I could tell you were bad news at first glance!

☆ 'I could tell at a glance that you're not a good person!' Jiang Xia asked, confused, 'Master?' Wu Suo didn't answer. He waved his hand.

'I'll explain later.' 'Hey, Wu Suo, why are you leaving so suddenly?' Liu Kezhang instinctively reached out to stop him. 'You've helped so much, at least stay for a meal!' 'No need.' Wu Suo said to Liu Kezhang, 'Now we know it's an outside habitual thief, age and height range, and the factory might have witnesses.

With these leads, you can handle it yourselves. Our station has a lot of work, so we won't stay any longer.' 'Well, ah, okay.' Hearing that, Liu Kezhang understood.

He stopped blocking and instead grabbed the car cover and umbrella from his own car and put them on Wu Suo's car. 'Then take these.' 'No, no!' 'You have to take them.

I asked you two to help, I can't let you ride back in the rain.' '...I'll return them later.' After some back and forth, Wu Suo accepted the umbrella and car cover. Jiang Xia went back to the warehouse to get her tools, got on her bike, and followed Wu Suo back to Zhouying Police Station.

She rode for a while, then finally couldn't help asking, 'Master, why aren't we investigating this case anymore?' 'You little sly one, what are you pretending not to know? Didn't I just say our station has a lot of work?' Wu Suo snorted.

'These three thieves, we don't know which district they're from. If we really start checking, ten people from the station would be thrown in, running around for half a month, and we might not even see a ripple.

Where does our station have that kind of free time?' Sure enough. Jiang Xia heard this and felt no surprise. Without instant communication, surveillance, or phone tracking, only a vague range, to identify suspects you have to rely on your legs, going door to door.

That requires a huge investment of manpower and resources. Jiang Xia wanted to invest, but thinking back on her workload these past few days, laughable, she couldn't squeeze out any time!

She couldn't help sighing to the sky, 'Still not enough police force!' 'No way, we're short on people.' Wu Suo had accepted this reality twenty years ago and hardly felt any emotion anymore. He said it flatly, but then paused and added, 'But it depends on the case.

For example, Beifu Factory is big and wealthy. Workers take home more scrap cloth every day than what was stolen. Liu Kezhang will at most get a scolding, lose his bonus and evaluation, but not investigating is fine.

But if it's a situation like Dong Aihua's family, then you can't consider being busy or not, you have to go all out and investigate thoroughly!' Jiang Xia nodded along. Wu Suo was still Wu Suo, not Lü Fusheng, who always wanted to slack off.

It was just that manpower was truly limited, so they had to focus on more important cases. Besides, what Wu Suo said made sense.

It was a big factory; losing a few packages wouldn't have much impact. Even so, Jiang Xia still felt a bit unwilling. Such an experienced habitual thief, who knows how many times they've stolen?

Maybe the total amount could be six figures, and there might be other serious crimes. Was she just going to watch the criminal continue to get away?

But the station really couldn't spare anyone... Jiang Xia angrily stomped on the pedal. Why was it so hard to catch a criminal!

The wind blowing in her face brought a cool freshness, and the rising irritation seemed to fade a bit. An old man carrying a vegetable basket walked slowly across the crosswalk.

Jiang Xia looked at the towel draped over the basket, and suddenly had an idea. 'Master, if it's hard to find the people, we can trace the goods!' Wu Suo was a bit helpless.

'We've already ridden halfway, and you're still thinking about it?' But Jiang Xia's mind was really sharp. Tracing the goods was a good direction, except...

'Tracing the goods helps a bit, but not much.' Wu Suo shook his head. 'Habitual thieves like this usually sell everything at once to a second-hand dealer, quickly getting rid of the evidence, and then the second-hand dealer distributes it.

This business isn't clean. The people involved are cautious. Without a familiar introduction, you can't even see the second-hand dealer.

We can only squat on the black market and catch them level by level. By the time we catch the second-hand dealer, those three habitual thieves will have heard the wind and fled.' Wait, familiar introduction?

Jiang Xia suddenly remembered the Title rewarded by the System. When equipped, 'fellow thieves' could directly increase favorability by 20%!

If she disguised herself as a thief, equipped the Title, and asked a fellow thief to introduce her... then she might be able to see the second-hand dealer directly! As long as she knew who they were and where, then catching them would be easy!

The more Jiang Xia thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. She immediately said, 'Master, give me half a day off.

I'll go to the black market and look around. Maybe I'll find something.' Wu Suo was a bit helpless. This kid, why was she so stubborn?

But wanting to solve the case wasn't a bad thing. Half a day wasn't a big deal. Let her hit a wall, know it's hard, and then she won't think about it anymore.

'Alright.' Even though he thought that, Wu Suo still gave serious advice. 'They just stole the goods last night. It won't be sold that fast.

Wait two days, then go to the black market and try your luck the day after tomorrow.' Jiang Xia nodded repeatedly. 'No problem!' * Time flew by.

That morning, Jiang Xia didn't rush out. Instead, she dug out her mother's patched old clothes and put them on. Undercover, after all, her behavior and appearance had to lean toward fellow thieves.

