Are You Crazy? You’re Telling Me This Is a Fugitive TV Show?

“So, this nature of a Joker? Just as Captain Wang Yue predicted.”

“An intellect that surpasses the ordinary and thoughts that are hard to grasp. He plays without rules and is indifferent to wealth, fame, and fortune. Big Brother fits all these to a tee.”

The lively chatter of the live stream shifted upon Wang Yun’s pronouncement. A duel of wits always seems to draw an involuntary air of tension. Despite the physical distance between Wang Yun and the program’s team of chief inspectors, this intangible collision weighed heavily upon the viewers.

Wang Yun expressed his intent to do something big. His actions were indeed unique, reminiscent of a fictional Joker. Without adherence to rules. Thoughts that defy prediction. Actions, just as elusive.

Wang Yun sat on his mattress, meticulously reviewing bits of information, contemplating his next moves. After considerable thought, he crafted a series of plans.

As evening approached, he dismissed an invitation from the couple next door and chose to rest instead.

***

Back at the headquarters of the program’s special task force, the five captains were convened in the office. Wang Yue looked toward Wu Yaoming and commanded, “Commence the search, methodically, he’s armed. Deploy fifteen program officers to each pinpointed location. Their safety is paramount, we cannot have any casualties.”

“Rest easy. I will provide them with an optimal defense strategy to ensure there are no casualties. Should Wang Yun dare to retaliate, it’s yet to be seen who will survive,” Wu Yaoming declared with unwavering confidence.

“Good, let’s get the program officers ready to move out,” Jiang Youshan declared.

“Execute the operation,” Wu Yaoming took out a communicator and issued an order.

It was then that Hong Feng interjected, “I’ll be heading out. Captain Wu Yaoming, should you find Wang Yun’s location, inform me.”

“Hm?” This interjection caused a moment of bewilderment among the other four captains who looked towards him inquisitively.

“Captain Hong Feng, what are you planning?”

“This mission may not easily net us Wang Yun, but whether we capture him or not, I am compelled to issue a challenge. Just as he brazenly challenged Captain Zhang Xingchen, as he has challenged me with his inflammatory works,” Captain Hong Feng declared, his face an impassive mask. “I conceded defeat when he eluded us at Nansu Tower, but predicting the victor in our next encounter is no simple matter.” A cryptic light danced in his eyes as he spoke.

“Captain Hong Feng, what exactly are you planning to do?” Wu Mingyu asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

“I’m gearing up for a face-off with him. Inform me at once if we find his location today,” Hong Feng said, the hint of a smile gracing his features as he moved toward the exit.

“Wang Yun’s taunting seems to have truly angered him,” Jiang Youshan reflected aloud, eyeing Hong Feng’s departing figure.

“A person’s true potential is unleashed in such moments. Captain Hong Feng is evidently not ready to admit defeat and is eager for a real showdown with Wang Yun,” Wang Yue remarked calmly.

“The search is already underway across twenty locations,” Wu Yaoming interjected, his attention on the live feed showing the progress of the search teams. Wu Mingyu responded with a chuckle, his gaze locked on the monitors. “We shall see if things unfold as Captain Wang Yue has said.”

The grand search operation had begun. The night’s original plans to scour bathhouses and KTV joints were scrapped in favor of sweeping through abandoned buildings and dilapidated neighborhoods. Hundreds of program officers fanned out, simultaneously descending upon these areas to start their meticulous search.

“The hunt has started, and they’re targeting the derelict building where Big Brother is hiding!”

“This is a massive dragnet. They might actually discover where Big Brother is staying!”

“The captains are pulling out all the stops, this discovery is inevitable!”

Viewers in the live broadcast of the special task group were witnessing the commencement of the new crackdown operation. The internet was abuzz with chatter.

“Big Brother, time to wake up, the officers are almost upon you.”

“Haha, the generator and the car that Big Brother just bought today might just get discovered!”

In Wang Yun’s live stream, a deluge of comments from the audience scrolled rapidly across the screen. It was still early, yet Wang Yun had retired for the night prematurely, gearing up for new plans he had in store for the next day.

Then, as the clock struck a little past nine, an order cut through the silence, “Search each room, methodically.”

Wang Yun, ever vigilant, snapped his eyes open at once. His ears perked, tuning into footsteps emanating from the ground floor.

“Fifteen in number, moving in sync.”

Without a shred of indecision, Wang Yun’s face creased with concern. He hastily donned his shoes, seized his prepared bag, and hastened toward the upper floors. Scarcely ten seconds after he vacated, fifteen silhouettes, guns in hand, prowled in with caution.

“Report to the captain, this is Squad Thirteen. We’ve come across a room in a run-down building in the Hu Mountain district. It’s empty, but there are signs of living,” the squad’s lead officer reported immediately upon entering.

“Extract fingerprints for comparison,” Wu Yaoming, from the program’s special task force center, instructed with an intense focus on the live feed from Squad Thirteen. The evidence was clear on the screen, prompting his immediate directive.

The fingerprints, remnants of Wang Yun’s past missteps found on clothing left behind at the Nansu Tower, were key. While one could alter their appearance, falsifying fingerprints was a far greater challenge.

The team of fifteen officers promptly knelt down, wielding the automatic fingerprint scanner, and initiated the extraction procedure. Thanks to technological advancements, this equipment was at the pinnacle of modern innovation.

The scanner soon beeped its confirmation.

“Captain, the fingerprints have been extracted successfully. These belong to the ‘fugitive’ Wang Yun. This place is where he has been living.”

