How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 164 The Newspaper's Mysteries (5)

But these were clearly not the questions Qingru wanted to ask.

"I mean, are there any dancers or similar companions?"

Guo Zixing breathed a sigh of relief; so that's what they wanted to ask.

"I arrived late and didn't notice these things, but I suppose they must exist."

The group then summoned Manager Qu for questioning.

The list is already written, so mentioning one or two people isn't a big deal.

Manager Qu confessed honestly, "Yes, our top star, Miss Ai Li, last night was her special day. Miss Zheng invited her up to drink with her."

"Call her over for questioning."

Guo Zixing thought carefully, unsure if he had ever met this Miss Ai Li.

Qingru and the other two looked around the room and observed their surroundings.

The corridor is adorned with stunning photos of all the past "Queen of Cabaret" Kim Anna, each one captivating and radiant.

"It's really nice. I've been here before, but this is my first time going upstairs."

Qingru looked at the photos one by one. Each photo had a name written on the bottom, and next to it was a card with the names and famous deeds of the dancers and singers.

"Why do these people seem so unknown? I remember that singers and dancers in famous nightclubs were all adored like celebrities, weren't they?"

Jiang Shen pondered for a moment before replying, "Perhaps it's because I'm not famous enough?"

"Really? You haven't heard of it?"

When asked for his opinion, Guo Zixing forced a smile and explained, "I rarely socialize in dance halls, so I don't know much about these things."

Qingru glanced at him up and down, clearly disbelieving.

Guo Zixing felt a little uneasy. "Besides these, have there been any other discoveries?"

Qingru shook her head, then suddenly saw something.

"Ok?"

Can photos transmit light?

Qingru leaned over suspiciously to take a look. There were ten photos in total. The corridors on both sides were illuminated by the light from the stage downstairs, and the stained glass reflected a variety of colors.

Beautiful and dazzling, but...

Light shining on a photograph only reflects light, it doesn't let light pass through. Is there an empty space behind the photograph instead of a wall?

Qingru raised her hand and tapped it.

"Knock knock," the sound was solid, dull and without lingering echo, indicating a solid brick wall.

Seeing Qingru's actions, Jiang Shen asked, "Do you suspect there's something hidden in the wall?"

"It's possible. Look at those photos, some of them are translucent, which can't be caused by light."

"Then why didn't you just knock on the part that lets in the light?"

"I'm afraid some might slip through the net."

Jiang Shen and Guo Zixing also came up and knocked.

"It's here!" Jiang Shen exclaimed excitedly, "There's something wrong here."

Qingru tried it out; the sound was crisp and resonant, indicating that it was definitely hollow inside.

Quickly take down the photo of Eli, and sure enough, you can see the patching marks on the wall.

"Let's see what's inside?"

Qingru stepped forward to explore, and Jiang Shen also came closer.

"this?"

Qingru reached out and dug, finally touching something.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a small square box inside, the lid of which had been pried open.

"this…"

Jiang Shen also saw the box.

Guo Zixing also saw it.

Qingru opened the box, and there were three books inside.

"Are they all Bibles?" Looking at those thick books, which resembled dictionaries, Qingru was completely bewildered.

Guo Zixing guessed the ending, "Open the book."

"!" Qingru's eyes widened in surprise. "This is... a hidden gun?"

The thick scripture was cut open from the middle, revealing a small pistol-shaped object.

Jiang Shen stepped forward and identified it, saying, "The Colt M1903 semi-automatic pistol has the markings 'one gun, two horses, three flowers, four snakes, five dogs, open mouth and kick.' This is the famous Colt brand pistol. It's small, easy to carry, and very suitable for close-quarters assassination."

Guo Zixing frowned. They actually put this kind of thing here? He thought back to last night when if he hadn't brought his men up, guns would probably have been pointed at him already!

The three scriptures had been hollowed out; two of them contained guns, and the third contained medicine bottles.

"Looks like this is the drug some people were given last night," Jiang Shen said sarcastically.

Guo Zixing's face turned ashen, but he refrained from turning hostile because he was mindful of Qingru.

