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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 137: A Glimpse of Surprise
In the memories of the past, Baldy had one notable trait: he would never turn back even if he hit a wall. Even when they met again, and despite returning to his identity as Party Instructor, that characteristic remained unchanged.
After revealing himself, Xiao Mu found himself trapped. If you ignored him, he would keep talking; if you scolded him a bit, he would just laugh it off; and if you tried to walk away... well, that was impossible, as Aeming followed like a shadow. Even with Xiao Mu's thick skin, he felt embarrassed by Aeming's antics and insisted on fulfilling his promise to introduce Police Flower to him.
Fan Saili knew that those in Criminal Investigation could be quite shameless, but she never expected them to be this brazen. Several times she tried to leave, only to be pulled back by Aeming. Frustrated by this shameless character, Xiao Mu had no choice but to take both of them back to where he made a living; there was work waiting for him.
This unique place of residence was revealed, leaving Aeming and Fan Saili in awe.
On the top floor of an apartment complex, a rented duplex had been transformed into a tattoo studio with an obscure name: Nirvana Tattoo.
Inside the shop were four or five staff members and several separated workstations. Two customers were getting tattoos done. The dental-like tools left Aeming confused. It seemed Xiao Mu had a job waiting for him; after disinfecting and putting on gloves, he got straight to work. The client waiting was a beautiful woman who lifted her skirt to reveal her thigh, presumably getting inked right there. As Xiao Mu began his work, he waved his hand, and the staff promptly ushered the dumbfounded Aeming and Fan Saili outside.
"Oh wow, no wonder we couldn't find him; he has a legitimate job now... Hey, Saili, is this considered a legitimate profession?" Aeming asked quietly as they admired the studio. The walls were adorned with tattoos of various body parts—different patterns, skin tones, and combinations—strangely placed together yet not feeling out of place.
"This doesn't have any professional certification... Heh heh... it's quite impressive," Fan Saili remarked after glancing around and nodding in approval.
"I don't have an artistic eye; I can't understand what’s so special about a beautifully decorated buttock. In our country, this is often just an ID for Ruffians," Aeming said, shaking his head as his gaze fell on a tattoo on someone's rear—a simple line drawing depicting a cluster of flowers.
It appeared simple yet intricate; upon closer inspection, it was extremely minimalist. Fan Saili became captivated by it.
"You wouldn't understand this, would you?" Aeming asked in surprise.
Fan Saili replied directly, "I don't."
"Then why are you looking at it so intently?" Aeming questioned.
"Doesn't it look like... money patterns?" Fan Saili said thoughtfully.
Aeming burst into laughter. The police were like this; they could get so engrossed in their work that everything reminded them of the case situation. It seemed that Officer Fan's mind was still on the unresolved case.
After a while, an employee from the studio invited the two of them to the meeting room, poured them a glass of water, and asked them to wait. This wait turned out to be endless. Bored, they flipped through newspapers and magazines on the table, getting up several times only to sit back down again. The way Aeming was fidgeting left Fan Saili puzzled. She finally spoke up, "Party Instructor, why do I feel like you're a bit afraid of him?"
"Not really afraid... well, maybe a little. I'm worried he might throw in the towel," Aeming replied.
"Our Public Safety Expert is at a loss too. I really can't see what makes him special," Fan Saili said directly. At this, Aeming laughed and said, "If I told you what makes him special, you'd be shocked. During the 402 Pyramid Scheme bust, we all thought it was hopeless. Lu Hongbo had escaped from the mental hospital, and Yang Yun left as a whistleblower. The whereabouts of the stolen money were unknown; those two were like keys that only fit together to unlock the truth... But somehow, he managed to pull it off. Yang Yun had already left the country but came back to turn himself in. You wouldn't believe it; I couldn't believe it myself."
"That's because you were both deeply involved in the Pyramid Scheme and knew everything about it... But this time, no one has seen Trafficker King, and there’s so little information," Fan Saili pointed out.
This stumped Aeming; he wasn't good at analysis. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Well, we might as well treat this dead horse as a live one; who knows if there's a way? Honestly, I have my doubts about you technical folks. If you can figure something out, it's called big data analysis; if not, it just becomes a cold case... Yet you all keep denying our frontline detectives' tracking methods."
"I haven't denied anything, but treating this dead horse as a live one can't be called a tracking method," Fan Saili countered.
Aeming slapped his palm and exclaimed, "Wrong! Treating a dead horse as a live one is different from not preparing to treat it at all. No matter what kind of king he is—Trafficker King is still human! As long as he hasn't hidden away in some remote mountain and cut himself off from the world, there should be some active leads we can find."
