Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1176: Chapter 17: Gaze

The red mini car was slowly driving down the street, but Ren Ziling was thinking about the phone conversation she had with Officer Ma a few minutes ago.

Actually, during this period, Ren Ziling had restrained herself a lot and hadn’t made things too difficult for Officer Ma—even with this shocking dismemberment case that shook the whole city, she waited two days before contacting Officer Ma, and it was only a phone call, not personally storming the detective team’s office like it was her own backyard.

“No comment, really no comment… Auntie, I’m swamped here and don’t have time to entertain you. One dismemberment case is bad enough, now I have to add… nothing! Anyway, if you’re really bored, just go sneak some pictures of some officials and their mistresses interacting or something… I’m really done talking!”

Basically, moments where Officer Ma could refuse her like this were rare over the years—they probably meant something serious had happened.

Ren Ziling couldn’t have imagined that the entire police station was nearly exploding—because a good suspect suddenly died in the detention center.

The severe nature of this incident threw the city’s detective team into an unprecedented crisis…

Thinking about it, Ren Ziling didn’t even feel like driving anymore, so she parked her car at a temporary spot on the street, picked up her phone casually, “Hey, Lizi, I won’t be coming home for lunch…”

While explaining the situation to Lizi, Ren Ziling was considering whether to go find a few familiar people from the underworld to see if anything special had happened in the past two days.

But before she could finish the call, Mammy Ren hastily hung up—because through the windshield, Mammy Ren saw an unexpected person.

Holding a simple shopping basket, just walking out from a supermarket, with golden hair like silk cascading down her back—a beige trench coat in a chic, elegant style… who else could it be but her son’s girlfriend, You Ye?

Instantly, Mammy Ren brushed all her worries aside—after all, this was the official girlfriend her son had brought home and personally acknowledged, her future daughter-in-law!!

“You Ye!”

Mammy Ren happily rolled out of the car and dashed across the street without saying a word, her smile as bright as if she’d found gold.

“Ms. Ren.” The maid had a faint, ambiguous smile on her face, her gaze showing just the right amount of surprise.

Perhaps too excited, Mammy Ren immediately grabbed the maid’s hand, chiding, “You, it’s been so long since you came to my house! If you don’t come soon, I’d think you dumped my brat!”

The maid softly replied, “Ms. Ren, rest assured, I’ll always be by… his side.”

What a good child…

Mammy Ren was naturally outgoing, especially with acquaintances, so she naturally linked her arm with the maid’s, “Come on, let’s not stand here, let’s find a place to sit and have some tea, alright? Do you have time?”

“Of course.” The maid pointed ahead, “I know a little shop up ahead that has great cakes, would Ms. Ren like to try some?”

“I’m on a diet… um, eating! Let’s go eat!” Mammy Ren nodded without hesitation, “By the way, stop calling me Ms. Ren. Call me Mama… um, Sister Ren first!”

“Sister Ren.”

“Hey!”

Just like a pair of beautiful sisters, but passersby seemed not to notice.

The supermarket’s automatic doors opened again as Da Zhe came out carrying two big bags—having nothing much to do, Da Zhe was called out by the maid this morning early and ended up as the bag-carrying laborer.

Seeing the maid and Mammy Ren walk closely together up ahead, Da Zhe opened his mouth, “Wow… this is… deliberate, right?”

Sighing inwardly at the strategy, Da Zhe, carrying the full bags, floated up into the sky and leisurely drifted toward the shop.

…

…

Despite its generally serious atmosphere, the University of Political Science and Law also had many quiet places that could create an ambiguous atmosphere.

For example, the sports equipment room.

Heavy breathing could be heard from the corner near the pommel horse, clearly indicating young couples tasting the forbidden fruit.

The girl’s clothes were already in disarray, but she kept her mouth shut, tilting her neck upward to accentuate the contour of her collarbone.

The neck, where the boy was currently invading, already showed a fresh red hickey. The boy didn’t seem satisfied with this and intended to go further.