Qingru remained calm throughout, simply investigating the case with composure.

"The incident happened, so why weren't these things taken away? Were they too confident, or did something unexpected happen?"

Qingru was puzzled.

"I understand," Guo Zixing said and walked out.

Seeing this, Qingru quickly grabbed him, "What's wrong?"

“Aili!” Guo Zixing said the name almost through gritted teeth.

Yes, the guns and drugs hidden behind Ellie's photos are naturally related to her.

They left one group of people to watch over Kim Anna, while the three of them hurriedly led the rest of the people toward the north of the city.

Singers and dancers belonged to the lowest social class, and apart from the mistresses and concubines of certain high-ranking officials, they would not rent or sell houses to the rest.

The pattern of "the south being poor and the north being lowly" had become established, and Alley and his group all lived there.

"Young Master Guo, something terrible has happened!" Manager Qu rushed over, panting. "Over there... Ai Li... she..."

"Ran?"

Manager Qu nodded in surprise, "She committed suicide, she hanged herself from the roof beam."

"Understood." Guo Zixing said, pushing Manager Qu aside and leading the two into the car.

"The trail has gone cold again." Qingru frowned. "What's going on? Every time it's a crucial moment, we lose contact."

"Don't rush, let's go check on the Zheng family first."

Qingru naturally didn't think Guo Zixing was going to the Zheng family to compete for a man's affections, especially since there were more important matters to attend to now.

The car sped towards the Zheng family's house.

It was already afternoon, and none of the three had eaten, but none of them had the time to bring up the matter.

With the daylight shining brightly, the group had a clear view of the Zheng family's situation.

It's truly... completely unrecognizable...

Yesterday, the Zheng family's house was brightly lit and filled with distinguished guests.

Today, the Zheng family compound is a scene of devastation, with broken walls and ruins.

"How could that be? It wasn't like this when I left yesterday?"

Qingru could hardly believe her eyes.

Yesterday, when she left, although there were gunshots all around the Zheng family, only the row of bungalows in the backyard was destroyed. The main yard was still intact. How come today even part of the wall has collapsed and half of the main structure of the villa has been destroyed?

Qingru looked at Guo Zixing and saw the same surprise in his eyes.

The Zheng family manor was severely damaged. At this moment, the uninjured servants can be seen tidying up their belongings, going in and out busily.

Zheng, the comprador, sat upright to one side, his arm wrapped in gauze and in a sling.

He saw Qingru and the others approaching, and a hint of resentment flashed across his face.

"Uncle Zheng, how are you?"

Guo Zixing stepped forward to support Zheng, the comprador, and Qingru also supported him, afraid that he would fall.

"fine."

Zheng, the comprador, waved his hand, his expression somewhat ferocious.

Where is Miss Zheng?

Comprador Zheng glared angrily, his disappointment palpable. "Perhaps he's dead!"

Guo Zixing then stopped asking, "Where are you planning to move to? If you don't mind, there's a villa not far away."

"No need, I'm going to Shanghai."

"Shanghai?" Guo Zixing exclaimed in surprise. Was this the reason why Zheng, the comprador, was leaving Sifang City?

"Uncle Zheng, do you know who did this?"

Comprador Zheng chuckled, "What brilliant idea does Young Master Guo have?"

This was the first time Guo Zixing had used such an unfamiliar form of address, which made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"This matter involves a wide range of people, and I'm afraid you won't have any peace even if you go to Shanghai."

Zheng's comprador's expression froze instantly, and he asked cryptically, "What do you mean? This operation wasn't carried out by the Communists?"

"Perhaps it was the work of several parties who were happy to make this happen."

Zheng, the comprador, interrupted Guo Zixing, saying, "This is your duty; you don't need to tell me."

Guo Zixing tentatively asked, "Then, shall I help you move your luggage to the villa?"

"Hmph." Zheng, the comprador, snorted coldly and stopped talking.

Guo Zixing readily accepted the suggestion and immediately called for people to come and move the things.

Zheng, the comprador, sat in his chair, his fingers stroking his teacup, his expression inscrutable.