Chapter 73: Information That Had to Be Verified

Guan Shaoxing did not expect Chen Tianyu to suddenly show up at the Municipal Bureau, and walk straight into his office.

He knew that if Chen Tianyu had come in person, there must have been a compelling reason. Otherwise, a phone call would have sufficed.

Guan Shaoxing did not rush to ask questions. Instead, he personally brewed a pot of tea for Chen Tianyu. Judging by the situation, he estimated that one pot would likely not be enough for their conversation. Therefore, he not only dug out the top-grade Maojian tea he had cherished for years, but also used a generous amount, enough for several steepings.

Chen Tianyu watched his small preparations and smiled slightly: "I’m only staying for a moment; there's no need for such hospitality."

"A rare guest has arrived, I must treat you well," Guan Shaoxing said with a smile. "If it weren't for this case, I doubt we would have the chance to sit down and catch up. As the saying goes, there is no time like the present."

Chen Tianyu suddenly reflected: "Although we have collaborated before, ever since you began your rapid rise in rank, this is truly the first time we’ve had such intimate contact..." During the time he had been reduced to a prisoner at the Lijiang Municipal Bureau, it certainly could not count as a personal friendship.

"Don't tease me," Guan Shaoxing said while rinsing the cups. This time he used proper porcelain cups rather than the standard tea set; while drinking tea at the police station was allowed, brewing Gongfu tea was not exactly encouraged.

In a short while, Guan Shaoxing brought out two steaming cups and respectfully placed them in front of Chen Tianyu.

"I heard they usually call you 'Fourth Brother,' and since you are indeed a few years older than me, perhaps I should call you that as well," Guan Shaoxing said as he sat back in his chair, lifting the lid of his cup to blow away the steam.

Chen Tianyu laughed: "As you wish... tell me, why are you suddenly trying to build a rapport?"

"Over these many years, Beiting has really helped me out quite a lot. No matter how you look at it, we are old friends, aren't we?" Guan Shaoxing said from the heart.

Chen Tianyu nodded: "That is true. You haven't played the role of the mastermind behind the scenes just once or twice, have you?"

The two looked at each other and laughed; Guan Shaoxing did not mind Chen Tianyu’s mockery at all.

"I came to see you today because there are actually two things I want to clarify," Chen Tianyu said, getting straight to the point.

Guan Shaoxing took a sip of tea, seemingly unfazed by the heat.

"Please go ahead. I will tell you everything I know."

Chen Tianyu said solemnly: "You must be aware that there is a secret, predatory PUA organization existing in society, right?"

Guan Shaoxing leaned back, replying calmly: "I have heard a little about it."

"What do you mean by 'a little'?" Chen Tianyu was genuinely surprised. By rights, someone as rigorous as Guan Shaoxing would not use such a term lightly.

"Er..." Guan Shaoxing thought for a moment. "I can probably guess what you're thinking. Normally, these predatory PUA organizations are gradually surfacing, and the media has begun investigating and exposing them. I should indeed be vigilant about this, but as you know, I work in a provincial capital. This is not a typical tourist city, so I haven't really had much interaction with such groups."

Chen Tianyu began to understand: "So you mean that the scope of these predatory PUA organizations is limited, and they mostly choose to operate in prosperous tourist cities—like, say, the 'City of Romantic Encounters'?"

Guan Shaoxing nodded: "That is more or less the idea. Of course, we aren't completely unaware of them, it’s just that the situation is slightly better here."

Chen Tianyu suddenly had a minor question: "I’m suddenly curious. Since the jurisdictional divisions between municipal bureaus are quite independent, how is it that you have extended your reach into Lijiang this time?"

"Oh, it’s like this," Guan Shaoxing quickly explained. "I am currently taking time to handle some work for the Provincial Department. In our internal terminology, it’s called 'temporary assistance.' A deputy director in charge of criminal investigation at the Provincial Department has been unwell and on sick leave, and I only just arrived there a few days ago."

Chen Tianyu understood immediately: "I see. It seems you are about to be promoted again. Congratulations!"

Guan Shaoxing waved his hand quickly: "Fourth Brother, you are joking. Nothing is set in stone yet. Let’s stick to the business at hand."

Chen Tianyu smiled: "Very well."

