The next day, Cao Yang received the printed portraits of the two suspects.
At that time, the surveillance footage was still rather blurry, so the printed images weren't very clear either.
He felt a bit frustrated. The gambling ship issue still had no leads, and now another fake money task was being assigned to him.
It wasn't that Cao Yang didn't want to work, but he wasn't good at tasks that required thinking.
He felt that Tang Shaojie had some misunderstanding about him. Apart from being a bit better at fighting, everything else about him was quite ordinary.
If you asked him to fight someone, or handle a physical task, he had no problem.
But asking him to make plans or trace clues was a bit too much.
Fortunately, Tang Shaojie didn't put pressure on him, letting him search at his own pace — if he found something, great; if not, he would just be a participant.
A phone rang — an unknown number.
"Hello."
"'The king covers the earth'?" a pleasant female voice came through the line.
Cao Yang frowned. No wonder he needed protection — it turned out to be a woman.
"'Pagoda suppresses the river monster,'" he replied, though slightly annoyed, matching the code phrase.
"Where are you?"
"I'm at the Hualu Tea Restaurant."
"Wait for me, I'll be there soon."
Soon after, a beautiful woman in a white casual outfit appeared at the tea restaurant. She looked around before sitting across from Cao Yang.
The two silently sized each other up. Cao Yang admired her beauty, noticing a heroic aura similar to his sister-in-law.
The woman was also surprised at Cao Yang's age — he looked younger than she expected.
"Hello, I'm Xia Dongdong."
"Hello, I'm Cao Yang."
They shook hands politely.
"How long have you been undercover?" Xia Dongdong asked, glancing around cautiously, speaking in a hushed tone.
Cao Yang was stunned. "Who told you I'm undercover?"
"No one told me. I guessed. You're either an undercover or an informant; otherwise, the leadership wouldn't have assigned you to assist me."
Cao Yang nodded. "Impressive, you guessed correctly. I am indeed undercover, but my identity must remain absolutely secret. You cannot reveal it to anyone."
"I understand."
"No, you only understand half. This time, it's not me assisting you — it's you assisting me. I'm in charge."
"Why? The leadership said you were to assist me."
"This is my territory. I decide."
"Hehe… an undercover gangster addicted to power? Your territory?"
…
Both wanted to dominate the other, creating an awkward tension.
Cao Yang remained calm, sipping his morning tea.
Xia Dongdong could only glare at him in frustration.
For over ten minutes, they didn't speak a word.
After finishing his tea, Cao Yang asked the waiter to settle the bill and left the restaurant, with Xia Dongdong following.
"Why are you following me?"
"To investigate the fake money together!"
"Who's in charge?"
"I am."
"Then go alone."
"You, Cao, what do you mean? The leadership wants you to cooperate with me, and you cooperate like this? Do you want me to file a complaint?"
"Hahaha… I'm not afraid of you! Go ahead and complain!"
He wasn't a real undercover; why be afraid?
Seeing his arrogant expression, Xia Dongdong's anger flared — this brat needed a lesson.
As Cao Yang walked, he suddenly sensed a gust from behind and quickly dodged.
Xia Dongdong's kick missed; she looked at him in surprise. "Nice reflexes."
"What do you mean? Why attack me?" Cao Yang asked.
Xia Dongdong sneered, "I usually make men who don't respect me submit!"
"You… make me submit?" Cao Yang pointed at her, then at himself, making her laugh.
"What, looking down on me?"
Cao Yang nodded. "Yes, looking down on you."
Xia Dongdong flew into a rage, delivering a high kick, her sole almost hitting Cao Yang's face.
"I'm a black belt in Taekwondo. If I hadn't stopped this kick, your face would have my shoe print!"
She twisted her ankle as she spoke, quite proud.
Her height — 1.7 meters — made the high kick visually impressive.
"Useless flashy technique, all style, no substance."
"Oh… then critique it."
"Firstly, if I attack your left leg, you'd immediately lose balance and fall."
"Hehe… I'd probably have kicked you before you even strike."
Cao Yang ignored her and extended two fingers.
"With your high-kick posture, you've exposed your vulnerable point. I just need to jab these two fingers at your groin — how will you respond?"
Hearing this, Xia Dongdong quickly retracted her leg, stepping back, both embarrassed and angry.
"Damn! Don't be a pervert!"
"I'm not being a pervert. I'm pointing out your flaw seriously. You've used this move to defeat many opponents, haven't you?"
"They were probably friends or colleagues, noticing flaws but restrained by face."
"Remember, we're facing a ruthless fake-money syndicate. They won't care about face or morality."
"You can theorize all you want. If you dare, let's spar — winner leads!"
"Hahaha… I have two strengths: big courage and skill. I've never lost with these. Beat me and I'll even call you godmother!"
"Then prepare to be my godmother!"
Xia Dongdong immediately launched a high kick aimed at Cao Yang's face.
Cao Yang ducked, forming a fist, and struck her abdomen.
"Ah…!" Xia Dongdong screamed, flying back into the wall.
She clutched her stomach, curled up like a shrimp, unable to get up.
"Amateur move. I only used half my strength." Cao Yang patted his fist, looking proud.
After a while, Xia Dongdong still hadn't gotten up, and blood was seeping onto the floor.
Cao Yang panicked, rushing to check.
Her occiput hit a protruding cement edge, causing a minor injury.
"You okay?" Cao Yang asked with concern.
"Damn! Do you think I'm okay?"
"Uh… police can't curse. I'll take you to the hospital."
He carried her to a nearby tertiary hospital.
At the hospital, the doctor trimmed some hair and treated the wound.
During this, Xia Dongdong glared at Cao Yang, clearly scolding him silently.
"It's hot today. To prevent infection, we'll give you an IV."
The doctor, eager for revenue, performed some unnecessary treatments.
Cao Yang's nicotine craving hit; he went to the emergency stairwell to smoke.
Just as he lit a cigarette, he saw someone coming down the stairs.
Cao Yang was surprised — he hadn't expected to see a familiar face here.