Deadly Trap.

Chapter 19. A Desperate Comeback
Cheng Shining, 37 years old, divorced, with one daughter. He has been working in the Criminal Investigation Department of Minzhou Public Security Bureau for nearly 15 years.

Eleven years ago, he was commended for his meritorious service in solving a case involving arson and death related to organized crime, and was transferred to the Xizi Branch of the Public Security Bureau. Five years ago, he was promoted to police sergeant, a position he has held ever since.

He had thick, dark eyebrows, punctuated by a few furrows. Relying entirely on his abilities to climb the ladder of his career, Cheng Shining was calm, capable, and never flustered.

Despite having no hope of promotion, his eyes, framed by a straight nose, spoke volumes: he remained a determined warrior.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the entire Criminal Investigation Department on the third floor of the Public Security Bureau was as terrible as the blizzard outside the window. Under the city bureau's time-limited case-solving and anti-gang campaign, Chief Cheng was like a restless old cat, pacing back and forth in his office.

Rumors in the criminal investigation department were that Old Cheng's devilish seven-year-old daughter was coming.

Without prior arrangement, everyone stared intently at Lao Cheng's office.

At that very moment, the doors to the Criminal Investigation Department's office swung open.

The Demon King has arrived!

A silent alarm sounded, and the detectives scattered like birds.

However, the person calmly walking into Chief Cheng's office right now is not Cheng Shining's daughter.

But he was the true demon king.

"Gu Mufeng, I was just wondering if you would be the one to receive my message this time. And guess what, you've arrived."

With his eyes wide open, Cheng Shining turned around at the window and plopped down in his old office chair.

Across from the chaotic desk, Gu Mufeng sat down in the visitor's armchair.

"What's wrong with your police station?" Without turning around, Gu Mufeng casually pointed behind the broad shoulders. "Am I that famous now?"

Behind him, through the window, the detectives in the office, some standing and some sitting, all curiously peered into the room, watching his every move. Especially, "everyone has an appreciation for beauty." Perhaps his face was truly too handsome; several female officers seemed to be mesmerized by Gu Mufeng's profile.

Apparently displeased by the sarcasm in Gu Mufeng's tone, Chief Cheng abruptly pulled down the blinds and slammed the office door shut.

"Gu Mufeng, I'll be frank." Cheng Shining, a heavy smoker, casually exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze coldly fixed on Gu Mufeng from behind the swirling smoke. He then slumped back into his office chair.

"Our investigation has confirmed that the victims of the series of major crimes were all members of 'Friday Night.' You and 'Friday Night' are both inextricably linked."

In a brief conversation, without even glancing at the documents, Chief Cheng single-handedly rummaged through the mess on the desk and pulled out several files, tossing them to Gu Mufeng.

"Considering your years as an informant... take a look. Don't say I wronged you because I was trying to solve the case within a limited time."

Upon smelling the smoke, Gu Mufeng frowned in disgust, but he quickly suppressed his feelings and casually turned his head slightly to avoid it. He took the document and gently turned the pages with his black gloves.

"Our investigation revealed that all the victims died from gunshot wounds, with ligature marks on their necks, indicating they suffered violence—"

"Get to the point." Gu Mufeng interrupted the routine in a calm tone.

He casually tossed the report back onto the table.

Since Chief Inspector Cheng was able to issue a summons overnight to force him to come in person, the case could not possibly be limited to what it appears to be.

"Alright." Amidst the swirling smoke, Chief Cheng remained neither sarcastic nor friendly. He took puffs of his cigarette, not even glancing at Gu Mufei.

"The key point is that, after the autopsy, we found a 'K.' tattoo on the lower abdomen of the deceased."

"After our investigation, we found that the deceased had no lover or any contact with a nickname or abbreviation of 'K'. Until we discovered the deceased's connection with 'Friday Night'."

"And in 'Friday Night,' the only one whose code name is 'K' is—"

In an instant, Cheng Shining stood up like a tiger, his eyes fixed on Gu Mufeng: "You."

Gu Mufeng remained unmoved. A cold smile crept into his heart.

Cheng Shining, that's an exaggeration.

He came to the police station in person to wait for Cheng Shining to drop solid evidence and show his true colors.

His right hand unconsciously tightened, and a satisfied smile curved Gu Mufeng's lips. At this moment, the "big shot" hiding in the shadows revealed a weakness. He could finally take the initiative.

"Gu Mufeng, stop laughing. You should think about how to clean yourself up first." "Click," Chief Inspector Cheng slammed the handcuffs down.

"K".

This codename was abandoned seven years ago. Behind the frame-up lies a deeply entrenched dark undercurrent. Who is it?
Gu Mufeng's eyes held a knife pressed against its sheath. One wrong step, and not only would he be detained for forty-eight hours, but his fingerprints and DNA would fall into the hands of the police. Eleven years of planning... would be in vain.

But this dangerous thought only lasted for half a second before being replaced by his sharp and excited complete calm.