"Er, do you have any clear sentencing thresholds for determining the severity of such cases?" He was, of course, referring to the predatory PUA organizations.

Guan Shaoxing pondered: "In principle, for these types of consensual relationships, unless they reach the level of fatalities or intentional injury, our public security departments still treat them as ordinary public order cases. Furthermore, they are basically left to the local police stations to investigate. Often, they adopt a model of criticism, education, and out-of-court mediation, though in individual cases, we may resort to administrative or criminal detention."

"Generally, both parties accept our mediation. You see, some impulsive young men are only lightly brainwashed by PUA theories; they fall for these ghost tricks during a low point in their lives. Once a third party points it out, they haven't completely lost their senses, and they can quickly wake up from their base desires..."

He suddenly smiled: "Boys who know how to strike up conversations are quite popular these days, and many end up in happy marriages. It is genuinely difficult for the police to intervene rashly; we can only control the degree of involvement. So, I personally think the predatory PUA you mention is likely a relatively isolated phenomenon, at least in this city. The situation in the 'Water City' might be more serious, but even there, criminal cases remain few."

Chen Tianyu seemed to sense a clue, but he did not speak it aloud.

"So that's how it is." He drank a few mouthfuls of tea in silence and then changed the subject: "Oh, I have another matter for coming here today."

"Go ahead, Fourth Brother."

"Have you ever dealt with a man named Yun Ji?"

Guan Shaoxing’s expression didn't change much: "Yun Ji? I haven't had any practical dealings with him, but I’ve heard of him. He is a private investigator, right? Seems he started something called the 'Divine Eagle Detective Agency.' When I was in the Water City, colleagues there mentioned him."

Chen Tianyu asked tactfully: "What is the relationship between Yun Ji and the police?"

Guan Shaoxing thought for a moment, knowing that Chen Tianyu would not act without a reason: "Would you like me to ask for you?"

"Yes, please."

Guan Shaoxing picked up the desk phone and spent a while gathering information. By the time he hung up, Chen Tianyu guessed he had an answer.

"The colleagues over there said that in the past two years, Yun Ji has assisted them in solving quite a few major and high-profile cases. Moreover, he has been able to provide important clues to the police every time. He is considered a man of merit, which is why the Divine Eagle Detective Agency still exists."

"Did they tell you the specifics about the Divine Eagle Detective Agency?"

Guan Shaoxing nodded: "Of course."

"Do you know how many people are in this Divine Eagle Detective Agency?" Chen Tianyu’s eyes lit up.

Guan Shaoxing laughed for no apparent reason: "You might not believe it, but the so-called Divine Eagle Detective Agency is a one-man show. Everyone who has dealt with Yun Ji says this guy is incredibly arrogant. He fancies himself Sherlock Holmes, prefers to work alone, and never takes on partners."

"That is truly strange!" Chen Tianyu exclaimed.

Guan Shaoxing asked with surprise: "Is there something wrong with this person?"

Chen Tianyu said nonchalantly: "Er, I can't say for sure yet. Well, since the tea is finished, I should take my leave."

"In such a rush?" Guan Shaoxing asked, surprised. "You traveled all this way, surely not just to ask about small matters?"

Chen Tianyu told the truth: "An important purpose of my visit was to probe into Yun Ji's background. But since you don't have the details, I will have to look elsewhere."

Guan Shaoxing pondered for a while before saying: "The relationship between the police and private investigators cannot be too deep. After all, the law does not fully recognize their legitimacy or investigative powers. We cannot provide things like classified materials or surveillance footage... Oh!"

He seemed to just realize that the person sitting in front of him was also a private investigator, and he quickly explained: "Fourth Brother, don't take it the wrong way. Beiting has always been an exception because you belong to the national prosecutorial organ, so we are, in fact, true colleagues."

Chen Tianyu couldn't help but tease: "Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I don't want to work with you. Think about it—which time haven't you turned Beiting upside down and driven us to the brink of collapse?"

Suddenly—

Both grown men looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Guan Shaoxing stopped laughing and said: "Since you’ve put it that way, if I don't provide some encouragement, I would feel guilty. How about this? I will make an exception today and let you review some case files that Yun Ji participated in, including the list of investigators who worked on those cases."

This incentive worked like a charm; Chen Tianyu’s eyes brightened like stars in an instant!