Jiang Yi Nan's POV
"So what is the plan?" Shen Xiaoxi asked.
"I did think of something. I'm pretty sure if we directly ask for information, he will not give it to us. He may even threaten to call the police. So we have to think of a distraction. I can hack few of his computers, since his café has a small number of computers; he has to check the issue. When he'll be distracted and leaves his office, that's the moment I'll go inside and hack his main computer for 19th December's CCTV. Since the email was sent around 7 pm, I'll get login entry and footage for that day." I said.
"So what do I have to do?" She asked.
"You have to go inside and ask for a computer. There click photos of all the login id and password of the surrounding computers. Then, make a video on how you opened the computer. And remember to check how many computers were in your lane. Now go and come quickly."
She went inside and came after some time.
"There are a total of 10 computers in a lane. Their password and login id are the same."
"Which lane were you in?"
"Lane C. Now what do we do?"
"We wait." Slowly the place started to fill with many people. I think this is the time to execute our plan.
"Now what you need to do is go inside and call for a computer again. As soon as you reach there, message me, and inform about the surroundings. I'll hack that lane's computers and call you."
"And after that?"
"We'll improvise according to the circumstances."
She grinned and said, "It's so exciting. I feel like I'm on an undercover mission."
"No need to be excited. Stay focused. After I start hacking his main computer, give me cover."
"Okay, old man."
Before I could say anything she rushed inside. After some time I received her message, 'Lane C is totally filled. We can start now.'
I started hacking the computers, but honestly it was hard. This guy's firewall is very developed. Hacking his main computer, in a small amount of time seems like a big job. As soon as I was done I messaged her.
'In a minute, everyone's screen will become blank. Call for the owner then. After I call you come in the lobby to give me cover.'
As I said within a minute chaos filled the café. The owner left his office to check up on the issue. The same time, I rushed inside and called Xiaoxi. What's wrong with this woman? Why isn't she picking up? I left her and started working on the computer. Then she called me again.
"Sorry, I'll be there right away."
Soon she came and apologized again.
"Hey I'm sorry. But how long will it take?"
"His firewall is pretty strong. It will take at least ten minutes."
"Ugh I feel very guilty. That middle-aged man works his ass off to earn and we are ruining his sales. He is suffering so much with no fault of his. I feel very bad for him. I relate a lot to him. Do you know why? Cause we both are stuck in this mess with no fault of ours. I hope this all ends soon."
As she was saying those words, all I could feel was guilt. Not for the owner, but mostly for her. I was too quick to judge her, and because of my mistake she is suffering. If this woman is really innocent, then I messed up. I messed up bad. I tried to divert my mind and said, "I'll pay him the compensation later. Now please be quiet and provide cover to me."
Suddenly she screamed, "Oh no shit!"
"What happened?"
"The owner's coming. He's done, why aren't you?"
"His security is very advanced. You do one thing, go and stall him. Try to talk anything but don't let him come here. I'll call you as soon as I'm done. Now run!"
I tried to complete it as quickly as I can. As soon as I was done, I removed today's CCTV to avoid any suspicion. Then I quickly called her and left.
"How did you manage to distract the owner?"
"Don't even ask! I'm pretty sure he thinks that either I'm a weirdo or a freak."
I laughed at her expressions. "Ha ha what did you say?"
"I spit on his face while talking. And I even talked to him about every weird thing. Ugh I don't even want to remember. I'm sure he will never let me inside his café again."
"Okay don't tell me. I'm hungry, what about you?"
She nodded and we both went to eat. As we were waiting for our order, I again asked, "What did you tell him?"
"You-"
"Come on tell it. The internet is not working here. I need some entertainment while eating. Say say say say say say s-"
"Okay okay okay I'm telling. You're so annoying."
"Right back at you, Miss!"
FLASHBACK :- 3rd Person's POV
"Oh my god, hello!" Shen Xiaoxi said.
"Uh, hi" The owner replied.
"I think I've seen you somewhere. You look very familiar." Shen Xiaoxi said in hopes of starting a discussion.
"I'm sorry but I don't know you." The owner replied.
"Oh yes, I remember. You were in the advertisement; right the one with STD's? That video was really informative. Seriously, a good job with the concept. The opening-" She was cut midway by the owner.
"I wasn't in the video. You're mistaken." He said sounding offended.
"Oh then were you in the undergarment one? Yeah I remember now. That ad was also amazing. It had a good storyline."
"Miss you're confused. I've never been in any advertisement." He said.
"Oh then you must be in the TV series; the one where husband used to cheat on his wife, right? I really hated your character. You shouldn't have-"
"Miss I've never been on any ads, movies, dramas or anything. I'm just a common man." He said sounding very agitated.
Suddenly, Xiaoxi received Yi Nan's call.
"Oh right, you are this place's owner, right?"
"Yes." He said sounding frustrated.
"Here's your money. You've a wonderful place. Thank you very much." She said and ran away.
FLASHBACK OVER
"Oh my god, that's- I can't- this is too funny. I'm so excited for more such endeavors with you."
"You're excited to work with me?"
"That's not what I meant. I actually meant that it will be- look the food's here." Thank God the food saved me from further embarrassment. But now everything's awkward. Ugh Jiang Yi Nan, you idiot! Thankfully, she started a conversation to reduce the awkwardness.
"Did you find the person in the footage?"
"No I just copied and pasted that day's footage and login credentials. When we reach home, we will check all the numbers to find the odd one. The odd one won't exist, since the killer will never add his own number. After that, we will check the footage from the specific time frame."
"Isn't that too much of work? I mean can't we directly check the footage?"
"First of all, we don't know the computer they used. There are about 15 cameras, it's impossible to check them all. Second of all, we don't know the exact timing the killer reached there. So, this is the best option."
"Okay I understand. I think we will have to pull an all-nighter for this, it's already 8 p.m."
We went back home and divided the whole list into two for convenience. After few hours, I said. "All the numbers in my list exist. What about you?"
"I found it. This is the only number doesn't exist."
"What is the name of the person?"
"It's very weird, I don't know how to pronounce. It's Y-O-C-A-F-I-M."
"Y-O-C-A-F-I-M, You can't find me! Ha, but we did find you! This is our person. Let's check the footage. What's the in and out time?" I asked excitedly.
"In time is 3:30 and out time is 8:00 p.m." She replied.
As soon as we opened the footage, and heard the voice it was clear that he was a man. But we received a major shock, that very moment. We weren't able to see his face as he was in the blind spot of the camera. And while leaving also, he efficiently covered his damn face. Honestly I was very upset, even though he was in front of me, I couldn't do anything. Seriously life is full of coincidences.
"He was right, we couldn't find him. I feel so frustrated." I opened the email to look for more clues, when something miraculous happened.
"Oh my god!" I exclaimed.
"Yi Nan I understand you are upset, but we can't lose hope. We will definitely-"
"Look at this!" I said.
"Wow this is unbelievable."