He didn't come here to be prey.

Prey? He was just about to show Cheng Shining his skills.

First, he hated children. Second, he hated the outdoors. Third, he had absolutely no interest in shooting his "partner."

Finally, the evidence was overwhelming, and he even had a perfect alibi.

Su Li. Gu Mufeng thought wistfully: Last night, his mind and body were completely occupied by this woman. She wouldn't let go for even a moment. Otherwise, he himself would laugh at this absurd accusation.

He recalled Su Li's gaze in front of the mirror, the dim light casting shadows.

The longing that welled up in her eyes had nowhere to hide, and it crashed into his heart completely.

His superior visual memory was crystal clear: when his hands grasped her soft waist, how her fingers clung tightly to the back of his neck, how she pressed her breath against his lips, pleading with him.

As if unable to control himself, Gu Mufeng gently pressed his tongue against the tip of his teeth, savoring the eyes from last night, the beauty that had trembled under his control, that had taken him again and again.

His eyes darkened. He had no time to waste on Cheng Shining right now. He desperately wanted to get back to Su Li's side and find out why she was willing to beg him so humbly.

He had to make a quick decision.

With this in mind, facing Chief Cheng's interrogative gaze head-on, Gu Mufeng stated his thoughts plainly and without embellishment:

“When you conduct investigations, you should know that the victim belongs to our external support team. This team is only responsible for liaison with higher-ups.”

Gu Mufeng's lips curled up:

"Therefore, they don't tattoo personal names. Chief Cheng, you'd better investigate further."

Faced with Gu Mufeng's composure, Chief Inspector Cheng was taken aback: This kid's counterattack was exceptionally swift today.

But Cheng Shining persisted relentlessly:
"The victim owed over ten thousand yuan in private loans. Gu Mufeng, are you trying to argue that 'Friday Night' is no longer a private financial institution?"

Unhurriedly, Gu Mufeng extended a black-gloved hand to Chief Inspector Cheng:
“You know perfectly well that we only lend to investors. Individuals make tens of thousands in profit…” he chuckled, “Show me the bank statements.”

With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Chief Inspector Cheng tossed another, much thinner document across the table to Gu Mufeng.

With a quick scan, Gu Mufeng was intimately familiar with this fundraising method. Financial savvy was rampant in Minzhou; it seemed someone was desperate to cover their massive financial deficit.

He sorted out the list in his mind.

Who is it?
He had never heard of this lender before. And there was no lender in the entire Minzhou that he was unaware of.

With his fingertips gliding effortlessly across the paper covered in financial details, Gu Mufeng could tell through addition and subtraction that the Xizi District Criminal Investigation Department had deployed all its police resources and was eager to solve the case.

"I can help you find the lender," Gu Mufeng said deliberately.

He raised an eyebrow slightly: "But naturally, there's a fee." He smiled slyly.

Now it was Chief Inspector Cheng's turn to be unsure.

Cheng Shining knew very well that Gu Mufeng was no pushover. He was an old fox, and Gu Mufeng was certainly no naive little fox either.

He had already learned his lesson eleven years ago. In particular, Gu Mufeng seemed especially sharp today.

"What are the conditions?" Cheng Shining's voice was deep and thunderous.

Gu Mufeng curled his lips into a smile: "It's simple: you owe me a favor."

His words were simple and direct, his gaze sharp: "I need one of your files—"

Cheng Shining's expression changed drastically: "Gu Mufeng, don't push your luck!"

“Cheng Shining, I’m not haggling.”

Gu Mufeng leaned forward slightly, his eyes flashing with a sharp edge as he pressed them against the other man's throat.
"You need me to solve the case, not the other way around."

Immediately afterward, he stepped back, his tone remaining light and relaxed, yet subtly menacing. Gu Mufeng revealed his unique, seductive smile: "If I were to send you to find a needle in a haystack..."

Headache.

Cheng Shining lowered his brows. He sullenly twisted the cigarette butt into the overflowing ashtray, then glanced coldly at Gu Mufeng across from him in the shadows.
This kid, after eleven years, is still such a headache.

"Fine. But I'll send an officer to keep an eye on you." Cheng Shining said fiercely, holding on tightly.

"Whatever," Gu Mufeng said, shrugging. He didn't seem to care. Thinking of Su Li, he got up to take his leave.

"However, Gu Mufeng."

The conversation took an abrupt turn. Cheng Shining addressed Gu Mufeng by his full name without any politeness. His voice suddenly deepened as he firmly grasped Gu Mufeng's hand: "You seem unusually anxious today. Where are you rushing off to?"

>>>>>
Next chapter: Sunlight and Moonlight

[Author's Note | Chapter Nineteen]

A power struggle unfolds at the police station, with murder charges looming large. Su Li becomes an alibi—amidst desire and memories, Gu Mufeng's swift and precise counterattack was solely to turn back and find her?

Did you fall for the super-hot CEO Gu today?
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(End of this chapter)