Chapter 40: Observation

Bai Lengci let go of her hand.

Xiao Ran immediately rubbed her reddened wrist, glaring fiercely at her, but at least did not try to strike out again or make a call right away.

Yan Junzhu frowned, as if trying hard to recall something.

She hesitantly spoke.

“...When I sat next to that little girl, it seemed... I didn’t smell a strong scent of alcohol on her.The way she was lying on the table also didn’t look like she was completely drunk and unconscious.”

Seeing Yan Junzhu also raise a doubt, and then noticing Bai Lengci’s look of utter certainty from beginning to end,

Xiao Ran gritted her teeth.

Although filled with reluctance and suspicion, she still decided to follow along to see what kind of evidence Bai Lengci could bring out.

“Fine, let’s go! But if it turns out you were wrong, or you were covering up for that scumbag, I will never forgive you!”

As Xiao Ran followed Bai Lengci toward the security room, she still didn’t forget to throw out harsh words.

“Even if, even if I got the details wrong, that kind of man who takes advantage of others is still disgusting! What if he really succeeded and ruined a girl’s life?!”

Yan Junzhu muttered in frustration under her breath: “I was wrong... I was wrong... isn’t that enough?!”

Just then, Zhou Zheng came panting as he caught up.

“Aria! Ladies! What’s going on? What happened? I was just at the front greeting guests, and I heard there was some unpleasantness over here?”

His gaze quickly swept across everyone, finally settling on Xiao Ran, who was clearly the dominant one among them.

Zhou Zheng had mingled in nightclubs for many years and had a sharp eye.

With one glance, he noticed that the short-haired girl’s seemingly casual Chanel-style jacket was actually a seasonal piece from a niche Italian haute couture brand—quite expensive.

And although Zhou Zheng hadn’t seen that handbag before, just from the craftsmanship, he could tell it was not cheap.

Add to that her whole demeanor, that confident aura born of being pampered, laced with a touch of commanding arrogance—it was definitely not as simple as being just an ordinary rich girl.

Zhou Zheng gave a bitter smile and said.

“This beautiful lady, please calm down first. When girls get angry, it’s easy to grow wrinkles.I sincerely apologize. It was our poor service that gave you such an unpleasant experience. I am Zhou Zheng, the manager here. Whatever the matter is, please tell me, and I will handle it properly to your satisfaction.”

But Xiao Ran, still fuming, had no patience for his pleasantries.

She waved her hand impatiently.

“Don’t try to sweet-talk me! You’re the manager, right? Perfect! Your bartender here colluded with a customer to do something filthy—are you going to do something about it or not?!”

Zhou Zheng froze from the outburst, the smile on his face stiffening.

He cast a pleading look at Bai Lengci.

Bai Lengci said calmly.

“Manager Zhou, the situation will be clear if we check the surveillance in the security room. They suspect that the drunk girl earlier was taken away by a customer with bad intentions.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zheng knew this could be either big or small.

If something like this truly happened in his bar, it could be covered up.

But if this young lady insisted on pursuing it, it would be a real headache.

He nodded quickly.

“Alright, alright, let’s check the surveillance! Please, this way!”

The group arrived at the security room in the basement.

Pushing open the door, smoke wafted out.

About twenty monitors were embedded in the wall, flashing with live feeds from all over the bar.

Two young men in security uniforms were lounging with legs crossed, cigarettes dangling from their lips, pointing and laughing at one of the screens.

As soon as they saw Zhou Zheng enter, the two stood up, about to crack a few grins.

But then they caught sight of Xiao Ran’s dark expression and Yan Junzhu’s striking aura, and Bei Ningrui.

They immediately scrambled, extinguishing their cigarettes and awkwardly tidying the messy desk.

“Ma—Manager Zhou...”

Zhou Zheng shook his head helplessly.

“Forget tidying! Da Chuan, when will this doghouse of yours ever look presentable?!”

He cursed with irritation, then turned to Bai Lengci.

“Is it the bar counter we’re looking at?”

Bai Lengci.

“Mm, around 12 o’clock.”

Zhou Zheng clapped Da Chuan, who was hastily cleaning.

“Hurry up, pull up the bar counter surveillance around 12! Quickly!”

The security guard named Da Chuan rushed back to the console to operate, while the other scrambled to clear away the instant noodle cups and ashtrays.

Soon, the playback of the bar area appeared on the screen.

Everyone crowded around the monitor.

The time pointed to around 12 o’clock, showing that middle-aged uncle sitting alone at the bar.

“Fast forward a bit...”

At that moment, the little girl appeared.

“Stop.”

Bai Lengci suddenly spoke.

The footage paused.

“Zoom in, take a screenshot.”

Bai Lengci pointed at the little girl’s side profile as she was about to sit down.

“Look here, her motion touching her ear...”

In the footage, the little girl seemed to unconsciously press lightly on her right auricle with her finger.

Xiao Ran leaned closer, frowning as she scrutinized.

“This... what can that prove? An itchy ear being scratched, that’s all? What, are you trying to say she had a miniature earpiece in there?”

Her tone still carried suspicion.

Bai Lengci ignored the doubt and only told Da Chuan.

“Keep playing, pay attention to her small gestures.”

The video continued.

Over the next ten-plus minutes of playback, Bai Lengci stopped it several times.

Each time, the footage captured the little girl touching her right ear—sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle!

Sometimes she brushed her hair aside and her hand grazed her ear; sometimes, while resting her cheek on her hand, her fingertip pressed unconsciously against her earlobe.

Once might have been coincidence, twice a habit—but such frequent repetitions, always before or after exchanging eye contact or words with that middle-aged man...

This was absolutely abnormal!

Everyone in the security room held their breath, even the usually nonchalant Da Chuan was left dumbfounded.

Zhou Zheng sucked in a sharp breath, staring at Bai Lengci in shock.

“Aria... h-how did you notice this?!”

In that noisy, dim environment, to pick up on such tiny, hidden movements of a customer—this level of observation was simply unbelievable!

“I have dynamic vision. I’m more sensitive to subtle movements. Also, her motions carried intent—they weren’t entirely unconscious.”

Bai Lengci explained casually.

Xiao Ran opened her mouth, her face burning, but still forced herself to argue.

“E-even if she really had something in her ear, maybe she was just listening to music? Or maybe it’s just a habitual movement! That still doesn’t prove she wasn’t a victim!”

“Earphones for music have a visible cable or the distinct look of Bluetooth devices. Her ear looked normal, no unusual protrusions.”

Bai Lengci refuted calmly, then produced another piece of evidence.

“Also, did you notice her drinking habits? The cocktail she later ordered, Piña Colada, had a fairly high alcohol content. But when she drank, she kept absentmindedly stirring the ice cubes with her straw. That’s a habit only seasoned drinkers have.

It dilutes the drink and slows consumption to control alcohol intake, keeping themselves clear-headed.

True novices who get drunk easily either gulp recklessly or pass out quickly.

They don’t do such little actions.

All this shows that, even if that girl wasn’t a police officer, she still came prepared against that man.

And as for what you did just now, in her eyes...

it was all unnecessary...”

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