Zheng Chengdao, Bai Xiaoguang, and Chen Jinyu left with Xiao Guodong, leaving only Qin Chuan and his three companions.
"Brother, if you have any instructions, just say them. You're our boss tonight!" Qin Chuan said to the police officer who remained.
"Boss Qin, my name is Rong Xiaoan. Please don't say that, I can't accept it!" Rong Xiaoan quickly replied.
Qin Chuan was a celebrity in the entire county, a rising star. He was building houses, opening supermarkets and flagship clothing stores, and was rumored to be worth several million. He was someone who dared to confront Han Shifei, a person a small police officer like him could not boss around. Rong Xiaoan was actually very excited to have the opportunity to get to know such a big shot, as many people would jump at the chance.
"Rong Xiaoan, that's a good name! Want a cigarette? Have one," Qin Chuan smiled gently at Rong Xiaoan's humility and took out a cigarette from his pocket.
"This... if we smoke tonight, won't we be discovered by observant people?" Rong Xiaoan hesitated.
"My apologies!" Qin Chuan also remembered it was night, and the light from a cigarette would indeed be obvious. He put the cigarette back and gently patted Rong Xiaoan's shoulder, praising, "Well done, a true professional!"
"Xiaoan, then you give the orders. We three will listen to you tonight!" Seeing that Qin Chuan was serious, Rong Xiaoan hesitated for a moment and then said, "Alright! Boss Qin, I'll tell you then!"
"This village is called Bagou Village. It has thirty-five households and is built entirely along the road above. There are only two roads in and out of the village!"
When it came to business, Rong Xiaoan showed the professionalism of a police officer, being very serious and knowing all the details like the back of his hand.
"These two roads are to the south and north. So, our task tonight is actually very simple. The four of us will have two people each responsible for the two exits. If the third secret passage is indeed in this Bagou Village, then to get out, they must pass through the checkpoints we are guarding."
Qin Chuan, Li Ya, and Qin Yang all looked understanding.
"Then Li Ya and I will guard the south exit!" Qin Chuan said crisply.
"Okay, then I'll guard the north exit with this brother," Rong Xiaoan nodded. "These two intersections are actually not far apart. If it were daytime, we could see each other. If there's any trouble, just shout!"
"Alright!" Qin Chuan took Li Ya's hand and walked towards the south exit.
A few minutes later, the two climbed a small steep slope and were surprised to find that they could see the lights of the casino in the distance from there.
"Sigh," Qin Chuan sat down and tried to make light of the situation, "Tonight, let's pretend we're on an outing!"
"Xiao Chuan, does your ankle still hurt? Let me rub it for you!" Li Ya asked with concern.
"It's okay. It didn't hurt before, but I've walked quite a bit tonight, and it's a bit sore now," Qin Chuan replied.
"Then let me rub it for you!" Li Ya squatted down, took Qin Chuan's ankle in her hands, and began to massage it gently.
"Sister, you don't have to. I can do it myself!" Qin Chuan quickly stopped her, thinking it was tiring for Li Ya to massage in this position without a place to sit.
"It's okay, you're my man, who else would I massage if not you!" Li Ya said, "Besides, you and I are both very busy usually, and I rarely get to serve you like this. Tonight, consider it a compensation!"
"Hehe, so I'm actually making a profit tonight!" Hearing Li Ya say this, Qin Chuan didn't stop her anymore. Instead, he enjoyed it and chuckled.
"You're something else!" Li Ya rolled her eyes, showing her mature charm, but it was too dark to be seen.
Time passed quickly. Around midnight, suddenly, a rumbling sound broke the silence of the night. A few police cars sped past on the road above, not far from Qin Chuan and Li Ya, heading straight for the casino. They didn't turn on their sirens, moving with lightning speed.
"The police are finally making a move!" Qin Chuan and Li Ya both stood up, excited, and looked towards the casino.
Under their gaze, several police cars and motorcycles stopped at the entrance of the casino. Police officers in uniform quickly jumped out of the vehicles and headed for the casino entrance. Even from a distance, one could imagine the chaos inside the casino at that moment. The gamblers never expected the police to descend like divine soldiers in the middle of the night for a surprise raid.
"Xiao Chuan, do you think the police will catch the ringleaders this time?" Li Ya asked nervously beside Qin Chuan.
"Who knows!" Qin Chuan shook his head. All they could do now was wait patiently for the final outcome.
"Look quickly, it seems someone is running out from the wilderness!" Suddenly, Li Ya pointed to a spot. Qin Chuan quickly followed her gaze and saw the beam of a flashlight appear there. He could even faintly hear shouts. Clearly, some gamblers were trying to escape through the secret passages and were caught by the police who were already lying in wait! This time, the police operation was unprecedentedly large, and it was highly likely they would catch all the gamblers tonight!
"Let's move down a bit and keep an eye on Bagou Village. In case that third secret passage is actually here!" Qin Chuan stood up and walked down the small slope, with Li Ya following closely.
A few minutes later, the two stood in a strategically advantageous position from which they could see almost half of the village. In the middle of the night, the entire village was plunged into darkness, with all residents sleeping soundly.
"It shouldn't be here. This village is so far from the casino. Setting up a secret passage here would be too much of a detour!" Li Ya said, seeing the quiet village.
"Who knows... Hmm?" Qin Chuan's words were cut short as his gaze narrowed slightly. He saw lights on in a house not far from him. Li Ya also noticed it, and the two stared intently at the house with lights on, their hearts filled with uncertainty. Perhaps someone in that household had woken up to use the restroom or get some water, which was a common occurrence! The two held their breath, but just then, the door of that house creaked open, and a furtive head cautiously peeked out, looking around warily. Then, another furtive head followed.
"Holy cow, it really is over here!" Qin Chuan and Li Ya stared, dumbfounded, at this sight. Even from a hundred meters away, they couldn't see the faces of the two figures, but their furtive posture had already revealed their identities.
"Quick! Shout for Big Brother and the others!" Li Ya nervously nudged Qin Chuan.
"No need. Big Brother and Xiao An are already coming," Qin Chuan replied.