Chapter Twenty-Three: The Deputy Director’s Friendship

Just as Ma Wu was pondering over this, the system chimed: Ding, you have triggered a hidden quest—Uncover Chen Jun’s true identity.

Quest Success: You will gain +100 personal favor from Vice Director Guo Yan of the Ministry of Public Security.

Wu Family: +300 personal favor from Wu Ting, eldest daughter of the Wu family.

Success Points +100.

Pretentiousness Value +100.

Quest Failure: You will never have luck with women for the rest of your life.

Ma Wu merely glanced at the quest details, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. What kind of game was this? No luck with women forever—wasn’t that just as bad as lifelong impotence? Without women, all the ability in the world is useless!

Yet, the emergence of this quest also served as a clue for Ma Wu: Chen Jun’s identity was certainly not that of a mere police officer!

Guo Yan hesitated for a moment before politely addressing Wu Ting, “Miss Wu Ting, what do you mean by that? I know Chen Jun’s character is questionable, but what problems could he possibly have?”

Ma Wu was now certain that Chen Jun’s identity was anything but simple. He shook his head, smiled, and walked over to Wu Ting’s side, taking the case summary from her delicate hand and flipping through it himself. As he leafed through the pages, he remarked lightly, “What issues could he have? Nothing major, just that his identity is questionable. Director Guo Yan, haven’t you always been surprised to find such a corrupt and lawless person under your command?”

Guo Yan’s pupils contracted, yet he stubbornly retorted, “Words alone prove nothing. We’re still investigating you—how come you’re the one questioning Chen Jun now?”

Wu Ting’s willow brows furrowed slightly, just as she was about to speak, Ma Wu waved his hand, signaling her to remain silent.

Then Ma Wu took the case summary from Wu Ting, skimmed through it carelessly, his brow furrowing as his fingers halted at the section summarizing Chen Jun’s cases. He began to read carefully.

The air grew thick with silence; Wu Ting looked at Ma Wu expectantly, hoping he might discover something, while Guo Yan stood stoically by.

After five minutes, Ma Wu slammed the thick case summary shut and smiled at Guo Yan, “Director Guo Yan, I believe I’ve found something.”

Ma Wu stepped over to Guo Yan, pointing out several subtle details in the case summary:

“Director Guo Yan, look for yourself. On July 18th two years ago, Chen Jun disappeared while investigating a suspicious person. His absence lasted for half a month. Afterwards, Chen Jun reappeared unharmed, as if nothing had happened.”

“The three others involved in that case with Chen Jun are now all missing. Only Chen Jun, the highest-ranking among them, returned inexplicably, and his explanation of the situation was vague and inconsistent.”

“Chen Jun has no relatives in this city; he was directly transferred from a superior office. Before the July case, even his files weren’t transferred—meaning barely anyone in the department had seen him before.”

The more Ma Wu spoke, the grimmer Guo Yan’s expression became, sinking into silence.

Ma Wu knew these clues were merely the beginning; though Guo Yan was growing suspicious, he hadn’t fully accepted Ma Wu’s theory. Ma Wu himself lacked concrete evidence to support his deductions. Wait—if Chen Jun wanted to infiltrate quietly, he’d have to tamper with his records. All Ma Wu needed was to start from the archives!

Thinking this, Ma Wu smiled confidently and issued a command to the system in his mind: “Import all records of hacker attacks on domestic police bureaus within half a year after July 18th to my phone.”

Ding, data imported successfully, costing one hundred success points.

Ma Wu opened his phone—rows upon rows of records detailing hacker attacks on police bureaus across the world. He only needed a few seconds to spot a hacker attack on the H City archives in August.

He showed his phone to Guo Yan. The first entry read: August 2nd, H City Archives attacked by hackers, records suspected of being altered.

Guo Yan let out a low grunt, his eyes finally flashing with disbelief and admiration.

