Trafford's Trading Club

577: Love Song 577: Love Song “No wonder we found out that this Qian Guoliang is still alive, but the one who died turned out to be the one without an identity.”

After listening to what Ali said, Officer Ma suddenly had an epiphany—for a secret agent, stealing or forging identities is practically the norm. “But… but Qian Guoliang is already dead on the ship.” Lin Feng frowned, “So you’re saying the mysterious agent codenamed King could be the murderer?

But if they were supposed to meet, why would King kill Qian Guoliang?”

Officer Ma said, “Let’s get back to the captain…

Ali, why were you tailing Mu Enli?”

Ali replied seriously, “From the start, I’ve been secretly watching this ‘Qian Guoliang’.

I noticed he had contact with Mu Enli twice.

The first time was right after boarding, on the deck—they had a brief exchange.

Qian Guoliang was sneaking around on a restricted deck, like searching for something, then the captain reprimanded him and sent him away.”

Ali recalled, “At first I didn’t find it suspicious, but later I saw Qian Guoliang contact the captain again… it was in the Japanese restaurant on the ship.

They only exchanged a few words, but the captain’s expression was clearly off.” “About what time?” Officer Ma asked. “After the ship set sail, around four in the afternoon.” Ali hummed, “Later, Qian Guoliang met with Flying Eagle, but their distance was too far for me to hear anything.

I only saw Flying Eagle and Qian Guoliang go back to their cabin together, and soon after, Qian Guoliang came out again.

I followed him quietly, but this time he seemed to sense someone was tailing him.”

Ali sighed, shook his head, and said, “Obviously, he lost me.

I had no choice but to wait near his cabin to see if he’d return… never thought, next day Qian Guoliang would turn up dead on the deck.”

Officer Ma furrowed his brow, “You say that the captain and Qian Guoliang met twice… but it’s strange.

When Qian Guoliang was found on the deck, I remember Mu Enli never said he’d met this man—he hid that!

This captain is getting more and more suspicious…

By the way, Ren Ziling, didn’t you say you found something?

What was it?”

Officer Ma called loudly in Ren Ziling’s direction.

Miss Ren came over with a displeased look, glaring at Ali as she walked, but still answered seriously, “Old Ma, you guys watched the security room footage before, but it was tampered with.

The recordings from three to six in the morning last night had all been swapped—I think the footage was old.

That’s why when you watched it, you couldn’t find anything useful.” “What?” Officer Ma was stunned. “Are you sure?” “I’m a professional reporter, you know—I can spot doctored videos.” Ren Ziling shook her head. “If you don’t believe me, get Xiaobao to do a forensic check.” “No need, I trust you.” Ali said directly, “Ren Ziling, who could have replaced the footage?”

Ren Ziling still looked annoyed but said, “Anyone with access to the monitoring room could do it, but the problem is who could get the old footage.

I asked around—the surveillance system wipes recordings every seven days, but I’ve compared the footage from the previous seven days and found no match.

So this is footage from more than a week ago.

Although the system wipes every seven days, they always download and save the files on this ship after cleaning… and only two people have the key to the data room.” “The captain!” Ali’s eyes narrowed.

Ren Ziling nodded and added, “Also, the first mate, Mu Qinghai, he has a key too.”

Officer Ma said, “I asked about the situation—the duty crew last night included another crew member, so Mu Qinghai shouldn’t have had a chance to do anything.

But there was an outage for about ten minutes last night.

If both of them were gone during those minutes…

Could they have swapped the data in such a short time?” “If they brought a backup power source for the monitoring system, I’d say seven or eight minutes would be enough.” Ren Ziling replied.

Officer Ma frowned, then quickly picked up the phone.

A moment later, his expression turned grave. “Mu Enli’s phone… is off!”

At the same time, Lin Feng’s phone rang.

After listening, he frowned too, “Officer Ma, our backup team just arrived.

But there was a blackout at the control room, so they didn’t get the signal.

They’re planning a forced landing now…

Also, the passengers have started disembarking to the island!” “Didn’t I say, wait for my approval…” Officer Ma stomped his foot, “Find!

Get me the captain, now!

You must find him!” …

Click—the faint sound of the lock spring turning.

The door unlocked effortlessly—of course, with a room key, albeit a backup one.

The person opening the door took a deep breath, gently pushed the door open—the door to the captain’s quarters.

After checking the surroundings and seeing no one, he quickly slipped into the captain’s bedroom, being careful with even the act of closing the door.

