Chapter 120: Stolen Jade
“See, am I right?” Yang Ming patted Zhang Bing shoulder with sympathy. “My condolences.”
“Boss, please don’t scare me. My car!” Zhang Bing was astonished.
“You deserve it. Uncle Zhang said the television wasn’t switched off, but, did you preserve his reputation?” Yang Ming sighed. “You should have given him the chance to keep his ego!”
“At that time, I wanted to gain more benefits…” Zhang Bing said softly.
“More? Your father gives you an inch and you take a yard. I can’t do anything to help you.” Yang Ming shook his head.
“Please don’t, brother. Think about it. If I have a car, doesn’t that mean that you have a car also? By that time, you can go for a drive with Lan Ling!” Zhang Bing enticed him.
Yang Ming contemplated. If I can analyze gemstones, getting a car isn’t tough. Since it is still the beginning, I am better off not attracting too much attention. Also, he is a newbie. A new driver will unquestionably wear the car down. I can start practicing with Zhang Bing’s car. Hence, Yang Ming said, ” You only need to pretend you didn’t know anything, then it will be fine. Worst case scenario, I will clarify it for you. Just say that you need to frequent his shop to research gemstones. It will be inconvenient without a car.”
“You are right. The bus journey from the school to my dad’s company will take one hour. I will clearly say so.” Zhang Bing nodded. “Also, he just earned eighty thousand yuan in commission from you. He should have bought it!”
However, Zhang Bing couldn’t do anything about it. Subsequently, the matter of Zhang Jiefang having a prostitute was in the open.
In the afternoon, two police officers came over to Zhang Jiefang’s room in the hotel. Of course, they weren’t there for arresting a prostitute. On the contrary, Zhang Jiefang called the police! Yang Ming’s imperial jade was gone!
The imperial jade that was worth twenty thousand was gone. The head of the police department prioritized this case. Tengchong was a trading city for gemstones. The government recognized the importance in the safety of the businessmen. Hence, two police officers came to investigate not long after Zhang Jiefang reported it.
Yang Ming and Zhang Bing heard the news and rushed back to the hotel. When they arrived in Zhang Jiefang’s room, the police was investigating the crime scene and taking the statement.
“When did you find that the imperial jade was missing? After that, when was the last time you saw your imperial jade?” asked the police officer who was making the notes.
“When I woke up in the afternoon, the imperial jade was gone when I opened the box.” Zhang Jiefang answered, “The last time I saw it was yesterday when I put it into a bag.”
“When you put it in your bag, did anyone else see you?” The police officer asked.
“Besides me, is my son, my son’s friend and his girlfriend.” Zhang Jiefang replied truthfully.
“Who is your son’s friend? How is his friendship with your son?” The police officer asked.
“Police officer, you shouldn’t be suspicious about my son’s friend. It is impossible. The imperial jade belongs to him!” Zhang Jiefang quickly explained.
“En? With that said, the owner of the imperial jade is him? Where is he?” The police officer asked.
“I am here. I am Yang Ming.” Yang Ming nodded to the police officer as he approached. “I am the owner of the imperial jade.”
The police officer nodded as he crossed Yang Ming off as the suspect. He didn’t have the motive to execute the crime. He wouldn’t need to steal his own possession.
“In other words, those who saw the imperial jade are people in your own party?” The police officer asked.
“Yes.” Zhang Jiefang nodded.
“After they returned to their rooms, has someone else been in this room?” The police officer asked.
“I…” Zhang Jiefang was flushed. “I invited a prostitute in.”
“Where did you get her? What’s her name? Do you have any means to contact her?” The police officer didn’t expend any effort in reprimanding Zhang Jiefang’s action. Twenty thousand yuan worth of imperial jade mattered more than prostitution. If the case wasn’t solved as soon as possible, it would leave a negative impression for other merchants.
“I contacted her based on this name card. According to her, her name is Xiao Li.” Zhang Jiefang didn’t dare to hide the truth. He handed a name card from the bedside table to the police officer.
Yang Ming noticed and smirked uncontrollably. The name card was written as, “Sweet Smelling Pavilion Private Escort. Female students, white collars, models are all yours to pick from. Room service offers invoices. Contact number: 139xxxxxxxx. Contact person: Gengoroh.”
Gengoroh? Damn, this fellow pretended to be Japanese. Does the name mean ‘p*mp’? Could they even provide invoices?
For some reason, Yang Ming wasn’t worried about his lost imperial jade. Maybe because it was easily obtained. Yang Ming didn’t put this in his heart.
