"How's it going? Did you report to your superiors?"
"I did. They said they'll organize a team to investigate and want us to cooperate."
Cao Yang frowned. "Investigate what? The facts are clear enough, aren't they?"
Xia Dongdong shook her head. "All we know so far is Chen Hao. We haven't seen any counterfeit bills or the factory itself. Essentially, we have no evidence."
"Even though we suspect them, without proof, arresting them now could ruin everything."
Cao Yang didn't want to hear her reasoning. He impatiently asked, "Then what exactly do we need to catch them?"
"At the very least, we need to find their counterfeiting base, the personnel involved, and a large quantity of counterfeit cash."
Cao Yang lit a cigarette. "Right now, we only know Chen Hao. Check his household registration — the hideout should be somewhere in their village."
"Got it." Xia Dongdong made a call, and soon Chen Hao's household info appeared on her phone.
"He's registered in Tashe Village, Xianfeng Town."
"That's it — Tashe Village."
Cao Yang flicked his cigarette away. "Tonight, I'm going to check out Tashe Village."
"No way," Xia Dongdong stopped him. "It's too dangerous. If you're discovered, it'll alert them."
Cao Yang smirked. "Then what do you suggest?"
"We wait for the task force to arrive and handle this together."
"Wait for them? The deal's tomorrow — what then?"
"Carry out the deal normally. Afterward, the evidence will be more complete."
Cao Yang laughed bitterly and reached out to Xia Dongdong.
"For what?" she asked, confused.
"Money! You're giving me fourteen million, right?"
"Speak up! If you can't produce the cash and they realize they're being tricked, they'll tear us apart!"
She stayed silent. Cao Yang ignored her, stood up, and pulled out the bed sheets, twisting them into a rope.
"What are you doing?" Xia Dongdong asked curiously.
"I'm going to Tashe Village tonight. Give me your camera. If I find the hideout, I'll take photos."
"You're being impulsive. And why the sheets?"
"You idiot! There are people watching downstairs. I have to exit through the window. This is the fourth floor — no rope, and you think I'd survive the fall?"
Cao Yang cursed, and Xia Dongdong, used to it, didn't argue.
"I'll come with you." She grabbed her camera.
"No, it's easier if I go alone. If we're discovered, I can run faster." Cao Yang took the camera and started securing the rope.
Xia Dongdong helped reluctantly, muttering complaints. In Cao Yang's eyes, she always became the "useless one," which annoyed her.
"Stay put and wait for me," Cao Yang said, sliding down the rope.
He reached the second floor, ran out of rope, let go, performed a roll to absorb the impact, and landed safely.
Glancing at Xia Dongdong, he waved before disappearing into the night.
"Be careful," she whispered, quietly pulling the rope back inside.
…
Tashe Village was less than two kilometers from Xianfeng Town. Cao Yang moved cautiously, walking through fields and farmland.
He avoided roads — even at night, walking on a village path alone would attract attention, especially in a place like Tashe.
At the village entrance, a thick Huangguo tree stood. Around midnight, three or five young men sat on stone benches under the tree, chatting and playing cards.
Cao Yang knew they were village guards. Luckily, he hadn't walked on the path, or they would've spotted him immediately.
He skirted the entrance, moving through the fields, and noticed the entire village was surrounded by newly-built walls.
The walls were likely to keep outsiders out. At two meters high, they posed no problem for Cao Yang — a single leap brought him over.
The Tashe counterfeit factory had been built without plans for illegal activities, so it was tall, large, and conspicuous. Now, lights still shone inside.
Cao Yang crept closer, hiding behind a stack of prefabricated panels.
Inside, Chen Yao Dong was addressing the workers.
He announced that production would pause after today, allowing everyone to rest, spend time with family, but remain low-profile.
Villagers, aware of Dong Shu's plans, whispered among themselves. Some opposed stopping, unwilling to lose a rare opportunity to make money. Others urged caution.
The debates grew heated, and Chen Yao Dong quietly observed.
Finally, he suggested a vote. Most supported continuing operations.
Chen Yao Dong smiled and revealed his second pitch: they would continue production, but switch from RMB to dollars. With the overseas market opening, profits would exceed current earnings.
The villagers beamed, imagining prosperous days ahead.
After the meeting, six or seven people remained — the core team.
"Chen Hao, is tomorrow's shipment ready?"
"All set," Chen Hao replied, pointing to dozens of fully packed cartons.
"Dong Shu, that guy wants to visit our production line."
Chen Yao Dong shook his head. "He's just a lackey. No tour for him."
"But didn't you promise Tang Shaojie?"
"Tang Shaojie himself can come, but not his underling."
"And if he insists tomorrow?"
"Make up some excuse to brush him off."
Chen Yao Dong waved, exhausted, glancing at Chen Jun.
Among the juniors, Chen Hao handled sales, Chen Chao oversaw production, and Chen Jun, tough from childhood fights, managed village security.
"Xiao Jun, I've been uneasy lately. Keep a close watch on security," Chen Yao Dong instructed.
Chen Jun nodded, and everyone dispersed.
Cao Yang crouched behind the panels, holding his breath. Once they left, he peeked out.
The factory lights were off, but the security office remained lit, with a young guard on duty.
Cao Yang hesitated. To enter, he had to bypass the guard. But the booth was at the gate — no way around.
The only option: knock the guard out.
He thought for a moment. Exposure be damned. He could escape through the night. As long as he collected evidence for Jie Ge and White Shirt, and got Xia Dongdong out safely, the mission would be accomplished.