At least she had to get rid of that 'office worker' vibe. Sitting at the table, Jiang Xia took out a wig and mixed it with her own hair, braiding it into a thick, single-strand braid that hung in front of her.

Then she looked in the mirror and applied a darker foundation cream to her face. Soon, a girl with slightly dark skin, like a country bumpkin, appeared in the mirror.

Jiang Xia nodded in satisfaction. With this look and vibe, who would think she was a cop? She decided to test the effect of equipping the Title.

Jiang Xia called up the System. As soon as she equipped it, she suddenly felt that the person in the mirror was extremely annoying.

Even though her appearance hadn't changed, a moment ago she looked simple and kind, but now her eyes were shifty, and the hand touching the braid seemed restless... In short, she looked like a bad person at first glance!

Wait, was this reasonable? Jiang Xia paused, remembering her profession. Well, it was perfectly reasonable. She was silent for a moment, then quickly removed the Title.

Sure enough, System products were always top-notch. The Title was very effective, the boost was solid. She'd better not wear it for now, or she wouldn't even make it out of the precinct.

After a final check to make sure everything was fine, Jiang Xia left the house. She took the bus to Wutong Street. That was the city's most famous black market location.

It wasn't far from the station, had heavy foot traffic, and next to it was an unrenovated residential area with a maze of roads, perfect for private deals after negotiations, and if the cops came, you could use the terrain to escape quickly. With so many people, pickpockets gathered like sharks smelling blood.

Walking back and forth along this street, Jiang Xia quickly spotted several fellow thieves and identified the boss. Hua Ge, real name unknown, just over thirty, but acted like an old man.

He was sitting in the shade, holding a palm-leaf fan in one hand and picking sunflower seeds with the other, cracking them open while scanning the street. Jiang Xia equipped the Title, walked up to him, pulled out a shiny gold cigarette pack from her pocket, and asked, 'Bro, want a smoke?' Golden Leaf?

She knew the ropes! Hua Ge glanced at Jiang Xia and instantly found this girl very likable. He adjusted his sitting position, looked her over a few more times, and understood.

'New here to pay respects? Which sect?' 'Rong Sect. I haven't graduated yet, just a Xiao Liu.' Jiang Xia replied with a northern accent.

'I'm passing through with my master, want to have some fun here and pick up some goods.' As she spoke, she opened the cigarette pack, took out one, and handed it to him. Hua Ge didn't refuse.

He reached out and took it. Jiang Xia then took out a match from her pocket and lit it for him. Hua Ge took a deep drag, slowly blew out a smoke ring, and said with satisfaction, 'Not bad, you know the rules!' 'Tell me, do you work the day shift or the night shift?' 'Night shift, but also day shift.' Jiang Xia smiled a little shyly.

'This job takes time, so I came out to look around. I want to get some stuff for my brother. He's getting married. Bro, do you know where I can get good cloth?

Preferably red, festive.' Hua Ge was a bit surprised. 'Oh, you're getting stuff for your brother?' 'My brother raised me.' Jiang Xia lied without blinking.

'But I don't have much savings. I can't afford the three big items. Just something for show. If there's finished goods, even better, saves me from finding someone to make them.' Normally, Hua Ge wouldn't talk so deeply with a Xiao Liu he just met, but today he found this junior very likable.

Hearing she wanted cloth for a wedding, he started thinking along those lines. 'Festive...' Hua Ge fanned himself. 'No red cloth, but coincidentally, my buddy just got some bedsheets and pillowcases.

Big red prints, very festive. Want to see?' Just got bedsheets and pillowcases, big red prints? That matched the stolen goods from Beifu Factory perfectly!

Jiang Xia was delighted inside, but didn't show it. Instead, she hesitated and asked, 'Can I take a look first?' 'Sure.' Hua Ge agreed readily.

'It's not far. Come on, I'll take you.' Jiang Xia was stunned. No way, this smooth? She quickly realized it was probably the System's doing.

She hadn't expected 20% favorability to be so effective. Jiang Xia couldn't help but marvel inwardly. System, you're a gem!

She'd never complain about the System being a scam again. Look how useful this was! Following Hua Ge, Jiang Xia entered a small alley, turned a few corners, and arrived at a small courtyard.

The yard wasn't big, maybe five or six square meters, with a single-story house inside. A bald man was sitting inside, drinking cheap liquor with peanuts.

'Old pal, you're living the good life!' Hua Ge pushed open the door and walked straight in. 'Hua Zi? What are you doing here?' He Tuzi looked up and immediately saw Jiang Xia behind Hua Ge.

He frowned. 'And you brought a stranger?' 'I'm here to bring you business!' Hua Ge said confidently, pointing at He Tuzi and saying to Jiang Xia, 'This guy is our famous second-hand dealer.

His prices are fair. You can sell your stuff to him. Of course, the more expensive and smaller, the better, especially gold and silver that can be moved.' Jiang Xia nodded, maintaining her persona, and asked, 'What's the price?' He Tuzi didn't answer.