Ma Wu smiled at Guo Yan, “Director Guo Yan, I think you should investigate Chen Jun’s real identity. I’ve long suspected his background. I believe the police are fair and impartial, and I trust you’ll give me and others a just outcome.”

Guo Yan took a deep breath, finally addressing Ma Wu with a tone of respect, “Mr. Ma Wu, I apologize for my previous rudeness. You are observant and extraordinarily intelligent, and you have a genuine character. As an apology, if you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Ma Wu smiled and extended his hand, “Director Guo Yan, you are also fair and meticulous in your work. I’ll be sure to rely on you more in the future.”

The two large hands clasped together, and after a bit of friction, the two became friends.

Now that Chen Jun’s identity was in question, Guo Yan had no reason to suspect Ma Wu further. He let Ma Wu and Wu Ting leave the police bureau; investigating whether Chen Jun had been replaced was now Guo Yan’s top priority.

As Ma Wu departed, the system chimed in his mind:

Ding, hidden quest—Investigate Chen Jun’s true identity completed.

Ding, you have gained the friendship of Vice Director Guo Yan. Current relationship: Friendly.

Ding, you have gained the friendship of Wu Ting, eldest daughter of the Wu family. Current relationship: Friendly.

Exiting the police station, Wu Ting seemed in particularly good spirits, her eyes curving as she looked at Ma Wu, a mysterious admiration shining in her dark gaze.

Ma Wu grinned broadly and said to Wu Ting, “What’s wrong? Think I’m too handsome? Falling for me?”

Wu Ting rolled her eyes, “Please. As if. You’re nothing to look at.”

Having his looks questioned, Ma Wu was instantly disgruntled and reached out two fingers to tug at Wu Ting’s smooth cheek.

Wu Ting yelped in pain, punching Ma Wu a few times in annoyance, “What are you doing! Let go! It hurts!”

Ma Wu just laughed, saying nothing, standing at the street corner to hail a taxi home. After all that had happened, it was already noon; if he didn’t get home soon, Li Mida would probably call him.

Wu Ting rubbed her cheek nearby, hissing quietly, and after a moment asked Ma Wu, “Where are you going? Waiting for a car?”

Ma Wu nodded, a little frustrated as he watched the endless stream of traffic, “Yeah, I’m heading home. So many cars, but not a single taxi.”

Wu Ting shook her head, “How about I call my driver? I’ll give you a ride home.”

Ma Wu didn’t refuse, and soon Wu Ting’s Cruze arrived to take them to Ma Wu’s place.

In the car, with her own driver present, Wu Ting refrained from any playful gestures toward Ma Wu. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Ma Wu, I’m honestly curious—how did you manage to spot Chen Jun’s suspicious points just by skimming the case summary? I looked it over for ages and didn’t find nearly as much as you did.”

Ma Wu chuckled, “That’s a secret.”

Wu Ting was a little displeased, but didn’t push further, merely rolling her eyes and turning away.

Soon, Wu Ting’s driver parked beneath Jing Mountain Apartments. As Ma Wu prepared to get out, Wu Ting called him back and handed him an elegant business card, “This is my personal card. If you need anything, call me.”

Ma Wu took it casually, “Alright!” and was about to step out.

But Wu Ting grabbed his sleeve, seemingly searching for words, “Hey, thanks for today.”

Seeing Ma Wu nod indifferently and eager to leave, Wu Ting’s cheeks flushed and she asked again, “Ah, which floor do you live on in Jing Mountain Apartments?”

Ma Wu finally paused, looking at Wu Ting with a hint of exasperation, “I feel like you’re really into me and don’t want me to leave. I own the entire Jing Mountain Apartments.”

Wu Ting was surprised, clearly not expecting Ma Wu to be so wealthy. Before she could respond, the driver in the front seat suddenly spoke, his voice cold and sinister, “Kid, watch your mouth. Don’t think a few measly bucks that bought this shabby apartment gives you any right to dream about things out of your league.”