Chapter Sixty-One: The Operation

Huo Yan nodded, indicating that he had also received the notification.

Without a word, the two immediately set out, heading straight for the vicinity of the crime scene.

This time, according to the deployment plan, only the two colleagues who had picked up Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan that morning remained stationary. The rest were stationed around the perimeter of the residential area, ensuring that the radius centered on the crime scene was carefully monitored without drawing too much attention.

As it turned out, Ning Shuyi’s earlier speculation was correct. Chang Junchao indeed had Li Wei’s phone and periodically used it to order essential supplies for survival.

Therefore, this time when the phone was turned on, it was naturally for the same purpose.

Because Chang Junchao would likely make a purchase soon after powering on, the interval wouldn’t be long. Trying to quickly pinpoint the order across several different online shopping platforms within such a short timeframe was no easy task. The coordination alone might result in the goods being delivered before they could intercept them.

Once Chang Junchao obtained the supplies, he would retreat into hiding again, avoiding exposure.

Although they had successfully located Li Wei’s SIM card this time, confirming Chang Junchao was hiding nearby, missing the opportunity would mean a large-scale search later to flush him out.

But such an operation would be disruptive, affecting local residents and increasing the risk of complications.

To achieve the best outcome, the next step was to intercept Chang Junchao’s order.

Because this neighborhood was not gated, delivery personnel and couriers could arrive via any road, meaning every possible route needed to be manned for inspection, requiring more manpower.

After the team quietly and swiftly took their positions, everyone outwardly maintained a calm demeanor, careful not to alert anyone. Yet inwardly, tension was mounting.

About half an hour later, Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan received word that a colleague stationed at another intersection had successfully intercepted a large convenience store order placed with Li Wei’s phone number from a delivery person.

The two hurried over. The courier had already been called over to the car and appeared nervous. Surely, he never imagined that what seemed like a routine delivery would become entangled in such a serious matter.

“Don’t worry,” Luo Wei said as Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan got into the car. He was inside, trying to calm the courier’s nerves. “We don’t need you to deliver this order. We just need you to stay in the car for a bit and lend us your uniform and helmet.”

The courier was a tall, sturdy young man. Hearing Luo Wei’s words, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief but also looked somewhat disappointed.

“Oh, okay, sure. You’re not going to keep my old clothes anyway.” He removed his helmet and scratched the back of his head. “I just want to ask—does this order still count? The stuff was bought from a pretty obscure convenience store, and it was heavy. Picking it up and delivering it took quite some effort. If it’s all for nothing...”

“Don’t worry, the arrest is our responsibility. Even if that guy’s committed a serious crime, the orders he placed online before still stand. He already paid, so what are you worried about?” Luo Wei waved his hand reassuringly.

The courier relaxed a bit and quickly began taking off the uniform jacket issued by his company.

Being tall and somewhat muscular, changing clothes in the cramped car was no easy feat. As he handed the jacket to Luo Wei, Luo was about to put it on when Huo Yan, sitting on the other side of the courier, stopped him.

“I’ll go,” Huo Yan said to Luo Wei. “Chang Junchao is on high alert now. It wouldn’t be suitable for you to wear that uniform.”

Luo Wei was of average height, solidly built but with a smaller frame, making him appear somewhat slender and tall. There was indeed a significant difference in physique compared to the courier.

Huo Yan, on the other hand, was tall and burly, slightly taller than the courier. The uniform would fit him better.

Luo Wei didn’t hesitate and handed the jacket over.

Huo Yan quickly changed into the courier’s uniform, donning the helmet and mask, which covered much of his face.

“Did the order have any special instructions?” he asked the courier once changed.

“He said not to knock on the door upstairs. When I got downstairs, call him to make contact,” the courier replied quickly.

Huo Yan nodded, borrowed the courier’s phone, grabbed the large bag of supplies, and stepped out of the car, striding toward the building where the order was to be delivered.

His hurried gait resembled the courier’s well enough.

The courier sat uneasily in the car, shifting his weight nervously as he watched Huo Yan walk farther away. He carefully asked Luo Wei, “Brother, that order I just took... is the person who ordered it dangerous? If you hadn’t stopped me, and I actually delivered it, would there have been any danger?”

“Right now, you’re definitely safe. Just stay put and wait,” Luo Wei patted his shoulder reassuringly.

But then he couldn’t help worrying whether Chang Junchao would resist arrest when confronted by Huo Yan, possibly leading to physical confrontation.

So he asked the courier again, “Is your uniform expensive?”

The courier looked at him with a wry expression, opening his mouth but unsure how to answer.

Ning Shuyi gave Luo Wei an exasperated yet amused glare and said to the courier, “Don’t take him seriously. He’s just teasing you because you look so nervous.”

Luo Wei grinned. “Yeah, yeah, just joking around! Don’t panic, buddy!”

The courier smiled sheepishly and didn’t say more.

Meanwhile, Huo Yan held the bag of supplies, his head slightly lowered, striding swiftly toward the building. Approaching the ground floor, he dialed Li Wei’s number.

The phone rang for a long time without answer. Huo Yan stood on the empty space below, not looking up.

He guessed that Chang Junchao was probably watching from somewhere inside, seeing if the delivery had really arrived.

Sure enough, on the third call, the phone was finally answered.

A hoarse voice responded with a simple “Hello.”

“This is the supermarket delivery. I’m downstairs. Should I bring it up?” Huo Yan asked.

“Come up through Unit Two. I’ll come down to meet you,” Chang Junchao said. “The family is resting. Don’t knock on the door!”

Huo Yan acknowledged, ended the call, and glanced at the address on the order—an apartment on the top floor of the building.

He hefted the heavy bag, then quickened his pace toward the main entrance of that unit.