“Little Wang, could you investigate who owns this phone number?” The police officer took the name card and handed it to the other police officer who had just finished investigating the scene.
Little Wang took off his white gloves and took the name card. Then, he left the hotel room.
“When the prostitute left, did she carry anything, for example, a bag? Also, when did she leave?” The police officer who was taking the statement continued.
“She left at 11 a.m. She only had a small handbag with her.” Zhang Jiefang said, “If her handbag was empty, it was possible to keep the imperial jade in it. However, I didn’t expect her to steal it. Hence, I didn’t pay much attention.”
“You are already a big boss. On your business trip, why didn’t you bring your secretary? Why did you get a prostitute?” The police officer mocked Zhang Jiefang. “Well, now you lost something worth twenty thousand!”
“Police officer, it was my fault. I won’t get another prostitute!” Zhang Jiefang was ashamed over what happened. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to have his secretary accompany him. It was because his son was with him and having his secretary by his side would have been inappropriate…
“Alright, it is no use to talk about what had been done now!” The police officer asked a few more questions about the appearance of the imperial jade. Zhang Jiefang answered them one by one.
“Deputy Director Li, I asked my informants about the Sweet Smelling Pavilion Private Escort. It is a northern bath run by Feng Laoliu. Look at this…” At this moment, Little Wang returned and spoke to the police officer.
“En, I understand.” The police officer who was called Deputy Director Li replied. Then, he took his phone and called the number on the name card.
When the phone call was connected, a sweet voice came through. “Hello, this is Sweet Smelling Pavilion Private Escort, do you need any help?”
“Can you help me get Feng Laoliu.” Deputy Director Li asked.
“Are you looking for Manager Feng? Please wait.” The woman replied.
After a while, a man’s voice came on the phone. “Hey, who are you?”
“Feng Laoli, I am Li Xiaoliang.” Deputy Director Li said.
“Aiya, it’s Deputy Director Li. What do you need from me?” Feng Laoliu sounded more enthusiastic.
“Feng Laoliu, let me asked you this. Is the Sweet Smelling Pavilion Private Escort founded by you?” Deputy Director Li asked.
“Deputy Director Li, my company is legitimate. What do you mean…” Feng Laoliu was anxious as he smiled in reply.
“I don’t care if your company is legitimate. That’s the work of the industrial and commercial bureau. Last night, at xx hotel xx room, there was a girl named Xiao Li. Do you have her contact number?” Deputy Director Li asked.
“Deputy Director Li, what do you mean? My company here is a legitimate one. Where did this girl come from?” Feng Laoliu pretended to be innocent.
“Feng Laoliu, stop acting like a fool. Let me tell you straight I have a case here involving the girl, Xiao Li. I don’t plan to involve you at all. Do you want to be in my way?” Deputy Director Li was irritated.
Feng Laoliu understood the meaning once he heard it. He felt more at ease when he wasn’t the target. Hence, he quickly replied, “Yes, we have it! I will pass you her address… Xiao Li’s actual name is Li Moli. Her house is at xx road xx id, fourth unit 601.”
“Is she at home?” Deputy Director Li asked.
“I’m not clear, but she should be. Her line of work typically operates at night.” Feng Laoliu replied.
“Alright, I got it. Don’t spread the news today around or else you will face the consequences.” Deputy Director Li said, “Also, be honest with what you say. If something happens, you will be the first person I look for!”
“Yes, Deputy Director Li. I am a legitimate businessman!” Feng Laoliu replied.
You are a legitimate businessman? Deputy Director Li shook his head. Then, he asked Zhang Jiefang a few questions. Later, he asked him to refrain from leaving the hotel and wait for their news.
“Yang Ming, I apologize that I lost your imperial jade…” Zhang Jiefang felt guilty.
“Nevermind, Uncle Zhang. You have already lodged a report. I believe results will be out soon.” Yang Ming smiled as he comforted him.
“Rest assured. If I can’t get it back, Uncle Zhang will compensate you for your imperial jade. Please don’t be mad!” Zhang Jiefang said.
“Uncle Zhang, look at you. It is alright. How about we go for another round of gambling to acquire another imperial jade!” Yang Ming shook his head and said it without much concern.
Zhang Jiefang heard it but didn’t say anything. He knew Yang Ming was comforting him. Is imperial jade something you get every time just by gambling? Certainly, he didn’t know about Yang Ming’s unique ability. If he knew about his extraordinary powers, he would understand everything was possible for him!