Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 18 Turning onto the National Highway
Chen Shu drew a large circle on the case memo, then looked up at the undulating mountains and forests outside the window: Clearly, the kidnappers forgot that the police are a unified force, and at this moment, the area near the Tingmadian Expressway Station in Hexi Province should be teeming with local police.

They were well-organized, they were at their best, they were armed to the teeth, their eyes were wide open, and they were hidden in every corner.

They are just waiting for their prey to take the bait.

Perhaps the kidnappers didn't forget, but rather knew perfectly well that after their final address change, two hours would be enough to fill that place with police.

We should always prepare for the worst-case scenario and assume our opponents are the most intelligent.

Chen Shu looked ahead and calmly said, "Fatty, the navigation destination remains the same. Exit the highway at the next highway exit and drive on the national highway as close as possible to the original highway route."

"Ok."

Zhu Chaoran didn't ask for the reason as usual. He turned the steering wheel and accelerated towards the exit. At this moment, he could feel the cold aura emanating from Chen Shu, and the sense that he had the kidnappers in his grasp.

If you encounter a conflict or problem and cannot resolve it, then create a bigger conflict or problem; if you cannot create one, then simply leave the situation.

Since the kidnappers kept demanding that the hostage's family travel on the highway; since there were police convoys following them on the highway; and since the destination was already swarming with local police.

Since my presence or absence makes no difference anywhere, I am, in a sense, the greatest freedom.

You want me to take the highway? Fine, I'll take the national highway! You set the highway station as my destination? Fine, I'll take my time!
Since deciding to switch to the national highway, Chen Shu had a vague premonition that he would not just be a bystander watching others eat meat while he drank soup.

"Fatty, this speed isn't good. We're getting further and further away from Xing Da and the others." Chen Shu said, glancing at the locations of each member displayed in the team mode on the Gaode Map on his phone.

"Brother Shu, this road is nothing like the highway, and besides, we took a detour. I can't go fast even if I wanted to," Zhu Chaoran said helplessly, patting the steering wheel.

Chen Shu knew he was right. After pondering for a moment, he picked up his phone and dialed a number:
"Li Meng, this is Chen Shu. I know I'm more than an hour's drive away from you. Could you reduce your speed to around 60 km/h and maintain that speed?"

After saying that, Chen Shu didn't offer any further explanation, but simply held his phone and waited quietly.

About ten seconds later, Zhu Chaoran thought that Chen Shu's unreasonable request would be rejected.

"Okay, thank you." Chen Shu had already answered the phone quietly, hung up, and turned to him calmly, saying, "Fatty, speed things up as much as possible. I have a feeling we'll have results tonight."

"Okay, Brother Shu."

A sudden surge of inexplicable curiosity compelled him to turn his head and pretend to check the rearview mirror on the right.

He saw Chen Shu narrow his beautiful phoenix eyes again, staring silently ahead.

At that moment, what appeared to be floating in his pupils must be that group of kidnappers, Zhu Chaoran thought nervously.

He suppressed his anxiety and nervousness, gripped the steering wheel tightly again, and slowly pressed the accelerator.

"Ring ring!" The cell phone rang.

Chen Shu answered the phone, listened briefly, and then hung up.

"The kidnappers have contacted the hostages' families. They're now instructing them to continue driving on the highway, constantly reporting their location and the large road signs along the way. They're probably verifying the families' exact location. The kidnappers should be waiting nearby." "Damn!" Zhu Chaoran slammed his hand on the armrest, excitedly saying, "Brother Shu, tell us what to do!"

When the time came, Zhu Chaoran was not at all afraid, and even a little excited, but as always, he didn't like to use his brain.

Chen Shu did not answer, but kept his head down and fiddled with his phone.

"Ding-dong!" My phone beeped with a text message.

"call."

After reading the text message, Secretary Chen breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "The kidnappers have shown up. They had the hostages' families stop their car on a section of the highway called Dingshan Viaduct, and using a large road sign as a reference, threw the ransom directly off the bridge. They are very likely on the highway below the bridge!"

The cars that were following us didn't dare stop next to the family's vehicle. They didn't stop when the incident occurred, but continued driving forward, though they'll probably stop a short distance away and then sneak back inside.

Chen Shu paused, holding his phone, and said in a deep voice, "Get ready, let's go."

"Destination has changed, navigation will replan the route." Gaode Map's distinctive electronic voice suddenly came from inside the car.

As the electronic sound faded away, Zhu Chaoran stepped on the gas, and the car suddenly accelerated, speeding forward once again.

"We'll reach our destination in half an hour. We've already notified the family to try and stall the kidnappers. We'll play it by ear." With that, Chen Shu pulled out the Type 64 pistol that he always carried on his side, skillfully released the safety, and began to carefully examine the gun.

Seeing Chen Shu take out a pistol and fiddle with it, Zhu Chaoran, who was driving, couldn't help but take a few more glances: "Brother Shu, what do you think of this gun? Can I touch it?"

"The Type 64 pistol is no match for a kitchen knife in close combat; it's only good for intimidating people. If you encounter a ruthless bandit willing to fight to the death, it's just a burden." Chen Shu slightly curled the corners of his mouth.

The gun is a soft gun, but it's a different story if you get a headshot.

"Then I'll pull over and buy you a kitchen knife later, and I'll hold this gun for you to scare people, how about that!" The common gun-loving tendency among young people was on full display in Zhu Chaoran; he even dared to spout nonsense in the middle of the night.
"By the way, Brother Shu, what kind of gun did you use when you were in the SWAT team? I heard from Instructor Zeng that you were an excellent shot! You almost got to stay in the sniper squadron of the SWAT team."

"Nine-five." Chen Shu squinted, recalling the time when he was assigned to the special police detachment right after graduating from the police academy.

He calmed himself down and refocused his attention on the case.

"Go play your PUBG after get off work. It's best to stay away from these things." Chen Shu put his pistol away and holstered it. He turned to Zhu Chaoran and said seriously, "If you run into kidnappers later, just remember one thing."

He said slowly, word by word, "Follow behind me."

The car fell silent immediately; both of them knew this was not the time for jokes.

"Brother Shu, I'll listen to you." Zhu Chaoran, abandoning his usual flippancy, replied in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shu narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. His right hand slowly slid into the holster on his side, his thumb and forefinger gripping the handle, and his index finger gently tapping the holster. He then remained silent.

(End of this chapter)