"I don’t quite understand what you’re saying."
Zhao Haiping doubted his own ears.
Though this was clearly familiar Mandarin, the way it was put together felt odd.
Could it be seen from the novel that Lin Chuan was capable of destroying both the Morgan and Baisheng groups?
Key point: from the novel.
While it’s true that art originates from life, novels, as a form of creation, are ultimately fictitious.
Furthermore, online novels, which are even more fantastical, offer absurdities such as hand-twisting nuclear bombs as basic operations. They are fictional products, pastimes of a fast-paced life, and anyone who takes them seriously is somewhat out of touch with reality.
Zhao Haiping deeply understood this.
Thus, he was puzzled.
"Old Zhao, I know this sounds surreal, but I’m not joking. This is a serious report!"
Li Tong was very solemn, not at all joking, much like her usual serious demeanor when facing critical and difficult cases.
Zhao Haiping didn’t know Lin Chuan, but he knew Li Tong.
Li Tong, a prominent ace detective under him, was now so highly regarding Lin Chuan. Could Lin Chuan’s novel really contain some mysteries?
"Li, how do you judge this?"
Zhao Haiping, having weathered many storms, didn’t reject Li Tong’s words outright but sought to understand the basis.
"I have extracted key details from Lin Chuan’s novels to create reading notes. Tonight, I’ll stay late with Qin to scan these into digital format and send them to you. After you read them, you’ll definitely understand how I feel now."
Li Tong casually flipped through the notebooks in her hand as she spoke.
"Alright, I want to see what’s so special about Comrade Lin Chuan’s novels that an ace detective holds them in such high esteem!" Zhao Haiping laughed heartily.
Li Tong also showed a light smile, "Elder Zhao, I think this is an excellent opportunity to take down Morgan and Baisheng."
"Let me see your reading notes first," Zhao Haiping chuckled.
"Okay."
Li Tong nodded firmly.
The bright winter sun beautified the azure sky, with thin clouds drifting lightly in the wind. Winter days were always short, from a smudge of dusk in the east to the orange glow fading in the west, as Anling City slowly entered into the night.
Lights came on, and neon flashed.
Anling Police Station was still bustling.
Qin Yun assisted Li Tong, and as page after page of the reading notes was scanned and, through his manipulation, quickly formatted into digital copies.
"All set!"
Qin Yun hit the enter key on the keyboard, saving the file.
Li Tong nodded in satisfaction.
While the scanning experience didn’t match that of the text version, it didn’t hinder reading, only perhaps slowing it down a bit.
She smiled brightly, her eyes, red from days of work, now sparkled, "Qin, send it immediately."
"Of course!"
Qin Yun promptly did so.
As the file was sent over a secure path and successful, Li Tong’s smile grew even wider.
It was now 9:30 PM.
She first poured Qin a cup of tea, then relaxed in her office chair, slowly sipping her Maojian green tea, enjoying the fresh aroma, an indescribably delightful sensation.
These days, she had been reading and discussing novel details, and making reading notes.
Usually, she would have been busy with ’investigating cases + arresting criminals,’ finding fulfillment in those activities.
At this moment.
She felt more fulfilled and purposeful than catching a dozen or even a hundred criminals—a feeling of unprecedented satisfaction and an indistinct anticipation emerging in her heart.
"Sister Li, what if Elder Zhao doesn’t approve it?"
Qin Yun took a sip of tea to refresh himself.
Li Tong shook her head confidently, "Elder Zhao won’t disapprove. I know him; he will definitely read through it tonight, and in the next couple of days, we’ll get the notice."
"Is it really that efficient?"
Qin Yun doubted.
"Of course, it’s not so much confidence in my reading notes as it is in Lin Chuan," Li Tong gently sipped her Maojian again, lightly laughing.
"Sister Li, you esteem him so highly, but I’ve read his novels too, and didn’t find him that remarkable?"
Qin Yun looked at Li Tong, puzzled.
"Hmm... Maybe you just haven’t reached that level yet," Li Tong laughed.
"I don’t care if Elder Zhao stays up all night, but I must stay up all night to study these reading notes!"
Qin Yun set his sights on the three notebooks, laughing.
"Alright, alright, take them!"
Li Tong smiled contentedly.
She could already foresee that tonight, both Qin Yun and Zhao Haiping would be doing the same thing—
—reading the notes.
International Police, Asian Branch.
Zhao Haiping’s office.
On a large, wide table sat piles of files.
In the center of the desk was a computer displaying a document—Lin Chuan’s reading notes.
In it, Mr. Lin’s profession in different books had been categorized.
Such as, assassin, hacker, fraudster, pharmacy manufacturer, arms tycoon, ace agent, and so on.
Zhao Haiping controlled the mouse, opening the first document.
’Assassin’
Pages of scanned reading notes entered Zhao Haiping’s vision.
Zhao Haiping took his time, lifted the thermos cup filled with goji berry health tea from the desk, gently sipped, then slowly leaned back in his chair, adjusting to a more comfortable angle before locking his gaze onto the ’Assassin’ reading notes.
The reading notes made by Li Tong focused on the details of Mr. Lin executing assassin missions.
It was divided into four steps.
One, investigate the target.
Two, devise a plan.
Three, execute.
Four, clean up the scene.
Li Tong, being a detective, had made reading notes devoid of any literary flair, simply transcribing the descriptions from the books faithfully.
Mr. Lin had started from the investigation target, carried through, and eventually fled after clearing the scene.