That was an irresponsible statement; sure, there were leads, but the search area spanned 9.6 million square kilometers of territory. With just two officers on their own, where would they even begin? Even if there was a chance of finding something, how would they calculate the cost of the investigation? Where would the funding come from? These were all issues that needed consideration. Often when such problems arose, the result was simply letting the case... sit unresolved.
Being overly persistent isn't always a virtue; it can easily turn into stubbornness.
Fan Saili chose not to press further and absentmindedly flipped through magazines without engaging with Aeming again. She watched as he fidgeted like a monkey in a hot pit—unable to sit still for long, pacing back and forth and occasionally stepping outside to check anxiously. Unfortunately, all that enthusiasm met with cold indifference.
After more than two hours had passed, when they returned once again, Fan Saili smiled and asked, "Party Instructor, it seems like they don't really welcome you here."
"What does it matter? When we go out, there aren't many times we're welcomed," Aeming reassured himself.
"I have to remind you, have you considered his identity?" Fan Saili said.
"What do you mean?" Aeming was taken aback.
It seemed he hadn't thought about it, so Fan Saili began to elaborate. The informant's identity was sensitive and dangerous; he had been involved in the major Flame Action case, which was why he was hiding here. His friend Li Xiaoyong had died during the operation, and he himself had been shot. After the mission ended, he had gone into hiding until today... So, the question arose: is he still the Mulin Shen you once knew?
To a police officer, the world was made up of question marks. Fan Saili's concerns were understood by Aeming; he was surrounded by people with criminal records, and it was possible that this person had already established a place in the Underworld. In such a situation, could he be driven by the police? Or would he be willing to work for you and put in effort?
This question left Aeming speechless. His face clouded with worry as he pondered for a long time before uncertainly replying, "I can't answer your question. The composition of people involved is too complex; it's really not something that can be generalized as good or bad."
"Then do you believe in someone who rises from the mud untainted?" Fan Saili asked.
"I don't believe it. I'm not that clean myself; let alone me, what about you in the economic investigation department? Are you all pure as a spring?" Aeming scoffed.
"Let's not change the topic; I reserve my opinion on that," Fan Saili said.
"Fine, fine, I also reserve my opinion about you," Aeming retorted harshly.
With no progress made, a rift formed between the two men as they sat in silence for hours. It wasn't until dusk that a knock sounded at the door. They both stood up simultaneously as Xiao Mu entered, looking somewhat fatigued. He wasted no time with pleasantries and said directly, "Baldy, I'm very busy today; I have an exhibition tonight. How about I take you around Binhai tomorrow?"
"Look at you, why are you being so polite with your own brother? What exhibition? I want to check it out too," Aeming said without caring about Xiao Mu's attitude.
Xiao Mu made a grimacing face and replied, "Baldy, I've let it go for over a year now. Last time I almost lost my life because of it; are you trying to make me live longer by finding more trouble?"
"No, no! I'm just trying to set you up with a Police Flower; at least you can chat a bit—what if you hit it off?" Aeming exaggerated, which made Fan Saili glare at him in annoyance. Xiao Mu laughed and said, "See? Even Police Flower Sister can't stand it anymore."
Aeming shot him a look, but unexpectedly Fan Saili smiled sweetly and said, "No, no, you've misunderstood me. I really want to talk to you... To be honest, I'm not very interested in you, but seeing how Party Instructor is acting like this, if you don't satisfy him a little, he'll stick to you like glue."
"Ah... I really can't deal with you... How about this? I'll go to the exhibition. If you have patience, just wait; if not, we can talk tomorrow, alright? Baldy, don't say I'm not being considerate. I'll push the work forward and accompany you for a meal the day after tomorrow," Xiao Mu said, turning to leave.
"It's fine, it's fine. I have patience... I'll check out the exhibition... Hey, that tattoo of yours is really something," Aeming replied, walking alongside him and asking, "Really? You've developed an artistic sense and taken a liking to that?"
"That one on the buttocks, with the lace around it," Aeming said.
"That's perfection, you fool... Tattooing—'wen' means culture; it's an art form. In your eyes, are they just delinquents?" Xiao Mu remarked.
"Aren't they? Even tattoo artists aren't good youths. After years of seeing this, you're telling me about art... Oh right, I remember you once told me that crime is also art," Aeming retorted.
Xiao Mu shook his head and said, "Baldy, just stop talking. The more you speak, the more disappointed I get. For you, time stands still. Do you know what that means?"
"What does it mean?" Aeming asked, confused.
"It means you're still stuck in the idiot phase," Xiao Mu replied.
"Damn... I'll kill you!"
Aeming exclaimed angrily but was momentarily stunned. Xiao Mu almost echoed his words in unison, which only added to Aeming's frustration. Xiao Mu chuckled and said, "Look at that; your catchphrases haven't changed. Sigh, no future."
"Hey? I... this little brat," Aeming said, speechless with anger. When he turned around, Fan Saili was laughing with squinted eyes at the scene, making Aeming's frustration grow even more.
