Chapter 3: The First Arrest Mission

Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street.

Although it was already 1 p.m., the number of tourists were still high, with many tourist groups, making the overall arrest operation much more challenging.

Xu Changsheng parked the car but did not immediately get out. Instead, he handed two small earpieces to Su Ming and Wang Hu and said, “Hide these earpieces well and wear them. During the operation, all communications will be through this channel, to avoid any mishaps.”

“By the way,” he continued, “We’ve just parked in the middle of the intersection. Can you two spot how many of our people are here?”

“Since you haven’t seen them yet, let me see if you’re qualified for this reconnaissance task.”

After saying that, Su Ming looked at the street ahead, carefully observing the small stalls, shops, and even the tourists in the tour groups.

Wang Hu also leaned forward, staring at the street. After a few seconds, he scratched his head and said awkwardly, “Brother Sheng, I don’t see anything wrong. Are there really any of our people here?”

Xu Changsheng smiled at the response and shook his head, explaining, “Of course, there are. But they’ve all hidden themselves well. You two are still new to the job, so it’s normal that you can’t spot them. After all…”

Before Xu Changsheng could finish, Su Ming turned his gaze back and said firmly, “There are four of our people on this main street.”

Xu Changsheng was stunned for a moment and looked at Su Ming in surprise. The number Su Ming just mentioned was exactly the number of plainclothes detectives Xu Changsheng had stationed on this street.

After a brief silence, Xu Changsheng turned to Su Ming and asked seriously, “Xiao Ming, you’re not guessing are you? Four? Can you say exactly who they are?”

As an experienced detective, Xu Changsheng didn’t believe that a newcomer could spot hidden plainclothes officers so easily. He was sure it was a guess.

But Su Ming’s answer completely shattered that thought.

“The first is the fruit stall in the center of the street. The vendor under the umbrella is not pushing sales when customers arrive but is watching around too obviously.”

“The second is the customer in the convenience store. Though they bought oden and beer to cover up, they’re only eating the oden and not drinking the beer, which is very suspicious.”

“The third is the tour guide at the far end. Although he’s holding the guide flag and took the tourists into the store, he should have been encouraging them to spend money, but instead, he stepped out for a breath of fresh air, which is abnormal.”

“The fourth is the Security guard blocking vehicles from entering the pedestrian street. He’s hiding the best, but it’s not flawless. His appearance and actions seem fine, but his expression gave him away.”

At this point, Su Ming suddenly turned to Xu Changsheng and, with a pointed tone, continued, “Brother Sheng, do you know what a real Security guard at an intersection looks like?”

“They should be impatient and irritable, not wanting to say even half a word. They’re certainly not patiently directing cars to parking lots like this one. Of course, it could be explained as it being his first day on the job, still curious about the monotony of the work, but there’s no sign of nervousness or unfamiliarity on his face.”

“Adding all these details together, it’s enough to prove his identity!”

“Am I right, Brother Sheng?”

Su Ming’s skills in reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance were beyond those of ordinary detectives or criminals.

After hearing this analysis, Xu Changsheng stared at Su Ming with a look of disbelief, then quickly pressed the earpiece and angrily shouted, “Old Chen, just sell your fruit properly! Don’t ignore customers when they come!”

“Xiao Xu, throw away the beer on your table and replace it with cola! Drink a couple of sips once in a while!!”

“And Aqi, when you’re guiding the tourists, you need to give them some explanations, not just stand in front of the store like that!!”

“Lastly, Old Lin, as a security guard, be a little more impatient. Stop being so patient, who’s ever seen a security guard patiently answering questions like that? You’re scaring off the fish we’ve been trying to catch!!”

After Xu Changsheng’s rant, the plainclothes officers in hiding all tensed up, quickly adjusting their posture and expressions. They had never expected that their seemingly well-hidden actions had so many flaws.

What happened?

Had Xu Changsheng’s observational skills gotten so sharp that he could spot all their weaknesses?

Three seconds later, the plainclothes officers blended into the environment much better.

At least, if no one had been paying close attention, it would have been impossible to spot anything wrong!

…

After hearing Xu Changsheng’s shout, Wang Hu, who was sitting in the back, had his mouth wide open, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.

“Brother Ming, how did you spot all that?”

“I looked and… there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. Those little actions are things normal people would do, right? Maybe I’m not cut out for being a detective…”

Su Ming remained calm, putting on the earpiece, and said indifferently, “Observe more, analyze more, learn more.”

“You’ll be able to spot it in no time.”

After Xu Changsheng finished shouting, he adjusted his earpiece and continued, “Wang Hu, don’t doubt yourself.”

“It’s not that you’re not cut out for being a detective, it’s just that Su Ming is too perfect for the job!”

“When Director Lin took me on my first mission, he also asked me to spot how many of our plainclothes officers were out there. I was a little better off.”

“I spotted one out of three, but the other two couldn’t figure it out.”

“Now I finally understand…”

“Why Su Ming was the only one to score full marks in the detective recruitment test all these years.”

“Alright, let’s get out of the car.”

“According to the timing of the transaction, the two fish should be coming in an hour. You two come with me, and remember…”

“The seller is a middle-aged man, of average height but slightly shorter. There are no other distinctive features.”

“Stay sharp, don’t miss any suspicious individuals!!!”