His actions were neat and decisive, his anti-surveillance awareness was very strong, he hadn’t left any traces behind; it could be called perfect.
This set of reading notes had excerpted ten operations, all highly representative.
Zhao Haiping finished reading the first operation case of Mr. Lin in the "Assassin Profession," took another sip of his wolfberry health tea, furrowed his brows, and unknowingly sat up straight, simultaneously putting on his reading glasses.
He murmured, "If this case were to be placed in reality, unless Mr. Lin turned himself in, it would be unsolvable."
At this moment, he became spirited.
He immediately delved into the second operation case, carefully examining Li Tong’s reading notes and trying to analyze from Mr. Lin’s perspective, predicting the direction of the case.
Time always slipped by unnoticed.
As he read, Zhao Haiping felt his eyes becoming dry. He removed his reading glasses, pulled open the first drawer on his right, dropped two drops of eye drops into his eyes, and immediately felt much relief.
He blinked and took the opportunity to check the time.
"Hmm? Has it already been three hours?" Zhao Haiping was taken aback; he hadn’t been so engrossed in reading for a very long time.
And it was still reading notes.
He had just finished the "Killer Chapter."
Zhao Haiping flipped through further, finding many more types of professions.
"Phew—"
He exhaled softly and sent a message on his phone: "Wife, I won’t be coming home tonight."
Yes, as Li Tong had anticipated.
He planned to stay up all night, even overnight, to finish these reading notes.
On the other side.
Nine-thirty in Anling City.
The splendid lights didn’t dim or extinguish due to the cold; instead, they added a bit of warmth amidst the chilly air.
Anling Riverside, Riverside Cottage.
This was the usual gathering place for Lin Chuan, Little Landlady, Shen Qianqian, and Xia Qingqing.
A few lanterns emitted a light yellow glow, casting soft light inside the bamboo-styled cottage, which kept the chilling riverside wind out, only allowing a gentle breeze to slip in, bringing with it a fresh, moist scent.
This time, Little Landlady was the host.
She had invited her two good friends, Shen Qianqian and Xia Qingqing.
Lin Chuan was, of course, present.
In the cozy bamboo cabin, with the heating on, it wasn’t cold; the table was laden with dishes, permeating the air with delicious scents.
Lin Chuan picked up a piece of steak with onions, savoring the intertwining flavors of light black pepper and meat, prompting him to take a couple more bites of rice.
Little Landlady poured Lin Chuan a cup of buckwheat water.
Xia Qingqing and Shen Qianqian sat opposite Lin Chuan.
Seeing Lin Chuan as relaxed as ever, Xia Qingqing asked, "Writer Lin, you seem to be enjoying your meal. How’s the cooperation going on the other side?"
The other side she referred to was the International Police.
"No news yet," Lin Chuan replied while sipping his buckwheat water.
"It’s been a long time."
Xia Qingqing muttered.
Little Landlady also slightly nodded, "Indeed, it has been a very long time, seems like more than half a month since the last meeting with Croney."
Lin Chuan smiled and said, "No rush, it should be soon."
Saying this, he looked at Shen Qianqian.
Xia Qingqing turned her head to look at Shen Qianqian, "Qianqian, do you know the specific progress?"
"I don’t know!" Shen Qianqian spread her hands, her lips momentarily pursing.
Xia Qingqing and Little Landlady’s gaze returned to Lin Chuan. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire
Lin Chuan, feeling about half-full, looked at Shen Qianqian’s face, "Didn’t you say that your book discussion with Sister Li had come to an end?"
"Yes."
Shen Qianqian nodded, "But just because our book discussion has ended, I don’t know what Sister Li is actually thinking."
Lin Chuan said, "It should be soon. The evidence you and Sister Li found should soon be in the hands of her immediate superior."
Sister Li’s superior, Zhao Haiping.
That would be Zheng Ming’s old buddy.
Shen Qianqian pondered, "Should I talk to my mentor, firstly persuade Teacher Zheng Ming, and then have him convince them? Might that be simpler?"
Lin Chuan waved his hand, "No need for that; it’s a big issue and also requires some time for the decision-makers on that end to think."
"And if the people over there, having finished Li Tong’s reading notes, still haven’t made up their minds, what then?"
Shen Qianqian knew Li Tong had made reading notes; she said with some concern.
Lin Chuan alone, facing both the Morgan and Baisheng groups, unless he could enlist the power of Anling Military Productions, it would be difficult to achieve his goals.
But that involved the army.
Such high-level forces weren’t something Lin Chuan could necessarily engage.
The military was widely involved; in such a delicate situation, the army typically wouldn’t move casually, especially not for the Morgan and Baisheng groups.
Therefore, the main focus should still be on the International Police and Han River police force.
As for other methods.
Shen Qianqian knew Lin Chuan had other riskier strategies, but she, Xinxin, and Qingqing, wouldn’t want to witness such scenarios unfold.
Why risk dancing on a tightrope when they could secure Morgan and Baisheng more steadily?
Lin Chuan looked around.
The expressions of Shen Qianqian, Xia Qingqing, and Little Landlady were all within his view.
Understanding their concerns, he smiled, "How are you enjoying your meal?"
"Uh."
Shen Qianqian, caught off guard by Lin Chuan’s question, paused for a moment, "Almost full."
Xia Qingqing also nodded, "I’m almost there too."
"Tonight’s dinner isn’t just for fun," said Lin Chuan with a chuckle.
"Huh?"
Shen Qianqian and Xia Qingqing were both startled.

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