It’s A Monster Chapter 54: Breaking In

Chapter 54: Breaking In

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The colleague sent from the Hucheng Monster Management Committee was named Lei Qing—a green snake. At eight in the morning, he drove Shi Wenze and Lin Su promptly to Xie Ding’s residence in the Guanhaiyue neighborhood. Rows of neatly arranged seaside villas stretched out, offering beautiful views and tight security.

Although Xie Ding wasn’t close to Lin Su, he owed some face to Si Longqiu. So even though he knew that a visit from two cross-city trackers could only mean trouble, he cooperated fully—inviting them into the living room and brewing tea. That said, it was clear they hoped the visit would be brief.

Shi Wenze cut straight to the point. “We’d like Mr. Xie’s help in tracking down a painting.”

“What painting?”

“The Shandu Map.”

“The Shandu Map, huh? That’s not with me anymore,” Xie Ding shook his head. “I did have it once, but after a few months I transferred it to Teacher Kang. Later, it seemed to be listed at an auction house. I haven’t followed up since. I might not be able to help.”

“The Shandu Map was stolen recently,” Lin Su said. “Along with it, another painting worth tens of millions. The police are under a lot of pressure.”

“Tens of millions?” Xie Ding looked shocked. “That’s terrible. But sorry, I really can’t help.”

Lei Qing glanced at Shi Wenze, silently asking if he had a legal and gentle way to loosen Xie Ding’s tongue without risking a complaint. But honestly, getting a collector to admit tracking an illegal transfer of property was like urging him to destroy his own livelihood. It was really tough.

Suddenly, Lin Su said to Xie Ding, “A year ago, I had afternoon tea in Paris with Miss Lu.”

Shi Wenze blinked. Wait, who’s Miss Lu?

Xie Ding’s expression shifted slightly. Lin Su continued, “We talked for a whole afternoon, but not about art. Miss Lu mostly shared her views on love.”

The surname triggered a physiological reaction in Xie Ding. Lu Xiao was his ex-girlfriend. Their relationship had been passionate and intense, and their breakup was just as explosive—tearing apart their entire household. What could possibly come of sharing views on love in such times? Xie Ding could already imagine his ex ranting wildly at Lin Su, accusing him of violating industry rules by privately tracking paintings.

“Mr. Xie,” Lin Su said, “I’ve been asked by the Chengdu Monster Committee to assist with this investigation, but I just returned to the country and am unfamiliar with this area. So maybe you could help us check the black market in Hucheng? The police only want information about the Shandu Map—nothing else—and will keep it strictly confidential.”

Xie Ding hesitated slightly. Lin Su’s words had given him a graceful way out. Even if he knew the exact whereabouts of the Shandu Map, he could attribute it vaguely to “someone on the black market.” Everyone involved understood the situation, but at least that preserved some dignity.

“Alright.” After a moment, Xie Ding nodded. “I’ll ask around as soon as possible.”

“How soon?” Lin Su glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes to make a call—is that enough?”

Xie Ding was stunned. Why not say ten seconds? I thought I’d have to put on a show for at least a day before continuing the act.

Lin Su thought even ten minutes was too long. He figured Xu You might already be starving in some warehouse. Shi Wenze suggested, “Mr. Xie can make the call upstairs. We’ll wait here—no rush.”

Though they said “no rush,” they didn’t budge from the sofa. It was no different from standing behind other diners in a busy lunch line, plates in hand. Xie Ding was stuck. He grabbed his phone and went upstairs to continue the performance.

The living room fell silent. Lei Qing and Shi Wenze looked toward Lin Su, who explained, “I actually know his ex-girlfriend.”

According to Lu Xiao, the breakup had been because Xie Ding cheated on her. And not just once—so there was nothing left to save face over. Lin Su might seem cold and aloof, but he enjoyed gossip in his free time and had spent an entire day by the Seine River acting as the “cool version of a women’s confidant.”

Lei Qing asked, “Will this cause trouble for Miss Lu?”

“Before I came here, I already asked her,” Lin Su said. “She doesn’t mind at all. She’s very willing to cooperate with the police, and said that if you catch Xie Ding, she’ll bring the TV crew and parade all the way to the Monster Committee to present a banner of thanks.”

Lei Qing, “…”

After dawdling upstairs for more than ten minutes, Xie Ding finally gave them an address—he said the Shandu Map was there.

“Suchucheng?” Lin Su took the paper with the address. “Good. If this case wraps up smoothly, we’ll recommend a police reward for you.”

Xie Ding waved him off repeatedly. No need, just please hurry and leave. I don’t want to see you again.

Suchucheng was just a half-hour bullet train ride from Hucheng. Because the case involved the Phoenix Bone, the Hucheng Monster Management Committee urgently dispatched two teams to fully support the capture operation.

Lei Qing sat in the car, staring at the address on the slip of paper: No. 13 Jinyang Road, Chengming District, Unit 19-01, Jiaming South District—a top-tier serviced apartment in Suchucheng.

