Volume One, Chapter Forty-Seven: Exposed

Upon hearing Yu Wen’er’s refined and formal voice, Lu Lin felt as if she were reading from a script. In fact, his guess was not far off. Yu Wen’er’s native tongue was not Chinese, and she had grown up in England; though she wasn’t reading word-for-word, what lay before her was an outline written in English.

It was only now that true panic gripped Lu Lin. His voice trembled as he uttered the word “Flying Squirrel.” He could not tell the origin of this fear—was it from Yan Nuo and Yu Wen’er, or from the Flying Squirrel himself?

Or perhaps, it came from both sides?

Yu Wen’er’s voice came through the phone again, sounding to Lu Lin as if it were the very voice of the underworld: “Director Lu, our family is reasonable. We know you were unaware before, and personally, you have so many limitations in your understanding—you know what I mean.”

He heard a derisive laugh from the receiver but dared not betray any emotion, listening quietly as she finished: “But rest assured, as they say, ‘Ignorance is no crime.’ I will not vent my anger on you. At least, not for the moment.” Lu Lin noticed she had suddenly shifted from “we” to “I”—after all, she was the heir to Yan Nuo.

“You should remember the goodwill my father showed you. All he wanted was your trust and, if necessary, your help. Our Tai family values kinship and friendship no less than the Han people. I trust your lovely young daughter at the Cliff Crossing kindergarten will grow up and never encounter such things.”

Sweat broke out on Lu Lin’s forehead. He swallowed and interrupted, “Miss Yu, there’s no need to say more; I understand everything. What happened here today—it’s as if you witnessed it yourself. What can I do for you?”

Everyone knew Yan Nuo was a traditional man of principle, who strictly upheld the code that trouble should not touch one’s family. But as for this young woman who had suddenly appeared, Lu Lin dared not even imagine what madness she might be capable of.

Yu Wen’er gave a short laugh, seemingly quite pleased with Lu Lin’s response. “Thank you in advance. My father has a rule: never offend the Yan Nuo family. It’s simple—you’re a public official, a man of standing. We don’t wish to drag someone like you into our family affairs. Besides, if we followed official legal procedures, you really couldn’t help. Our family has worked both sides of the border for years and is well armed to punish evil and reward good. But time is short. Just tell me where the Flying Squirrel is staying tonight, and you’ll have repaid my father’s kindness.”

Lu Lin answered without hesitation, “He’s in Room 208 at the Golden Shield Hotel—I arranged the stay myself.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and Lu Lin faintly heard a man muttering.

After the muttering faded, Yu Wen’er spoke again: “Director Lu, the Flying Squirrel has a peculiar way of doing things. He likes to present illusions to people. If you arranged a hotel for him, he most likely wouldn’t actually stay there.”

Lu Lin was taken aback. “You mean, he’s already left?”

Yu Wen’er replied, “I wouldn’t underestimate him. Honestly, I know this Flying Squirrel all too well. He’s still in Cliff Crossing. He’s waiting for us to come for revenge—he believes he has his own score to settle.”

Lu Lin quickly added, “He came to me and had me make a call to confirm his identity—to Beijing. He also used my office phone, but I don’t know where he called. He must have arranged backup.”

Once again, Lu Lin heard indistinct muttering before Yu Wen’er replied, “He was lucky to escape to Cliff Crossing alive. And given the nature of his assignment, there’s absolutely no way he has backup.” She paused, then continued, “Could you send someone to check the Golden Shield Hotel across the way? I’m certain he’s no longer there.”

Lu Lin agreed at once, but then asked, “If he’s not there, what should I do?”

Yu Wen’er was silent for a moment before saying, “I have ways of finding out where he’s hiding; you needn’t trouble yourself. By the way, do you know what weapons and ammunition he has?”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Lu Lin answered without hesitation, “A Red Star pistol, six rounds—I handed it to him myself! But I could tell he wasn’t familiar with firearms at all.”

Yu Wen’er sounded surprised through the phone, “Are you sure?”

Suddenly, a deep male voice roared from the receiver, “You’re saying he doesn’t know how to use a gun? If he doesn’t, who does? Damn it, that kid is definitely up to something.”

Startled, Lu Lin replied, “I’m absolutely certain. When he put the gun away, he didn’t even switch the safety. Oh, and he also took twenty thousand yuan from me, as well as my personal car—a Santana.” Lu Lin dared not hide a single detail.

“Unexpectedly, Director Lu is quite a helpful man—ha!” Yu Wen’er’s laughter was laced with irony, sending chills down Lu Lin’s spine.

There was more muttering on the other end, making it clear to Lu Lin that someone was advising her in real time.

Yu Wen’er’s tone softened as she continued, “Still, I must thank you. I have one more request. Tonight, my operation will be rather large-scale. Please arrange for all officers to finish work on time and go home—except for the night shift. No matter what happens, unless I instruct otherwise, no one is to respond to any incident. There’s no need to give any reason, but all police vehicles must be parked at the station. Some things may not happen, but if needed, I’ll call for vehicles or personnel. Just these small matters—I ask that you do this as a favor to my father. Can you?”

Lu Lin replied decisively, “As long as you can bring this murderer to justice and avenge Mr. Yan, from this moment on, consider me an employee of the Yan Nuo family. I will follow all your instructions.”

After hanging up, Lu Lin’s hands began to shake. He picked up his pack of cigarettes from the desk, but his trembling fingers could barely extract one, and he couldn’t light it with the unsteady lighter. Helplessness and confusion washed over him. The Flying Squirrel’s sly, sneering face floated before his eyes. No wonder the man was so intransigent and ruthless—he was clearly a cold-blooded, decisive figure.

A cool breeze drifted in through the windows, open to a north-south draft, yet his sweat-soaked white shirt clung to him. But even colder than the wind was the chill gnawing at his heart—the bone-deep terror.

There was no doubt: tonight, Cliff Crossing City would be plunged into an unprecedented storm of blood and carnage. Lu Lin almost hoped the Flying Squirrel would be outnumbered and swiftly killed—at least then, there would be fewer casualties, since he only had six bullets. The thought brought a wave of guilt. It wasn’t that he sympathized with the Flying Squirrel, nor because he had become Yu Wen’er’s accomplice, but because, after all, he was a policeman, and now he found himself wishing for another officer’s death. He dared not dwell on it and set about carrying out Yu Wen’er’s instructions before hurrying to the Yunting Club to report.

He called in Julie and sent her to check the hotel across the street.

As Yu Wen’er had predicted, the room was untouched—no one, and no luggage.