angry at Ye Dui. The two girls would pinch each other, until they were both flustered and finally stopped. Ye Dui wanted to ask more questions about their situation, but then Xia Zhi's phone call came. The notification on the phone said: "The competition is ready, bring Tian Miao Miao over to participate." Ye Dui's expression became somewhat unnatural, but it was already too late. Even if she told Tian Miao Miao the truth now, it would be pointless. She could only force a smile and say to Tian Miao Miao: "Miao Miao, let's go. The final round is about to start. Whether or not you can win the grand prize depends on you. Good luck."

  Tian Miao Miao still hadn't noticed anything unusual until now. She followed Ye Dui out of the office and into the elevator, arriving at a closed door on the middle floor. Ye Dui stopped in her tracks, spaced out for a moment, then suddenly hugged Tian Miao Miao tightly, leaving her bewildered. Ye Dui whispered in her ear, "Good luck, Miao Miao."

  The door was knocked open by Xia, who came out to open it. As soon as he saw Tian Miao Miao arrive, he became very enthusiastic. He grabbed her hand and pulled her inside while saying: "I've been waiting for you. Let's have a great time with your old classmates. Forget about the competition for now. Good luck, Tian Miao Miao! I think you'll definitely win the final prize."

  Xia Zhibi led Tian Nianmiao into the conference room, and just as they entered, a loud "bang" was heard. The door closed tightly again. Turning around, he found that Ye Dui had been locked out of the conference room. He wanted to ask what was going on but didn't dare. After sizing up the situation, Tian Nianmiao finally realized something was off.

  In the conference room, various instruments and equipment filled the circular table. The seating arrangement was even more frightening. The head of the detective team had seen it before, but he sat in the third seat on the left. The remaining four men were unfamiliar to him. Upon closer inspection of their badges, the lowest rank was equal to that of the team leader. At the main seat at the top, a man wearing a white shirt (a uniform for ranks above police monitor) sat. Tian Miao had seen him before - it was Su, the deputy director in charge of criminal investigation at the municipal bureau. The conference room was like a sauna, with smoke swirling around. Several high-ranking officials were chain-smoking, and the remaining lower-ranking personnel could not help but inhale second-hand smoke.

  "It's her. What have you done? How did you find this girl?" Deputy Director Su, who was sitting in the chair, looked surprised as Tian Miao Miao walked in. He put down the teacup he had just picked up and looked stern with a dark face. Tian Miao Miao didn't dare to breathe loudly. Deputy Xia hastily stepped forward to introduce Tian Miao Miao's basic situation and her ability to identify counterfeit currency. The leader's expression changed, and with a gentle tone but also a worried look, he asked Tian Miao Miao: "Have you been on a mission before, girl?"

  "Ah, the task is out. Didn't you say it was a competition?... Everything happened too suddenly. Tian Miao Miao was taken aback, and she was shocked to the core. A hint of conspiracy filled the entire conference room. Tian Miao Miao's heart skipped a beat."

  After listening to Tian Miao's words, several leaders had different expressions. Su Deputy Director had a smile in his eyes. The leader of the Economic Investigation Department shook his head slightly. Another leader next to him nodded and shook his head, seemingly quite pleased with himself. It seems that he was the one who came up with this idea.

  Xia Zhubi took the initiative to do the work of the maid, serving tea and water to the big bosses. She also considerately sent a cup of tea to Tian Miao Miao. Seeing the leader nodding at her, she sat down beside Tian Miao Miao and said: "It's like this, Tian Miao Miao. The competition is not fake, and you've already participated in all the competitions. We're very satisfied with your results. That means you're the final winner. However, there's still a small task left. Once you complete it, you can get the final big prize."

  Tian Miao Miao was really scared. "This is not the way to trap people, right?" He felt a sense of emptiness in his heart and weakly protested: "But... but I still have to go home for Chinese New Year." As soon as he said this, everyone burst out laughing.

  "It won't delay your New Year's celebration, just two days' time. Why don't you want the 6P mobile phone worth 10,000 yuan?" said the captain of the criminal investigation brigade with a smile.