But just as he was about to move forward, the equipment room door suddenly opened—the sound instantly alarming the hormone-driven couple.

There stood a skinny boy wearing glasses and sportswear, holding a basket of badminton rackets, bewildered at the door.

Zhao Le wished he could escape instantly… and almost did just that.

“Stay put!” However, the boy suddenly barked a cold order.

Zhao Le clutched the basket handle tightly. With her head held high, the girl hurriedly dashed out… Zhao Le stealthily glanced and recognized her as a popular girl from a parallel class.

The boy was also quite well-known and swaggering in school—although not in Zhao Le’s class, they’d met before.

“Four-Eyes Chicken, who told you to come here?” The boy adjusted his jacket zipper, looking unfriendly as he approached Zhao Le.

“N-no one, I was tidying up… I didn’t mean to.” Zhao Le slightly averted his gaze.

The boy sneered, lunging forward—he was athletic, grabbing Zhao Le’s collar and pulling him close.

The boy stood a whole head taller than the slender Zhao Le.

“I’m really pissed off now, what do you think you should do?” The boy sneered, raising his fist.

The fist promptly swung toward Zhao Le’s face… Zhao Le instinctively curled his body and closed his eyes—yet the punch delayed more than expected.

As Zhao Le reopened his eyes, he saw the boy’s arm had been caught by someone—a guy in the same sportswear as him.

“Mingming…” Zhao Le’s lips moved as he called out the name of the boy who saved him, Chen Mingming.

“Chen Mingming!” The boy frowned, shaking his arm which Chen Mingming grabbed, failing to pull free, “None of your business, get lost!”

Chen Mingming glanced at Zhao Le, then replied calmly, “I’m also responsible for organizing the equipment with him. If he gets hurt, it becomes troublesome for me… I don’t like trouble.”

With that, Chen Mingming released the boy’s arm with a powerful swing, making the boy feel as if his arm might dislocate.

The boy glared at Chen Mingming with resentment… this guy not only had excellent academic performance and was an all-rounder in sports, but was also the star of the school’s Sanda Club… Although Chen Mingming’s father was just an average police officer, his mother was a well-known lawyer with a network of influential acquaintances.

This boy knew he couldn’t intimidate the other party with his modest background, so he whispered, “You’ve got guts… let’s just say I’m giving you face today!”

Saying that, he directly pushed Zhao Le away and sneered, “Kid, be smarter next time! If you mess up my plans again… I’ll make sure you can’t stay here!”

Seeing that the boy really left, Zhao Le finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Chen Mingming, gratefully saying, “Thank you, if it weren’t for you, I would have definitely gotten beaten up.”

Chen Mingming, however, crouched down and started tidying up the badminton rackets on the ground, “Pack up your things, or we’ll miss the next class.”

Zhao Le quickly squatted down and began picking up the rackets. He suddenly asked, “By the way, Mingming, I heard you’re planning to immigrate?”

“Yes.” Chen Mingming simply replied.

After that, Zhao Le didn’t say anything more, nor did he ask further… Chen Mingming was one of the few people in the class who barely talked to anyone, with a character that could be described as somewhat reclusive, very hard to approach, and practically had no friends.

The items were almost packed when Zhao Le’s phone seemed to ring. He took it out, glanced at it, and his face became somewhat awkward.

“Mingming, I have something to do… could you help me call in a leave of absence?”

Without waiting for Chen Mingming’s response, Zhao Le hurriedly left the sports equipment room… Chen Mingming glanced at him in confusion, then continued to tidy up the remaining items without paying much more attention.

After arranging all the rackets neatly, Chen Mingming closed the equipment room door before leaving the gym.

…

Because of tidying up with Zhao Le after gym class, when Chen Mingming changed clothes and walked on the path to the next class, there were already not many students around.

“Mingming!”

Suddenly, a voice made Chen Mingming stop. When he turned around, he saw Gao Wen walking toward him, holding a briefcase.

