I said, "Since you are so confident, Senior, have you already set up the formation?"
The Senior replied, "To call it setting up a formation might be an exaggeration, but I have indeed made some arrangements."
My interest piqued, I asked, "Senior, please elaborate."
The Senior said, "There's a saying, 'all is fair in war.' Brother Hui is far away. Although he can command remotely using communication tools, these people are not particularly familiar with you and me. Relying on photos they send him, they can't accurately identify us completely. We can use the art of disguise again. Our brothers can impersonate you and me to lure the enemy out. We'll hide in the shadows and wait for an opportunity to strike."
Indeed, the Senior is brilliant. How did I not think of this plan?
I asked, "Do you already have suitable candidates?"
The Senior replied, "Yes, I have selected two individuals, and they are already on their way. They should arrive tomorrow morning. We won't move from here; we'll stay put. I'm even hoping they can't find us."
That's true. If we're digging a pit, we must dig it where everyone can think of and see it. That's where the fun lies.
I said, "You are meticulous in your actions, Senior. Your plans will undoubtedly be flawless."
The Senior said, "We don't know how many people they have ambushed, nor if they are masters. Therefore, we must draw them from the shadows into the open for us to have a chance to counterattack."
I nodded. The Senior then asked, "Where are Wen Siqiang and Qian Fugui?"
I replied, "I sent them to Da Shijie today. Do you need them to return?"
The Senior said, "Yes, it will be more convincing for them to follow the fake you and me."
I said, "I will call them right away and have them return after they finish their work."
The Senior added, "I recall you mentioning someone named Zhou Yingying. You should contact her. She might know some of Brother Hui's whereabouts."
I replied, "She's with Principal Sun. Does she have much interaction with Brother Hui? Will looking for her be useful?"
The Senior explained, "There are some things you don't understand as well as I do. This Principal Sun gave her to Brother Hui. Our people saw her staying overnight in Brother Hui's room."
Ah, how absurd! They can just give people away?
This is according to the Senior. I estimate there's not much exaggeration; it's highly likely true.
Since she has become Brother Hui's woman, perhaps we can extract something from her.
I called Wen Siqiang and asked him to arrange a meeting with Zhou Yingying.
I didn't tell him the specifics, just to inform me once he arranged it.
A moment later, Wen Siqiang called me back, saying Zhou Yingying was unreachable, her phone was turned off.
Her phone was turned off? Did she run off with Brother Hui?
That's unlikely, wouldn't he bring a woman along on the run? Or perhaps her phone battery died, and she turned it off.
I told Wen Siqiang to try contacting her again tomorrow. If he couldn't reach her, he should go to her place to look for her.
Wen Siqiang acknowledged. I then told the Senior, "Could you analyze whether she has left with them or is hiding from trouble?"
After all, she had connections with Principal Sun, and now that he's been caught, it's possible she's trying to lay low.
The Senior stated, "I think it's more likely that she followed them. Keeping her here would definitely be disadvantageous to Brother Hui. Even if she wasn't involved in drug trafficking, she knows many of their secrets. If she hasn't met with misfortune, she has probably left with them."
I agree. The probability of her leaving is higher.
I had hoped to learn something through her, but now she might have fled. I probably can't count on her.
I said, "Then we'll proceed with your plan. I'll have Wen Siqiang keep an eye on her and try to find her if possible."
The Senior replied, "Very well. We'll start our deployment once they arrive."
After a few more words, I returned to my room.
Xie Nana was still asleep. I didn't disturb her and lay down on my side on the other end of the bed. Exhausted from the day, I was overcome with fatigue and soon fell into a deep sleep.