The restaurant was now empty except for Zeng Ping and the five others.
"Lao Sun, you're more familiar with the area around People's Square. How do you think we should set up the operation?" Zeng Ping asked.
Sun Hao pulled a map out of his bag. "This is a layout of the area around People's Square."
"Tsk, not bad. With this, the whole area is clear at a glance," Zeng Ping nodded approvingly.
"Lao Zeng, you've handled more of these kinds of cases than I have. You take the lead on assigning officers. I'll just make one suggestion: There's a subway entrance in the northeast corner of the square, with a huge flow of people. We absolutely can't let the suspect escape into the subway. If that happens, we'll be in a tough spot."
Zeng Ping nodded. "Good point. I suggest we station two officers near the subway entrance. If the suspect runs that way, we'll close in from both sides and take him down."
"If the suspect stays hidden and sends someone else to pick up the ransom, and we immediately make the arrest, the real suspect will bolt," Han Bin pointed out.
Zeng Ping tapped the table with his index finger, thinking. "Alright, if the person picking up the money doesn't head toward the subway, we'll follow them first and assess the situation before deciding whether to move in."
"That'll make the arrest tougher. Do we have enough manpower?" Sun Hao asked.
"Our team has two more members coming to assist shortly. That should be enough. Near the handoff point, let's prepare two cars and two electric scooters. We need to be ready for anything," Zeng Ping replied.
"And how will the rest of the officers be deployed?" Sun Hao followed up.
"We've got eight officers total. Two will guard the subway entrance. The remaining six will spread out around the third trash bin from the north, in teams of two. They'll provide cover for each other—tight inside, loose outside."
They continued discussing the finer details. Around 5 p.m., Zheng Kaixuan arrived at People's Square with Chen Luyan and Xiang Shaoming.
Zheng Kaixuan, the captain of Team 3, couldn't sit still once a blackmail case emerged. He came to oversee the operation personally, worried something might go wrong.
By 6 p.m., Tian Li and Li Hui also arrived at the square.
Now there were nine officers in place.
Two were stationed at the subway entrance, which was far from the trash bin where the money would be placed.
The rest were scattered around the trash bin, each in disguise.
Han Bin was positioned southwest of the bin. Two elderly men were playing Chinese chess nearby, with a crowd watching. Han Bin blended into the group, barely noticeable.
Each officer wore an earpiece. From a distance, Zheng Kaixuan was coordinating everything, keeping an eye on the overall situation.
Surveillance began at 6 p.m., even before Chen Luyan delivered the ransom. Han Bin and the others were already watching for suspicious individuals near the square.
Time ticked by. At 6:50 p.m., under Zheng Kaixuan's orders, Chen Luyan arrived by taxi. She placed a black plastic bag—containing the ransom—into the designated trash bin, then left quickly in the same cab.
Even with police nearby, she was still visibly nervous.
Now that the money was in place, the suspect could show up at any moment. Tension rose.
Though Han Bin was standing by the chess game, his eyes remained fixed on the trash bin. Everyone who walked near it made him alert.
But they were either just tossing garbage or passing by.
By 8 p.m., it was dark. The square's lights had come on. The chess-playing group had changed. Still, no activity near the trash bin.
Han Bin checked his watch and tapped his earpiece. "Captain Zheng, it's been an hour since the scheduled drop-off time."
"Stay calm. Be patient. The suspect may be observing too," Zheng replied.
"Understood."
Han Bin was in a relatively comfortable position, hidden among the chess players. Others had to change spots frequently to avoid being recognized or acting suspiciously.
Unnoticed, another hour passed.
By 9 p.m., most of the crowd had gone home. The music from the dancing groups had stopped, and the middle-aged women were heading off in groups.
Only four elderly men remained at the chess area—five including Han Bin. If more left, Han Bin would stand out too much.
From 6 p.m. until now, over three hours had passed. The officers were starting to grow restless. The earpiece chatter increased.
But Zheng Kaixuan gave the same instruction: wait.
After another half hour, even the chess players had left. Han Bin had no choice but to retreat to the car to continue monitoring.
The others followed suit. With so few people left in the square, anyone lingering near the trash bin would appear suspicious—and risk tipping off the suspect.
Just then, an old woman pushing a two-wheeled cart entered the square. She went from bin to bin, collecting recyclables.
"Captain Zheng, should we stop her? If she keeps rummaging, she might take the ransom money by accident," Li Hui asked.
Zheng Kaixuan paused, then said through the earpiece, "No one moves unless I give the order."
The old woman reached the third trash bin.
"Captain, if we don't stop her now, she really might walk off with the money," Tian Li added anxiously.
"If you're nervous, imagine how the suspect feels. If they're nearby, there's no way they'll let someone else take their money," Zheng explained.
"Oh, I get it now—you're trying to flush out the suspect," Li Hui said, enlightened.
"Not just that. Why are you so sure that old woman isn't a suspect herself? If we can disguise ourselves, so can they," Zheng added.
"Smart thinking, Captain," Li Hui said, flattering him.
But Zheng Kaixuan wasn't writing a script—and things didn't play out how he'd hoped.
The old woman reached the bin, opened the black bag, and upon seeing the cash, quickly closed it again.
She looked around, loaded the bag into her cart, and walked off briskly with surprising agility.
"That's fifty grand, Captain," Li Hui reminded.
"Li Hui, Tian Li—you two go after her. Pretend you're a couple."
"Han Bin, take the electric scooter. Follow from a distance."
"Zeng Ping, take the car and try to cut her off up ahead."
"Sergeant Sun, keep a few people stationed here. Slim chance, but if the real suspect shows up after we leave, we'll be in trouble."
"Yes, sir," everyone responded.
Too many people following would draw attention, so only a few officers were assigned to tail her.
Han Bin followed slowly on the scooter. After an entire day of setup, it was hard to believe this was how it was unfolding.
"Captain Zheng, when should we move in?" Han Bin asked.
"Keep following her. Let's see where she goes, and whether she meets with anyone."
"This old lady's fast—she's already at the intersection... whoa, she just ran a red light," Zeng Ping reported.
Zheng Kaixuan let out a bitter chuckle. "She's got more energy than I expected."
(End of Chapter)