And it got worse. Downstairs, Xiao Mu called out, "Baldy, come down and help carry things."
"Ah... coming!"
In an instant, Aeming's expression changed again as he hurried downstairs. He grabbed a heavy box and hoisted it onto his shoulder before walking off. This simple task made Xiao Mu very satisfied, while Fan Saili shook his head in amusement at the unfolding drama.
As the two police officers entered the exhibition as bystanders, astonishment was written all over their faces. Even Aeming felt that Xiao Mu's claims about art were no exaggeration.
It turned out to be a tattoo art exhibition held at Donner Brothers Bar. The attendees, though they looked like delinquents, represented some prominent tattoo studios from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, each showcasing their proud masterpieces.
Skulls, Buddhas, landscapes, flowers and birds, text, figures… snippets of artwork or segments of lines were tattooed on various parts of the body—necks, shoulders, elbows, wrists, legs, ankles—and often evoked a unique sensation in viewers. Some found them pleasing to the eye, others were astounded, some felt a chill down their spine, while others chuckled inwardly. Each tattoo expressed something different, but they all shared a commonality: they showcased the unique preferences of a specific group of people.
The exhibition reached its climax when A Group's fluorescent tattoos appeared. Two women dressed in revealing outfits with deep V-necks showcased blooming flowers and delicate hands. The letters in elegant English script between their fingers looked stunning under the special lighting.
"Interesting," Aeming whispered to Fan Saili from the corner. "I used to think tattoos were solely the domain of the Black Society."
"How about letting Xiao Mu give you a tattoo of a green dragon and a white tiger?" Fan Saili teased him.
That was naturally out of the question. Aeming laughed and replied, "Clearly, you don’t understand art either. If I were to get one, it would be a Vajra."
"Come on, Instructor, take a break! We've been out for days now; you're really keeping your cool," Fan Saili reminded him. Nothing had been accomplished yet, and she was nearing her limit of patience.
"Not bad at all. If we go back without any leads and get chased three times by our superiors in one day, wouldn’t that be even more annoying?" Aeming said. His attitude frustrated Fan Saili to the point where she stopped talking to him. Yet Aeming continued to mutter curiously to himself, "Hmm, where is Master Mu? Could it be the grand finale?"
He guessed correctly; it indeed was the grand finale.
As they approached the back stage, A Group concluded their performance amidst applause. The bar's host announced:
"Next up, we will showcase… a tattoo like you've never seen before from A Group. Trust me, if you have a weak stomach, cover your mouth now; otherwise, you might scream in surprise… Please welcome Binhai City’s Nirvana Tattoo Studio for their presentation…"
The lights flickered on, revealing a stage shrouded in darkness, accompanied by a chorus of hushed whispers.
As the lights brightened, a young man stood on stage, his upper body bare. He was strikingly handsome, adorned only with a simple line tattoo of A Group on his shoulder. Compared to the intricate designs showcased today, it seemed rather plain.
Just as the murmurs began to rise again, the lights dimmed once more. A projection beam illuminated the man's body, displaying patterns, flowers, figures, and landscapes that danced across his skin. The images shifted and flowed over his shoulders, waist, arms, and legs as if they were inked directly onto him. The dazzling display elicited a mix of gasps and applause from the audience.
It was clear to the experts that this method allowed clients to visualize their choices more intuitively. After all, in this industry, many clients were often dissatisfied with their tattoos after getting them done, and these creations were not easily returned.
From the shadows, the host stirred excitement: “Nirvana Tattoo Studio is making its debut at this exhibition. However, after witnessing their showcase, it’s evident that there’s no limit to how impressive things can get… Would you like to see even more incredible tattoos?”
“Yes!” voices rang out in response.
The lights shifted again as the bare-chested man turned around. The projection now displayed a tattoo of A Group's Hydra design. The bizarre image featured moving heads that slithered across him like nine serpents coiling and writhing around his body, sending shivers down the spines of onlookers.
Those who embraced this culture were drawn to such thrilling sensations; soon enough, boos and whistles filled the air.
As the visuals transformed again, skulls appeared with one eye moving; clusters of flowers bloomed in vibrant colors; beautiful women seemed to drape themselves across his chest, loosening their garments. Laughter and cheers erupted as the atmosphere in the bar reached a fever pitch. At the end of the display, projections showcased dozens of tattoo comparisons—before and after—which prompted an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.
Even Fan Saili found herself clapping involuntarily at the sight of tattoos from A Group. Scars and old ink that once appeared grotesque were cleverly masked by floral designs or replaced with intricate patterns from A Group, transforming their menacing appearance into something visually pleasing.
“It seems there are some benefits after all,” Fan Saili remarked quietly.