He asked Hua Ge warily, 'Which path is she from?' 'Forgot to mention.' Hua Ge said, 'A Xiao Liu from outside, just passing through for a few days.' 'Xiao Liu?' He Tuzi looked Jiang Xia up and down, suspicion clear in his eyes. 'Have you tested her skills?' Seeing his expression, Jiang Xia immediately understood.

He Tuzi, the second-hand dealer, wasn't a fellow thief. The System Title's effect might be reduced or even nullified. Without the System's brainwashing aura, letting him continue to be suspicious would be bad.

Jiang Xia decisively decided to show off a skill to prove her identity as a Xiao Liu and gain his trust. 'My master isn't famous.

His surname is Li. Everyone in that area calls him Old Li.' She smiled and stepped forward, standing close to He Tuzi. 'I haven't graduated yet.

I don't have much skill.' That was basically saying nothing. He Tuzi's brows tightened, suspicion turning into a hint of menace.

He said unpleasantly, 'What kind of runaround is this? Spit it out, what's your real identity?' 'Hua Ge already said it, I'm a Xiao Liu.

I'm not lying. Let me show you a little trick so you know I'm not a con artist.' As she spoke, she sat down next to him, and just before he was about to lose his temper, she reached out her hand.

In her palm lay a keychain with red string. He Tuzi was stunned. Why did this key look so familiar? Like mine... He realized and quickly reached into his pocket.

Empty. The key in her hand was his! He Tuzi was shocked. Even knowing she had just taken the key from his pocket, he couldn't recall when she had done it.

This skill, impressive! 'Hey, you're really from the trade. Big brother apologizes.' Being able to reach this level must have taken years.

She must have been in the trade since childhood. The suspicion in He Tuzi's eyes vanished instantly. He took the key back from Jiang Xia and became enthusiastic.

'Little sister, you've got skills. I don't even know how the key disappeared. With this skill, you'll make a fortune sooner or later.

When you come to me to sell stuff, I'll give you a fair price, same as Hua Zi, this number!' He Tuzi held up three fingers. That meant 30% of the original price.

After all, it was stolen goods. If the profit wasn't high, the second-hand dealer wouldn't risk taking it. 30% was already a high price.

'Big brother, you're generous!' Jiang Xia maintained her persona, nodded in satisfaction, and added, 'I heard from Hua Ge that you have bedsheets and pillowcases. Give me two sets too.

We'll have more business in the future, so you have to give me a good price.' 'Oh, so that's why you asked about the price earlier. You were setting me up!' He Tuzi pretended to be displeased.

'Forget it, forget it. Seeing that you're sincere, little sister, I won't overcharge. Just a small fee for my trouble. Twenty, how about that?' That was about 40% off.

Jiang Xia, acting like a real buyer, thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. 'Deal!' She took out money, counted out the bills, and placed them on He Tuzi's table.

'Alright.' He Tuzi put down his chopsticks. 'Wait here. I'll go get them.' He picked up an empty cloth bag from the chair and walked out.

Soon, he came back with a bulging cloth bag. 'Little sister, take a look.' Jiang Xia opened the bag. Light pink bedsheets immediately came into view.

The print was exactly the same as the sample hanging in Beifu Factory! Confirmed, this was the stolen goods from Beifu Factory!

'These bedsheets are really pretty.' Jiang Xia steadied herself. She looked up and smiled at He Tuzi. 'Big brother, you're too kind.

I'll definitely come to you in the future.' Don't worry, I'll bring people to arrest you this afternoon! He Tuzi didn't notice anything wrong.

He was still thinking about what good stuff he could get from Jiang Xia next. Hearing her say that, he agreed repeatedly.

'Good, definitely come to me!' With the evidence in hand, Jiang Xia said goodbye to him and walked back with Hua Ge. On the way, Hua Ge was smoking.

He was still thinking about Jiang Xia's earlier move. Both from Rong Sect, he naturally understood the tricks. He Tuzi didn't know, but Hua Ge, as an observer, saw clearly.

Jiang Xia had deliberately used words to attract his attention to her face, then took the chance to get close and picked his pocket the moment she sat down. But saying it was easy, doing it was incredibly hard.

Even Hua Ge himself wasn't absolutely sure he could succeed. This girl was no ungraduated Xiao Liu. She was clearly a full-fledged Lao Xi!

What kind of master could teach such a disciple? Hua Ge grew curious. He said, 'By the way, little sister, how long has your master been here?

Maybe we can have a drink sometime.' With all the leads in hand, Jiang Xia started thinking about how to get away. She answered vaguely, 'Not long, just seven or eight days.' 'Seven or eight days?' Hua Ge pondered this time, then suddenly remembered something.

'So you came on the 17th—' 'Police!' 'Freeze! Don't move!' Before he could finish, three figures appeared out of nowhere and pounced on them like hungry tigers.

Hua Ge's words stopped abruptly. 'Cops?! Run!' With a last shred of conscience, Hua Ge warned Jiang Xia, then immediately turned and sprinted away.

Jiang Xia was stunned. Before she could react, 'bang,' she was pinned to the ground. A young voice came from behind her, full of excitement.

'Master, I could tell at a glance that this woman wasn't a good person! Look at these bedsheets, she must be speculating!' Ah???

Wait, no, this isn't right!