The officer, animated with excitement at the successful retrieval, reported with a surge of adrenaline.

“Even though I knew Big Brother was here, it’s still a shock now. The search operation took only twenty minutes to locate Big Brother.”

“Captain Wang Yue is truly impressive. Is this the level of a top national expert in criminal psychology?”

In the live stream, countless viewers were astonished. The operation had taken just twenty minutes so far.

“Incredible, Captain Wang Yue’s prediction was accurate,” Jiang Youshan expressed his astonishment at the outcome.

“Guessing correctly doesn’t equate to capturing him. Wang Yun is highly adept, he sensed the search team’s presence beforehand.” Wang Yue shook her head and then instructed, “Check his bedding and mattress, are they still warm?”

“Yes, Captain Wang Yue,” the search personnel confirmed right away. “They’re warm. He must have only just left, he couldn’t have gone far, and it’s even possible he’s still somewhere within this building complex. Captain, should we call in reinforcements to surround the area?”

“There’s no need. We’re exposed while he remains hidden. He would notice if we were to set up a perimeter now. The surrounding area makes for an easy escape, and though he’s daring, he’s not foolish. He’d ensure he’s in a safe location,” Jiang Youshan commented before pulling out a communicator. “Captain Hong Feng, we’ve located Wang Yun’s hideout. I’ll send you the coordinates.”

“Roger that, Senior Jiang Youshan. Since we’ve found Wang Yun’s hideout, he’s surely using a new identity. We’ll start the search for his new disguise immediately,” Captain Hong Feng responded without delay upon receiving the message.

“No problem, it shouldn’t take long to uncover it,” Jiang Youshan nodded, then addressed the search team through the monitor, “Collect everything in the room and also check for any unusual items.”

“Understood, Captain Jiang. The most prominent item in the room is a generator,” responded the search personnel, their attention fixed on the generator.

“Find out where this generator could have been purchased in Nancheng,” Jiang Youshan continued, directing the staff back at the special task force headquarters.

“Yes, Captain Jiang,” the staff members responded promptly.

“This… this arrest operation is functioning like a well-oiled machine!”

“Exactly, the way this arrest is unfolding step by step, with impeccable precision—it’s nothing short of incredible. Elder Jiang Youshan’s prediction was spot-on, Brother Wang Yun has indeed found himself a relatively safe spot.”

“It’s impressive, there’s an understated yet formidable strength at work. This search process, without much fuss or embellishment, is meticulously organized and structured!”

In the live broadcast, all the viewers watched the composed execution of the search, their faces etched with awe. No superfluous talk, no redundant movements. It resembled a streamlined machine at work.

“Captains Jiang Youshan, Wu Mingyu, Wu Yaoming, and Wang Yue are all maintaining their composure, but what is Captain Hong Feng intending to do?”

“It’s unclear, but there’s a sense that Captain Hong Feng is suppressing a surge of emotion, and now he’s on his way there.”

“He’s the first captain to personally leave his post.”

The viewers exchanged thoughts among themselves.

***

At the same time, on a street, Captain Hong Feng was speaking into a communicator, “Captain Wu Yaoming, arrange for fifteen search officers to meet me at the entrance of the derelict building in Hu Shan Residential Area.”

“Understood!” came the swift reply over the communicator.

Captain Hong Feng’s eyes gleamed as a slight, cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.

“If you enjoy the game, then let’s play. I don’t believe for a second that I’ll lose,” he muttered under his breath.

His vehicle sped through the streets and soon arrived in front of the decrepit structure in the small district of Hu Shan Residential Area.

“Captain Hong Feng,” the search officers from the program team approached as the car halted in front of the unfinished building in the Hu Shan area.

“Mm!” Captain Hong Feng acknowledged with a nod as he got out of the car and surveyed the surroundings. He then took out a banner from the vehicle and signaled to the officers.

“Hang this up,” he instructed decisively.

The officers were momentarily startled, then quickly nodded in understanding. They eagerly took the banner and found a spot to hang it up. The banner was unfurled, displaying just one single bold word–Rat!

Indeed, just one very pronounced word–Rat!

Inside the program’s task force room, Wu Mingyu narrowed his eyes at the sight of the two characters and asked through the communicator, “Captain Hong Feng, what does this mean?”

“This,” Hong Feng stated with a composed demeanor, “is my gauntlet thrown down in challenge and provocation.” He continued, “Wang Yun has lost his mind, issuing challenges to me and Captain Zhang Xingchen. It would be impolite not to respond in kind. I’ll indulge him in his game. But more importantly, after researching and understanding the materials used for disguises, the items he’s purchased, like gypsum and modeling clay, only suffice for creating four lifelike masks. We’re already aware of two, and today’s findings should unveil the third, which implies he has just one disguise left. Though he can interchange them, there are definitely only four complete masks. Once we piece together all four identities, capturing him will become a lot simpler. My declaration is also designed to incite his anger.”

While speaking, his gaze fixed intently on the banner ahead, “He enjoys dancing on the razor’s edge, so I’m extending him an exclusive invitation to a peculiar ball. He may have set the stage, but I intend to dismantle it.”

“You make the call, Captain Hong Feng. That word is quite fitting,” Wang Yue remarked with a chuckle, observing the banner through the screen.

“It might not be overtly harmful, but it’s highly insulting, bound to trigger a man of his haughty and overbearing temperament to lash out,” she said with confidence. “And let’s not forget, the Joker personality is vengeful by nature. I suspect he will strike soon, likely sooner than later. Captain Hong Feng, and all of us, need to be ready.”

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