“Are there many residents in the complex?” Shi Wenze asked.

“Not many. The building was just handed over recently, so most units are still vacant,” Lei Qing replied. “The owner of 1901 is named Yu Gui. According to the records, he’s an ordinary office worker in his forties, law-abiding, but definitely can’t afford such a luxury residence. He’s been living in a staff housing complex on Willow Street, buying groceries and picking up his kid on time.”

Most likely, Yu Gui was just a front for someone else. Lin Su thought this made sense—criminals wouldn’t be stupid enough to use their own IDs. He asked, “Is anyone currently living in that apartment?”

“Not permanently, but yes,” Lei Qing said. “Based on the property manager and security guards’ memories, the 1901 tenant’s movements were very mysterious. Every time they came, even entering the elevator, they were bundled up tight—hat, mask, sunglasses, all the works. They never looked up. The good news is, they’re currently inside the apartment. But since we don’t know if they’re monsters or human, Suchucheng Police Department will be joining us.”

It was Lin Su’s first time participating in an operation like this, and he felt a mix of curiosity and nervousness. His job was to help identify and inventory stolen paintings after the operation. He wasn’t to join the arrest itself. When the vehicle arrived at Jiaming South District, Shi Wenze unbuckled his seatbelt and told him, “Don’t go anywhere. Wait in the car.”

Although White Dragon was theoretically capable of fighting, Lin Su was inexperienced in that area. If violence broke out, he might only cause trouble for the team. He nodded, “Alright, I’ll wait in the car. You guys be careful.”

He watched Shi Wenze and the others enter the elevator through the car window, his chest tightening a little. His boyfriend was really fierce, but criminals were cruel, especially with monster modification involved—it was twisted and brutal. The minute hand on his watch spun round and round, time feeling almost frozen. The underground garage was empty except for the faint noise of the engine cooling down.

…

Shi Wenze and the other officers silently approached 1901. A black security camera had been installed at the door but its connection was just cut. Outside the window, three trackers stood ready to prevent any escape attempts.

Ding dong! The property manager rang the doorbell politely. “Hello, we’re here to check the gas pipeline renovations.”

No sound came from inside.

Ding dong, ding dong. The manager rang twice more. “Sorry to bother you, is anyone home?”

Still no response.

But according to elevator surveillance, more than one person had clearly entered 1901 at noon. Shi Wenze exchanged a look with Lei Qing and signaled the property manager to step back.

“Action!” Bang!

With a loud crash, the security door was instantly broken down. Amid smoke, terrified shouts sounded. The man on the living room sofa, dressed in silk pajamas, jumped up at once, shouting in disbelief, “What the hell is going on?!”

He stared at the heavily armed officers in front of him, stunned. Did I just walk onto a movie set?

In the kitchen stood another man—tall, with a face identical to the one on the elevator poster.

“…”

Shi Wenze stared at the familiar face before him, equally stunned.

Du Siyue, still shaken, exchanged glances with him. After a long moment, she finally asked in a trembling voice, “Shi Wenze, what’s going on here?”

Lei Qing looked confused and leaned in to whisper, “Brother Shi, you know him?”

Shi Wenze’s expression grew complicated. “Yeah, I know him. A friend.”

Lei Qing frowned. “Then you shouldn’t be involved in this case. You need to recuse yourself.”

“What case? We didn’t commit any crime,” Du Siyue said loudly, not understanding. “What are you talking about? This must be a mistake. Where’s Lin Su?”

“Mr. Du, we suspect you’re connected to a theft,” Shi Wenze said. “The Shandu Map. Is it here?”

“It is,” Du Siyue said, pointing at the dining table. “Right there. I just got it and was planning to have it reframed and give it to Lin Su as a gift for his gallery opening. He’s always wanted that painting. Don’t you know?”

Shi Wenze was speechless. Lei Qing said, “No, Brother Shi, you really should recuse yourself.”

“What’s wrong with this painting?” Du Siyue looked baffled. “I went through a lot of trouble to get it. Stolen property?”

Since the police had to keep the investigation confidential, Du Siyue knew that Cang Dai had unfortunately been robbed, but he didn’t realize the Shandu Map was one of the stolen items.

Lei Qing nodded. “It is.”

“I have chat records and payment history proving I bought the painting.” Du Siyue unlocked his phone. “You can check for yourselves.”

Lei Qing’s eyes narrowed. “Whose chat did you just delete?”

The man in the kitchen remained silent. Du Siyue was speechless. Seriously, Officer, can’t I delete private chats unrelated to the case?

He finally said, “That’s private, with a doctor. I’m embarrassed to show it.”

Lei Qing motioned for him to put the phone on the table. At that moment, some colleagues recognized the other man in the kitchen and gasped. Isn’t that the guy who was rapping incomprehensibly on our big TV just last night? What’s he doing here all of a sudden?

Jiang Yuhao put down the spatula and said in a low voice, “I want to call my lawyer.”

 

 

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