Chapter 573: Assistance Translator: Timothy Editor: GlobeGlotter
Soon, two undercover airline police officers appeared. The plane’s captain announced over the microphone, “Dear passengers, welcome aboard. This is your captain, Yu Yeming. I regret to inform you that a murder has occurred on this flight. A passenger was killed in the restroom. To ensure everyone’s safety, please remain seated until after we land.”
The plane erupted into chaos. Everyone became anxious, fearing a hijacking.
Ye Mo scanned Luo Dongsheng; though nervous, he appeared calmer than most passengers. Ye Mo immediately judged Luo Dongsheng unlikely to be the killer—he was still carrying his gun.
Ye Mo shook his head. Why keep the gun after the killing? It was a sure way to get caught. But perhaps Luo Dongsheng had a reason. The flight attendant beside him anxiously pushed a trolley, seemingly intending to use it to hide the gun, but another flight attendant discovered the situation sooner than expected.
He should have disposed of the gun immediately. Was he afraid of leaving fingerprints? Couldn't he have washed them off? But the victim would have his fingerprints on the gun anyway, wouldn't he?
Suddenly, Ye Mo remembered his own fingerprints were on the gun, and cursed. He feared no one, but this flight was sensitive. An investigation might reveal his identity. If the US learned Ye Mo had been in San Francisco, they might suspect him in the robberies.
Meng Jiushan, the only other person who knew the killer's identity, seemed oblivious to the captain's announcement, instead peppering Ye Mo with questions.
Though more interested in the Bitter Ten Years, Ye Mo was also curious about Meng Jiushan's fortune-telling.
Overhearing their conversation, the wealthy woman wanted to ask more questions but feared annoying Ye Mo and remained silent. She ignored her daughter, her disappointment evident.
After the murder, the atmosphere on the plane grew tense. Passengers eyed each other suspiciously, fearing they sat beside the killer.
More police arrived. No one wanted to be suspected, so even those needing the restroom resisted the urge.
…
A few hours later, the plane landed at Hong Kong International Airport. Passengers disembarked and passed through a temporary weapons detector.
Luo Dongsheng’s face fell. The pistol should have been moved by now. He hadn't expected the murder to be discovered so quickly.
Seeing this, Ye Mo knew Luo Dongsheng couldn't hide the gun, so he discreetly took it and placed it in his ring as they disembarked.
When Luo Dongsheng passed through the detector without triggering an alarm, he doubted his ears. Dazed for a moment, he was pushed forward by the crowd before subconsciously entering the foyer. He checked where he’d hidden the gun, but it was gone. He suspected he’d left it on his seat, but couldn't return to check.
The flight attendant beside Luo Dongsheng was also relieved. Before Ye Mo left, he overheard Luo Dongsheng tell the girl they should check out Luo Yue.
Ye Mo nodded. Luo Yue's fame was a boon, attracting capable people.
Although the culprit was among the passengers, there was no incriminating evidence. Almost everyone had used the restroom, making it impossible to determine when the killing occurred.
The passengers couldn't be detained indefinitely, especially the VIPs. After brief interviews, everyone was released.
Before Luo Dongsheng left, Ye Mo returned the gun to him.
Before departing, the wealthy woman repeatedly thanked Ye Mo. Though not yet cured, she sensed he hadn’t scammed her. Her daughter, however, remained impatient.
Due to Meng Jiushan's sudden case, Ye Mo had to visit the Meng family regarding the Bitter Ten Years. He accompanied Meng Jiushan to their home. The Meng family had lived in Hu Zhong province but moved to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution.
…
After leaving the airport, Luo Dongsheng and the flight attendant took a taxi to Hong Kong Miao Pu, where housing was cheapest, despite the chaos.
Stepping out of the taxi around 10 p.m., the flight attendant asked, “Dongsheng, how did they miss your pistol? I was so worried! I’m glad you had a way to hide it.”
Luo Dongsheng was worried. “Ying Zi, we need to leave immediately. Come with me to Luo Yue. I heard the city lord is powerful. Luo Yue is open to the world, welcoming Chinese settlers.”
“Why? Didn’t we agree to leave after finishing everything here? Besides, I still want my year-end bonus,” Ying Zi protested.
Luo Dongsheng shook his head. “I suspect they know I'm the culprit. I may have left the pistol on my seat.”
“What?” Ying Zi's face paled. Fingerprints on the pistol would expose them.
Suddenly, Luo Dongsheng felt his pockets and said in astonishment, “At the checkpoint, I checked my pockets repeatedly, but it wasn't there. Why is it here now?”
Ying Zi suggested, “Maybe you were too nervous to notice it?”
Luo Dongsheng shook his head. “Impossible. It’s not a piece of cloth. The detector would have found it.”
They stared at each other before simultaneously concluding, “Someone is helping us!”
“Dongsheng, let’s go to Luo Yue. I don't want to live here anymore. I want peace,” Ying Zi decided.
“Okay, let’s go to Luo Yue,” Luo Dongsheng agreed.
Meanwhile, in a Hong Kong five-star hotel, the wealthy woman absentmindedly held her charm.
Her daughter went outside to call home, reporting the scam and requesting the card be frozen.
“Mom, I told you not to believe this. A charm curing you? It's impossible! US hospitals recommended extended diagnosis. We should return to the US after handling family business,” the daughter insisted, still unhappy about her mother’s gullibility.