Chapter 74 – Secret Hiding Spot
However, Xu Xiangbei still gave an answer that disappointed Cui Zhiqiang.
“I’ve made up my mind this time, really not going. I have a premonition that something bad might happen if I go this time.”
As Xu Xiangbei spoke, his eyes were fixed on Cui Zhiqiang, and he noticed a hint of panic in Cui Zhiqiang’s eyes.
“How, how could this be? Why would you have such a messy premonition?”
Cui Zhiqiang felt a bit flustered, and for a moment, he even wondered if Xu Xiangbei had discovered something. But thinking about Xu Xiangbei’s character, if he had truly found something, he would have confronted him immediately.
However, now that Xu Xiangbei didn’t want to go, what should he do?!
“Let’s not talk about it for now. I came here today just to let you know. I’m going back to sleep now.” After saying this, Xu Xiangbei patted the still-stunned Cui Zhiqiang on the shoulder and turned to leave.
Xu Jinning hurriedly followed behind him.
[Yes, that’s the way to go, second brother. We can’t agree to this.]
On the other side, when Cui Zhiqiang finally realized what was happening, he rushed out, but Xu Xiangbei had disappeared without a trace.
Cui Zhiqiang was dumbfounded, realizing that Xu Xiangbei had really left.
He pounded the wall heavily.
“This guy, really just walked away like this!”
Now he had no way to report Xu Xiangbei; his job position and the 50 yuan reward had gone down the drain.
Fortunately, he hadn’t gone yet; otherwise, leaving the police station empty-handed would have been embarrassing.
As for revealing the existence of this special yard to the police, it was possible, but Cui Zhiqiang didn’t dare. The yard had been standing here for many years, seemingly protected by someone, so he didn’t dare.
Cui Zhiqiang, in essence, was someone who targeted the weak and chose to strike at those closest to him!
And Xu Xiangbei happened to be the unlucky one.
“Can only wait for next time.”
Wait for the next time to set up a trap.
As for this batch of watches, it was actually reserved by him. Since Xu Xiangbei wasn’t going, he had to go himself.
Well, selling these watches could still earn him a substantial amount of money.
In fact, if Cui Zhiqiang made money, he could easily use the proceeds from selling the watches to buy a job position. However, due to his lack of connections, he couldn’t find a good job position, and the price would be quite high.
But Cui Zhiqiang was unwilling.
He only wanted a job position handed to him for free. As for the money, it was the dowry he had to give away, and he still needed to buy a three-turn and one-ring.
So, sacrificing Xu Xiangbei for a job position obtained for free was the best option.
Seeing that the time for the transaction was approaching, Cui Zhiqiang headed towards the meeting point.
The moonlight had gradually become hazy, accompanied by thick mist.
Cui Zhiqiang quickly arrived at the designated meeting place, where three people were waiting on the other side.
Like Cui Zhiqiang, they all had their heads covered, exposing only their eyes.
The person leading them seemed to recognize Cui Zhiqiang and asked, “Why is it you who came?”
“There’s been a change in plans.”
“What about the goods?”
“Give them to me. Once I sell them, I’ll pay off the debt.”
“Alright.”
“How many are there in total?”
“You said 50 before.”
“Okay.”
Cui Zhiqiang took a black bag, opened it, counted the items, and checked their quality.
“These should all be new, right? No second-hand items?”
“Rest assured, after working together for so long, do you think we’d cheat you?”
Cui Zhiqiang nodded, “Okay, that’s settled.”
Just then, there were sudden hurried footsteps approaching, making everyone tense.
Suddenly, a stranger’s voice in the darkness shouted, “Run, the police are coming!”
Cui Zhiqiang panicked immediately.
Wasn’t he supposed to report to the police? How did the police find out?
“Run!”
The three individuals who were conducting the transaction with Cui Zhiqiang left those words and immediately turned and ran. Seeing them run, Cui Zhiqiang, who already had suspicions, immediately turned and fled as well.
Despite his attempt to navigate through the alleys, no matter how fast he ran, in the darkness, he always felt footsteps closely following him, making escape seemingly impossible.
What should he do? If he got caught, he would be finished, especially with the large quantity of watches in his hands. In the current tense situation, if he were caught red-handed, his fate would be sealed.
Increasing his pace, Cui Zhiqiang tried to shake off the police tailing him, but the law enforcement officers seemed to predict which path he would take and followed closely behind.
Caught up in the twists and turns, Cui Zhiqiang dared not look back. He only heard the increasingly closer footsteps, intensifying his fear.
No, he needed to come up with a plan.
At that moment, Cui Zhiqiang’s gaze fell on the bag of watches in his hands. He couldn’t afford to be caught with it; otherwise, he would be found with stolen goods.
But how could he bear to part with the bag of watches? It contained 50 watches, each worth hundreds of yuan. Even after deducting the initial cost, selling them would still earn him at least a thousand yuan.
The sum was substantial, which was why Cui Zhiqiang believed that with this bag of watches, he could achieve merit and secure a job position along with the promised 50 yuan reward from the police department.
Yet, Cui Zhiqiang also understood that if caught with this bag of watches, he would undoubtedly face severe consequences, perhaps even execution by firing squad.
But he couldn’t bear to part with the bag of watches, and the footsteps behind him continued to pursue.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Cui Zhiqiang’s mind—a certain place where he could stash the watches, a place only he knew. Once he escaped, he could return to retrieve them.
He believed his strength could only carry him to that location. With a renewed will to survive, Cui Zhiqiang quickened his pace, creating some distance between him and the footsteps behind.
Soon, he reached the designated spot—an obscure corner of a courtyard overgrown with weeds.
Cui Zhiqiang directly pulled up the innermost clump of grass. Beneath the grass, there was soil, and simply by lifting it, one could see it differed from the surroundings.
Underneath the grass, he found a brick.
Removing the brick revealed a hidden hole.
Cui Zhiqiang hurriedly stuffed the bag of watches inside and replaced the brick. This place served as Cui Zhiqiang’s secret hiding spot, a common practice among people in his line of work. It provided a convenient place to stash items when needed, ranging from small to large.
This particular spot was among his many secret hiding places, with the least space but also the most discreet. Only he knew about it.
He decided to leave the watches here for the time being and retrieve them later when he was in the clear.
Quickly, Cui Zhiqiang restored everything to its original state. Hearing the seemingly approaching footsteps, he spat on the ground and ran away.
