Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 07 — Apartment Hunting Adventure
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Zhao Yu was flat broke, so broke he couldn't even afford mobile data. To look up rental listings, he had to use a computer.
After sifting through a pile of listings, he picked a few addresses near the police station, threw on his jacket, and left, not caring whether it was quitting time.
As for the case Zhang Jingfeng and Liang Huan were chasing, he wasn't holding his breath. If a few offhand remarks from him could solve a ten-year-old cold case that had stumped the police, that'd be the biggest joke in the world!
Having survived a lethal injection, transmigrated, and gained a mysterious Adventure System, Zhao Yu was in high spirits. Strolling down the street, even the sunlight felt gentle, and his steps had a carefree bounce.
He started thinking that being a Major Crimes detective might not be so bad. Catching bad guys, pocketing bonuses, and enjoying a few perks, it wasn't half bad!
Maybe he'd stick with it for now, put aside any thoughts of returning to his old life.
The first rental Zhao Yu checked was on a commercial street not far from the station. A shop called Big Wind Brother's Fruit Market had posted a listing.
The owner, Jiang Dafeng, was a chubby, pale guy with a constant grin. Seeing Zhao Yu inquiring about the rental, he greeted him warmly.
His fruit market was a standalone three-story building. The ground floor was the shop, the second floor was his family's home, and the third floor had a 60-square-meter space for rent.
Zhao Yu liked the place immediately. It was close to work, the street was free of noisy barbecue stalls for a good night's sleep, and it came fully furnished, ready to move in.
Chubby Dafeng even winked at Zhao Yu, saying the neighboring shop was identical, with a few college girls living upstairs, all model material. Rent here, and you might solve your love life too!
Through the balcony railing, Zhao Yu spotted women's clothes hanging on a drying rack next door.
Nice!
Perfect spot!
Zhao Yu's eyes gleamed. This is exactly what I need!
But when he asked about the price, his jaw dropped. The rent was 2000 yuan a month, paid six months upfront. No way he could scrape that together!
"Can you cut me a deal?" Zhao Yu asked.
Dafeng was straightforward. "How about 1980? If that's tough, you can pay quarterly."
"Damn it!" Zhao Yu snapped. "This dump costs that much? You robbing me? I'm a cop, you know, wanna get arrested?"
Dafeng knew his rights. "Renting a place isn't a crime, scared of you? This is downtown, prime location, with eye candy every day. My price is already a steal! Don't want it? Plenty of others will snap it up!"
"Damn it! Think you're hot stuff with your lousy apartment? I ain't renting!"
Cursing, Zhao Yu stormed out of the fruit shop, muttering to himself, back in the day, I'd have sent a crew to trash your stall! Bet you'd pay me to live here!
Hmph!
Fuming, Zhao Yu left the shop, his good mood ruined by the fat jerk. He wolfed down three bowls of wontons at a street corner stall to cool off.
First place was a bust, so on to the second. The next was an apartment-style rental, but getting there meant cutting through the small alleys of LC District.
The layout here was identical to his old world. He'd brawled and darted through these alleys plenty, so he knew them like the back of his hand and took a shortcut.
It was noon, and residents were indoors eating or cooking, leaving the alleys mostly empty.
But as Zhao Yu weaved through, he spotted a shady figure slip past an alley entrance. For some reason, he instinctively ducked, avoiding being seen.
The person wore a dark green cap, short and scrawny, looking like a student. But their panicked demeanor suggested some sneaky business.
Interesting!
Zhao Yu had dealt with delinquent teens plenty in his old life. Curiosity piqued, he quietly tailed them. The kid was alert, glancing around constantly, but Zhao Yu was a pro, staying completely undetected.
Finally, he followed the kid to a shadowy corner where a guy with yellow-dyed hair and a tattooed arm was waiting.
Without a word, the kid handed over a black object, like a USB drive, and the yellow-haired guy passed them an envelope.
Bingo!
Zhao Yu watched from the sidelines. Even an idiot could tell this was an illegal deal! If he rushed in now, he'd catch them red-handed and score another win.
But Zhao Yu was a seasoned hustler. His gut told him there was profit to be made.
So, he stayed hidden until the yellow-haired guy left with the USB. Then, in a flash, Zhao Yu pounced, pinning the green-capped kid against the wall.
"Freeze! Police!" Zhao Yu barked with gusto. Hmph! I'm a real cop now, no faking it!
The kid froze at the word "police," collapsing into sobs. When the cap fell off, Zhao Yu realized this wasn't a boy but a short-haired girl, barely a middle schooler by her youthful face.
Caught off guard, Zhao Yu kept his scowl. "Know why I grabbed you?"
"Wahh…" The girl trembled, pleading, "Officer, I know I messed up, I won't do it again, wahh…"
"Cut the crap! Spill it, or else," Zhao Yu fumbled, "I'll call your parents!"
"No! Please!" The girl panicked. "Don't call them, my dad'll kill me!"
Seeing she wasn't a threat, Zhao Yu let go and snatched the envelope. Opening it, he found a thick stack of cash.
Jackpot!
He knew there'd be money, but not this much. "Talk! Where'd this cash come from?"
"Wahhh…" The girl wailed louder, voice cracking. Clutching Zhao Yu's arm, she begged, "Officer, it's my first time, I swear! Please let me go… I know I was wrong, I won't do it again!"
"Hey, hey, you're getting snot on me!" Zhao Yu pushed her back. "Stop crying and tell me, what was that thing you gave that guy?"