Once the door was closed, he passed through the short entryway and stepped into the actual bedroom, starting to scrutinize everything in sight.

He was so focused he even ignored the faint sound coming from the door lock behind him.

The intruder frowned and glanced around—the bedroom didn’t seem to have anything unusual.

So he started moving the cabinets and shifting the paintings on the wall, even started knocking softly along the bedroom walls, then the ceiling, but still came up empty-handed.

Unwilling to give up, he looked to the floor—intending to lift the rug pressed under the bed.

Just then, he noticed telltale signs—marks between the bed leg and the carpet, as if something had been moved.

Imprints under the bed legs… the marks were asymmetric!

The bed had been moved! “Well, well, well, looks like I found something interesting.”

But just then, a man’s voice came from behind; the intruder whipped around to see a guy in a straw hat and flip-flops, leaning against the TV cabinet.

The man even picked an apple from the fruit plate and took a bite…

Flying Eagle.

Flying Eagle blinked, “Hey there.” “Who are you?

Do you realize where you’ve broken into?” “If you can break in, why can’t I?

Double standards much?” Flying Eagle took another bite of apple, grinned, “Oh…

I just remembered, you probably want to claim that it’s perfectly normal for you to be here, right?

Because I’m the stranger, and you’re the son… the captain’s son, right?

Am I right, first mate?”

First mate—Mu Qinghai.

Mu Qinghai’s eyes turned sharp as he glared at Flying Eagle—the unknown intruder—and said in a cold voice, “I don’t care who you are, but this is a private area.

If you don’t leave, I’ll call security and have you arrested.”

Flying Eagle laughed, “Hey, bro, don’t be so uptight.

Let’s be honest, odds are neither of us is squeaky clean…

Why not avoid tearing each other down?

How about we split whatever we find here, pretend we don’t know each other?

I’ll vanish and never show up in your life again.” “Hmph, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mu Qinghai snorted, “I’m just here to get medicine for the captain.” “Then what’s in that bag?” Flying Eagle cut in abruptly.

Mu Qinghai instinctively grabbed for his bag on the left, but Flying Eagle suddenly threw his apple, hitting Mu Qinghai square in the face, then lunged forward, pinning Mu Qinghai’s arm with one hand, and with a smooth motion, fished the item out of his pocket with the other, then quickly retreated two steps.

Flying Eagle unfurled the item in front of Mu Qinghai, “Come on, bro, you can’t seriously say you just found this protractor lying around, right?

By the way, where’s the blueprint?

That’s my old man’s relic, you owe me!”

Mu Qinghai frowned, rubbing his arm as he sat on the bed, suddenly silent.

Flying Eagle was just as patient, picking up another apple from the fruit plate and munching away… damn, finally something to eat. “So, bro, have you made up your mind?” Flying Eagle finished off an apple, laughed, “I’m plenty patient too, but even I have limits.

As for the protractor, I don’t care how you got it.

I’m just interested in whatever’s hidden in this room.

Besides, I’m a pacifist—if I can avoid violence, I always do…

So cooperation is best.”

Mu Qinghai squinted at Flying Eagle, “And why should I trust you?”

Flying Eagle shrugged, “Like you’ve got a choice?

Whether I’m trustworthy is anyone’s guess…

But seriously, aside from trusting me, what other options do you have?” “If you get what you’re after here, you’ll really disappear?” Mu Qinghai asked again.

Flying Eagle answered seriously, “Bro, like they say, even thieves have a code.

I’m a classy, principled gentleman—I just steal things, never get involved otherwise… huh?”

Flying Eagle just finished speaking when he frowned, reflexively looking toward the bedroom door—he heard footsteps outside, and it sounded like more than one person. “Bro, are you trying to play tricks?” Flying Eagle’s eyes narrowed.

Mu Qinghai replied coolly, “The captain’s not well, so I installed a call button in his room, right here…”

Mu Qinghai pointed to where he was sitting, moved aside the pillow, and revealed a small call button, “…

If I press it, people will come.” “Captain!

Captain, are you alright?!” The door burst open; two ship security guards rushed in. “Cap—”

But what they saw stunned them.

Mu Qinghai barked, “Grab that guy!

He broke in here to steal!”

One’s the first mate, one’s some unknown guy—the two guards didn’t hesitate; they charged straight at Flying Eagle.