“Existence is reasonable; perhaps our perspective has been too narrow,” Aeming replied thoughtfully.
“Hey? Isn’t that Xiao Mu?” Fan Saili wondered aloud.
At that moment, the invited Tattoo Artist was indeed not Xiao Mu, but rather a very young man. He barely managed to say a few words before being drowned out by whistles and applause, basking in happiness as a group of girls rushed to grab his business cards. This was entirely understandable; after all, the purpose of such displays was primarily to attract customers to their studio.
Aeming felt a bit disappointed that Xiao Mu wasn't there. The person who stood up was a complete stranger to him. He scratched his bald head and looked around in confusion until Fan Saili, with her keen eyes, pointed him towards a corner. There he saw the Tattoo Artist, and he rushed over to Xiao Mu, excitedly embracing him.
The two-hour showcase was eye-opening. As it came to an end, the bar staff began their work. Aeming and Fan Saili hurried towards the area where equipment was being carried. Seeing them chase so closely, Xiao Mu helplessly remarked, "Baldy, you're really pushing it, aren't you?"
"Who’s pushing you? I'm just here to help... Come on, let me do it," Aeming said as he stepped forward. The items were too light for him to carry; he stuffed them into the car and asked Xiao Mu, "Hey, artist, why aren’t you involved?"
"Look at me; I’m someone who values simplicity over fame. I rely on my true skills to eat," Xiao Mu replied with a smile. Just then, the Tattoo Artist who had been showcasing on stage rushed out and grabbed Xiao Mu. "Bro, that was amazing! We did great! A few Tattoo Artists want to come visit us."
"Go ahead; you handle the reception... Play around for a bit; put the stuff in the car and you guys can take it back later," Xiao Mu said.
"But how can that be?" the artist replied, feeling shy.
"I also need to spend some time with these two friends... Go on, have a girl make me a drink," Xiao Mu added.
The artist felt embarrassed and kept thanking Xiao Mu, never expecting such a day would come. Excitedly, he led a group towards the bar.
Finally free to move, Xiao Mu turned back to the two friends, who were staring in shock. "What’s wrong?" he asked in surprise.
"Is his name Liu Yang?" Fan Saili asked curiously.
"Yes," Xiao Mu confirmed, suddenly understanding. He pointed and said, "Oh, looking at the case files?"
"Yes... Is he the one who got shot?" Aeming asked curiously. Xiao Mu nodded in response. Aeming was astonished as he exclaimed, "Wow, you really turned a little punk into a Tattoo Artist?"
"What's so strange about that? A skilled person can do anything; tattooing is nothing... They don’t lack talent; they lack environment and opportunity," Xiao Mu explained.
"I finally see why you are so highly regarded," Fan Saili said with a smile. This alone was enough to earn her respect.
Xiao Mu smiled and said, "Don't think of me as so noble. The rent there is over ten thousand a month, and I don't want to lose money."
"Hey, Mu, I know you. You never say no to your brothers... We've been through thick and thin together. I traveled a long way just to see you, and you're going to charge me over ten thousand right off the bat? You can't just leave me hanging," Aeming said bluntly, pulling him along.
"Alright, alright, let's go... but don't expect too much from Too High. I've been studying tattoo art for the past two years and have let go of those things for a long time," Xiao Mu replied. Aeming wrapped an arm around him and continued, "Look at this guy, not skilled at anything but still trying to study some art... Hey, I'm telling you, this person is definitely interesting. They call him the Trafficker King. Whether it's abducting children or someone's wife, whether it's targeting government agencies or criminal gangs, he rarely misses. The moment I saw him, I thought he was like your long-lost brother."
"Just give me a compliment without insulting me. Who have I ever abducted?" Xiao Mu said unhappily.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I meant that this con artist is probably one of the best at psychology; he's on par with you," Aeming clarified.
"Are you still insulting me? Am I a con artist? You really know how to talk," Xiao Mu retorted angrily.
"Alright... let's put aside the topic of crime. This guy might be a bit more impressive than you," Aeming said.
Xiao Mu was not convinced and scoffed, raising his middle finger at Baldy. "No matter what your intentions are, belittling me will bring you bad luck... Do you believe I'll throw you into a pit?"
"Oh please, our team has been in a pit for more than a day already... Want to know? This guy got us into such trouble that we didn't have a good New Year; we spent three months freezing in the snow," Aeming lamented as he opened the car door for Xiao Mu. With a smile on his face, Xiao Mu replied, "Alright, I'm curious about someone who can mess you up like that."
Fan Saili noticed that Aeming knew exactly how to communicate with this person. As the car drove on, Xiao Mu had already picked up the tablet that Aeming brought and was flipping through the Case Situation with great interest. The car took them straight to the hotel where they were staying. Even after getting out of the car, Xiao Mu was still looking at the tablet, his expression serious beyond words...
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