"Is that all you want?"
"You might be underestimating me."
"If you can help me get this done, not only can I get your residency transferred to Beijing, but I can also provide you with a house. If Chu Sheng and his mother give you any more trouble, I will handle that for you as well."
Quan Ruifeng shot back, a flash of darkness crossing his eyes. He seemed surprised that Xia Xian wasn't more greedy—that she didn't even dare to name her own terms.
As expected of a Beijing big shot; he certainly had the money and the stature to throw around. He could have just offered one of those things, but he insisted on giving her everything. Xia Xian didn't even dare to accept so much.
She shook her head, hurriedly declining.
"No, no need. Just having a place to live is enough. I’m happy to pay rent. As for Chu Sheng and his mother, I should be able to handle them myself. If I can't, I’ll come to you for help."
A house was too precious; she didn't dare accept it. And as for Chu Sheng and his mother, she needed to exact her revenge herself.
"Hmm."
Quan Ruifeng gave a noncommittal grunt. It was impossible to tell if he had even truly listened to her words. He raised his eyes and gestured for Xia Xian to follow him.
"I’ll explain what you need to do."
"Alright, alright, no problem!"
Since she had decided to cooperate, and since he was so generous, Xia Xian naturally wouldn't drag her feet. She would do exactly as he said.
However, Quan Ruifeng didn't explain it right there. Instead, he led her to a basement. As soon as the door opened, a dark, gloomy space greeted her, and a cool breeze blew out, feeling rather eerie.
She hesitated at the threshold, afraid to step inside.
"What? Are you afraid I’m going to lock you up?"
Quan Ruifeng stood by the door and flipped on the lights. Perhaps sensing her thoughts, he turned back and looked at her with a smirk.
Xia Xian caught a glimpse of the various files plastered on the walls and, thinking of his status, gritted her teeth and stepped inside.
"How could that be? Comrade Quan is a fine comrade who serves the people. It’s impossible for you to do anything immoral or illegal!"
Xia Xian subtly flattered him, masking the faint unease in her heart.
As soon as she stepped inside, the basement door slowly creaked shut behind them, completely cutting off the sunlight and sounds from the outside world.
Even the sound of Quan Ruifeng’s leather shoes hitting the floor was clearly audible.
He walked over step by step, the rhythmic sound of his shoes echoing. Xia Xian’s breathing quickened again, and her heart began to flutter erratically.
This cursed sense of oppression!
Xia Xian decided to take the initiative! She licked her lips and pointed at the files on the wall, asking quickly.
"What are these? Can you tell me now how I’m supposed to help?"
Quan Ruifeng nodded and pulled a stack of files from the wall to show her.
"These are the files on the prime suspect of the serial murders in Beijing, codenamed Sea Eagle."
"He likes to stalk and kill young, single, beautiful, and vulnerable girls aged 16 to 20. He doesn't give his victims a quick death; he enjoys torturing them. The more they cry, the more excited he gets. After the killing, he always cuts off the victim’s right ring finger as a souvenir."
"Over the past three years, he has taken eight lives in Beijing, An Province, and Wucheng. Based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, I suspect he has come to Ningcheng."
"That is why I want you to act as bait and lure him out. If we let him escape again, there’s no telling how many more innocent lives will be lost."
Quan Ruifeng became unusually serious when he spoke of these things, his eyes filled with deep loathing.
This man would leave clues about his next destination beside the bodies; he was truly arrogant, a blatant challenge to their bottom line!
However, while he believed the suspect was in Ningcheng, others insisted he had gone to Liucheng. He was convinced his assessment was correct, so he had volunteered to come here to investigate. He would not return to Beijing until "Sea Eagle" was brought to justice!
"So that’s it. No wonder."
That day, she had cried so realistically—she certainly had looked vulnerable. No wonder he had picked her out immediately; her age was also appropriate.
But.
"I’m a widow. Can I really lure him out?"
Xia Xian felt a bit conflicted. She was someone who had already died once; it wasn't that she was afraid of a serial killer. If she could get so many benefits by taking a risk, it was worth throwing caution to the wind!
"Why wouldn't a widow be considered single? We’ll try it."
Quan Ruifeng retorted, then went on to explain many critical details.
"This is his photograph. You need to memorize it. He will definitely use a disguise when he goes out, so you have to observe him yourself. Additionally, you must memorize all these files. He has many specific habits. If you encounter danger alone, you can use these details to counterattack."
"Once you have memorized these files and pass my test, I will teach you how to be a qualified bait to lure him out. The operation will be as high-profile as possible. Your reputation might be damaged, but I will clear your name after he is caught."
Quan Ruifeng didn't think there was any issue with her being a widow. The main thing was that she could cry and evoke the most depraved desires for torture in a person; that was what mattered most.
"Alright, I understand."
"Then I’ll take these—"
Xia Xian understood. She was about to say she would take the files back to memorize them, but Quan Ruifeng had already anticipated her words and cut her off.
"You cannot take the files. You will memorize them here. Not a single word of this information can be leaked."
He gave the command firmly.
Fine. Since that was the case, Xia Xian had no choice but to stay and memorize them. Although there were many details, she had always been fast at memorizing things. A single afternoon should suffice, right?
That was what Xia Xian thought, but Quan Ruifeng’s gaze remained fixed on her, making her extremely nervous. After staring for a while, not a single word had registered in her brain. She looked up, feeling helpless, and asked in a small voice.
"Could you turn around? Don't watch me; I’m not used to it."
"Can you make that same request when you’re facing Sea Eagle?"
Quan Ruifeng countered coolly, catching Xia Xian off guard. She pursed her lips, having nothing to say. However, he seemed to be merely habitually sharp-tongued, and he did turn around, picking up a file to read himself.
He had spent three years collecting these files, and he had made many notes, focusing heavily on Sea Eagle’s personality traits. As long as Sea Eagle was in Ningcheng, he was certain he could lure him out!
Quan Ruifeng looked at the file before him, his thin lips pressed into a line, his eyes growing even sharper.
Even while he was half-bent, looking at the documents, his posture was upright and outstanding. His profile was unbelievably good-looking—a smooth jawline, a high-bridged nose. His features were exceptionally chiseled.
Looking at him from the side, Xia Xian found his face even more remarkable. She wondered what kind of young woman would be worthy of him—tall, handsome, and from a good family. Simply perfect.
Xia Xian appreciated him with the eyes of a matchmaker for a moment, then quickly gathered her thoughts and focused her energy on memorizing the files.
Sea Eagle, male, thirty-six to thirty-eight years old, appearance...
"I'm ready."
The two had been in the basement for three hours. Within those three hours, Xia Xian had memorized the files until she could recite them backward. She then confidently accepted Quan Ruifeng’s examination, convinced she would pass on the first try.
Unexpectedly, the first question Quan Ruifeng asked her left her completely stunned.