No need to think—just tackle! “Shit, ran into another jerk… this city sure is full of tricks.” Flying Eagle grumbled, but calmly pulled a finger-length device out of his bag and waved it in front of Mu Qinghai, “I was recording just now, bro.”

Mu Qinghai’s face changed, pointing furiously, “Get him!

Get the recorder!

That’s company secrets!” “Roger, First Mate!” Both men lunged.

Flying Eagle cackled, ducked right between the guards and slipped past, “Ha, not playing with you guys.

You screwed me, bro, so don’t blame me!”

Flying Eagle dashed out the door.

Mu Qinghai shouted, “Call all security and crew—catch that thief!

Don’t let him escape!” “Got it!”

Watching the two guards rush out, Mu Qinghai frowned, glanced at the spot under the bed, hesitated, then decided to shove the bed aside.

When he did, he saw a tiny keyhole hidden behind the bed leg on the wall…

Mu Qinghai punched the wall hard!

Pain shot through his hand!

Hair disheveled, Mu Qinghai’s eyes shifted to the coat rack; he jumped up, grabbed it, and prepared to smash it against the wall.

But just then, the phone rang, “First mate, Officer Ma’s looking for you, says you need to meet him ASAP.” “Got it, I’ll head over soon.” Mu Qinghai replied calmly.

After hanging up, he still swung the rack against the wall with force… but only managed to rip off some wallpaper after smashing the rack to pieces.

Seeing the wallpaper peeled away to reveal a steel plate, Mu Qinghai slumped onto the bed in defeat.

After a while, he pushed the bed back to cover the exposed spot, tidied himself up, packed up the broken coat rack, and finally left the room. … … “This tree has been here a long time.”

Out on the sea’s Shellfish Island, in the woodland at the island’s center, the maid Ms.

Ren brushed her hand along the old trunk, smiling gently, “The climate here is nice.

Maybe in another hundred years, this tree will have a spirit.” “You Ye, don’t move.” Luo Qiu suddenly said softly.

The maid paused, hand on the branch, and elegantly turned her head.

Boss Luo was taking out his beloved Hasselblad camera, fiddling with the focus…

The club’s master and servant, blending in perfectly with the tourists playing by the shore.

After snapping a silhouette shot, Boss Luo set down the camera, looking rather content…

Just then, someone crossed through the shadows of the trees to their spot.

Luo Qiu looked up, smiling slightly, “Captain, you’re here too.” “It’s… you guys?”

Mu Enli paused, frowning a bit, seemingly surprised to see the pair here.

Seeing the obvious couple here for photos, Mu Enli said, “There’s not much to see here, actually.

There are some nice rocks and a cliff over by the beach—better for landscape shots.” “Captain heading that way?” Luo Qiu asked quietly.

Mu Enli shook his head, “Nothing much, just wandering around.” “Then we won’t bother you.” Luo Qiu smiled, glancing at You Ye.

The maid walked to her boss’s side, and together they left the woods, while Mu Enli hurried off into the depths of the forest. …

On the beach, the maid kicked off her shoes, walking barefoot on the fine sand.

The waves washed over her white feet, while Luo Qiu sat where the water couldn’t reach, gazing up at the blue sky. “Luo Qiu!

Luo Qiu!”

Not far off, Lin Feng, Ren Ziling, and Lizi hurried over.

Ren Ziling looked at the two relaxed figures, breathing heavily, “Here you are!

When did you get off the ship…

Wait, have you seen the captain?” “Captain?” Boss Luo looked up.

Lin Feng nodded, “We need to find him.

Passengers said they saw him heading this way.

Have you been here all along?

Seen him?” “Pretty sure he went that way.” Luo Qiu smiled, pointing to the distant rocks and cliff. “The cliff…

Got it!” Lin Feng nodded, and immediately sprinted off that way, with Ren Ziling and Lizi in tow.

But after a few steps, Miss Ren ran back, whispered in Boss Luo’s ear, “Kid, you’d better go back to your cabin right now and don’t go anywhere!

Do not open the door for any strangers—got it??

Nobody except me!

Especially mysterious women!

And you’d better sleep with You Ye!”

Ignoring the last line, Luo Qiu replied calmly, “…mysterious?” “Just listen!” Ren Ziling said and hurried after Lin Feng. …

Watching the group run off, leaving a string of long footprints in the sand, Luo Qiu fiddled with his bracelet, smiling softly.

The maid picked up a shell from the sand and held it to her ear.

Luo Qiu asked, “Does it sound nice?”

You Ye said, “Feels like a love song.”