Sold for 300, I Fight Back with Superpowers
Chapter 298: Making Inquiries
Su Qing frowned. "How did Xiangcheng get involved?"
"I’m not sure about the details myself." Zhao Youcai sighed. He was deeply worried about his old friend’s safety, but there was nothing he could do from so far away. "This is just what I’ve managed to find out by asking around. Apparently, a companion of one of the missing people had left for a moment. When he returned, he found his friend had been drugged and was being carried away. He thought he heard one of the kidnappers mention something about Xiangcheng. He reported what he heard to the public security bureau, but they haven’t found anything yet. Instead, more people have gone missing, one after another."
Su Qing asked, "If people know they might go missing in the mountains, why do they still go in?"
Zhao Youcai shook his head. "I heard the locations of the disappearances are never the same. No one knows where the next person might be taken from."
’So they hit and run.’ Su Qing understood. ’No wonder.’
’Yun Province...’
Su Qing thought of Captain Qiao Wensong, whom she knew from Yun Province. ’Maybe I can ask him about the situation.’ She wanted to help Wang Xuehong, especially since Wang Xuehong had helped her in the past.
"Chief," Su Qing said to Zhao Youcai, "let me go with you to the village office to make a call. I know a police officer in Yun Province. I’d like to see if I can find out anything."
Zhao Youcai’s eyes lit up. "Really? That’s wonderful! Let’s go right now."
"Okay."
At the Chuncheng City Public Security Bureau, Qiao Wensong was just about to leave when a team member rushed over. "Captain Qiao, you have a call."
"Who is it?" Qiao Wensong asked.
"A young woman. She said her name is Su Qing," the team member replied.
"Su Qing." Qiao Wensong instantly remembered who that was. He nodded. "Alright, I’ll take it."
Qiao Wensong picked up the phone and greeted her with a smile. "Su Qing, long time no see."
They hadn’t seen or spoken to each other since they parted ways on Da Hu Mountain. Qiao Wensong had always been grateful for her help and regretted not getting her contact information back then. He was very happy that she was calling today.
"Captain Qiao, long time no see." Su Qing laughed lightly. "I’m calling today because there’s something I was hoping to ask you about."
"What is it?"
Su Qing explained, "An elder I know has gone missing in the mountains of Yun Province. I heard there have been several similar disappearances, so I wanted to ask if you know anything about it. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to inquire about the details."
Su Qing then briefly explained the circumstances of Wang Xuehong’s disappearance to Qiao Wensong.
When he heard which case Su Qing was asking about, Qiao Wensong’s expression turned serious. "So your elder was one of the people who went missing. I do know a few things about this case. I can’t tell you anything classified, but I can say that these disappearances are all related to drug trafficking. Do you remember those people we were pursuing on Da Hu Mountain?"
Su Qing nodded. "I remember."
Qiao Wensong continued, "Those men were drug traffickers, and they were also involved in the abductions. We can now confirm that the missing people were all taken by these traffickers."
"Why? What are they taking people for?" Su Qing asked with a frown.
"We don’t know their motive yet. The traffickers we caught were just low-level grunts; they have no contact with the core members. So, we don’t have much information about these disappearances, and we don’t know if the victims are safe. But one thing is for sure: they are in danger."
Su Qing’s heart sank. ’Wang Xuehong has been missing for over a month. Is she still safe?’
"Captain Qiao, is there anything I can do to help?" Su Qing asked.
"Not right now." Qiao Wensong said quickly. "This case is too complex and dangerous. You’re just a young woman; don’t get involved. If there are any developments, I’ll let you know. Just give me your contact information."
In Qiao Wensong’s view, Su Qing was just a teenage girl, perhaps not even an adult. Even though she had helped them on Da Hu Mountain, she had no formal training. It would be extremely dangerous for her to go up against those vicious drug traffickers.
Su Qing had to agree. ’Even if I went to Yun Province, I probably couldn’t help much.’ So, she gave Qiao Wensong the number for the village office and told him to pass on any news directly to Zhao Youcai.
"Su Qing, thank you," Zhao Youcai said quickly. "No matter what happens to Wang Xuehong, I owe you for this."
"Chief, don’t say that," Su Qing replied. "The party secretary has helped me a lot, too."
Zhao Youcai sighed. "Ah, I just don’t know if she’ll make it out of this."
"Let’s hope so." Su Qing had no guarantees either. Remembering what Zhao Youcai had said about Xiangcheng, she decided she would try to subtly ask An Zhihan about it. Su Qing didn’t know much about the Xiangcheng of this era, but she knew it was home to many gangs, some of which were involved in shady, under-the-table dealings.
Su Qing didn’t plan to ask An Zhihan directly. After all, she didn’t know him that well, and given his current condition, she didn’t want to drag him into this.
So, the next day, Su Qing went to the county seat.
An Zhihan was delighted to hear Su Qing had arrived. He had no friends in Xiyuan County, so Su Qing was his only one. Moreover, he was especially grateful to her for persuading Mr. Gong to treat his leg.
"How’s your leg doing?" Su Qing asked, knowing that Mr. Gong was now treating him.
"There’s been some improvement," An Zhihan said with a smile. "I feel stronger than I did last year. It’s just that the injury is quite old, so Mr. Gong said the treatment will likely take a long time."
In truth, Mr. Gong had told him his leg could never be fully cured. The original injury was too severe. The best-case scenario would be walking with a crutch, without the ability to run or jump. But An Zhihan was already content with that. As long as he could stand on his own again—even if it meant using a crutch, walking slowly, and never being able to run or jump—he would consider himself incredibly fortunate.
"That’s good." Su Qing smiled and silently sent a wisp of green mist toward An Zhihan.
The hand An Zhihan was using to hold his cup paused for a fraction of a second. Then, as if nothing had happened, he raised the cup to his lips, took a sip of water, and smiled, inviting Su Qing to join him for lunch.
Su Qing happily accepted.
During the meal, they chatted happily. Su Qing then asked An Zhihan, as if the thought had just occurred to her, "I hear there are a lot of gangs in Xiangcheng. Is that true?"