Gao Wen was not just Chen Mingming’s teacher at school. Due to some customary practices prevalent within the circle, he had formally acknowledged Gao Wen as his teacher under the guidance of Zhou Yusheng.

“Teacher,” Chen Mingming greeted politely.

Gao Wen always felt his student was somewhat cold, but considering his upbringing, there was nothing he could do… Honestly, he was quite satisfied with having taken this disciple under his wing.

Smart, meticulous, calm, and observant. Although he lacked the youthful energy of others his age, he possessed a composed demeanor hard to find in them.

“Walk with me? You probably have a class over there too?” Gao Wen smiled as he spoke.

Chen Mingming nodded and walked alongside Gao Wen.

After a few steps, Gao Wen slowly asked, “Did you see your dad?”

“I saw him yesterday.” Chen Mingming nodded.

“Did you tell him?” Gao Wen frowned slightly.

Chen Mingming just nodded again.

Gao Wen sighed, “Are you really not planning to reconsider? With your abilities, you don’t need to go abroad to find greater opportunities. Initially, I planned to introduce you to my mentor next year. He’s an authority internationally, and with his guidance, your achievements wouldn’t be limited.”

Chen Mingming was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Teacher, why do people make choices that lead to change?”

Gao Wen opened his mouth, then shook his head. For someone with a firm will, once a decision is made, it’s hard to change, a fact well understood by someone who studies psychology.

“The night before last, your dad came to my house and drank all night. He’s always had headaches, and only after drinking some alcohol did he manage to fall asleep.” Gao Wen suddenly patted Chen Mingming’s shoulder, “Family matters are hard for outsiders to judge… If you’re facing difficulties, don’t hesitate to talk to me. Your dad and I were colleagues for years, and it’s hard to see him like this now.”

Chen Mingming stopped, looked at Gao Wen, and calmly said, “Teacher, I’m a student and can afford to be late. You’re a teacher, and it’s not good to be late… There’s only three minutes left, so if you don’t hurry up, you’ll really be late.”

Gao Wen, helpless, could only shake his head. He took a pen and a note from his briefcase and wrote something on the paper before handing it to Chen Mingming, “After you and your mom immigrate, I have an old friend there. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact him. He might be able to help a little.”

Chen Mingming didn’t refuse Gao Wen’s kindness and kept the note.

The two separated at the corner… Gao Wen watched as Chen Mingming’s figure disappeared into the distance, shook his head again, then headed in the opposite direction, towards the classroom.

At this moment, Chen Mingming suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at the corner.

His expression was emotionless, and after watching for a while when no one was around, Chen Mingming’s right palm began to emit a faint silver glow. Gradually, a gun of dull silver color slowly materialized.

Chen Mingming slowly raised his left hand, and in the palm of his left hand, a semi-transparent bullet was slowly forming—though it remained semi-transparent.

Looking at this bullet, Chen Mingming knew that to be fully operational, it needed to be infused with life—without infusion, it would soon disappear.

However, he could distinctly feel how much life needed to be infused—unlike the previous bullet requiring 9.9 days, this bullet only required a few minutes.

“As expected, for acquaintances… the required time is less.”

Chen Mingming mumbled softly, and with a quick grasp of his left hand, the semi-transparent bullet vanished into thin air.

The silver gun also faded away… Chen Mingming turned and continued walking to his classroom.

…

Due to meeting Chen Mingming on the way, some time was delayed… Gao Wen rarely entered the classroom at the exact moment the bell rang. He usually arrived at least five minutes early to prepare for teaching.

“Sorry, everyone. I was delayed by something just now.” Gao Wen quickly walked to the podium, “Let’s start the class now.”

He deftly opened the teaching materials and slowly looked up, scanning the students in the tiered classroom… Suddenly, Gao Wen’s gaze paused.

At the seat by the window at the far back, Gao Wen saw the boy again… Luo Qi’s son!

This was… the third time!

This is a look of fixed attention.

It suddenly reminded Gao Wen of something Nietzsche once said:

—When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.